By Tom Wilbur

I met my friend, Rev. Allen D. Smith, in an unusual way. God brought us together.

On the morning of November 27th, 1999, I opened the Salina Journal and read that St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, on North 9th Street in Salina, had burned to the ground the day before Thanksgiving. The photo on the front page of the newspaper told it all— a group of church members stood over the charred and smoldering remains of what had been their physical church since the 1920’s . . . just a day prior. It was a heart breaking image.

At the time, I was President of a local savings bank, and I felt compelled to do something. So I began to try and call the names listed under the photo, to find out how our team might be of help. Frankly, I didn’t know how to get in touch with any of them, and that was embarrassing. How could I be so far removed from people who lived with me in this community? As a lifelong Salinan, it should have been easier.

Finally, through my friend Barbara Knight, I connected with a deacon of the church— his name was Mr. Jones. And he informed me that the church’s new pastor of about eight months, Pastor Allen Smith, was out of town with his family in Arkansas for the holidays. I left word with Mr. Jones, to have the pastor call me—and that we had a desire to help in any way that we could.

Later that day, a call came to the house, and it was Pastor Smith. We discussed the situation and launched into the early stages of a response plan. We set up an account at the bank for people to make donations towards a future rebuilding of the church. We got the word out how people could help. We found a strategic planning leader who was an acquaintance of mine in Kansas City, to meet with their church leadership and begin the process of determining where the church wanted to go—with the resources it had, and what plans it might have for the future.

We printed brochures, and made calls on people and businesses to ask for consideration in giving. We started an Internet campaign. We met with the city, with builders, the insurance company, and did what it took to get a new plan and new inertia in place. The church secured a parcel of land on Chicago Street, and we all took shovels to the site, and began to turn dirt as we prayed for blessings for the project and the church.

As our team worked with the church, I learned more of the background of this church, and how it had been founded by freed slaves, in the late 1800’s, who gathered to worship in an earthen dugout in North Salina. I can’t imagine what it means to have that kind of faith. But it propelled our efforts with a sense of urgency, and ongoing dedication to keeping this church moving forward, as an integral part of this community. For 119 straight weeks following the fire, the church found other places to gather and pray—as construction and fund-raising continued. They never lost sight of the vision and the plan to rebuild. It would have been easy to give up. But the members of the church persevered, and got it done. I learned along the way that a church is not about a physical building, it’s about the people who gather to worship.

Today, St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church stands as a living testament to what the spirit of the Lord can do through a church, its leadership, and through its people. Pastor Smith, his wife and his family, have committed themselves to building one of Salina’s most inter-racial churches— welcoming all who enter. As we celebrate black history month, we are so blessed to have a relationship with Pastor Smith, and his church, and the new friends we have made over the years from its membership—people of diverse backgrounds, and heritages— from the collaboration.

God had a plan for this church. He has a plan for us all, in outreach and in service. And we celebrate with St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church— their continued commitment to their walk of faith, and for the ongoing impact they have upon so many people in this area through the ministry of the church. They are making history, right here in Salina.

For more information about St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, visit their website at www.stjohnsmbc.com

Tom Wilbur is President/CEO of BANK VI, Salina, Kansas. As a regular featured editorial contributor to the Salina Post, he often writes about faith, family, and community. A graduate of Salina Central and the University of Kansas, he has lived most of his life, in Salina, and can be reached at rockchalktw@hotmail.com