Reconciliation
Service: “Let the Walls Fall Down”
Sunday,
June 10, 2007
Focusing
on the theme “Let the Walls Fall Down,” two very
different churches met in a blocked off street
in Tipp City, Ohio, on Sunday, June 10, 2007, for
a special Reconciliation Service. The
two churches, CrossRoads Christian Fellowship, a
predominately white congregation, and the Temple
of Praise, a predominately black congregation, met
together and praised God in both words and songs.
The two churches are located within walking distance
of each other.
God’s
Spirit was evident as the Pastor of CrossRoads,
James L. Valekis, and the Pastor of Temple of Praise,
Roy Pirtle, shared equally in the service. It was demonstrated that when
praises go up, blessings come down as we were joined
by people from the neighborhood, some of whom expressed
a desire to become members of CrossRoads. CrossRoads
has held a Reconciliation Service annually for the
last six years, but this is the first service shared
with another church and to quote Pastor Pirtle’s
wife, Marjorie, “We don’t want to wait another year
to get together again.” The same sentiments
were voiced by lay members as well.
A very fitting message was given
by keynote speaker, Assistant Pastor of CrossRoads,
Gary Weldon, titled “That They May be One.”
Both churches
provided and shared a delicious three-course meal. Tipp
City Mayor, George Lovett, was a special guest.
The service concluded with the taking of communion.
This year’s
service was especially meaningful to coordinator
Levada Bibbs who spearheaded a seven-week program
in 2006 in an effort to bring strangers together
for dialogue and meals. The
program was titled “A Time to Reconcile,” and had
minimal success. The seven-week program culminated
with a special Reconciliation Service titled “Reconciliation
Is Everybody’s Job.”
We thank
and praise God for the partnership that we enjoy
through Jesus Christ in fulfilling our Ministry
of Reconciliation. The
June 10th service was a giant step in
the right direction and we pray that it will inspire
future dialogue.
Written by Levada Bibbs
Coordinator of Reconciliation
Ministry
at CrossRoads Christian Fellowship
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