Commerce Community Church (C3) has become known for bringing individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds together for worship during the past four years.
C3 meets every Sunday at 6:00 p.m. on the second floor of A&M-Commerce’s Sam Rayburn Student Center (SRSC). The C3 college ministry is university approved, a recognized student organization and has some of the rights and services of being a campus organization.
After starting with 20 members, C3 now records nearly 70 members in attendance at each of its Sunday services.
“It was a small group, but we grew fast,” C3 pastor David Ferguson said.
C3 originally began meeting at non-vocational pastor Ron Peron’s house, and then at the Holiday Inn and Commerce High School before their current location at the SRSC.
Ferguson said C3’s ministry encompasses students and members of the Commerce community, and offers an inviting “come as you are” atmosphere.
“I don’t think there is anything in life that matters more than pointing people in life to what is real,” Ferguson said. “If there is anyone looking for an understanding of what life is about and why they exist, then I would invite them to consider [letting] Jesus Christ into their life. Commerce Community Church is a great place to witness that.”
Ferguson said C3’s services are designed to encourage student-community interaction, as well as foster fellowship between different age groups.
“C3 worship services allow students to engage and interact with families living that next step in life,” he said. “What’s next is a mystery. This helps students not be isolated to their age group.”
C3 collegiate intern and A&M-Commerce graduate Justin Turner said he has benefited from being in a peer mentor position of sorts.
“I have benefited most from the position by being able to form relationships with students,” Turner said. “As a student myself, I love being able to teach and show other students how living for Christ is not independent from who they are as students, but instead, who they are in Jesus gives them their identity in every area of life, even being a student.”
A&M-Commerce student and C3 member Derrek Irwin has attended services for about a year.
“To me, it’s more than just a church,” Irwin said. “I’ve been challenged and I’ve grown over the last year in ways I couldn’t have imagined due to the teaching and discipline that I’ve received at C3. I love the people that go to C3, and they are much more my family than just fellow church members.”
Ferguson said he also appreciates the family aspect of C3, as well as the opportunity for spiritual growth it has afforded him.
“I encourage people to be a part of community groups because it’s a way we live life together,” he said. “I think this church has served me more than I have served it. They (C3 members) shape me as much as I shape them as we all walk with the Lord together. We delight ourselves in Jesus Christ and glorify ourselves around him.”
C3’s office is located at 2104 (D) Monroe Street in Commerce. Those interested in learning more about C3 may visit C3FORCHRIST.org or call 903-513-2699.