Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover, in Birmingham Baptist Association has been named as one of the initial recipients of the Healthy Church of the Month award. The award — a joint initiative of The Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health and the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry, both at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary — highlights growing churches at a time when 89 percent of Southern Baptist churches are plateaued or declining.
Currently in its centennial year, Hunter Street Baptist received the February award. The church averages more than 6,200 in worship, growing from 250 in 1986. Under Pastor Buddy Gray, the church reported 205 baptisms in 2005 with budget receipts of $9.5 million. Sunday School attendance averages more than 3,000 per Sunday, representing a sixfold increase from its 1986 enrollment of 464.
Salem Baptist Church, McDonough, Ga., and Raleigh Road Baptist Church, Wilson, N.C., received the award for January and March, respectively.
Based on Leavell Center research, the criteria for consideration as a "healthy" church includes a membership increase of 10 percent over five years, one or more baptisms per year for five years and a member-to-baptism ratio of no more than 35-to-1 with conversions representing at least 25 percent of total additions. Missions giving and discipleship/Bible study enrollment are also considered. More information can be found at www.baptistcenter.com.
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