New church lifts up neighbors entrenched in poverty, despair

By Lauren Urtel / March 30, 2007

GAINESVILLE (FBC)—A few miles east of the distinguished brick buildings that form the celebrated University of Florida, an unassuming white house in a neglected neighborhood has become home to a ministry intent upon winning to Christ the university town of Gainesville.

When David Middlebrooks became pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in May, 2006, there were nine members, the oldest age 17. Since that time, Middlebrooks has worked to not only introduce the church to the community but to implement programs of discipleship to mentor those they reach. Today, the church boasts 39 members, with three more to be baptized in the coming month.

“So many times people are impacted in an emotional way [by the Gospel] but then are left to drift,” said Middlebrooks. “There is a need for discipleship. We are consistent and committed in our ministry. We want people to know that we are going to be here.”

The church strongly emphasizes their neighborhood canvassing. Every Saturday morning, a small group of adults and children meet at the church. They pray for the community and set out walking through the surrounding neighborhood. They greet neighbors in their yards and knock on doors, introducing themselves and the love of the Lord.

“The scripture says do the work of an evangelist. When we are out canvassing it is like a revitalization. The Lord never fails to encourage us,” said Middlebrooks.

A Jacksonville businessman, Middlebrooks serves as a bivocational pastor, commuting to Gainesville three times a week. When he is not in town, church members handle the community needs with access to the church building and the church’s free clothing closet. Middlebrooks hopes to move to Gainesville soon.

The church is currently focusing their canvassing on the Gardenia Gardens Apartment complex. “We decided we would make a concerted and extended effort to reach Gardenia,” said Ruth Ann Czerenda, a mission leader from Harvest’s sponsoring church, Westside Baptist in Gainesville. “They are full of alcohol, drugs, prostitution and a lot of kids.”

It is those children the congregation began to minister to first. They hosted a back-to-school event in the fall and handed out 100 backpacks filled with supplies. During February’s Black History Month, Middlebrooks’ wife, Linda, and daughter, Bethany, taught a Saturday morning curriculum entitled “Culture, Christ and Caring” for children at the church. The series they developed highlights strong Christian African-Americans throughout the country’s history. Children and adults have access to a computer lab with educational training available at no charge.

“We want to encourage people to come to Christ,” said Middlebrooks as he walked through the derelict and often dangerous neighborhood streets behind the church. “We are fulfilling the Great Commission.”

Middlebrooks recently attended the Florida Baptist Convention— “Urban Alternative” Conference with Tony Evans, lead speaker, which gave him insight into reaching the urban community. Harvest is a recipient of the Convention’s church/pastoral assistance program.

Knocking on doors at the Gardenia complex, Middlebrooks calls out to residents as if he were an old friend. He gains entrance to an open door and open mind with a smile and a greeting. Once inside the home, he witnesses with confidence and is unafraid to face the tough issues heavy on this hurting community’s hearts.

Angelina Quarterman and her daughter Deedee Griffin answered Middlebrooks’ knock during a Saturday morning canvassing and invited him in. Tony Duncan, Quarterman’s youngest child, had come to accept the Lord as his Savior through the church and was ready for baptism. As Middlebrooks and Westside Baptist member Rick Smith discussed the importance of baptism with the women, they also explored the family’s faith.

When Quarterman revealed that she relied upon the church to be her son’s father figure because his own was abusive, Smith assured her, Tony “has a father in heaven who will be with him all the time.”

During the visit the women expressed an interest in the church, but believed the church had no interest in them. Middlebrooks and Smith spent time in prayer with Quarterman and Griffin, sharing the love of God and the congregation. When they left the apartment, Quarterman committed herself, her children and her grandchildren to attending Harvest’s Sunday service.

“We are going to be a church that is relevant with the community and growing,” said Middlebrooks as he concluded the Saturday morning canvassing. “We not only want to be a help and share hope, we want to extend as far as we can go.”