Connerley
BROWNSVILLE — When Brownsville Baptist needs something done, pastor emeritus Bob Connerley knows he can count on senior adults to see it accomplished.
“One of the reasons is they have a lifetime of being part of Brownsville Baptist — beginning in the Cradle Roll Department. They are always ready to serve in any capacity needed,” said Connerley who served as pastor of the congregation from 1989-2021. He continues to serve at the church in various capacities including working with senior adults.
“This is a most unusual group of seniors,” he said. “Many of these people have known each other all their lives. Their families were friends — even before they were born. They’ve grown up in the church and have really become a close-knit community of people who love the Lord and enjoy being together.”
Emily Higgenbottom, a member of the senior group, is an example of one who has returned to Brownsville after living away for several years.
“I was in the Cradle Roll Department and all the other departments through high school. Sunday School teachers and other leaders taught me the Bible and to love God. My parents brought me to church all my life.”
Now retired, Higgenbottom has lifetime friends within the senior group. After she married, she and her husband moved away and lived in several states. Now a widow, she has returned to her roots.
She is not the only one. Some people left Brownsville to go into the armed service. Others left for jobs in distance places. So many have returned home, she noted.
Her advice on returning to your hometown is this: “The more a senior becomes involved, the faster you make good friends. … Seniors can make good Christian friends in any church — just get involved!”
We need the fellowship of other Christians,” Higgenbottom said. “We’re stronger when we work together. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has someone to help him up!’ ”
Social activities
Senior adults of Brownsville Baptist Church meet each month for a social event. Every other month, they climb aboard the church bus and drive to a restaurant for fun and fellowship. Sometimes they sing hymns along the way — especially those old favorites remembered from childhood.
On alternate months, they meet at the church for a pot-luck meal. Favorite dishes are served and recipes are exchanged. Often a speaker is invited to review a Christian book, or a program is planned focusing on this age group.
Senior adult conferences are another part of the organization. Gospel singing, guest speakers, staying in a hotel, shopping or visiting nearby attractions make the trips enjoyable.
Missions
Before COVID-19, Brownsville Baptist seniors partnered with the Memphis Food Bank in food distribution. Volunteers would place food items in shopping carts and load in the cars that lined up. Plans are being made to start up this program in the near future.
BlueOval City is another missions opportunity in the area. The Ford Motor Company selected Stanton in Haywood County for a large factory that will make electric trucks. It is estimated that the population of Haywood County (with a present population of between 18,000-20,000) will see a large population increase in the next few years.
Cowell
Brownsville Baptist and other Haywood County churches are reaching out to these families by offering love and fellowship. Some of the activities churches are doing include providing gift bags with information packets about the area and gift cards, cookouts in communities where workers are living and prayerwalks.
Ben Cowell, senior pastor of Brownsville Baptist, observed that every church needs to understand there is an immense value in having an active senior adult organization.
“In fact, I feel sorry for churches that do not have committed seniors. In Titus 2, the older women are instructed to teach the younger women. The older men are instructed to teach younger men. Seniors give practical advice to the younger generation. We need to value our seniors,” he affirmed. B&R
