There’s something special about a church that has a praise and worship experience that’s soul-stirring; where people greet you with a warm and friendly welcome; where smiles, laughter and love saturate the atmosphere. There’s something powerful about a praying church where the preaching and Bible studies are solidly rooted in Biblical doctrine.

Taylor Memorial Baptist Church is such a church, and the Rev. G. Lamar Stewart, the senior pastor, leads it.

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Taylor Memorial is a small church with a gigantic heart for praising and worshiping God, and it has a strong teaching ministry, as reflected in its theme: “A Church Powering Disciples to Make Disciples!” With a perfect balance of youth and senior saints, Taylor Memorial’s blended praise and worship experience incorporates a unique mix of traditional hymns and contemporary gospel music that doesn’t disappoint.

Stewart, 26, a U.S. Army veteran, will celebrate his one-year anniversary as the senior pastor at Taylor Memorial this Sunday. Prior to being called to that pulpit, he was a member (since 1999) of the famed Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of the renowned Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller.

When you hear Stewart preach, you quickly realize that he’s been thoroughly prepared to preach and teach the Word of God by one of the best preachers in America.

“The Lord has called me in a very unique way to this branch of Zion. I have a very intense passion around teaching. I believe every preacher ought to be a teacher. Every teacher may not be a preacher, but every preacher ought to be a teacher,” said Stewart. His ministry ethos is to offer strong Biblical teaching to develop and produce authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.

To celebrate the pastor’s anniversary, Taylor Memorial is hosting a fall church revival. The lineup of guest preachers for Sunday’s 11 a.m. service includes the Rev. Willett Burgie Bryant, the chaplain/director of student formation and seminary of Palmer Seminary;for the 3 p.m. service, the Rev. Dr. Waller; for Monday and Tuesday 7 p.m. services the Rev. A.L. Perkins, senior pastor of Tabernacle of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, San Francisco;.;  and Wednesday at 7 p.m. the Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, senior pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church.

Albertha Baily, 46, joined Taylor Memorial in February and now serves on the Deaconess ministry. She’s all about serving God’s people, “My role is basically service to the people in any way that I can, whether it be (serving) the people in the church or the people in the community.”

She said that after attending one service, she was hooked, “Once I got here I started feeling the Spirit of the Lord. I couldn’t sleep (at night), I couldn’t go anywhere else. There was nowhere else for me. Taylor is about helping the people.”

Connie Clanton, 49, a trustee, has been a member of Taylor Memorial for three years. “(I) oversee the finances of the church. We don’t believe in doing fundraisers. The challenge is having the people adhere to what God’s Word is, as far as paying their tithes and understanding what that means,” he said.

Clanton said the youth and wisdom of Stewart has the ability to reach a broad range of people, “He’s a person that follows the direction of the Holy Spirit. He has the spirit of an old person; he can reach all people, as far as our seniors and young people. What’s wonderful is that we’re having a new understanding about what God would have us to do. We’re learning a new thing about what missions need to be.”

Clanton said Taylor Memorial’s local missions work has included cleanup of a local Boys and Girls Club in Nicetown, visiting the sick and shut-in, and on the second Friday and third Saturday of the month, church members conduct street evangelism.

The oldest member of the church is Georgia Gonsalves, 86, and she proudly shared that, “We have a wonderful young pastor of this church and he brings the Word of God every week. I will tell anyone to come to hear him.”

With 50 years of membership at Taylor Memorial, Gonsalves is very impressed with how Stewart is drawing young and older members to the church. Gonsalves reflected on how she was originally drawn to the church via the ministry of the Rev. Walter C. Wynn.

“(Wynn) was the one that really built the church; he was here for 23 years,” she said. “He was a wonderful man.”

Wynn, as director of the Philadelphia Fellowship Commission and director of its Council for Equal Job Opportunity, battled racial discrimination in Philadelphia. Of note, he challenged the Philadelphia Gas Works to end corporate discriminatory practices of unions and companies that received contracts. He died in 1992, at age 89.

Robin McDaniel, 53, has been a member for three years and serves as the administrator for Taylor Memorial. He named some of the Church ministries. “We have our Women’s Ministry, we have our Men’s Ministry, we have our new and exciting Sanctuary Choir that is for all ages, and we do have a Dance Ministry…and our (Wednesday night) Bible Study is off the chain.”

Desiree Regina “Dezzie” Neal, 33, a radio personality at Praise Philly/WPPZ, 103.9FM, joined Taylor Memorial earlier this year. She is the minister of music there.

She said, “I instruct the choir, I do vocal assessment and guidance, lead Praise and Worship, and (oversee) all other music ministry duties." Neal added, "We are a grassroots church, we don’t mind getting dirty for the Kingdom, we go out! Our pastor believes in evangelism, he believes in hitting the ground running. (Pastor Stewart preaches a) relevant Word, a timely Word, and it is, I’ll say, (an) edible (Word)."

Most impressive was the testimony of Lamar Alexander, 29, who’s lived a hard life in the streets. Alexander is the leader of the young adult ministry at Taylor Memorial. He is a transformed man with a sincere and loving heart to serve Jesus Christ.

“I represent the young adults 30 and under,” he said. “I’m happy to be here.”

Alexander has numerous tattoos and he sports dreadlocks; he commented on his unconventional appearance.

“Like Grandmom used to say, ‘It ain’t how we look on the outside, it’s always about what’s going on on the inside,’” he explained.

Alexander has been a member of Taylor Memorial for seven months; he’s been saved for four months. He is the father of two lovely girls and works at Cooper Hospital in Camden. He aspires to get married one day.

Alexander was attracted to Taylor Memorial by his aunt and the youthfulness of Stewart.

“I was in the streets doing a lot of nonsense, ya know what I mean. My grandfather and my father are both in jail right now. My grandfather is doing life. My father has been in jail out of my life. I can’t get to Heaven with nobody but myself. So, I got to do what I got to do to turn my life around for my two daughters. There’s nothing like church…believing in God. The streets ain’t the same, man, ain’t nothing like believing in God, when God got your back, you’re good to go. Ain’t nothing like having God behind you.”

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Taylor Memorial Baptist Church

3819-21 Germantown Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19140

11 a.m. Service

(215) 221-6100

Pastor: The Rev. G. Lamar Stewart

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Change — a one-word slogan that propelled a little known U.S. Senator from Chicago to the presidency of the United States. Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church is no stranger to change. From its humble start in 1961 as The Crawford Tabernacle Baptist Church, Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church has experienced 50 years of growth and renaissance.

