It was another historic, memorable and anointed day for Holiness Tabernacle as we celebrated our Annual Men’s Day.
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The day began with an anointed word from one of our associate elders – Elder Joseph Guilford delivered a soul stirring message; asking us if the Lord was truly our shepherd (Psalm 23). The power of God was prevalent and real as the saints received the Word and rejoiced. An even greater praise went up to the Lord as a visitor gave her life to Christ and her family joined the church. This set the stage for our second service.
One could feel the excitement and buzz as the members, friends and many guests filled the church almost to capacity. Guest pastors, Superintendent Tony Campbell (and Yeshua COGIC), Pastor Wayne Cream (and Holy Mount Zion TOD) and Pastor Satterfield (and Save A Life COGIC), were in attendance to celebrate with and support our local Men’s Department as well.
Worship and praise filled the air and when our Bishop, his wife and their guests arrived, a thunderous applause went up. As the program continued, our hearts were certainly made glad. The HTC Male Chorus, led by Brother Napoleon Paxton, soon to be ordained deacon, worshipped in song – Two Wings. Their second selection, He’s Able, led by one of HTC’s newest members, Brother Senghor Robinson, brought the congregants to their feet. Then it was time for the Word.
Bishop Thomas’ ministered from Luke 5 – the account of the fishing drought: “If At First You Don’t Succeed, Don’t Give Up – God Will Make A Way.” Bishop Thomas, just back from our International AIM Convention in Houston and a three and a half hour drive, was in rare form. He explained how the enemy captures our minds and causes us to doubt God and His Word. He explained that the disciples’ failure was real, their discouragement was real, and their frustration was real. However, they had a nevertheless attitude. They gave Jesus and themselves another chance.
The congregation again rejoiced and then it was time for the next memorable event – the ordination of three of the church brothers: David Moses, Napoleon Paxton and Morris Rowe to the office of deacon. Pastor Pruitte explained to the men and those in attendance the role and responsibilities of a deacon. He reminded them they were being ordained to assist the pastor in tending to the flock; they were being ordained in the Church Of God In Christ to defend the Church, and they were being ordained as deacons to be examples holiness to their families first, then their church family, then their neighbors. Bishop Thomas and Pastor Pruitte then anointed the men and prayed a prayer of blessing over them. Pastor Pruitte then gave each of the new deacons a beautifully framed ordination certificate.
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The next historic event was the promotion of Deacon Jeffrey Howard to the office of Deacon Board Chairman. Pastor Pruitte continued to make the claim that Deacon Howard holds the title as the “World’s Greatest Deacon” – and no one disagreed with him on that day!
Finally, in a surprising move, Pastor Pruitte officially licensed Minister Eugene McCown, Jr. and gave him his certificate beautifully framed and signed by Pastor Pruitte and Bishop Thomas. Minister McCown, who prides himself with being on top of things, was obviously surprised. Minister McCown, who serves our National Church as National Adjutant Brother, was recently appointed by Bishop Williams (National Adjutant General) as the Chairman of Operations for the National Adjutancy. During the 2011 Virginia First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Worker’s Meeting, he was appointed as the Assistant to the Jurisdictional Secretary. Locally, he is the President of our Pastor’s Aid Committee and several other duties – perhaps most notably maintaining and hosting our website as well as several others for the Church Of God In Christ.
As the service concluded, I found myself lying in bed recounting the days’ events. I played each event over and over in my head and found it difficult to sleep. I remembered Elder Guilford’s message, the young lady giving her life to Christ; I remembered the many friends who came to share; I remembered Bishop Thomas’ message; I remembered the looks on those brothers faces as we laid hands and blessed them; I remembered the godly pride I felt as Deacon Howard received his license; I remembered the tears in Minister McCown (and his wife’s) eyes as he received his license. I counted myself blessed and highly favored of God to have witnessed such an anointed and historic day!