Faith and family shape Park Meadows Baptist Church
[MAY 3, 2000]  Wherever you go, whomever you talk to, you hear the word "family" at Park Meadows Baptist Church in Lincoln.  Every member, every leader, every minister I interviewed has "family" in their heart and on their minds.  I shared in worship at Park Meadows on Sunday, April 9, and witnessed the 25th anniversary celebration of the ministry of Pastor S.M. Davis. The Sunday school hour that morning was devoted to special music in a "Singspiration" and testimonies to the ministry of Dr. Davis and his wife, Rae Jean.  Several testimonials noted the impact of the Davises on the homes and families in the congregation.

The sermon that morning was delivered by Pastor Bill Mitchell of El Paso, Texas.  It was clear that he had a great respect for the Davises and Park Meadows.  He noted that people around the world were thankful for the ministry and witness of Park Meadows.  He reminded the members they have "national and international impact because of the love he (Davis) has for you!"  He described Davis as a "leader of people, and a leader of leaders," and described how he was a pastor for other pastors.

 


[Dr. & Mrs. S.M. Davis celebrating their 25th anniversary]

 

Davis pastors a church that has shown steady development in witness, numbers and facilities over the years.  The congregation was organized in 1948 as an independent, Fundamental Baptist church.  The congregation is independent of any national denomination or body but is in fellowship with other like-minded congregations.  Their Fundamental view of the Bible has its roots in a reawakening that swept the American church in the late 19th and early 20th century, reaffirming the inerrancy of Scripture and the wholehearted application of its truths to every part of belief and life.

 

In the years after its founding, the congregation became known as the State Street Baptist Church and met at State Street and Short Eleventh. Davis, a native of Gaffney, S.C., came to pastor the congregation in 1975 after serving as an assistant pastor and music minister in Texas while he attended seminary.  In 1984 the congregation broke ground for their present facilities on Memorial Park Road, south of West Fifth Street.  The present worship center was completed in July 1988 and was dedicated in October of that year.  Church members completed most of the construction. The sanctuary and classrooms of the church are bright and spacious.  Davis pointed out that construction was done on a "pay as we go" basis so their ministry would not "become servant to the bank."  Included in the congregation's "Vision Unlimited" program for future ministry and outreach is a large multi-purpose building which will include space for fellowship, athletics and family activities.

It is clear from conversation with Davis that the value of any new facility lies not in merely adding property to the congregational real estate.  The value of any building, indeed of any activity, lies in complementing the two-fold mission of the church – winning souls to Christ and strengthening families.

Soul-winning, locally and globally, is a constant theme at Park Meadows.  The church supports 55 missionaries around the world and a number of local programs to lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The congregation supports a bus ministry and regularly calls on the homes of visitors and neighbors.  Classes and individual discipleship prepare members to share their faith.  The pastors of the church model concern for evangelism. Associate Pastor Thomas Bryant, who has served 22 years on the ministerial team at Park Meadows, noted in a testimonial to Davis' influence that "He taught me how to be a soul-winner," and "how to lead my kids to Christ."

If sharing the Gospel and soul-winning is the primary mission of this church, it is evident that strengthening the family is both the expression and essence of that mission.  When asked why people choose to worship and serve together at Park Meadows, Assistant Pastor Richard Ball had two ready responses.  People come because of "our strong stand on the Bible and our strong emphasis on the home."  Homes and families are supported in several ways.  Church members are apportioned into "flocks" which are guided by deacon-shepherds.  Shepherds visit, encourage and pray daily for the households in their flock. 

 

(To top of second column)

 

 

According to Pastor Davis, support for the family is crucial in a time and culture that has placed the family under assault.  He believes families are the foundation of the church and of society and provide training in godly living. "If Christians don't live godly lives," and are not "salt and light in the world," Davis says, then unsaved people will never see or hear the Gospel.  He has, he admits, "a strong passion for families and marriages."

One of the key methods for strengthening families is through the preaching and teaching from the pulpit.  Davis is known nationally and internationally for his preaching on the biblical pattern for marriage, parenting and preparing young people for those roles.  Each year Park Meadows distributes approximately 50,000 audio and video cassettes of Davis' sermons and lessons on these subjects. Ron Hopkins, chairman of the deacons, noted that the tape ministry has been a notable factor in bringing new members and families to the church. Congregational support for families also includes several programs and classes for teen-agers and children. Several members noted the importance of the strong youth program at Park Meadows, headed by Pastor Richard Ball. In addition, the church seeks to provide support for home-schoolers and to offer Christian schooling for kindergarten through 12th grade.

 


["Singspiration" - special music and testimonials]

 

"It is crucial," said Pastor Davis, "that we turn around the next generation," and raise up children to become strong Christian adults and parents.  It is vital, he noted, that faith and witness not be lost in the "second generation," of Christian families.

Many forces and groups in our society are seeking to define "family."  The courts, the media, the culture are all trying to define or re-define the meaning of the term. Park Meadows is seeking to affirm God's definition of family on His terms and guided by His Spirit.

 

 

Of all that I heard and saw about family at Park Meadows, one very practical experience stood out in my mind.  I attended a Sunday school class called the "Special Friends," taught by Clinton Coffman, who was assisted by his wife Marsha.  Members of the class come from Lincoln Developmental Center and from state homes in the area. Park Meadows provides a place for this group of joyous, energetic sweet souls and "special friends" to study, worship and praise. When I was told that church families "adopt" class members into their homes for meals and fellowship, I was convinced that this is a living expression of what God's definition of family is all about. God's people learn how to be strong families in their homes when they learn to be a loving family in their church.

 

[John Welter]

 

Back to top

 


 

Top Stories | Sports Talk | Weather

A Day in the Life | Milestones | Obituaries | Diaspora

Business & Ag | Organizations & Events | Good Neighbors | Honors & Awards | Ombudsman | Law & Courts

Crosswords | Hearsay & Hairspray |

The Arts | Family Life | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teaching & Learning | Book Look | Movies & Videos

the em space | Where They Stand | How We Stack Up | By the Numbers

Letters to Editor | About LDN | Corrections | Happy Ads | Classified Ads