By Reggie Bridges
RUSTON (LBM) — Within today’s culture, there are many who seem to dismiss the idea of belonging to a denomination.
These “non-conformers” denounce such organizations as archaic, stilted, and unnecessary, preferring instead a less-entangled, non-denominational or independent congregation at the expense of working together.
My background as a life-long Southern Baptist has positively impacted my own position about our Convention, or fellowship, of cooperating autonomous congregations.
You see, I used to be a Southern Baptist by birth, but I remain a Southern Baptist by choice and conviction:
— I hold to the basic doctrinal framework that defines us as Baptists — that is first and foremost! When I operate within my denominational family, I acknowledge that we stand together on the foundation of God’s Word.
— I, my congregation and I, voluntarily cooperate together to advance the Gospel of Christ through missions and ministries. We recognize that we can do more together than we can do apart, demonstrating an unselfish spirit when we contribute to a collective effort instead of trying to build our own kingdoms.
— Moreover, as Southern Baptists, we have a wonderful extended family with whom we get to work!
This past April, Southern Baptists in Ruston were reminded of how blessed we are to belong to a larger body of believers.
Many of you may well remember that a tornado ripped right through our city and left immense devastation: homes destroyed, our university damaged, families displaced, and even more tragically, lives lost.
Immediately, community members sprang into emergency response mode. It was truly amazing\ how much was done in such a short time of recovery.
But most important were the contributions that you, my Baptist family, made during that time!
The very morning of the storm, I began to receive texts from fellow Baptists across the state, and indeed, from across North America. Specifically, our LBC Executive Director David Hankins and our LBC Missions and Ministries Director John Hebert called to let us know that we were not alone. Moreover, our own Rolling Hills Ministries and its director, David Abernathy, began to marshal our Southern Baptist response teams and resources.
Thanks to Louisiana Baptists’ generosity, John Hebert came to Ruston and presented $10,000 to Rolling Hills in order to assist with feeding our community.
One feeding station was set up at our new ministry work, The Springs, which was located in the midst of the affected area.
This revitalized church, or replant, literally became a hub of ministry for the community, with something on the order of 6,000 meals served there. (Oh, by the way, The Springs just launched worship services in the area in part because of the financial support of the Concord-Union Baptist Association, the LBC Missions and Ministry Department, and the Nort American Mission Board. Thanks to the Georgia Barnette and Annie Armstrong Offerings!)
Baptists’ financial contributions were equally met with their sweat equity.
The night before the storm, our congregation joined with Rolling Hills to constitute a formal chainsaw ministry team (God’s timing!)
But we were not alone.
Our fellow churches in town, Calvary, Cook, Emmanuel and First Baptist, all got to work, too.
Other Louisiana Baptists armed with chainsaws joined us in the effort as well: First Haughton, First Blanchard, and Mangham Baptist showed up and showed out with their response skills!
Even Sam Porter, the national director of disaster relief for Southern Baptists, drove down from Oklahoma to check on us and worship with us the Sunday following the tornado.
I could go on and on about how our Baptist family helped us through such a difficult time here in Ruston — how the national Woman’s Missionary Union Foundation Board provided a $5,000 grant to our Louisiana Tech Baptist Collegiate Ministry for building repairs, and other ways the collective Baptist work has extended the witness of our Lord and His Gospel.
But space restrictions do not permit.
Instead, let me close with a word of gratitude, a reminder for us all, and our commitment to you.
First, thank you, my fellow Southern Baptists, for all you have done to make a difference for Jesus Christ in Lincoln Parish and beyond.
We will not soon forget how you were there for us.
Second, do not forget that there is still a place for denominational structure — we can make a difference by standing together!
This disaster response is just one example of how viable cooperation can be.
Third, we are with you in the Gospel effort and our resolve to work with you in missions and ministries has only been strengthened.
We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you to see His Good News advanced across the globe.
Simply stated, we love you, our Southern Baptist family, and we are committed to working with you.
Reggie Bridges is senior pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston.
