If someone were to pull you aside in Mc Donald's one day and ask you, "What is the church?" how would you respond? What would you say? Who are we, First Baptist Church of Walton? When people look at us, speak of us, visit us, what do they find? Certainly they see our beautiful facility, speak of our rich history, and can tell stories of the many lives that have been changed within our walls and beyond. Who are we?
I believe the word that best describes what we are is the word "Family." The church is defined as brothers and sisters, all claiming adoption by the same Father, all sharing a heritage with the same brother. We are a family.
This is who we are. We are a Body of Believers born into God's Family through our faith in Christ, and this is more important than the bonds of friendship. It extends past the walls of a building and it is the connection we share because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The Church, which belongs to Christ, which honors his mission and his heritage, which is united by His blood, is a Family. God bless you First Baptist as together we build a family, a fellowship of Joy!
Thank you for the wonderful privilege of serving as the Pastor of this great 'church family'.
Because of Calvary,
Bro. Hale, Ps. 16:11
January 2006
