To the late twentieth century, when Christians vigorously debate the question of racial reconciliation and how to achieve it, Lemuel Haynes represents a significant symbolic "first"—the first black pastor of a white congregation! The illegitimate son of a black father and a white mother, Haynes grew up as an indentured servant to the Rose family in Massachusetts. The Roses included young Lemuel in their church attendance and family devotions. The Roses also gave him an education and treated him, Haynes said later, like one of their own children. At the end of his period of indenture, he served in the Continental Army during the Revolution, and then, with the support and encouragement of the Roses and others, he was ordained to the ministry. Haynes spent the largest part of his pastoral career at Rutland, Vermont (1788-1818), where he led the town's Congregational church through the Second Great Awakening.
“God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35)
It is amazing what God can do in and through people who see each other as equals. When we can look one another in the eye and see the face of God, not the face of a European father, an African mother, a Latino teen, or an Asian grandfather. God accepts anyone who comes to Him with open arms. Despite obvious challenges, God still does the miraculous. Keep seeking Him!
Wouldn't it be something if we saw the hearts of others rather than faces?
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