ROANOKE — What some might consider a strange pairing — Baptists and Muslims partnering together in service to others — became a great opportunity to experience diversity, said Kevin Meadows, pastor of Grandin Court Baptist Church in Roanoke.
A team of 14 students on spring break from the University of Michigan visited the Roanoke Valley in early March to serve at the distribution center of Feeding America Southwest Virginia. Their “dormitory” was the MAC, the ministry activities center at Grandin Court — a congregation which also partners with Feeding America. What was not known until a few days before the students’ arrival was that they were all Muslims.
Students from the University of Michigan with Patti Henkel (center), coordinator of Grandin Court Baptist Church’s ministry activities center, during their visit to Roanoke.
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While Meadows admits that a few quick shifts were made — changes to menus to meet halal dietary guidelines and securing a quiet location for the students to pray — the congregation continued with its plans to host the volunteers from Michigan.
“There was a hint of apprehension wondering how our congregation and community might receive the students,” he said, but Grandin Court opened its doors and ultimately, he added, were the ones who were blessed.
While their initial plans were to arrive Saturday evening, the students arrived at the church during the Sunday school hour due to transportation problems. They quickly unloaded their gear and joined the congregation for its 11 a.m. worship service.
“Many of the students had not been to a Christian worship service and were intrigued by the amount of music and other aspects of the service that are not part of their custom or tradition,” said Meadows. “They were surprised during welcome time that church members greeted them and shook their hands.”
On a blog posted by the Muslim Students’ Association at the University of Michigan, one student wrote: “The worship service itself was interesting. We constantly outline the differences in our religions when in fact there are tenets that hold true in many religions. The sermon was about outer and inner cleanliness and how our status is not an excuse to treat others poorly. The service was filled with music — a unique experience for me, yet one I enjoyed. There was a genuine sense of community and family within the church, and even as a visitor from Michigan, I felt accepted.”
Another student wrote: “In the service we had complete strangers coming up and personally welcoming us. This treatment reminded us of the importance of being kind and how as a Muslim community we need to welcome and encourage others outside the community to join us, whether socially or in worship.”
Each day at Feeding America, the students “rescued” food by sorting dented cans, crushed boxes or other superficially damaged packaging to ensure it was safe and consumable. Extra activities included a sightseeing tour of the Roanoke Valley provided by the church in its bus and joining the Grandin Court youth in games and activities.
Eating and talking
The students’ favorite experience? The food and dialogue.
“The highlight of our day was definitely dinner,” one student wrote. “The food, a hearty meal of salad and lasagna prepared for us by the Grandin Court Baptist Church, was fantastic, but the company was even better. We dined with several members of the church community, including Pastor Kevin, Reverend Brandon [Burnette], Reverend Melissa [Fox] and Patti [Henkel]. We took the dinner as an opportunity to get to know each other and the interfaith dialogue was refreshing.
“It’s fascinating to see how both our faiths have overarching themes of God-consciousness and self-improvement,” the student wrote. “We discussed some of the sectarian differences and traditions in both Islam and Christianity and how it’s a bit unfortunate that religion can be so divisive when it is meant to be a great unifier. However, it was encouraging to see that this was one challenge we have in common and that we can hopefully overcome together.”
While the Wednesday dinner at Grandin Court was cancelled that week due to inclement weather, Meadows said it allowed staff to scatter among the students and talk with them on a first name basis. He returned on Thursday evening for another opportunity for conversation and questions.
“One day the students paused from their work at Feeding America to attend services at a local mosque,” Meadows said. He asked how they felt a Baptist minister would be received at the service. “Most felt I would be received with great suspicion because the worshippers would not know who I was and why I was there,” he said. He did not attend and admitted to them that there likely are Baptist congregations which would look upon a Muslim visitor in the same manner.
Upon returning to Michigan, one MSA student blogged: “Grandin Court Baptist Church introduced us to the true meaning of Southern hospitality. With their homemade treats and accommodating facilities, the people there have been nothing short of amazing in their generosity and kindness.”
“What a Kingdom moment it has been to host these young people,” said Meadows. “They have been great guests and we have been blessed by getting to know them.”
Barbara Francis ([email protected]) is on the staff of the Religious Herald.