Last month this columnist spoke in a “Virginia Baptist” church in a very far corner of Southwest Virginia. Actually, my speaking engagement was at First Baptist Church of Dalton, as in Dalton, Georgia. In 2006 the Georgia church joined the Baptist General Association of Virginia, proving that both the Virginia-based association and the Georgia-rooted church are more about affinity than geography. When the Dalton Baptists journeyed to Virginia Beach for the 2006 annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, as association clerk I presented the group with a welcome basket full of Virginia products. Little did I realize that someday, and sooner than later, the Georgia church would extend a welcome to me.
Fred Anderson
In a sense, the Dalton Baptists are not as far as it appears from the Old Dominion. It is only about 250 miles from the Tennessee line at Bristol to the exit off I-75 at Dalton. Along the way the scenery seems an extension of the Southwest Virginia landscape.
For this columnist it was going home. I was born and reared in Georgia, albeit in South Georgia. I was taught book learning when I worked my way through Berry College in North Georgia. The college is just down the road in Rome, which is about 50 miles from Dalton. First Baptist Church of Rome is also a BGAV-affiliated church. but my visit to Dalton must be kept a secret from them. I cannot undertake another 1,400-mile road trip any time soon.
It was fun going home. For the first time in 35 years I was among people whose language I speak fluently. I could forget about all those Virginia pronunciations of “out” and “about” and the remarkable way Virginians say “house.” I even renewed old acquaintance with a couple, Mary Ann and Mike Johnston, with whom my wife and I taught school in Canton, Georgia, a long time ago. It was a surprise to find them as members of the Dalton church.
While in Georgia I did not forget Virginia Baptists. For an adult Sunday school assembly, I portrayed Elder John Leland, the 18th-century preacher, and told Virginia stories about securing religious liberty. In the worship service I shared stories about three old-time Virginia Baptists whom they should get to know: Jeremiah Bell Jeter (our “Bedford Plowboy”), Lottie Moon (who actually taught school in Georgia just down the road from Dalton prior to her missionary career) and James Ireland, one of the Baptist preachers who for conscience's sake endured the jail at Culpeper, Virginia.
The Dalton Baptists found the BGAV when they were considering a missions experience. They wanted to partner with some Baptist organization and the pastor, William G. “Bill” Wilson, gave a committee a list of several Baptist groups to consider, adding the BGAV among those to check. The layfolks quickly returned with the answer that Virginia Baptists were way out in the lead on partnership missions. They contacted the Virginia Baptist Mission Board staff and were told that they could participate in a trip planned for Brazil. It was the beginning of a friendship which resulted in long-distance membership.
Virginians remember Bill Wilson as president of the BGAV in 1998 when he was pastor of First Baptist Church, Waynesboro. Previously, he was pastor of Farmville Baptist Church. When he left Virginia in 2003 for the Georgia pastorate, some observed that someday, someway Bill Wilson would return to Virginia. Little did any one imagine that he would return bringing an entire congregation with him!
And what a congregation it is! They are members of a church with a rich heritage dating to 1847. Some 1,500-strong, the congregation is warm, gracious, compassionate and wise. They instantly put anyone “to home.” They occupy a magnificent facility which fills a city block. Last September the church dedicated its newly renovated and enlarged plant, which had been expanded in a $15-million project. It is difficult in the space of this column to tell all about the complex and it is physically taxing just to walk all of the carpeted space. (Remember that Dalton is the carpet capital of the world.)
From streetside, the church is classic colonial with a columned portico and pleasing steeple. From backside, visitors enter a breathtaking three-story atrium which is one of many gathering spaces for the congregation. On one side is an office suite which would be the envy of Wall Street executives. On the other side of the atrium is the children's wing with a two-story indoor playground which rivals anything found at those fast-food establishments with their indoor play equipment.
The architect was told to open up the place so existing walls came down and gracious columns enhanced the eight new gathering places that were created. Each place will have an original work of art which interprets one of the church's eight core values. All have been planned and commissioned; and Frank Murphy, a gifted artist in Rome, Georgia, is creating the oil paintings. Two — the Rich Young Ruler, representing the “integrity of salvation” value, and Cleopas (and Mrs. Cleopas) and Christ representing “sincere worship” — already grace walls.
There is a magnificent sanctuary and a chapel which has beautiful old stained-glass windows. And there is so much more: a library worthy of the public library in most towns, replete with a children's area and a separate room equipped for the church archives; a gym in the Family Life Center with a gallery for walkers; and a youth area designed in an inviting coffee house atmosphere. And down the street from the church there is a family counseling center operated by the church. Someone shared with me that the church with its incredible missions program and counseling center has become known as the place to go if you need help.
It is no wonder that Bill and Kathy Wilson feel at home in Dalton and now maybe it is more plausible why these Georgians in Dalton also feel at home with Virginians and vice versa. Together, we are all “General Association Baptists.” As such, going home is always easy and pleasant.
Fred Anderson is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies. He may be contacted at [email protected] or at P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.