Elizabeth Butler
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — Pastor Ernie Jones has preached from the rooftop of Westside Baptist Church twice after his congregation met his challenges to have 100 and 200 people respectively in Sunday School in two different years.
Jones sat down recently in his office to share some of the highlights of the church, which celebrated its 25th anniversary Aug. 15. Guest speaker was Jones’ pastor, Ricky Powell of Ft. Carolina Baptist in Jacksonville, Fla.
Following the morning worship service, members and guests joined in fellowship and a “wonderful” meal in Maddox Fellowship Hall.
The church of blue-collar workers has grown from about 30 when Jones began his ministry there 13 years ago to an average of about 200 in worship services.
“God has blessed us,” he said of the growth.
Westside was recognized on April 23 by the Georgia Baptist Convention for its number of baptisms for 2009. The church ranked 20th among the intermediate churches (averaging 101-199 members) with 39 baptisms.
“The amazing part about this church is I’ve been here 13 years and have never had a cross word with anyone,” Jones said.
“We changed our deacon ministry to a deacon family ministry when I came. The true sense of the word ‘deacon’ is servant. Our deacons’ meetings are prayer meetings. We spend time praying for our families which have needs.”
Jones said the deacons are held accountable to each other by reporting the number of contacts with church members they have had through the month, including hospital and home visits and sending cards of encouragement.
“The deacons are my spiritual advisors, and I go to them when I need advice,” he said.
Westside has recently organized a new missions team.
“We just returned from Georgia mountain ministries doing Vacation Bible School at Unocoi State Park near Helen, and 11 children were saved (gave their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ).”
On Aug. 14, the team did balloon animals and face painting at the Child Identification Program event at the Valdosta Mall.
“We are focusing on missions in the community,” Jones said. “God gave me a vision. Our theme is ‘Acts 1:8, Catch the Vision.’ Our vision is to grow the Kingdom Church through personal witnessing. Our whole mission team is about being servants. We want to be servants to the people and show the love of Jesus.”
Jones and his wife, the former Terri Ellison of Tampa, Fla., will be going next month to an Indian reservation in Chinle, Ariz., where he will preach a revival.
“What is unique about our church is the freedom of the Spirit to work,” he said. “Although there’s a diversity of people, there is unity of spirit. It’s just awesome. I can’t wait to get here on Sunday.”
Assisting Jones with the work at Westside are Annie Lee Shaffer, ministry assistant since 1985; Vicki Crump, education and choir director since 1991; Cindy Coulter, youth director since 2001; Will Rumley, worship director since 2003; and Becky Bailey, children’s director since 2006. Volunteers Tim and Shana Yorkey work in the college department.
