Never seen anything like it in my life

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

Religion Columnist

Never seen anything like it in my life. White church folks doing right by renewing a African-American cemetery long neglected by the church.

Now, the cemetery for white folks has been kept up all along. Yet, the one for the slaves didn't rate much upkeep. Under the leadership of Dr. Elton Johnson, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, church members, aided by the Singles from New Hope Baptist Church, removed trees, chopped bush, cut back briars and weeds to unclutter a Black cemetery long forgotten.

This past Sunday, Dr. Johnson led his church in reevaluating the status of the Black Christians buried in the cemetery. As he called out a name, members said, “We honor you as a sister/brother in the Lord.” Afterwards, members were invited to take a cross, kneel at an unmarked grave, pray that the curse of slavery be lifted off, and then drive the cross as a grave marker. Extraordinary stuff!

The Antioch affirmation of its African-American members is a part of generational repentance: repenting for the sins of our fathers and forefathers. This kind of thing could be the source of genuine racial reconciliation in the United States.

Only four or five years ago, as the giant Southern Baptist Convention met in Atlanta, did it corporately repent of defending slavery, thus resulting in its break-away from northern Baptists and forming the southern group of Baptist churches.

Could it be that in order to deal with racism, many of us churches should repent for the behavior and attitudes of our forefathers? Could it be what's keeping church after church from receiving God's blessings our refusal to deal honestly and repentatively with our past? How many cemeteries where African-Americans have been buried have been long forgotten? Maybe Antioch's example will prompt other churches to examine how we have treated our ancestors of all colors.

Speaking for some of my pastor friends whom I know would let me speak for them, hurray for Antioch Baptist Church and Pastor Johnson. We salute you! We respect you for your courageous action! We seek to emulate you!

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