Loading ...A Little Church With A Large Work
Yesterday I was invited to speak at the Mt. View Church of Christ for their friends and family day. It was a great event with tons of people and as always tons of food. This congregation is in the middle of no where. There is no large town or community by the building. The building is in the middle of the country. As I was speaking, I noticed that the building was packed. You really could not have fit in another person. Also there were children every where. Usually for most rural congregations, it is typical that there are mostly older people in the pews. But this congregation was a pleasant exception to the rule. But it was not always this way, as many of the members stated that just a few years ago there were only two kids coming to the congregation. I asked the minister, Joe Paul Bryant, who is a great guy, how the congregation as grown. He stated the key in church growth. “I put everyone to work.” He said “At first I had to push for projects, but now people come all the time with ideas for ministry.” It was great to see this rural congregation thriving.
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About The Author
Mt. View was my home church,until a few years ago. I am amazed at how the church has grown. I think it is wonderful for a church in such a rural area has so many people that attend. I currently attend Martin Mill’s Church of Christ, which is between the Houston Community and the Lutts Community. We only have about 15 people, and about 11 normally attend, there are a few that a unable to attend now. There are more people in the area that could attend but they don’t. We need more people or we might have to close our doors. Some Sundays we can’t even have church. The church is very important to us. We need to stay open. Everyone is invited to worship with us. The minister is J.R. Balentine.
At the ripe old age of 21 I conducted a gospel meeting at Mt. View I believe we had 8 baptisms and 2 restored. Some of those baptized are still attending there. Since that time I have conducted 16 meetings for them. It has always been a good and faithful congregation. Like many it has gone through some cycles when things were down only to rebound to do greater things. I rejoice to know they are still doing well. And yes, they do have a great preacher. I have worked with him in a meeting there and elsewhere.
Matthew, In about 45 minutes I am going to a meeting with the elders and deacons. I have copied and pasted this article and am going to share it with my brethren. Thank you for sharing this with me.
This congregation has touched a lot of people’s lives and ministries. This teaches us that these rural congregations are important to the Lord’s work. Some would pass these congregations by for the larger city congregations, but all of God’s congregations are important. Thank you for sharing your stories with me.