On Sept. 29, First Baptist Church of Charleston celebrated its 331st anniversary and the commissioning of church members as missionaries to China for the second time in 165 years. With each anniversary, pastor Marshall Blalock said the church looks for ministries to recognize, and this year it was something especially notable.
“It’s great to be able to let our church’s heritage inspire and connect us in the world we live today in a way that is more fruitful,” Blalock said. “It’s a joy to see God at work in the world and through people that are a part of our church family who are helping change lives, start churches, and take the gospel all over the world.”
Lula F. Whilden
On Oct. 16, 1848, the church appointed its first missionaries to Asia by commissioning B.W. Whilden and his family to serve in China. While on the mission field, Whilden suffered the loss of his wife and, later, a second wife, to illness. Several years later, the family returned home to Charleston. Whilden’s daughter Lula’s love for the Chinese people remained in her heart and, in 1872, at the age of 26, she became the first single female missionary appointed by the Foreign Mission Board to China. Lula Whilden served there for 42 years, ministering to destitute girls who had been sold into prostitution and slavery.
In the years since, First Baptist Church has remained mission-minded. Its members focus on mission opportunities in Charleston, in other areas of the U.S. and internationally. Nine members of the church are currently serving as missionaries in France, Ethiopia, India, Thailand and Burma.
About three years ago, a young couple began attending First Baptist Church. The husband soon accepted Christ and was baptized. As the couple grew in their faith, they developed a heart for missions and participated in a short-term trip to Northeast China. During the anniversary celebration, the church commissioned them for a two-year term in China, where they will teach English and use their talents to build relationships and share the gospel. They are fully supported by the church and through financial gifts from loved ones and family.
“Our church is returning to China through this young couple, honoring the amazing legacy of Lula Whilden,” said Blalock. “They are writing a new chapter in the story of God’s grace and call to fulfill the Great Commission.”
Because church members have watched the couple grow in their faith and answer the call to missions, Blalock said there is a greater desire to pray for and support them. “Almost 165 years to the day, we sent missionaries again to the same country. Our people were thrilled to be able to say that on our anniversary Sunday we are still here, still serving, and we are still trying to reach the world with the good news of the gospel,” he said.
The church has already planned for a short-term mission team to go to China to work with the missionaries next summer. Blalock said church members see missions not as a “department of the church,” but as a call of God in each individual life. Because of that understanding, he said the historic church is looking to the future in all areas of missions.
“If all we focus on is history, we are looking back and not likely to fulfill God’s plan for us today. If we instead focus on heritage, we can better focus on what God has set before us.”