Wednesday, March 28, 2001
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Wednesday, March 28, 2001 |
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South metro's best kept secret? Edgefield Baptist! By REV JOHN HATCHER Winston Churchill named Uganda the "Pearl of Africa" because of its centrality in the continent and because of its lush beauty. Well, allow me to name the Edgefield Baptist Church and her pastor, Rev. Eddie Thomas, the "Pearl of Fayetteville." The Edgefield church is located right in the middle of Fayetteville on Church Street diagonal from Carolyn Ford. Edgefield is the oldest black independent Baptist church in Fayetteville, dating back to the 19th century. Its fellowship hall served as the first schoolhouse for black children. Much of Fayetteville's history in someway connects to this pearl. I believe Edgefield is one of south metro's best kept secrets, although the word has been leaking out since Rev. Eddie Thomas assumed the pastorate four years ago. Their church, simply put, is on the grow. Their sanctuary about four years ago was barely acknowledged except by old time families. Now, the pastor has to have chairs brought in to accommodate the growing numbers. Why? Why would one of our oldest churches now experience unusual growth? Just look at the externals. Within the last year, church members bricked the exterior of their Fellowship Hall while upgrading the interior with new flooring, lighting, and appliances for the kitchen. The grounds have been beautifully landscaped. A huge, paved parking lot has been completed and they need it. Just this past Sunday worshippers stood on beautiful new carpet and sang their songs under new chandeliers. Guests and members enjoy spotless and beautifully decorated bathrooms (for those of us in church work know the importance of clean, pleasant bathrooms). Nowadays Pastor Thomas is providing the vision for a giant step of faith, a magnificent new Sanctuary. Members are giving past their regular offerings to raise funds. Already an architectural rendering has been presented to the church. It promises to out-awe other church buildings downtown. But for more than all that, the "Edgefield pearl" is a loving, exciting fellowship of some of our community's most wonderful Christians. Seriously! If you are looking for great, soaring, inspiring music, just go to the "pearl." Edgefield's choirs can out-sing choirs three times their size. Their youth choir can get a room a' rocking and a' crying. Believe it or not just attend one Sunday and find out for yourself Edgefield has talented keyboard arts just waiting to have their turn at one of the church's four keyboards. Drummers stand in line to give the church the beat. What's causing all this excitement at Fayetteville's center? The Holy Spirit has been given permission to use Eddie Thomas all he wants. When this young man stands to preach, he's got so much wanting to get out, he has to sing it out first and then move into his masterful style of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. He can sing. He can preach. He can dance. And all the time, do it all in the Spirit. God has used Pastor Thomas to be able to bring the past into harmony and commitment to "serve this present generation." He doesn't go around with day timers or laptops. He doesn't need to. He has a mind that synchronizes God-given vision with available resources with the spirit of "we can do it" obviously present among his congregation. On top of all this, Pastor Thomas has been a bridge for reconciliation between blacks and whites. Yet, he refuses to be used as the token black. In a very serious conversation with me, Pastor Thomas did not flinch in telling me some things that we whites have failed to try to comprehend about his culture and race. Yet, he's more than willing to go more than half way to undo the segregation of Sunday's worship hour. And yes, Edgefield is integrated and they invite all people to come and worship the same Lord Jesus Christ together with them. But when you come, don't plan to catch up on your sleep.
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
