By Al Quartemont, Special to the Message
WALKER – For people who live or pass through suburban Walker, a stop at the local coffee house might lead them to more than just an Espresso or Muffaletta. It may lead them to Christ.[img_assist|nid=7530|title=Coffee Ministry|desc=Wholly Ground Coffee Shop, an extension of Walker Community Ministries, would not have happened without God’s blessing and support from Louisiana Baptists through the Georgia Barnette State Missions offering.|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]
That’s because that coffee house, Wholly Ground, is actually an extension of Walker Community Ministries, a fellowship of believers under the direction of co-pastors Robert Miller and Richard White.
Miller, his wife Kristi, and daughters Miranda and Madelyn were sent to the small, southeast Louisiana community from Florida Boulevard Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, where Robert had spent seven years as missions minister. He took with him experiences learned in East Asia – specifically house groups – and began to implement that same approach in Walker.
Today, Walker Community Ministries includes five house groups that meet individually throughout the week and then together on Sundays with a worship service at 5 p.m. in the same building that houses Wholly Ground. The coffee shop is located on Walker South Road, the main thoroughfare through the city, and is open for business Monday through Saturday.
The business aspect of Wholly Ground is unique to the community not only in the menu it serves, but in the atmosphere it creates. The clientele includes all age groups and has also become a venue for local musical talent of all genres.[img_assist|nid=7530|title=Coffee Ministry|desc=Wholly Ground Coffee Shop, an extension of Walker Community Ministries, would not have happened without God’s blessing and support from Louisiana Baptists through the Georgia Barnette State Missions offering.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=480]
But Miller and White are both quick to point out that none of what is happening in their community would be happening without God’s blessing and the support of other Louisiana Baptists through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering.
“When we ran out of money, the Georgia Barnette Offering showed up,” Miller said. “We did not feel it was biblical for us to take out a big loan to finish the renovation of our building. Without the Georgia Barnette Offering, we would not be where we are today.”
The testimony of the Walker Community Ministries is just one of many that have been made possible through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. Named for the first executive director of the Woman’s Missionary Union, the offering’s annual Week of Prayer is set for Sept. 11-18. The theme for this year is “Seeds Sown in Tears, Songs Sung in Joy” inspired by Psalm 126:5-6.
“It challenges us to ask God to break our hearts for the many, many persons in our state who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and who remain unchurched,” said Janie Wise, Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist for churches in the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
This year’s offering goal of $1.8 million sets the tone for next year’s goal of $2 million, which will come in the year that the LBC celebrates its 200th anniversary.
Where figures might lose the meaning of the offering, the testimonies of those working in the field – like Miller and White – bring them alive.
Walker has traditionally been a small-town community. But, following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Walker has seen 39 percent growth, enough to have it registered officially as a “city,” as of the 2010 Census.
But, despite that growth in population, Walker has actually seen a decrease in the percentage of those who attend Southern Baptist churches. Miller said his ministry’s “house church” approach is one that is overcoming a barrier that exists for many who are not finding their place in current churches.
The house churches have allowed WCM to reach out into many neighborhoods they otherwise may not have and have used the approach of building relationships to make disciples in Jesus’ name. In fact, discipleship is a key component of the house churches. Group leaders conduct Bible studies through the same passages that are the focus of the Sunday evening services.
“The emphasis is more in being than doing,” White said. “We teach them who they are in Christ and let that drive what they do. The major emphasis is on discipleship. Be a disciple; make disciples.”
Miller also is quick to point out that their approach in the Walker Community is not an attack on traditional church methods. The ministry that now exists at Wholly Ground, for example, has only come after strong support from the LBC. Baptist Builders led in the renovation of the building. A missions team from Missouri also helped out as did many local people. His home church, Florida Boulevard, also continues to be a sponsor of the Walker Ministry.
The purpose of Walker Community ministries is two-fold, Miller said: to introduce the lost world to Jesus Christ, and then to disciple those followers to “own their Christianity” by living out their faith. It is through that purpose he and White hope to see a dramatic change that extends way beyond a fresh cup of coffee.
“It is so exciting to see teenagers and children and adults interacting in the Bible together,” Miller said. “Parents and teenagers work to present the lesson together. Teenagers encourage their peers. Younger children watch their parents and other adults live out their faith as they wrestle with real life issues.
“It’s a picture of real discipleship,” Miller added. “It’s what we call doing life together.”
For more information on the Walker Community Ministries and Wholly Ground, see www.walkerministries.net