In 1961, with only 30 members, the late Rev. Thorny C. Crawford organized The Crawford Tabernacle Baptist Church. In 1967, the Rev. Leo Graham legally chartered The Crawford Tabernacle Baptist Church as the Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church. 

In its 50 years of existence, Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church has had seven pastoral leaders: Crawford, the Rev. Alex Blake, the Rev. Robert Waters, the Rev. Leo Graham, the Rev. Theophilus Wright, and the current pastor, the Rev. Martin T. Wright. Theophilus Wright, who had the longest tenure of 39 years, retired two years ago, passing the senior pastoral role on to his son Martin.

On his role in succeeding his father, Martin said, “Excellent. (It’s) a blessing, (an) opportunity to learn ministry, and to share what I’ve been given with other people in the community of God, the kingdom of God. It’s been an exciting time. The Lord has, by his spirit, provided the impetus to vision things and to implement things.

“We have made great advances in expanding our ministry.”

Those innovative advances have included raising funds to make improvements to the church edifice, creation of a newsletter, weekly movie nights at the church, Saturday night worship services for the seniors and a Web presence on the Internet.

Church first lady Cynthia Wright, 52, is a hands-on leader who loves serving with her husband, Martin. “Being there, to help people along the way,” she explained, “is a real joy.”

Alice Williams, 75, one of the most senior members of Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church, said of Martin’s pastoral leadership, “He’s a loving man, he’s a good preaching man.  He’s not no sexy-man that’s running after other people. He’s a man that loves God.”

Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church has an array of ministries to appeal to youths and adults, including: Sunday school, men’s and women’s fellowships, dance, basketball and drama.

Minister Joshua Wilsher, 21, president of the Drama Ministry, described his leadership role, “Well, I write, direct and act in most of the skits that we do.” 

Wilsher’s vision for his ministry is to spotlight real-life issues that most churches shy away from, for example, “Something like, um, a crackhead mother that’s being abused by her husband, and the children are there watching the whole thing, and how that affects a child as they grow up, in school, and how that relates to bullying.” 

Wilsher is certainly cutting-edge. His next dramatic production will deal with an abused mother who puts her man above raising her kids. Visitors can catch his dramatic ministry productions the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.

The Youth Ministry seems to be the most vibrant of all the ministries, says Mary Woodard, youth supervisor and superintendent of Sunday school, “We have a very exciting, vibrant group of young people here, ranging in ages from babies to college graduates. Some have gone on to college, striving for their doctorate degrees, and they’re back here, still coming back to the church, and being a very vital force in the church, teaching Sunday school and working with our youth in various ways.” 

Woodard, 59, has been a member of Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church for 27 years.

Keyanna Wilson, 15, revels in the fact that Forty-Sixth Street Baptist “(is) a very active church, we go on a lot of trips. And the youth here (are) always encouraged to do more, if they are not doing their best.”

Wilson, a ninth-grader at Penn Wood High School in Lansdowne, is eagerly anticipating the “hype-ness” of the upcoming Youth Anniversary celebration, set for next Sunday with 11 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. services. The youths will take a prominent role in serving and performing during the Sunday morning and afternoon worship services. 

Wilson’s favorite part of ministry is serving. She is an usher, sings in various choirs, is a praise dancer and she will soon become a junior nurse. She strongly recommends that today’s youths should attend church.

“When youths think of church, they think, ‘You’re coming to church, people gonna judge you, because you haven’t been coming to church a lot’ — Forty-Sixth Street is not that kind of church,” she said. “It’s a church that encourages you, they believe in you, they believe you can do better. It’s a really good church. I would never leave my church home.”

Deacon Howard Mills, 52, is one of Pastor Wright’s right-hand men. He is also president of the Men’s Fellowship Ministry.

Commenting on that ministry, Mills said, “We all have different talents; some of us may be talented in plumbing, some of us may be electricians, you know, but whatever you can do, you do that for the Lord. There are a lot of churches that you go to, and the women are the ones doing all the work. So, I’m just glad that I came to a church with a strong male presence. You know, that’s not something to take for granted.”

Howard Jackson, 64, has served as a member of Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church for approximately 22 years, “I have grown a lot since I have been here,” said Jackson, a deacon. “Being a deacon has helped me (to) grow.”

Jackson said some people get caught up in carrying a title, but he feels it’s most important to serve. Being called to the Deacon Board is one of his greatest life achievements.

As he speaks, Jackson’s raspy voice cracks with emotion. It’s obvious from his conversation that Forty-Sixth Street Baptist Church and the Deacon Board have transformed his life. Jackson said he is indebted to Christ and his church for turning his life around. As a result, barring sickness, he proudly proclaimed, “I don’t miss church…God has been good to me.”

46th St. Baptist Church

1261 S. 46th St.

Philadelphia, Pa.

(215) 386-8150

Website: www.46thstbaptistchurch.org

Pastor: Rev. Martin T. Wright

Sunday School — 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship — 11:00 a.m.

Prayer and Bible Study, Tues. — 7 p.m.

Thirty years of evangelizing the lost, edifying the saints and exalting Jesus Christ, is a momentous and incredible missions legacy that has literally impacted thousands of individuals, locally and nationwide. Such is the pastoral career and life of Bishop Keith W. Reed Sr., the senior pastor of Sharon Baptist Church. On May 19, Sharon Baptist will celebrate Reed’s long legacy with a gala event at the Please Touch Museum–Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, in Fairmount Park.

In April and May, prominent national and local preachers have made guest stops at Sharon Baptist to honor their beloved friend and fellow clergyman. Reed has produced at least a half-dozen senior pastors who are shepherding their own congregations. Some of the sons of Sharon and locally renowned guest preachers have included: the Rev. Curtis Morris, Bethany Baptist Church in Chester; the Rev. Emanuel Lambert, Alpha Worship Center in Bear, Del.; and the Rev. Wayne Croft, Church of the Redeemer. One of several nationally known guest preachers included the Rev. E. Dewey Smith, senior pastor, The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga.

On April 28, Sharon Baptist held a free concert in honor of Bishop Reed. Superstar gospel recording artist Bishop Hezekiah Walker and his Love Fellowship Choir headlined the list of those performing before several thousand attendees

Walker, 46, a Stellar and Grammy Award winner, performed at least two hours of his past and current hits.

“When I think of Sharon and Bishop Reed, and all that he has contributed to the community, it was no problem for me to come in to do (a free concert),” he said. “I left there in good spirits … and it was a free event … People were able to come in without a charge and really enjoy themselves.

