FAITH, FAMILY & FRIENDS

Transcription

1 Greater Little Zion Baptist Church REV. DR. JAMES T. MURPHY, JR., PASTOR Celebrating Zion Dr. Fairfax, VA Years FAITH, FAMILY & FRIENDS Building Faith, Uniting Family & Fellowshipping with Friends Galatians 6:10 Zion Day 124th Church Anniversary October 18, 2015

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4 Reverend Dr. Robert F. Cheeks, Jr. Senior Pastor On September 29, 2007, the leaders and the members of the historic Shiloh Baptist Church, McLean, Virginia, gathered after much prayer and confirmed God s call of Rev. Dr. Robert F. Cheeks, Jr. to serve as its new pastor. Honored to be God s appointed servant-leader, Dr. Cheeks began his pastoral duties November 4, 2007, and was installed in April, 2008 during the 135th Anniversary year. God has blessed Dr. Cheeks with a beautiful, anointed wife, the former Minister Constance R. Williams. The two possess a strong passion for God, His people, and for one another as their love bears witness. In fact, their witness gives evidence that they are here to serve and not to be served. Since taking the pulpit in November 2007, the Lord has used Dr. Cheeks in transforming and reenergizing many lives. Existing ministries have been revitalized and new ministries have been added. Additional Bible classes were added including a weekly mid-day bible class for the church and the weekly workers in the downtown Tyson's area. Sunday morning "Growth Groups" were created to further make and empower disciples of Jesus Christ. Under Dr. Cheeks leadership, a new ministry strategy within the framework of the Great Commission now provides all of Shiloh's areas of opportunity. New leadership summits, workshops, and spiritual growth and development seminars have been added to help strengthen the core of leaders, as well as, the entire congregation. Dr. Cheeks, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, was born the youngest of two to Mr. Robert and Min. Paulette Cheeks on December 4, While in his twenties, Dr. Cheeks accepted the call to the ministry He was later licensed in 1999 and ordained the following year at the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. is the Pastor. Since the ordination, Dr. Cheeks has been distinguished as a faithful minister, a gifted teacher, and an anointed preacher who has given his life to the ministry and proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having already earned the Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University, Dr. Cheeks, in preparation for his life s work, earned the Masters of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, D.C. (where he was the recipient of the Henry B. Maynard Exegetical Preparation and Preaching Proficiency Award), and the Doctorate of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. To fulfill an academic requirement while at Howard, the Lord led Dr. Cheeks to Macedonia Baptist Church (MBC), Arlington, Virginia, where he served as the Ministerial Assistant to the Pastor under the leadership of Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. In addition to his pastoral duties, Dr. Cheeks serves as a Regional Advisor for the Northern Virginia Baptist Association. Also, he serves on the Executive Board of the Northern Virginia Clergy Council for Prevention of HIV/AIDS. He had once served as a Mentor for the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a member of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors, the Progressive National Baptist Conference, the Northern Virginia Baptist Association, the Baptist Ministers Conference of Northern Virginia and Vicinity, and the General Baptist Convention of Virginia. He is married to the former Minister Constance Williams as they both possess a strong passion for God, His people, and for one another as their love bears witness. His favorite hobbies are reading, fitness training, golf, and enjoying a good movie with the Mrs. His favorite book, other than The Bible, is Surviving the Anointing: Learning to Effectively Experience and Walk in God s Power by David Ravenhill.

