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Our History - Chapter 5 Chapter 5... "Arise and Build" (1978-1985) The years 1977 and '78 marked the beginning of two new and exciting ministries at Harbor Christian Center. For several years, Sarah Parker, a travel agent and member of the church, had urged Pastor Ezell to visit the Holy Land and to start taking tour groups to "walk where Jesus walked." With his busy schedule, Pastor had dozens of good reasons why he couldn't take the time for a trip to Israel. Besides, Jesus was just as real to him in Wilmington as in Israel, so why go? But Sarah was a very persistent lady, and in 1977, Pastor and Mrs. Ezell, along with approximately 40 members of the church, went on the first of what would be over a dozen trips to the Holy Land.As with flying and the Mexico ministry, once Pastor was sold on the Israel tours, he was totally sold on them! He now understood the difference such an experience could make. As he often said, "It will make your Bible come alive!" He now knew from personal experience that once having seen the land of the Bible, that every time one read about a place they had visited, it meant so much more. It was "more real." He saw people's faith strengthened as they saw the actual locations of Bible events they'd read about all their lives. Under his leadership, hundreds of members of Harbor Christian Center were able to share this experience. About this same time, Pastor was also seeing the fulfillment of a desire he'd had for many years: A Christian school. A duplex had been purchased across the street from the church, and renovations had begun to bring it up to the building codes required for a preschool. Joan Davis was asked to help with this project. Later Cheri Steinker would become the Director. After much work, Happy Harbor Preschool opened in October of 1978 with eight students. By 1980, not only were the four classrooms filled, but also there were students on a waiting list. By 1992, the Preschool had grown to eight classrooms full of students in three buildings. Because of the strongly favorable community response to the Preschool, a Kindergarten class was started in September of 1980 under the direction of Cheri Steinker. After the first semester, the Kindergarten still had only seven students. This didn't discourage "Miss Cheri," and she reminded Pastor that great things often start small. She was willing to work without pay if necessary to keep the Kindergarten going. It was during this year that, as she walked across the property at the south end of the Sanctuary, that the Lord allowed her to see by faith that one day we would have a school with all the grades, and a big one at that! By the time the 1981-82 school year began, what she had seen by faith was becoming reality. The school had a new name, Pacific Harbor Christian School. The Kindergarten had grown to a K-1st grade combined class and a Junior High made up of grades 7 and 8 had been added. Nolan Green began this year as the Jr. High teacher and the following year became principal of Pacific Harbor. The next school term, grades 2-6 were added, as well as grade 9. In the years that followed, additional teachers and classrooms were added and grades that had been combined at first were able to have their own classrooms as enrollment increased. As Pacific Harbor Christian School grew, so did the preschool. An additional building was added, located on the corner of Sandison Street and Wilmington Boulevard. The new building became known as "Little Happy Harbor," because of its small size (only two classrooms) and because it housed the youngest classes, the two year olds. By the time Cheri Steinker left for an extended stay in Australia in 1983, the full preschool through grade 9 school, which the Lord had showed her, was a reality. Not long after the Israel trips and the schools were started, Pastor H. W. Ezell was able to implement another concept, a home Bible study program based on his recorded sermons. Harbor Institute of the Scriptures, as it came to be called, was made up of printed study guides who corresponded with cassette tapes of his messages. Those who joined Harbor Institute of the Scriptures (H.I.S.) could study at home, working their way through groupings of lessons. Upon completion of either a topical series or one based on a book of the Bible, they would be awarded a certificate signed by Pastor Ezell. This self-paced Bible study program is still in use at Harbor Christian Center, and to date, several hundred individuals have taken part in it. When the Steinker family returned from their time in Australia, they again became very actively involved in various ministries of the church. Jerry Steinker, with the help of Don Swan, oversaw the development of the church's Control Room, with its audio-visual equipment, lighting, heating and air conditioning. Cheri provided leadership for the children's and youth choirs, the Caring Ministry, Bread of Life ministry and the "Prime Timers" fellowship group for seniors. Addie Paul, a faithful servant of the Lord, worked closely with Cheri in ministering to those who needed special care of any kind. Since "Miss Addie's" death, her daughter, Ruby, has continued to be a faithful helper in various ways. Our thanks and sincere appreciation go to all that helped make this history possible. Sister Helen Carl, Lola Bates, Hattie Carrigan, Bernice Leenders, Rev. Leonard Nipper, Rev. James Pryor, Tom Irwin, Ed von Delden, Alline Grim, Deborah Coloma, Raul Cardona, Mack & Lucille Alford, Warren & Clara Hodges, Jerry & Cheri Steinker, Dennis Burke, Vava Duran, Preston & Louise Haag, Willa Dean Burrow, Edna Ezell. Special thanks to John Roberts for the use of his VCR and the video of the Ezell's 50th Anniversary / 70th Birthday celebration as well as several videos of interviews done after the home going of Pastor H. W. Ezell. |
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