“I’ve been coming to Philadelphia since about 1989, and every time I come, it’s just mad love. It’s just been great every year. … Philadelphia is a place that really keeps Hezekiah Walker (and Love Fellowship Choir) on the map.”

Reed has many others who think highly of him.

“Bishop Reed has been a blessing to me and my family, he’s a good brother, he teaches sound doctrine and he’s just a good man,” said Mike Brown, 58, a deacon at Sharon Baptist Church. Brown has been at Sharon for 29 years and said Reed is both pastor and a friend. One sermon that has resonated with Brown for years was Reed’s message entitled “From the Pit to the Palace.”

“It was a series on Joseph, on how we can go from tragedy to triumph … at the time, I needed to hear that because I was having a valley experience in my life,” Brown said.

Marva Mack, 72, has been a member of the church for 31 years.

“I love Dr. Reed,” said Mack, who is active in the choir and hospitality ministries. “He’s truly helped me become stronger in my faith and my walk with God … I admire how humble he can be … and how he preaches on a level where from the youngest to the oldest can understand it.”

The Rev. Chad Hinson, 40, the pastor of evangelism at Sharon Baptist, met Reed years ago on the preaching circuit,

Hinson said he has been a member at Sharon for seven years. “(Bishop Reed) was always a trailblazer, and we, as younger preachers, always looked up to him. Hinson said he resigned from his senior pastor role at Lakeshore Baptist Church to join Reed.

“He was the one guy to reach out (to me), …” said Hinson, who credits Reed for restoring him back to ministry leadership and fellowship.

“After 30 years, my brother has been so impactful, not just in our family, but to Sharon Baptist Church and the communities,” said Rho Reed, the bishop’s older sister. “His legacy, his ministry, his teaching, his preaching is known internationally.”

“He makes the Word of God so portable, he breaks it down so that anyone can understand the Gospel,” said Rho Reed, who handles conference and concert facility rentals and public relations for Sharon Baptist. She also created the Rose Petals ministry to develop young women ages 12 to 18 to be responsible adult women.

Judge John Milton Younge, 57, was baptized at Sharon Baptist in 1961. He too has become an admirer of Reed.

“I met Pastor Reed when he first came in 1982,” Younge said, “but I wasn’t really active in the church until after I got married and had children in 1985.”

Under Reed’s leadership, Younge went on to rededicate his life to Christ and is a financial steward and a deacon at Sharon Baptist.

Younge marvels at Reed’s level of Bible literacy and teaching acumen.

“By teaching us the Bible, we’ve caught it,” he said. “We’ve caught his love of Christ, we’ve caught his love of the Bible. … He (teaches) the Bible and you can check it for yourself.”

Asked to name his favorite pastors, Reed responded, “Aw, man, I got a list of them.”

His short list includes, “A few that really made a difference in my life, ‘cause no man is an island … some of the guys who have been a blessing in my life, and still are a blessing in my life, the late Rev. Timothy Ruffin, senior pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, the late Rev. Dr. E.K. Bailey … he living legend, the Rev. Dr. Willie Richardson of Christian Stronghold Church; one of the individuals God has used in a mighty way is the Rev. Dr. A.L. Patterson, out of Houston, Texas.” Reed cites Patterson as his personal pastor and mentor to whom he is accountable.

In 30 years under Reed, Sharon Baptist has grown from several hundred members to several thousand. It has one of the largest African-American congregations in Philadelphia, and is a multi-million-dollar enterprise that includes real estate, an elementary school, an all African-American male academy, a community development corporation, and fiscal business operations.

Reed credits God and his entire team of leaders for the growth.

“(As a senior pastor, I am not) gifted to do everything,” said Reed. He and his wife, Lynne, have four children. “One of the key things that I’ve learned in these 30 years, every shepherd has a staff … the staff was there to assist.”

Sharon Baptist Church is located at 3955 Conshohocken Ave. For gala tickets information or ministry information, call the church at (215) 473-3000.

Sunday worship is at 7:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; Prayer night is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays; Bible study is at 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

Calvary St. Augustine Episcopal Church is a small West Philadelphia congregation making a very positive impact in the community and beyond.

During last Sunday morning’s worship service, congregants of Calvary St. Augustine witnessed two milestones: the installation of the Daughters of the King and the sudden and official resignation of the Rev. Renee McKenzie-Hayward as rector (senior pastor).

As of Nov. 1, McKenzie-Hayward will be the vicar at the Church of the Advocate at 16th and Diamond streets. She was appointed by a bishop within the diocese to shepherd this congregation.

Calvary St. Augustine installed 14 women into the Fannie E. Wilson Chapter of the Daughters of the King order. This is a momentous occasion in that since 1885, there have only been 24,000 women installed as Daughters of the King throughout America.

Nationally, Daughters of the King operate as chapters within the Episcopal Church. Its headquarters are in Woodstock, Ga. The mission of the Daughters of the King is “the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through prayer, service and evangelism.”

Although the Daughters of the King is an order for congregants of the Episcopal Church, bylaws of the order include women from the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and Roman Catholic denominations. The 14 women recently installed at Calvary St. Augustine are: Inga Aikman; Judith Brewer; Alice Briscoe Brown; Sandra McFadden-Brown; LaVerne E. Gonzalez; Janet Harris; the Rev. Renee McKenzie-Hayward; Edith Johnson, who was absent due to illness; Halise McKinney; Jane McKinney; Barbara Robinson; Frances Upshaw; Juanita Usury and Kathleen Williams.

Asked how she was chosen for installation into the Daughters of the King, Deborah Rogers, an eight-year member, said, “It was a nomination.”

Rogers attended the installation ceremony as corresponding secretary for Pennsylvania and newsletter editor for the Pennsylvania Diocese. Her major responsibilities are sending correspondence to all Daughters in the Pennsylvania Episcopal Diocese, and doing the newsletter for the Pennsylvania Diocese, gathering information from the 12 Pennsylvania chapters for compiling the newsletter. 

Rogers isn’t currently affiliated with a church, but she frequently visits Calvary St. Augustine, and Trinity in Ambler.

“Service, love, and worship,” are the watchwords of the order, she said.

“The Daughters of the King for Calvary St. Augustine Church became an order back in June of this year. During that time, we had 14 ladies who were under instruction, who were being instructed in the way of the order,” Sharon Congleton said.

Congleton, rector’s warden at Calvary St. Augustine, said the Daughters of the King order was started in New York. The founder was Margaret J. Franklin, a member of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in New York City, known today as the Church of the Resurrection.  Congleton saidchu, “Over the years, the order has reached just about every part of the globe.” 

