Our Story
Rwandan Roots
Our church can trace its root to faithful Rwandan bishops who formed PEARUSA, and then formed the AMiA (Anglican Mission in America). Faithful bishops in Rwanda were willing to risk money and relationships to maintain a Biblical and orthodox Anglican Church in North America. The AMiA matured, became the Anglican Church of North America in 2009, and has been committed to orthodox Anglicanism ever since. The Diocese of Christ our Hope started as an Anglican church planting network, but matured to a full diocese in 2015. Church of the Good Shepherd exists today because of faithful Christians halfway around the world, who inspired others to plant orthodox churches.
West Virginia Church Planting
Church of the Good Shepherd is being planted because we want to spread the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension with the people of Nicholas County. We did not get here alone. We have been supported from the beginning by the Diocese of Christ our Hope, Mission Hope WV, and multiple Anglican churches in West Virginia. Years of prayer and planning have culminated in Good Shepherd’s existence, and we rejoice that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has not forgotten the hills and hollers of West Virginia.
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
We are planting a church to see those who were dead become alive in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are planting a church to see those who were lost find a spiritual family through the blood of Jesus Christ. Many leave the hills and hollers for brighter pastures in other places (and praise be to God if God has called them to that). We are committed to staying in Nicholas County and, Lord willing, being a gospel light for centuries to come. We believe that the Lord honors the faithful proclamation of the gospel, and are eager to see what the Lord does through Church of the Good Shepherd. We hope that you’ll be a part of the story that God is writing in this place!
“I look forward to my great grandchildren being members of Church of the Good Shepherd.”
— A member of Good Shepherd (who does not yet have grandchildren)