MCKINNEY,TX- In a historic attempt to erase color lines and bridge the cultural gap between churchgoers inMcKinney,TX, First Baptist Church and Restoration Family Church of McKinney will join forces. To kickoff this union, Dr. Richard Mark Lee, Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church and Reverend Derrick Scobey of Restoration Family Church of McKinney will deliver a joint sermon addressing the topic of unity in the Body of Christ before both congregations on Sunday, March 4th at the First Baptist Church Worship Center. Restoration Family Church of McKinney will begin to hold its own worship service in the theatre beginning on March 11th.
“First Baptist McKinney embraces and welcomes Restoration Family Church. We are on the same team. For too long we’ve segregated on Sundays and hindered our witness to this upcoming generation. Today’s kids don’t see color. The communication of the Gospel is advanced or hindered based on our treatment of race,” says Dr. Lee.
Rev. Scobey states that the goal of this collaboration is, “To make the Gospel message clearer to an unbelieving world by living life together in unity as Christians from different cultural backgrounds.” Both churches believe that by working and worshiping together, they will be able to unite existing members and draw both Christians and non-believers who wish to be a part of a diverse fellowship and community. “We do everything else together–work, school, sports, friendships…we can do ‘church’ together as well,” says Rev. Scobey.
First Baptist Church, located at 1615 West Louisiana Street, is a large church that began in McKinney over 136 years ago and offers both classic and contemporary services. First Baptist Churchis a missional church that seeks to impact both the people within the church and the community of McKinney through family-focused ministries and events.
Restoration Family Church of McKinney first began services at the Scobey’s home in 2008, and has since expanded its membership into the ballroom of the Quality Inn. The growing church is thankful for the expanded space and resources First Baptist Church will provide its members. The mission of Restoration Family is “Loving, Saving, Reconciling, Growing and Keeping Families Together in Christ.” The collaboration withFirst Baptist Church is an exceptional fit, as both churches focus on family and seek diverse membership.
“The Bible is clear neither Jew nor Gentile… Therefore we want to become more like heaven on Earth– red, yellow, black and white – they are precious in His sight! So in this next chapter we are going to come alongside one another and learn from one another as we become more racially and ethnically diverse. It’s a part of our initiative to become more like heaven on Earth,” says Dr. Lee about the collaboration with Restoration Family Church of McKinney.
Says Rev. Scobey, “Red and yellow, black and white, we know all are precious in God’s sight. Each of these should be precious in our sight as well.”
Those who wish to participate in the joint service are welcome to attend either the 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM services at First Baptist Church on March 4th. For more information about either church please visit their respective websites at www.fbcmckinney.com and www.rfcom.org.
