The Firehouse Church in Meridian was organized by Pastor Scotty Cole in October of 2012.

God placed a strong passion in his heart for a ministry that had a focus on the Redline Community. Cole and his wife, Kajsa, met with people they knew who were seeking direction from God as they were transitioning in their spiritual walk. The meeting place was originally set to be in the Weschler School building, but due to its asbestos, they had to find a new location.

In October of 2012, Cole started having Bible study in his home with the people who would become the startup group. He used October through December to teach the vision, strategize, and prepare for the official launch of the ministry.

Cole wanted to have the church located in the Redline community. He met with a local congregation who was meeting in the facility that currently is The Firehouse Church, but could not afford the requirements set forth by the ministry to share the facilities, being a new start, no members, no money and possession only vision and faith.

He then met with Pastor Greg Moore of the New Olivet Church located on 29th Avenue. Pastor Moore opened his doors to Pastor Cole and on Jan. 6, 2013, The Firehouse Church officially launched with its first worship service at 1 p.m. On the opening Sunday seven people joined, which were the ones who had been supporting since October. The Firehouse kept going and growing. By July 2014, The Firehouse had outgrown the facility and needed more room. Pastor Sam Merriweather of Community Outreach opened his doors for The Firehouse. The facility was located on 26th Avenue and was the old Stevens and Latimer Funeral Home building.

The Firehouse showed its commitment to the community by evangelism, outreach, and providing spirit-filled worship services. They sponsored clothing giveaway, food distribution, voter registration, neighborhood watch, school partnerships, economic empowerment, seminars, mentorship, sponsorship and community fellowship. Pastor Cole believes and often articulates to the congregation: “There can be no relationship without fellowship.” With the continued success and growth, The Firehouse had to make a decision to move into its own facility, which caused them to leave the Redline community and move to Highway 39. In April 2015, it began services overlooking Woodstock Furniture store. Even though it was located in East Meridian, its focus remained the same.

In February of 2016, the facility Cole inquired of during the church’s inception became available. This time the church was established and growing, so he decided to take advantage of the opportunity and make the decision to return “The Firehouse Church to the Redline community. This move would allow the congregation to have classrooms, offices, a fellowship hall, conference room, parking, and a beautiful sanctuary. In April of 2016, The Firehouse Church relocated to 3718 8th St., which is the current location. As the church continues to fulfill the mission and vision, God continues to bless the ministry to be a blessing. The vision of the church is to ignite the flame of the people of God to learn of God, live for God, and love like God.

About the church:

Name: The Firehouse Church.

Denomination: Non-denominational.

Pastor: Scotty Cole and Evangelist Kajsa Cole – Founding pastors four years.

Founded: Oct. 6, 2012.

How many members: Began with seven members – now almost 200.

Address: 3718 8th St., Meridian, MS 39301.

Contact Info: www.thefirehousechurch@aol.com (855) 917-FIRE (3473).

Service Times:

Sunday School – 9 a.m., Sunday Worship – 10 a.m.

First Sundays Communion Service – 6 p.m.

Wednesday Word Empowerment – 6:30 p.m.

Special upcoming events:

ManUp Men’s Conference – June 16-18.

Redline Community Fellowship – Saturday, June 3 @ Weschler Community Arts Center.

Annual event special to the church:

Our church anniversary (First Sunday in October) and Resurrection Weekend Celebration.

Cheryl Owens coordinates the Worship Site Profile, which is published Saturdays in The Star. Recommend your site to cowens@themeridianstar.com.