NEAR THE END? - Baptist Bible Tribune

on the phone. When two ofthese men and their wivesmet at a restaurant for atime of fellowship, they realizedthey shared the sameproblems and concerns intheir ministries and in theircommunities. They discussedthe urgency as well as thedifficulties encountered inreaching black communitiesand how they could bestevangelize and do it at afaster pace.Pastor Walton suggestedthat instead of meeting at arestaurant, a group shouldmeet at someone’s churchand invite other inner-cityindependent Baptist pastorsto be a part of the fellowship.On August 9, 2007, PastorRichardson was host of theAlabama/ Northwest FloridaBaptist Bible Fellowshipmeeting, and Pastor Waltondecided at that meeting to engage thesix black pastors who were in attendance.With a flyer in hand complete withan agenda, a date, time, and place fora larger fellowship, Pastor Waltonwent to work in inviting those pastorsin attendance to a special fellowshipmeeting. The meeting took place at LivingWaters Baptist Church in Mobilewhere Pastor Walton began to sharehis God-given vision for the fellowshipAbove: The Brothers of Cyrene (standing L-R) Jerome Binns, RaymondBell, James Richardson, Eric Riles, Eddie Goodall, ReggieWilliams, Eligah Moore, Victor Baxter. Seated L-R: Bill Fluker,Secretary; Ira Walton, Moderator; Sam Mitchell, Treasurer.Al Janney with Ira Waltonwith all the pastors in attendance. Inthat first meeting, they discussed structure,issues and concerns in reachingBlack America, the need to plant morechurches, and the need to assist andencourage other pastors.That vision culminated in a meetingMarch 28, 2008, at Living WatersBaptist Church. The group formedand developed a purpose and missionstatement. They named the fellowshipBrothers of Cyrene taken from Matthew27:32. The name of the fellowshiporiginated in the heart and mind ofPastor Walton’s great friend, PastorChuck Ford. The fellowship namedWalton as moderator. Two other officers,Bill Fluker and Sam Mitchellbecame secretary and treasurer respectively.The Brothers of Cyrene are not ofthe opinion that the blacks must separatein order to effectively address theunique circumstances involving BlackAmerica. They desire and desperatelyneed the help of predominantly nonblackcongregations to reach BlackAmerica and plant churches.Rather, this fellowship,through its website (www.brothersofcyrene.com), willserve as an information hubfor Bible college graduates,laymen, church members, etc.,who have been called of God inthis task. The website will provideinformation and locationswhere pastors, youth directors,Christian schoolteachers, choirdirectors, etc., are needed. Additionally,this site will providea means by which believers oflike faith will have the opportunityto search for and findindependent Baptist churchesin other cities and towns. Thesite will offer other opportunitiesas well.The Brothers of Cyreneare pastors and laymen whoare active participants intheir state fellowships. Theyare affiliated with and workclosely in conjunction with theBaptist Bible Fellowship International(BBFI) and state fellowships in plantingchurches. They desire to work withother Bible-believing fellowships, missionboards, and local churches in theirefforts to evangelize their communitiesand neighborhoods.They strongly desire the pastors ofthe state fellowships to truly embracetheir vision by encouraging their membersto pray and to get involved. Theyask all those in the BBFI and in otherBible-believing ministries who alreadyhave productive and prosperous ministries,to help the Brothers of Cyrenereach the unreached for Christ.If you desire to write us, send correspondenceto the following address:Brothers of Cyrenec/o Crenshaw Community BaptistChurch1607 Rutledge Loop RoadLuverne, AL 36049Please visit our website for further information:www.brothersofcyrene.com.Baptist Bible Tribune [ July/August 2009 ] 15