With Cornerstone Full Gospel Baptist Church’s recent expansion to Demopolis, Bishop Earnest Palmer has adopted the idea, “We are one church in two locations.”

Palmer, senior pastor of Cornerstone Full Gospel in Tuscaloosa, began to hold services at the Jones Recreation Center at the beginning of May.

Adrian Knox, pastor-elect of Cornerstone South, said he will have been in the ministry for four years this coming July and is excited about the expansion to Demopolis.

“I knew I had the calling to ministry for a long time, but it took me awhile to accept it,” he said.

Bishop Earnest Palmer of Tuscaloosa’s Cornerstone Full Gospel Baptist Church has many ties to Demopolis as he pastored at Eastern Star Baptist for about 13 years.

The church is currently meeting at the Jones Recreation Center, across from the Theo Ratliff Center, at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. It is a 90-minute experience filled with praise and worship, teaching and a message.

The Full Gospel Baptist Church is considered a fellowship, Knox and Palmer added. The current international presiding bishop is Paul S. Morton.

Some components of the church include women in ministry, speaking in tongues, the belief in miracle healings, baptisms and communions.

Palmer said in addition to his connection to Demopolis, there are also residents that already attend Cornerstone’s Tuscaloosa church.

When the church meets at the Jones Rec, they come with members from Tuscaloosa and have already had some people from Demopolis attend.

In the future, Palmer said he hopes for the church to have about 300-400 members that are from all surrounding areas.

The church is looking to relocate to a permanent home in Demopolis and are in the process of looking at buildings.

Residents in the area are encouraged to visit Cornerstone South in the coming weeks and keep up to date with the church. Knox said he encourages everyone to come. “You just have to experience it,” Knox said. “We have a good time.”