Romar Beach Church proves successful along Gulf

Romar Beach Baptist Church is a church on a “porpoise,” as Pastor Paul Smith likes to say.
   
“The first Sunday we were here (at our current Gulf Shores beachside location), the dolphins welcomed us,” Smith said.
   
For a church that started out with 37 its first Sunday to worship in a restaurant, Romar Beach Baptist has come a long way and is a remarkable story indeed.
   
Smith said his brother, Shelby, first thought of the idea for planting the church.
   
As he frequently drove from the 30-mile stretch of beachfront highway along Orange Beach where the church is located now, Paul Smith couldn’t avoid the fact that a Baptist church did not exist on that stretch from Gulf Shores to the western tip of Florida. Baldwin Association’s interim director of missions Loyd Kindiger mentioned the area was the “No. 1 prospect” place to start a church.
   
“I felt the Lord wanted me to start a church that was different and attracted the local people,” said Shelby Smith, a retired international missionary. “Baldwin County is one of the least reached in Alabama, with 53 percent at one time unchurched,” he said.
   
One day while eating at Dempsey’s restaurant, Paul Smith noticed a part of the restaurant that would be a choice spot for his church to meet in. He then sent out newsletters to the Orange Beach community and on June 11, 1995, the Romar Beach Baptist congregation met for the first time, with First Baptist, Gulf Shores, partnering with the tiny but enthusiastic group.
   
After one year–and–a–half, new restaurant owners took over and asked the group to leave. The congregation did not know what to do next, for this was a step of faith to move and not disband.
   
It seemed everywhere the group met, they faced opposition. One location the congregation looked at, the residents said they would plead their case before the Orange Beach city council. Another person offered to sell his home but a neighbor threatened to sue if a church was next to his home.
   
Finally, Paul Smith looked at property along the beach, but the seller asked $800,000 for it. However, he reduced the price to $550,000. The next day Paul Smith, Shelby Smith and Kindiger met and purchased the property, which would cost $50,000 annually. Today the property is estimated to be worth $1.5 million.
   
“The only way you could justify [purchasing the property] was a step of faith,” said Paul Smith, adding Dempsey’s burned down soon after the church moved out.
   
So the congregation traded in their suits and ties for shorts, suntan lotion and the biggest baptistry in the United States.
   
The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) and Baldwin Association helped the church with the first payment.
   
The SBOM gave $18,000 to the Romar Beach congregation to assist them in the purchase of their new site, said Gary Swafford, an associate in the office of associational/cooperative missions for the SBOM. He said the funds were made possible by Cooperative Program gifts from sister Alabama Baptist churches.
   
When the second payment was due, tragedy struck — a hurricane hit the area, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to Romar Beach Baptist. But God provided, as churches pitched in to help and an insurance settlement paid not only this payment but the third payment also. The SBOM gave another $5,000 to help repair the building.
   
Within two months after the congregation moved into the beach house property, Smith’s church knocked out the walls to make room for the 125-seat auditorium that is used today.
   
After a few years as a mission church of First Baptist, Gulf Shores, Romar Baptist became an official Alabama Baptist church  June 10. The church’s constitution service drew 120. Many who met that first Sunday at Dempsey’s returned for the celebration.
   
Romar Beach Baptist is always looking for new ideas to try out. They already hold Thursday night services instead of the traditional Wednesday night services.
   
“The services are very informal– we outlawed ties and wear sports shirts that are very beachy,” said Paul Smith. “We want an atmosphere that will make someone feel comfortable who just walks up on the beach and sees us.”
   
Deacon Lonnie Patrick believes his church must minister to those visiting. Guests each week average between 40 and 50 and include those from other denominations such as Methodists and Presbyterians, he noted.
   
“Church is not where you go, listen to the preacher, get up and leave after the service is over,” said Patrick. “Church is much more than that. We must minister to those who are visiting. God has put us here to minister to those in this area.”
   
The church always is looking for new ways to use the beach house during the week. Groups of up to 40 people already stay in the church for retreats. One year summer missionaries conducted a beach Bible club.
   
In fact, the church is allowing Peace Lutheran Church to use the space for 11 a.m. Sunday services, which began in January. “They said they were having a terrible time finding a place to meet and we could relate to that,” said Paul Smith.
   
Swafford said a variety of churches are needed that reach all kinds of people. “Romar Beach Baptist Church has shown her appreciation by becoming an active member of our Alabama Baptist family by giving through the Cooperative Program. Their diversified ministry is helping us fulfill the Great Commission,” he said.
   
With all the struggles his church has overcome, Paul Smith believes Romar Beach Baptist has a tremendous and loving spirit. He said, “There is no end to visions we have. This is just the start of where we will be many years from now. Our goal is to be a witness and a lighthouse to everyone.”