Building on a Firm Foundation
By Kam Cook
Stephen Ministry Coordinator
This article is based on my research into the early history of HHBC for the Church Profile for the Pastor Search Committee. We have faced – and overcome – challenges in our past by working together to build on a firm foundation of faith and dedication.
Dr. Ralph Newton preached the sermon “The First Christians” at the first HHBC worship service, held on March 15, 1953, at the Little Theater. Like those early Christians, HHBC started as a home church, with the founders and other early members opening their homes for the glorification of God: the church office was in the Hatcher’s basement; children met at Miss Duffy’s Playhouse (Louise Bass’ kindergarten); choirs took over the Willingham’s living room; WMU met at the Registers'; the Brotherhood met at the S&S Cafeteria, managed by longtime Church Treasurer Clarence Johnson; Youth Group, Sunbeams, GAs and RAs met in the homes of their leaders.
The 1950s were filled with firsts. That first year, HHBC recorded the first baptism, held at Ingleside Baptist Church; the hiring of Ed Hutchings as part-time Minister of Music and Mrs. Raymond Hill as pianist; and the publication of the church newsletter, The Informer. HHBC began its traditional Easter Sunrise Service in 1954. While worshipers stood amidst brush, briars, weeds, and mud on the partially cleared property, Mrs. Hill played the piano which had been loaded onto the back of a pick-up truck.
The second year also produced much growth. Mr. Ed Ferguson of Macon was selected as Architect and Mr. William Pauley of Atlanta as Landscape Architect. In July 1954, the church broke ground for Phase I, which included the Chapel, Parlor, a small kitchen, nursery and several classrooms. HHBC agreed to co-sponsor Boy Scout Troop #3 with the Rotary Club and the Scout Hut was erected. A joint Vacation Bible School was held with First Baptist Church.
The Chapel was completed in time to host its first service on Mother’s Day, May 8, 1955. On that day, the Flower for Mother tradition was begun. The Chapel enabled many more firsts in 1955: the first wedding on May 29 united Elsie Jones and A.V. Wade; the first GA coronation was held, as was the first VBS involving only HHBC; the first Training Union was begun.
At the initiation of the youth of HHBC, the first Live Nativity in central Georgia was presented in December 1958. It became a neighborhood event in which neighborhood children, many of whom did not attend HHBC, participated – we even had a male Jewish angel one cold night when it was so cold we had to rotate the angel every 15 minutes.
The early Christians had a vision – the Great Commission - to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In spite of their early enthusiasm, they ran into challenges, both cultural and doctrinal. Furthermore, internal strife in individual churches often posed a threat.
Likewise, the founders and early members of HHBC had a vision to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Shirley Hills-North Highlands community. In spite of our early dedication and cohesion, HHBC has also faced challenges throughout our history. We have weathered those in the past and we will get through our current difficulties, as long as we maintain a vision of how we may best serve God.
If you are having difficulty formulating a vision for your life and would like someone to walk beside you and listen, our highly trained Stephen Ministers are available to provide confidential one-on-one lay pastoral care. For more information on how Stephen Ministry might serve you, contact Referrals Coordinator Peggy Williams at (478) 719-3340 or pjwms12@gmail.com.
Recognizing that God is the ultimate Cure Giver, the Mission of the Highland Hills Baptist Church Stephen Ministry is to serve God and bring Christ’s healing love to individuals who are experiencing life’s challenges through confidential, non-judgmental, one-on-one Christian care.