Baby Steps

On April 2nd and 3rd, baby steps were taken toward more cooperative ministry between Southern Baptist Churches during the "Building Bridges" conference hosted by our Greater Huntington Baptist Association. Our goals were to build bridges of cooperation between the local churches in our GHBA and between the three Baptist Associations in the Tri State Area of West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. Ultimately our goal is, through cooperative ministry, to build bridges to the large numbers of lost and unchurched people within the shadow of our steeples - bringing them to a relationship with God, through His son, Jesus.

At Thursday's pastor's lunch hosted by Westmoreland Baptist Church, we were blessed to have thirty nine people present. This number included pastors and staff members from Baptist Churches in three states (2 churches from Ohio, 7 from Kentucky, and 11 from West Virginia were represented). A good number of other Kentucky pastors had planned to attend, but ministry constraints forced them to have to send their regrets. Besides representatives from the three "target" associations, we were pleased to have associational missionaries present from West Virginia's Monongahela and Coal Fields Associations as well. A delicious lunch was prepared and served by precious members of the host church. Fellowship around the tables was great. I was pleased to note that the guests didn't necessarily "bunch up" in their own state groups. There was a good mix at most every table. It was a time to make new friends and to renew many old acquaintances. Darrell Clark blessed us with singing "It Is Well With My Soul", and Eddie Henson (true to form) brought several boxes of books to share with the pastors present. Eddie is a blessing.

Dr. Chuck Kelley, our conference speaker was gracious to grant us a long session of Questions and Answers after our meal. As President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Kelley was able to share much information and insight into the current state of Southern Baptist life. Questions ranged from queries about the Seminary and it's recovery from Hurricane Katrina, the state of New Orleans in general, current issues in our convention (Calvinism and bringing young leaders to the table in SBC life) etc. In every case, and on every question, Dr. Kelley gave reasoned and thoughful answers, and always brought the focus back to our primary objective - bringing Christ to a lost world. It is very rare for most local church pastors to have quality personal time with one of the heads of a Southern Baptist entity. Dr. Kelley's insights were truly helpful and appreciated by all who came. He closed out the session with a scripture lesson that blessed and challenged everyone present.

The Wednesday night worship celebration at Highlawn Baptist Church drew over 250 people who were treated to some excellent soloists in the pre service music time. Then during the worship time, we were blessed by a combined choir comprised of over sixty people from ten churches. Matt McKenzie of Highlawn directed the choir and Randy Spurgeon of Westmoreland Baptist Church lead the congregation in joining our voices in praise to God. Dr. Kelley preached a powerful sermon with an unusual title ('God Prepared A Worm") from an unusual text (Jonah 4:7). Heaven came down on Wednesday evening in east Huntington.

The Thursday evening service, hosted by First Baptist Church of Ceredo, WV was equally powerful! The combined choir and special music was inspirational, and the sanctuary was nearly full of folks who had come to worship. Dr. Kelley's message, reminding us that we can do so much more together than we can alone, was absolutely anointed by God. This was evidenced by the great response during the invitation portion of the service. The sweet Spirit of God was also evident after the service closed. Many people were slow to leave the building, visiting with brothers and sisters in Christ. Tears, smiles, and hugs were in abundance on Thursday evening.

Other than the anointed singing and preaching, two things impressed me the most about the two evening services. The first was the excellent representation from many of our local churches. This was one of our goals - bringing churches together for worship and fellowship. The other was the fact that over the two services EVERY department head from our West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists State Office was present - many of them were there both nights! What a blessing it was to have their support in this effort. I want them to know how much it is appreciated.

The Building Bridges Conference is a great kickoff, I think, for the West Virginia Evangelism Conference to be held next Thursday and Friday at Cross Lanes Baptist Church. Details, speakers, directions, etc are available on the state convention website, www.wvcsb.org . I hope to see many of you there.

I want to personally thank my fellow pastors and the Associational Missionary of GHBA for the planning, hard work, and prayers that went into this conference. Thanks also, to the members of the local congregations who supported the conference with your attendance and support (financially, technically, and otherwise). You are a blessing!

Well, that is the overview for Building Bridges (#1). The conference can serve as a "precious memory", or it can be the beginning of a new era of cooperative ministry among the churches in the KYOVA region. Thursday after lunch, a young pastor from Ohio and another young pastor from Kentucky both told me they would like to continue this effort, hosting events at their churches in South Point and Grayson. As Doug Virgin would say, "Well Glory!"

It may be baby steps but it is a start...