HAMLET – A relatively secluded church is situated in such a way as to be in almost direct contrast to its surroundings of open fields, an assortment of houses, and black jack woods.
Even its name sets it apart from the rest of the community: First Harvest Faith Christian Center.
But the nondescript building and dirt drive that leads to the front door in no way detract from the spirit and devotion that exudes from inside its walls and around the sanctuary.
It is here that Ozie Felder finds refuge and serenity.
As the assistant pastor and one of the congregational leaders, Ozie seeks to infuse his retired years with a renewed purpose of performing the duties associated with his many roles here.
Doing “good things” is something that Ozie Felder evidently finds to be a natural proclivity. He was recently featured, along with community resident James Gulledge , in a related article. “Stewards of the Roadway” ran in this publication on Monday, March 5th, and highlighted the altruistic efforts of these men (each of whom further credited “Mrs. Warnock,” who lives nearby) in helping to keep a particular stretch of Old Laurinburg Road clean.
This writer just happened to have discovered Ozie clearing the roadside of trash and debris that had been mindlessly thrown out all along this country roadway. Upon being asked about the motivation behind his obviously laborious endeavor, it was found that Ozie is a 71 year-old retired military veteran and former organizer of the Keep Richmond County Beautiful movement who simply dislikes seeing trash on the road.
Well, most of us probably “dislike” seeing trash on the road as well; the difference between Mr. Felder and the majority of the population, of course, is that he actually takes action to alleviate the problem.
The concept becomes even more intriguing when one considers the fact that Ozie doesn’t even live in the immediate area.
“No, but I pass this way all the time, going back and forth to the church,” he said when asked why he even bothered to perform what would otherwise be considered a significant community service for which he should be paid, or at least recognized in some way.
The “church” to which he referred, of course, was First Harvest Christian.
And it was THAT conversation during which Ozie consistently diverted the focus away from himself and onto the church. He continued to deflect any personal credit for what he did, continuously referencing the church and a need to do God’s work as the motivating principles behind his efforts. And so it became readily apparent that Ozie Felder’s devotion to the Lord in general and FHFCC in particular was deep and sincere, so much so that he was determined to ensure that the path to First Harvest Christian was clear of debris.
Working closely with Pastor Anita Collins, Ozie seems quite confident and comfortable with the team at FHFCC. In fact, if not for him, the church itself may have never materialized to begin with.
“When I was looking for a church site, I had no idea this place even existed,” said Pastor Collins. “I had first met Ozie in Dobbins Heights and it was he who asked if I might be interested in looking at a building east of Hamlet. I had no idea it was this far ‘east,’ but when he brought me out here, the feeling hit me – it was exactly what I was looking for!”
“It” was an abandoned night club about a half mile off of Old Laurinburg Road, which itself is a few miles beyond the mainstream of downtown Hamlet.
After much struggle with finances and hard work with structural repair and preparations, the FHFCC team was in operation.
The congregation is small, and the parking area is far from full on any given Sunday, but Pastor Collins and Assistant Pastor Ozie Felder show no signs of even slowing down, much less giving up, on their mutual dream of not only maintaining, but actually expanding the church and its effects on the community.
It may well be that “The Lord works in mysterious ways,” but there is no mystery associated with Ozie Felder, Pastor Collins, First Harvest Faith Christian Church, and the potential that this unification of devotion and dedication holds for the future in furthering the work of God.
FHFCC and Ozie Felder are both fixtures in this area, and they will continue to function in unison to do “good” and “clean up” in the community, even if it is just one step at a time.
