SHREVEPORT – New Zion Baptist Church isn’t trying to become a large church, but rather a great church, said Pastor Philip Williamson.
By Brian Blackwell
Staff writer
SHREVEPORT – New Zion Baptist Church isn’t trying to
become a large church, but rather a great church, said Pastor Philip
Williamson.
Since Williamson became pastor at the Shreveport
church in 1998, Sunday morning worship attendance has grown from 80 to
135.
Williamson attributes the growth to its evangelistic thrust in the community.
“The whole idea is every member is involved in
evangelism,” he said. “Even if our members aren’t witnessing to someone
directly, they can invite someone to visit their Sunday school class.
If we get them involved in Sunday school, they will build relationships
and eventually may accept Christ as a result.”
That evangelistic focus involves the predominantly
African-American congregation in missions on all levels – their
Jersusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. Last year, New
Zion Baptist accepted the Acts 1:8 Challenge.
Launched in May 2004, the Acts 1:8 Challenge is a
call for churches to move to a higher level of missions commitment by
cooperating with their local association, state convention, North
American Mission Board and International Mission Board.
The congregation’s involvement in their Jersualem –
the Shreveport area – includes an after-school program for school
children, prayerwalking, block parties, a clothing drive and, soon, an
outpatient substance abuse center.
For two hours each Monday through Thursday, six
church members tutor approximately 15 teenagers. The youth not only
receive help with their school work, but also learn life skills and
biblical lessons.
When Williamson started prayer walking in the inner
city community a few years ago, he met persons who told of needs in the
area, one of which was caring for the youth who were struggling with
life issues.
“I then thought why can’t our church utilize our
facilities to help change the community’s children,” Williamson
recalled. “Not only have our children benefited, but so have the
workers. They’re feeling like they’re making a contribution to the
community while building relationships with a child.”
And on the weekends, the youth give back to the
community. Their work includes sprucing up area neighborhoods and
completing various tasks at the church.
“We are giving to the youth and now they are giving
back to us,” Williamson explained. “It’s a win-win situation all
around.” The church also is finalizing an outpatient substance abuse
program.
Normally, people complete inpatient rehabilitation
programs, but hardly receive adequate follow-up for their problem, the
pastor said. What Mount Zion is about to do is offer a bi-weekly
outpatient center to help people stay on track to recovery.
“The center will allow us more access to the
community,” Williamson said. “And that’s an example of our folks’
willingness to change.
“They’re learning the phrase, ‘If you keep doing
what you have been doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re always
getting.”
Other missions projects have included leading a
Vacation Bible School in Start, sending a team to paint 30-year-old
schools in New York City, and participating in a missions trip to
Brazil.
“My biggest challenge has been to teach our people
to be missions and evangelistic minded,” Williamson said of his
congregation, formerly a National Baptist Convention Church. “When I
first came here, they were content with just going to worship.
“Now, they’re doing missions,” he continued. “I want to inspire them to be missions-minded.”