First Baptist Church of Cleveland has kicked it up a notch.
Its 5,000-member congregation moved into their beautiful new Stuart Road facilities just a few short weeks ago and now it’s time for homecoming, a festive celebration honoring “people,” and it’s happening this weekend.
The lively event began Saturday night with a drop-in reception for the homecoming’s special guests. It was held in the church’s gorgeous Commons area and it attracted members, former members and anyone else who wanted to visit and share in the beauty of the new church whose time came long ago — especially as the congregation grew and space constraints began taking their toll in the former downtown location at the corner of Church Street and Central Avenue.
The homecoming continues today with a spotlight on history and vision, and the people behind both.
Special guests will be recognized in all three worship services at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. Following their recognition during the first two services, they will be available in The Go Cafe to meet and greet old friends, new acquaintances and fellow, longtime believers.
Later today, beginning at 12:30 p.m., a buffet lunch will be held at the Mountain View Inn with the homecoming’s special guests as honorees. It is an open invitation, but tickets are required and their numbers are limited.
If you missed our initial announcement of the church’s homecoming in last Wednesday’s edition, co-pastor Dr. Allan Lockerman explained the First Baptist reasoning for this significant, and historic, homecoming. He told us, “It will be an opportunity for people who have been with us before to come back, for us to look at the past and to see how they have contributed to our current project.”
Another prime purpose of the homecoming is to honor people, and particularly “ ... people who have helped us along the way.”
He added, “ ... People who have made things possible for our church’s growth and development can come back and see where their efforts have led. We want those who sowed the seeds to see how they have come to harvest.”
Assuredly, First Baptist Church is hosting a tremendous event — one that accomplishes two purposes. First, as Dr. Lockerman explained, it offers a unique opportunity to observe the past and those who were integral in its development. Second, it allows the faithful congregation a look into the future, one filled with even more potential and which will be shaped by the needs, and the collective vision, of those who lead the church today.
This weekend’s homecoming is a unique moment in the proud history of First Baptist members. Past members will rejoin with those of the present and together they will look ahead to the future.
They will see tomorrow through the eyes of ...
Believers.
Humanitarians.
Visionaries.
Missionaries.
And luminaries, faithful followers of their church doctrine who will take their message from door to door, neighbor to neighbor and community to community with the hope of sharing their special love and words of inspiration to all who will listen.
It is a special weekend for our friends at First Baptist Church of Cleveland.
We share in their excitement of a joyous homecoming as they open the doors to their new house to old friends and long-lost family who have traveled from distant locales to capture a glimpse of their former, yet new, home.
Congratulations First Baptist!
We wish you well in your glorious homecoming.
