Baptist Family Reunion
By Doyle Sager, Churchnet Board Member
Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City
I attended three family reunions this summer: one on my wife's side of the family over Memorial Day weekend and a second on July 4 for my side of the family. The third was a gathering of my Baptist family from all over the world in Durban, South Africa.
A few years ago my wife and I reconnected with some cousins. After a particularly fun Thanksgiving family bash, one of our cousin's college-age children said, "Mom, where have you been keeping these cousins? They're fun! And so cool!" That's my take away from the Baptist World Congress last month. What cool and fun Baptist sisters and brothers! As I left worship one evening (I thought the service was over!), many attendees were still dancing in the aisles as the praise band played post-session music. At the door, I smiled at a brother, dressed in bright African garb, as he moved to the rhythm of the music. I opened my arms. He hugged me tightly, his black arms squeezing me as if we were long-lost cousins. And we were. I have no idea who he was. I may never see him again on this earth. But in that moment, we celebrated being the family of Jesus known as Baptists.
From left: Churchnet Generational Engagement Team Leader Brian Kaylor, Churchnet Board Members Doyle Sager and Heather Entrekin, Central Baptist Theological Seminary President Molly Marshall, Churchnet Vice President Forestal Lawton, and Churchnet Executive Director Jim Hill.
(photo credit: Francisco Litardo of Central Baptist Theological Seminary)