Forest Hill Baptist Church prepares for first service, is latest church plant in Mobile

Mobile looks like it has plenty of churches. A short drive down any of the main roads reveals established churches of all denominations. So why would four Mobile Baptist Association (MBA) congregations — two predominantly white and two predominantly black — join forces to start a new church?
   
Terry Cutrer, pastor of Moffett Road Baptist, one of the sponsoring churches, said it’s because there are not enough predominantly black churches in the area to reach out to the community.
   
But those supporting the new church plant, Forest Hill Baptist, Mobile, plan to change that. 
   
The church will hold services for the first time Sept. 10 in Forest Hill Elementary School’s auditorium, with Pastor James L. Jones preaching. 
   
Jones and his wife, Chantal, have been going door to door for days telling the community about Forest Hill Baptist.
   
“We see the lost, the unchurched, despair, hopelessness and depression — all reasons the growing community needs some more salt and light to glorify our Heavenly Father,” he said.
   
The church is getting the word out through direct mail, radio spots, public-service announcements on television and door-to-door contacts. The Saturday before the first service, Forest Hill Baptist will hold a block party using the association’s evangelism party trailer.
   
“We know that new churches grow faster than old churches because they often create a style of worship and activities that focus on bringing the unchurched into relationship with Jesus,” said Thomas Wright, director of missions for Mobile Association. “The MBA is leading our churches to assist with starting congregations in strategic locations among ethnic groups.”
   
Other churches sponsoring Forest Hill Baptist are Crawford Baptist, Mobile — pastor is Mike Payne; New Generation Baptist, Mobile — pastor is Charles Dent; and Highpoint Baptist, Eight Mile — interim pastor is Charles White. Moffett Road Baptist designated $60,000 over the next two years for this work. 
   
“We know this is about reaching more people for Christ than would be reached otherwise,” Cutrer said.