news-record.com

Rankin Baptist Church in Greensboro is home to not one, but three, congregations.

The three -- Rankin, First Montagnard Baptist Church and Iglesia Del Dios Vivo De Greensboro -- hold their own separate services, but they join together to hold combined celebrations for Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.

"The wonderful name of Jesus is spoken in four or five tongues during these services," said the Rev. John Jarman, Rankin's pastor. "What joy in my heart."

During these services, each pastor shares a little and the choirs take turns singing. After the combined worship services, a covered-dish meal is held in the overflowing fellowship hall.

The three congregations also hold joint baptisms throughout the year.

"Three congregations come together to celebrate God's work as he enlarges his kingdom," Jarman said. "We share the same Jesus, the same baptismal water, the same Bible, the same building, the same Lord's Supper and the same food."

Jarman became the pastor of Rankin, on Summit Avenue, in late 1997.

Jarman led the older congregation as members banded together in unity to serve the changing community surrounding the church.

This plan did not happen overnight, but occurred as God presented the congregation with various opportunities to assist those in need around them.

As Jarman settled into his pastoral duties, the congregation began going through the Bible study program "Experiencing God," by Henry Blackaby and Claude King.

Through the study, the congregation learned that God is always at work around you and invites you to be his hands and feet as you step out in faith and act in love.

At the time, the church was discussing how to use a house they owned next to the church.

Some of the congregation wanted to see the property rented, but Jarman suggested using the house to reach out to someone in need.

In the end the church voted to use the house as a transition house for refuges and families in transition.

Right after this, Rankin was asked by Lutheran Family Services if they could provide a home for a Montagnard family from Vietnam.

Later, the church received a request from Piedmont Baptist Association to provide space for a small Montagnard congregation.

Jarman believed that God was once again inviting the Rankin congregation to join God in his work.

After some discussion, the church agreed to open their doors to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from Vietnam. The church provided a large room in the upper part of their education building for this congregation to use for services.

By April 2001, the Montagnard congregation had become Montagnard Baptist Fellowship. They entered into an agreement with Rankin Baptist Church as Rankin pledged to continue to assist this mission church within their walls for as long as they are able.

In 2002, leaders in the Montagnard church asked if Rankin Baptist Church would sponsor a man in Vietnam so he could come and serve as their pastor.

Rankin petitioned Immigration and Naturalization Services on behalf of K'Them, his wife, Nai Suoung, and son, Simon.

K'Them was ordained as their minister once he arrived in the United States, something that could not happen in Vietnam because of its communist government.

In September, Montagnard Baptist Fellowship changed its name to First Montagnard Baptist Church.

They are considered to be the first Southern Baptist Montagnard congregation in the United States.

Rankin's relationship with the Hispanic congregation was forged after Jarman learned that the Rev. Miguel Gurrola was searching for room in an existing church to hold services with his small congregation.

In early 2003, Rankin agreed to allow the Iglesia Del Dios Vivo De Greensboro congregation to use their facilities.

The Hispanic congregation uses another large room in the upstairs area of Rankin's education building.

Reflecting on the three congregations, Jarman said, "The Apostle Paul wrote: 'There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope at your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all,' Ephesians 4:4-6."

The three congregations will hold another combined worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday as they celebrate Thanksgiving together.

A meal will be held afterwards in the fellowship hall for those who attend.

Linda Vestal is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend living in Gibsonville. Contact her with comments or story ideas at lindavestal@triad.rr.com.