Congleton underscored that women of the order are “called by God” to serve, saying it’s not a sorority or a club membership. “You have to feel it in your heart that you’re being called to serve God through his people.”

Each Daughter must pledge a lifetime vow to be spiritually disciplined in daily prayer, service and evangelism.

Lillian Randolph, clerk of the vestry at Calvary St. Augustine and first vice president of Province 3 of the Daughters of the King, said she was installed as a Daughter in 1995.

“Whenever (we) go out into the streets, by being a child of God, people recognize you, they might recognize you by the (spiritual) glow of your face,” said Randolph.

After church service, the newly installed Daughters of the King were toasted during a brunch. A few Daughters offered feedback about their installation:

Alice Briscoe Brown, 58, said, “It was very exciting. I’m glad to be a Daughter of the King … it filled my heart with joy to be a Daughter.”

Jane McKinney said, “I am overwhelmed (and) I am filled with the Spirit, although it’s a little bittersweet … we celebrated something wonderful and we lost our priest.” 

McKinney was emotional about the resignation of McKenzie-Hayward, “But all in all, God is still good.”

“I really just want to thank God for giving me a clean heart, to help me do right to carry out my job to serve, to love my brothers and sisters,” said Sandra McFadden Brown.

On the news of McKenzie-Hayward’s resignation, McFadden Brown said, “Hurts my heart. God has a mission for her, she has to go on to do God’s will, and we must go forward also, to deliver the Word of God to the world.”

After the installation service, when McKenzie-Hayward announced her resignation it jolted the congregation, which reacted with a collective gasp. Some began to cry.

One of her main goals as vicar will be to increase the number of members at the Church of the Advocate, which currently has fewer than 100 congregants.

Concurrently, McKenzie-Hayward will also become the diocese chaplain at Temple University.

“Having the Church of the Advocate as a place where campus ministry is going to happen will allow us to do, I think, some interesting programming,” McKenzie-Hayward said. “I envision this as a place where the academic world can meet the laity, can meet the streets, can meet clergy and the congregation, as they actually get to go about doing the work of the church.”

McKenzie-Hayward has served as the senior pastor at Calvary St. Augustine for eight years. Her last day in this role will be Oct. 23. Her legacy at Calvary St. Augustine has included the activation of Sunday school, implementation of an after-school program, the creation of a community development corporation and the co-founding of POWER (Philadelphia Organized to Witness Empower & Rebuild).

“We’ve done some really incredible work,” she said.

Besides the work she’ll be doing at Temple University and Church of the Advocate, McKenzie-Hayward eagerly looks forward to her serve with POWER. The organization consists of congregations from all across the city coming together to address justice issues.

McKenzie-Hayward said POWER will hold its founding convention, bringing together its 2,000 members, on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Tindley Temple United Methodist Church, Broad and Fitzwater streets. 

The public is welcome to attend.

Calvary St. Augustine Episcopal Church

814 N. 41st St., Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone: (215) 222-2070

Sunday Worship Service: 10 a.m.

Pastor: Rev. Renee McKenzie-Hayward

Website: www.calvarystaugustine.org

In 1938, at the close of the Great Depression, God inspired five committed individuals to give birth to a church that would eventually become the St. Paul Chapel Baptist Church. St. Paul is a vibrant church with a charismatic and Bible-focused pastor who has deeply rooted the congregation in practical Biblical teaching and doctrinal edification.

From its humble beginnings 74 years ago, when Rev. Paul Clifton Jackson founded the Community Baptist Church, along with founding members Alberta Brown, Bessie Jackson, Emma Jackson and Ethel Johnson, they conceived a good thing. In 1950, when the church was remodeled, the church was renamed St. Paul Chapel Baptist Church.

Today, St. Paul is drawing and adding young and old members to its congregation. The solid Bible teaching and preaching of Rev. Jermaine Heath, senior pastor, is transforming the lives of many new converts.

“I love my church! The first time I stepped into St. Paul, I knew that I was in the right place,” said Patrice Whitby-Allen. Whitby-Allen, 35, a divorcee and mother of two daughters (Cayla, 13, and Cameron 8), she admits that when she came to St. Paul, she had a lot of emotional baggage. She had some disappointing experiences at a previous church, and it discouraged her from pursuing her passion as a choir singer. “For years, I gave up my desire to sing. Now, at St. Paul, I’m back (singing) in the choir. I look forward to attending church services…the congregation is so supportive…I felt at home at St. Paul. I’m addicted to church,” Whitby-Allen gleefully proclaimed.

Lauren Nicole Moore, 19, is a sophomore psychology major attending Kutztown University. She’s been a member of St. Paul for 7 years. “I grew up at St. Paul, it feels like a second home,” shared Moore. Commenting about her beloved pastor, Moore shared, “I love Pastor Heath, I love to hear him preach!” She recalled one particular sermon that really resonated with her, when Heath preached about the Prodigal Son. Why did this sermon impact her so much? “God is willing to accept you back when you make mistakes. This is an important message for young people because we make a lot of mistakes,” said Moore. She boasts about St. Paul’s Vacation Bible School, because youth get to learn a lot about historical events and other unique Biblical facts that you may not hear during church service. She encourages youth citywide to attend St. Paul’s “Youth Explosion” the last Friday in October.

The Rev. John Croft, 59, is the uncle of Heath, and he serves as his nephew’s Associate Pastor. Croft has been a member of St. Paul since 2009. “My calling (to the pastorate) is to edify the people,” said Croft. He enjoys teaching Bible Study, and he is happy to witness the growth of the congregation in numbers and spiritually, “I see the growth of members’ knowledge of understanding the scriptures, some (members) are advancing their learning by attending (institutions of higher learning).” In 1997, Croft was ordained as a pastor by his renowned clergy brother, the Rev. Dr. Wayne Croft, senior pastor of The Church of the Redeemer Baptist, in South Philadelphia.

Andre Smothers, 71, has been a member of St. Paul since being baptized at the age of 8. “We go beyond the church walls to touch the lives of the people in the community,” shared Smothers. He’s proud that the mature saints of St. Paul reach out to mentor the newer members. When asked to explain why St. Paul has become popular with youth and senior saints, Smothers proudly replied, “St. Paul is a multi-generational church, we give the message of Christ! We deal with contemporary issues!”

