JUST THINKING: Come and See
Dr. Tom Mitchell
I was just thinking about a wonderful service or multi-cultural worship we experienced on April 14 at Chenal Valley Baptist Church in Little Rock. We had a full house as our English-speaking church met together with our Hispanic-speaking congregation. Iglesia Bautiste Ebenezer is the state missions project Chenal Valley sponsored several years ago. We share the same building, and the effort has been nothing but blessings filled.
Sunday, we had our third “Come and See” service. The music was done in both English and Spanish. Chenal Valley’s worship pastor, Chuck Sullivan, masterfully designed the worship in music to include Reuben Isturiz, the church planting pastor of Ebenezer. Several of the songs were a mixture of the two languages represented. Bro. Chuck said he felt that with a service like that we were experiencing a little of what Heaven is going to be like.
The Blessing of Sponsoring a Mission
Chenal Valley Baptist Church began as a mission. We were supported by both the BMA of Central Arkansas and the BMA of Arkansas State Missions. I had the privilege of being the church planter in 1998, and our dream was always to be a church that would sponsor a mission church. Under the leadership of our present pastor, Allen Morton, that dream came true. Iglesia Bautiste Ebenezer has been nothing but a true blessing for both congregations. God has blessed both congregations.
A Message from Pastor Reuben
With his wife, Kory, Pastor Reuben preached a powerful message titled, “The Big Picture.” He pointed out that, even though we are small individual congregations, when we meet together as we did Sunday, one day we will be part of the big picture — we will be part of the great multitude mentioned in Rev. 7:9-12. The message hit the hearts of everyone in attendance.
The Joy of Fellowship
While with many, likely most, there remain language barriers, the joy of fellowship is not hindered. Smiles, laughter, handshakes and hugs are part of our times spent together. After the morning service, we enjoyed a multi-cultural meal and our fellowship center was filled to capacity. As I looked across the room, I was excited by the joy of fellowship.
A Personal Urging to Other BMA Churches
My mere words are not nearly enough to express what a blessing such an endeavor of having Ebenezer members meet with us. I would urge every church in our work to consider sponsoring a missions project. The rewards will be great, and the joy inexpressible.