Winston Churchill

named Uganda the "Pearl of Africa" because of its centrality

in the continent and because of its lush beauty. Well, allow me to name

the Edgefield Baptist Church and her pastor, Rev. Eddie Thomas, the "Pearl

of Fayetteville." The Edgefield church is located right in the middle

of Fayetteville on Church Street diagonal from Carolyn Ford.

Edgefield is

the oldest black independent Baptist church in Fayetteville, dating back

to the 19th century. Its fellowship hall served as the first schoolhouse

for black children. Much of Fayetteville's history in someway connects

to this pearl.

I believe Edgefield

is one of south metro's best kept secrets, although the word has been

leaking out since Rev. Eddie Thomas assumed the pastorate four years ago.

Their church, simply put, is on the grow. Their sanctuary about four years

ago was barely acknowledged except by old time families. Now, the pastor

has to have chairs brought in to accommodate the growing numbers.

Why? Why would

one of our oldest churches now experience unusual growth? Just look at

the externals. Within the last year, church members bricked the exterior

of their Fellowship Hall while upgrading the interior with new flooring,

lighting, and appliances for the kitchen. The grounds have been beautifully

landscaped. A huge, paved parking lot has been completed and they need

it.

Just this past

Sunday worshippers stood on beautiful new carpet and sang their songs

under new chandeliers. Guests and members enjoy spotless and beautifully

decorated bathrooms (for those of us in church work know the importance

of clean, pleasant bathrooms).

Nowadays Pastor

Thomas is providing the vision for a giant step of faith, a magnificent

new Sanctuary. Members are giving past their regular offerings to raise

funds. Already an architectural rendering has been presented to the church.

It promises to out-awe other church buildings downtown.

But for more

than all that, the "Edgefield pearl" is a loving, exciting fellowship

of some of our community's most wonderful Christians. Seriously! If you

are looking for great, soaring, inspiring music, just go to the "pearl."

Edgefield's choirs can out-sing choirs three times their size. Their youth

choir can get a room a' rocking and a' crying.

Believe it

or not just attend one Sunday and find out for yourself Edgefield has

talented keyboard arts just waiting to have their turn at one of the church's

four keyboards. Drummers stand in line to give the church the beat.

What's causing

all this excitement at Fayetteville's center? The Holy Spirit has been

given permission to use Eddie Thomas all he wants. When this young man

stands to preach, he's got so much wanting to get out, he has to sing

it out first and then move into his masterful style of proclaiming the

Good News of Jesus Christ. He can sing. He can preach. He can dance. And

all the time, do it all in the Spirit.

God has used

Pastor Thomas to be able to bring the past into harmony and commitment

to "serve this present generation." He doesn't go around with

day timers or laptops. He doesn't need to. He has a mind that synchronizes

God-given vision with available resources with the spirit of "we

can do it" obviously present among his congregation.

On top of all

this, Pastor Thomas has been a bridge for reconciliation between blacks

and whites. Yet, he refuses to be used as the token black. In a very serious

conversation with me, Pastor Thomas did not flinch in telling me some

things that we whites have failed to try to comprehend about his culture

and race. Yet, he's more than willing to go more than half way to undo

the segregation of Sunday's worship hour. And yes, Edgefield is integrated

and they invite all people to come and worship the same Lord Jesus Christ

together with them.

But when you

come, don't plan to catch up on your sleep.

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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