Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church

Sunday, December 8, 2013

I am not usually a church going person but I have always been fascinated by southern African-American churches. While in my 20s I lived in downtown Atlanta right next to a small baptist church where music streamed through the air on Sunday mornings as people worshiped together well into the afternoon. There is a lot of tradition and style that comes along with worship services that seem to celebrate their faith and belief. Matrons and nurses dressed in white. Men in three piece suits. Women wearing their best hats. Music and praise and prayer. I was given the opportunity to join the congregation at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur one Sunday as they worshiped. The four hour long service was cause for a three fold celebration. The celebration of faith, the celebration of the two year anniversary of their pastor, Darryl Roberts and the celebration of helping their community with a coordinated donation to the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy. The school became infamous after an armed gunman tried to enter the school this past August but was thwarted by bookkeeper Antoinette Tuff. Because of this and numerous other unfortunate occurrences, a  growing number of churches and other religious groups are “adopting” at-risk and other schools in metro Atlanta, giving them money and other needed resources to help boost student achievement. Both Cobb and Fulton school districts have followed Dekalb and embraced the practice, with Fulton extending a district-wide invitation nearly a year ago to the faith community to volunteer in local schools. Proponents of the practice argue schools need the extra help from religious and other community leaders, but critics question whether public schools and religious groups are able to work together without infringing on the spiritual beliefs of students or staff of violating the First Amendment, which prohibits the government establishment of religion.

The deacons at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur start off the worship services on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

The deacons at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur start off the worship services on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Deacon George Miller sings during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Deacon George Miller sings during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Deacon David Love sings during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Deacon David Love sings during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

German Jackson throws up his hand in praise during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

German Jackson throws up his hand in praise during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Pastor Darryl Roberts (left) is escorted into the congregation by Carolyn Satcher during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Pastor Darryl Roberts (left) is escorted into the congregation by Carolyn Satcher during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Sunday worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on December 8, 2013.

Sunday worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on December 8, 2013.

 

Pastor Darryl Roberts (right) sits in front of his congregation during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Pastor Darryl Roberts (right) sits in front of his congregation during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Mary Norris makes announcements to the congregation during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Mary Norris makes announcements to the congregation during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Ethel Patton (center) attends worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur where donations were made to the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy at the church on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Ethel Patton (center) attends worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur where donations were made to the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy at the church on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Pastor Darryl Roberts (center) greets Winford Hartry during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Pastor Darryl Roberts (center) greets Winford Hartry during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

The congregation of Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur prays for their pastor Darryl Roberts (center) during worship services on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

The congregation of Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur prays for their pastor Darryl Roberts (center) during worship services on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Rev. Dr. Martha Simmons gives a guest sermon during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Rev. Dr. Martha Simmons gives a guest sermon during the worship services at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Pastor Darryl Roberts speaks to his congregation at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church before presenting donations to the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy during worship services at the church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Pastor Darryl Roberts speaks to his congregation at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church before presenting donations to the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy during worship services at the church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

Brian Bolden, principal at the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy thanks the congregation at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church for their donations to the school during Sunday worship services on December 8, 2013.

Brian Bolden, principal at the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy thanks the congregation at Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church for their donations to the school during Sunday worship services on December 8, 2013.

 

Dr. Brian Bolden (right), principal at the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy, hugs Kyle Chandler Stocks after his family, local businesses and Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church make donations to the school during worship services at the church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

Dr. Brian Bolden (right), principal at the Ronald E. McNair Learning Academy, hugs Kyle Chandler Stocks after his family, local businesses and Mt. Welcome Missionary Baptist Church make donations to the school during worship services at the church in Decatur on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

 

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