Freedom to Worship
There is a church that sits nicely in a beautiful park near Thomas, West Virginia. It is surrounded by a well-kept lawn with shade trees and gorgeous flowers. Built in 1958 by Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Milkint, in honor of their parents, the structure has stained glass windows and a bell tower.
What makes this church special is its size. There are only 6 pews and inside it measures 16’ x
11’. Seating capacity: 12. The sign says it is the smallest church in 48 states.
Regular services are held in the spring and summer. Even though it is a tiny church (or because of that), It isn’t unusual for 500-600 to stop by for a Sunday visit. In a recent year, over 37,000 from 48 states and 17 countries visited. I once had the privilege of visiting the chapel myself.
Not many of us worship in such small churches. But we may worship with a small number. Jesus Christ makes His presence felt even when only a few are present. He promised, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18.20).
Whether your church is large or small, remember to thank God for the privilege of worship. Our country has been blessed with religious freedom and we can attend any church we choose. This is a great opportunity that we should not take for granted.
By Barry Kimbrough
Pastor, Cave Junction, Gold Beach, and Brookings Seventh-day Adventist Churches