A common desire among Southern Baptist churches is to incorporate unity among the congregation. In other words, they want to be multigenerational.
Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri, has made “multigenerational” an emphasis in their pursuit of mission work, and the result has been a success.
Finding common ground
“It’s difficult to engage cross-generationally, but when you put believers of varying ages alongside each other with a common cause and a common love for Christ, it becomes beautiful,” said Rob Brewer, Second Baptist’s missions pastor. “We’re not doing this in silos. The youth minister isn’t running his own missions thing; the missions minister isn’t just leading a group of adults. We’re doing this together.”
Brewer makes this a priority whenever inquiring about Second Baptist doing a mission project. “Can you host multiple age groups?” is the first question asked to potential missions partners.
Whether they are serving in a community center in Munich, a church-planting effort in St. Louis or a disaster-relief hub in Toronto, Second Baptist seeks mission work where an 80-year-old could stand beside a college sophomore and a high school freshman, handing out water bottles to the same community residents and sharing the gospel.
Check out full story.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Chris Doyle and was originally published by the International Mission Board.
Share with others: