The Encomium

October, 2014 

Celebrating the People of the Ohios, 

Past and Present.... 

Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas. Inc.

Greetings to the Saints of the Northeast and Southwest Ohio Districts 

100th Centennial Celebration 

With sincere humility I applaud you during this Centennial Celebration of the Fire Baptized Holiness 

Church in ?The Ohio?s?. My prayer is that this Observance will ignite Revival and Renewal of the ?Vision? 

of God?s purpose for the work begun 100 years ago. 

A century of ministry produces notable milestones, and personalities that can never be denied. From this 

labor, nurture, development, and training of influential status has been formed for the Fire Baptized 

Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Inc., as well the Kingdom of Christ at large. 

While my direct span of exposure or tenure with you has been relatively short, out of this century-long 

existence, there is the recognition of powerful and dynamic character development, impacting ministry 

throughout the Body of Christ. Consequentially, the moving and sending of Church leaders into and from 

this area, serves as a testimony of the unquestionable service of the dedication exhibited by the 

constituents of ?The Ohio?s?. God?s choice to use those called into His body to accomplish the task of the 

ministry of reconciliation, as well the furtherance of evangelistic service, is categorically indisputable. 

While we take this time, in reflective review, to salute those our predecessors from the noted 

Centennial, let us not become captivated by the images in our review mirror. The glances of yesteryear, 

should never be a place of camping, but should mark the course of direction for our future exploits. 

History serves to reveal past accomplishments in order to compel us towards our ultimate potential 

imparted into us by those before us. Remember, not solely for reflection, but for inspiration for the 

ultimate. 

The acknowledgement of these pioneers and patriarchs should serve as patterns for our directive 

purpose. We must not seek to achieve the level of effectiveness of our ancestors, but to exceed their 

expectations of our recognized possibilities. Yes, Great men and women have been sprinkled throughout 

the course of this century of ministry, demonstrating the dynamic force of influence God purposed for 

this Grand Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Inc., in ?The Ohio?s? as well throughout 

the Body of Christ. 

The question we must ask in this moment of reflective mode is, who are the sprinkled leaders for the 

future development of our destined impact of ministry? Who will be developed by our presence? Are we 

examples of motivating character? Do we influence holiness as a life style, which will cause conviction 

towards Christ? Are we appealing to this generation by our presentation of a Christ centered life? 

Therefore, let us take this time to re-evaluate what, who, and where we are in the plan of God for our 

lives and for our place in this Grand Fire Baptized Holiness Church, and the Kingdom, His Body. I believe 

God has greatness in our future. May we move towards this divine assignment with the most sincere 

motivation and spiritual fervor. I pray that this Centennial Celebration moves us towards our potential, 

and not towards our past. 

Bishop Alonzo L. Rodgers 

Presiding Prelate of the 3rd Episcopal Diocese

EDITOR'S NOTE 

The 100th Annual Convention 

hosted by Pastor Joseph Sutton 

and the members of Antioch 

F.B.H. Church in Cincinnati is the 

inaugural event of the year long 

Centennial Celebration of the 

Ohio Districts. 

I am elated to be a part of this 

historical occasion. This 

publication celebrates some of the 

greatest people in the Fire 

Baptized Holiness Church. We 

acknowledge and applaud these 

individuals for their contributions 

to us and to the church. They are 

the making of us. 

Compiling this magazine was 

sheer pleasure. Reading the 

100th Annual Convention 

Northeast Ohio / Southwest Ohio 

October 16 - 19, 2014 

comments and listening to the 

stories of the contributors was 

reminiscent of the stories my 

grandmother, Evangelist C.M. 

Morgan, used to tell me. As I 

listened to her, I tried to envision 

myself in the scene.... She talked 

about a time when the biggest 

service in the convention was on 

Sunday night; when Council 

Meetings went on until the wee 

hours of the night; men with peg 

legs kept time on wooden floors, 

the Saints danced down to the 

church from the streetcars and 

picked up hot coals from the fire 

in the stove..... 

As you read the stories and the 

comments, try to imagine yourself 

in the scene. Enjoy the shared 

experiences, memories, and 

appreciation for the People of the 

Ohios. 

Take note of the history tidbits 

concerning those who served as 

district officers, Ruling Elders, 

and Bishops on the Northeast and 

Southwest Ohio districts. 

Thank you to every one that 

helped to make this magazine a 

reality: readers and contributors, 

our Presiding Prelate, Bishop 

A.L.Rodgers, our Ruling Elders, 

Elder A.B. Wilson Sr. and Elder 

M.A. Durham. 

Special thanks to Mother Paulette 

Fitzpatrick from James Temple 

Transforming Ministries for being 

my inspiration in the design of 

The Encomium. 

Vernell Turner 

2 The Encomium

THE ENCOMIUM 

The Fabric of Us..... 

- "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained 

that we should walk in them. " Ephesians 2:10 

Celebrating the People of the Ohios 

Past and Present.... 

- "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give 

you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11 

God created everything and He has a purpose 

for everything. God moved according to His 

purpose in 1915 as the Northeast Ohio and the 

Southwest Ohio districts came together for 

their 1st Annual District Convention 99 years 

ago. 

Many people have traversed these Ohio 

Districts. Some have left the church, moved to 

other districts, started their own work, and 

some have gone on to be with the Lord. 

The goal of this magazine is to celebrate the 

lives and the work of those who embody the 

Ohios. They are the Fabric of Us. 

The fabric is rich and beautiful. The things we 

observe and learn from the People of the Ohios 

(past and present) are woven into us. They 

help to shape what we are and what we will 

become. The influence of their lives affects us 

individually and collectively as the Ohio 

Districts. 

We must hold to what we've learned and strive 

to emulate their good qualities. As you read 

through the comments concerning the People 

of the Ohios look for the consistent reference to 

the following attributes: 

1. Love - for God, His people, and this church 

2.Faithfulness - dedication and reliability 

3.Endurance - perseverance & patience 

4.Long-suffering - includes getting along with 

difficult people, uncomplaining. 

5.Sacrifice - time, talent, and finances 

We are extremely grateful to celebrate this 

magnificent milestone. We cherish the people, 

the teaching, and the memories of yesteryear. 

The Ohios may not have as many people (on a 

whole) as in times past, but God has plans for 

us. Keep the Faith! Do all you can and work 

the harvest. God has a wonderful plan for the 

Ohios. 

"Some people weave burlap into the fabricof our lives, 

and some weave gold thread. Both contribute to make 

the whole picture beautiful and unique " 

Anonymous 


A LITTLE HISTORY 

The Episcopacy 

"The ecclesiastical unit in episcopacy is a diocese, comprising 

many churches and ruled by a prelate ....." 

OUR BISHOPS 

According to the history of the 

FBH Church our Founder, 

Bishop William Edward Fuller 

Sr., was the Presiding Prelate* 

of the entire church including 

the Ohios until January 1958. 

Bishop William Edward Fuller 

Jr. was elected as bishop in the 

17th General Council. He was 

our Presiding Prelate until 

1966. 

In 1966 Elder Abraham Lincoln 

McCracken was elevated to the 

office of Bishop and assigned 

to the 4th Episcopal Diocese 

which included our districts. 

In 1970 we became the 2nd 

Episcopal Diocese with Bishop 

McCracken continuing at the 

helm. 

Bishop McCracken passed 

away in 1978. Elder Nathaniel 

T. Scott was elected as our 

bishop that same year in the 

22nd General Council. 

Bishop Scott retired in June 

1994 in the 26th General 

Council. Elder Nathaniel 

Jeremiah Roach was elected as 

4 The Encomium 

our Bishop and assigned to the 

3rd Episcopal Diocese. 

Bishop N.J. Roach retired 

during the 30th General 

Council. Elder Alonzo Lee 

Rodgers was elected as our 

bishop in June 2010. 

Bishop Rodgers was 

reassigned as the Presiding 

Prelate of the 3rd Episcopal 

Diocese at the 31st General 

Council in June, 2014. 

To God be the glory for the 

things He has done! 

Bishop W.E. Fuller Sr. 

1898 - 1958 

*Bishop Fuller Sr. was the General 

Overseer of our church until elevated to 

the office of Bishop in 1922. 

Bishop W.E. Fuller Jr. 

1958 - 2007 

Bishop A.L. McCracken 

1966 - 1978 

Bishop N.T. Scott 

1978 - 1994 

Bishop N.J. Roach 

1994 - 2010

The Right Reverend A.L. Rodgers - Presiding Prelate of the 3rd Episcopal Diocese 

2010 - Present 

Board of Bishops - 2014 (lL to R) Bishop J.L. Davis, Bishop P.L. Frazier Jr., Bishop A.L. Rodgers 


Ruling Elders 

"...to oversee the spiritual and temporal affairs of the district to which he/she is assigned. ...to preach the Word, give their time, 

talent, and influence for the spreading of the Fire Baptized Holiness Doctrine throughout their respective Districts such that 

the greatest good may be accomplished and the greatest number of souls saved. " Ruling Elders are appointed annually by the 

bishops. 

NORTHEAST OHIO 

Discipline of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Inc. 

Name Years of Service Comments 

Elder Henry Walker 

Elder U.B. Bobo 

Listed as the Elder in 1946 Convention Minute 

Listed as Elder in 1952 Convention Bulletin 

Elder W.D. Davis 

Elder William H. Robinson 

Elder L. David Cornish 

Elder Nathaniel Jeremiah Roach 12 Elevated to the office of Bishop in 1994 

Elder Robert Leonard Fields 

Elder Ben B. Campbell 

Elder Henry L. Cobbs 

Elder Willie Blueford 2 

Elder Allen B. Wilson 2 Current Ruling Elder 

SOUTHWEST OHIO 

Name Years of Service Comments 

Elder William M. Nixon 

Elder D.S. Pinckney 

Elder James Walker Smith Listed as Elder in 1952 Convention Bulletin 

Elder Abraham Lincoln McCracken Elevated to the Office of Bishop in 1966 

Elder John David Goodbread 16 

Elder Jessie Owen Hargrove 8 

Elder William James Culliver Jr. 21 

Elder Melvin Anthony Durham 3 Current Ruling Elder 


Elder Allen B. Wilson 

Ruling Elder of the Northeast 

Ohio District 


Elder M. Anthony Durham 

Ruling Elder of the Southwest 

Ohio District 



FIRST LADIES OF 

In our church, pastors are 

regularly appointed to a church 

one (1) year at a time. A pastor can 

be sent by the Bishops to serve 

any church in the organization. 

There is no guarantee that they 

will serve in the community in 

which they live. The same is true 

of Elders. 

Bishops travel their dioceses for 

their Official Visit annualy. Elders 

travel their districts conducting 

their Official Visits three (3) times 

a year. 

Bishops, Elders, and Pastors travel 

regularly for Sunday School and 

THE OHIOS 

The Wives of Our Bishops and Elders 

Annual Conventions, national 

meetings and other conventions. 

Additionally, Elders and Pastors 

attend various District events 

throughout the year. 

Travelling, administrative tasks, 

and the normal ministerial duties 

of these positions demand a large 

chunk of time from our leaders. 

We salute all spouses and their 

families (past and present) for the 

patience and the sacrifices they 

have made in support of our 

Bishops, Elders, and Pastors! 

We applaud your faithfulness and 

recognize your own service to the 

church both in time and talents. 

Specifically, we want to honor the 

following individuals: 

- Sister Christine Fuller 

- Mother Lue Jane McCracken 

- Sister Christine "Sunshine" 

Scott 

- Sister Mary "Precious" Roach 

- Sister Rachel Rodgers 

- Sister Cora Pinckney 

- Sister Lydia Goodbread 

- Sister Katron Durham 

- Sister Walker 

- Sister Sallie Davis 

- Sister Lillian Robinson 

- Sister Elizabeth Cornish 

- Sister Virginia Blueford 

- Sister Jackie Wilson 


Pastors 

"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and 

understanding." Jeremiah 3:15 


Name 

Pastor Gloria Alford 

Elder James Ashmore 

Pastor Joe Ashmore 

Pastor Phillip Battle 

Elder Willie Blueford 

Pastor B.B. Bomer 

Elder James Bowman 

Pastor Morris Bowman 

Pastor William R. Branch 

Pastor R.H. Breeze 

Pastor S.M. Bryant 

Elder James Caldwell 

Pastor Ron Calvin 

Theresa Goodbread Calvin 

Elder Ben Calvin 

Pastor Minnie Carter 

Elder George Clark 

Pastor Nelson Clark 

Elder Henry L. Cobbs 

Churches Pastored 

New Macedonia - Buffalo, New York 

Mt. Zion - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Mt. Sinai - Alliance, Ohio 

Bethel - Lima, Ohio 

St. Matthew - Columbus, Ohio 


Antioch - Buffalo, New York 

Antioch, - Buffalo, New York 




Athens - Cleveland, Ohio 

New Macedonia, Shekiniah Glory - Buffalo, New York 

Shekiniah Glory - Buffalo, New York 

Mt. Olive - Youngstown, Ohio, Athens - Cleveland, Ohio 

Mt. Zion - Pittsburgh, Pa., Antioch - Sewickly, Pa. 

