I love any excuse to celebrate! February 10th is one of the days that I celebrate. On a personal note, it marks my Aunt Rebekah’s 91st heavenly birthday. Mama had four sisters, and Aunt Rebekah was the baby. She lived next to us and was the most “outgoing” of my four aunts. 

I remember Aunt Rebekah telling us that Santa Claus bought her a car one Christmas, but we didn’t believe her. So, she took us to see her 1979 gold manual transmission Toyota Corolla wrapped in a large red bow! To this day, I don’t know what surprised me most: the car wrapped like a present with a red ribbon or the fact that Aunt Rebekah could drive a stick shift! When Mama died, Aunt Rebekah stepped into her role, and because she resembled Mama in both appearance and voice, she acted not just as an aunt but also as my makeshift mother until her passing. 

Aunt Rebekah was a preacher’s wife. Her husband, my uncle “Shorty” (though I’m not sure why he was called Shorty, as he stood 6’4”), would often talk to me about his love for the church. He would tell me how God is always with us, and that church is meant to offer hope for the future during life's messy moments. I never forgot that message. 

When I became your pastor nearly four years ago, my first message was similar: “God is Relentlessly Present.” I shared how God is faithful and has blessed our obedience. This February, I’ve been sharing a message series entitled “Why I Love My Church.” Thank you to those who have expressed why you love our church during the 11 a.m. service this past Sunday. I resonate with many of your comments about why you cherish our church. However, if I had to share the ultimate reason I love our church, it would be your faithful resilience. 

Your faithful resiliency has been evident over the years, whether you trusted God by becoming an independent church in 2023 or meeting 100% of the 2024 budget. God has blessed our obedience and faithfulness, which date back forty years to the Sanctuary’s opening and beyond. 

Not only is February 10th a special day to me because it is Aunt Rebekah’s birthday, but it is also a special birthday for the church: the opening of the Sanctuary. This Sunday, February 16th, we will show our love for our church by celebrating the Sanctuary’s 40th anniversary at 11 a.m. with guest preacher Dr. Phil DeMore, who served as the pastor during the Sanctuary's construction. 

As I write this reflection, focusing on the personal importance of February 10th to me and the church, I’m winding down from another celebratory “birth” moment for the church. During the February 10th city council meeting, the mayor and council approved our land sale proposal! And yes, after the vote, I was happy celebrating and praising God with over 40 congregation members in the parking lot! 

February 10th is a day to celebrate, beginning with Aunt Rebekah’s 91st heavenly birthday and recognizing our Sanctuary’s 40th birthday! Now, February 10th marks the transformative city council approval to sell a portion of our property to build 140 townhomes and a commercial building to house a Day Center for special needs adults over 21, a bakery (Special Kneads and Treats), and a future restaurant. It’s another birthday to celebrate! 

Dionne and I celebrate that we’re now proud residents of Snellville and even prouder to serve the congregation of Snellville Community Church! I hope you will join us on Sunday, February 16th, at 11 a.m. as we celebrate our love for our church and the Sanctuary’s 40th birthday! 

At the Intersection,
Dr. Quincy D. Brown
Senior Pastor