BURLINGTON — The first African American church in Elon is opening a second church that will have its first service this Sunday.
Elon First Baptist Church, which was started in 1922 by a former slave, the Rev. John McMullen, will use the former Beverly Hills United Church of Christ building on North Church Street in east Burlington, said the Rev. James H. Wilkes Jr., who has been with Elon First Baptist for more than seven years.
“I prayed and asked God to give me a challenge. I didn’t know it would be this. I’m happy to be bringing our ministry to east Burlington,” Wilkes said. “We couldn’t just stay in Elon. God placed it on my heart to come here (to Burlington) for the people that are often overlooked and feel that God’s turned His back on them.”
Wilkes said that Elon First Baptist has long been involved in east Burlington, distributing hundreds of bookbags with school supplies, holding a resource fair, providing medical services, having a monthly food pantry and giving away household items and produce. For Thanksgiving, the church gave away more than 150 turkeys.
“For us, it’s not just about Sunday morning. It’s about doing the work the rest of the week. We can’t forget about those who don’t have. We’re here to connect people with resources, get jobs, find food, let seniors know that people care about them. Our job is to feed, cloth and be there for the community, he said.
For Wilkes, service and the church have always been driving forces in his life.
“My parents were married for 23 years, and my mother was told she was barren. At the age of 45, they had me. She passed away two years later. I was an only child and raised by my father, with the help of our church (in Gastonia),” he said. “Even as a kid, I preached at homeless shelters and worked to feed them. In school, if a kid didn’t have lunch, I would always share mine. I’d even go and visit people in nursing homes, letting them know that they and their stories were important to people.”
After Wilkes graduated from college, his father told him not to come back to Gastonia because there was more for him to do.
“After getting my doctor of ministry from Boston University, I came to Elon and EFBC. It’s home now,” Wilkes said.
Wilkes said he wants EFBC want to be a presence and a voice for the community.
“If there’s something going on, no matter what, I want to speak up for the community and let them know they’re not alone. That is the job of a shepherd,” he said. “The four pillars our church is built on are faith, family, fellowship and freedom, and our motto is to make a difference through good works and good news.”
Starting this Sunday, services will be held at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the Elon church at 113 Lynn St. and at 9:15 a.m. at the Burlington church at 715 N. Church St. For more information go online to www.elonfbc.org.
