KENTWOOD – About 30 minutes north of Hammond (and 90 minutes northwest of New Orleans) stands First Baptist Church of Kentwood, with red brick walls, white columns and a steeple soaring high.
By Karen L. Willoughby
Managing Editor
KENTWOOD – About 30 minutes north of Hammond (and 90
minutes northwest of New Orleans) stands First Baptist Church of
Kentwood, with red brick walls, white columns and a steeple soaring
high.
Inside, a modified Gothic feel, with beautifully
intricate stained glass windows and an unusual bulletin: Typical info
on the back cover; order of service on the front. This left the inside
pages for sermon notes.
First Kentwood is a strong, substantial church –
about 325 attend Sunday worship – with apparently excellent programs
for each age group, as evidenced by the children’s sermon given by
Chinero Fowler.
Each child was given a Hershey’s kiss to keep or
give away, their choice, and Fowler gave them time to run through the
worship center if the youngsters wanted to give them away.
When the youngsters reassembled on the steps to the
pulpit, she made sure everyone was happy with the choice they made (it
was about 50/50 keep or share). Then the surprise: Those who gave away
their one kiss received several more!
Fowler’s “give and it will be given unto you” point
from Luke 6:38 resonated with the entire congregation: God’s love. Are
you going to keep it for yourself, or are you going to share it?
It was a special day for Pastor Joey Miller: He
baptized his son’s wife, Katie, and it was the ending date for “40 Days
of Purpose.” Miller’s sermon was about the ripple effect of doing good
for God.
The morning’s events included Missionary Moments to
promote giving through CP Missions. In addition to giving 13.25 percent
through the Cooperative Program and 2.5 percent to Two Rivers Baptist
Association, First Kentwood is actively involved in missions, such as
migrant toiletry kits.
Next week: Southern gospel.