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St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Sponsors Annual Men’s Day
Celebration
By Artisha Lawson
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
“Obedience is better than sacrifice” served as the theme for
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church’s 2014 Men’s Day
Celebration. The March 9 festivities include two services
under the leadership of Pastor Rev. James Willis, Sr. and
Dwayne Smith, event chairman.
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Rev. James Willis, First Lady Linnie Willis,
Rev. Cory Pruitt, Deacon David Taylor,
and Dwayne Smith |
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The morning service opened with a procession, call to
worship, hymn of praise and invocation. Deacon Darryl Reed
led the responsive reading, while the congregation sang “The
Upright Man,” for the hymn. The St. Paul Male Chorus
delivered musical selections throughout the service, and
Rev. Brandon Tucker, executive pastor of Greater New
Psalmist Church in Toledo, Ohio, delivered the service
proclamation.
Tucker has been ordained since 2010, has received numerous
community awards and has been involved in a variety of
community organizations. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity Inc., and is active as the Ohio district director
and the national chairman of Leadership Development.
“The morning service was absolutely anointed. Rev. Tucker’s
anointed sermon challenged every person to evaluate
themselves. The message was from the theme, and the Biblical
story was explained in today’s context. He then asked each
person to answer, ‘what have you done for the Lord,’ and
then explained that works completed by God should display a
sign. Rev. Tucker was truly led by the Lord,” shared Rev.
Willis, pastor of St. Paul.
The afternoon service opened with a warm welcome delivered
by Deacon Andrew Porter and musical selections presented by
Mt. Enon Male Chorus. Willis introduced guest speaker Rev.
Cory Pruitt, pastor of Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church in
Dayton, Ohio. Pruitt has served as pastor of Mt. Enon
Missionary Baptist Church since February 2012 and previously
served as pastor of Mt. Zion #2 Baptist Church in Grove
Hill, Alabama.
“Today’s message is from I Samuel and speaks directly to the
men, to ensure they understand God’s calling. From today’s
text, we’ll discuss that men don’t have to hide from God but
trust him. Faith keeps us the opportunity to serve,”
explained Rev. Cory Pruitt.
“I thank Pastor Willis for the opportunity to serve. I want
to thank everyone who donated their time, the cooks, the
decorators, and all service participates,” said Dwayne
Smith, celebration chairman and deacon-in-training.. |
