Woodlawn: A Personal Call to Carry God's Message - Baptist (Exodus 3)

In the film Woodlawn, we meet Chaplain Hank Erwin, a man who stands at the crossroads of despair and hope, burdened with the task of uniting a fractured football team in the midst of racial tensions in 1970s Alabama. Picture the dusty football field under a blazing sun, the air thick with tension as players glare at one another, divided by prejudice and fear. Hank, feeling utterly inadequate—much like Moses before the burning bush—prays, “Who am I to change their hearts?”

Yet, just as God ignited a flame in Moses, calling him to confront Pharaoh, He ignites a fire within Hank. It's a divine calling that transcends his self-doubt. The moment is palpable; Hank steps onto that field, heart racing, and whispers a prayer. Suddenly, he is not just a chaplain but a messenger of hope, a bridge-builder among those who feel lost.

Each of us, in our own lives, faces our “burning bush” moments—those unexpected encounters where we feel God nudging us toward action, urging us to share the gospel in ways that reflect His agape love. Whether it's a kind word to a neighbor, a listening ear to a friend, or a courageous stand for justice, we are all called to be God’s spokespersons. Just as Moses found purpose in an ordinary shepherd's life, we too are challenged to respond to God’s personal commission, “I am sending you.”

Baptist churches thrive when each believer embraces their unique calling, moving beyond the walls of the sanctuary to carry God’s message to their own “Pharaohs”—the challenges and divisions we encounter in our communities. With every step we take in faith, we become a living testimony of love, unity, and hope. Is God calling you today?