History

Right Direction Christian Center (RDCC) was birthed in the heart of Pastor Herbert Bailey in July of 1995 when he visited Columbia, SC to interview for a corporate management position. While praying at (what is now) the Marriott Hotel in downtown Columbia, SC, the Lord spoke to our pastor and told him that he would be offered the corporate position and to relocate to Columbia, SC, for the purpose of founding RDCC This was a definite change of plans from what Pastor Bailey had in mind, of returning to his native state of New Jersey to found RDCC there.

Along with their four children, Pastors Herbert and Marcia Bailey relocated to Columbia, SC from Tulsa, OK in September of 1995. In January of 1996, they began a bible study in their home on Woodwinds Drive in Columbia, SC. Three other adults and one additional child faithfully attended this bible study. These five adults and five children became the first (charter) members of RDCC.

After receiving further directions from the Lord, on April 28, 1996, Pastors Bailey held the first official service of R.D.C.C. at the Holiday Inn Express (now Super 8 Motel), on St. Andrews Road in Columbia, SC, less than one mile west of our Youth Sanctuary location. In September of 1996, the church grew to 40 people at that location. In September of 1996, we moved our congregation to the Postal Workers Union Hall on Broad River Road.

In June of 1998, we leased our first facility at 3801 River Drive in Columbia, SC. The original sanctuary, which later became our Fellowship Hall, barely accommodated 100 people. We quickly outgrew this space. In February of 1999, with approximately 90 people in attendance, we went to two Sunday morning services. In August of 1999, with 140 in attendance, we completed renovations of the additional warehouse space at the same location, which became our new sanctuary. With the additional space and use of the Fellowship Hall for overflow seating, we were able to accommodate 300 worshippers in two Sunday morning services.

By June of 2000, we were approaching our maximum capacity of 300, requiring us to commence three Sunday morning services. By the end of 2000, our Sunday attendance had grown to 400. We desperately needed God to provide a new facility for us. We knew He would quickly do.

In March of 2001, we purchased and moved into our current education, youth worship, and office facilities at 1230 St. Andrews Road in Columbia, SC. These facilities include a 20,000 square feet, tri-level complex, plus an additional 3000 square feet for our children’s ministry and fellowship hall. Again we watched the hand of God move on our behalf. By the end of 2001, our attendance reached over 600 per Sunday and over 300 for mid-week Bible Study. Pastor Marcia Bailey commenced a Women’s Bible Study on Fridays. At this point, God’s hand was visible upon our ministry.