Athens - Cleveland, New Macedonia - Buffalo, New York 

Mt. Pleasant - Toledo, Ohio 

Mt. Olive - Youngstown, Ohio 


Pastors 




Name 

Elder L.D. Cornish 

Pastor G.C. Curry 

Elder G.L. Danner 


Pastor Duane Darkins 

Pastor Juanita Deeble 

Pastor Dixon 

Pastor G.M. Evans 

Pastor Evans 

Elder Robert Fields 

Pastor Rudolph Fields 

Pastor Fortune 

Pastor Margaret Foster 

Pastor Carol Fuzell 

Pastor Gaston 

Pastor Jack Germany 

Pastor John B. Gladden 

Pastor Renee Gorham 





St. Paul - Akron, Ohio, New Macedonia - Buffalo, New York 

Antioch - Sewickly, Pennsylvania, Faith Tabernacle - Pittsburgh 


St. Paul - Akron, Ohio 



Mt. Zion - Pittsburgh, Pa., Fuller's Temple - Cleveland, Ohio, St. 

Paul - Akron, Ohio, Mt. Olive - Youngstown, Ohio, Athens - 

Cleveland, Ohio 


St. Paul - Fostoria, Ohio 

Pilgrim Community - Cleveland, Ohio, Athens - Cleveland, Ohio 

Pilgrim Community - Cleveland, Ohio, Mt. Sinai - Alliance, Ohio 

Mt. Sinai - Wellsville, Ohio 

Tried Stone - Z anesville, Ohio, Mt. Olive - Youngstown, Ohio 


Bethel - Lima, Ohio, Athens - Cleveland, Ohio 


Pastors 




Name 


Pastor Clarence Grant St. Paul - Akron, Ohio, Bethel - Lima, Ohio, Mt. Sinai - 

Wellsville, Ohio 

Pastor G.W. Grate 


Pastory Raymond Greenwood 

Pastor Francine Hickman 

Pastor Matthew Hill 

Pastor John Hilton 

Pastor Jeanette Hodge 

Pastor Lawrence Howard 

Elder J.D. James 

Pastor Jenkins 

Pastor Clara Johnson 

Pastor Emma Lee Johnson 

Mt. Pleasant - Toledo, Pilgrim Community - Cleveland, Ohio 

Tried Stone - Z anesville, Ohio 


Fuller's Temple - Cleveland, Ohio 

Bethel - Lima, Ohio, Mt. Pleasant - Toledo, Ohio 


Athens, Cleveland, Ohio 


Founder of Highlight - Maple Heights, Ohio 

Mt. Sinai - Alliance, Ohio 

Pastor Theodore W. Johnson Little Wonder - Youngstown, Bethel - Lima, Ohio, Mt. Sinai - 

Wellsville, Ohio, St. Matthew - Columbus, Ohio 

Pastor Sam Jones 


Pastor Jack Jordan 


Pastor David Kennedy 

Pilgrim Community - Cleveland, Ohio, Mt. Sinai - Wellsville, 

Ohio 

Pastor Mary Kidd St. Paul - Akron, Ohio, Mt. Sinai - Wellsville, Ohio, Mt. Olive - 

Youngstown, Ohio 

Pastor Kirksey 

Founder of Mt. Sinai - Alliance, Ohio 


Pastors 




Name 

Elder A.J. Lindsay 

Pastor Alga Malcom 

Pastor Marshall 

Bishop A.L. McCracken 

Pastor Eugenia McWhorter 

Pastor J.H. Mitchum 

Pastor Emma Nesbit 

Elder William M. Nixon 


Pastor Lottie Porter 

Pastor Michael T. Porter 

Pastor Linton Randolph 


Overseer E.R. Roberts 

Elder William H. Robinson 

Pastor Jimmy Rogers 

Pastor Benola Ruffin 

Pastor Joseph Slappy 

Elder J.W. Smith 


St. Paul - Akron, Ohio, Mt. Olive - Youngstown, Ohio 

Founder of Pilgrim Community - Cleveland, Ohio 



St. John - Canton, Ohio 





St. Paul - Fostoria, Ohio, Mt. Pleasant - Toledo, Ohio 


Mt. Olive - Youngstown, Ohio, St. Matthew - Columbus, Ohio 

New Macedonia - Buffalo, New York 




Mt. Moriah - Campbell, Ohio 

Tried Stone - Z anesville, Ohio, St. Matthew - Columbus, Ohio 



Pastors 




Name 

Pastor Luther Smith 

Pastor A.M. Southerlin 

Pastor Rosa Southerlin 

Pastor Elaine Taylor 

Pastor Mercy D. Thomas 

Elder Harold Walker 

Pastor Billy S. Williams 

Elder Allen Wilson 

Pastor David Wilson 

Pastor Frank Wilson 

Pastor Mary Wright 

Pastor Darlene Z anders 



Little Wonder - Youngstown, Ohio 

Little Wonder - Youngstown, Ohio, Mt. Sinai - Wellsville, Ohio 


Mt. Sinai - Alliance, Ohio, Mt. Zion - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 

Mt. Sinai - Wellsville, Ohio, St. Matthew - Columbus, Ohio 



New Macedonia - Buffalo, New York, Athens - Cleveland, Ohio 


Mt. Sinai - Alliance, Ohio, St. Paul - Akron, Ohio 


Little Wonder - Youngstown, Ohio, Mt. Sinai - Wellsville, Ohio 

H istorical Note: 

In 1952 Bishop W.E. Fuller Sr. deemed it necessary 

for "the good of the districts" to move Greater St. James 

from the Northeast Ohio District to Southwest Ohio 

and to move St. Matthew from the Southwest Ohio 

District to Northeast Ohio. 


Pastors 




Name 

Pastor Rosie Allen 

Elder J.O. Baldwin 

Pastor Melvin Bates 

Elder Willie Blueford 

Pastor William Branch 

Pastor Philmore Bryant 

Elder Ben Campbell 

Elder George Clark 

Pastor Yvette Clark 

Dr. Preston Crowe 

Elder William James Culliver Jr. 

Pastor Shirley Davenport 


Pastor Samuel Day Jr. 

Elder M.A. Durham 

Sister Pelma Elliott 

Pastor Mary F. Franklin 

Elder A.N. Frazier 

Pastor L.M. Gates 


St. Mary 

St. James 

Macedonia 

Mt. Calvary - Springfield 

Macedonia, Mt. Calvary - Springfield, St. Matthew - Columbus, Ohio 

Mt. Calvary - Hamilton 

St. Peter 

St. Peter 

Mt. Calvary - Springfield 

Heritage New Life 

Antioch, Holy Bethel, St. Peter, Culliver's Temple - Louisville, Ky. 

Antioch, Mt. Calvary-Hamilton, Mt. Calvary-Springfield, Little Rock, 

Founder of Bethany & New Hope, work in Dayton & Indianapolis 

St. Mary 

Holy Bethel 

St. Peter, Christian's Temple 

St. Mary 

Mt. Calvary - Springfield, Mt. Calvary - Hamilton 

Antioch, St. James, Mt. Pleasant - Toledo 

Blessed David Gates of Perl 


Pastors 




Name 

Pastor John Gladden 

Pastor Voyd Glenn 

Elder J.D. Goodbread 

Pastor George Goodman 

Pastor Michelle Hall 

Pastor John Hardy 

Elder J.O. Hargrove 

Pastor U.W. Hill 

Dr. Howard B. Hogan 

Pastor Naomi Jeffries 

Pastor Ricardo Bruce Johnson 

Pastor Veola Jordan 

Pastor P.T. Kershaw 

Pastor Edward Lampkin Jr. 

Pastor Sadie Lampkin 

Elder Joseph Lewis 

Mother Hazel Lindsay 

Mother Lue Jane McCracken 

Pastor Daniel McCullough 


Mt. Calvary - Springfield, St. Paul - Fostoria, Ohio 

St. Mary, Mt. Calvary - Springfield, Mt. Calvary - Hamilton 

Antioch, Mt. Calvary - Hamilton, Holy Bethel 

Mt. Calvary - Springfield, Triedstone - Z anesville 


Macedonia 

Holy Bethel 

Lord's House of Prayer, House of Faith, St. Paul 

Zion Chapel 

St. Mary 

St. Mary, Mt. Pleasant - Toledo 

New Life 

St. Prisca 

Mt. Calvary - Springfield, Mt. Calvary - Hamilton, Antioch 



Antioch 

St. Peter 

Christian's Temple 


Pastors 




Name 

Elder P.S. McDaniel 

Rev. O'Dell Mack McKinley 

Pastor Lilian Minor 

Evangelist C.M. Morgan 

Pastor IsaacNathan 

Pastor Emma Nesbit 

Mother Mary E. Nesbit 

Pastor James T. Newton 

Pastor Mary Pipkin 

Pastor Beth Poellnitz 

Elder Reginald Poellnitz 

Pastor Roy Reed 

Pastor Joseph Roberts 

Elder Fred E. Robinson 

Elder Nathaniel Simmons 

Pastor Joseph Slappy 

Pastor Henry St. Claire 

Pastor M.E. Sullivan 

Pastor Joseph Sutton 


Antioch, Zion Chapel 

Founder of Holy Bethel 

Founder of Faith Temple 

Macedonia, St. John in Lebanon, Ohio 

Walker's Tabernacle 

Faith Temple 

St. Peter, St. James 

Holy Bethel 

St. Mary 

Faith Temple 

Faith Temple, St. Mary, St. James 

Little Rock 

Holy Bethel 

Antioch 

Zion Chapel 

Macedonia 

Macedonia, Mt. Calvary - Hamilton, Mt. Carmel - Indianapolis 

New Hope 

Antioch 


Pastors 




Name 

Pastor Roberta Tuner 


Founder of Tree of Life 

Pastor Benson Walker Founder of Walker's Tabernacle - 1963 - 1980 

Pastor Ella Mae Walker 

Pastor Beulah Washington 

Pastor David Wilson 

Pastor Deron Wilson 

Pastor Gussie Mae Wilson 

Walker's Tabernacle 

Founder of New Jerusalem, Mt. Pleasant - Toledo 

St. Mary 

Macedonia 

Macedonia, Mt. Calvary - Springfield, Isle of Patmos 

H istorical Note: 

Macedonia was established in 1914. It was 

considered the "mother church" in the 

Cincinnati area for a long time. It no longer 

exists. 

Elder D .S. Pinckney pastored 

Macedonia and H amilton, Mt. 

Calvary. 

Reverend Joseph Slappy also 

pastored Macedonia. 


"PRICELESS NEED" 

An Original Poem 

by Pastor Yvette Clark 

No value could be given 

No word could be better expressed 

T he experience of coming together 

To understand the tasks 

T hat have been assigned to our hands 

So the people of God will be able to stand 

O what joy and compassion has filled my heart 

T he zeal, the commitment of a fresh start 

Keeping the basic teachings in view 

And relying on the Word 

T hat has been established to take root 

O yes! Priceless has been my very need 

Fulfilled with the teaching we have received 


District Officers 

"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" 

Ephesians 4:12 


Name 

Sister Nadine Anderson 

Mother Madelle T. Brown 

Sister Chaunta Burge 

Offices H eld 

District President 

1st YPI Supervisor, Directress of Religious Education 

Ambassador for Christ 

Sister Theresa Goodbread Calvin District President * * 

Sister Cynthia Canty 

Sister Betty Carter 

Sister Hattie Coney 

Sister Mary Cooper 

Sister Manola Crump 

Sister Davis 

Sister Ellen K. Dinkins 

Sister Hattie Evans 

Sister Juanita Fields 

Sister Dollie Green 

Sister Edna Greenwood 

Sister Deborah Holder 

Sister Dollaine Holmes 

Sister Johnnie Ruth Howard 

Sister Emma Lee Johnson 

YPI Supervisor, District Editor, Ambassador for Christ 

District Secretary, Ambassador for Christ 

District Editor 


YPI Supervisor 


YPI Supervisor, Directress of Religious Education, District Secretary, 

District Evangelist 

District President, YPI Supervisor 

Directress of Religious Education 

Directress of Foreign Mission, District President 


Directress of Foreign Mission 


District Superintendent 







Name 

Sister Susanette Johnson 

Mother Alice Jones 

Pastor Mary Kidd 

Brother Michael T. Porter 

Sister Sandra Porter 

Sister Bessie Pullie 

Offices H eld 

YPI Supervisor, Directress of Junior Mission (one of the 1st) 

District Mother, District Evangelist 

Directress of Junior Mission 

Director of Religious Education 

District Secretary, District Choir Director 

YPI Supervisor, District Evangelist 

Sister Sandra Rice Directress of Religious Education * * 

Sister Frances Saxton 

Mother Ida Slappy 

Mother Rose Southerlin 

Sister V.B. Stokley 

Sister Martha Elaine Taylor 

Sister Denise Tucker 

Sister Mirol Wells 

Sister Alice Williams 

Sister Cherilyn Williams 

Sister Falisha Young 

Sister Darlene Z anders 


District Mother 



Direcrtress of Foreign Mission 



Directress of Foreign Mission, Minister of Music 



District President, Ambassador for Christ, District Choir Director 

** Buffalo, New York was carved from Northeast Ohio to 

make a new district. 

Pastor James Bowman was elevated to Elder of the Western 

New York District. 






Name 

Sister Jimeka Arnold 

Sister Margie Banks 

Sister Joann Johnson Brown 

Sister Theresa Goodbread Calvin 

Sister Yvette Clark 

Sister Rosa Colquit 

Brother Timothy Colquit 

Sister Lula Craft 

Brother Anthony Davenport 

Sister Dawn Davenport 

Sister Ida Davis 

Sister Mary Dean 

Sister Pelma Elliott 

Sister Etta Everhart 

Evangelist Voyd Glenn 

Sister Michelle Hall 

Evangelist Martha Bennett Hardy 

Brother IsaacHarris 

Sister Rosheena Stafford-Harris 

Offices H eld 


District Choir Director 

Directress of Jr. Mission 


District Evangelist, Ambassador for Christ 


District Musician 


Minister of Music 

Directress of Foreign Mission, Asst. Choir Director, YPI Supervisor 





District President, Directress of Foreign Mission, District Evangelist 




Anbassador for Christ 






Name 

Sister Jeanette Hodge 

Sister Christine Hunter 

Sister Litrea Hunter 

Brother James Jennings 

Sister Sarah Jennings 

Mother Beatrice Roberts Johnson 

Brother Leonard Johnson 

Deacon Frank Jones 

Sister Nancy Jones 

Sister F.M. Junkins 

Sister Sadie Lampkin 

Sister LaShaunda Lampkin 

Sister Concetta Lewis 

Sister Birt Little 

Brother Sheldon Little 

Sister Charlene Mearday 

Pastor Lillian Minor 

Mother Mary E. Nesbit 

Sister Shawdell Nesbit 

Offices H eld 





Directress of Foreign Mission, District Evangelist 


District Choir Director, District Evangelist 






District Evangelist, YPI Supervisor, Directress of Foreign Mission, 



District Choir Director, Asst. Choir Director 

District Evangelist, Ambassador for Christ 

Directress of Foreign Mission 








Name 

Sister Beth Poellnitz 

Sister LaVonne Reynolds 


Sister C.F. Robinson 


Brother John Tarrant 

Sister Ann Travis 

Sister Audrea Turner 

Sister Vernell Turner 

Pastor Ella Mae Walker 

Sister Annette Ward 

Sister Jackie Watson 

Sister Nina Williams 

Sister Regina Williams 

Sister Daisey Wilson 

Brother Deron Wilson 

Sister LaQueita Wilson 

Offices H eld 

District President, Directress of Foreign Mission, Asst. District Secretary 


Asst. District Secretary 





District Editor, Ambassador for Christ 

District Secretary, Directress of Jr. Mission, Directress of Foreign Mission, 

District Editor, Ambassador for Christ 







Asst. District Choir Director, Youth Co-ordinator, Ambassador for Christ 



ANECDOTES 

A Little Blast from the Past 

TIDBITS 

1946 - Northeast Ohio 

Sunday School 

Convention, Buffalo, 

New York: 

"Ministers and Delegates 

coming from home 

without a lawful excuse 

paid .60 from home and 

.30 session to session. 

The convention also had 

a Deceased Committee 

and an Investigation 

Committee. 

Bishop W.E. Fuller Sr. 

preached in the Friday 

Night Service from Luke 

19:10, Subject: "Seeking 

Our Brother". Prior to 

preaching he spoke of 

the Saints in Africa, his 

former trip, and his plans 

to make an additional 

trip soon. 

Bishop Fuller Sr. 

requested the delegation 

to worship with Rev. 

F.C. Coffy and "the good 

people of the Methodist 

Church". 

A Literary program was 

held at 3:15 p.m. on 

Sunday afternoon . 

Committee reports were 

herd on Sunday night 

and Elder U.B. Bobo of 

Philadelphia preached 

"Two Loving Cows", 

I Samuel 6:12. 

Bishop opened the doors 

of the church and two (2) 

peopled connected with 

the FBH Church. 

1956 Southwest Ohio 

Sunday School 

Convention Minutes 

included the following 

churches on Southwest 

Ohio: 

Aurora, Ill. - Mission 

Field 

Chicago, Ill, - St. John 

Englewood, Ill. 

Fostoria - St. Paul 

Findlay - Emmanuel 

Gary, Ind. - Mission 

Field 

Lima, Bethel 

Pittsburgh - Mt. Zion 

Sewickley - Antioch 

HUMOR 

Picture this: Convention 

time - Bishop asks Pastor 

Henry St. Claire - How 

many died at your 

church this year? Brother 

St. Claire pulls a knife 

form his pocket and 

springs the blade --- 

delegation is on edge no 

one knows what will 

happen next --- 

Brother St. Claire tells 

them - nobody died, but I 

felt like killing some of 

them....... 

Annual Convention at 

Antioch - 2002: 

Bishop W.E. Fuller Jr. is 

in the chair - Southwest 

is on the floor making 

reports - Bishop Fuller 

starts to sing "I aint got 

nothing but love for you, 

baby..." Laughter begins 

to rise.... 

Bishop says why are you 

laughing? Love won't 

buy nothing at 

Winn-Dixie......... 

A time when the Saints 

loved to make their 

reports and competition 

was healthy: 

Bishop Roach was Elder 

on Northeast. Elder J.D. 

Goodbread was Ruling 

Elder of Southwest... 

Southwest is assembling 

on the floor to make the 

Elder's report.... 

Northeast is exiting, 

Elder Roach and his 

family are last to leave... 

Quiet, gentle Pastor 

George Goodman of 

Springfield speaks up, 

"We got something for 

you and those little 

roaches!"......... 


IMPRESSIONS 

-the Effect Produced on Others 

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to 

have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Ralph Waldo Emerson 

PROLOGUE 

This section of the Encomium expresses the sentiments of our hearts for various people of the 

Ohios, past and present. Some expressions are excerpts from Souvenir books created by Bro. M.T. Porter. 

Deaconess Lillie Barton 

Long time member of 

Macedonia FBH Church in 

downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Sister Lillie Barton told me, 

"You can only stand on your 

tip toes for so long; then you 

have to go flat foot. " I n 

otherwords, "be what you are 

and live the life." 

Shirley Wilson Staples 

Sister Ozella Beeks 

Long time member of St. James 

FBH Church in Detroit, 

Michigan. 

Sister Beeks was one of the 

all-time greatest Convention 

Secretaries in the Fire 

Baptized Church. I 've read a 

number of minutes from past 

Sunday School and Sisters of 

Charity Conventions that she 

wrote. She had a way of 

graphically describing in a 

few words, not j ust the facts, 

but the atmosphere of the 

service and the respect the 

people had for their leaders. 

I f there was a "Secretary 

Hall of Fame", Sister Beeks 

would be the first inductee. 

She was poised and polished. 

She had a bounce in her step 

and she thoroughly enj oyed 

her work. I can hear her now 

announcing what was raised 

during the convention, "Grand 

To-tal!, Grand To-tal!" 

I am honored that she took 

time out to train me to take 

Sunday School and HYPU 

Convention minutes. 



Mother Brown was faithful to 

God, His Word, and the Fire 

Baptized Holiness Church of 

God of the Americas. She has 

worn many "hats" of service 

with pride, humbleness, 

excellence, and honor. 

She was a woman of 

exemplary character. Mother 

was a blessing, a Bible 

scholar, Bible teacher, an 

expositor of the Word, a 

National and I nternational 

missionary, a reader of the 

Discipline of the FBH Church 

during Quadrennial General 

Councils, the 1st Supervisor of 

the Young People's I nstitute 

on the Northeast Ohio 

District, a biographer, 

photographer, and many 

achievements I know not of, 

but God knows. 

What an endowment! What a 

legacy! 

But, to me, she will always be 

Sister Madelle T. Brown, a 

woman of God, who I greatly 

admired and esteemed 

highly; 






(cont'd) 

who took time to pray for me. 

I thank God for Mother 

Brown. 

Sister Johnnie R. Howard 

Mother Brown was a friend to 

our family for more than 60 

years. We have the highest 

respect for her. 

Mother's fellowship in our 

home was a blessing to each 

family member. 

I can personally recall the 

many Sunday afternoons she 

stopped by St. Paul in Akron, 

Ohio, where my Father, the 

late Elder W.D. Davis, served 

as Pastor, to teach us about 

Paul's Missionary j ournies. 

She brought very large maps 

to make the presentations 

interesting to the youth. 

Mother Brown was truly a 

Missionary called by God. She 

had the knowledge and 

wisdom that many still 

search to obtain. 


Dr. Madelle T. Brown was 

j ust a remarkable woman. 

She was the one who took the 

young people and worked 

with them on the Discipline of 

the Fire Baptized Holiness 

Church, providing artistic 

excitement with plays, skits, 

and pageants from the Bible. 

Because of her creative 

artistry in revealing not only 

the Discipline of the church 

but a clear understanding of 

God's word, my life and work 

has been equally as clear. 

Throughout my career and my 

life in acedemia, I have met 

more atheists and agnostics 

than I ever imagined as a 

young neophyte at Mt. Olive 

FBH Church in Youngstown, 

Ohio. 

Sister Brown taught me about 

"isms" about understanding 

who God is and how you can 

tell who God is. These prcepts 

were ingrained in me. 

When atheists wanted me to 

deny God's existence, when 

agnostics wanted me to deny 

God's son; I was not swayed 

or left speechless. 

I thank Sister Brown for 

giving me a quest for 

knowledge, a passion for the 

theatre, and an 

understanding of God that 

continues on. 

I t seems like yesterday we 

were singing "Faith, Hope & 

Charity; That's the way to live 

successfully". 

Dr. Lundeana M. Thomas 

Doctor of Philosoply 

I received my blessing of 

Salvation at a 1:00 p.m. 

Prayer Meeting in my aunt's 

living room. Sister Brown 

came to the prayer meeting 

that week to teach and there 

I received my instruction 

about holiness every day for 

three (3) months. 

The Bible studies gave me an 

understanding of my calling 

from God to preach His word. 

I t was a very crucial time in 

my life. 

I did not believe that God 






(cont'd) 

called women to preach, but 

God made a believer out of 

me, especially through 

Evangelist Madelle T. Brown, 

who had j ust graduated from 

the Moody Bible I nstitute in 

Chicago , I llinois. On 

December 31, 1958, I 

preached my trial sermon, 

John 1:1-4. Subj ect: "Jesus is 

the Word". 

