By Alison Jibilian

ajibilian@mdjonline.com

At Kennesaw firefighter Lonnie Nutt’s funeral, few people realized that Roswell Street Baptist Church offered its sanctuary to host the large funeral without charging a fee.

At the church on Tuesday, firefighters honored 49-year-old Nutt, who died of an apparent heart attack while responding to a wreck on March 7.

It’s not the first time the church has offered its services and space out of kindness.

They have played host to many large funerals as well as other community events, all for no fee. They also play host to some annual events such as those for veterans.

“There’s a lot of things Roswell Street Baptist does for the community,” said Senior Pastor Dr. Ernest Easley.

Roswell Street Baptist has been hosting community events for over 30 years. “The leadership has always felt it is important to host events that serve the community,” said John Crooks, minister of administration.

Reaching out to the community has always been important to church leaders as well as the congregation of the church. “Hosting community events at Roswell Street Baptist Church expresses our deep desire to be a ‘good neighbor’ to the citizens of Marietta and Cobb County,” Crooks said. “We count it an honor to be the location of choice when community leaders need a place to assemble and/or to worship.”

The church’s commitment to the community is at the root of its generosity.

“We love our community,” Easley said.

Easley said the church has thrived in the heart of Cobb County and will continue to serve the community.

“We’ve shown, by our works, our faith,” said Easley. “We know we’ve made an impact.”