Healing Springs Baptist Church celebrates 250 years of faith

Imagine the world back when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776. Now let your mind step back four years earlier, 1772 when, according to documented history, Healing Springs Baptist Church was organized.

As people from near and far gathered inside Healing Springs Baptist Church to celebrate its 250th Anniversary and Homecoming, Pastor Jeffery Ray prayed, “This is the oldest church in this area and I think most of us aren't going to be able to celebrate a 250th anniversary anywhere else anytime soon. So, this is a very special day that God is allowing us to be part of on this October the 9th (2022). We thank You Lord, as this church continues to thrive. What a blessing it is for me to be the pastor of this fellowship each week. Lord, let this be a day that is centered around You. We thank You for all Your blessings. We thank You Jesus, for coming and dying on that cross and changing lives so that we can be different.”

“Different” was the morning’s song selected and sung by the praise team. Lyrics in part stating, “...Take this beating heart and come and finish what You started. When they see me, let them see You, cause I just want to be different …”

Pastor Ray continued addressing the crowd by saying, “We're thankful for those who served and fought the good fight and they kept the faith over these last 250 years. We're thankful for those who presently serve; who continue to press on towards the mark and the finish line. And then we’re also excited about the future, about what God is doing and how He is working in our midst in this little country church called Healing Springs today.”

The church is the oldest not only in Blackville but in Barnwell County. Originally called Edisto Church, and later renamed to reference The Healing Springs that flow on the land next to the church. Established by Reverend Nathaniel Walker, the first pastor who provided the land that was given to him; a deputy surveyor, by a grant from King George the Third.

The first congregation met on the banks of the Reeves Creek and they built a log structure around 1796 which later burned. Four other framed building structures were built for meetings before 1855 when construction on the present sanctuary was begun.

Within two years services were held inside. The church was designed and supervised by Israel Walker, a descendant of Reverend Nathaniel Walker. Rooms were added in 1940 and 1967 along with the remodeling of the sanctuary. The original pews, sills and much of the lumber were hewn with broad axes. Some of the lumber was sawed at nearby Thomas Old Mill, where a water-powered sawmill was located. The original brick columns which stand so proudly in front of the sanctuary to this day were also handmade and continue withstanding the ravages of time. And the lovely pulpit, unique in its design, was hand carved by Israel Walker himself.

At 93 years old, and a 50-year member, Elaine Sheldon said, “I love homecoming and this church. I've done just about everything here but preaching.”

Sheldon's aunt originally owned most of the property nearby The Healing Springs and the Baptist Church, excluding The Healing Springs store. The springs, it’s well known, are deeded to God. Going back a few years, Sheldon said she “donated roughly an acre of land behind the church for the little ones so they don't run out into the street. We have a lot of little children and without them a church won't grow.”

Stephen L. Jowers Sr., whose dad used to hunt on the property where the church was originally founded at Walker Station, added “The Good Lord has blessed this church with young people who have young kids that continue to make our church grow. It's still standing and going when others are closing. It's a loving family fellowship here and we love to have people come in. We don't dress up pretty, we're just family.”

Truitt Templeton, another proud member of the congregation, said, “I’ve been coming here from the time I was in my mother’s womb.” Quite literally that’s so as his mother was also a member.

Loose Stone Music inspirationally performed during the service with Mark Griffin on lead and rhythm guitar, harmony and lead vocals. Frontman John Rutland was on bass, lead and harmony vocals as well. He said, “My prayer is that if the Lord tarries another 250 years that Healing Springs Baptist Church will be right here serving as soldiers for the Lord. It's a testament of God's providence for His people that we are here today. A lot of things have changed in 250 years, Some not for the better, but it's folks like us here today, striving on, praying, being the soldiers for the Lord that He called. That's how God's gospel is going to go forth. And needs to go forth. Cause it's time for America to come back around.”

With that said, applause and a sigh of ‘Amen’ echoed throughout the church.

Pastor Ray’s wife, Joy Ray, who sings on the praise team and teaches the children, commented after the service, “To sit in a congregation that's older than the country we call home is a testament to God. I believe that we were founded as a Christian nation. God's Word does not go out void. Like today's message explained, God will build his church and a 250-year-old church proves it.”

The day’s message was given by Reverend Gary Anderson, Director of Missions for Edisto Association.

With highlights based on Matthew 16:13-18, he told the congregation, “God never intended for Christians to live in isolation. Just as sheep are to stay with the flock, kids are supposed to stay with the family, Christians are to be intimately involved in the church and it warms my heart today to see this church filled on this 250th anniversary.”

Not only was the church filled, with extra seats placed in the aisles and some still standing, it was literally overflowing. People were standing outside around the church and in the parking lot. Many were listening on FM radio 105.9.

Three things Reverend Anderson highlighted on how to be rightly related with the church. “First, exalt The founder of the church. The Lord Jesus Christ.” He continued saying, “Jesus asked His disciples ‘Who do men say that I am?’ Today, as it was 2,000 years ago, he explained, “There are all kinds of opinions about Jesus. But Jesus wasn't concerned about public opinion, Jesus just cared about personal conviction. So, He asked the second question: Who do you say that I am? And that's a deep question,” the Reverend said. He then asked the congregation, “Who do you say Jesus is? The Apostle Peter got the answer right by saying ‘You’re the Christ, The Son of the Living God.’ (Matthew 16:16). “Peter's personal conviction led to his public confession. He confessed Jesus the same way we need to, to confess Jesus: publicly, boldly, outwardly and automatically.”

Secondly, he told the crowd, “We need to express the faith of the church. It's not a matter of human reasoning, it's a matter of heavenly revelation. You don't come to Jesus by figuring, you come to Jesus by faith. You see, only God can open the eyes of the spiritually blind, open the ears of the spiritually deaf, and only God can give life to the spiritually dead.”

“Thirdly” he said, “We need to be excited about the future of the church. The first mention Jesus made about the establishment of the church was when He said, ‘I will build my church.’ He gave the strongest possible guarantee. He didn't say I will build your church. He didn't say, you will build My church. He said, I will build My church. See, we're not building the church for Jesus Christ. Jesus is building the church for us. That's why we need to be excited about the church's future. Because Jesus is not only the founder of the church, He is the foundation of the church. What a privilege it is to be a part of what Jesus Christ Himself is building.”

After his message, Rev. Anderson gifted Pastor Ray with a small, glass encased and engraved globe for the church’s 250th anniversary. The significance being, as he said, “One of the things Healing Springs Baptist Church has always been faithful about doing is carrying the message of Christ to not only this community but to the world. You have given almost half a million dollars in mission work to tell the world about Jesus. And so, as a little remembrance, I want to give you this globe in honor of your 250th anniversary. Let it be a reminder that the world may seem like a big place, but in Jesus’ eyes, it’s small because we have such a big God.”

As the congregation prepared to go outside and celebrate under the tents with a wonderful picnic lunch catered locally by Dukes BBQ and members of the church, Pastor Ray said, “I appreciate all of you being here and in relation to our big day today there's so many I want to thank. I appreciate all their work, all they're planning, all they're preparing, all their building, cleaning, and a lot of projects. It takes a lot of people to get things done; so, we appreciate each and everyone for being a part of this very special day.”

And a very special day in this modern century it was.