By Taylor Short
Killeen Daily Herald

Amid the buzz of afternoon downtown traffic, Fellowship Cove Pastor Brian Hawkins drills a hole for a mailbox at the entrance of the new space the church now inhabits.

Through the glass windows, a simple black and white banner emblazoned with the non-denominational church's logo can be seen hanging in a simple white foyer — masking the colorful and musical worship space just around the corner.

Hawkins, along with Chris Shaw — who serves as associate pastor of youth services — continue to renovate the space into a welcoming refuge for those who enjoy a little rock with their reverence.

"It's a more casual atmosphere," Hawkins said. "We want anybody that comes through these doors to feel like they're in the right place."

In 2003, Hawkins began the church in a storefront in the town square before using, temporarily, the Copperas Cove Library's meeting room.

For the last three years, the modest congregation worshiped in a space on East Avenue E. Five years ago, the church occupied the current space at 103 W. Avenue D only on Sunday, but it now uses the location full-time.

Hawkins said the church began with a vision to reach out to those who were less interested in the old-fashioned style of worship and more for "regular folk who work in this world on their way to the next."

The attendance Wednesday is dwarfed by the 50-plus members who show up Sundays, when the church is filled with the combined powers of Jesus Christ, raging guitars and thumping drums.

A fan of classic rock growing up, Hawkins calls their Sunday service post-modern worship — plenty of music with a healthy serving of relevant Bible lessons.

"I try to break the Bible down and show people how to apply it to their everyday lives," he said.

Leave the Sunday best at home. Hawkins and Shaw, dressed comfortably in shorts, T-shirts and baseball caps, said they are less concerned with suits and slacks than what is inside the hearts of the members.

"I realize that we need Jesus, but it doesn't always have to be conservative religion," Hawkins said. "To me, it's more about focusing lives on our walk with the Lord and reading the word."

It was Bible study on Wednesday and as younger members filtered in, Hawkins' son Tyler shot pool and dunked basketballs with his friend Christian Kornelis, both 13, in a side room for the youth group.

Before others arrived to read and discuss Bible verses, the boys played around the room, marked on one wall with a faux-Harley Davidson logo reading "Jesus Christ, Heavenly Devoted Son."

"I get a better feeling here," said 14-year-old Joey Twichell, who intercepted the basketball as he entered the room. "I feel more comfortable, it's more my style and I feel like I fit in."

Now, finally settled in a preferable central location downtown, Hawkins said they could begin offering the facility to rent for parties, banquets, weddings and even a venue for local bands.

To get the word out, the church utilizes social networking through the website Facebook to announce events like the Christian Karaoke and to post videos of the services.

Hawkins said using the Internet keeps members of the church connected even while out of the state or country serving in the military.

Back in the main room, women sit at a table, passing around a book on marriage, betrayal, revenge and despair and discussing how to God's teachings to work through issues.

Even though the conversation touches on heavy issues, the women interact with lots of laughs and smiles. The members said the relaxed environment allows for their children to make friends and people to come together to worship in peace.

"When you see friends outside of church, we know them and we know they're not putting on a show," said member Leisha Loggains. "It's very comfortable, like an old pair of jeans."

Contact Taylor Short at tshort@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7476. Follow him on Twitter at KDHcove.

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