Peter needed the support of other disciples. And Batman needed Robin.
They needed one another for the same reason that Charles Dent said he needs the help of other Baptists in his area — there’s strength in partnership.
"I can’t emphasize the partnership enough," said Dent, pastor of New Generation West Baptist Church, a black church in Mobile. "As we partner with each other, we can reach more people for Christ."
So that’s why he and his congregation reached out to Eastern Shore Baptist Church, Daphne, and Baldwin Baptist Association for help with planting a black church in Daphne.
"There was no African-American Southern Baptist Church in the Baldwin Association … until us (New Generation East Baptist)," Dent said. "What excites me (now) is having African-American plants in both … associations."
Larry Patterson, director of missions (DOM) for Baldwin Association, is also excited about the church plant.
"We’re so excited about it and are hoping to see them grow and reach people on the eastern shore (of Mobile Bay)," he said, noting it has been proven that church plants reach people that existing churches don’t.
So far, about 20 people attend services at the one-year-old New Generation East Baptist Church, which meets Saturdays at 6 p.m. in the worship center of Eastern Shore Baptist. Dent believes attendance is starting to pick up and will "explode" in the next six months.
He hopes to have 100 members and a solid core group by the end of 2008 but added, "I just want to reach more people and see the lost come to His Kingdom."
Dent, who serves as pastor of both New Generation churches, was also given office space at Eastern Shore Baptist. He said he is thankful to Senior Pastor Grant Barber and the congregation.
"[H]aving a place to meet was 60 percent of what we needed. A new church has got to have a place, and they really helped take a lot of the pressure off," he said.
Barber said Eastern Shore Baptist has always wanted to see a black Southern Baptist church in their area.
"I had heard Charles Dent’s name before and one day about a year ago, he walked in our church and we talked and prayed about the church plant," he said. "This was a unique opportunity for our church to be a part of helping start this Southern Baptist church. Charles has done a great job and has a heart for people."
Through this cooperative effort with Baldwin Association and Eastern Shore Baptist, Dent said he has seen black and white Alabama Baptists work together to further the cause of Christ.
"By … helping each other, we are taking down barriers," Dent said. "This is a great picture for unbelievers. We are removing lines that divide us. We’re created to bring glory to God, so why can’t we worship and fellowship together?"
Rick Barnhart, associate DOM for Baldwin Association, has worshiped at New Generation East and met with Dent to offer associational support.
"I help with the demographics — to locate ministry sites and buildings — to be able to find a location that would best meet the needs of the target group," Barnhart said.
"I met with Charles and we looked at the eastern shore and Foley to see the needs of the pockets of African-Americans who aren’t being reached.
I’ve attended a service at New Generation East and it was a great worship time," he said. "I really enjoyed it."
Dent said plans for another New Generation church plant in Theodore are in the works and hopes this effort will be up and running in the next few months. There is already a pastor on board, but no space has been found to meet in yet.
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