The Open Door

As I travel throughout Georgia visiting and speaking among our churches, I receive some of the greatest blessings of my entire ministry. Last Sunday was certainly one such occasion.

I was invited to preach the message for the 175th anniversary celebration of Antioch Baptist Church in Taylor County. Hubert and Betty Addleton serve as pastor and wife for the congregation. For 35 years, the Addletons served as Southern Baptist international missionaries in Pakistan. They are two of the most warm-hearted individuals I have ever met. When I first met them and visited with them, I could see the love of Christ flowing through every word and expression. The welcome from the entire congregation was equally warm and gracious. I felt right at home the moment I walked in the door. I thought to myself: “It should always be this way.” A great highlight of the day was being able to hear Phebe Settles sing the special music for the celebration. Phebe is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Sydney Odom, whom many of you know. Phebe has a marvelous gift from God and uses it effectively to sing praise to the Savior. I have been with Phebe and Jim Settles before, and it was such a joy to fellowship with them again.

My good friends, Tim Millwood and Clyde Evans were also present. As many of you know, Tim Millwood was recently selected to serve as the new associational missionary for the Rehoboth Baptist Association. He and his wife, Denise, and their two sons were present. Also with us for the occasion were Clyde and Jan Evans. Clyde serves as the ministry resource consultant for the Middle Georgia Region. We just had a great day of fellowship, laughter, music, singing, studying God’s Word together, and a delightful covered-dish luncheon in an air-conditioned tent to conclude the festivities.

I want to share with you briefly that the history of the church records that Antioch Baptist Church, founded in 1829, is the oldest Georgia Baptist church west of the Flint River. It was founded when “white settlers moving westward began crossing the Flint River into Indian Territory in the early 1820’s. On January 25, 1829, some Baptist settlers living in the northern part of what is now Taylor County came together to form the first Baptist church in Georgia west of the Flint River. The name of the 13 charter members present on that day included two slaves. The church grew rapidly and continued as an integrated congregation until 1869. Freed slaves, no longer property of the white members, separated and formed their own Antioch Baptist Church.” Now here is the next statement in the history that I want to share with you: “The separation was amicable and continues to be. In fact, last January, the first event of this year-long anniversary celebration was a combined worship service.”

I could not help but think how remarkable it is that these two congregations in Taylor County, the white Antioch Baptist Church and the African-American Antioch Baptist Church began together and now exist in a very friendly relationship, both churches having the name Antioch Baptist Church, and both churches having survived with strong congregations for the past 175 years. The Antioch Church on Highway 19, just north of Butler, worships in its original building. It has, of course, been remodeled across the years and is a beautiful place of worship, but I was impressed with how unique it is that they are still worshiping in the original building. Many churches this old are meeting in their fourth or fifth building by this time.

Though the church is 175 years old, they are continuing as a vibrant congregation giving faithfully to missions, baptizing new believers, and reaching new members on a regular basis. There is also a very warm family spirit in the life of the church that I am confident will continue to draw new people to be a part of this great fellowship.

I have said of myself many times, as you probably have also said of yourself, that I do not want to outlive my usefulness. I was so pleased to be in a church that was 175 years old. It had never outlived its usefulness, but was continuing to be very much alive, loving, enthusiastic, and outreaching in its ministry. Praise the Lord for churches like Antioch Baptist Church in Taylor County, Georgia. Thank you, folks, for a great worship experience and time of fellowship with your congregation on last Sunday! Being in touch with Georgia Baptists is truly inspiring.