By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptisrg
PULASKI — Race was not on Anthony Bledsoe’s mind when he became interim pastor of Solid Rock Baptist Church in Pulaski more than 10 years ago.
Never mind that he was an African American pastor taking on the responsibilities of leading a white congregation in a town known as the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan.
“The thing that scared me was that I had never been a pastor before,” said Bledsoe, who served as interim for about six months before accepting the bivocational position full time.
“The atmosphere in Pulaski is far different from what it was back in the day (when the KKK was established in the 1800s),” he observed. “We have a wonderful community that works together, worships together and prays together,” he added.
Bledsoe said he often tells folks who are not from the area, “I can’t think of any place I’d rather live than in Giles County.” He acknowledged there may be some racial issues and tensions in the county, “but if it’s here, I have not seen or experienced it and I have lived here for 34 years.
“When you tear down the defense walls, one of the things we learn is that people are not really that different,” he said. “When you have a heart for Jesus Christ, whether you are black or white, you figure out a way to worship together,” Bledsoe said.
The bivocational pastor recalled how he became pastor of Solid Rock Baptist. “I worked with a friend who attended the church and he told me they were without a pastor,” he said.
Bledsoe, who began his ministry preaching in nursing homes and teaching Sunday School and leading Bible studies, agreed to serve as the interim.
“I fell in love with the church,” he said. During the interim period, the church prayed diligently for a pastor. After six months, “they asked if I would become their pastor,” he said. Bledsoe accepted and the church ordained him into the ministry and he has been there ever since.
“I knew that becoming the pastor was a big step but I knew God was calling me,” he affirmed.
He acknowledged that he “was looking for a way out but God began to close doors,” he recalled. “I was scared, but God calmed my fears. Nearly 11 years later, I couldn’t be happier.”
Bledsoe noted that members of Solid Rock Baptist showed him and his family acceptance and love from the beginning. They welcomed us with open arms.”
Bledsoe said he has been surrounded by “people who loved Christ more than they saw color.”
He is grateful for the deacons he has served with. He recalled one of his first deacons, John Avery, who has since died. He noted Avery grew up during the 1960s and 70s when racial tension in the country was very high, but race did not matter to him when Bledsoe became his pastor. “He loved me like he loved his son.”
The pastor is quick to credit God and the members of the church for making his ministry effective.
“It’s been the God-fearing and God-loving people of Solid Rock Baptist Church who made this work,” Bledsoe said. “They just embraced and welcomed us and made it very easy to be their pastor and first lady.”
Robert White, a deacon, both now and when Bledsoe was called, affirmed that race has never been an issue with members of Solid Rock Baptist. White noted that his pastor “leads by example of what it means to be an obedient child of God and to show God’s love to everyone.”
He added that Bledsoe is a good preacher and teacher. “We have matured as Christians through his preaching and teaching,” White said. B&R