Noonday Bible Study serves the Word, and lunch

The Noonday Bible Study was started as a way to get people active in praising God while also gaining some fellowship around the dinner table.

The Bible study, which was the result of an idea from Robbie Latimore, began last September and has grown from a small group to approximately 80 people since. 

“We like to say you are getting fed two ways,” Latimore said. “We’ll feed your soul and your body. Plus, there is the fellowship part of it. 

The Noonday Bible Study, sponsored by the First Rehoboth Baptist Association, is held at noon every Tuesday at 811 1st Rehoboth Baptist Road in Montrose. 

“Anybody can come,” Latimore said. “We’ve had people from 33 different churches. I get everybody’s information when they come. We’ll take any denomination and race. We want anybody who wants to come to come.” 

Latimore grew up in Laurens County before moving to Americus. She returned in February 2020 and believed something else was needed in the community, especially for the senior citizens.

“They go to church on Sundays, but there needed to be something for them to do,” Latimore said. “A lot of them don’t like getting out at night, and I know they don’t want to get out in the evening when it’s time for Bible study.”

Latimore woke up one night feeling like God was telling her to start a noonday Bible study through the First Rehoboth Baptist Association. She talked with her husband and sister about it.

“We had a committee and were told to talk about it,” Latimore said. “I wrote up a proposal on what we would do and how it would operate. It was accepted and decided to give it a try. We sent letters to people we knew in the community who were not doing anything during the day and invited them and asked them to invite somebody else.” 

The meal was also part of the Bible study. Certain churches were responsible for the meals until the offering was big enough to use it for the meals.

“Many go to different churches, so they come here and they get to see people they don’t normally see, and they really enjoy that, too,” Latimore said. 

Earnestine Holder is the devotional leader for the Bible study every Tuesday.

“I love doing that,” Holder said. “We had 29 the first week (in September) and it has been increasing ever since. I love Bible study and I love church. This was more than I originally could imagine.”

Holder loves the idea of the Bible study.

“When (Latimore) came up with the idea we talked about it and thought that we needed to do that,” Holder said. “Amazingly, people came and her idea had more to do with the elderly who don’t normally get out and night, and for those who would least likely have a prepared hot meal during the day. They are coming and getting the meal and getting the Word.” 

The different Bible teachers are: Rev. Ellis Carswell, pastor of Central Baptist Church; Rev. David Flowers, pastor of Buckeye Baptist Church; Rev. Eddie Hixon, pastor of Williams Chapel Baptist Church; Rev. Willie Edmond, pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; Rev. Winfred McCloud, pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church; Rev. Carl Wardlaw, pastor of Green Grove Baptist Church; and Rev. Eric Carswell, pastor of First Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. 

Ellis Carswell serves as the moderator, while Flowers is the vice moderator and Eric Carswell is the president of Congress of Christian Education for First Baptist Rehoboth Association. 

Holder began last week’s study by welcoming everybody.

“If this is your first time, keep coming back,” she said. “Truly, the Lord is doing something.” 

Flowers was the teacher on April 30 when he preached from Genesis and talked about Rachel and her frustrations.

“Frustration leads to desperation,” Flowers said. “All you need to do is talk to God. … Follow God’s plan and let Him work it out.”

Flowers said it is sad for family to be competing with one another.

“We as Christians are not in competition,” he said. “We are on the same team. We are on a crusade for Christ. I believe God will send who you need.” 

Flowers, who has been a pastor for 40 years, has been in church all his life.

“I love the Lord,” he told the audience. “People have told my wife I need to slow down. She tells them that I’m doing what I love to do.”

For more information about the Noonday Bible Study, people can call Latimore at (229) 886-9272.

“We have a different pastor who is teaching every week,” Latimore said. “We believe there are others who would love to take advantage of a noonday Bible study.”