Local Organization Spotlight: Maury Hills Church
Welcome to Support Local App, Maury Hills! Here’s a little about MHC for those of you who may not be familiar, from pastor Russ Adcox.
Tell us a little bit about Maury Hills.
Maury Hills Church is a non-denominational church located in Columbia. We've been a part of the community since 2001. Our mission is simple. We exist to "love God and love others." We express this love by serving the community in which we live. We love Columbia and the surrounding area, and want to do all we can to give back.
What’s your favorite thing about being in Columbia?
We love how Columbia is a big small town. It's big enough to offer amenities and a good quality of life, but small enough to run into someone you know every time you visit the grocery store. We love seeing friends and faces when we're out and about. We also love how people are finally "discovering" our little community. Love the new families moving into Columbia and the energy they are bringing to our hometown.
What’s something that’s really challenging running a non profit like yours?
The challenge with running a church is it's largely a volunteer-led organization funded 100% by donations. During good times, this can be difficult. During hard times (like this current season), it can be extremely difficult. When people can't gather it's harder to find volunteers and raise funds to keep the ministry going.
What do you love about your supporters?
We love the generosity of our supporters! They have a heart for Columbia, get fired up about serving others, and love giving back.
Do you have a great story about the impact of Maury Hills?
An example of the above, last year we challenged the church with "radically changing the lives of two non-profits." We set a contribution date and said 100% of what's given on this Sunday will be used to "surprise" these non-profits with their largest donation ever. One was Crossroads to Home (a local homeless charity just getting its start) and the other was Dream 514 (an international mission we support in Belize). We raised $130,000 that Sunday and wrote a check for $65,000 to each non-profit. One of the most exciting days we've had as a church!!
Where do you see MHC headed in the future?
We see MHC looking for creative ways to continue serving our community. We're seeking to stay attuned to the Spirit's leading by saying "YES" to new opportunities to share Jesus with our city.
Where do you see Columbia as a city in the next 5 years or more
Columbia is going to keep growing. Some estimates are 3-5% a year. As more people move into the Nashville area, they discover the jewel we have in Columbia. I see our city continuing to develop, progress, and change over the next five years while retaining it's small-town charm.
Why is it so important to support local, to Love where you Live?
Local retailers and businesses re the life blood of our community. Look around. Who funds the Little League teams? Who supports the local food pantry or clothes closest? Who provides resources for Boys & Girls Club or the Family Center? It's local businesses. We signed up for Support Local because the name says it all! We want to "support local." We want to support the retailers and restaurants who are giving back to the local community and we want to support the non-profits who are serving the community right here where we live. Maury Hills is FOR Columbia and that's why we SUPPORT LOCAL.