BR photo by K. Allan Blume Pastor John Attaway III and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church congregation in State Road finish their May 29 service outside with a note-burning ceremony. See photo gallery. |
May 29 was a celebration day for Mount
Pleasant Baptist Church
in State Road.
Pastor John Attaway III
recently celebrated 25 years as pastor, but this day focused on the final
payment of a $1.8 million-note for the 800-seat sanctuary.
The celebration included a reading of the church’s history
along with unique stories of God’s faithfulness. Johnny Enloe, Elkin Baptist
Association’s missionary, and his wife, Kay, attended the services.
Attaway challenged the people to be a kingdom focused church
and be obedient to the Great Commission. His message from 1 Chronicles 29
celebrated what God has done in providing their facilities.
He encouraged the congregation to “give the next generation
more than a paid-for building. Let us be a launch pad for a bigger mission.”
The church already gives to missions through the Cooperative Program, and they
send mission teams out regularly. But they want to increase their giving since
the debt is paid.
When the church broke ground on the facility, each member
brought a shovel. So, the whole church got involved. With the note burning, the
church wanted to involve all members in a similar manner. So each member was
given a copy of the note. After the service, everyone marched out to the front
lawn where each person tossed the note into a covered burner.