Following The Sands Of Time Leads Us Back To The Rock (#3)

On Sunday June 26, 2005, Sandra Doolittle and I attended the 180th Anniversary of Bethel Baptist Church in Midland, Ga. It was a glorious day for the church, it's history, and the 80 + guests and members.

What made this day so special was it brought together a reality, the people, the place, and a view into a past history of people who helped get us to where we are today as a Nation.

HISTORY: In 1825 a group of God fearing people started meeting together to worship and formed a church near Old Alabama Road in Muscogee County. They named it Bethel Church. Bethel is located on what is now Flat Rock Road.

In 1827, Georgia held it's first Land Lottery of Indian Lands, a large number of familles began to move to the area. Land in Muscogee County was split up to make several new Counties of smaller size. With the influx of more people, more organization of local governments and religion began.

In 1829, The Columbus Baptist Association organized on November 22. Members of the Presbytery of the Association for Constituting New Churches were Rev. Anderson Smith, Rev. George Grandberry, Rev. Hiram Powell, and Rev. Green Berry Waldrop. ( Rev.G.B.Waldrop is Sandra Doolittle's Great-Great Grandfather).

On June 29, 1829, Bethel was constituted as the Baptist Church of Christ. Also on this date Cary Willis became the first member of the church and later pastored the church for 54 years after being ordained minister by Rev.G. B. Waldrop.

TODAY: The Morning opened in celebration of 180 years by song as Southern Vision of Valley, Alabama a Premier Gospel Quartet, set the spirit of the day. Greeter was Rev. Jimmy Blanton of the Columbus Baptist Association. Guest Speaker was Rev. Mac Hammond of Brooklin Park, Minnesota.( He is the Great-Great Grandson of Rev Cary Willis who Pastored Bethel Church from 1840 to 1894). The Church History was read and copies were made available for all. Bethel's Pastor Rev. Ralph Horne put together a great Celebration of the Church and it's History.  Rev. Hammond gave great examples of how over time, all those that the Church touched in the Spirit multiplied to influence many others. The original 13 members, like our founding States, have for over 180 years effected the lives of people all over the World!

It was a great day! Good Singing, Good Sermon, Good Food with Good People.

Be sure and visit my site. Thanks Ron Rollins
Visit his "Memories" website