Christian love is displayed to the world as we help to build up other congregations. Two Alabama Baptist pastors recently gave God the praise for help their churches have received.
Just over two years ago, things were not looking too good for members of Arley First Baptist Church in Winston Association. In January 2000, the church had been without a pastor about two months when the building burned down.
Brother Jason Vinson came as pastor in October 2001. A few days ago he said, “This church is really excited about the prospects for the future.”
What brought about this new hope? As the message on the sign out front declared, “Worry Looks Around — Faith Looks Up.”
First, members fixed up a former tractor shed to be their temporary sanctuary, getting it ready for services in only 26 days.
Then, with a lot of outside help, the church built a multipurpose building of 32,000 square feet. A dozen plaques near the front door honor churches that helped and name the workers who took part. Some are nearby congregations, and others are in Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee. However, Bro. Vinson summed it up well: “This building is God’s work.”
The growing church’s bus ministry brings about 50 to 60 children to church activities, and Sunday School is in the 200 range now.
The church plans to break ground soon for a worship center and hopes to finish by Christmas.
Brother Vinson said Arley First Baptist is “a church out in the country trying to save people and help them grow in the Lord.”
The church will be holding revival services April 14–17.
Brother Charles Autery of Christian Way Baptist Church, Camden, also gave thanks for fellow Alabama Baptists. The African-American church is just one year old, but it already has a fine building and is under watchcare of Pine Barren Association.
Brother Autery lived in Birmingham 35 years but moved back home a couple of years ago — “God laid it on my heart to come back here.” He sleeps in the room where he was born. The house had been unoccupied for several years.
When Bro. Autery came back, there were about 49 African-American churches in Wilcox County, but none were full time. Now Christian Way and two others have services every week.
Sawmill commissary
For the first seven weeks services were held in the Auterys’ home. Then the church bought a former sawmill commissary and remodeled it into a church.
Members of white churches around the association joined in to help get the job done. Brother Autery said, “Ninety percent of the work was done by volunteers. It was God-sent. We know that.”
In his monthly mailout, Bro. Autery noted February is known to some as Black History Month, but he added: “Remember, we are members of two races, the black race, where we are known by the color of our skin … but there is a greater and more noble race that we are in, the Christian race.”
He wrote, “We need to thank and praise God for the people He used to reach across the aisle of racism and join hands for the common good of mankind, and most of all for His kingdom building, even right here in Camden.”
Brother Autery concluded, “To God be the glory for all He has done!”
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