Sunday, September 16, 2012

A Small Beginning

Today I was given the wonderful opportunity of preaching at the 65th anniversary of Trinity Baptist Church in Lexington.  Several hundred people gathered to worship and celebrate.  I had the privilege of being on their staff and Pastor for 21 years.  Trinity Baptist Church is a remarkable church with a long history of ministry (Yes, I'm biased.) For example, they began Quest Farm which is a residential farming community for 18 adult mentally handicapped adults. The church also established the Bob Brown Housing which is an apartment complex for 20 elderly and physically handicapped persons. Trinity has a Meals On Wheels ministry which feeds many individuals everyday. The church has 32 national flags hanging in its sanctuary because each flag represents a regular participant in the church's history. Trinity was integrated in the late 1960's.  The staff has been racial integrated. The church ordained women as deacons in 1981 and soon thereafter a women to the Gospel Ministry.

This fascinating church began 65 years ago when Rev. Delaney established a Bible study and worship service. The young church couldn't pay him anything, so he sold shoes at a nearby Department store. Only God could have known what would have been the results of that beginning. I wonder if their beginning seemed insignificant to Rev. Delaney and the few folks who met with him for a Bible study, singing, prayers and worship. I wonder if they ever thought that they should abandon their effort and join with one of the established churches. I'm grateful they were faithful.  If you ever become discouraged, remember it is very possible that you may never know the results of your faithfulness. Rev. Delaney died in the late 1950's when Trinity Baptist Church was very small in attendance and struggling financially. I wondered today if he could ever have imagined what the Church's 65th anniversary would look like and what the church had accomplished during all those years.  You never know what the Lord will do with your faithfulness.

 

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