Calhoun welcomes first black church into association

A “little bit like of heaven” is how Wayne Woods, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Oxford, explained the joint worship service his congregation held May 4 with Mars Hill Baptist Church at Randolph Park. The special service, hosted by Grace Church, was a celebration of their partnership in Calhoun Baptist Association’s watch-care program.
   
“The watch-care program is designed to give associations time to work with a church wishing to join,” said John Thomas, associate director of missions of Calhoun Baptist Association. Once under the program, Thomas said the prospective member church is partnered with a sponsoring church to provide leadership and give help where needed. “As the church is observed from one to three years they are given full membership, without voting privileges, until they have proven they hold the same doctrines and beliefs,” he said. Thomas, a member of Grace Church, said the joint worship service was, “an awesome experience and both congregations expressed their desire to worship together again.” 
   
The joint service featured Woods in the pulpit at 8:30 a.m. and Mars Hill Pastor George Bates at 11 a.m. The Mars Hill Church choir started the worship with a rendition of “Jesus Will Pick You Up” a cappella and then the two choirs, led by Grace Church Music Minister Jason Lee, closed with “The Family of God.” 
   
“I am proud, privileged and thankful to Grace for its sponsorship and fellowship,” Bates said. He is proud because should Mars Hill withdraw completely from its current affiliation with the National Baptist Convention, it will make history as the first traditionally African-American church in Calhoun Baptist Association. “How could we pass up this opportunity?” Bates asked.
   
According to Woods, the partnership will bring responsibilities from both congregations in the form of emotional and spiritual support. “I think it is a mutual experience. They offer us an opportunity to build relationships with people we normally would not worship with.” He adds that Grace hopes to offer prayer support, encouragement and Sunday School leadership. “Sunday School is a strong area for Southern Baptists. You know the differences that separate us are not that great, we are all one in Christ.”
   
Anniston City councilman and Mars Hill member Herbert Palmore agrees. “The idea to have the partnership was a wonderful bridge between two ethnic and religious groups that differ but have the same attitude and spirit.” He said he enjoyed the Sunday School, worship time and fellowship and looks forward to the two groups meeting together at Mars Hill in the future. “The fellowship was a great opportunity to not only worship but to get to know each other,” Palmore said.
   
Next on the list is a joint venture for Vacation Bible School (VBS). Cindy Thomas, minister to preschool and children at Grace Church, believes Grace can offer a learning experience. “Mars Hill’s adults will come and observe VBS, learning as they are doing and their children are expected to come and join in, she said, “We would like to provide a model for them on how to do VBS so they can be equipped as they develop their programs.”
   
Ronald Davis, associate in the office of association/cooperative missions for the Alabama Baptist State Convention, is the program director for black church work and has provided direction in the Mars Hill/Grace partnership. He says, “Part of what I do is facilitate the start of new African-American churches.” Currently there are 54 churches that are Southern Baptist Convention affiliates in the state of Alabama, but Davis said some of them do hold dual affiliates with the National Baptist Convention. He is encouraged by the partnership of Mars Hill Church, Grace Church and Calhoun Baptist Association. “It is a new day. We praise God for it and mobilizing people to have courage.” 
   
And possibly Mars Hill will not be the only traditionally African-American church in Calhoun Baptist Association.
   
“I received a call this week from another African-American pastor who wants to find out about his church coming under watch care,” said Thomas, “and we welcome any church.”