November 11, 2002
Waco brothers serve Father
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___WACO--Jack and Sherman Robinson are not just brothers in Christ, but in life, work and passion as well.
___Jack was the first person to tell older brother Sherman that he should be a minister one evening while they were in a club. Sherman recalled laughing and looking at him "like he was crazy."
___"I'm the one who told him he should preach," Jack said. "The music might as well have stopped in there."
___Sherman eventually would follow a call to ministry and began shepherding churches in central Texas before starting Rising Star Baptist Church.
___Years later, the tables were turned as Jack felt called to the pastorate. He recently served under his brother at Rising St
ar Baptist Church, where he gained preaching experience before organizing Upper Room Baptist Church.
___While Sherman was surprised to see his brother leave after they served together for about a year, he has tried to help whenever possible.
___"I offered to give him some supplies," Sherman said. "I made sure whatever he needed and if I had it, he had it. That's what we're all supposed to do--help each other."
___While Sherman may want to help Jack, he is mindful of letting Jack develop his own leadership style. Sherman, a 20-year veteran of ministry, said Jack will go through trials and tribulations as he did when he first began, but if Jack follows God, he predicts the congregation will grow in the Spirit.
___And although they know they can count on each other, the brothers rarely discuss work-related issues. Each pastor must find a way to lead the church, they said.
___"It's up to that pastor to take care of his flock," Sherman said. "Every flock is different. What works with his flock might not work with mine."
___The churches may develop independently, but the congregations will minister closely as Jack's congregation moves into a recently-purchased building several miles from Rising Star Baptist Church.
___More than seeing two churches close together, Jack sees another reality: "We work in the same area as the devil."
___The pastors look forward to transforming a community plagued with prostitution, drug and alcohol problems. They hope to cooperate in future ministry projects to bring the area to Christ.
___"There is so much to do for the Lord," Jack said. "We don't have to compete.
___"It's just one big family serving the same Father."
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