“Pastor Heath is an awesome pastor, my husband and I have grown spiritually, my whole family is growing spiritually under Pastor Heath’s leadership,” shared Elizabeth Hayes. Hayes, 46, is a chef at the Hilton Hotel-Philadelphia Airport, has been a member of St. Paul since 2001. For Hayes, her spiritual growth is credited to better understanding of Biblical doctrine, “Pastor (Heath) breaks the Word down so easily ... I have learned how to demonstrate the love of God.”

The Rev. Jermaine Heath, 37, is an energetic man who’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves to take his ministry work beyond the church walls. Heath is one of Philadelphia’s most dynamic young preachers, for 13 years he served under his uncle Rev. Dr. Wayne Croft. Heath has been the Senior Pastor of St. Paul for 7 years.

Heath recalls some of his early challenges taking on the role as Senior Pastor at St. Paul, “Changing the mindset of the members (moving them from traditional beliefs) to building them up stronger in the Word (of God).” He also recalls other challenges like inheriting some church debt, legal church issues, and maintenance of the church properties that needed to be resolved. “Today (seven years later), the church, church office, church lot, our Family Life Center, the church legal issues and (the) financial debt (issues), are resolved,” shared Heath.

This year, the church theme is: “Great Expectations, Let the Journey Begin!” “God is expecting us to proclaim his message,” said Heath. His big concerns are edifying his congregation via active evangelism and discipleship of his members, and he’s very passionate about community activism. Heath recently hosted a community meeting of city officials, neighborhood residents, social service representatives and law enforcement, to discuss how the community can be better served and how St. Paul can become a better community partner.

St. Paul boasts approximately 19 different ministries, and according to Heath, “The Youth Ministry, Music Ministry, Men’s Ministry and the DIVAS (Women’s Ministry),” are probably the most prominent ministries at St. Paul. “When I arrived to St. Paul, we probably had 20 members, today, we have approximately 200,” said Heath. He is currently attending the Center for Urban Theological Studies to complete his degree in pastoral leadership.

With 60 years of preaching, 42 years of pastoring, the Rev. Dr. James S. Hall Jr. is the elder statesman of Philadelphia senior pastors. 

Hall is a man who loves God and people, and he has a church congregation that reflects the same affection.

During his early years, Hall pounded the pavement, taking the ministry to the streets conducting Block Blasting Evangelism.

“I would host actual church services on the porches of (willing) neighborhood residents,” said Hall, while other members of his church would knock on doors sharing the Good News, inviting neighbors to come out to hear the Word. “Currently, Rev. Michael Dawkins heads up the church’s evangelism outreach.”  

Hall is laser focused on how he approaches ministry. When asked about his top ministry priorities, Hall responded, “Evangelism, education, and economic empowerment.” 

Commenting about the gimmicks and entertainment that has overtaken the pulpit of many churches, replacing sound Biblical doctrine, Hall is totally against such non-Biblical antics. 

“We must find ways to attract people, (and) use that which is within Biblical guidelines,” he said. “Exercising and executing what we learn (is high priority).” 

Hall’s pastoral DNA flows in two of his four grown children: The Rev. Cathy Johnson, assistant pastor, serving under her dad’s leadership; the Rev. Phillip C. Hall, senior pastor of Love Missionary Baptist Fellowship Church, in Philadelphia.  And, his other two children Wanda Lowe and James Anthony Hall.

Deacon Hopson H. Gross, 74, is a huge supporter of his pastor.

“(Hall) is one of the greatest pastors, God has blessed him to deliver the Word to us,” he said. “He’s been preaching for 60 years. He has a great personality, and he makes time for (the) young and old. He’s a lovable person.”

Gross is one of the 63 original charter members. 

“I think there are less than 20 members living today, I may be wrong,” Gross said.  Gross said that the Comfort Ministry (for the bereaved and mourning) and Evangelism Ministry are the most prominent ministries at Triumph.  

Blanche Johnson, 85, is a senior saint who “enjoys” her membership at Triumph. Reflecting on her past and present ministry activism, “I served on the Usher Board, Young People’s Usher Board, Mission Society (10 years President), Senior Choir, Trustee, Financial Secretary and Cook.” 

Johnson enjoyed the Mission Society most because they worked to serve the homeless and other misfortunate community residents.  

“Pastor Hall loves kids, he loves kids!  I love my pastor,” she said. “I appreciate his vision and courage.”

As a full-time Family Therapist with Vision Quest, Saniyyah Cormany, 33, volunteers her time serving as the Youth Ministry Leader at Triumph. 

Highly energetic and goal oriented, Cormany keeps the youth busy, her agenda for the youth include, “Outreach and evangelism, Interdenominational Fellowships, and the College Collection.”  

Cormany grew up in Triumph, “I was impacted by the church, it shaped the woman, the wife and the professional that I am today,” she said. 

Cormany graduated from Lincoln University and the University of the Sciences, with Bachelor and Master degrees in areas of Psychology. 

On October 20, Cormany and her husband will have been married one year.  Her co-directors are Cheryl Walker and Raymond Sisco, they coordinate services and activities for approximately 100-125 youth. 

“We need more young people and young adults speaking up to express themselves.  Young people need to be supported,” said Dionne Shank, 18, a young adult who grew up at Triumph. 

Shank is a freshman attending Johnson C. Smith University pursuing a Bachelor in Psychology. 

Her fondest memory about being involved with the youth and young adult ministry were the rap sessions and the sleep-overs.

“You’re taught to do your best at all times, being a college student, I keep my faith in God,” Shank said.  

The Chairperson of the Trustees is Barbara Smith, 70, who has held this role for 12 years. 

“I like pastor Hall, he loves children and senior citizens,” she said.

Next month, Hall, 79, will be celebrated for his long tenure serving in ministry.  From Sunday, Nov. 13 thru Sunday, Nov. 20, Triumph Baptist Church will be host to a ‘Who’s Who’s’ line-up of nationally known guest preachers:  Rev. Charles Quann, Bethlehem Baptist Church; Rev. Alyn Waller, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church; Rev. Kevin Johnson, Bright Hope Baptist Church; Rev. Leslie Calahan, St. Paul Baptist Church; Bishop Keith W. Reed, Sr., Sharon Baptist Church; and Rev. Jessie Jackson, Founder-Rainbow PUSH Coalition. 

A special concert will be held on Nov. 18 featuring Lonnie Hunter, James Fortune and Dorothy Norwood. 

Contact the Triumph Baptist Church for more information about the concert and pastoral anniversary celebration (215) 228-8000.

Brighter Day Ministries recently held its seventh anniversary celebration and consecration service at its new Olney location.