5 Greater Little Zion Baptist Church History The history of Greater Little Zion Baptist Church (GLZBC) is a testimony to God s love and grace demonstrated in the congregational life of His Children for 124 years ( ). Our legacy began with our Founders and the foundational services of our first pastor Rev. Lewis Henry Bailey-a former slave who was sold through the slave pen in Alexandria, Virginia to a family in Texas. Freed in 1863 at age 21, he immediately set out walking to return to Alexandria, Virginia in hopes of finding his mother. By the grace of God, Rev. Bailey reunited with his mother. Upon completion of his education, he was called to the preaching ministry and founded several churches in Virginia, still in existence today. In 1891, a group of faithful believers, known as Old School Baptist Groups of Blacks and Whites, formed a membership in Christ and constructed a church on Burke Lake Road in Burke, Virginia. The church was built by Mr. Hoover, a man who lived on a boat in Occoquan, Virginia. He charged $20 to build the small but comfortable structure. Rev. Lewis Henry Bailey mortgaged his home for $50 so that the church could be built ($20 for Mr. Hoover & $25 for building materials). The name Mount Zion Baptist was recommended by Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Smith; however, after much discussion and a considerable amount of prayer, the group settled on the name Little Zion Baptist Church since many believed it was more consistent with the relatively small size of the founding membership. Founding membership included Tom and Lilly Foster, Jim and Mary Gaskins, William and Rose Hamilton, Anderson and Will Ann Wright, and the Robinson and Shelton families. This original group and other members formed sister churches in the early 1900 s Zion Mission Baptist Church on Ox Road and Little Bethel Church on Sideburn Road, which was built on property donated by Mr. David R. Pinn. The original church, erected by former slaves, still stands today on Burke Lake Road. After construction of Little Zion Baptist Church, Rev. Lewis Henry Bailey became the first hired minister and served the congregation from 1891 until The following is a chronological list of the seven pastors who served Zion from 1932 thru 1996, prior to our current pastor, Rev. Dr. James T. Murphy, Jr. Rev. Lewis Henry Bailey Rev. Carter L. Taylor Rev. Edward Thomas Rev. William T. Henry Rev. John Dallas Bussey Rev. James D. Peters, Jr Rev. P. James Preston, Sr In 2015, we remember the passing our former Pastor and First Lady, Rev. James E. Roots, Jr. and First Lady Susie C. Roots. Rev. Roots served as pastor of GLZBC from 1977 until his retirement in He was born January 23, 1936 in Falmouth, Virginia. Rev. Roots was married to the former Susie Clarice Holloway, they have three children, Kenneth, Vincent, and Rodney McKinley. While in the US Army, he was ordained by Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Okinawa, Japan. Rev. Roots pastored in Okinawa for two years. Under Rev. Roots leadership, the church continued to experience spiritual growth. A new sanctuary that seats approximately 500 worshippers was completed and dedicated in Additionally, The Young Adult Choir, Shining Stars Choir, Church Nursery, and Youth Church were all fruits of his vision. Rev. Roots motto was Through God all things are possible. First Lady Roots was instrumental in correctly documenting the graves in the Old Church cemetery. She also documented the church s history. Sister Roots wanted to insure that all the history of Greater Little Zion was documented and all of their founders were given the honor they were due. They touched our lives in so many ways as a Spiritual parents, friends, Spiritual teachers; their unwavering concern for and gentleness with those who sought his help. With love, the memory of their kind deeds will forever live on. We love and remember you. Til we meet again. On December 5, 1998, the members of GLZBC called Rev. James T. Murphy, Jr. to serve as its ninth pastor and he currently serves in that position. He continues Zion s legacy of outstanding pastoral leadership. Under Rev. Murphy s leadership, Zion established vision and mission statements to guide the church s growing ministry, which includes new Sunday School classes; Seasoned Saints Ministry; Financial Management Ministry; Beautification Ministry; Academic Enrichment Tutoring Team; Cancer Support Team; Family Prayer Day and monthly Family Fellowship and Bible Study Night. In 2012, Zion successfully completed its Burn the Mortgage Campaign, enabling Zion to pay off its mortgage loan for the church and parcel of land in ten years instead of twenty years, and retain ownership of the original church, Little Zion Baptist Church on Burke Lake Road. Pastor Murphy has authored two books, Crossing Your Jordan and Defining Salvation in the Context of Black Theology. He is married to Barbara Ann Thorpe Murphy, and they are the proud parents of two children: LaTasha Monique and Ethan Lamar. *Little Zion was rebuilt, dedicated and renamed Greater Little Zion Baptist Church in 1964 under Rev. Preston s leadership. Building Faith, Uniting Family & Fellowshipping with Friends

6 Zion Day Worship Service Sunday October 18, :45 a.m. Order of Worship Devotional Service.. GlZBc combined PraiSe team call to WorShiP rev. estelle chandler WorShiP leaders Bro. emerson & SiS. Dianna BaScomB ProceSSional.... JeSuS Will Fix it GlZBc mass choir invocation Dea. terri BaZemore congregational hymn # We Are Marching To Zion occasion sis. Gloria lofton musical Selection.. lily of the valley... GlZBc mass choir Welcome of visitors bro. and SiS. BaScomB congregational Prayer.... Dea. Don newton introduction of GueSt minister. rev. Dr. JameS t. murphy, Jr. musical Selection.. i can Go to GoD in Prayer....GlZBc mass choir anniversary Sermon rev. Dr. robert F. cheeks, Jr. Senior Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, McLean, VA invitation to DiSciPleShiP.....rev. Dr. robert F. cheeks, Jr. offering... you oughta help...sis. martha & SiS. crystal WorD offertory Prayer.. Bro. robert clark remarks..... SiS. renee ivey & Bro. abraham Scott holy communion. FooD and FelloWShiP....FelloWShiP DininG hall Building Faith, Uniting Family & Fellowshipping with Friends

7 Greater Little Zion Baptist Church Family Notes: Building Faith, Uniting Family & Fellowshipping with Friends

8 Acknowledgements The 124 th Church Anniversary and Revival Committee would like to thank our members and friends who helped to make this Anniversary, Revival, and Pre- Anniversary Concert a success. We extend a special thank you to Pastor Murphy, Reverend Chandler, Deacons, Board of Directors, Ministry Leaders, Ushers, Zion Members and Program Participants for your outstanding support. A heartfelt thank you is also extended to the Music and Performing Arts Ministry; Hospitality Ministry, Beautification Ministry, Administration Office Staff, and Seasoned Saints for your faithfulness, dedication, loyalty, hard work and commitment to God s service. No matter the hour, whatever the need, you go the extra mile, always ready and willing to support and serve God in a fine and worthy way. We say thank you so much for all you do! Finally, to Marcellus Anderson who designed the Revival and Save the Date flyers, words cannot express our thanks and gratitude. Our prayer is that God s protection and blessings remain with GLZBC throughout all generations. For today, we not only celebrate GLZBC s past, but thank God for its present and dare to image its future! Director of Special Programs, Sis. Renee Ivey 124 th Church Anniversary and Revival Committee Bro. Abraham Scott (Chairman) Sis. Angelica Anderson Sis. Christine Davis Sis. Sylvia Fisher Sis. Ruby Rollins Harney Sis. Mamie James Bro. Edward James Sis. LaKita Jones Sis. Bertha McCoy Sis. Brenda Perkins-Johnson Sis. Eula Walden