While Alabama and Michigan Baptists seek ways to partner in ministry, one West Cullman Baptist Association church has made a connection that benefits everyone involved.
After preaching a revival at Harmony Baptist Church in Jackson, Mich., Pastor Bill Ellis and his congregation at First Baptist Church, Garden City, began looking for ways to partner in ministry again.
And, this summer, they found it.
Seventeen youth and five adults from Harmony Baptist traveled to First, Garden City, to lead Vacation Bible School (VBS) and two afternoon sports clinics.
“The (West) Cullman Association has been very active in coming up and helping our churches in Michigan,” said Jonathan Turner, youth pastor at Harmony. “It was time for us to give back and be a blessing to them as they have been a blessing to us.”
And Ellis said the partnership has worked “great.”
“The Lord’s blessed us in many different ways with the young people here making relationships with the young people from Michigan,” he said. “Each one of our Sunday School classes has prepared dinner for them. … We have had church services with them each night.”
Harmony pastor Rod Walker said this experience has blessed them and opened his students up for ministry.
“They are teaching the VBS,” Walker said. “They are leading the kids to Christ.”
This fall, Ellis will lead another revival at Harmony, but both churches hope to continue the partnership well beyond that project.
“To be able to utilize the Alabama partnership has really been a blessing to many of our churches in the association,” Turner said. “It’s been invaluable for our churches to receive the help and have that available to them. … It’s nice to see that … we are not alone.” (TAB)
Share with others: