In October, 2007, a small group of Believers began meeting together on Wednesday evenings in the home of Pastor Keith and Tanya Thrash for Bible study and prayer, but the first official gathering as Freedom River Church took place on the banks of the Big Biloxi River on Sunday, October 21st, when fourteen men, women, and children were baptized!

Our first Sunday worship service took place on October 28th, at Pass Road Elementary School in Gulfport, Mississippi, where we worshiped together every week for almost 9 months.  Cinemark Theater at Crossroads Shopping Center in Gulfport became our Sunday worship spot for the next year, and then a banquet hall at Bell Southern Events became our home for the year following that. We eventually adopted the phrase: “We’re a great church if you can find us!” 🙂 Thankfully, many DID find us and stayed to be a part of what God was doing.

A lot was required from our church family during these days. Every Sunday morning, a team of volunteers would unload a 14′ trailer filled to capacity with sound equipment, musical instruments, and children’s supplies; set up tables or chairs or BOTH; and then re-load every bit of it! Half of it would come out again mid-week for band practice, and then go right back in, only for it to be unloaded once more on Sunday. Members continued to provide a place for other meetings to be held during the week, opening their businesses and homes for Wednesday Bible Study, Youth group meetings, children’s events, and other small group gatherings. God blessed, and Freedom River grew.

In June, 2010, our church acquired a lease at Norwood Village Shopping Center in Gulfport. Again, members volunteered and worked together – THIS time toward reconstruction of our first official home. We worshiped there for 12 years until God led us toward a different type of ministry that required another change and step of faith. Now, we are livestreaming current and powerful messages every Sunday morning at 9:05 a.m., as well as holding small group Bible study meetings during the week in our pastor’s home. These changes have called for big adjustments, but we’ve found that following God requires that quite often. Through it all, we’ve learned that God is constantly moving and shaking His children from their comfort zones, pushing them into new territory, expanding their way of thinking about the Kingdom, and….well…doing a brand new thing! Remember, you can catch current messages on Sunday Stream with Pastor Keith via Facebook, Rumble, and our website at 9:05 a.m each Sunday. Messages and worship videos prior to 2022 are available for viewing on You Tube.

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“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” Jeremiah 29:11