Sister Brown took me under 

her wings. She was my 

mentor and teacher. I 

attended her Tuesday night 

Bible study at Mt. Olive along 

with my mother, aunt, and my 

children. 

As her Bible student, she 

inspired me to commit to 

memorizing scriptures. I have 

passed this along to my Bible 

students as well as a 

passionate love for the word. 

The concepts used in learning 

the Bible whett my appetite 

for knowledge and I was able 

to earn a High School 

diploma, BS in Elementary 

Education, and a Master's 

Degree in English as a 

reading specialist. 

Sister Brown taught that a 

prayerful life will show 

through by studying God's 

word and worshipping Him 

from your heart. 

Her ministry has been a 

blessing in my life. I am 

grateful to God now and 

forever. 

Rev. Sister Mercy Dea Thomas 

I t was always a blessing to 

hear of Mother Brown's 

adventures and the many 

miraculous ways that God 

brought her out. 

Her work in Africa made 

history - walking away from 

an airplane crash, the 20 

mile trek on foot through the 

j ungle, the tuberculosis she 

had, but we never realized it, 

the infected leg they wanted 

to amputate in the hospital 

where no one spoke English, 

the many narrow escapes in 

those war torn villages, and 

the great favor of God that 

made a way for her when all 

doors were closed. 

Evangelist Carole Fuzell 

Note: Mother Brown was the 

author of many books including: 

Manual of Doctrinal Studies 

Know Your Bible 

Making Bricks Without Straw 

Eschatology 

Evangelism 

Marriage 

Her desire was to obtain a 

patent for the work and place it 

in the Library of Congress in 

Washington, D.C. 

Her song sheets are available at 

the end of this book. 

Elder James R. Caldwell 

Allow me to mention my 

husband who once served as 

the Pastor of Athens in 

Cleveland, Ohio. 

He was called the "Roaring 

Lion of the North". He was 

truly a Prayer Warrior! 

He could sing, play a trumpet, 

and could get up out of a 

deep sleep preaching. 

He loved his congregation 

and was involved in the 

community in which he 

volunteered his services, 

which brought young people 

in from one of the shcools in 

Cleveland. 

He was a family man and 





Elder James R. Caldwell 

(cont'd) 

rej oiced when our twins were 

born. Bishop McCracken along 

with Elder William Robinsom 

of Northeast Ohio came on 

the 1st Sunday and 

christened my twins. What a 

day that was!....Oh, don't get 

me to reminiscing... 

Rev. Sister Dorothy Caldwell 

Sister Theresa Goodbread 

Calvin 

Pastor Theresa Calvin.... my 

friend. Oh how I dream 

about her today. I loved her, 

I confided in her. She 

believed in me in so many 

ways. She never changed in 

her mood or her personality. 

She was the same whenever 

you met her. 

Because of Pastor Calvin, I 

was ?Miss Southwest? for the 

Southwest Ohio District. This 

was in the 80's. She was the 

Y.P.I . Supervisor at that time. 

She could sing, play the 

organ, and I admired her. 

She was a Registered Nurse 

j ust as I am today. I miss 

her dearly. 


Wonderful woman of God! She 

always advised me to believe 

in myself and not conform to 

other people because my 

greatness is good enough. 

LaVonne Reynolds 

I got saved and j oined 

Antioch in Cincinnati at a 

Sunday School Convention. 

Elder J.D. Goodbread was the 

pastor at that time. 

I n my mind his daughter, 

Sister Theresa Goodbrad, was 

the prettiest, the friendliest, 

and the nicest girl I ever met. 

Sister Theresa could drive!. 

She picked me up for church 

and we'd have a little bite 

before service. I f we weren't 

having Sunday night service 

(because you got to be faithful 

to your own first), her dad 

would let us go over to 

Bibleway COGI C. 

Bibleway had some great 

organists at that time (Bro. 

Michael Gaston, and Huebie). 

Sister Theresa sat on the 

stool with them to learn 

chords while they played for 

their Sunday Night Radio 

Broadcast. The church would 

be packed. They let me sit on 

the musician podium,, like I 

was going to play something 

too.... 

That October she told me she 

was moving to Detroit and 

her dad wasn't going to be the 

pastor at Antioch either. I was 

devastated! I asked her what 

was I going to do? She told 

me I would be allright, j ust 

keep coming to church and 

doing what I always did. 

We remained friends while 

she was in Detroit and when 

she went to Buffalo, through 

the ups and the downs. 

Sister Theresa endured many 

things. She was a living 

example of how to trust God 

and be strong in the midst of 

adversity. 

When she finally found out 

why she had been so sick, she 

called to tell me. She said 

there was no reversal of the 

illness....Devastated again; 

and again, she told me it was 

allright and began to help me 

with our 50th Youth Day 

commemoration book...... 

Sister Theresa could surely 

dance & rej oice before the 

Lord. I do believe the j oy of 

the Lord was her strength. 






Sister Theresa Goodbread 

Calvin (cont'd) 

We met Sister Theresa at 

Antioch when Elder 

Goodbread was the pastor. 

We enj oyed being in the choir. 

Sister Theresa would play 

that piano and we'd give the 

songs all we had. My mother 

(Pastor Roberta Turner) and 

my aunt (Sister Edith Green) 

loved it. 

Darrian R. Turner Sr. 

regardless to who could or 

could not make it. The Lord 

always sent someone to j oin 

me before the service ended. 

Pastor Clark was one of those 

My brother, Eddie Tuner Jr., 

my cousins, James and Robert 

and myself were in her choir. 

There were no girls in the 

chioir. 

Stevie Davenport started 

coming over and Sister 

Theresa let him in the choir. 

None of us were playing 

music at the time. 

I remember my cousin, 

Robert, singing the lead to 

"Who Woke Me Up This 

Morning" and I sang the lead 

to "Didn't it Rain, Children". 

She taught us more songs (we 

rehearsed a couple of times 

each week) but I will never 

forget those two (2). 

Mother Carter 

When Sister Davenport 

pastored in Springfield, we 

stopped on Sunday morning 

in Xenia, Ohio, to pick up 

Mother Carter. 

She was a faithful mother 

who loved Mt. Calvary. She 

would invite people to the 

church and tell them "Our 

church may be small, but we 

got a whole lot of love." 

Mother was simply a 

beautiful person. 



Also known as "Firecracker 

Clark", has a passion for for 

souls and loves the Lord. 

Our pastor is not able to 

come out to the mid-week 

service. I need the service. So, 

I told the Lord I would come 

out on a regular basis 

someones that the Lord sent. 

One evening we were getting 

in our cars and I thanked her 

for coming she replied, "Oh, 

I 'm not going to let you come 

by yourself." I knew she was 

not j ust talking about that 

particular night... 

She and her good people 

have j oined us for Bible Study 

every since. God has a way 

and it's mighty sweet. 






Sister Hatie Coney 

When I first started paying 

attention to the business of 

the Annual Convention (early 

70s) I realized that only 

certain people were 

nominated to be the 

Convention Secretary: Sister 

M.E. Sullivan and Sister 

Hattie Coney. 

One (1) year, I was on my 

way into the convention on 

Thursday morning. Elder 

Goodbread opened the door 

for me and as I went in he 

said, "I want you to be the 

secetary"..... I was the 

assistant in the Sunday 

School Convention, but the big 

convention....... Not to worry. 

When they called me, Sister 

Coney took me right under 

her wings. "Are you adding up 

the reports as they call 

them?". She told me it was 

easier to add as you go then 

wait for the end.... and she 

was right,.... 

Sister Coney made sure that 

our figures agreed and then 

we needed to agree with the 

Finance Committee. Of course 

money overrides our math, 

but it was like a check and 

balance. We better not be way 

off from the Finance 

Commitee. Most of the time 

we weren't. One (1) time we 

were only off by $1.00. 

I 'll never forget what she 

taught me. 

Sister Lula Mae Conley 


Sister Conley got saved when 

she was a little girl at 

Maecdoninia while my 

grandmother, C.M. Morgan, 

served as pastor. 

She j oined Antioch during a 

Sunday School Convention in 

1960. Elder Fred Robinson 

was the pastor and Elder A.L. 

McCracken was the Ruling 

Elder. 

Sister Conley always 

encouraged me in whatever I 

had to do for the district. She 

loved young people. 

Sister Conley was known for 

decorating pretty tables with 

her real silver and crystal. 

She helped me set-up for my 

wedding. She brought her 

crystal candlesticks, trays, 

and bowls. She brought her 

ivy and trimmed the edge of 

the cake table. She stayed at 

the church all day to receive 

my deliveries. She decorated 

the candelabras... I hadn't 

thought of any of that. When 

I got back it was j ust 

beuatiful. 

I took her home to get 

dressed and remembered I 

forgot to pick up the aisle 

runner. We went to the 

butcher shop, which was 

packed (you had to pick a 

number), Sister Conley 

hollered to the butcher, "She's 

getting married in a couple of 

hours and forgot the aisle 

runner. Can you give her 

some white butcher paper?" 

He did. 






Elder W.J. Culliver Jr. 

The greatest Ruling Elder in 

this Grand Ole Fire Baptized 

Holiness Church. 


Elder Culliver is a 

great inspiration to 

me. 

I love the way he 

preaches. I like to 

see him get happy. 

He gets that one leg 

moving and then he 

starts to j ump. 

I love him so much. 

He always makes 

sure to have my mom tell his 

girl, "Friday", that he says 

"Hey". 

Khalilah Reynolds 

Elder Culliver was our elder 

for 21 years. I n all those 

years, I can truly say, Elder 

is sure enough saved, 

sanctified, and filled with the 

Holy Ghost. 

He always knows what to say 

in any given situation, even 

when the enemy is on attack. 

I t's amazing whenever I ask 

him a question or ask for his 

opinion, he delays his reply. I 

know he's praying and 

waiting for the Lord to guide 

his answer. 

Elder Culliver always 

conducts himself in a 

professional manner. He 

really is a business man. He 

dresses for business. We 

rarely saw him without a suit. 

I t was only the Lord that 

allowed him to drive back 

and forth to Greenville, 

Tennesse, Cincinnati, Detroit, 

and Chicago - not to mention 

the destinations required to 

attend a convention on 

Northeast. Twenty-one years 

of driving up and down these 

highways..... Travelling Mercy! 

Only God. 

We would sometimes want 

him to stay over to save on 

driving, but Elder would drive 

on to be at his church on 

Sunday morning. 

I t's that kind of dedication 

that inspires me. He goes 

and keeps trusting the 

Lord. 


I loved to hear Elder 

Culliver preach. He would 

clap his hands together 

and say, 

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!" 

He drove up and down the 

highway to Florida, Ohio, 

Michigan, and I llinois for 

years. Thank you, Elder for 

all you've done. 

Audrea Turner 







would put us on that altar 

and would tell us "don't look 

at your neighbor and stay 

there until you reach God!" 

Whew! I always said, "Pastor 

Davenport made you pray 

when you didn't want to.? 

Praise God, it paid off! 


I j oined Sister Davenport's 

church when I was 17 years 

old. Much of what I know 

about working in the church I 

learned from her and Pastor 

Roberta Turner. 

You can hardly talk about one 

without talking about the 

other. The two of them were 

great examples of what 

teamwork could do. They 

showed me how to not have 

an ego. Everything is to the 

glory of God. 

When I j oined, Pastor 

Davenport told me, 

"Whatever your hands find to 

do, do it". She told us down 

through the years, "I rather 

wear out, then rust out". She 

did j ust that. 

Sister Davenport was a 

excellent preacher. She had 

power in the clapping of her 

hands. No one could clap like 

her. The cadence of her clap 

was a clue that the anointing 

was upon her. 

Sister Davenport used to be a 

street preacher. She told us 

the clapping of her hands 

was her "Amen" when she 

preached on the street. 

She really was a prayer 

warrier! She loved to pray 

"until you touch God and He 

touches you back". 

Deacon Charles W. Lewis once 

stated that he thought Pastor 

Davenport prayed in her 

sleep. I 'm a witness. She did. 

She went to sleep and woke 

up moaning in the Spirit. 

Many of the people blessed 

under her ministry have gone 

on to start churches and hold 

positions in this church. 

Her fruit yet remains. 


Deacon Kenneth Davenport 

Deacon Davenport was one of 

the kindest, gentlest men I 've 

known. He did not like to 

argue and he wouldn't, even 

when he knew he was right. 

Bro. Davenport was musically 

talented. Music always helps 

to boost the service. He could 

play a lead guitar, piano, and 

the harmonica. My husband 

often says he wouldn't have 

thought to pick up the guitar 

if it wasn't for Brother 

Davenport. 

Deacon loved God's people 

and would help any one, any 

time of the day or night. He 

came to our rescue many, 

many times. 








was a great evangelist and 

powerful prayer warrior. 

She had that powerful clap! 

When she put those anointed 

hands together? .. Halleluj ah! 

As a young girl growing up in 

my grandmother?s home 

(Sister Ann Lou Tolbert), we 

went to her church on 

Beecher Street in the 

summer. There, I remember 

great women in the Fire 

Baptized Holiness Church, 

like Pastor Roberta Turner, 

Pastor Voyd Glenn, 

Evangelist Mary Dean etc.... 

Pastor Davenport inspired 

me to reach outside the walls 

of the church. Sometimes you 

have to reach the lost where 

they are at that moment. She 

is greatly missed. She is one 

of those who have 

accomplished more with the 

least. 


Anthony "Tony" Davenport 

Brother Tony Davenport was 

the Minister of Music on the 

Southwest Ohio District and a 

member of St. James in 

Detroit. He was also our 

Friend. 

Tony, Odie, and my husband, 

Darrian Turner (Pastor 

Roberta Turner's son) would 

travel and play in the 

conventions. Tony very 

seldom 

missed a 

convention. 

He played 

the bass 

guitar, 

Darrian 

played the 

lead guitar, 

and Odie 

(Sister 

Beeks 

grandson) 

played the 

drums. 

Tony moved 

to the Hammond B3 organ. 

Eventually, Odie moved to 

the organ too. 

Tony loved the Youth 

Congress. He went every year. 

When Brother Leonard 

Johnson started coming to 

church, Tony started him 

going to Greenville. 

Every summer and 

sometimes at Christmas 

(before he married) Tony 

came to our house for the 

holidays. 

On one (1) visit he told us 

that there was a young man 

at their church who was 

interested in playing the 

organ. Tony said he 

was going to share his 

talent for playing the 

organ with the young 

man. He was going to 

teach him all he 

knew. 

Turns out, that young 

man was Brother 

I saac Harris, who is 

the current Minister 

of Music on the 

Southwest Ohio. 

Brother Phillip 

Poellnitz also credits 

Tony (along with 

Odie) for inspiring him to 

play the organ. 

Brother Phillip and Brother 

I saac are both talented 

musicians. 

Tony loved his family, St. 

James, and this Fire Baptized 

Church. So glad the Lord let 

our paths cross. 






Mother Mattie Davis 

1915 - 2009 

A special 

Lady! To know 

her was to 

love her. Her 

Motto was 

?Live and let 

Live?. 

Mother Davis 

was a true 

Missionary 

from the 

Heart. No j ob 

was too small 

or too large for her. 

She worked endlessly in her 

church, with family and 

friends. She didn?t have to 

know you, to help you. She 

truly loved the Lord. 

Mother j oined Mt. Olive in 

her preteen years. She was a 

faithful, devoted, dependable, 

and loyal member, wearing 

many hats in her years of 

service. 

She served as Deaconess, 

Chair of the Mother Board, 

and the Finance Board. 

Mother Davis was a Sunday 

School Teacher, and j anitor. 

Because she had a special 

love for cooking, it was a 

given for her to serve as 

Chair of the Kitchen 

Committee. These are j ust a 

few of the offices 

she held in the 

church. 

Sister Mary Dean 

Mother Mattie 

Davis worked 

untiringly until 

her health failed. 

She will always 

be remembered 

for her labor of 

love, kindness and 

gift of help. 

Sister Betty L. 

Carter 

Sister Dean was a faithful 

deaconess in our church for 

years. She also served as a 

District Evangelist on the 

Southwest Ohio District. 

Sister Dean was a true 

missionary. She helped 

people all the time. When she 

gave you something, she often 

asked you not to let anyone 

know. 

She was wise, prudent, and 

thrifty. 

She thought it was a "sin and 

a shame" to waste anything. 

Sister Dean also had an "eye 

of discernment". She wouldn't 

let people talk j unk to her 

especially when it came to 

the Lord and how to live 

right. 

She made us laugh when she 

talked, but her words and 

advice were really sound. 

Two (2) things Sister Dean 

said that really stick with me. 

1, The j ust shall live by faith. 

2. God's got a set time, and 

He's gonna pull the covers. 

Sister Dean was my travel 

partner. We had many 

enj oyable trips to the 

convention. 

Once we were going to 

Columbus and her car would 

not pull no matter how much 

gas I gave it. She beat on the 

dash and told the car "Listen 

Here!, we're going to the 

Convention. I done already 

prayed the prayer of faith 

and..." I want you to know 

that car picked up and we 

didn't have anymore trouble 

with it the entire convention. 




China Durham, a wonderful 

young lady and talented 

musician. 


"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, 

to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Ralph Waldo Emerson 

I n Loving Memory of the Late 

Elder William Dennis Davis 

and Mother Sallie Mae Davis 

60+ Years, each, of 

Dedicated Service to the Fire 


God of the Americas. 

You both have special gifts 

from God to serve His people. 

The Lord hath appeared of 

old unto me, Saying yea, I 

have loved thee with an 

everlasting love; therefore, 

with lovingkindness have I 

drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3 

Thank you for introducing us 

to the Lord, Jesus Christ. 

We will always miss you. 

Your children: 

Shirley, Lottie, William D., Jr. 

(Deceased), James, Concetta, 

Geraldine, and Paul 

Deacon Joseph Fields Sr. 

Deacon Fields was a 

prominent and outstanding 

deacon. 

He took care of Athens church 

business. He was a deacon 

second to none. Loyal and 

highly respected by all. A 

deacon indeed. 

He was concerned about his 

Pastor and made sure we 

were taken care of. 

Sister Dorothy Caldwell 

Evangelist Voyd Glenn 

Amazing! She always looked 

to 

please God and not man. 

Sister Glenn taught me to put 

God first. He will never let 

you down. Every word she 

uttered was beneficial to the 

soul. 


Pastor V. Glenn was one of 

those women that spoke soft 

but knew j ust what to say. 

I remember when I wanted to 

leave the church; she would 

say with that soft voice, I 

know, but pray about it. 

I also remember when we 

didn't have an organ. Sister 

Glen got on that piano and 

made that thing talk! We had 

some church. 

She had the prettiest hair 

and the best smelling 

perfume. I miss her. 

Pastor Michelle Hall 

Mother Glenn was a prayer 

warrior. She was patient 

and kind. She wanted 

everybody to understand 

that God Loves you and she 

loved you. Mother Glenn 

did it by example not j ust 

words. She always had 

words of encouragement 

and could make you smile! 

Evonder Wheeler 

Mother Glenn loved all of us 

(The Franklin Family). Even 

my older cousins remember 

her. 

Larry Neal 

Sister Voyd Glen from 

Cincinnati, Ohio, made an 

impression on my life. 

This mother took me under 

her wings and took me to be 

her daughter. 

She worked and tarried with 

me untiringly until I received 

the Holy Ghost. 

35 The Encomium 

l


"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate 

, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Elder J.D. Goodbread, the man & 

his music. His style of playing is 

still used today. 

Eddie L. Turner Jr. 

We were in shut-ins together. 

Whenever she came to run 

revivals I was always eager 

to be there because she was 

somebodys preacher! She was 

a song bird as well. 

Mama Glenn, thank you for 

loving and caring enough for 

me. You never gave up on me 

in which, I shall ever be 

greatful. 

Love you, your daughter, 

Sister Sue Sue (as she would 

call me) 

Sister Susan Carol 

Sister Glenn was my Jr. 

Church Pastor at Antioch. 

We would meet her on Friday 

nights. She be playing that 

piano and singing. Nobody 

sings like Sister Glenn! She'd 

have all of us kids take turns 

leading the songs. She was 

teaching us how to do 

Devotion. I t was a wonderful 

time! 

She was a dynamic District 

President. She told us so 

many good things: "Be like 

those 3 monkeys - See no evil, 

Speak no evil, Hear no evil." 

She put us on the Hours of 

Prayer - 9:00, 12:00, 3:00, 

and 6:00. 

One Sunday before she 

passed, I went to have 

Sunday School with her, I 

remember her telling me, 

"V-nell (that's what she 

called me), I 'm not trying to 

go to heaven, I 'm going". I 

knew that meant she had all 

things ready. 

Sister Glenn always told us 

this is the "dressing-up room" 

and you can't be getting 

ready, you have to be ready! 

So many good things we 

shared. She was j ust a 

wonderful person. 

Elder J.D. Goodbread 


Elder J.D. Goodbread gave 

me the opportunity to learn 

how to work in the church. 

He called us out of the 

congregation during 

conventions and say, "Sit here 

and write down each church 

and how much they are 

reporting. " Even though 

there was a church secretary, 

he was preparing us. 

He loved to hear my sisters 

and I sing, "I can run through 

the troops, leap over the 

walls, Halleluj ah!? 


Reverend Clarence L Grant 

Rev. Grant was a great, great 

influence in my ministry, with 

his great way of teaching and 

dynamic preaching. 

He helped me to prepare for 

Ordination. He and his wife, 

Sister Grant were and are 

people of God. 

I served under Rev. Grant for 

sixteen years. He loved 

preaching, and he did. He 

loved to sing and he did. He 

loved to eat and he did. 

Rev. Grant loved his wife and 

family and he loved the FBH 

Church. 

Rev. Grant would always 

preach in the conventions. I 

believe Rev. Grant's dynamic 

preaching was one of the 

highlights in the conventions. 

Everyone loved his style. 

God bless you, Rev. Grant. 




Minister William Higdon, a true 

Ambassador, 100's invited to 

church and saved.. 

Pastor Renee Gorhamr 

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, 

to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Deacon Haywood Sr. 

Deacon Haywood was a 

praying man; a deacon that I 

would hear many say, 

"Ordained by God!" 

He taught me how to pray, 

live holy, not to play in 

church, and how to be a 

blessing when you leave 

someones home. 


Sister Augusta Howard 

Sister Augusta Howard, I 

believe, is the reason I love 

Resurrection Day so much 

because of her determination 

to have us learn our 

speeches, our (curtsies), and 

bows. 

The Easter and Christmas 

Programs were the best in 

town. People would come 

from other churches to see 

our Easter Program. The 

hymn, "The Old Rugged 

Cross", has such an impact on 

me today. 

My Mother made Easter even 

more special by dressing us to 

the max: Dress with Coat, 

gloves, shoes, hat. I recall 

people looking at us in the 

car while (MaDear) drove us 

to church. 


My earliest memories of 

church include our attending 

Macedonia in downtown 

Cincinnati. 

I j oyfully recall walking to 

the church with "Sister 

Gussie" to practice for the 

Easter program, watching 

Sister Wilson play the piano, 

and waiting for my name to 

be called to say my speech: 

"Next, we're going to have ....". 


Special tribute to Deacon Joe 

Hilton I . 

Deacon was a deacon of 

deacons. So many things I 

learned from him. He always 

said, ?Be faithful to God. He 

will be faithful to you.? 

He was a wonderful man of 

God. I loved to hear him 

pray as well as sing. My 

favorite song: ?God has a way 

that's mighty sweet?. 


Pastor Naomi Jeffries 

Rev. Naomi Jefferies, better 

known as "Aunt Naomi" was 

our Pastor at Greater St. 

Mary in Detroit, Michigan. 

This lady was the most 

outstanding and most 

knowledgeable person I know. 

When I first started coming 

around (had not j oined the 

church yet) Elder and Sister 

Eugene Crockett introduced 

her to me 

Every year she would have a 

Christmas party. She would 

have this Christmas tree in 

her basement full of presents 

and a dinner beyond any 

words.... 

Well, this was the 1st time I 

met her. She did not know I 

was coming. When she passed 

out the presents she made 

sure everyone had something. 

I noticed she left the room for 

a few minutes. When she 

returned she had a wrapped 

present. She told me 

everyone gets something 

when they come to her party. 





I unwrapped the gift and 

there was a pair of red house 

shoes. I t really touched my 

heart to know what a loving 

& caring & very special lady 

she was. 

From that day forward, she 

was not only Aunt Naomit, she 

was my new pastor. 

Sister Susan Carroll 

Pastor Bruce R. Johnson 

Pastor Bruce Johnson, also 

known as Ricky Johnson was 

an awesome preaching man 

of God. He was an inspiration 

to me in my Christian walk. 

He stood on his convictions of 

what God spoke to him and 

did not take down regardless 

of who opposed it. Because of 

that, God blessed him to help 

many people learn to do the 

same in God. 

I bless God for him being a 

part of my j ourney and the 

lessons learned. 

He always had a tender heart 

toward God for as long as I 

can remember. I remember 

him as a teen singing "I t is 

Well With My Soul." I t always 

overwhelmed him and he 

would cry, but it never 

stopped him from singing 

God's praises! 

He gave me my first Study 

Bible, "a Matthew Henry 

Study Bible" which continues 

to bless my soul. He 

constantly encouraged me in 

the Lord. He believed in 

encouraging and letting 

people use their gifts and 

talents to work in Gods house. 

I t was under his ministry I 

first worked with the youth 

department and discovered 

my love for it. 

Pastor Bruce is still working 

in the vineyard, preaching, 

singing and being used of God. 


Brother Leonard Johnson 

The greatest choir director of 

all time. Great man of God. 


Brother Leonard was a very 

friendly person. 

He could teach a song faster 

than anyone I know, even if 

you never heard the song 

before. He wasn't afraid to 

give a person a chance to 

sing lead - like me..... 

I loved it when he would tilt 

his head back and pat his 

foot. You knew then he was in 

the groove. 

Audrea Turner 





Sister Susanette Johnson 

Reverend Susanette Johnson 

is the daughter of the late 

Pastor Theodore Johnson and 

Mother Ruth Johnson. 

She was saved at an early 

age at Mt. Olive FBH Church 

in Youngstown, Ohio. Sister 

Johnson grew in the grace 

and knowledge of Jesus 

Christ. 

The Lord blessed her to carry 

his Word. She became a local 

minister in October 2001, and 

was later licensed as an 

Ordained Minister of the Fire 

Baptized Holiness Church. 

Sister Johnson served as 

Directress of Junior Mission 

of the Northeast Ohio District 

for 15 consecutive years. She 

was the YPI Supervisor on 

Northeast Ohio for 10 years. 

Rev. Susanette Johnson is 

currently a member of St. 

Matthew FBH Church in 

Columbus, Ohio where she 

served as Superintendent of 

the Sunday School, President 

of the Pastor's Aide, a 

member of the Usher Board, 

Trustee Board, and the Choir. 

Pastor Darlene Zanders 

Pastor Theodore Johnson & 

Mother Ruth Johnson 

Pastor Theodore W. Johnson 

was saved and became a 

member of Mt. Olive Fire 

Baptized Holiness Church in 

Youngstown, Ohio in 1950, 

where he met and married 

Mother Ruth Jane McMullen 

Johnson. He was called to 

preach, received his local 

license, and later on became 

Ordained. 

Pastor Johnson, Mother Ruth 

Johnson, and their six (6) 

children traveled many miles 

over the district singing as 

they went. His favorite song 

was ?I t I s Well With My Soul?. 

Mother Ruth Jane Johnson 

was saved at an early age. 

She was a member of the 

FBH Church for over sixty 

years. 

She faithfully served the 

Lord alongside her husband 

while he was pastoring. After 

Pastor Johnson went home to 

be with the Lord, she served 

under the leadership of her 

daughter Pastor Darlene 

Zanders at Mt. Sinai in 

Wellsville. 

Mother Johnson was a 

church mother and a 

licensed missionary. 






Mother Alice Jones 

Mother Alice Jones was 

somebody in the Lord! 

Mother could quote scripture 

without even having a Bible 

in front of her. She could 

recite scriptures and read the 

scriptures from top to bottom. 

Northeast Ohio had the 

pleasure of having Mother on 

our district. She was my 

spiritual mother. 

I am so grateful for Mother 

Alice Jones. I am the young 

lady that I am today because 

of Mother?s influence in my 

life. 

As a Christian single woman, 

Mother was always there to 

talk to me, to let me know 

when I 'm wrong and when I 'm 

right. 

I loved it whenever she came 

to Macedonia in Buffalo to 

run a revival. 

Sister Cynthia Canty 

A spirit filled woman. The 

back bone of Athens. 

She spoke for me when I 

came to the convention to be 

licensed. 

Pastor Renee Gorham 

Pastor P.T. Kershaw 

Rev. Priscilla T. Kershaw was 

one (1) of the greatest 

missionaries that I ?ve ever 

known. She had a small store 

front church, St. Prisca FBH, 

in Detroit and a small 

congregation, but, as the song 

goes "Little is much when God 

is in it". 

Pastor Kershaw had a big 

heart that held great love for 

God and His work. You would 

see her pull up to service 

with a "station wagon" full of 

children. She never birthed 

any children of her own. She 

would teach them "proper 

church etiquette" as well as 

God's word. She fed the 

hungry, clothed those in need, 

and visited the sick and shut 

in on a regular basis. These 

deeds of love were performed 

until she could no longer do 

because of failing health. 

Pastor Kershaw exhibited 

great love for the less 

fortunate. She bought clothes 

for the children she picked 

up. She kept them cleaned, 

ironed, and ready, j ust in 

case the children had nothing 

to wear to church. 

Pastor Kershaw was also a 

prayer warrior. Elder W.J. 

Culliver, Chieftain of the 

SWOD at that time, asked the 

District to get prayer 

partners and I was honored 

that she chose me as her 

partner. 

I was young in the Lord and 

for one (1) complete year she 

faithfully called daily and we 

would go to the throne of 

grace. 

She helped me to develop an 

even better prayer life and a 

good friendship evolved 

between us. One (1) of her 

favorite foods was Kentucky 

Fried Chicken (KFC). 

Pastor Kershaw always 

seemed to have a peaceful 

and j oyous spirit. I praise 

God for Pastor P.T. Kershaw. 

Sister Beth L. Poellnitz 





Pastor Edward Lampkin Jr. 

Pastor Lampkin was my 

pastor for nine (9) years. 

I thought it was outstanding 

that he was assigned to 

pastor two (2) churches at 

the same time, twice: 

1) Mt. Calvary, Hamilton & 

Mt. Calvary, Springfield 

2)Antioch & Mt. Calvary, 

Hamilton. 

He was assigned to pastor 

Mt. Calvary, Springfield 

twice (not consecutive 

years) and he was assigned 

to pastor Mt. Calvary, 

Hamilton twice. 

He did good work at each 

church. Renovations were 

always part of his vision. 

He works well with his hands. 

He was responsible for the 

remodel of Hamilton and he 

built a handicap ramp for 

Antioch. 

Audrea Turner 

I always admired how 

Brother Eddie took care of his 

family. 

I remember once, no, twice, 

Sister Sadie over spent using 

her credit cards. She said, 

"Edward will not like this, but 

I got to tell him." The next 

time we talked about it, she 

said, "Venell, Edward took 

care of all of it." 

He is a good steward over 

what the Lord blesses him 

with. 

Brother Eddie is a hard 

worker in his professional life 

and at church. 

He didn't mind giving God 

praise. We loved to watch him 

dance before the Lord. 



Pastor Sadie Lampkin taught 

me how to sing with all you 

have for God; to praise Him 

while you can. She also said, 

"I t is not what you go through, 

but how God brings you out!" 


Sister Sadie Lampkin is the 

definition of a true praiser. 

She taught me to not quit in 

the midst of adversity. 


Pastor Sadie Lampkin taught 

me the importance of praise 

and worship. 

Many times she would tell me 

to lead the Devotion. They 

didn't ask you like we do in 

our local churches, begging 

Saints to lead the service. I 

learned it is a privilege to 

usher in the spirit of praise; 

it?s j ust you in the presence 

of The Lord. 

I thought she was so hard on 

me, because she wouldn't j ust 

let me be a bench warmer. 

A question she asked me, that 

I will never forget, "Why are 

you always in the back seat 

when God is moving you 

forward?" 

I told her I 'm doing OK. Her 

response was prophetic. 






(cont'd) 

She told me of a dream she 

had and I was in the pulpit 

preaching to a large 

congregation. She said, ? I 

think you were the pastor 

there. You had on a white 

robe. Wow! Deep! 


I met Sister Sadie when she 

was around 19 or 20 years 

old. I was waiting in the back 

of Antioch for my ride after 

church. She sat beside me 

and began to talk. At the end 

of our conversation she said, 

?Let?s be friends? .? And we 

were, from that day until she 

went to be with the Lord. 

She had a lot of friends, 

because she loved people and 

didn?t mind helping anyone, 

any way she could. 

I can?t tell you how many 

times she preached or was in 

attendance at a service I 

planned or that was going on 

at our church: Prayer 

Breakfast, Joy Night, Revival, 

Elder?s Quarterly Meeting, 

etc. 

For years Sister Sadie 

organized the travel 

arrangements for the 

Cincinnati Area. I f you 

wanted to go, she?d 

make sure you had a 

way, a lot of times at 

her own expense. 

She was our 

?Cheerleader?. She 

knew how to get in the 

spirit and she didn?t 

waste time doing it. 

She sang with a passion and 

danced vigorously (I n her 

high heeled shoes). Her 

testimonies were spirited, 

persuasive, and illuminated 

the power of God in her life. 


Deacon Charles W. Lewis & 

Sister Garnetta Lewis 

Everybody loved Sister 

Garnetta Lewis! She served 

as a Junior Church Deaconess 

at Antioch. 

She was passionate about 

children. Sister Lewis was 

like Dorcas ? full of good 

works and almsdeeds. 

Many called her ?Mama 

Lewis?. She could and would 

sew garments for the Saints. 

Mama Lewis was generous to 

all. She absolutely loved to 

buy and give gifts. 

Audrea & Vernell Turner 





Deacon Charles W. Lewis & 

Sister Garnetta Lewis (cont'd) 

Deacon Lewis was a faithful 

deacon and Sunday School 

teacher at Antioch for years. 

He was such an excellent 

teacher, that he made you 

want to study the Bible. He 

knew about all the locations, 

countries, and cities that were 

in the Sunday School lessons. 

Deacon Lewis didn?t let 

anything go lacking or short 

when it came to the church. 

I f something was needed and 

the church couldn?t raise the 

money (whatever the reason), 

Deacon Lewis would put in 

his own money and many 

times it was more than ?Table 

Money?. 

Audrea Turner 

I remember when Deacon 

Lewis was the #1 deacon at 

Antioch and Deacon Tommy 

Burchfield was the #2 

deacon. These men were 

consistent in their 

ways and they took 

care of their 

families. 

Deacon Lewis was a 

first-rate record 

keeper. He was 

always prepared for 

Council Meeting. 

I f you needed help 

financially, Deacon 

Lewis would come to 

your rescue. He?d do 

it for anybody. 

I discovered that he 

even cashed checks 

for the Saints on a fixed 

income ? Deacon had the 

money right in his inside 

j acket pocket. I never saw 

anything like it and haven?t 

since. 



Pastor Hazel Lindsay had 

baking classes with the youth 

who were interested. 

I attended the classes but, 

never really got the hang of 

mixing that pound cake 

together. 

She let me stand to the side 

and watch her. I got to taste 

the results. I had an 

awesome time. 

She didn't stand for any 

foolishness. She would 

discipline me j ust like my 

own Mother. 



exemplified faith. 

She was a legend in 

preaching and a true 

nurturer. 

Mother taught the word and 

expected you to know the 

word. 

She instilled in me the love 

that I have now for this great 

Church. 







(cont'd) 

Pastor Lindsay was definitely 

one of a kind. 

One (1) of her greatest 

attributes was a love for the 

people of God. 

I admired the drive, 

motivation, and compassion 

she had for the work of the 

ministry. 

?Little One?, as she often 

called me, ? trust God and 

stay in the Word.? I 'm getting 

tears in my eyes j ust thinking 

on the impact she had in my 

life and on my ministry even 

now. 

Pastor Lindsay was lead by 

the Spirit! Many times in my 

life I would pray to the Lord 

about personal things and the 

answer with the need would 

come through her. 


I remember when I first got 

saved. Pastor was real sick 

she could hardly walk up the 

steps. We had to help her. 

When she got in the pulpit I 

saw when the Spirit of God 

came upon her and her 

countenance changed. I t was 

like she wasn?t even sick. 

That made me want to get to 

know God and believe that He 

was real and He could help 

me. 

Cheryl Wilson 

Pastor changed my name to 

Sister Audrey. We (me and 

Beano) used to be scared to 

talk to her. We thought the 

way she preached was the 

way she talked too. But, we 

found out riding along with 

her in the car that she had 

normal conversations and 

will answer questions that 

you have without you asking. 

I t?s like God already gave her 

the answer and you didn?t 

have to ask. 

Audrea Turner 

Bishop A.L. McCracken & 

Mother L.J. McCracken 

The person that really 

influenced my life was our 

beloved, Bishop Abraham 

Lincoln McCracken and his 

companion, Mother 

McCracken. 

I had not j oined the Church 

yet ? tossing it back and forth 

for several years. We were in 

Chicago for a convention and 

he was sitting outside the 

church on the porch. He 

grabbed my hand as I was 

coming out the door and said, 

?Girl, have you j oined the 

Church yet?? I replied, ?No 

Sir, I haven?t.? 

He informed me that he 

would really be honored if I 

would consider j oining. He 

asked me to think about it, but 

not to wait too long. I smiled 

and walked away. 

I t is because of his love and 

compassion that I am in the 

Fire Baptized Movement. 

Thank you, Bishop and Mother 

McCracken. 

Sister Susan Carroll 

Mother L J McCracken was a 

great example of a true 

Mother in Christ. 

She always kept me in my 

place. She didn't take no 

mess. 

Love you, Lou Jane 

McCracken. 

Stephanie Mann 






Pastored Christians Temple 

FBH Church in Chicago, Illinois, 

We, the 

members of 

Christians 

Temple FBH 

Church, 

would like to 

honor our 

beloved 

Reverend 

Daniel 

McCullough 

for the 

impact he 

had on our 

lives. 

He was such a distinguished 

gentleman who loved the 

Lord and the way of holiness. 

He taught us that holiness is 

right. He persuaded us to 

believe that the wages of sin 

is death, but the gift of God is 

eternal life. 

Pastor McCullough 

challenged us to approach 

God's throne with Holy 

boldness. He encouraged us to 

work out our soul salvation 

with trembling and fear. He 

had a way of pulling us out of 

discouragement. When we 

complained about persecution 

or being talked about, he 

would say, ?Hey! They didn't 

j ust talk about Jesus. They 

killed the man.? 

and I 'm glad?. 

He left us 

with his motto 

appropriate 

for whatever 

happens in 

life, ?I n all 

thy ways 

acknowledge 

him and he 

shall direct 

thy path!?, 

and his song, 

?I 've been 

saved all day 

We love and miss our dear 

Rev McCullough. Our 

memories of him will forever 

keep us striving. 

Members of Christians Temple 

FBH Church 


was a great man of God! 

He trusted the Lord with his 

all. 


Pastor Lillian Minor 

Founded Faith Temple FBH 

Church in Inkster, Michigan 

Rev. Lillian Minor accepted 

the challenge to go to a green 

field and start a new FBH 

Church in I nkster, Michigan 

from St. James FBH Church, 

Detroit, Michigan. 

I n 1963 she and a few women, 

also members of St James, got 

permission to go with her, and 

Faith Temple FBH Church 

was founded and still 

functions today. 

The women who went with 

her were Sister Louise 

Johnson, Sister Pearl Ware, 

Sister Genevieve Goodnight, 

and Sister Helen Hunt. 

Through these women I 

learned dedication and 

faithfulness for and to the 

cause of Christ. 

I j oined Faith Temple in 1979 

and was a member until 2012 

when sent from the 

convention to j oin my 

husband, Elder Reginald 

Poellnitz, at St James FBH in 

Detroit, Michigan. 





Pastor Lillian Minor (cont'd) 

Reverend Minor was a strong 

leader in Christ, powerful 

preacher, great teacher of 

the word, and a great cook. 

One of her most famous 

sermons was "Send Judah 

First", Judah is symbolic of 

praise.. 

I learned much from Rev. 

Minor. She taught me 

"church work" and the "work 

of the church". When Rev. 

Minor's health began to fail, I 

saw the "press" displayed. 

Rev. Minor would come 

through the doors of the 

sanctuary with oxygen in one 

hand and praise with the 

other singing, "Praise the 

Lord Everybody" and would 

cause the saints to get into 

the spirit of praise. 

She loved the youth and 

helped to spark a spiritual 

fire within them. She was 

very supportive of those in 

ministry. She would always 

be found imparting words of 

Godly wisdom to all she spoke 

with. Her prayers were 

fervent, effective, and 

productive. 

I 'm so thankful to God for 

Rev. Lillian Minor and the 

impact she had on and in my 

life. I will never forget her. 



Pastored Macedonia FBH 

Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, St. 

John FBH in Lebanon, Ohio. 

District Evangelist of the 

Southwest Ohio Disistrict. 

Evangelist C.M. Morgan was 

my grandmother. I came to 

know and love the Fire 

Baptized Holiness Church 

because of her. 

All of her grandchildren 

called her "Mama". We had to, 

because Mama said she was 

too young to be called 

"Grandma". 

Mama loved this church! She 

was uncompromising. Things 

were black or white - no 

inbetween, 

By my calculations, Mama 

had to come into the church 

in the early 1930s or late 

1920's. When she came to 

Cincinnati from Mississippi, 

"Sister Henderson" told her 

she was anointed for the Holy 

Ghost and would help her 

find a church. 

She took Mama to the Fire 

Baptized Church. Mama liked 

it. They gave her a Discipline. 

She told Sister Henderson 

that she wasn't going to j oin 

because they had too many 

rules. But, Mama j oined. I tell 

you, nobody kept those rules 

better than she did. 

I mpetigo severely broke her 

daughter's long hair off. The 

daughter asked Mama to buy 

her a wig because she 

couldn't go to school with her 

hair looking like that. Mama 

said, "OK, but I 'm gonna have 

to turn you out of the church." 

My aunt told her to turn her 

out, because she needed the 

wig. Mama bought the wig 

and turned her daughter out. 

She turned my Dad out too. 

He was 16 & went to a dance. 

Mama was an anointed 

preacher! She knew the Bible. 

When she got old -like over 

80 - she'd ask someone in the 

congregation to read her 

sermon text, but, she would 

recite the verses faster than 

you could read it, 






When I got saved, Mama gave 

me some good advice. I t has 

served me well - "Stay with 

the old folks. Don't fool 

around with the young people. 

I f you hang around with those 

young people, you'll 

backslide." 

There are so many wise 

things she used to tell me. 

Here's a few: 

"I f you furnish God a life and 

live all you know, He will 

honor your words." 

"Don't hop (ie. change your 

membership) from church to 

church. I f you start running, 

you'll never stop." 

"God knows when to work and 

He knows how to work." 

"God will pick you up and 

shake you in the devil's face." 

Meaning, if you live right, God 

will fight for you against the 

devil. 

We used to spend the night 

over Mama's house on 

Thursday night to help her 

wash around 7:00 a.m. on 

Friday morning. I loved 

awaking to her praying. 

Mama be praying awile! We 

didn't make a sound or move 

a muscle - nothing - until she 

finished j ust like this, every 

time, "When the battle is over 

and the vict'ry 's won, Lord, 

give us a home in your 

sanctified kingdom, and I 'll 

praise your name forever, 

Amen." 


Elder D.S. Pinckney & Mother 

Cora Pinckney 

Sister Cora Pinckney was a 

faithful wife, loving mother, 

and an understanding 

grandmother. She worked 

untiringly by her husband?s 

side. She taught her children 

to love and fear the Lord. We 

will always cherish the 

memories of this gracious 

Christian woman. 

The Pinckney Children 

Courtesy of Sister Johnnie R. 

Howard 

Excerpts from an article in the 

1945 True Witness written by 


I am glad indeed to say I am 

yet on the Lord?s side of life: 

saved, sanctified wholly, and 

the Holy Ghost yet abides 

within. 

Today I am feeling very 

thankful in my heart to the 

Lord for how He has cared for 

me since I started in this way 

of holiness. The Lord saved 

me November, 1914 in Atlanta, 

Georgia. 

The Elder, on his first 

quarterly meeting made me 

Deacon and there I served 

until the Lord called me to 

the ministry. I gave up 

everything and returned to 

my old home in Abbeville, 

South Carolina. Due West, 

Laurens, Fountain I nn, and 

Waterloo, South Carolina, 

Hawkinsville, Georgia, 

Jacksonville, Florida, Live 

Oak, Florida. Cincinnati, Ohio 

(1924 ? Macedonia) 

I was ordained an Elder and 

served the following Districts 

as pastor and Elder: Elder of 

Southeast Georgia, Pastor of 

Macon and Griffin, Georgia. 

Elder of the Tennessee 

District and pastored 

Morristown, Tennessee (Cora 

Naomi was hit by a car and 

died from the inj uries. 

Johnnie Ruth was born). 

Elder of the South Carolina 

District No. 2 and pastored 





Elder D.S. Pinckney & Mother 

Cora Pinckney (cont'd) 

Jones Tabernacle, Columbia 

and St. James, I rmo, South 

Carolina. Elder of Northeast 

Georgia and pastored 

Gainesville and Athens, 

Georgia. Elder of South 

Carolina District No. 2 and 

pastored Spartanburg, South 

Carolina. Elder of Western 

North Carolina arid 

pastored Asheville, Beulah 

Chapel. Elder of Southwest 

Ohio District and pastured 

St. Matthew in Columbus, 

Ohio and Mt. Calvary, 

Hamilton, Ohio. 

I t has cost me quite a 

sacrifice to make all these 

moves with a family of 

five children trying to 

keep them in school, but 

the Lord told me to go. My 

wife, Sister Cora Pinckney 

and the children were left 

behind waiting to hear me 

say come on! 

Sometimes the way was 

very, very dark and the 

Saints did not want us 

because we had little 

children. But the Lord had 

called me to go and 

preach the gospel; it was 

sanctioned by the church, so I 

had to go. 

The Lord opened to me a way 

for my wife and family. He 

heard my cry and came to 

my need. Today, I am 

thanking the Lord for his 

mercy and grace. The prayers 

of the saints and the mercies 

of God have watched over me 

and enabled me to hold up 

the standard of the Fire 



ElderD.S. Pinckney 

Courtesy of Sister Johnnie R. 

Howard 





Sister Mary Roach 

Sister Roach was always so 

meek and humble. 

She was kind and sweet. Just 

seeing her made me 

smile. 

Bishop and she were a 

cute little couple. 


Bishop Roach & Sister 

Roach 

Bishop and Sister Roach 

are two (2) of my 

favorite people. 

They truly loved each 

other and their family; 

wonderful examples of 

Christian parents. 

I loved to hear his 

stories about the 

children when they 

were young, like the time 

Sister Roach let one of the 

boys go to a game and he got 

hurt - Bishop j ust felt like he 

shouldn't go this particular 

time...... 

Bishop loved good preaching. 

Once he introduced me to his 

daughter, Vivian. As she 

walked into the auditorium, 

he said to me, "That girl can 

preach, I mean she can go". 

He said the same thing about 

one of his grand daughters. 

She really could preach. He 

let her preach during one of 

our Sunday School 

Conventions. 

One time in between services 

in an Annual Convention, he 

asked me why didn't I preach. 

I explained that I had 

worked that out a long time 

ago with the Lord. I didn't 

want the Lord to call me to 

preach. I told Him I 'd be a 

good missionary for Him. 

Bishop said, "I bet you could 

squawk if you did preach". I 

laughed and he smiled & left. 

Bishop had so much 

wisdom. One time he 

preached about a 

remnant. He was 

concerned about this 

Fire Baptized 

Church and where it 

is headed. He 

wanted to make sure 

that we stuck to the 

principles of 

Holiness so that we 

could make it to 

Heaven. But no 

matter what we did, 

Bishopt was 

determined to make 

it to the City. 

Sister Roach always 

quietly looked after Bishop. 

Sometimes she would whisper 

to me to do certain things 

that would help the 

convention. 

