As many of your know by now, the facilities for Central City Baptist Church burned Monday night (7/25/2022). The facility is a total loss, but buildings and “stuff” are replaceable. We praise the Lord that no one was in the building during the fire and that there were no injuries among firefighters or the community.
The past few years had been difficult for the church; but, since the beginning of this year, efforts through GTBN to replant a disciple making congregation at the site have been fruitful. The Lord brought us a replant pastor, Bro. Jose Gutierrez, who with his family has moved from Houston to Beaumont. Network churches, including Westgate Memorial and Rosedale, have stepped up as supporting partners, with others offering assistance with evangelism and building repairs. Every time ministry has occurred on site during this season, community members have engaged with interest, indicating open doors for ministry.
But amid the progress were numerous set backs, notably vandalism, a break-in, and copper theft from HVAC units. After each such event, the GTBN staff, volunteers from churches, and the Gutierrez with their family worked to make repairs and prepare the facility for ministry. Launch for the new ministry was originally set for the beginning of June, then July, later August. And now, with the fire, we’re not sure when ministry on-site will begin.
But it will! In one since it would be easy to clear the property, sell it, and focus on a community with fewer “distractions.” But pastor Jose and our GTBN personnel see a community in need of a disciple making congregation. We see a large portion of this community with Spanish as their heart language. Like Jesus in Mark 6, we see sheep without a shepherd. The very challenges presented throughout this journey point to a need only the Savior can fill.
So, the replanting of Central City Baptist Church as Alianza En Marcha Beaumont continues. Pastor Jose, his core group, partners and GTBN personnel are working to discern the Lord’s way through clean-up, interim solutions, and what future facilities might look like. Communication with the insurance company and the investigation by the Beaumont Fire Marshal’s office are also ongoing.
I’m beginning to understand through this how so many of our southeast Texas friends feel after one of our Gulf storm rips into their church or home, the feeling of lost effort and personal inadequacy. Like many of you in those circumstances, I’m exhausted. But…
But this is why we have Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” In a fallen world, we expect the occasional storm, break in, or even fire. We do our best to mitigate these things, and by God’s grace we’re often spared. But often not. And even in those times the Lord who calls us is faithful. He empowers His people for His work. And so we have His call to persevere, to not grow weary, with the promise that, if we don’t give up, He will bring the harvest!
I look forward to seeing the harvest through this new church, and similar harvests across our mission field, as we persevere together for His glory.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim