Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 6, 1994 TAG: 9403040075
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Long
The pastor was not expecting a Sojourner in his congregation of about 100, but the people at Faith Bible Church had been well trained in making one feel welcome. Had I been in a wheelchair, I could easily have been accommodated in the building, as its ramp and restrooms were easily found near the front door.
Faith Bible Church is one of Pulaski's newer congregations. It testifies to the acceptance of groups with a conservative view of the Bible, led by a self-educated man with an easy way and a sense of humor to match his conviction.
As Linkous sees it, "God's been good to us." As a Sojourner, I came, he asserted, because "God brought you here."
Despite the town's many churches whose teachings and practices are similar to those at Faith Bible, there always appears to be a place for another tucked among the mills and small homes.
Linkous, born and reared in Mullins, W.Va., came to Pulaski nine years ago with the conviction that God wanted him to start a new congregation of "Bible believers." From the start, he said, people rallied to the man who believes in visiting in the community and encourages his people to witness for Christ even when they are in a fast food eatery. Today, about 200 are counted as members, with more than half worshiping on an average Sunday.
The group bought land at 110 LaGrange St., off First Street, space that is inadequate for parking today, Linkous laments. After a basic worship center was occupied in 1985, a steep lot allowed for a two-story addition a few years later.
Last Sunday, the worship area was comfortably filled with people of all ages. Artificial flowers adorned the table in front of the central pulpit, and the sun shone through clear glass windows.
"Money has never been a problem for us," Linkous told me after the service. "People are real generous. We got the best of everything for the building."
This includes a room of acoustical equipment that enables the voices of singers to swell beyond the block walls. Music at Faith Bible Church comes from a piano played with verve by one of the pastor's daughters, Jean Keith, and two acoustic guitars. Drums also are heard occasionally.
The style of worship is a combination of Pentecostal clapping and foot-stomping and Calvinistic preaching with a focus on sin and the need for salvation. Those in the red-padded pews last Sunday used a red "Heavenly Highways Hymns" book. Its selections, many written in the 20th century, include the shaped notation found in some Virginia mountain churches.
I don't know how shaped notes produce the twang characteristic of the southern mountains, but I much enjoyed blending my voice in the three congregational hymns, "I Feel Like Travelin' On," "I'll Be List'ning" and "Just As I Am."
Faith Bible Church's folks know how to make a joyful noise, even when the choir has only nine voices and its director is away.
A report of the Sunday school, given by one of Linkous' two assistants, began worship at 11 a.m. Both the pastor and a couple celebrating a wedding anniversary were honored in song. Following announcements, which included a congregational lunch downstairs, West Virginia gospel singers coming later in the week and a baptismal service in the pool behind the pulpit, the pastor prayed for the sick and "the unsaved."
Those who wanted continued prayer raised their hands. "I see you, honey," the pastor responded often as heart surgery, an injured back and relatives indifferent to Christ were mentioned.
Keith, despite being in a body brace from a previous injury, and her sister, Carolyn Howell, offered special music. It was enthusiastically applauded.
Linkous' sermon lasted 25 minutes and was based on the Old Testament story of Jonah, who disobeyed God's command that he go to the wicked city of Nineveh. According to the pastor, Jonah's stay in the belly of a great fish meant that the disobedient prophet had gone to hell "because Jonah had the wrong attitude about witnessing."
God, however, in his kindness, gave Jonah a second chance, and he will give this to the people of Faith Bible Church if they remain faithful in their attendance and support of its teachings, Linkous exhorted. If they don't, a place in hell awaits as surely as a Wednesday night TV watcher falls into the temptation to stay home from worship, the pastor said, his voice rising.
"All God wants you to do is surrender to him for a second chance. . . . Now, please, listen to me. Are you ready to go today?"
A young boy responded to the pastor's pleading to "make a decision" at the end of the service. Prompted by one of the assistant ministers, James Linkous, he told the senior pastor that he had good news. Immersion baptism is the church's usual response to such decisions, Chester Linkous said.
Nearing retirement age, the founding pastor is training James Linkous, a distant relative, and Brad Lewis. As he did, they are taking courses from a Bible college and being tested on what he preaches. James Linkous is scheduled to be ordained later this month.
The senior pastor, who said he has served churches for 35 years and got all his education from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, believes the younger men will be well fitted to carry on a fruitful ministry.
Sojourner appears monthly in the New River Current. Its purpose is not to promote a particular point of view but to inform readers of a variety of worship styles.
by CNB