| Ruby Bowman, 78 and a lifelong member of Reed Memorial Baptist Church in Asheville, has represented her church as a ‘messenger,’ or delegate, to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina 35 times over the past 55 years. She continued her tradition, attending this year’s convention at the Greensboro Coliseum on Nov. 14. ‘It’s refreshing, rewarding, uplifting, and draws me closer to the Lord,’ said Bowman. ‘The preaching was particularly good this year, but this convention was about much more than that,’ she said, referring to an amendment, which passed with Bowman’s support, saying churches that approve of homosexuality cannot be part of the convention. ‘The Bible teaches us that homosexuality is a sin,’ said Bowman. ‘It’s not the only sin, but it’s a sin, and it needs to stay out of our churches.’ Not all delegates agreed, but Bowman, among a two-thirds majority, affirmed the convention’s new stance. ‘As a Christian, if I want to serve the Lord, I have to stand by his word, said Bowman. |
