Parking lot evangelism
by Steve Boots

What happens when a large congregation (First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville) and a small country church (Big Cove) develop a partnership that is intended to help the small congregation grow in membership and discipleship? Transformation ...

Two years ago the congregation of Big Cove called Rosemary McMahan, a Commissioned Lay Pastor to preach and serve the congregation on a part time basis. The hope was the congregation would be able to keep their doors open.

God had other plans.

Worship attendance grew from an average of 18 to 50. The Sunday school grew from seven children to 15. The average age of the membership was 60-65, now it is 45-50. They have added a choir that now fills their choir loft. They started women’s and men’s prayer and share group. New and old members are actively involved in the ministry and mission of the congregation with the community.

The spiritual energy for the transformation grew when the session committed to a two month long process of daily prayer. Out of that process came the vision of a scriptural mandate based on Galatians 6:10: “Let us work for the good of all.”

Along the way the presbytery helped the congregation develop a specific ministry plan for the congregation and helped the partnership develop between the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville and the Big Cove Congregation. The plan included the development of a presbytery wide prayer group and some members from the larger congregation got involved in the life of the Big Cove Church.

Now, what does this have to do with a parking lot? The congregation had a gravel parking lot, inadequate in many ways. The decision to pave the parking lot in order to be more welcoming to visitors was a leap a faith for them. It was a symbol of their commitment to grow. They raised the necessary money in one week, dedicated and celebrated one of the first visible signs of their transformation.

God works in wondrous ways.

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