Saturday, June 28, 1997

Church celebrates eighth anniversary

By BILL WHITAKER / Abilene Reporter-News

Eight years isn't normally recognized as a noteworthy milestone, but just try convincing Elm Creek Baptist Church worshippers to the contrary.

"For us, every year in existence is worth noting," Pastor Wayne Heinze said after a recent anniversary service. "We're proud of the fact it's been a success, especially when so many others felt there weren't enough people in the area for another church."

Today, the interdenominational Elm Valley Community Church just up the road serves a larger congregation, but Elm Creek Baptist Church remains a rallying point for Baptists from the nearby communities of View, Tuscola, Buffalo Gap and all stretches in between.

Membership reportedly stands at about 100.

No less than Norm McVey, who teaches Bible at Elm Valley Community Church but donated his skills as an electrician to the neighboring church, declared one Sunday that Elm Creek Baptist Church may be, to many, "just a little white church on the roadside, but (it's) big in God's eyes."

Certainly Elm Creek Baptist has made its mark over the years, as much due to its pastor as the blessed devotion of its worshippers. Among other things, the church has attracted attention through its occasional practice of giving baptisms in Elm Creek.

Pastor Heinze says 16 of the 72 baptisms conducted by Elm Creek Baptist Church were performed in the creek itself, and those who went through the experience - possibly with fish snapping at their heels - remain proud of the feat.

"Of course," 68-year-old James Littles said of his own divine immersion in the creek, "some folks said I killed all the fish!"

A CREEK RUNS BY IT

The fact Elm Creek Baptist Church has occasionally resorted to the creek itself shouldn't be any surprise, especially considering that one of the church's charter members is feisty Sally Rock McAndrew, sometimes dubbed "The Mother of Elm Creek."

Indeed, it was 83-year-old Mrs. McAndrew who first tapped Rev. Heinze to preach to area Baptists - in the ECCA Volunteer Fire Department station, of all places - and it was Mrs. McAndrew who, that same year, came up with the idea of naming the new church for the creek snaking through Elm Valley.

Asked why she chose the name Elm Creek Baptist Church, Mrs. McAndrew replied: "Because I'm a Baptist and they were gonna name it something else. They came up with a bunch of names, but I told 'em Elm Creek was here before any of us and it'll be here when we're gone."

So it was done.

Whatever sermon Pastor Heinze, now 68, gave May 2, 1989, at the volunteer fire station, it apparently warmed all souls in attendance. Within several weeks, they were worshipping in a church of their own construction, though that first church service was without benefit of air-conditioning.

Interest in the area was perked early on, even before the church under construction fully revealed itself.

"As soon as I realized this wasn't going to be a barn or a convenience store, but a church," one area worshipper said, "my heart told me I needed to go."

AIMING HIGH

Bert and Floy Young, who actively encouraged the idea of a Baptist church in the area, donated a piano and land for the church. Pioneer Drive Baptist Church donated 50 hymnals. Leonard Malone helped secure chairs from several Baptist churches back in Abilene.

"I think there were 43 people here that first Sunday," said Heinze, the church's only pastor. "We didn't even have a porch. But then you don't need to have all those things to worship the Lord and to have a good time doing it."

The church aimed high, despite its small size. At one point, it even offered a form of day-care for Elm Valley youngsters after school, regardless of whether their parents attended Elm Creek Baptist Church. And its baptisms in Elm Creek gained attention far beyond Taylor County.

Unfortunately, creek banks change to such a degree as to make regular creek baptisms an infrequent event.

"We scope it out before we go to baptize in a particular area," Pastor Heinze said. "But even the young people think it's unique. I like it. You know, Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan. I guess baptizing someone in Elm Creek smacks of the early ministry of Jesus."

Church members are proud of the baptisms they've overseen in Elm Creek.

"We've baptized people up and down Elm Creek, and I think Abilene's better for it," Rev. Heinze told his congregation of about 100 recently. "After all, that's where all the water goes. We've been sending blessings their way."

Many folks in Elm Valley, perhaps the most picturesque part of Taylor County, feel the same way about the little white church on the hilltop along Highway 89.

"I think it's swell," James Littles said of the church and its worship services. "This little church, if the doors are open, I'm here!"