Posted 9:41 am Saturday, August 21, 2010
Struggling Church Hands Keys To Growing Congregation
By REBECCA HOEFFNER
Staff Writer
African-American, white and Hispanic congregants waved their hands, sang and swayed to the singing of the African-American gospel choir at the packed Jubilee service at Park Heights Baptist Church on Sunday. Though the packed service was called a "jubilee," the feelings throughout the sanctuary were bittersweet.
Staff Writer
African-American, white and Hispanic congregants waved their hands, sang and swayed to the singing of the African-American gospel choir at the packed Jubilee service at Park Heights Baptist Church on Sunday. Though the packed service was called a "jubilee," the feelings throughout the sanctuary were bittersweet.
Park Heights has been steadily declining in membership over the years. Regular attendance ranged in the teens to the 20s, and the congregation is mostly made up of white senior citizens. The current building has been at the location since 1965, but the community around the church has shifted to a mostly African-American and Hispanic population.
Because of these issues, Park Heights Baptist Church decided to officially disband after 70 years of existence and give its church building and assets to a predominantly African-American congregation, Higher Heights Baptist Church.
The exchange was facilitated through the Smith County Baptist Association. Both churches are members of the Southern Baptist Convention, which renounced its racist origins in 1995.
"(Higher Heights) can come in and do things that we aren't able to do, and reach people we aren't able to reach," said Park Heights pastor Joe Bob Hughes.
Hughes presented the keys to the church and passed his mantel -- a satin cloth serving as a Biblical symbol of authority -- onto the shoulders of Higher Heights pastor, James Hawkins, and the two church leaders embraced.
"I will cherish this mantel until the day that I die," Hawkins said.
Higher Heights member Joshua Hudson looks out on the congregation from the choir room. The two churches held service together during Park Heights’ last service as a congregation.
Higher Heights was outgrowing its current building, and the Tyler Independent School District had purchased the land surrounding the church. There was no room for them to expand, Hawkins said.
"Park Heights is being good stewards with what they have," Hawkins said. Hawkins compared Hughes to Ezra of the Old Testament, saying that he was preparing the way as the prophet did for Nehemiah and that God would elevate Hughes "to another level" for his faithfulness. Higher Heights had approached Park Heights a year ago to try to purchase the building, but the congregation wasn't ready, Hawkins said. This time, the roles were reversed, and it was Park Heights' idea to say goodbye to the church home they've used for almost 50 years.
"It's a better fit for everyone and is in the best interest of Kingdom growth," Hughes said. "It seemed like the right thing to do."
One of the Park Heights church members, Dorothy Roach, 90, had been a member of Park Heights for decades. She hasn't decided where she will attend church for certain, but she's excited about the new possibilities with Higher Heights.
"I'm hoping it will be a blast," she said. "And I think it will be. I think this is going to be something outstanding Park Heights had never seen."
With the acquisition of the new church building, Higher Heights will be able to sell their old church building and cancel their associated debts, putting the church in a position to be debt-free.
Higher Heights has several ministries they believe will have a positive influence on the community, Hawkins said. The church has a Spanish-speaking ministry, a clothing ministry called "Manna," and "Day-by-day" drug and alcohol rehabilitation ministry.
"We're really trying to make a difference," Hawkins said.
