REACHING GREATER DIMENSIONS

Many who attend the church highlight passages in the bible during services for later reflection.

Trevor Alfread and LaKeisha McBride, members of the youth choir at Greater Dimension, sang songs of praise.

The Rev. William Bird laid hands on a member of the congregation near the end of Sunday's service. Bird has been pastor for 18 years.

The Rev. William Bird doesn't want to just minister to people's needs. He wants to create a desire in them to continue ministry.

Bird is pastor of Greater Dimension Church in Cape Girardeau. His task is not just ministering to the people at his church or in the community but to instill in them the desire and ability to continue that ministry in their lives.

Bird entered the ministry about 30 years ago working with youths in Cairo, Ill. When he left that position and came to Cape Girardeau, he continued working with youths. Even today he keeps up his youth work by serving on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education.

Times changed from the days of Bird's early ministry. The church traditions Bird grew up with don't work with today's youths, he said. Bird knew that to be successful with the congregation's targeted population of at-risk children, things were going to have to change.

"Some churches refuse to change, and that drives people away instead of drawing them in," Bird said. "There are absolutes in religion, and the word of God is one of them."

But Greater Dimension realizes that fashion styles, music and methods of reaching young people aren't included in those absolutes.

That's why the church holds a separate service for children. It works better as a ministry to the young people in the congregation.

"We still teach the word of God but on a level that better suits them," said Bird. "Our numbers just keep growing."

Because the church keeps growing, a new building is already under construction. The church hopes its new facility will help accommodate its growth. Bird hopes that the structure will be finished by Easter Sunday.

As well as its weekly worship services, Greater Dimension has several after-school programs available. They include the Sunshine Band for ages 3 to 12, Juniors for Jesus for teens 13 to 16 and the Puritans for adolescents.

Each program is structured to offer teachings in Bible scripture, songs, Bible trivia, and even crafts. These programs also focus on moral values, problem-solving skills, conflict resolution, and gang and drug awareness.

The church also sponsors an inner-city youth camp during the summer. Last year the camp lasted for an entire month. Its purpose is to give youths a place to spend some time while also learning about the word of God, Bird said.

But the church doesn't just offer fun and games for its members. There are some absolutes like reading God's word, accepting him into your life, and reaching out to others. And a visit to a Sunday worship service shows just how important Bible reading is. Almost everyone who enters carries a Bible and makes reference to it throughout the worship service. The entire congregation rejoices in joining the choir in resounding hymns.

Bird isn't too concerned with measuring his success. But a look at his own children shows his ministry has had an impact on their lives.

All five of Bird's children are in some way involved in the ministry. His wife is also active in the work of the church.

When Bird and his wife began raising their family, they wanted their church life to take an important role.

So when the children "decided to play sports, we agreed as long as certain criteria was met," Bird said. That criteria included keeping up their grades and staying active in the church.