Nordykes saying goodbye to Sherburn area
Jenn Brookens — Staff WriterArticle Photos
SHERBURN - After 20 years of serving Sherburn's Assembly of God Regional Worship center, pastors Steve and Deb Nordyke are moving in a new direction.
The couple has been recruited by another pastor in Springfield, Ill., to help manage a "campus" church in Taylorville.
"It's called the iWorship," Steve Nordyke said. "It's large enough that it oversees two other churches. One of the campus churches it has is a movie theater that was refurbished into a place for services."
The Nordykes admit iWorship is not a traditional church setting.
"Here, people are more devoted to the traditional," he said. "The younger people now who are sensing a spiritual need, and this seems to scratch it more."
"All of these are part of a main church and we help out as a team," Deb Nordyke said. "It will be a neat experience; last weekend we were over there and we were looking for housing and meeting the people."
The 20-year stay in Sherburn has, so far, been the longest the Nordykes have lived in one place. Or at least one town.
"I think we've moved three times just here in town," Steve said. "Remodeling has always been a hobby of mine, but now not so much."
"It's been a nice community for our kids to grow up, the schools were just wonderful," Deb said. "All of our neighbors have been friendly."
Reflecting on the past 20 years, the Nordykes have been happy to see the community bond more, especially the faith community.
"There's more community involvement, and more cooperation among all the churches," Steve said. "There are fewer walls and a more broad spiritual attitude. I think I see more openness and not as rigid. Sherburn is a healthy community, and the churches in town make it that way."
And the Nordykes have been happy to see the community managing to sustain itself.
"When we first moved here, Lake Street was all elderly people, and today it consists of a lot of younger families," Steve said.
Assembly of God began in the church across from Sherburn Elementary School, and later built a new building near the interstate.
"We've had 11 years at the current building," Steve said. "It was volunteer labor, and now it's all paid off."
"We still use the other building," Deb added. "Some of the ministers live there ... The building has never gone unused, so it keeps everything working."
While the Nordykes say they will miss a lot of people in Sherburn, there are a few faces that have or will make the transition to Springfield with them. One of the Nordykes' daughters moved to Springfield with her husband earlier this year, and two other pastors - Micah and Megan Roberts - will move and manage another of the iWorship campuses.
The last Sunday at the Regional Worship Center for the Nordykes will be Aug. 29.
"The board and search committees are pursuing pastors, and I'm sure there will be an interim pastor," Steve said. "Things will continue on without interruption. This church is a great church, and it's healthy."
"We will miss a lot of the people though," Deb added. "I will miss seeing the children who come in for the after-school activities, and seeing their little faces."
"It's not that we're moving away from something, but moving to something," Steve said. "And yes, we are going to miss the people here."
