Madison, News, RSS Facebook, RSS General
 By  GreggParker Published 
12:35 pm Friday, November 16, 2012

First Baptist workers help at Metro Baptist in Hell’s Kitchen

A long-term commitment took members of First Baptist Church of Madison to Hell’s Kitchen in New York City.

First Baptist workers visited the 9/11 memorial. (Photo courtesy of Mary Jo Gessner)

Coordinating First Baptist’s fourth trip to Metro Baptist Church were Rev. Mary Jo Gessner, minister of pastoral care, and Mark Gessner, minister of music.

In seminary, the Gessners learned a literal textbook case about Metro Baptist adapting to neighborhood needs. Located near Times Square, this five-story building sees locals coming in and out at all hours.

First Baptist workers repaired Metro Baptist’s facility, allowing that congregation to continue its proven, effective work with projects, like Head Start, an after-school teen center, “Metro and The Arts” and programs for feeding, clothing and farming, Mark said. Their rooftop community garden has 26 plastic pools to teach children about gardening and sharing food.

The team tiled a back-splash, finished flooring, cleaned and painted the teen center and built cabinets for a weekday children’s ministry. “We finished each project, except doors on shelves. We were happy with our progress,” Mark said.

Madison parishioners included Ginger Maynard, Carolyn Carpino, Susie Vance, Robyn Long, Fred Carr, Lenny Vance, Vyga Culpa, Coy Gayle and the Gessners.

Building anything substantial is difficult in Manhattan. They rented a vehicle to drive to New Jersey, precut all material and unloaded at a Lincoln Tunnel exit, next to the Port Authority. “New Yorkers love to honk! There’s a level of adrenaline and teamwork that’s addictive on mission trips,” Mark said.

New Yorkers are some of the friendliest people in America, Mark said. “They realize people walking around in bright clothing with maps and a lost look are integral to making the city work.”

Formerly, Metro Baptist was a Polish Catholic Church. “Their stained glass windows have seen a century’s worth of parishioners who have brought Christ’s love to the Hell’s Kitchen community,” Mary Jo said.

Painting was one task for First Baptist members in New York City. (Photo courtesy of Mary Jo Gessner)

On their first trip, Madison volunteers painted Metro Baptist’s sanctuary — “a huge undertaking. We completed the job, got to know the city better and ended up falling in love with both,” Mary Jo said.

For more information, visit fbcmadison.net or Facebook/First Baptist Church Madison.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *