A church plant has begun meeting at the Motel 6 on Dorset Street. It is a Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) church called Centerpoint Christ Community Church. Blazing a new trail in more than one area, Centerpoint Church hopes to make its mark on the city through creative outlets in serving and demonstrating compassion in what they teach and how they live.
Centerpoint’s mission is “to genuinely embrace today's generation with love and truth so that together we might know and passionately live for God, making Jesus Christ the "CenterPoint" of our lives.” Pastor Paul Calvert and wife Shelly described their congregation as “loving” and “relaxed.” Their hope is to see continued growth, even as they reach out to the community in unique ways.
Shelly has helped to spearhead a new venture in serving called “We Love Birthday Parties” through the Troy soup kitchen. It is an outreach that celebrates birthdays for at-risk kids who may not otherwise have their special day remembered. According to Shelly, outreaches like “We Love Birthday Parties” are an extension of the love of Jesus Christ to children of Troy who need it most.
Pastor Calvert is a fourth generation Trojan and Class of ‘84 Troy high school graduate. Shelly also grew up in the community and currently works in communication and public relations for Troy Christian Schools. Paul and Shelly see Centerpoint as an exciting opportunity for their family to serve the community together.
The atmosphere of their Sunday morning gatherings are casual and “come just as you are” stylistically but the message is straightforward and comes from years of extensive study and experience on the part of the pastor. Calvert received his undergraduate degree from Word of Life Bible Institute and Cedarville University. He graduated with Masters of Divinity from the University of Cincinnati and pastored several churches locally before being ordained in the Presbyterian Church of America. Prior to embarking on his journey with Centerpoint, Calvert pastored in St. Paris at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for 3 years, Cove Spring Church in Elizabeth Township for 8 years, and The Meadows Community Church in Kettering for 4 years. He is multi-gifted and bi-vocational. During the week, Calvert works for Apple.
While there are plenty of churches in the area, Calvert said that he wanted to start a church in Troy because there is not a church with the style, delivery and message he brings. Since its first gathering in 2011 in the gymnasium at Troy Christian, Centerpoint claims the distinction of being the only PCA plant in north Dayton; the only other fellowship like it in the area is South Dayton Presbyterian Church of Centerville. Those familiar with the television ministry of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, started by the late PCA pastor D. James Kennedy will recognize similarities with Centerpoint. Other more current voices in the PCA include Timothy Keller, a popular author and pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City and Dr. Ligon Duncan III, the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Mississippi. According to Calvert, these associations are an encouragement to him in ministry and he hopes to see the vision of the PCA church realized in his hometown.
For more information about Centerpoint, their website is found at centerpointccc.com.
