Area offers wide diversity of Faiths

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By Elizabeth Butler
elizabeth.butler@gaflnews.com

VALDOSTA — From a snakehandling church in Berrien County to traditional Baptist and Methodist churches to a Muslim Cultural Center and a Unitarian church, the Valdosta area offers a wide variety of faiths and churches at which to worship.

Although diverse in beliefs, those churches sometimes come together both to worship and to work on community projects.

“We are united in more ways than divided,” said the Rev. George H. Bennett, pastor, First Christian Church, 1905 N. Patterson St., and vice president of the Valdosta Area Ministerial Association.

Bennett said the religious community of the Valdosta area gathers each year for a community service sponsored by the Valdosta Area Ministerial Association. Last
year’s service at First United Methodist Church, 220 N. Patterson St., on Nov. 18 was led by clergy from many of the congregations.

The Thanksgiving offering was given to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity for the building of the House of Grace which was completed by Thanksgiving. About $40,000 was raised for the house from congregations, including Christ Episcopal, Christ the King Episcopal, First Baptist, First Christian, First Oak Grove Missionary Baptist, First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Mt. Calvary Baptist, Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist, New Covenant, New Hope Missionary
Baptist, New Prospect Missionary Baptist, Park Avenue United Methodist, Southland, St. Mark Missionary Baptist, St. James Missionary Baptist, St. John
Catholic, Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, Trinity Presbyterian, and Victory Temple Evangelistic Center.

The congregations also provided the labor for the construction of the House of Grace, 502 Wooding Lane, which was dedicated Nov. 18.

“This year we are hoping to raise enough funds to build four houses at about $40,000 each (at the Jimmy Carter Work Project in June),” Bennett said.

Gwendolyn Scott, in Habitat resource development here, said the former president does not work on a house unless it is sponsored by a church because he does not
want to promote a particular business or company.

“President Carter works on church-sponsored houses during the JCWP as a means to keep the focus of the event on why we are all doing this — which is serving God by serving people who are in need,” Scott said.

The Valdosta/Lowndes County Chamber distributes information to about 3,000 prospective new residents of Valdosta/Lowndes County every year.

“... one of the ‘ingredients’ people look for in a potential new city of residence is the strength of its faith community,” said Myrna Ballard, chamber president.

“We share with newcomers a list of 258 faith organizations located in Valdosta/Lowndes. More than one-third are Baptist churches. In addition, our community offers a Catholic church, a Christian Science Society, the Muslim Cultural Center, a Jewish synagogue, and a Baha’i Faith temple. It’s accurate to say that our
faith community is very well-diversified, particularly for a city of our size.”

Nearby Brooks County offers a variety of worship opportunities, according to Fred Lamb, executive director of the Quitman-Brooks County Chamber of Commerce.
“Churches of all denominational beliefs are conveniently located throughout the county,” Lamb said. “Whether you are looking for a large church or a small church, traditional or informal worship style, our churches invite you to worship with us.”