Published: October 17, 2009 07:46 pm      

It’s a new day for city church

Leona Ellis noted the work being done by a small army of volunteers at the West Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in McAlester, where she’s a member of the congregation.

Most of the volunteers were from other churches in the McAlester area.

“It’s the start of a new beginning,” Ellis said.

Pastor Robert Warren agreed, with much of the nearly 100-year-old church already covered by a fresh coat of paint.

“They’re doing good. We’re very well-pleased,” he said.

Associate Pastor Cecil Lee had a similar sentiment.

“It means everything to us,” said Lee.

Earlier, volunteer Keith Stanford used a sprayer to help put a new coating of paint on the church. Others helped put a new roof on a hallway leading to an office and some classrooms.

Still others cleaned brush around the nearly 100-year-old church.

The work will help the church “to keep pressing on for the King’s business,” said Harry Ellis, a member of the congregation.

Rob Snider, one of the volunteers, said the West Bethel Missionary Baptist Church had been his first home church when he moved to McAlester.

“I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it hadn’t been for the love they showed me,” he said.

“We want this church to be a beacon in the community.”

The volunteers at the West Bethel Missionary Baptist Church at 605 W. Cherokee were among those who were taking it to the streets on Friday and Saturday. They were hoping to build on the spirit of unity shown through the volunteers who helped make Thursday’s Matthew West concert in McAlester a reality.

Members of many different congregations are coming together under the umbrella of Unified Motion, a group formed to move forward under the challenges presented by the Matthew West song, “The Motions.” West traveled to McAlester to open his The Motions Tour, presenting the performance to benefit the Ryan McAfee Memorial Scholarship program.

“That concert only happened because people from the churches in the area came together,” said Shared Blessings Executive Director Scott Walker, who helped organize Unified Motion.

The ranks of volunteers have grown. With four different committees working on the concert, spouses, children and friends of many of the committee volunteers become volunteers themselves.

Speaking of the work under way at the West Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Walker said “Right now, we’re seeing what can happen in six hours of work.”

“We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what we can be.”

“If people would group together, how much could be accomplished?”

Some members of the West Bethel denomination were seeing firsthand what could be accomplished if churches in the area are united.

Meanwhile, other volunteers collected donations outside the Walmart Supercenter and at the McAlester Buffalos game at Hook Eales Stadium on Friday night. Others visited residents of nursing homes and care centers in McAlester, bringing along a gift for each resident they visited.

Still others did some repairs at the Pittsburg County Youth Emergency Shelter.

Meanwhile, organizers are hoping for strong turnout for the Unified Motion Celebration Service set for 7 tonight at S. Arch Thompson Auditorium, on East Adams Avenue between Second Street and Third Street in McAlester.

Members of all churches in the area are invited to attend the community services and organizers expect from 30 to 40 churches to be involved.

Lee, the associate pastor at West Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, said he plans to attend the community church service tonight.

“It’s a start for the community to become united,” said Lee, who said he also wanted to show his support and gratitude to United Motion.

“Yes sir,” Warren emphatically agreed.

Lee noted that the idea behind United Motion is to bring the churches together.

“It doesn’t make any difference if it’s white, black, blue or green,” he said.

“It’s all for God.”

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews,com.