“The anniversary and building dedication went very well. We had about 100 persons that were there from all of our past mentoring and fellowship and family,” said the Rev. Leonard N. Jamison.

Jamison, supported by his wife, Marilyn, formed Brighter Day Ministries as an extension of the mentoring that he and his spouse were providing.

It was the couple’s realization of a vision to provide excellent and effective Christ-centered ministry programs that encourage, equip and employ individuals to fulfill their callings, utilize their gifts and gain knowledge to be what God wants them to be in all areas of their life.

“My wife and I began it really as an outgrowth of our support of a college student who we were kind of godparents to in many ways at Eastern University when I was a vice president there,” he said.

“One of the things we did — as we had the opportunity — we took those young people under our wing and we had fellowship opportunity. We mentored them and harnessed their energy and excitement to do community outreach programs.”

The initial fellowship took root at Eastern University/Palmer Seminary in the fall of 2004. The ministry has expanded to now include a licensed preschool, King’s Kids Academy, a regionally-accredited and state-approved post-secondary ministry degree, diploma and certificate program, Logos Institute. It also boasts a media, music and entrepreneurial organization, Greater Works Group Communications. The new location will enable the ministry to house these, and future programs, under the same roof.

“In many ways, it really is a challenge because you don’t feel you have enough arms or legs and time to do all the things and help along all the people that come alongside and so one of the challenges was to replicate in the persons we helped also the ideas and the world view to help others in the way they’ve been helped,” he said.

“Our challenge has been to help more people so that more people can have their lives changed by being interacted with and supported.”

Viola Sewell-Benbow is the director of the pre-school at the church and has been a member for the past four years. She felt that the church and the faithful have grown spiritually under the leadership of Jamison.

“He is a pastor after God’s people. He really has heart for God’s people and doing the work of the Lord,” she said.

Sewell-Benbow said the recent celebrations made her feel inspired to do more not only within the church but outside the four walls.

“We want to meet people right where they are,” she said. “We just want to serve. It’s a place where you can come and be comfortable just as you are and be accepted and loved and cared for and just know that people are praying for you and committed to seeing you grow in the Lord.”

“The possibilities are endless,” she added. “I just don’t want to put a cap on it. I just see where God has brought us to and I’m just excited to see where he’s going to bring us into the future. There’s no limit.”

Stacy Smith is the chief operating officer at the church and also a first time minister there. However, his bond with best friend Jamison dates back 30 years to their time in high school.

“He’s passionate, genuine, sincere,” he said. “He really has the heart to touch others, help others and to equip others. He’s always been the one that would want to take a person one-on-one and walk with them as they’re going through their challenges and let them know it’s going to be alright.”

Jamal Vann shared the same sentiment. He is another member that has been with Brighter Day Ministries from its humble beginnings.

“He’s the catalyst for all of that,” Vann said of the church leader. “His approach to ministry was always low tech, high touch is his coined phrase in a society where technology is so important and we kind of lose touch and so helping a disconnected generation become connected with each other and with God.”

As the church moves in its festive spirit, Jamison is determined to keep the momentum at its peak in order to be of service. To that end, he said the church was looking for laborers and not members.

“They can feel welcomed just as they are and that they will find at Brighter Day Ministries a place where they can find love,” he said. “I call Brighter Day “the help center” — a place of healing, a place of education and empowerment and a place of love and liberty and a house of prayer.”

Brighter Day Ministries

6301 Crescentville Road

Philadelphia, Pa.

Rev. Dr. Leonard N. Jamison

Service: Saturday at 5 p.m.

(215) 380-8530

http://brighterdayphilly.org/

Contact Tribune staff writer Stephanie Guerilus at (215) 893-5725 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Christ Community Baptist Church, Inc. celebrated its 40th anniversary with a weekend full of festivities. The anniversary included praise and worship through a concert and banquet held at The Drexelbrook.

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The Rev. Arthur R. White, senior pastor of CCBC, presided over the celebration.

“It felt great and I felt it lifted the whole congregation,” he said. “These events this weekend helped to bond us and helped to connect us more deeply and give everybody an essential pride over how we got from South Philadelphia to here and why has the community emphasis been so consistently put before the congregation.”

The late Rev. Dr. Laurance G. Henry founded CCBC in 1972. Services were initially held on the dance floor of the Musician Hall. A recognition service was held on Feb. 21, 1972 and in the summer, the church bought a former synagogue and made it their new home. Since then, CCBC has made it its mission to be a presence in its East Parkside Neighborhood.

White became the pastor in 1978 following Henry’s death. White, who has a doctorate in ministry, spoke of his 30 years of service to the church and community. One of CCBC’s mantras is that God sends them on a missional assignment for their neighborhood and beyond.

“I’ve been able to bring them together more and to focus them and clarify what the mission is in the community and why the church exists,” White said. “What has sustained me is a sense of purpose and a sense of knowing that God has sent me there to serve.”

White said he has tried to be a pastor that would make his flock obedient to their purpose of being Christ centered.

“The church understands itself to be on assignment,” he said. “She’s on assignment by God to deliver the gospel where we are situated in very concrete ways and to minister to the community and be there. The church is small, but not too small, but small enough so that there can be a sense of connectiveness and people knowing your name.

“The church is committed to trying to express Christ in the most simplest ways that we can,” White added. “So, it’s a friendly church. It’s a community church. It’s a loving church.”

Christine H. Lindsey is one of the founding members. In fact, her brother was the late Henry who helped to organize the church. The anniversary celebrations took on a greater meaning for the 85-year-old congregant.

“It was a lively church service,” she said.

Lindsey is a deaconess at the church now and felt the anniversary captured the church’s spirit. She also spoke highly of her brother’s successor.

“He’s a good teacher,” she said. “He gives you a good message and its biblically based but as a pastor, he is for the people. He visits the sick every week.”

Marjorie Ferron has been a member of CCBC for more than 26 years and is the church treasurer. She shared in the compliments for White. She said he was honorable and stood by her side through difficult times.

“He pays attention to each individual,” Ferron said. “He knows their names and families. He’s committed to us and will travel far to take care of us.

“He lives by the word. He teaches us by the word and he sets a great example for everybody to follow,” she added.

Ferron invited others in the community to come and worship with the church and experience White’s preaching for themselves.

“It’s a loving church and we get that from him,” she said. “He shows love and chare for all of God’s people.

“The church is a very loving, open-hearted church,” Ferron added. “When you come in the door, you’ll feel the love when you come in the door. When you come to our church, you’ll feel welcomed. You feel like you’re at home.”

