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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.
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column)
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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]
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