Liberty Gospel Church celebrates 20 years in Belleville

On April 7, Liberty Gospel Church, 105 N. Liberty Street, Belleville, held its 20-Year Anniversary Meeting.
Pastor Bernie Travis told the story of the church:
The Belleville Assembly began with Bro. William Waters holding a house meeting at the home of Dan and Kimberly Hibbitts in Ypsilanti on Nov. 16, 1995. Sis. Martha Dunford had been praying for a church of the Body of Christ to come to Belleville. They also met in the home of Joe and Judy Laura of Rockwood.
The first meeting in Belleville was at the home of Don and Mary Johnson who removed a wall to give the worshippers more room. They also met in the home of the Johnsons’ daughter, Lisa. Later they rented the Victory Station for $20 an hour, but conditions there were disappointing.
On March 28, 1998, Bro. Waters, with the assistance of Troyce Travis, secured a lease on the store front at 41001 E. Huron River Drive and the church was established as Gospel Assembly. The dedication service was held the following month.
Approximately two weeks later, Bro. Waters spoke to Bernie Travis about assisting him in opening other branch churches and he appointed Travis to be in charge of Belleville in his absence. The next service Travis stood up in Belleville to open the service and God spoke to him in no uncertain terms: “I am giving you to Belleville.” Travis immediately knew where God wanted him to spend his efforts and shortly after Bro. Waters named Travis as pastor.
They worshipped at the Huron River Drive site until March of 2003. Then they purchased the current property for $275,000 and closed the purchase on May 15, 2003. They operated as a branch of the Warren church by the name of Great Lakes Gospel Assembly until June 18, 2012. Bro. Tom Lord had suggested they should be autonomous so that they would be in better order. It was then that they became Liberty Gospel Church.
Pastor Travis said they have been able to make various improvements plus making extra payments on their 30-year mortgage, which will be paid off in only four to five more years, according to their bookkeeper.
“God is soooooo good!” Pastor Travis said.