THE CHERRYVALE STORY

Cherryvale is an Independent Baptist Church with an ethnically diverse family of believers, conveniently located just West of Sumter near Shaw AFB.

The church originally began in the mid 1960s. In the late sixties, when Brother Ed Bowen became the pastor, he sought the Lord’s direction in ministering to the Sumter community. He and members of the church began reaching out to the military community at nearby Shaw AFB.

It was then that he realized that many of the airmen they reached out to were young black men or women and their families. Pastor Bowen and the congregation made a commitment to the Lord that no one would be turned away. Since that time, our doors have been open to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or cultural background.

In the heart of the South, this was a bold and unheard of move. Especially during the time when racial prejudices were just beginning to thaw. This decision cost Pastor Bowen personally and financially, yet he was determined to move forward.

Over time, God greatly blessed the faithfulness of Brother Ed and the congregation of Cherryvale. The church made a concerted effort to reach out to the local Cherryvale community in addition to Shaw AFB.

Over the next several decades, the congregation of Cherryvale Baptist Church grew and developed several outreach ministries to reach souls in the greater Sumter areas for Christ. Many current members were saved through this outreach ministry. Today their children and grandchildren are part of this congregation.

As the 21st Century unfolds, Cherryvale Baptist Church remains an anchor in the Sumter community as a vibrant and exciting multi-racial congregation. As we move forward, under Pastor Ed Bowen’s careful stewardship the next generation of leadership is poised to take the ministry reigns.

Today, the outreach of Cherryvale Baptist Church extends around the world through support of over 60 missionaries and church ministries in several states.