Sharing The Good News

by Alan Pope

Bellaire is small town in Michigan. During the summer it swells with tourists from the cities down below. They come to the upper west portion of the state to vacation on the lakes, eat the ripe cherries, play golf, and enjoy the Bridge beside the churchbeautiful countryside. The First Baptist Church of Bellaire has a small building in the center of town astride a cool running stream of water. If you could step back a few years, a thriving congregation would be found, but the lack of pastoral leadership has seen their numbers dwindle.

Just a few weeks prior to our arrival, a newly called pastor arrived in Bellaire. A native of Michigan, his wife and baby boy join him in adding new spiritual leadership to the community.

One of the roles that the mission team from Alabama would play was to get the word out, "Bellaire Baptist was back!"

Three ladies from Jackson Way Baptist Church joined members of Southside Baptist to make up the team of eleven that traveled the long road north. The day and a half drive gave those who did not know each other a chance to get acquainted.

The Team planned to do Vacation Bible School (VBS) in a park just across from the church. Teaching, combined with music, drama, and puppets, had been planned and rehearsed. When the first day of VBS arrived, no children were to be found. So, the decision was made to divide into small groups and go door to door into the community. Over the next three days almost every neighborhood in this small city was visited. Fliers with information about VBS and a Block Party to follow were handed out along with gospel tracts, and the Jesus film on DVD.

At an apartment complex we met and talked with a young man who had a five year old son. He enjoyed talking with us and took the time to shake everybody's hand. It turned out to be a divine appointment, for the next day he brought his son and two older girls to VBS. They returned each day bringing another friend along. This small group of children received our full attention and was told of the great riches found in Christ.

We walked up to a home and in the front yard stood a man overseeing a crew attaching his car to a tow-truck. We quickly found out that his car would not crank and he was having it towed to a local garage. "Do you have any children?", I asked. "I'm only twenty", he replied. His name was Ukiah. We talked with him for awhile, explaining that we represented the local Baptist Church and were conducting VBS in the park. "Are you a Christian?", we asked. He threw up his shoulders, spread out his arms and said, "Yes. . . No. . . Maybe. . ." pausing each time as he spoke. Using a gospel track called, "The Four Spiritual Laws", Ukiah listened as we explained how God reconciled us back to him through Jesus Christ. "God makes peace with us through the blood of Christ, rescuing us from a life of sin", we told him. This man did not dismiss our words, but listened with intention. He did not make a decision that day, but the seeds of salvation were planted. There was a strange look on his face when we asked if we could pray for him. "Has anyone ever prayed for you?" I asked. He replied, "No". There in his front yard we joyfully prayed that God world bless and make himself known. Ukiah requested that we give special mention concerning his car.

One of the ways in which were able to bless the church was the connection made with two families. One family was a husband and wife couple with grown children. The wife worked with us in VBS and her husband ran the sound equipment. Our Mission Team to Bellaire in front of our VanThe other family had Mom and Dad, who helped to prepare meals, and four daughters. Three of the daughters, along with a friend, joined our team and practically became Alabamians for the week! By the time of our departure we had all become good friends.

Pellston, a nearby town, celebrated the summer with a downtown festival. The team drove up arriving early in the morning and set up. The local Baptist association provided a popcorn machine, snow cone maker, cotton candy machine, and a huge inflatable slide shaped like the sinking Titanic. Large crowds poured in.

The power of Christ was set to music and drama in a skit called "Ashton". In Ashton, the devil and his demons are seen destroying the lives of ordinary people. Christ appears flanked by a host of prayer warriors. Jesus, dressed in a robe of white, and wielding a sword advances on the demons. Driving the demons back, the destitute are freed from their torment one by one and are escorted by Christ to join those who pray. The devil and his demons regroup and launch an attack. One by one the demons are vanquished and finally the devil is destroyed. Those who have been set free gather around and worship their champion -- Jesus Christ. Clusters of youth sat down in front just several feet away as the Alabamians presented the story without words. Behind, the adults stood, cradling infants, and munching on bags of popcorn. Teenagers who had been walking by pulling off fibers of cotton candy stopped in their tracks. The power of God's truth was being presented and it was irresistible. I saw their faces. Nothing distracted them. The Holy Spirit was speaking loud and clear.

Alan, Jimmie & Linda serving the kids at the Block Party in BellaireFriday, the final day, a block party was held in Bellaire, MI at Richardi Park. All the equipment used in Pellston was set back up. Again children and adults enjoyed popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones. The puppets sang songs and the drama teams presented the gospel to the community. As we drove away later that evening it was clear to me that encouragement had been given to the faithful and good news was shared with the lost.

God bless the good folks of Bellaire.

For more picture's of our trip, go to http://flickr.com/photos/southbc3