For churches and faith communities, collaboration can often lead to remarkable transformations.

Such is the case with the partnership between Northwood Baptist Church and Gethsemane Baptist Church. This fostering partnership aims to revitalize Gethsemane Baptist Church, providing it with a renewed sense of purpose and a path toward growth and impact. The early results of this partnership have been nothing short of amazing, as both churches work together to bring about positive change.

Gethsemane Baptist Church had been experiencing declining attendance and Gospel influence for quite some time. However, the prospects for Gethsemane began to change in the spring of 2022 when the pastor of Gethsemane reached out to Tommy Meador, pastor of Northwood Baptist Church. They had run out of options for the church’s future and were seeking assistance.

Forming a Partnership

The result of their conversations formed a partnership between a healthy church and an at-risk church as a viable pathway for church revitalization. The partnership between Northwood Baptist Church and Gethsemane Baptist Church quickly took shape. A formal agreement was approved by the members of Gethsemane, with a unanimous vote in favor of the partnership. A joint worship service was held to celebrate the agreement, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Gethsemane.

A partnership team comprising members from both churches, along with Pastor Tommy Meador and Doug Ray, a Church Strategist from the South Carolina Baptist Convention, was formed. They began working diligently to address various aspects of the partnership. One of the initial goals was to update Gethsemane’s online presence, ensuring that the church could effectively connect with the community in the digital age. Additionally, plans were made for building improvements and the establishment of a guest services ministry.

Reaching the Community

Recognizing the importance of nurturing the next generation, Northwood Baptist Church sent a family to develop the children’s ministry at Gethsemane. This aimed to engage and involve children in the church’s activities, providing them with a solid foundation of faith from an early age. Meanwhile, Doug Ray worked with Gethsemane’s Finance Committee to create a realistic budget for 2023 that would include opportunities for ministry.

The partnership’s impact began to unfold as the churches joined forces to reach out to the community. An outreach event was organized, bringing together volunteers from both churches to offer food, children’s activities, and a joyful time of fellowship. The event attracted several families from the community who were invited to join Gethsemane for a Sunday morning service.

Fostering Growth

In January 2023, Gethsemane Baptist Church took a significant step forward by unanimously selecting Jay Glasgow as its bi-vocational pastor. At the time, Jay Glasgow was the youth pastor at Northwood. “While this is a huge loss for Northwood, this is a huge gain for Gethsemane. We will continue to partner with Gethsemane and do all we can to help Jay succeed as he leads Gethsemane to be a healthy congregation,” Meador said. Glasgow assumed his role on February 5. Since then, worship attendance has experienced substantial growth, more than doubling from 30-35 attendees to 60-70 each Sunday. The church has also seen an increase in children’s participation, with 10-12 children present regularly.

To foster discipleship and spiritual growth, Gethsemane Baptist Church initiated Sunday evening Discipleship Groups and a Tuesday evening Great Commission Prayer Service. These gatherings provide opportunities for members to study and apply God’s Word and join together in prayer.

Salvation out of Collaboration

One of the most remarkable outcomes of this revitalization partnership has been the significant increase in baptisms. Eight individuals have been baptized to date, a clear sign of the transforming power of God’s grace and the positive momentum within the church. Recognizing the need for a portable baptistry, a member of the church graciously stepped forward to provide this important resource for future baptisms.

While the story of the partnership between Northwood Baptist Church and Gethsemane Baptist Church is still unfolding, the initial results are evidence of the Lord’s blessing of the partnership. Through collaboration, shared resources, and a mutual commitment to revitalization, Gethsemane Baptist Church has experienced a renewed sense of purpose and growth. “These are exciting days, and I am confident God is honoring our work with Gethsemane,” Meador said.