Like any anniversary, it seems just like yesterday that I was a part of starting a new church. I am not one to initiate new endeavors; instead, I am the one who normally clings to the old rather than embracing the new.
I have a passion for preservation, for sticking put and for never pulling up roots. So I have to think that something much bigger was at play when I joined a small band of believers to begin Heritage Baptist Fellowship.
Our new church was born, just as most new churches are, out of a desire to practice our faith in the way that was most meaningful to us. The group included many of the people I had gone to church with all my life, and we carried with us many of our most cherished Baptist traditions and beliefs.
But we also broke new ground, most importantly in allowing women ministering roles in the church as deacons and as ordained ministers.
We also started our church on the principle of ministry to each of our members and the community at large.
Our church anniversary date is Sept. 11, 1995. How different my life was then. My two children were teenagers, and so we started a Wednesday night meeting in our home for all the youth, which numbered about five or six.
Different parents took turns preparing a meal, and my husband, Harry, taught the group drawing on his experience as a Sunday school teacher.
We met at Reinhardt College in the old auditorium before later building our church home on Highway 140.
Over the years, we have enjoyed wonderful ministers, dear J.R. Huddlestun, who has always meant so much to my family, and now Jake Hall, an energizing young man who is doing so much for our growing congregation.
The sustenance for the soul they have brought me over the years, and the caring of the flock in good times and bad, have meant so much to me and to everyone at our church.
Of course, like all Baptist churches, we do two things well - singing and eating.
Our journey thus far as a church family has meant so much to all of us who attend. The challenges of starting a church were made easy by the many committed people involved.
Most of all, God has been with us.
Now, looking back and looking forward, I know this was the right decision for me.
One of the most precious blessings we have in America is the freedom to worship in the way we want.
Our forefathers founded our nation on that principle. It brought so many to our shores and to our north Georgia mountains and to our community in those early pioneer days.
On this other tragic anniversary of Sept. 11, it is touching to know that there are celebrations like ours going on, too. Celebrations of the freedom America offers, celebrations of Christian heritage and beliefs.
Perhaps, this started as a new endeavor, but now it is my heritage, this church of friends and loved ones.
On this 15th anniversary, it is easy to count our blessings.
Rebecca Johnston is former editor of The Cherokee Tribune.
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