Editor’s Note

In the previous post, I shared about the value of churches partnering together and reflected on the growing partnership between Bennettsville Second Baptist Church and Thomas Memorial Baptist Church. I invited Pastor Josh Hilton—a ministry partner and friend—to share his perspective on what this partnership has meant from his side. In this post, Josh points us toward the biblical call to unity and shows how that unity takes shape through shared service for the sake of the gospel.

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True Unity Among the Body

By Pastor Josh Hilton

Oftentimes in modern society, we have come to believe that unity exists only among the people who worship in the same building. In doing so, we can unintentionally isolate ourselves from believers who gather in a different place. The problem with this way of thinking is that it is not modeled anywhere in the New Testament.

Scripture does call us to separate from those who preach a different gospel than the one handed down by the apostles. However, we are never instructed to isolate ourselves from other believers simply because they belong to a different local congregation.

After Christ completed His work on the cross, He spoke profoundly about unity among His followers—before we ever see the church established in Acts. Reading John 17 in its entirety is helpful, but verses 11 and 21 are especially instructive. In John 17:11, Jesus prays that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one. He then explains the purpose of that unity in verse 21: “so that the world may believe that you sent me” (CSB).

Unity among believers is not optional. It is essential for the credibility of the gospel.

With that understanding, it becomes clear that Christ did not call us to advance His mission through competition, but through cooperation. This conviction is why Jacob and I believe it is important for our churches to partner together in serving our community and reaching the world with the gospel.

In reality, we are one body. We may worship in different places and be shepherded by different pastors, but we share one mission—to make Christ known. That mission is too important to compete over.

What Partnership Looks Like in Practice

Rather than competing, Jacob and I have chosen to model the unity Jesus prayed for by partnering together in ministry. We truly believe we are better together than we are apart, and because we are like-minded in doctrine and mission, it makes sense to labor side by side.

Practically, this partnership means exposing the body of believers to the various ministries both churches are involved in and inviting people to serve wherever God has gifted and called them.

Together, our outreach efforts include:

• Clothes Closet
  
• Laundromat Love
  
• Upper Room
  
• Fall Festival
  
• Community Kitchen
  
• Jail Ministry
  
• Police Department Prayer
  
• Teacher Outreach
  
• Good News Club
  
• Wednesday Morning Men’s Ministry
  
• Senior Ministry at the Nursing Home
  
• Heart for Schools
  
• “Grab and Go” meal bags for the needy
  

These ministries exist because God has gifted individuals differently across our congregations. Rather than duplicating efforts or guarding ministries, we want people to serve where their passions and strengths align. We would love for you to explore one—or several—of these opportunities and join us in serving. If you’re unsure where to plug in, Jacob or I would be glad to help guide you.

Serving Others Is Serving the Lord

The ultimate purpose of these outreaches is not activity—it is obedience. We want people to serve the Lord by serving others.

In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus gives us a sobering picture of the final judgment, where He separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep are welcomed into their inheritance because they fed Him, gave Him drink, welcomed Him, clothed Him, cared for Him, and visited Him in prison. They are confused, because they don’t remember doing these things directly for Jesus.

Jesus responds by telling them, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (CSB).

The goats, however, are condemned—not because they committed obvious acts of cruelty, but because they failed to serve. They did not care for the least of these, and in doing so, they failed to serve the Lord. Their failure reflects a heart that did not consider others above themselves (Philippians 2:3).

Jacob and I want to give you meaningful opportunities to serve the Lord by serving others. But even more than your involvement, the Lord is concerned with your heart.

Notice that the sheep did not serve for recognition or reward. They simply loved others. Their hearts were bent toward compassion and faithfulness, and in doing so they fulfilled the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34–40). They weren’t serving to earn blessing—they were serving to glorify their Father in heaven.

Ironically, those who serve often discover that they receive the greater blessing. Time and time again, I have experienced that when I serve others, God uses it to shape and bless me in unexpected ways.

The Cost—and the Joy—of Unity

Serving with the right heart does come at a cost. It may require sacrificing time, comfort, hobbies, or finances. It means embracing the call of Luke 9:23—to deny yourself and take up your cross daily.

This is the messy part of ministry we often avoid. But I can promise you this: when you step into what God has called you to do, the joy and blessing that follow will far outweigh the sacrifice.

When we come together, Jacob and I do not see two separate bodies of believers. We see the church—the body of Christ as God intended it to be. We see followers of Jesus willing to unite their hearts and efforts for the sake of the gospel and the good of our community.The question before us is simple:
Will you unite your mind and heart with the people of God so that together, we can serve better—and reach more—for Jesus Christ?