recently due to the similarity of its name with Providence Road Baptist
Church of Maiden, N.C. A video about the Maiden church's pastor
making statements derogatory of gays and lesbians has gone viral after
being posted on YouTube, headlined by CNN, and reported through many
news media nationwide.
As a result, Dr. Al Cadenhead, Senior Pastor of Providence Baptist
Church of Charlotte, and other members of the church staff have
received angry emails, phone calls and other messages from people
confusing the two churches. Today (May 22), Cadenhead made the
following statement for the media and the public:
"In recent hours we have been incorrectly identified as the church in
another town where hatred and violence have been advocated from the
pulpit. First of all, we are genuinely Baptist in that we recognize
the right of every church to reach out or not to reach out as that
church deems itself to be led. Providence Baptist Church of Charlotte
believes in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our model for
living and His presence is our source of strength for life. Jesus
preached a Gospel of love. So do we. Jesus preached that we love our
neighbor, whether that neighbor is like us or not.
"The Bible is our guide for daily life and makes it clear that all
people, all of us, have sinned and fallen short of God's expectation.
And the reason we can claim our place as children of God is a result
of grace, mercy and love extended to all people. That love is best
demonstrated in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. As
Providence Baptist Church we believe that we are to offer that same
grace, mercy and love to all people."
Providence Baptist Church at 4921 Randolph Rd. in Charlotte is a
"moderate" Cooperative Baptist Fellowship congregation of
approximately 2,000 active members, founded in 1954. For more
information about the church, visit www.providencebc.org or call the
church office at 704-366-2784.
