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ATLANTA – A few years ago, First Baptist Church in Henderson, N.C., heard a call to missions – not to a far off place but rather just down the road. Less than a mile outside the church walls the effects of generations of poverty were undeniable and enough to push this congregation to see what God would have them do.

"In the face of poverty, unemployment, crime, homelessness and all the other challenges that come with generational poverty, the great temptation is to say, ‘What can we possibly do?’" said the church’s pastor Paul Baxley. "This congregation discovered that we don’t have the resources to fix everything, but we do have gifts and abilities that can make some difference."

But the difference this Cooperative Baptist Fellowship partner church could make alone wasn’t nearly what it could make together with another local church. Baxley and others began forming a relationship with leaders from nearby Shiloh Baptist Church, a historically African-American congregation.

Over time the relationship between the congregations grew to include combined worship services, local block parties with backpack giveaways, Christmas caroling and food distribution in a struggling neighborhood, and even inviting another church – Greater Little Zion United Holy Church – to join the partnership.

Greater Little Zion Church is in the Flint Hill neighborhood, where crime had taken its toll and left the church with a choice – do something or leave.

"Rather than move the church, we thought we’d better the community," said Brenda Peace, the church’s pastor. "This is where we need to be."

In November, CBF of North Carolina workers helped tear down some of the older houses in Flint Hill to make way for a new vision of what this community could be.

Though sometimes quiet and invisible, involvement in this partnership effort has spread church-wide, Baxley said. Sunday school classes are forming relationships with community members in need. Church members are also helping with special community projects.

"It’s causing us to see our neighbors differently, to see ourselves differently," Baxley said. "It’s given lots of church members hands-on involvement, and that’s been beautiful to watch."

"I’ve learned that the boundaries of your church go far beyond its brick and mortar," said church member Franklin Mills. "The best way to solve community problems is through church participation … It’s not the only thing you need, but people working together in communities through the church is just incredibly powerful, and it really has worked."

Church members said the partnership has helped break down racial barriers and been a testament that the cause of Christ can unify, overcome differences and bring new life to a community.

"I feel like I have new friends now, new brother ands sisters in Christ," said church member Julia Falkner "We see each other in the grocery store, and it’s really nice to know one another and do things together. I feel closer to some of my new friends than people I’ve known my whole life."

As the partnership continues to grow, take on new life in unexpected ways and change the community, members of First Baptist Henderson recognize it’s changing them, too.

"I don’t think [our church] can ever be the same," Mills said. "Once you step in those waters you can’t ever go back."

CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.