Rowlett, TX (June 13, 2024) – Two church neighbors are building unity in their community with their shared desire to serve. What began as a simple invitation of friendship has now blossomed into a powerful force for good. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Zion Baptist Church collaborate with monthly food distributions, musical events, and, most recently, a building renovation for a vandalized building.
In a time where many choose division around race and religion, two local church leaders—Sr. Pastor Dayvid Griggs of Zion Baptist Church and local congregation leader Bishop Kenneth Holland of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—focus on bringing their congregations together in friendship to help their community.
“Zion Baptist Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have come together in faith, unity, trust and commitment to serve others and make a positive impact in our community while staying true to our faith and belief in Jesus Christ,” says Pastor Griggs. “When doing so, the Kingdom of God is expanded and glorified.”
The two churches serve together to relieve hunger in their community by partnering on a bi-monthly food distribution to those in need. They also joined together to cheer up the downhearted at a local health and rehabilitation center by singing Christmas carols. They attended each other’s Christmas events, and the Zion Baptist Choir even performed at the live nativity hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A couple weeks ago, about 40 members from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints showed up to help Zion Baptist members clean out one of their multi-use buildings that had been severely damaged from vandalism. Members from both congregations worked together to haul away trash, tear out damaged carpet, and pack away salvageable items for storage.
Bishop Holland expressed what this relationship means to him.
“They have become my friends, and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ,” says Bishop Holland. “When we see each other, we hug like we are seeing family, because we realize we are family. When we first started meeting, we agreed that we want all to know that, though we are two different churches, we all still have one common belief that brings us together, and that is Jesus Christ.”
This beautiful partnership started with a simple invitation when two women from Zion Baptist Church walked down the street to their church neighbors to extend an invitation to their first block party. From there, both congregations began to think bigger, and the idea of doing service together took off. Zion Baptist Church was already hosting a food distribution event once a month. After deciding to work together on the distribution, they collaborated for a Thanksgiving basket distribution in November. Building on the success of that event, they expanded for Christmas, inviting more congregations to participate. The increased manpower has enabled the congregations to grow to two regular distributions per month.
They now serve together distributing food on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Individuals in need of food assistance are invited to come to Zion Baptist Church in Rowlett at 10am on those days to receive assistance.
Submitted by Sara Gividen, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photos.
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