We can do far more together than we can by ourselves.” That was the message at a recent fellowship luncheon for Southern Baptist and National Baptist pastors in Tallapoosa County.
Thirty-five pastors and laypeople from churches in the Southern Baptist Convention’s Tallapoosa Baptist Association and the National Baptist Convention’s Early Rose District Association met at Great Bethel Baptist Church in Alexander City on June 22 to enjoy lunch and fellowship. The speaker was Ronald Davis, an associate in the associational missions and church planting office of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) whose job includes promoting cooperative efforts between Southern Baptist and National Baptist churches in the state.
Barry Cosper, director of missions for Tallapoosa Association, said this was the second gathering for the group. Last year’s luncheon grew out of a citywide revival held in Alexander City in 2009, which featured preaching by both white and black pastors and music from area churches. That revival led to a “unity of spirit” that was too good not to follow up on, so the luncheons and another revival this year continued the cooperative effort, Cosper said.
“These events enhance fellowship but also create a greater awareness and respect for each other’s churches within the community,” he said.
Davis also pointed out that events like these “help promote racial harmony and (encourage Christians) to live out the new command of Christ to ‘love one another’ as He has loved us.”
In his message at the luncheon, Davis used the parable of the good Samaritan to illustrate the need for Christians who are willing to “take chances” and share the love of Jesus with their neighbors, regardless of race, customs or church affiliations.
Both Cosper and Davis said they are excited about the potential that such events have to encourage evangelism efforts that cross racial lines and reach more people with the gospel. This potential is why the SBOM provides funds for such events, Davis noted.
Emerson Ware, pastor of Great Bethel Baptist and moderator of the 28 churches in Early Rose District Association, said while pastors have enjoyed the cooperative evangelism efforts, he has seen stronger relationships among members of area churches as well.
“God has given the church the ministry of [racial] reconciliation, and no one besides the church can get us together,” he said. “When others see the great relationships we have, that spirit is going to become contagious.”
Cosper said his prayer is that these efforts will enhance the commitment of Christians in Tallapoosa County to do Kingdom ministry together. “What we are discovering is that we are all on the same page,” he said.
“We just need this encouragement to work together instead of individually to reach our county.”
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