Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

Article about Sowing Seeds of Faith and Internet Ministry

Would you like to become a Sowing Seeds Ministry partner? Click here for more information.

"1 Tornado, 2 Churches = One New Church Building!"

by Suzanne C. Hickerson & Larry Davies

Early one Saturday morning Cordelia Alexander awoke to the sounds of a concrete truck and men talking. The sounds coming from just outside her bedroom window, were music to her ears. ``It’s going to happen,’’ Alexander said. ``The sun came out and it was like God saying `This is the day.’’’

It was just a year and a half ago when Alexander watched in disbelief as a tornado ripped through her community and destroyed the church in which she has been a member since the age of 12.

Throughout the day, the buzz of saws and the banging of hammers could be heard from the hilltop, where the small church once stood. By day’s end, the building was beginning to take shape. The concrete foundation had been poured and two of the walls were finished.

Alexander and more than 50 other members of Lawyers Missionary Baptist Church have dreamed of the day when construction on a new church would begin.

That dream is now a reality thanks to a unique bond of stewardship formed between Timberlake United Methodist and Lawyers Missionary Baptist Church.

To most, “stewardship” simply means money. “Stewardship” mentioned during a church service is usually followed by a pledge campaign or offering but there is so much more. Stewardship is more about being prepared for the unique opportunities and challenges God often sends our way.

“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.” (1 Peter 4:10 NLB) Stewardship is managing your gifts to be prepared individually and as a church for God’s generosity to flow through you.

"Live the Light!

Five Weeks to a Life that Shines!"

Click Here

Read our devotions daily. Click here for more.

Timberlake United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia received a unique opportunity in the unlikely form of a tornado, to help another church and practice good stewardship of our resources.

The picture in the newspaper showed the damaged church with both side walls and the roof completely blown away. Yet, you could plainly see exposed pews with bibles and hymnals still in the racks. Rev. Carlton Johnson, the pastor spoke of rebuilding but didn’t say how.

Larry Davies, pastor of Timberlake UMC said, “I couldn’t take my eyes off that picture. An inner voice kept asking: ‘What will they do next Sunday? Where will they go? Our church is only a few miles away. Surely we can do something but what?’”

Early that morning, Rev. Johnson of Lawyers Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Drinkard, Lynchburg District Superintendent and Rev. Davies of Timberlake UMC stood in the sanctuary among the exposed pews and tried to imagine what force of nature could possibly cause this much damage. One member was sorting through the debris looking for anything salvageable. You could see the hurt in his eyes as he spoke of the church he loved.

The following Sunday… two congregations met as one church. In the hallway connecting the two sanctuaries were tables filled with food and coffee. As members of Lawyers Missionary Baptist Church arrived, people from Timberlake were there to greet them.

For over a year the two churches shared the same building and more. There were joint concerts and dinners to raise money for the new church. There were even several joint worship services. The two youth groups were involved in mission projects together.

But there seemed to be little progress toward rebuilding Lawyers Missionary Baptist Church.

Then along came a stewardship challenge and Jim Adams, a contractor and member of Timberlake UMC responded.

Click Here for Part 2

Do you want to join us in prayer for others? Do you need prayer? Click Here.

Last modified October 7, 2003.

Would you like to receive your own weekly devotions? Be involved in our prayer chain?

New Web Feature: Read our devotions daily... Click here for July