Every year, countless churches close their doors for the last time allowing their ministries to die with them, but not West Woodlawn Baptist Church. Since 1987, the former Birmingham Baptist Association church has used interest from money received in the sale of its property to benefit various Baptist ministries across the nation.
The church even sponsors an annual reunion picnic for former members. This year, the picnic will be held Aug. 9 at Brewster Road Baptist Church, Birmingham, beginning at 2 p.m.
Founded in 1907, West Woodlawn began with 40 charter members and grew to become the church home for hundreds of Alabama Baptists. But when Sunday attendance dwindled to about 50 people, its members were determined to continue the church’s 80-year history of service.
Sixteen years ago, the church decided to sell its property and use the nearly $430,000 gained from the sale to start a trust fund with The Baptist Foundation of Alabama to support other Baptist work.
Ministry continues
As head of the West Woodlawn committee that sold the church in 1987, Rosemary Hardy said the church had a strong desire for the property to be used for ministry.
“We didn’t consider other options that I recall,” she said. “So we were delighted when we received this offer and the church could continue.”
After selling the property to First Baptist Church, Woodlawn, and paying their former pastor’s salary for three years, the church used the trust fund to continue helping others.
Since 1990, the West Woodlawn fund has donated more than $438,000 to the SBC Annuity Board, Birmingham Baptist Association, Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center and M-Power, as well as through the Cooperative Program. Fifty, percent of the money provides scholarships for ministerial students at Samford University.
“We felt like that was what they Lord wanted us to do,” said Hardy, a member of Crestway Baptist Church, Birmingham. “We are proud the money is being used to help a great number of people and that the ministry of the church in continuing.”
In addition to the donations, the church set aside 1 percent of the interest to organize the annual picnic to reunited former members. Picnic attendees come from across Alabama and from as far as Texas and Washington, D.C.
Cheryl Lowery, a member of the West Woodlawn picnic committee and current member of NorthPark Baptist Church, Trussville, looks forward to the picnics each year.
“It has kept us together,” she said. “It is something about your home church. It’s sort of like a class reunion. When you get there, it’s just like going home.”
Lowery also appreciates seeing how God has worked in the lives of former members over the years, “It is a very uplifting and comforting feeling to be able to get back with people,” she added. “If you have had a parent who died [it’s good] to hear how your parents have affected the lives of other people.”
For more information, contact Lowery at 205-854-3138 or Rod Monteabaro at 205-854-2628.
(TAB)
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