Over the past 10 years, Harvest Ministries Outreach Center (HMOC), based in Wadesboro, has made a name for itself, providing unique services to the community, in addition to being a house of worship.

Now, the church is expanding its reach from small town Wadesboro to urban Charlotte, and founder Tim Adams is turning over control of the flagship HMOC church to his son, Steve, lead pastor, while he heads up the Charlotte church.

The recent changes have led some in the community to believe that the church is going out of business, so to speak, Tim Adams said, but "actually, we're going to intensify."

The creation of the Innovation Church in Charlotte, serving the inner city areas, is admittedly where many would have started their ministry, rather than in a small town like Wadesboro, Steve said. "it's always easier to go to a big city and start a ministry," he explained, "but we never wanted to go anywhere else. And now Charlotte's been opened to us. It's sort of in reverse; most people would probably start in Charlotte, but we started here, and this has always been and will always be the hub."

The fact that Wadesboro and Anson County were economically depressed areas when the Adams family moved here 14 years ago was never a negative factor in the decision to begin Harvest Ministries.

"We felt like there was a need," Tim said. "We'd come down here with another organization but the Lord prompted our hearts and we realized this area needed a congregation that would allow black, white, Hispanic, whosoever would want to come. It is an interracial church with leadership that is not only white; it's black and now, Indian and Italian, too."

Harvest Ministries was the first in the area to offer a bus ministry, Tim said, and also began a homeless shelter, the House of Hope (HOH) nine years ago. HOH offers both short-term and long-term housing for the homeless in an atmosphere that the staff try to make as close to a real home as possible, with bedrooms, a living area and full kitchen, as well as clean showers and bathrooms.

At the time the church opened the shelter, Tim said there wasn't a shelter offered in the area at the same level that Harvest Ministries was offering. Since then, others have "picked up the pace," which he said he's glad to see.

Harvest Ministries also offers a community center, called the Fusion Community Center, which gives local youth a place to dance or just hang out. It features a dance floor, pool tables, a basketball court and an indoor playground donated by a Charlotte Burger King.

The church coordinates with local organizations like the Department of Social Services, HOLLA!, the county, the city of Wadesboro, the Wadesboro Police Department and the Anson County Sheriff's Office to play host to various events in the community center. The police also often refer people to the HOH, Steve said.

In addition, food is given out to the needy at the church. "We feed 500-600 every Thanksgiving, give out 500-600 toys at Christmas," Steve said.

In 2006, HMOC also received the highest award an organization can receive from the NAACP, the Ada Ford Singleton Humanitarian Award.

"We have a lot of great partnerships in the community," Steve said, "and none of that is going to change. Our vision won't change. Our thrust will always be to partner with people to help others."

The church often draws in people from its community events, who come back for Sunday services, Steve said, adding that if everyone attended , the congregation would number about 300.

Along with Steve taking over leadership of HMOC in Wadesboro, the church is moving toward a more contemporary feel, as well. The stage and lighting in the 500-seat sanctuary have been upgraded to appeal to younger audiences.

"We are a high praise and worship, high-energy church," Tim said. "It's really been a seamless transition. Steve takes the pulpit and runs the ministry and people are getting used to that. I will always be a part of the leadership and overseeing here, until the Lord decides to take me."

With all its positive accolades, HMOC also has its critics. "Because we have tried to be on the cutting edge as a modern church," Tim said, "we've been attacked by some for having parties and dances for the youth but the facility at the Fusion Center is so huge, it's ideal for events just like those."

A few months ago, shots were allegedly fired during a dance that was held at the center, but Steve said it was never proven that any shots were fired.

"We are ministering to the culture that's here," Tim added, "and we have taken a little grief for that, but I don't regret it."

Although not affiliated with any denomination, HMOC and the new Innovation Church are both accountable to a 10,000-member church in Greenville, S.C., called the Redemption World Outreach Center.

"Our business is people," Tim said. "That's our bottom line. Whatever it takes to help people, we're here."

For more information, visit harvestmin.com or innovationchurchcharlotte.com.