I would consider most of my yelp reviews to be less than important, like dropping a penny in the…read moreocean while others can prompt the rudder to a new direction in life; this is the latter. For instance, if I review a local fast-food joint, that's not going to have much bearing on life, but sometimes a review can prompt a wayward soul to board a well-suited vessel fit for navigating life. I've been on a lot of ships in my lifetime, oh let's call them churches and to be honest "most" of them have the same basic premise; the destination. But what separates these churches is how they prepare your sea legs for temptation, introduce friends to pick you up when an uneasy stern crashes into the onslaught of valleys and crests and how to stay strong in the middle of a lonely and baron ocean. Remember Jesus walked on water and invited Peter to have a little faith and join him, which is the cornerstone of Christianity.
So, with my ocean soliloquy adequately painting a seascape I'd like to give my honest impression of Ashley River Baptist Church. In full disclosure I attended an eight-week course in Revelation back in 1997 lead by Randy Disharoon of which I recall very little other than being very informative. I live in Austin TX so I'm not a frequent guest but I had the pleasure of visiting right after Thxgiving of 2023 with my brother. So, I'm basically giving my assessment from "a three-hour tour" (bonus if you catch that reference).
From what I understand the church started meeting in 1943 however the current facilities maiden voyage was 1963. The church is located on Savannah Highway in a location that is easy to access with an abundance of parking. After parking and approaching the front of the main facility the steeple is taller than most masts; imposing and inspiring in one gasp. Palm trees adorn the front right and left sides, beckoning the wary soul to come in. Entering is somewhat of a step back in time at least for me and all the churches I've attended in the past 25 years. The ushers are glowing and friendly without being overbearing. I'm not being hyperbolic but there's a smell in the air not of salt but of age and distinction; something to witness on your own. After passing through the reception area, the church opens up to a huge auditorium with white walls, wide-open sea of pews, tall thin stain glass windows on the right and left and a pulpit with a choir section behind that. The crowd was pleasant while consisting of patrons of all ages, ethnicities and clothing choices, that being dressed up and down; a "comes as you are" mentality. The seating was spacious but I suspect the congestion can be different based on occasion but not cramped upon my visit. Now let's get into substance over façade.
Many churches now have a "big band" with drummers, light shows and over the top theatrics. Ashley River is not that. They do have a guitarist or two however they have a choral director taking charge with a ship worthy choir inspiring and leading the worship with traditional and modern songs. Yes, they even have hymnals which I haven't seen in decades with an overhead to give options. The experience was like hitting an iceberg; jolting. I'm accustomed to being inundated with a real production juxtapose this to Ashley Rivers commitment to a more traditional approach. The only small detail I would suggest is blending and balancing the directors voice more with the choir.
As for the lead Pastor Randy Disharoon he is an outstanding captain, setting sail with a clear message that's informative, entertaining, whimsical and thought provoking. He fluctuates his voice, varies speeds, ramps up anticipation and knows when to slow things down, he's truly a master orator. In a dramatic piece of irony, the last time I saw him over 25 yrs ago he was speaking on Revelation and this sermon was finishing off his series on Revelation. My brother would call that a "God wink" which is a fun way to consider it.
In drawing this to a close, choosing a church can be a daunting task and I can't speak to all the services, classes and extras but I can speak heartfully to my maiden voyage or at least a single service. I enjoyed myself, I liked the building and the people are the best crew to seek support and friendship. The songs are inspiring and the message is on point. If you're lost at sea and wanting to drop anchor at a port, give this a try and God willing you might find a home. God Bless.