Holiness Tabernacle rolled up its sleeves and got to work at the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia 89th Annual Worker’s Meeting on March 21-27, 2011. Services during the week were held at Community COGIC and the Sunday Official Day was held in the Richmond Convention Center.
One of the most anticipated nights during the meeting was the Good Shepherd’s Rally observed for HTC on Thursday. Re-instated by our own prelate, Bishop Ted Thomas, Sr., the purpose of the Good Shepherd’s presentation is for each church to publically honor their pastor. In the months leading up to this special night, the Pastor’s Aide Committee and the entire HTC church family gave sacrificially so that they could be a blessing to Pastor Eddie B Pruitte, Jr. and their efforts were rewarded – HTC placed second among all the churches in the State for the offering they gave!
Holiness Tabernacle was not only recognized as a leader in the Good Shepherd’s Rally, but several members were honored by Bishop Thomas and received appointments. During the Elder’s Council, Pastor Pruitte, who served as Chair of the Prayer Breakfast and the Ways & Means Committee, was recognized and thanked for the success of both efforts. Mother Pruitte was hand-selected by Bishop Thomas and tapped to serve as the official coordinator of in-service programs for State historical events and programs. Minister Mabry met with the Ordination Board and received word that he would be official ordained as an Elder in the Church Of God In Christ during the August Convocation. In addition, Minister McCown was appointed to serve as the Assistant Jurisdictional Secretary alongside Secretary Marc Thomas.
Those who attended the Worker’s Meeting could easily see that HTC was well represented at all levels throughout each of the services. Kicking off the Monday night pre-musical and serving throughout the week, HTC’s Minister of Music, Sis McCown, along with Sis Delia and DeAnnaPruitte ministered in song as participants of the State Choir.
Minister McCown and Minister Powell both spoke during the evening Revival Hour on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Coming from Hebrews 12:14, Minister McCown talked about the importance of following our leader and the danger of missing out on God’s spiritual “release” when we choose not to obey godly leadership. Minister Powell came from John 15:4-6 and focused on the importance of building our relationship with God, understanding that our decision to make Him a priority will determine how high we can grow in God.
As the Assistant Dean of Workshops for the State, Mother Pruitte was intricately involved in the development and planning of the Friday Women’s Day workshops and service. The theme for the women was The Turning Point in a Christian’s Life and the workshop topics ranged from “Worn-Out Knees” that focused on developing a prayer life to “Open Hands” that shared the importance of generosity. Mother Pruitte taught a class, “Rolled Up Sleeves” that focused on being active not only in the church, but the community as well.
The HTC Mother’s Board and several of the women loaded up their cars and drove down to Richmond to support the service. In addition, Sis McCown and Sis Delia Pruitte offered their assistance, working with the Purity and Sunshine Band students and teaching them the lesson of the Good Samaritan. Later that evening Brother Christian and Elijah Araujo reviewed on behalf of the State Sunshine Band, proudly sharing the name of their pastor and church and leading the congregation into an impromptu praise and worship session!
On Saturday evening, the saints were decked out in their finery for the Ways & Means Banquet. As Chair of the Ways & Means Committee, Pastor Pruitte worked diligently to ensure that the program was a great success! Pastor Evans of Transformation COGIC spoke from Exodus 1:11-13 about how God’s grace allows us to prosper and grow, despite our difficult trials.
Finally, on Sunday morning the vans loaded up from Woodbridge to hear the conclusion of the matter on Bishop’s Official Day. Coming from the story found in Luke 7:1-10 about the centurion who went to Jesus and asked that He send the Word to heal his servant, Bishop Thomas told the people of God that we must rebuild our trust in God’s Word.
After forty days of corporate fasting, Holiness Tabernacle was anticipating what Bishop Thomas spoke of, a time of great release! And true to His Word, during the 89th Annual Worker’s Meeting, God did not disappoint!