Written By Eric Bofinger
When the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference first formed in 1802, its primary purpose was to provide fellowship, promote unity, and engage in missionary work. With westward expansion of the United States, early SDB missionaries went out to share the Good News through the expanding territory. This would not have been possible if not for the collective effort of the original eight SDB member churches who completed more than just missionary work, but accomplished church planting, by prayerfully sending families as well as funds. Just as Paul instructed Titus to “to put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you,” (Titus 1:5) so did the early Seventh Day Baptists as they migrated from the East Coast, staked their claims and set up churches in the Midwest in places like Wisconsin; an area that now serves as the headquarters for the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference of USA & Canada.
In 2025, is this effort still happening? Are Seventh Day Baptists planting new churches? At the Eastern Association weekend in May, Executive Director Carl Greene updated those gathered that the denomination currently has twenty-five groups that are along the process of the Church Planting Funnel. One of these groups is Evan Dollar and the congregation of Covenant of Grace Seventh Day Baptist Church in Eastern Kentucky (Menifee County). A few years back, Evan moved his family from their home state of North Carolina for greener pastures, which included lower cost of living, a better lifestyle, and the opportunity to plant a church. Evan, who had reformed sabbatarian convictions, found in his hands Don Sanford’s book A Choosing People, which connected both doctrines with the historical faith and ignited Evan to pursue contact with the Seventh Day Baptists. One of Evan’s first contacts was (then) SDB Church Planting Coordinator Dave Stall. Over the next several months, Dave provided the encouragement and mentorship needed for Evan to be successful with this church plant.
In September of 2023, Evan had the opportunity to purchase a building suitable for a church and Dave encouraged him in this effort. It was around this time that one of the historical SDB churches, the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Shiloh began helping Evan through much needed prayer, encouragement, and some financial support to renovate the church building. The SDB Memorial Board also assisted with some rent / mortgage assistance. Evan also found support from members and other churches from across the denomination who provided prayer and financial donations. Through several visits between members of South Jersey churches to Kentucky as well as the Dollar Family to NJ, in April of 2024, Shiloh became the official sponsor church for Covenant of Grace. The Shiloh diaconate met regularly with Evan, prayed for him and continued to support and provide encouragement. In November of 2024, my family and I visited with the Dollars and provided additional support. We were able to meet several regular attendees of the church, participate in Sabbath worship, break bread together, and work on the church building.
After many months of renovation, the building is ready to hold the growing congregation, with renovations completed at the same time as the group officially outgrew their long-time meeting place in the Dollar family’s
living room and their son’s bedroom, which housed the piano and their weekly worship through song. The congregation continues to meet and is eagerly anticipating officially opening the doors to their building on July 12th.
In preparation for this official Grand Opening, Evan sent out postcards to local residents with an invitation to join for worship and a community cookout on July 12th starting at 11 AM. The community is invited to join and likewise so is the Seventh Day Baptist Community! This will be a day of fellowship and rejoicing!
Prayer for this event and for Covenant of Grace is needed! Specifically, pray that God would send men to establish the offices of Elder and Deacon (Titus 1:5) to help Evan spread the Gospel in their area. By God’s grace, in 2025 the effort of church planting still continues, and there will be a flourishing community of Seventh Day Baptists in the hills of Kentucky where God will grow His Church.
Covenant of Grace Seventh Day Baptist Church
2733 Dan Ridge Rd.
Wellington, KY 41472
Phone: (606) 691-0757
Email: covenantofgracesdb@gmail.com
Website: http://www.covenantofgracesdb.com
