Over 60 years ago, I attended a small white wood-framed church in Pearl, Mississippi, with my mother and younger brother…My father didn’t go to church much, but my Mom went every time they opened the doors. I don’t really remember the name of that church but I do remember that it was bounded on one side by large oak trees with a parking lot on the other side. There was no air-conditioning but the front door was always open and I distinctly remember a little red dog sometimes slept under the last pew during the service. Another thing I remember well is that someone had built picnic tables that were placed under those oak trees and the "best food in the world" was served there. That’s the way it was in the early days when the whole life of the community revolved around the church. Besides Sunday School and Worship, churches were often the places where folks gathered for baseball games, recreation/social events that always involved food, birthday parties, weddings, funerals, and even burials. Many of you probably grew up in a church just like that. As time went on, schools, recreation centers, clubhouses sometimes became the venue of choice where people could gather and the church was open just on Sunday.
I have thought a lot over the last few months about the Family Life Center at Hayes Barton and the ministry opportunities we have. We have an incredible facility. I hear very favorable and positive comments about our gym on a regular basis. However, the facility itself does not "do" ministry. It is the people inside having a relationship with Christ and using the resources provided that "do" ministry.
Family:
I love this church! Janice and I have been members of Hayes Barton for over 30 years now and all my children and grandchildren attend and worship here. We consider you to be part of our extended family and we love and care about each one of you.
Life:
I’m sure that you have heard or read this verse of scripture many times.
John 10: 10 – "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly"
God has truly blessed us with this facility and many lives have already been impacted by the activities that go on here. I look forward to tomorrow.
Center:
Maybe the folks going to that church in Pearl, Mississippi had it right. God should be at the center of our lives and there is no better place to find Him than at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. We’re not open just on Sunday. We’re open every day!!
One of the favorite songs of the Danielson Sunday School class is "The Family of God".
Chorus:
"I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God."
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
The Family of God."
COME PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES AT THE FLC.
jmc