When Jack Olney handed me the newspaper clipping that read First Baptist Welcomes Alliance of Baptists, there in print was truth in advertising! The welcome provided by First Baptist Church in Newton, Mass., to the Alliance folks that gathered from the Northeast and from the board of directors was no surprise.

I had already experienced gracious hospitality from the church staff and from the backbone of the church—the women who spread the sumptuous meal! Hospitality is the spiritual gift of this Alliance affiliated congregation in New England!

Entering into First Baptist Church, Newton, completed in 1888, one could not help but feel a part of a long history of a Baptist presence with the uniquely American architecture. Biblical texts central to our Baptist identity are crafted into the 19^th Century American stained glass windows and inscribed on the Late Victorian Era arches.

The day of welcome and worship designed by Tom McKibbens and Ellen Tatreau began with songs of faith that also reminded us of hymn sings from another era. With architectural and musical reminders, the oft-quoted text of Hebrews 12 came to mind: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…

In that context Alliance members and interested folk marked our commitment to God and each other by renewing our uniquely Baptist founding covenant. In so doing, I realized the words to be a part of the DNA of FBC, Newton, for they as a congregation also uphold the values affirmed in the Alliance covenant that distinguish our movement from its beginnings four centuries ago.

Principles such as the freedom and accountability of every individual in matters of faith; the freedom of each congregation under the authority of Jesus Christ to determine its own ministry and mission; and religious freedom for all in relationship to the state remain as important today as then.

As Alliance members from coast to coast and from north and south gathered to share song, word, and table, we also heard testimony of the new things God is doing in our church and in the world when Cynthia Maybeck stood up to proclaim the morning message. Her amazingly skilled delivery dramatized the church asleep to the movement of the Spirit in the world today.

She spoke of hints of the church of the future being found in the Alliance. For she sees the Alliance as “a great laboratory to tinker with the church…and the way the fellowship of churches will look in the future.” She affirmed the church is in a deep process of change, “preparing ourselves for the next generation.” Needless to say, we left inspired and renewed to go forth being followers of Christ in the world transforming the way Baptists relate to one another.

Brooks Wicker and I had the opportunity to return to FBC the following Sunday morning. At their gracious invitation, Brooks greeted the congregation on behalf of the Alliance, and I served as guest proclaimer. That morning the hospitality of Saturday was repeated—this time by Andover-Newton faculty and students, long standing members of the church family, youth on bicycles and elderly with walkers and folks of varied ethnic hues. What a marvelous illustration of the diverse family of God!

That morning I learned of the church’s long-standing commitment to nurture seminary students as the new intern for this year was introduced. I learned of their love and commitment to children as Linda Moore sat with them at the altar steps. I learned of their love for the music of the church. I learned of their deep commitment to Scripture and Baptist principles. And I learned the truth proclaimed on the welcome page of their Web site: There are many reasons to visit [FBC Newton]. Mostly, it is the desire to grow in faith and to worship with caring people who are hospitable, open-minded, and friendly. Truth in advertising!