Friday Church - Unexpected Grace!

Sometimes the unexpected is good . . . a surprise birthday party, kindness extended by a stranger, a friend visiting from out of town. And sometimes, the unexpected is exceptionally good – in fact, it might even be called holy.

Highland Baptist Church in Louisville is known for its beautiful, vibrant worship services, following the liturgy of the traditional church year and sharing Christ’s love with purpose and meaning. But there is a whole lot more going on at the corner of Grinstead Drive and Cherokee Road than one might expect at first glance.

Several years ago, Chris Sanders and other church leaders at Highland began dreaming about and planning for a service on Friday nights that might attract the 20- and 30-somethings that frequent the popular Bardstown Road area near the church. Friday Church was launched with much hope and expectation. Now, it has become a vital, important ministry . . . but for very different reasons than anyone had imagined!

Stop by any Friday night and you’re likely to hear the pulsating rhythm of drums and ear-splitting electric guitars, enthusiastic singing, lots of clapping and some lively “amens.” It definitely ain’t Sunday morning at Highland! But the worship service is no less meaningful for those in attendance. As many as 150 people attend Friday Church and many are from Wayside Christian Mission in downtown Louisville and other recovery houses in the area. They face the heartache and challenges of addiction, alcoholism or homelessness. The Narcotics Anonymous meeting immediately following the service is also well attended.

On any given Friday, those attending will hear a brief sermon, sing Happy Birthday to those celebrating a birthday, share in communion, listen to a story, support participants who are struggling, recite one of the “Twelve Steps,” receive a New Testament, pray the Lord’s Prayer, embrace others with affection as they pass the “peace of Christ”, and sing energizing, hopeful songs of faith. Prayer requests are a significant part of the service and participants often share their deepest needs and struggles. Without fail, everyone is reminded of their importance and worth as human beings, and assured of God’s infinite love, care and acceptance. Equally at ease in both the liturgical setting of Sunday morning and jamming with the Friday Church band, Pastor Joe Phelps considers it an honor to know, worship and work with those who attend Friday Church. Other Highland members agree, saying Friday Church moves them in unexpected ways and causes them to search their hearts – to become more genuine, committed followers of Christ. Those involved are constantly searching for creative ways to develop deeper relationships with Friday Church participants.

Friday Church often includes moments of great celebration: a brother who has been sober for a year, a sister who finds acceptance in Christ, the Wayside Choir “rockin’ the house.” Some long-time attendees and graduates of the Wayside program have been baptized as HBC members. Their gradual healing and freedom in Christ makes it all worthwhile. For everyone involved with Friday Church, there are many unexpected moments of grace . . . moments that can best be described as holy.

-- Cheryl Davis, Highland Baptist Church member