Baptist Union City recently hosted its second annual “Raising of the Cross” Easter service for patients and their families, Baptist team members and the local community.
Around 100 people gathered in the hospital courtyard for the service, which featured three keynote guests: the Rev. Rod McLendon, senior pastor at Emanuel Church of God in Christ in Tiptonville, Tennessee; the Rev. Curtis McLendon, volunteer chaplain with Baptist Memorial Health Care for 35 years; and Roberto Mancusi, DMA, professor of music at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
The Rev. Rod McLendon and the Rev. Curtis McLendon delivered their messages and Dr. Mancusi sang among three 15-foot crosses set up for the outdoor service.
The Rev. Curtis McLendon shared, “My youngest son, Rod, has served in the local church since his youth. He leads well as a pastor, and I’m so thankful to see God using him and this hospital in a mighty way. It’s an honor to partner in ministry with Baptist Union City.”
Chaplain Michael Dennison, director of pastoral care at Baptist Union City, expressed gratitude to the CBRE facilities team for assisting in the design and set up of the crosses.
Baptist Union City Administrator/CEO Skipper Bondurant said, “We will continue to uphold the mission of the three-fold ministry of Christ that is healing, preaching and teaching in events like our Easter service. This mission is over 110 years old, and it is the fabric of all we do in our hospital and community.”
