As I participated in the closing service at Ruhama Baptist Church on Dec. 2, I was reminded of the many ways members of the congregation have contributed to life in the Birmingham Baptist Association and the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
The Alabama Baptist Historical Society and Commission were begun by James H. Chapman, a longtime member and Sunday School superintendent of the church. Mrs. Fred Williams was the person who gave the standard for early child-care programs in the Baptist churches of the state. Fanna K. Bee of Ruhama was the person who established the church library service of the Baptist Book Store and who helped establish the standards for local church libraries and histories. The Ruhama library became the model for many such programs. Bee and Lee Allen in 1969 wrote the update of the Ruhama Church history, first published by Thomas Huey in 1946 wrote the update of the Ruhama Church history, first published by Thomas Huey in 1946, which became the model for many such volumes. Landon Miller, as pastor of Ruhama 1957-1965, established the practice of holding local and area Bible studies to which he invited leading Baptist scholars. He also conducted minister training programs in the church to which pastors from throughout the state were invited.
The many ministers of music at the church set a norm for church choral programs, and the instrumentalists also helped advise in the installations of organs and programs introduced in many local churches. Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) leaders from Ruhama provided guidance for not only local missions programs but also were leaders in the national WMU.
The same was true for the Royal Ambassadors program for boys and young men. Many of us knew the large number who served on international missions and North American missions fields who had been influenced to that service by Ruhama. At least six, possibly more, local churches were begun by Ruhama.
In the article in the issue of Sept. 27 you asked the question, “What does the next chapter hold?” This same question can be asked as we look to the future of Baptist life in Alabama.
Arthur L. Walker
Birmingham, Ala.
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