Fresh Fire

We got out of church early enough last night for me to attent the Fresh Fire Revival at Christway Church of God. Dr. Ron Phillips was the guest preacher. Dr. Phillips is the pastor of the Central Baptist Church (Abba's House) in Hixson, TN and one of the most recognized leaders among charismatic Baptists. I have followed his ministry for a number of years and have recommended his books to others.

Dr. Phillips preached an amazing message, challenging the church to a "day by day" faith. He called the church to share the gospel and encouraged them to reach out to the "forgotten". God was powerfully at work and the modest sized church grasped a vision for all God could do in and through them. It was an awesome experience of authentic, missional Christianity.

After the service I had a chance to briefly talk with Dr. Phillips. I introduced myself as a Southern Baptist pastor. He prayed a genuine prayer for me and our church. After he prayed he joked with me saying, "I won't tell anybody I saw you here." I chuckled but the joke communicated a sad reality in Southern Baptist life. The IMB trustee issue highlighted a smallness in the SBC that is truly heartbreaking. Don't we have enough room for Reformed theology, charismatics, and moderates? We do in my church. Why not in our denomination?

The things I witnessed in that little Pentecostal revival were genuine and beautiful. I was proud that the preacher was Baptist. I hope one day that Baptists will be proud of him.