5040 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg VA

Today, I had the incredible honor and joy of visiting the 82nd church on my journey to visit every Christian church in my city as guided by the Holy Spirit.

That special church was Faith Assembly (A Church In The Home Ministry).

Located within a charming house on Fort Avenue, this church speaks to the beauty of simplicity and the power of faith.

I have driven past this house thousands of times, always wondering what worship looked like inside its walls.

Today, I had the privilege of stepping inside, and it was like being transported back in time to a simpler era.

From the moment I entered, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The house, adorned with beautiful hardwood floors and lovingly decorated to glorify God, immediately felt like sacred ground.

Faith Assembly was founded over 20 years ago by Smith Sheriff, whose heart for God and community left an enduring legacy, I was told. Though Pastor Sheriff has since gone home to be with the Lord, the congregation has carried on his vision with faith and devotion.

Some members shared with me how, after Pastor Sheriff’s passing, they visited other churches in the area but found themselves longing for the “old-timey” traditions that had always defined their worship.

And so, they stayed… determined to continue what they believe the church was always meant to be: a place of care, sharing, and scriptural worship.

For the past 10 years, they’ve faithfully gathered in this humble yet sacred space, preserving the legacy of their beloved pastor and creating a church experience rooted in simplicity and reverence.

Walking into this service felt like stepping into a time machine, back to an era when worship was unencumbered by technology. Faith Assembly does not use the internet or television. Instead, the congregation gathers to worship in ways that are intentionally simple and profoundly heartfelt.

We listened to a CD featuring a radio broadcast from the late Pastor L.R. Shelton Sr. of First Baptist Church of Algiers. The sermon, titled “God’s Way of Grace,” focused on the importance of salvation and the dangers of unbelief.

Pastor Shelton’s words were a reminder of the need for conviction and a troubled heart when confronted with the ways of the world. The scripture for the sermon was Jeremiah 6:14, and I was deeply moved by the emphasis on returning to God’s grace and living a life that honors Him.

What stood out to me most was how this church prioritized prayer.

Each of us had the opportunity to lift up prayers, not just for ourselves and our families but for our city, our nation, and the church as a whole. The act of coming together in prayer felt so intimate, so intentional, and so powerfully unifying. It was a reminder of how essential prayer is to our faith and our walk with God.

The music at Faith Assembly did not use live instruments or a worship band, instead we sang along to hymns from an Alan Jackson CD, including “Amazing Grace” and “He Lives.” There was something moving about singing these hymns together, voices blending in a small room filled with the presence of God.

It didn’t matter that there were no elaborate sound systems or flashy visuals; the sincerity of the worship was more than enough.

After the worship and sermon, we sat together at a table to share stories and get to know one another. It was here that I truly felt the heart of this church. Each person had a story to tell, a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness in their lives. They shared about their families, their struggles, and their triumphs, and I was struck by the depth of their faith and the warmth of their fellowship.

This church isn’t just about coming together for an hour on Sunday mornings; it’s about being a family. They live out their mission of caring and sharing in every way, creating a safe space for anyone who walks through their doors.

One member shared how much it means to them that their church isn’t about “something new” but about returning to the roots of the Christian faith… just as the early church gathered in homes, so does Faith Assembly.

Their focus isn’t on innovation or modern trends but on living out the gospel in its purest form.

Visiting Faith Assembly was a blessing I will always cherish. It was a reminder that worship doesn’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful. Sometimes, the simplest acts, singing a hymn, lifting a prayer, sharing a story… are the most profound.

As I continue this journey of visiting every church in my city, I am continually amazed by the ways God is working in our community and in my own life.

Each visit is a piece of the puzzle, a step toward healing and understanding.

I can’t wait to see where the Holy Spirit leads me next, and I know that wherever it is, God will continue to reveal His grace and love in ways that are both humbling and powerful.