Judson Baptist Association continues to bridge the gap

ABBEVILLE, Ala. (WTVY) - Six months later, a Henry County pastor is confident he made a decision that he doesn’t regret.

“Breaking some barriers that never should’ve been there in the first place,” said Brandon Turner, Director of Missions at Judson Baptist Association (JBA).

JBA is a group of 22 southern Baptist churches joined together to do mission work within the Wiregrass community and beyond. Of those 22 churches, JBA welcomed its first African American church into its community.

“Everything that has taken place, we have been spirit-led to do,” said Freddie Smith, Senior Pastor, Outlet Ministries Christian Life Center Baptist. “We need to start making our community look more like heaven.

“Because of the lack of diversity in our communities, I would encourage other African American churches to get on board, so that our churches can look like our community and our communities can feel comfortable with the churches that they are serving.”

Vernon Hogans, co-pastor of Outlet Ministries Christian Life Center Baptist, said this experience has been nothing less than marvelous.

“I’ve been dealing one-on-one with Pastor Turner, and everything I’ve needed, he’s given me the tools to be successful, to bring outlet ministries into this present age that we’re in, co-partnering in the ministry for Jesus Christ,” Hogans said.

This year will mark JBA’s 175th anniversary.

If you would like to become a member of JBA, you must submit a letter to the association requesting membership and interview with the committee. The committee will then present at the annual meeting and vote.

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