Khalil Bundy is a youth minister at CCBC and credited the church for helping to turn his life around.

“Pastor White is a dynamic preacher,” he said. “He’s taught me a lot about the word. He’s taught me a lot about the word because my background wasn’t in the word of God for most of my life. That wasn’t really what I was into.

“And just to come to Christ Community and here the words of Pastor White every week is a privilege and it’s not to be taken lightly,” he said.

Bundy was one of the co-chairs of the 40th anniversary committee.

“We wanted to highlight the church’s history and how far we’ve come and we wanted to highlight members who had been there that whole time and people who had sang on choirs and did various things,” Bundy said. “Also, we wanted to move into the next generation and that was the whole point of having young adults on the committee.

“I couldn’t be more proud of being a part of Christ Community just because what it would stand for,” he said. “We’re talking about 40 years and that’s quite a while.”

Bundy joined CCBC in 2008 and shared his excitement about helping to shape the church’s future.

“These things that we’re going to be doing, the goal is to not only build up the church but more importantly build up the word of God and do the great things in the community,” Bundy said.

“Most importantly, we’re going to give you the word of God and it’s not a show. It’s a true worship of God. It’s not about one man. It’s not about come see Rev. White work a miracle. It’s more about come see how members of the body of Christ come together and learn.”

Christ Community Baptist Church, Inc.

1224-30 North 41st Street

Philadelphia, Pa. 19104

(215) 877-4000

Fax: (215) 215-877-4080

www.christcommunitybaptistchurch.org

Service: 10:45 a.m.

Rev. Dr. Arthur White

This year, Cornerstone Baptist Church will celebrate its 60th year of ministry in Philadelphia. As the church closes in on identifying a new senior pastor to lead the congregation, committed and diligent leaders have kept the ministry and congregation moving forward, serving the Lord.

Cornerstone has been without a senior pastor for at least two years, guest preachers have been invited on Sundays to preach the Word to the committed families and frequent visitors who are faithful supporters of the church.

The Rev. Jonathan Brown, from New Birth Baptist Church, 21st and Clearfield streets, was the guest preacher on June 3. Brown’s sermon resonated with people in the congregation. “It’s just a blessing to be in the house of the Lord, I thank God that I made it this morning, He woke me up this morning, and he brought me here this morning,” said Roberta Lewis, who committed to joining Cornerstone on this Sunday. Her grand-daughter Delicia Jackson committed her life to Christ that morning. Delicia, 11, a shy fifth-grader at Williamstown Middle School, in Williamstown, N.J., is an active band member at school.

Cornerstone Baptist Church was founded by the Rev. Harold O. Davis in 1952. Deacon John Lewis has been a member since its founding. Remarking about the solidarity of the congregation, Lewis said, “This is a church that prays together and stays together.” He expressed some delight in that the church leadership is close to making a decision on a selecting a senior pastor, “We’re on the verge of getting one, hallelujah, thank you, Lord.”

Adam Frederick has served as a deacon for 16 years, and is the current chairman of the Deacon Board. He is proud of his Cornerstone roots, saying, “We are a Bible-based teaching church.” Active with the majority of the choirs, he is also involved in the Men’s Fellowship group. Keeping a congregation intact has been a challenge for Frederick, but he and other Cornerstone leaders have been successful in doing so. His greatest challenge has been “Keeping unity. You will always have division, so you have to be humble enough to deal with it.”

Guest preacher Brown is a son of Cornerstone: “Coming up under the leadership of Rev. Harold O. Davis, I started here when I was a kid, at 14 years old, and God called me in ministry. And serving in the ministry over 40 years gave me opportunity to let people know, dying men and women, that the wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is still eternal life. This is a church that I grew up in, and I thank God that I was able to come back this morning to share the Word, to let them know that there is power in the Word of God.”

Brown was optimistic in encouraging the congregation to support the church leadership as they narrow down the candidates to select a senior pastor, “My prayer for the congregation is that they stay faithful. It’s not easy for the chairman (of the deacons) to try to hold the church down for members. Sheep are being lost, but it’s by the grace of God that they be led by the (new) shepherd. They cannot go astray, they have to have a shepherd.”

Corey R. Jefferson, 29, is an active young leader in the church, “I have served as the church clerk for the last 10 years, I’m also on the gospel choir,” and he serves as the chairman for Cornerstone’s upcoming 60th anniversary celebration. In addition, “I’ve been with the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention’s Youth and Young Adult Division for the last 10 years,” among other leadership roles.”

Jefferson loves the family bond of the Cornerstone congregation. “We’re very family-oriented. Most of the youth here have grown up here, so we’re more like family. We love youth, we love helping each other, and we love fellowshipping, even when it’s not Sunday.” Neighborhood killings, teen pregnancy and school failure are major issues in which Jefferson feels the church community can intervene to make a positive impact, “It’s very encouraging to have a body of Christ that can help kids become educated.” Jefferson works in the cardiology department of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Cornerstone has embraced its talented young leaders, like Dominik Miller. Miller, 28, has been a member for about eight years, and she serves as the financial secretary for the church. On a weekly basis, “I keep the records for the church. I basically make sure that people and the bills get paid. I make sure that all money is accounted for that comes in,” said Miller, a graduate of Philadelphia University with an earned master’s degree in taxation. She went to Temple University for her undergraduate degree in accounting. Miller works full-time as an auditor for the city of Philadelphia.

Youths like Charles Jordan are just as inspiring; Jordan, 14, enjoys serving as an usher. He is an eighth-grader at Camelot Academy in Philadelphia. He is not shy about encouraging his peers to consider church fellowship and a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. “There are kids that youths can talk to here, it’s not a bad place to come to church; church isn’t like a bad place. You come to church to praise God, to learn things about Jesus, and other stuff,” said Jordan.

“I’ve been at Cornerstone all my life — I was born and raised here,” said Tasha Green. Green, 25, was appointed choir director by the recently retired Rev. Clifford H. Cutter Sr. Commenting on her Cornerstone membership, Green said, “We’re like a big family. That’s what a lot of people in the community need. We help each other, and we build each other up, and that’s what kind of community we are.”

Doris Butler Raymond, a member for 40 years, joined Cornerstone when it was first located at Broad and Master streets. Reflecting on her longstanding membership, she recalls Davis, the founding pastor, “He baptized me. I thought he was a beautiful pastor, I really enjoyed his preaching and how he brought people to Christ.”

