The County Line Baptist Church continues to make history as members celebrated the church's 163rd anniversary and annual homecoming service on Sunday.
Former and current members, along with guests from neighboring churches, filled the church pews to celebrate the milestone of being the oldest African American church in Pilot Point and Denton County.
“Pilot Point ain’t got enough room to hold what God is about to do here,” guest Pastor Jack A. Crane of the Truevine Missionary Baptist Church said.
The service began with song and voices throughout the room, sung in praise before the service continued.
“Whether this is your first time, or you’ve been here over the decades, we hope that you relax and join in on the worship …” Sister Khadijah Benford said. “We thank you all for traveling on this nice Sunday, and we pray that you all make it home safely, and you are welcome, welcome, welcome.”
Sister Mary Jackson asked visitors and former church members to be recognized.
“We're glad you chose to come out to make this day special of what it is,” Jackson said. “I've been here for a long time; I’ve got 76 years out of that 163.”
She added that the guests are welcome anytime.
Sister Tina Scott shared the rich history of the church, “County Line First Baptist Church began in 1863, when a group of formerly enslaved African Americans led by Louis Whitlow organized the Colored Missionary Baptist Church in the Oak Dale Settlement along Wolf Creek near the Cooke-Denton County line,” Scott read, and continued to share other key milestones.
Later in the service, former members of the church were encouraged to join the County Line First Baptist Church choir for the Homecoming Choir.
A couple of members from the Truevine Missionary Baptist Church choir also joined before the Truevine choir sang a couple of songs.
Host Pastor Rev. James E. Lee III led the church in a warm welcome as he introduced the guest preacher for the service.
“Y'all pray with him and for him that the Lord uses him so that we can be encouraged for another 163 years,” Lee said.
The guest preacher, Rev. Jack A. Crane, gave a message fitting to the theme of "Standing, Staying, and Serving,” from 1 Corinthians 15:58.
“County Line was not started on you and I; it was started on the work of the Lord,” Crane said. “Steadfast. Unmovable. Always abounding in the work of the Lord. Knowing that your labor will not be in vain in the Lord.”
In his message, he talked about the gravity of the sacrifices people have made over 163 years and what it means to be a faithful servant.
The service ended with parting words from Crane and a benediction.
Before that, Lee thanked everyone who attended, his wife, whose birthday it was, and those who showed their support, including Truevine, who came year after year to celebrate the anniversary, and members of St. James Church and Denton Freedom House, along with his congregation, for their continued service throughout the year.
“I'm so thankful to be able to pastor such a passionate congregation that wants to continue to serve God's people,” Lee said. “You make pastoring easy for me.”
