Salt and Light: Orange Grove in the Press

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Orange Grove in the Press

Associated Baptist Press ran an online article regarding Orange Grove's recent journey with our sister Hispanic congregation. This link should take you straight to the article.

Aging Pushes Congregations to Fiscal Brink

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Revitalize!

Orange Grove Baptist Church is a church in need of revitalization. Over the last 25 years, the community of Orange Grove has been hard-hit by flooding, loss of the International Paper plant, school closures and population loss. On the surface, the future does indeed look bleak. But scratch on that surface a little bit and you'll find a community that is in fact still here. And as long as there is community, there will be a role for Christ's church. People still need God....whether they know it or not. And the local church still has the power to change lives....even as it struggles to adapt and connect with a rapidly-changing world.

Orange Grove Baptist Church is not alone in its dilemma. The topic of church revitalization is a hot one within the Southern Baptist Convention because every year, hundreds of churches shut their doors forever due to a lethal combination of bad luck, changing demographics and failure to reinvent themselves. This quarter, the North American Mission Board dedicated an entire issue of ONMISSION to the topic of revitalization. Click on the image above to read the articles.

The reinvention process starts with prayer and ends with the Holy Spirit. And somewhere in the middle God uses imperfect creatures like you and me to remake the church according to His vision. It is possible for our humble church to be the salt and the light for Orange Grove.....and other communities as well. Come join us...and watch God make a difference.

About the blogger.

My name is Greg Shoemaker, pastor of Orange Grove Baptist Church in Moss Point, Mississippi. I am bi-vocational so when I'm not being the pastor at Orange Grove I spend my time as a healthcare administrator. My wife (Heidi) and I....along with with our two daughters, Erin (12) and Anna (8)....plus several dogs, cats, turtles and chickens....make our home in Hurley, Mississippi.

I recently completed a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree from Spring Hill College. I also hold an Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from University of Southern Mississippi.

My passion is teaching....and that is evident in my sermons...which tend to be "teaching style" with heavy doses of history and context.

I'm also new to ministry....a "40-something" who is trying to figure out how past life experiences can lend themselves to church leadership. Besides my own experiences, I come prepared with a solid theological education, a desire to serve and lead churches....and a willingness to say "yes" to whatever God's plan might be.

Thank you for visiting the Salt and Light blog. I hope you find the content helpful!

Salt and Light

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Orange Grove in the Press

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Revitalize!

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