Sandhills Presbyterian Church

The core group formed a committee to discuss and determine just how a PCA Church might be formed in the Southern Pines area. The first meeting of the Steering Committee was on March 7, 1991. It was decided at this time to look for a rental property to be used as a Church meeting place.  The committee found a promising location in the Town Center Shopping Center, at the corner of Broad St. and W. Illinois Ave. This empty store had formerly been a Men’s clothing store and was quite well suited for use by a new young mission Church. The rental agreement was signed on April 17, 1991.  In addition to support from the Presbytery, Christ Covenant PCA Church of Matthews, NC also provided much financial support during the early years, serving as a “mother church.” The first Church service was held on May 12 (Mothers Day), 1991.

1993
A mission congregation of 35 (including children) called Ken Cross to be Sandhills’ first pastor.  Ken & Lynn Cross arrived in Southern Pines with four children in September of 1993.

1995
Additional rental space for a nursery was acquired and worship services were enhanced by the arrival of Amy Ivey, Sandhills’ first full-time music director.

1998
Sandhills made the transition from a “mission church” to a “particular church,” electing is first elders and deacon.

1999
Sandhills purchased a piece of property on the corner of Pee Dee Rd. and Hwy. 22 in Southern Pines (the church’s present location) and in the same year the Session called Steve Hill to be the church’s first Assistant Pastor.  Steve and his wife, Dianne, moved from Mississippi in order for Steve to serve the church in a variety of capacities including oversight of the youth ministry, missions, and mercy ministry of the church.

2001
Construction began in December on the new church building at 650 Pee Dee Rd. in Southern Pines.

2002
BJ Buracker joined the staff as the new youth director, making a five year commitment.  In return the church committed to supporting him through seminary.

2003

Construction was completed in December of 2002, and the building was dedicated during a service of worship on January 12, 2003.

2004
Assistant Pastor Steve Hill returned to Mississippi after five fruitful years of ministry.

2005
In May of 2005 the congregation voted unanimously to call Dr. Bruce K. Lax as an Associate Pastor.  Bruce came to the church after having ministered in a number of PCA congregations in Florida and western North Carolina, along with his wife, Mona, and daughter, Rachel, in order to serve the church in a variety of capacities including oversight of the church’s Christian Education and Small Group ministries.

2006
In May of 2006, the Session called Chip McAulay to serve as an Assistant Pastor.  Chip and Carol came to Sandhills from neighboring Montgomery County with their two sons Cameron and Boone. In addition to a number of other ministerial tasks, the Session charged Chip to focus his ministry on pastoral care, welcoming visitors, and strengthening the infrastructure of the church.

2007
In June of 2007, BJ Buracker concluded five years of thriving ministry to the youth of the church.  He and his wife Kimberly departed for Edinburgh, Scotland, to pursue advanced degrees in order to better serve the Lord in the future.
In August of 2007, the Session called Drew Martin to serve the church as an Assistant Pastor.  Drew and his wife, Meg, came to Sandhills from Chapel Hill, NC.  In addition to a variety of other ministerial tasks, the Session called Drew to focus his ministry on the youth and families of the church.
In November of 2007, Mike Windish started as our Pastoral Intern.

2008
In February of 2008, Pastor Ken Cross concluded fifteen years of ministry here to pursue other ministry opportunities.