E-Vangel Newsletter
September 17, 2012
Pastorgraphs: “Exodus Returning”
I received
a most wonderful call last evening from Pastor Donald Owens (left in the
photo), my dear friend and colleague, who let me know Exodus Baptist Church
will be returning to Christ Ministry Center effective October 1. Pastor Owens
said the congregation stood in applause yesterday once the decision became
official. Nothing could have made me happier than to know that our church
families will be reunited.
I have
recounted many times it was soon after Exodus came to 33rd and Meade
in 2005 that Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. Pastor Owens is from
Louisiana, and I am from Mississippi, having served six years as pastor in
Hancock County, the epicenter of that awful disaster. We quickly organized
"Operation Baby Buggy", the first 18-wheeler that brought desperately
needed baby supplies to the most vulnerable victims of Katrina. What I remember
most was how Pastor Owens and the folks at Exodus worked so hard to help load
the 18-wheeler. It was then I realized these dear folks don't just talk about
Christianity, they DO Christianity.
That
trilogy of love, faith and actions was exemplified over and over during the
following five wonderful years. When Exodus came to Christ Church, they had
long established ministries, such as a street ministry providing blankets and
personal care items to the homeless, visiting the nursing home regularly.
Exodus supported everything we did, including the Thanksgiving Dinner and
Easter Children’s Festival. The Voices of Exodus sounded like a foretaste of
the Heavenly Choir. I can still hear Rev. Ray Lemons and the choir singing,
“Jesus is Mine!” What a fellowship, what a joy divine!
Exodus
cared for the church building as if it were their own. They arrived early on Sunday
to pick up any trash that might have been left overnight, and always let the
building cleaner and nicer than when they arrived. They disproved the old
adage, “No one changes the oil in a rented car.” They treated the property as
the Church of God, not just a rented place to conduct worship!
For those
five years, we were two congregations sharing one building. By the time 2010
arrived, it was as if we were ONE congregation, for we worshiped together many
times a year, and shared in each other’s joys and sorrows.
When Exodus
Church had the opportunity to move into their own building in 2010, I felt like
a parent whose only child was leaving home. It was a mixture of happiness for
them and sadness for us. Over the past two years, we have maintained close
contact with our loved ones at Exodus. Pastor Owens and I have continued to
meet regularly for lunch and coffee. In June, Pastor Owens asked me to
preach at Exodus Baptist for their Ninth Anniversary (when this photo was taken
by Rev. Ray Lemons.).
It was at a
recent lunch with Pastor Owens where we discussed several options Exodus was
considering that I mentioned, almost as an afterthought, “Well, you know Exodus
is always welcome to come back to Christ Ministry Center.” You could see the
wheels start to turn in both our heads.
One thing
led to another, and after follow up discussions, it just seemed the right
timing for both of us to reunite. Exodus Baptist will conduct their Sunday
worship at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary, and midweek service on Thursday nights.
I could not
be happier. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Welcome
home, our dear brothers and sisters in Christ! You make us better by your
wonderful, caring example of Christian love.
Brother
Bill
From the Quote Garden:
“Sticks in a bundle are
unbreakable.”
~ Kenyan Proverb
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
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