Country church reminder of parents' faith

Not long ago, we had the opportunity to make a trip to western Missouri. My goal was to locate a church where Daddy was pastor when I was a child. I didn't even know if it still existed, but thanks to the Internet and GPS, I found the way to get there.

Tucked away among lush growth and tree-populated hills, the little church still sits on a rise, far away from fast moving culture and society. As we followed the GPS and went down road after winding road, we came to a hill. Over that hill, Flat Creek Baptist Church appeared.

Even though my childhood memories of that era are spotty, the church still looks as I remembered it. I read the sign on the church: “Flat Creek Baptist Church Established 1846.” I stood with nostalgia for this beautiful country church. After all these years, the church is still vibrant and providing a place for people to gather and praise God. The well-kept white clapboard church was where our family spent two very meaningful years. Each week we drove from Kansas City, Kansas, to Flat Creek Baptist Church south of Sedalia, Missouri, so Daddy could preach while he was a student in seminary.

Every Sunday morning around 4 a.m., Daddy would carry Susie and me (still in our pajamas) to the car. About an hour later, nearly to church, we would stop on the side of the road and change into our Sunday clothes. We went to Sunday School and church. After the service we always headed to someone’s house for Sunday dinner. Susie and I would play with the children of the host family, then in late evening we would drive back to church for the Sunday night service. When all was over, we started the long drive home to Kansas City. Susie and I slept all the way home. I only remember waking up in my bed in our Kansas City apartment the next morning. Early the next morning, Mother and Daddy started their week of seminary classes.

This was a very challenging schedule because many obstacles complicated the situation. The miles, the travel in bad weather, and the lack of money were always an issue. Susie developed rheumatic fever during this time. Added to that, I struggled with severe asthma. Nevertheless, week after week, Mother and Daddy made that trip.

With the sight of this church, memories flooded over me. I considered the concept of service and dedication to God. Many times I have heard people say, “I really am not gifted… you need to find someone else… I don’t have time to serve… I am too busy with my schedule.”

Then I think about my sweet parents and their dedication. I now realize more than ever that my parents’ calling was important, even sacred to them. Mother and Daddy felt called into ministry. They recognized that they had no special talents, but they were summoned by God. That was the motivation for their faithfulness. Their strength to keep up that demanding schedule was because of the confidence they had in the Lord rather than in themselves. Dependent upon the Lord each day to prop them up and give them the strength, they faithfully went about God’s business.

None of us need extraordinary gifts to be effective for God. I am not really sure who first said it but this is a good thing to remember: God does not call the equipped; he equips the called.

So my parents believed that the power of the cross sent a mightier message than they could as individuals. They were only heralds to convey that message. The power of the cross stands on its own, no matter how weak the messenger may be.

Paul reiterates this concept. In Philippians 2:13, Paul wrote: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” So it is God who works in us to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose.

I was blessed to visit that country church from my life so long ago. Yet a surge of differing emotions surfaced in my heart. There was a deep aching, along with a fulfilling joy. This church reminded me of two of God’s servants, whom I dearly loved and miss terribly, and two who answered God’s call over 80 years ago. I am so grateful that they did.

Judy Brandon is a Clovis resident. Contact her at: [email protected]