In our March 18 issue, we shared the story of First Baptist Church, Center Point, preparing to turn over its facilities to Greater Grace Missionary Baptist Church, a nearby congregation that had lost its building in a fire.
David Haynes, pastor of First, Center Point, said the process has been “one miracle after another” and that God has been bringing Psalm 118:23 to life right in front of them — “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
But Michael Clay, church administrator for First, Center Point, said the miracles in that article are only the beginning.
Helping ministries
The money from the sale of the building — which was the amount Greater Grace had from its insurance claim for the building that burned — is now earmarked to help other ministries.
Some will help their Hispanic congregation, Iglesia Bautista de Center Point, keep going in a new building.
The rest will go into a WMU Foundation endowment to benefit four ministries — Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, Serving You Ministries, Gideons International and Samaritan’s Purse.
And as First, Center Point, wraps up its time as a church, the members are passing their church’s charter on to Iglesia Bautista de Center Point.
David George, president of the WMU Foundation, said the church “went beyond what we have experienced in the past.”
“Other churches have sold their buildings and used the money to set up endowments or scholarships to impact the ministries they have supported for many years.
“That is an amazing thing, and we are honored that FBC Center Point chose us to accomplish that aspect of the mission God has given them,” George said.
“But they took it a step further when they gave their 107-year charter to the Hispanic church they helped to start,” he said.
“They ensured that not only their finances but also their legacy will continue through Iglesia Bautista de Center Point. What a powerful message this is to those who will come after us.”
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