New church to open doors

ROCK FALLS – A new church in Rock Falls will welcome parishioners with its first service next month.

Liberty Baptist Church, 2002 Ninth Ave., across from Dillon Elementary School, will open its doors at 11 a.m. on Sept. 11. It’s the former site of Community Church of Christ.

Tommy McMurtry, 30, is the pastor of the church, an offspring of Lighthouse Baptist Church in LaSalle, where his father, Tom McMurtry, is pastor. Tom McMurtry started Lighthouse Baptist 23 years ago; his son was assistant pastor the last 10 years.

So, how did he wind up over in Whiteside County? “Felt the Lord calling me to start a church somewhere and he kind of pointed this area out to me,” Tommy McMurtry said. “So we decided to make the move over here and start a church. We were blessed the Lord helped us get this building.”

Tommy and Cassandra, 30, his wife of 10 years, have five children: Tommy III, Jason, Abigail, Chloe and Allison. She is from the area, and they are looking for a home in Rock Falls as they make the move from LaSalle.

Although he has a lot of family in the ministry, this will be his first pastorship.

“This is where my heart’s always been,” Tommy said. “I was called to preach when I was 19; just been doing whatever I could ever since. This is an exciting opportunity for me – really looking forward to seeing what happens.”

In the weeks leading up to the first service, the McMurtrys and family have been busy readying the church. There will be rooms for Sunday school and junior church services, and Cassandra, a church pianist for 23 years, will perform the same duties at the new church, and also help with special dinners the church hopes to have around holidays.

To get the word of their arrival out, they have distributed more than 12,000 fliers across the Sterling-Rock Falls area. There will be a singing group for the first service, and giveaways.

“We believe church isn’t supposed to be boring,” McMurtry said. “It’s an exciting place. I think with all the people that we have coming in, we’re thinking we’re going to have a full house that day.

“It’s going to be a lively service.”

To attend

Liberty Baptist Church will have its first service at 11 a.m. Sept. 11 at 2002 Ninth Ave., across from Dillon Elementary School in Rock Falls.

Go to experience-liberty.com or call Tommy McMurtry, the new pastor 815-579-1209.

The church still needs a few items, such as folding chairs and baby supplies such as high chairs, toys and cribs. Call McMurtry with donations.