TRACY, Calif.—Unique events at Crossroads Baptist Church celebrated the season of thankfulness and togetherness.
For the past four years, Crossroads Baptist Church has partnered with Deaf Baptist Church, Fremont, Calif., to hold a joint Thanksgiving service. Both churches are sister ministries of Baptist Church Planters.
On Nov. 23 Deaf Baptist Church, pastored by Kevin Maki, packed up its congregation and caravanned 45 minutes to Tracy for Sunday School, worship, and a traditional Thanksgiving meal. In preparation for joint worship, Crossroads Baptist, pastored by Tim Heinrich, offered American Sign Language classes with the help of members from Deaf Baptist Church.
Sunday School was taught by teachers from Crossroads and interpreted for the deaf. The worship service included traditional deaf music and traditional hearing music, special music, and prayers from both congregations. A joint communion service, served by deacons from both churches, symbolized that everyone is one body in Christ. Pastor Kevin Maki preached in ASL and voice simultaneously, challenging both churches to endure sound doctrine through tribulation.
Crossroads Baptist and Deaf Baptist planned the meal together and worked together to set up and serve. Following the meal, people from both congregations lingered long into the afternoon, fellowshipping together.
Crossroads Baptist also celebrated the season with Hobo Stew. The church holds this annual event with its daughter church, Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Modesto, Calif., pastored by Johnnie Sloan. The two churches gathered at Sovereign Grace Baptist Nov. 2 for this evening of food and activities. Each person brought a canned good to put in the stew, which was cooked outside over an open fire.
Everyone enjoyed horseback rides, pumpkin carving contests, and other harvest-theme games, as well as the delicious stew and other food provided by both churches. Pastor Heinrich concluded the evening with a devotional on the armor of God, and Pastor Johnnie Sloan and musicians from both churches led an old-fashioned hymn sing.
“This year,” says Heinrich’s wife, Susan, “the group was chased inside the church by a rainstorm, but no one minded, as we are in a drought and the rainbows over the church were a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness.”
