A Plea For Unity

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Often in our national history it takes great tragedy in order to pull us together. Revolutionary crisis, World Wars, assassinations of presidents and U.S. leaders. 

In my lifetime, I’ve never experienced the unity of post 9/11 America. Congressional and governmental officials were kind to each other, partisan politics were secondary matters, and for the first time in a long time, compassion and understanding ruled the day. It didn’t last long, but what an incredible sight it was to see. 

I talked with some British visitors in Boston on our junior / senior high school trip shortly after the attacks. They mentioned how much they loved America and were praying for her people. I told them how much I appreciated Tony Blair sitting in the House gallery to hear George W. Bush’s speech. Two countries as former enemies now acting as friends.

I’m torn by what I see today. Not just partisan politics, but the way we treat those with whom we disagree, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike. I’m praying for a day when there will be the spirit of unity in the bond of peace. Not that we’ll always agree, not that there won’t at times be necessary and principled divides, but that we’ll simply assume the best of one another. 

I pray for a day when this world will know what it truly means to be an American: that all are created equal. That human dignity has inherent value and worth. 

God help us. God bless us. God be with us.

Barry E. Fields

All Things New is the preaching and teaching ministry of Barry E. Fields, pastor of Hawesville Baptist Church, a regional congregation on the Ohio River with two campuses in Kentucky (Hawesville) & Indiana (Crossroads Tell City) and membership in five counties.

Originally from Bowling Green, he grew up at Glendale Baptist Church under the ministry of Pastor Richard Oldham, competed for Western Kentucky University's nationally recognized speech and debate team before receiving a B.A. in History in 2007, completed an M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville in 2010, a Th.M. in 2012, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Homiletics and Church History at Southern, serving as Garrett Fellow to Dr. Hershael York from July 2012-December 2014. He has also taught theology and church history as an adjunct instructor for Campbellsville University. Before coming to his present ministry, he was pastor of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Buffalo, Kentucky, for almost 5 years.

Active in denominational life, Barry currently serves on the Southern Baptist Convention's Young Leaders Advisory Council, a small group of pastors and ministry leaders seeking to engage the next generation in cooperative missions and ministry; recently completed a term on the SBC's Committee on Committees; currently represents the Blackford Breckinridge Baptist Association on the Kentucky Baptist Convention's Executive Mission Board; and has served on the KBC's Committee on Nominations, as well as several associational roles.

In his free time, he enjoys reading history and politics, listening to WKYU's Barren River Breakdown (Bluegrass and folk music) along with a variety of podcasts, as well as watching historical and political documentaries and the Andy Griffith show. Barry has a desire to help people fulfill the Great Commission through the Great Commandments: by showing the love of Christ, we can better share the love of Christ, and make disciples of all nations. And just so you know, he bleeds BLUE (UK Basketball)!