Afton Grove Baptist believes, ‘If You Build It, They Will Come!’

Jacksonville Progress

June 14, 2009 03:22 pm

— By Pastor David Hallum
Special to the Progress
Months ago Afton Grove Baptist Church, established in 1931, was in desperate need of repair. With much prayer and a willing committee comprised of Clyde Cain, Barbara Hassell, Loma Dudley, Letha Smith, Dawn Majors and Marvin Robison, the congregation began to work.
After months of intensive research the group discovered the building needed more than just a face lift. Congregation members voted to totally rebuild the sanctuary/foyer area. Five weeks ago the plan was presented.
“It will give us much needed practical things such as seating, covered portico, and energy-saving construction. We also had an eye out for the aesthetic, such as vaulted ceiling, awesome sound, and beautiful hand crafted doors, just to mention a few. We have really worked hard to provide all the needs of family and friends,” said Barbara Hassell, a church member.
The church voted to build and the building is almost complete. Betty O’Neil, owner of MO Construction, was chosen to construct a brand new building.
“I believe God will continue to bless this church family as they do His Will,” O’Neil said.
Pastor David Hallum added, “During these tough economic times, God has remained strong in our church and we want to be a bright and shining light in our community.
“This has been the most wonderful job, I have enjoyed working so closely with this committee, the pastor. Staying in tune with their ideas I have experienced the love they have for one another, the outreach, the team spirit.”
“If you build it, they will come!” Almost everyone is familiar with the catch phrase of the Kevin Costner movie, “Field of Dreams.” Building a baseball diamond is one thing, building a church is quite another. In fact, when the word “church” comes up in a conversation, it usually sounds like this: “Did you go to church last week?” or “Hurry up! We’ll be late for church!” In the first expression, the word “building” could be added to church and we would get the sense of what is being said. In the second expression, someone is in a hurry to get to the designated place of worship.
“If you build it, they will come!” Many of our church members have gotten the “bug” since demolition and construction began. Excitement at what God is doing is spilling out in their schools, homes and jobs. Excitement at seeing people converted to Christ, excitement at seeing young people join the church, excitement at seeing our youth group volunteer to raise funds and help build a new playground to go with the new building. Excitement indeed!
“If you build it, they will come!” Are we building an edifice or are we building a church? The truth is that we are building both. The edifice houses the church when it comes together for worship. Our prayer, aim, and goal at Afton Grove Baptist Church is to build a church that the Lord will be proud of. We are building it, why don’t you come?”