DOTHAN: December 2025 there was a lengthy bench trial before the Honorable Chris Richardson. 20th Judicial Circuit Court Judge. The issue was a Summary Judgment motion filed by Alabama – West Florida Conference against the “local” Harvest Church.
The out of town group is attempting to make Harvest Church purchase the property it sits on, which is Fortner Street outside Ross Clark Circle. The out of town Bishops want $$ or the property.
The court action, filed in 2022, was filed by Harvest Church. Harvest Church asked for Declaratory Judgment showing they were absolute, full, exclusive, fee simple owner of the Harvest Church property, for a Temporary Restraining Order preventing the out of Dothan/out of state defendant from taking any action. directly or indirectly to intefere with Harvest Church use or ownership of Harvest Church property, preliminary injunction binding the temporary injunction until final court hearing and all other general or equitable relief.
The defendant, Alabama-West Florida Conference, filed a motion to dismiss on summary judgment. That was the lengthy court hearing held this month before Judge Richardson.
In a short paragraph, on December 19th, 2025, Judge Richardson denied the summary judgment motion of Alabama-West Florida Conference.
Harvest Church, is a thriving Christ centered church, which has grown and reached many people. That is the purpose of the church, to minster to those of faith and reach the unchurched and non believers. Under the long leadership of Ralph Siglar, the church has made major steps in the purpose of the church. It has always left “Methodist” out of it’s name but followed the Methodist doctrine. That is, until the Methodist doctrine went out of bounds of what Harvest Church felt was Biblical.
Whatever money the Alabama-West Florida Conference put into Harvest Church was not to follow a denominational franchise, but to follow Christ and a Christ Centered Church. And the only franchise there should be is one of Jesus Christ. The one that Christmas is all about.
Harvest Church has kept their eye on the ball – Jesus Christ – the reason for the season.
The case still has to have a full court battle or the Alabama-West Florida Conference can get their eye on the ball – Jesus Christ and reaching the lost.
