Tabernacle of God begins unique partnership

Tabernacle of God begins unique partnership

Church dedication, relationship with Immanuel Baptist signals new effort to work across racial, cultural lines

news@theeveningtimes.com

Immanuel Baptist Church in Marion embarked on a rare church planting mission and hosted the commissioning service of the new Tabernacle of God Baptist Church that has sprouted roots in the county seat town. Pastor Steve Jacobson officially welcomed the new African-American congregation that has been meeting under the roof at Immanuel. More than 100 people packed the old meeting hall at Immanuel for a Launching Day program.

“The Arkansas Baptist Convention says there are only a few other Arkansas Baptist Churches working across racial and cultural lines,” said Rev. Jacobson.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to reach across those lines to minister to our community. We are excited that, as a small Southern Baptist church, we can do something that is as cutting edge as this.”

Pastor Chester Witherspoon leads the new biracial congregation and indicated that the partnership all came together under God’s hand. About 35 members already participate in the ministry of TGBC which is a part of the Delta Network of churches. The network conducts community evangelistic outreach events, pastor training institutes through seminary extensions, and planting new churches.

New churches typically grow faster than established churches and planting ignites church growth through soul winning.

Ridgewood Baptist Church in Forrest City, and Marion First Baptist are sponsor churches supporting the TGBC work. Immanuel is important as a network partner church and provides the church house for TGBC.

“Being a part of the Delta Network we are trying to reach everybody in the delta that are not saved,” said Witherspoon. “We have more people in the delta area that are unchurched or not saved than any other area in the state. The network has encouraged us to go after all the lost we can, because there are too many people left behind.”

The church planter Witherspoon, a resident of Marion, explained how the relationship between IBC and TGBC was created. He said God’s hand and timing were in it for starters.

“I prayed to God for a place and contacted the convention about the vision God had given me,” said Witherspoon. “The same week, pastor Jacobson called them and said they wanted to make their old sanctuary available for a new church plant. We agreed on using the building and God has blessed.

Everything has been great with them, brothers and sisters in Christ loving and respecting one another. We see color but we accept everybody for who they are.”

First Marion Pastor, Dr.

James Nichols charged Pastor Witherspoon with an exhortation from 1 Tim 3 to be focused, fearless and faithful.

“It was the official commissioning of Tabernacle of God Church,” said Nichols. “It was held in a multi-ethnic setting. Several churches in our association of different racial ethnic backgrounds were there and several African-American pastors. It was an evenly diverse crowd and a wonderful celebration.

Arkansas State Baptist Convention Director of New Church Affiliations Willie Jacobs delivered a sermon from Luke 5 about obediently fishing for souls in the deep.

“Chester (Witherspoon) has already proven that he is able to reach across racial barriers in order to help make it happen,” said Jacobs speaking about church growth and evangelism. “That is what God wants us to do, because Jesus told us to minister to all ethnic groups. That’s the way Heaven should look.

Pastor Witherspoon does things together with Immanuel

to do things to impact

the community. These

are the things that can break the delta stigma.

Chester has already proven his heart and his passion for the kingdom vs. color.”

By John Rech