Exciting things are happening at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Cornelius, as the congregation recently welcomed their new Senior Pastor, the Reverend Aaron C. Moore, and his family.
A graduate of Garinger High School in Charlotte, Aaron met his wife of 23 years, Sarah, at Gardner-Webb University. The couple and their four children have relocated to the Lake Norman area from Marietta, Georgia, and they couldn’t be more thankful.
“There’s usually a pressure with new beginnings to put your best foot forward — and the feeling can be like a middle school dance, not knowing exactly what to say or do,” explains Aaron. “What I got instead was a beautiful community of people who love Jesus and were ready with arms wide open for a fresh new start. Some joined us to unload boxes on moving day, others sent dinner and cakes. This welcome is everything a pastor could hope for in a new church, and my family is blessed to be part of Bethel!”
The Moore family made Bethel Presbyterian their official church home last February, and Aaron delivered his first sermon — appropriately — on Ash Wednesday. He shares the enormous life blessing of being “back home,” as after his installation service he and Sarah were able to serve lunch for a large group of friends and relatives — some of whom they hadn’t seen for over six years.
“There is no value we can place on being back home,” he says. “My oldest is 19 and will be a student at Gardner-Webb University in the fall, my other two boys are 17 and 13, and my daughter is 11. While they miss their friends in Georgia, and this is a huge sacrifice for them, I’m confident Bethel will be a wonderful landing spot for new friends and a rich environment for them to grow in their faith. Susan Kittle (Children’s Director) and Sean Niner (Youth Director) are both powerhouses of faith, and I can’t thank God enough for their encouragement along the way.”
Aaron also studied music composition at Gardner-Webb and developed his ministry in nearby Shelby, NC. After graduation, he was called into full-time ministry in Boca Raton, FL, to serve with Grace Community Church. There he served as Director of Music and Adult Equipping Ministries, and continued his educational journey at Knox Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity degree.
As we all know, music is such an integral part of the Christian faith, and Aaron shares that his life has been brimming with church music from day one!
“You see it over and over in the Scriptures in the Psalms and Kings, and even in the New Testament, that music is a great way for disciples of Jesus to memorize Scripture,” he explains. “Theologian Karl Barth was once asked to summarize his theology in one sentence. His reply, ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’ Music has the ability to instill great truths in simple ways deep within our souls. From attending Montreat Music and Worship conferences as a teen, singing in choirs, handbells, and praise bands, to studying music as a college student, this has been my experience and inspiration.”
Aaron feels incredibly honored to be counted among the wonderful pastors who have serviced this community in the past.
“This church is almost 200 years old, and Sarah and I are both excited to serve Bethel,” he adds. “We look forward to knowing every name, hugging every neck, and seeing this church flourish for many years to come. We also look forward to being involved in the greater community through service and mission, as well as civic involvement. The church exists for the glory of Jesus Christ. And, as the prophet Jeremiah encouraged the exiles in Babylon: ‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’ (Jeremiah 29:7) We want to be a light and a blessing for folks near and far, in Cornelius, Lake Norman, North Carolina, and to the ends of the earth, and I believe Bethel desires the same. It is certainly poised to do just that!”
Bethel Presbyterian Church is located at 19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius, NC, 704-892-0546. You can also follow them at bethelpc.online or on Facebook.
