Growing up in church has given me a unique perspective on walking the Christian walk. I’ve had opportunities to share the room with gifted men and women of God. Generally, as pastors and parishioners, we’re able to quote scripture dealing with the “fruits of the spirit” — love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, etc. However, we all know that quoting scripture and actually practicing what you preach are two separate things.
The church is faced with awesome challenges that affect this community, yet we fail to come together to accomplish a common goal. Teen pregnancy, drug abuse, gang activity, child abuse, homelessness, poverty, hunger, financial crises, etc., are on the rise, but where is the church?
Luke 12:48 says much is required from those to whom much is given. This community has sown a lot into the church and together we can put the enemy on the run.
Psalms 133:1-2 reads, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.”
Unity is compared to the anointing oil that ran from Aaron’s head down to his feet. This community and our churches would benefit from the unity that could be produced through fellowship. Brothers and sisters, our focus should be on those things we have in common and we shouldn’t allow our differences to drive us apart. How good and how pleasant it would be for us to face our challenges together.
I’ve been told, on more than one occasion, that there are more than 200 churches in Liberty County. Imagine the power of coming together to achieve a common goal. There are some awesome preachers and teachers who are doing awesome things in this community. Pastors such as Antoine Shaw, M.L. Jackson, Arthur Fairnot, Julian Jones, Henry Frasier Jr., Daisy Edwards, Kevin Betton, Hermon Scott, Aaron Cowart, Paul Johnson, Curtis Thomas, Larry Murray, Melvin Dudley, Cecil Robinson, Katrina Deason, Alvin Jackson, Glenda Bradley and the list goes on.
We have dedicated our lives to serving all of God’s children and Jesus Christ is our foundation. But it’s time for the church to be the church and allow our collective anointing to spearhead a change for the better in this great county that we call Liberty!
Hayes is the pastor of New Day Outreach Ministry in Walthourville and also a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.
The church is faced with awesome challenges that affect this community, yet we fail to come together to accomplish a common goal. Teen pregnancy, drug abuse, gang activity, child abuse, homelessness, poverty, hunger, financial crises, etc., are on the rise, but where is the church?
Luke 12:48 says much is required from those to whom much is given. This community has sown a lot into the church and together we can put the enemy on the run.
Psalms 133:1-2 reads, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.”
Unity is compared to the anointing oil that ran from Aaron’s head down to his feet. This community and our churches would benefit from the unity that could be produced through fellowship. Brothers and sisters, our focus should be on those things we have in common and we shouldn’t allow our differences to drive us apart. How good and how pleasant it would be for us to face our challenges together.
I’ve been told, on more than one occasion, that there are more than 200 churches in Liberty County. Imagine the power of coming together to achieve a common goal. There are some awesome preachers and teachers who are doing awesome things in this community. Pastors such as Antoine Shaw, M.L. Jackson, Arthur Fairnot, Julian Jones, Henry Frasier Jr., Daisy Edwards, Kevin Betton, Hermon Scott, Aaron Cowart, Paul Johnson, Curtis Thomas, Larry Murray, Melvin Dudley, Cecil Robinson, Katrina Deason, Alvin Jackson, Glenda Bradley and the list goes on.
We have dedicated our lives to serving all of God’s children and Jesus Christ is our foundation. But it’s time for the church to be the church and allow our collective anointing to spearhead a change for the better in this great county that we call Liberty!
Hayes is the pastor of New Day Outreach Ministry in Walthourville and also a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.