A True Hero of the SBC

Meet David Peterman (on right in pic).  David is a true hero of the Southern Baptist Convention.  I met David today, and was blessed to hear his story and visit his church.  David pastors Higher Ground Church on the south side of Chicago.  Not too long ago, he was part of the corporate world.  Then David felt the call of God into pastoral ministry.  He left his corporate career behind, and began shepherding a declining congregation with a dilapidated building in a rough neighborhood.  He and his wife moved into a little parsonage next to the church.  That was almost one year ago.

Since then, Higher Ground has grown to 60-70 regular attendees in their primary worship service.  They have baptized several, including the man you see in the picture with Pastor David, who now serves as the church caretaker.  They have started a food pantry for the community.  And they are steadily making improvements to their facility.  In addition to their primary worship service, Higher Ground has a Hispanic service (Pastor David preaches with a translator) and a worship service geared toward children.  (Their parents must attend as well.)

As one of my colleagues aptly remarked, "This is the guy who should be on the platform at our conventions."  Amen and amen.