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TPS Superintendent Serves as Men’s Day Speaker
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
St Paul Missionary Baptist Church celebrated Men’s Day
during the weekend of March 10-11, 2018 at their historic
church located on North Detroit Street. The theme this year
was inspired from Proverbs 3:5-6, “Christian Men
Acknowledging God.”
“As we give honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we
say congratulations to the Men of St. Paul Missionary
Baptist Church. It truly is a blessing and honor to be a
part of this, another great celebration,” shared Rev. James
H. Willis, Sr, pastor of St. Paul.
The Sunday service began with devotional service led by the
church deacons and deaconesses, followed by musical
selections by the Men’s Day Choir and words from Rev. Allen
Smith.
“We’re blessed that we’re here and able to celebrate this
Men’s Day,” said Rev. Smith.
Romules Durant, EdD, Toledo Public Schools’ superintendent,
delivered the morning proclamation and received several
standing ovations, as he shared personal stories with the
congregation that relate to the celebration theme. Durant
graduated from Waite high School, earned a bachelor’s degree
in 1998, a master’s of Education degree in 2002, and
doctorate degree in Educational Administration and
Supervision in 2007 all from the University of Toledo.
Durant currently serves on nine community boards, is a proud
Rotarian, and founded Young Men and Young Women of
Excellence.
“There are times in life when you walk, and when you run.
When you are running and get into your zone, you feel like
you’re flying. No one is going to expect more from you, if
you don’t expect more from yourself,” said Durant. “There
are only 24 hours in a day. What are you doing with these
24-hours? These children are watching you and want to
emulate you. As adults, we never know how our words or
actions will impact a child’s life.”
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The purpose of the traditional men’s day service is to
encourage men to assume various leadership roles of the
church, during the day long or weekend long celebration. St.
Paul’s Men’s Day Chairman Jan Scotland delivered words of
gratitude to close out the service. “We had a wonderful
men’s day. Our speaker was fantastic, and is always an
energetic and passionate speaker. He’s the leader of our
children and our future men. I want to thank each of you for
being here. The spirit was high in here for this service.”
The weekend celebration kicked off on Saturday, March 10,
2018 with an annual prayer breakfast at St. Paul’s. The
guest speaker was Rev. Floyd Smith Jr, pastor of Calvary
Baptist Church.
The service was supported by local churches and
organizations: American Baptist Men, American Baptist Women,
Cass Road Baptist Church, Jerusulam Missionary Baptist
Church, Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church, Mount Arart
Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Third
Baptist Church, and Warren A.M.E. Church; businesses:
Crystal Sloan of CrysStyles Hair Salon, Evans Insurance
Group, House of Day, Jack’s Men’s Wear, Jan Scotland’s State
Farm Insurance, John McKissick Senior Apartment, M&N
Distribution, and Vinson Shells CPA; St. Paul’s church
ministries: Male Chorus, Love Circle, Senior Choir, Ushers,
Job Circle, Deacons, Deaconess, Trustees, and Sunday School
and Christian Board of Education; and Individual families:
Murphy family, Earl and Lenora Barry, Marvine Brown, Linda
Garner, James and Lynnell Jefferson, Mr. and Mrs. James
Willis Jr, Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Willis Sr.
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