We Need to Knock Down These Walls
In recent years, our numbers have grown beyond the capacity of our current buildings. After 2021, a miracle happened. The Holy Spirit moved through our region, bringing people of Faith, from all walks of life, through Holy Apostles doors. They come searching for the roots of Christianity and a living relationship with Christ. Under the spiritual guidance of Holy Apostles’ current priest, Fr. Terry Johnston, those who are seeking a personal relationship with Christ are finding their way.
Today we have 130 souls on our Church roster, 64 of those are children. The members of Holy Apostles have been FAITHFUL stewards with the resources God has provided. We are debt free and operate under budget every month. Our current goal is to put every extra dollar that God provides into our Building Fund. To date we have raised $300,000, toward our goal is to raise $2,500,000 in the next 12 months.
PRAY WITH US for the success of our new temple construction, and join us in this sacred mission by donating to help us build a lasting home for our growing community of faith.
Prayer for Construction of New Temple
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Cornerstone of Thy holy Church, Giver of every good gift, the One who first loved us, look down upon us Thy people who desire to build a temple unto Thy glory in memory of Thy holy, glorious, and all-laudable Apostles and grant us the wisdom, strength, and resources to accomplish this task in accordance with Thy will. Remember the friends and benefactors of this parish who support the construction of this holy temple and bless them with Thy good things. And as Thou didst proclaim that even if Thy disciples were silent, the very stones would cry out, so also grant that this holy house may proclaim Thee and draw all who dwell in this city and county to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. Inflame our hearts with love for Thee that we may offer to Thee ourselves and all Thou hast given us to the glory of Thy holy Name. For Thou art the true Philanthropist—the Lover of Mankind—and unto Thee we ascribe glory, honor, and worship, together with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Campaign Milestones
A WORD From Rev. Father Terence Johnston, Proistamenos (Pastor)
Holy Apostles Orthodox Church is a haven in the community for those seeking the fullness of the Christian faith. I was assigned to serve this community nearly 3 years ago, having previously served a large parish in the Louisville Metro area. Having been born and raised in the Tennessee/Kentucky area, I immediately gravitated to the welcoming and hospitable culture of our parish community. We are a diverse congregation of men and women of all ages – from various cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds – who come together with the common purpose of worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ through the 2,000 year faith and witness of the Orthodox Church.
As a parish community, we work diligently to foster a strong sense of inclusion for all who seek His saving grace. By experiencing the holiness of the Divine Liturgy and engaging in community fellowship and continued outreach, we seek to be witnesses of the
faith once delivered to the saints.
This capital campaign is an effort to expand our worship space so that we may continue in our efforts to support all who are seeking Christ and His Church; to be a place of sanctuary where we welcome newcomers who wish to learn about the Orthodox Christian faith, as well as those who have been raised in the Church since childhood. With your help, we can continue to foster an atmosphere that allows for the spiritual growth and development of Christians of all ages.
I humbly ask your support in this endeavor, and I encourage all of those who are searching for God’s eternal Truth and looking for a community to worship with to consider visiting Holy Apostles. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your faith journey and how we can be a part of it.
In Christ,
Fr. Terence Johnston
Capital Campaign Letter
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Relatives
of Holy Apostles Antiochian Orthodox
Christian Church, Bowling Green, KY,
Our mission began humbly in 2008 with just four or five families, comprising both baptized Orthodox Christians and converts. These founders shared a vision: to establish an Orthodox Church in South Central Kentucky. In the early years, our growth was nurtured by external support and donations. With the blessing of our Bishop and the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, we purchased a house on nine acres in 2014. Every family gave generously, enabling us to support our full-time priest and pay off the mortgage by 2022. Yet, our numbers have continued to grow beyond the capacity of our space.
After 2021, we experienced a profound movement of the Holy Spirit throughout our region. People from all walks of life began to find their way to us, searching for the roots of Christianity. In just three years, our Sunday services now average 90-110 worshipers in a tight sanctuary.
