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Ministering to the Polygamists…
Orginally published on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 7:38 AM
by Todd Rhoades
According to the Baptist Standard, A Baptist congregation housed about 80 women and children April 4-6 after a raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) near Eldorado, Texas. Members of First Baptist Church in Eldorado embraced the opportunity to minister in Christ's name, pastor Andy Anderson said. First Baptist also loaned the state of Texas the use of two 25-seat church buses to help transport more than 180 women and children from the 1,619-acre polygamist compound. "Our folks were eager to step in, and not just our folks, but the entire community," Anderson said. "We have church members who provided a large bulk of the money needed [to buy food]. We also had a huge outpouring from the community."
Initial news reports indicated 183 women and children were located at the compound. However, the Success reported the morning of April 7 that Texas’ Child Protective Services (CPS) now acknowledges relocating 219 residents—159 children and 60 adults.
Anderson said he and other church members spent all day April 4 and 5 shuttling women and children from the YFZ ranch to the Schleicher County Civic Center or First Baptist.
Approximately 100 residents were taken to the civic center and the remainder went to the church’s fellowship hall, the pastor said.
They stayed at the two venues until noon on April 6, when state authorities transported them to Fort Concho, a historical site in San Angelo, Anderson said. The old pioneer days fort contains adequate housing for the women and children, Anderson added.
In addition to First Baptist, members of Community Baptist Church provided food and sent members to help with cooking, the pastor said, and members of First United Methodist Church and Eldorado Church of Christ also played an active role in the ministry effort.
The churches were limited to providing food and shelter, with personal contact handled by CPS staff members, Anderson said.
“I think it was for privacy issues, to allow the women and children to feel comfortable [and] so they wouldn’t feel they were in a fishbowl,” Anderson said.
“They were obviously tense and under stress. But overall, I was impressed with the women. They held up well and showed good parenting.”
QUESTION: Is your church ready, willing, and able to step in and minister when something big happens in your community? Maybe this happened to your church in the past… how have you responded?
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Posted by Peter Hamm
Monday, April 14, 2008 at 8:34 AM
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Monday, April 14, 2008 at 9:56 AM
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Monday, April 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
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Monday, April 14, 2008 at 12:18 PM
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Monday, April 14, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Post Your Comments:We are and we have… lately… A family in our town lost everything in a fire (no renter’s insurance) and within a few days we had provided clothing, furniture, you name it… It was a cool “being the church” experience!
peter i believe it makes one feel better to give than to receive, my old car was on its last rim three weeks ago, and lo and behold, my son gave me a new car, i did not ask my son for a car, but i did talk to god about one, and god knew i did not have the money for a new car, i am just happy for it, and i know those people in the fire was happy to get help, it does our heart good to help people in need, god is all about giving, and i am glad those people are helping those women and children.
Before my time with this local body, but they turned their family life worship center into a shelter for Katrina evacuees. That lasted for some time as I understand it. I’m pretty sure that if we had another relatively local emergency we’d repeat.
Yes, our church is ready, willing and able. Our physical buildings are also used by the Red Cross when needed. We’re known in our community for being a church that helps her neighbors. We do not just help in times of major crisis. For example: We give out gas cards, help with household bills, and etc. on a daily basis when possible. Meetings needs and sharing Christ. Acts of Kindness speak louder than hitting someone on the head with a Bible.
Funny enough? My word to enter is “feed"…
Best use of a church building ever.
We worship and praise every breath we take. We can do that anywhere.
To open our building and our resources to those in need is absolutely the heart of the Father.
To God be all the glory.
Yes, our church would be eager to take them in and feed them. We had a local fire this past fall and our church spearheaded working with the Red Cross to shelter and feed the displaced. We’ve also done the same for low income apartment building’s residents that experienced a fire.
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