Full-Time Discipleship At Trinity Missionary Baptist Church

On the Sunday I made my latest church visit, it seemed a couple of weighty issues would be on the minds of religious leaders across the community. For one thing, it was the second-to-last service before Christmas. For another, it was just two days after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

The service at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church did not ignore either subject, but it also did not make either one the focus of the day. The only nod to Christmas, aside from the program's note of a Christmas dinner later in the day and Christmas program on Dec. 23, was the hymn selection of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” The church had held a prayer vigil for the Newtown victims the day before. Rev. Wade Hyslop Jr. commented that it attracted a good cross-section of the community and that he hoped such interaction and good will would continue. The main topic of the service, then, was about faith in everyday life.

Like several churches I’ve encountered in the city, the Trinity Missionary Baptist Church is fairly modest on the outside but more inviting on the inside. Plenty of light streams in from windows along the aisles, and a few members of the congregation recognized me as a new visitor and gave a warm greeting.

The service had a gradual buildup, with the initial time of praise and worship largely in the capable vocal chords of a small group of singers. As the songs progressed, they were joined by an organist and then a drummer before the service gave way to the traditional time of prayer and responsive reading.

Hyslop’s time at the lectern was also marked by an escalation, starting with the deep but measured tone I was familiar with from City Council meetings and becoming more impassioned. Hyslop encouraged the congregation to be active in their faith outside of church, saying any “part-time” disciples should move up to full-time.

“[God]’s not interested in those who can turn it on Sunday morning and turn it off Sunday evening,” he said.

Hyslop said taking this route would involve a strong commitment to learning the word of God and rectifying personal shortcomings. He told members that it is easy to put other issues first and foremost but that people should avoid doing so.

“Jesus wants us to make him your number one priority,” he said.

Hyslop said that the church aims to make all visitors feel welcome and comfortable. He said the mission since 1977 has been to help build a better community and assist the downtrodden.

“You have a lot of people in this day and age who are hurting, both spiritually and physically,” he said.

Debbie Evans, who has attended the church since it opened and served as a deaconess for six years, said she looks forward to Hyslop’s teachings.

“His doctorate is what the Bible tells us, and his life reflects what God wants us to be,” she said.

Antonio Jefferson said he met Hyslop through his work with the Kente Cultural Center and started attending the church six months ago. Asked what he enjoyed most about the church, he said, “I think the family atmosphere, the way people come up to you and say, ‘Have a good day,’ ‘Thank you for coming.’”

Sunday services at the Trinity Missionary Baptist Church begin at 11 a.m.

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