New church splits from Abiding Word

STERLING – The associate pastor of Abiding Word Church, one of the city’s biggest, has left to form his own church.

The Rev. Paul Sheley is organizing Oneighty Church, which plans to start holding services Sunday at Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Road. Space at the school has been reserved from 10 a.m. to noon, officials there said.

Neither Abiding Word Pastor Scott Porter nor Sheley would comment on the new church. Sheley said he would speak with the newspaper later about Oneighty.

Abiding Word staff declined to say how many members the church has. In March, officials there said the average weekly attendance was 550, with members from both Lee and Whiteside counties.

It’s unclear how many of Abiding Word’s members plan to move to Oneighty.

Abiding Word has grown much in recent years.

After meeting a number of places over the years, including the Sterling Coliseum, it built a new facility on a 32-acre lot at 806 E. Lynn Blvd. more than 2 years ago.

It also has an extensive website, which includes audio of sermons, and a Facebook page.

The church is planning to add an administrative wing and youth building, a walking path around the church campus, softball diamonds and playground, according to www.abidingwordchurch.org, its website.

Porter has been with Abiding Word since 1986; the church was founded a year earlier. He took the reins when founding pastor Jim Evans resigned in 1988.