Let us take a moment to reflect on our journey. In 2014, the Holy Apostles Orthodox Church transformed the house on our nine-acre property into a place of worship. During the renovations, the building inspector discovered “Praise the Lord” etched into the chimney—a poignant reminder that God had long prepared this space for us. Through the efforts of our parishioners, the house was lovingly transformed into a sanctuary where we could grow together in faith. Since then, our congregation has expanded far beyond the walls of this modest structure.
Today, we are blessed with 130 registered members, including 64 children. Our growing numbers reflect the ongoing movement of the Holy Spirit. New families continue to join us weekly—many with young children, filling our fellowship hall and overflowing our classrooms. With this growth comes a joyful challenge: we are out of space. Over 60% of our congregation stands in the back or waits in the narthex until Communion begins. Our fellowship hall, which doubles as Sunday School classrooms, has reached its capacity. Even our two single-stall bathrooms often have long waits.
Despite these challenges, we continue to serve our community and those in need. From our early days hosting Room at the Inn and donating fresh produce from our Community Garden to local charities, to our current work with organizations like St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, St. Gianna’s Pregnancy Center, and Barren River Area Safe Space, we have always prioritized giving back.
Our parishioners have been faithful stewards of the resources God has provided us, living within our budget and saving every extra dollar for our building fund. To date, we have raised $300,000 toward our goal of $2,500,000. With your support, we hope to construct a new sanctuary, a larger fellowship hall with dedicated classrooms, a commercial kitchen, and an expanded parking area to accommodate our growing congregation.
Our mission is clear: we must create space for the Holy Apostles Orthodox Church to continue its vital work, both spiritually and in service to our community. Please consider supporting this holy effort with a gift.
Let’s join hands to keep our parish a shining light of faith, service, and hope for generations to come. Thank you for your generosity and support!
With gratitude and prayers,
Rev. Father Terence Johnston, (Parish Priest of the Holy Apostles Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church)
Wes McAdams, (Parish Council President & Chair, Capital Campaign Committee)
Our Milestones & Journey
2008
How It All Started
The story of Holy Apostles began in 2008 with Jeanette and Kevin Burt, who traveled every Sunday to Nashville for Liturgy with their four daughters but sought an Orthodox community in Bowling Green. Determined to find a solution, they reached out to Fr. Alexander Atty of a large Antiochian Church in Louisville, who, after some thought, agreed to help establish a mission in Bowling Green, thus planting the seeds for Holy Apostles.
2010
The Journey to Holy Apostles: A Mission Rooted in Faith
With the guidance of Fr. Alexander Atty and Bishop MARK, who provided wisdom, encouragement, and essentials like a chalice, Holy Apostles began as a humble mission and grew into the vibrant parish it is today, rooted in faith and God’s grace.
2014
Fr. Michael Nasser Era: Establishing Our Roots
From 2010 to 2014, we were blessed with Fr. Michael Nasser, who helped transform us from a group of confused newcomers into a structured and connected Orthodox Church. Under his guidance, we purchased, renovated, and moved into our current location on Smallhouse Rd, finally having a place to call our own.
2021
Continuing the Mission: Growth and Resilience
When Fr. Michael moved to Michigan, Fr. Jason Blais took his place, guiding us through continued growth despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and the transient nature of our college town. Under Fr. Jason’s wise guidance, we paid off our mortgage and began seeking ways to accommodate our expanding parish until he moved to Oklahoma.
2022
Church Growth with Father Terence Johnston
Since 2021, we’ve witnessed a profound movement of the Holy Spirit, drawing people from all walks of life to our community, with our Sunday services now averaging 90-110 worshipers. With the guidance of Father Terence Johnston, who was assigned to Holy Apostles BG in 2022, we’ve reached 130 registered members, including 64 children. As new families continue to join weekly, we’ve outgrown our space and are planning to construct a new sanctuary, larger fellowship hall, and expanded facilities to accommodate our growing congregation.
2024
Faith Rooted in Tradition, Growing in Love
As new families continue to join weekly, we’ve outgrown our space and are planning to construct a new sanctuary, larger fellowship hall, and expanded facilities to accommodate our growing congregation. Our mission is clear: we must create space for the Holy Apostles Orthodox Church to continue its vital work, both spiritually and in service to our community.