Raymond offered her thoughts about the two-year hiatus of Cornerstone not having a pastor, “Well, we managed to survive. Every Sunday we have a different pastor, we made it. She is the former chairwoman of the trustee board. She remains a trustee, and as an active member of the Contract Committee she handles all outside contracts for the church, like the recent facilities contract for the annual divine service of the Keystone Grand Lodge of the State of Pennsylvania. In addition, for the last 15 years, she has served in a national ministry role, “I am a delegate representative of Cornerstone Baptist Church for the National Baptist Convention — I really enjoy it. You get to fellowship with other people, and you get to learn other ways (of doing ministry).”

There’s something about Cornerstone that keeps people engaged over time. Two longstanding members are Lear Green and Sally Anne Williams. Green, a member since 1953, shared, “Cornerstone is my life, I love it!” She is the former president of the Hospitality Ministry. Williams, 82, a member for 59 ½ years, said about the founding pastor, “Pastor Davis was a great, great pastor. He always taught us to have faith in God.” And she relishes the fact that she remains best friends with retired Pastor Cutter.

Cornerstone Baptist Church is at 2117 N. 33rd St. Phone: (215) 763-8383. Bible study: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday school: 9 a.m.–10am. Sunday morning worship is at 11 a.m.

From its beginning in 1966 as a tiny storefront mission with a congregation of 16 Sunday school youths, Mount Airy Church of God in Christ has grown to become one of the most respected spiritual beacons in Philadelphia. Its congregation numbers in the thousands. Bishop Ernest C. Morris Sr., is the founder, jurisdictional prelate and God’s vessel responsible for building this well-regarded ministry.

“Bishop Morris and I met in the ’80s. He invited me to come preach at his Founder’s Day,” said the Rev. J. Louis Felton, senior pastor of Mount Airy COGIC, and close friend of Morris. From there, Felton was invited by Morris to preach during the Men’s Day celebration, and he obviously made an impression, “For over 30 years, I was the Men’s Day speaker, the fourth weekend in September.” Indeed, an indelible impression was made on Morris. God had revealed his successor.

To ensure the smooth succession of the ministry, in 2010 Morris made the bold move of appointing Felton to be senior pastor of the church, a move that has grown the ministry’s membership and deepened its discipleship of congregants. Felton is a brilliant preacher and Biblical scholar, a successor who is taking Mount Airy COGIC to the next level in the ministry stratosphere.

“We need to continue to do ministry in the way that the Lord Jesus viewed it,” said Felton. Not erroneously focusing on the expanse of physical church edifices and membership numbers, but, “Jesus built souls, built character, built relationships, and he did this without walls, buildings and budgets. Jesus did it with his relationship with people. In order for us to continue to impact people in that way, sometimes we’re going to have to get outside of the walls and actually engage the people.”

Evangelist Joyce Brooks, 55, is president of the church’s Fulfillment Ministry (singles), “I’ve been a part of this ministry for about five years,” but she’s been a member of the church for approximately 21 years. For Brooks, one of the biggest challenges facing singles is, “building their relationship up with the Lord.” Commenting on Felton’s ministry leadership, Brooks said, “He’s an excellent preacher-leader. He named servant leaders, to place the importance and significance on serving the needs of others. He has brought us on common ground … since he’s been here, he’s teaching us more on how to be servant leaders.” As a result, Brooks says, she has matured spiritually under Felton’s leadership.

“I came to Mount Airy from Georgia, where I’m originally from. I came from a church of 25 members, and coming to Mount Airy, a church with 5,000 members, was a different experience for me,” said William D. Hatcher. Hatcher, 34, a member since 2009, is the Youth Department servant leader, “As a youth leader for the Mount Airy Church of God in Christ, basically, it is our goal and our aspiration to inspire and encourage the young people … to keep their faith with God.” Accounting for the youth at the church and those in the community Hatcher serves, he estimates that approximately 1,500 are served via the Youth Department. “We offer several venues for them to express their talents and gifts.” These include choirs, sporting activities and teams, youth orchestra, webcasting, dance programs, mime programs, scholarships and other ministry endeavors.

Dorothy Lane, 71, is the church secretary and administrative assistant to Bishop Morris and Pastor Felton. She’s been affiliated with the ministry for six years. Lane believes that the church’s outreach to the nursing home community has been very impactful, and she explains, “Because the seniors need the company; the visitations help them. We serve most of the nursing homes in the Philadelphia area.” She estimates that the senior population of congregants at Mount Airy COGIC represents about a third of the entire church membership.

Seniors can enjoy a variety of ministry services. “We have our senior daily activities program on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are provided hot meals during the winter; they are served a breakfast, lunch and snack.” The seniors go on trips to plays, bowling, shopping; they are kept very active.

Lane is personally connected with Morris, “The bishop (Morris) and I are double cousins. Our fathers were brothers, and our mothers were sisters.” Though they did not grow up together, Lane says their spiritual relationship has brought them and their relatives closer.

Bishop Ernest C. Morris Sr., is a jovial and very astute man. His words edify you, his laughter excites you, and his preaching and leadership transform you. Morris, 79, is a plucky preacher with a compassionate heart for serving people. For over three decades, he has pushed his ministry focus into the community, beyond the comfortable confines of the church walls.

“My ministry beginning involved going from door to door witnessing for Jesus, I was always into reaching people outside of the church,” and throughout his ministry career, Morris has maintained a strong and consistent commitment to community outreach and evangelism.

Mount Airy COGIC’s ministries and outreach programs include Fulfillment Ministry; Marriage Enrichment Ministry; New Directions (single parents); Foster Parents Ministry; Sports Department; Youth Hospitality Ministry; Young Men of Valor; Young Women of Excellence; College Ministry; King's Children; Mt. Airy Youth Ambassadors and Praise Dance Ministry.

“I don’t care how large the church becomes, I’ll still be involved with outreach ministry. I always wanted to have a ministry that was more than just worship within the sanctuary. I believe that much of our church gathering, is to worship, to be taught, to be energized to go out into the community, to serve the people.”

Naming a successor while he’s still vibrant and healthy was a risky move for Morris, but he revels in being a risk-taker. After all, he jumped out of airplanes as a paratrooper serving in the United States Army.

“I know with his kind of preaching, he could take this church to another level; he’s doing a fine job,” said Morris This bold appointment of Felton as his successor ensures that Mount Airy COGIC won’t fracture and divide when he’s no longer around. His legacy is sealed.

Morris says he is eager to devote greater attention now to shepherding the pastors of the 30 churches he oversees as bishop and jurisdictional prelate, while also spending more quality time with his wife, Winifred W. Morris.