Feeling God’s calling on their lives, Covington County natives Tim and Wanda Morgan, put their faith in the Lord 20 years ago, and moved back to their hometown to start a church.

And so, Andalusia Bible Church was founded.

Morgan said that they first started the church by meeting in homes at the beginning of 1997, but in April of 1997, they moved in their first building.

That building was in the Northside office park.

“We had been pastoring at a Southern Baptist church,” he said. “My wife is from Opp and I’m from Andalusia. The Lord sent us back here to found this church.”

The pair graduated from Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Okla., in 1991 and Tim earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership in 2013 from Southwestern Christian University. Kenneth E. Hagin founded Rhema in the 1970s.

Morgan said that over the years, they rented several buildings, and in 2005, the church purchased the old First Assembly of God building at the corner of Moore Road and South Three Notch.

Twenty years ago, the church had 25 members.

“Today, we run in the neighborhood of 100, if everyone is there,” he said.

They meet twice a week – Sunday at 10:30 a.m., and Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

In addition to Sunday morning worship, there is an adult Bible study, children’s ministry and their Just Youth group.

They average about 20 children and 10-15 youth.

Frank and Jeremie Shaffer are the youth pastors.

“The coolest thing about Just Youth is that we aren’t interested in where you came from, but where you’re going,” Frank said. “We focus on having a good time, while we are helping your soul.”

The name of the youth group came from Romans 1:17, “The just shall live by faith.”

Melanie Carpenter is the children’s pastor.

Morgan said that the church’s vision is to teach people who they are and what they have in Christ and to lead the lost to Jesus.

Morgan said he’s proud that they have been able to maintain an active ministry for the last 20 years.

He said he feels that that can be attributed the fact that they live within their means and “the Lord never gave us a plan B. He sent us here. There have been times we have wanted to quit and the Lord has encouraged us every time.”

Looking ahead, Morgan said they plan to increase their mission work.

“I have done several missions,” he said. “And we want to increase our footprint and minister to a more diverse group and expand and grow our ministry.”

A 20-year celebration is slated for next Sunday with a reading of the church history, praise and worship, lunch and games and more.