Church group wants to be more active outside of sanctuaries

Three days of church meetings at Thankful Baptist Church wrapped up Thursday night and a moderator said they’re ready to take to the streets and speak up for what is right.

North Georgia General Missionary Baptist Association Moderator Steve Caldwell, who is pastor of the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Rome, wants the 19-church association to be more active outside the walls of sanctuaries ranging from Cedartown to Dalton.

Windell Smith (left), vice-moderator of the North Georgia General Missionary Baptist Association, and Steve Caldwell, moderator, compare notes during the dinner line at Thankful Baptist Church.

“The church, unfortunately, has been silent and it is now time for Doug Walker / Rome News-Tribune

the church to take a vital role in the communities,” Caldwell said. “Jesus Christ was not quiet in the days he walked the face of the earth. He ruffled feathers. It is important that we speak up, call right ‘right,’ call wrong ‘wrong.’”

Approximately 300 people came to the Thankful Baptist Church at 935 Spider Webb Drive to attend the special programs designed with a focus on leadership training, mission awareness, increased lay involvement and persistence in prayer.

“We’ve come a long way, but there is still room for improvement,” Caldwell said. “Our motto is, ‘We come in to worship, but we depart to serve.’”