I always enj oyed her 

testimonies. I loved how she 

would reflect on her words 

and say, "Yes, Yes". Just a 

beautiful woman. 







When I think of my Dad the 

words faith, stedfast, love, 

leader, and family come to 

mind. 

Faith, because of his strong 

belief in God. Steadfast, for 

his commitment. He was 

unmovable in certain 

circumstances. Love, because 

of the the trust he had in 

God's word. Leader, because 

he always stood for 

righteousness and he 

encouraged people to live 

holy. Family, because he 

always put the needs of his 

family before his own. 

There are two (2) important 

things I thank my Dad for: 

- For introducing me to a 

man called Jesus and 

salvation. 

- for not j ust telling me 

about Jesus and salvation, 

but for being a good 

example by living 

righteous and holy before 

me. 

He showed me that you must 

walk the walk and talk the 

talk on this j ouney. 

Wilfred Roach 

Whenever I wanted to talk to 

my Father and get him to see 

things my way, he always had 

a scripture to refer me to. I 

was not saved at that time 

and I could not understand 

why the Bible found itself in 

our conversation before it was 

over. 

I know now, that he wanted 

me to know that there was no 

situation or issue that the 

Lord didn't have an answer 

for and a way out. 

The answer was in the Holy 

Bible. I thank my Father for 

mentioning the word of God in 

our discussions and this 

helped me to take the test, 

"To try Jesus"! 

I found out for myself that 

the Bible really does have all 

the answers and Jesus is the 

best thing that ever 

happened to me. I can blame 

this wonderful experience on 

the leadership and example 

that my parents presented to 

me. 

Bonnie Valious 

I see my Daddy as steadfast, 

unmoveable, always 

abounding in the work of the 

Lord. I see him as a man 

after God's own heart; a 

loving and caring person. 

I could say many more things 

about my Father, but no 

matter what I say, I don't 

believe there are words in the 

English language that could 

sufficiently describe or 

express the heartfelt warmth 

and love I have for my 

father. 

My Mother, Sister Mary 

Roach, used to sing a song to 

my Father and I quote, "Glad 

you came my way. Why? Why 

did it take you so long?" I say 

it too; Bishop Nathaniel J. 

Roach, "Glad you came my 

way. Why? Why, did it take 

you so long." 

Jean Roach 

I am very proud of my 

Father's accomplishments, for 

his love, advice, time, wisdom, 

knowledge, courage, and his 

financial contributions. 

God really sent to the Roach 

family a man after His own 

heart. He said, "I f you furnish 

God a good life, He will give 

you one." I am following his 

example. 

Vivree Roach Green 





Bishop N.J. Roach (cont'd) 

I n the year, 1974, we 

remember asking our father, 

Elder David S. Pinckney, if he 

knew Elder N.J. Roach of 

South Carolina when he 

(Elder Pinckney) was the 

Ruling Elder of South 

Carolina #2 District. 

Daddy told us that Bishop's 

father, Reverend Esau Roach 

(a widower), was a pastor on 

his district who opened his 

home to him when he was 

there during his quarterly 

meetings. 

He and his young son (Bishop 

Roach) treated him very 

nicely. This was in the early 

1930s. Forty-four years later 

our dad, Elder D.S. Pinckney 

remembered. 

I n 1978, the Pickney children, 

David S. Jr., Martha P. 

Alexander, Carrie J. Pinckey, 

Albert Pickney, and Johnnie 

R. Howard remembered how 

Bishop Roach (Elder at that 

time) officiated our Dad's 

funeral services with dignity. 

I n the early 1980s after six 

(6) or so years observing 

Bishop's interaction with the 

Saints during quarterly 

meetings and conventions, we 

found him to be real in Christ 

and a true and faithful 

servant to the church and 

most of all our friend. 

Sister Mary Roach, Bishop's 

lovely wife, also known as 

"Precious", along with his 

wonderful children became 

friends of our children and 

us. 

We will stop here for now 

with this scripture from 

Proverbs 27:10a, "Thine own 

friend, and thy father's 

friend, forsake not... 

Sister Johnnie Ruth Howard 

I loved to hear Bishop preach, 

talk about Sister Snodgrass, 

and teach the women how to 

keep themselves. 

I remember a sermon he 

preached once. He told us to 

"Stop Fumbling". 

Bishop made us laugh even 

when he was serious about 

the subj ect matter. 

I tried to stop my daughter 

from running on the sidewalk 

in front of the church. Bishop 

told me, "Let her run". Then 

he said, "What about that bike 

that don't go no where. You 

need to get on that. Let your 

mama get on it too". 

I said, "Oh, OK". Then we both 

started laughing. 

Our love for Bishop Roach 

and his family will never end. 

Audrea Turner 

Reverend Joseph Slappy & 

Mother I da Mae Slappy 

Mother Slappy (born January 

11, 1915) accepted Christ at 

the age of fifteen. During 

this time she met Rev. Joseph 

Slappy whose mother had a 

Fire Baptized Mission in Lake 

Forest I llinois. She was 

sanctified on a Friday night 

and how the Holy Ghost 

rained on her soul. She later 

j oined Zion Chapel F.B.H. 

Church under the pastorship 

of Rev. A.C. Williams. 

Mother I da Slappy was a 

first Lady and a lady she was 

indeed, rearing her children, 

teaching each one of them 

their Easter and Christmas 

speeches. 

Mother Slappy made sure 

everyone of her children had 

memorized a song, a scripture 

verse, or speech for every 

occasion. 





Reverend Joseph Slappy & 

Mother I da Mae Slappy 

(cont'd) 

There were no excuses in her 

house. Every one of her 

children had to know their 

parts. 

As the family grew, they 

formed a singing group known 

as the Slappy Gospel Singers 

and would travel with their 

father and sing at various 

events in Columbus, Ohio. 

(Note: The Slappy family was 

voted ?Black Family of the 

Year? in 1984) 

She served on the Mother 

Board at St. Matthew and 

held the office as President of 

the Senior Mission for over 

20 years. Her favorite song 

was ?I want to live so God 

can use me any time 

anywhere?. 

set on a j ourney that lasted 

over 50 years to serve God 

and His people through the 

pilgrimage of the Fire 



He began his pastorship in 

Evanston, I llinois. From there 

he moved his family to 

Cincinnati, Ohio to pastor 

Macedonia. He pastured St. 

Matthew in Columbus, Ohio 

from 1949 ? 1952. 

He exemplified the life of a 

good and faithful servant. He 

touched the lives of many 

through prayers and 

countless hospital visitations. 

His continuous example of 

love and faith in God taught 

his family to love the Lord 

and the Fire Baptized 

Holiness Church. 

By the preaching of the 

Gospel and living a consistent 

holy life, many souls were 

saved and led to Christ. 

The Slappy Children 

When Reverend Joseph 

Slappy surrendered his life to 

the Lord he had a passion to 

serve the Lord with all his 

heart. He wanted to be and do 

all he could for the Lord. 

With his wife by his side he 





Mother Rosa Southerlin 

Pastor of Little Wonder FBH 

Church in Youngstown, Ohio. 

District President of the 

Northeast Ohio Disistrict. 

Mother Southerlin used to 

run a revial each year at our 

church, Bethany FBH in 

Cincinnati. Mother and Sister 

Davenport (our pastor) were 

friends. 

Mother had a soft voice but 

she was an excellent 

revialist. We held on to every 

word she said. 

One year she talked about 

the importance of keeping 

your cup full. She filled a 

coffee cup with water up to 

the brim and placed it on a 

saucer. When Mother picked 

up the cup from the table the 

water spilled. She told us if 

you keep your cup full, it 

won't take long or be hard for 

the spirit to overflow. But 

once the water was low in the 

cup, you practically had to 

turn it upside down to get 

any water to spill out..... 

We loved Mother Southerlin, 

her laugh and her teachings. 

She always told us, "You don't 

talk about your officials". 

Anytime someone started in, 

she gave that admonishment. 

I want to share a short story: 

Mother Southerlin was 

preaching and we were at the 

edge of our seats attentive to 

her every word... When 

Mother preaches, she claps 

her hands and j umps a little 

as she speaks (kind of like 

when preachers tell you to 

say amen). Mother was 

clapping and j umping and 

preaching, "......and the Lord 

said...... Somebody pick up 

Margaret. She fell down." and 

she continued to preach - no 

break in what she was saying. 

When we looked back 

Margaret had actually fallen 

out of her seat. None of us 

heard her fall or saw her 

fall...... 


Loving and precious 

remembrances of Mother 

Rosa Southerlin. She was a 

wonderful pastor, District 

Missionary President, and an 

awesome prayer warrior. I 

conducted several revivals at 

her church, "Little Wonder" in 

the early 1990's and was 

blessed to have stayed at her 

home. Each morning I was 

awakened by the sound of her 

praying voice. 

She spent Christmas in our 

home a few times and each 

time she requested that my 

late husband bake an 

old-fashioned stack j elly 

cake. 

I sorely miss the friendship 

and fellowship we shared, but 

I am grateful for all she 

imparted into my life. 

Mother Jacqueline Bruce Elliott 

Mother Rosa Southerlin was a 

wonderful Woman of God. 

She came to our church, Mt. 

Moriah FBH in Central South 

Carolina, after a Missionary 

Convention in Greenville 

during the years when my 

Mom, Pastor Lois Galloway, 

was pastor. 

We truly were blessed and 

enriched by her awesome 

teaching!! 

Evangelist Val Jackson 





Mother Rosa Southerlin 

(cont'd) 

You can not mention 

Northeast Ohio District 

without including Mother 

Rosa Southerlin and Mother 

Alice Jones, two (2) of the 

greatest women of God I have 

ever known. 

Not only were they Pastors & 

Evangelists, they were 

friends and mothers to every 

young person on the 

Northeast Ohio District. 

As a child growing up in 

Wellsville they both visited 

our home and church often 

(Mother Southerlin also 

pastored there). 

I miss them, their cooking, 

and great teaching sooooooo 

much. Our youth of today 

should be so richly blessed! 


Karen Wright 

Long time member of Antioch 

FBH Church where she served 

many years as the church 

secretary and as a deconess. 

Served the Southwest Ohio 

District as District President 

for 18 years. Current pastor of 

New Hope in Covington, 

Kentucky. 

I can remember Sister 

Sullivan singing in the choir 

at Antioch. She sang tenor. I 

thought that was amazing. I 

loved to hear her sing the 

lead to "He Washed Me 

Clean". The choir would 

march in to that song. I can 

hear her singing now "He 

loosened up my shackles..." 

Sister Sullivan worked that 

song. By the time they got to 

the choir stand, the fire was 

lit sure enough....... 

Pastor Sullivan is a praying 

and fasting woman. She 

often tells us that "Grace & 

Mercy" are stalking her. 

She has been a help to me on 

many occasions and I really 

appreciate that. Pastor 

picked me up on many 

occasions and brought me to 

the church when I was a 

teenager. We stayed all day 

long back then.. 

We've had some wonderful 

road trips while she was 

District President. I look at it 

as if I had a chance to give 

back to her (I 'll never be able 

to repay) and I thank God for 

our trips. 

I admire the way she never 

complains about her health. 

Pastor often states that she 

wants to be a good example. 

Pastor Sullivan, you are a 

good example. 


There are many persons for 

which I give thanks to God for 

blessing me to know 

throughout the years in the 

FBH Church. 

One particular person I wish 

to acknowledge is Evangelist 

Mae E. Sullivan and the late 

Mr. Robert L. Sullivan, along 

with my brothers and sisters. 

I n the midst of my trials and 

tribulations the entire family 

embraced me as their 

daughter and my children 

(Adrien & Lolita) as their 

grandchildren. 

God blessed me with the 

greatest "God Parents" ever! 

I am thankful that I can call 

"Mom" anytime for prayer. I 

appreciate her prayers for 

Adrien, who is fighting cancer. 

He is still alive and we are 

looking forward. 





Pastor M.E. Sullivan (cont'd) 

Also, I wish to give thanks to 

all of the mothers and older 

Saints at Antioch. They all 

played an important part in 

my up bringing. They 

chastened all the younger 

people with a stern arm, but 

also with love to those who 

would listen. 

The deacons at the church 

always took care of business. 

One thing that I will always 

remember even today as I 

live in Toledo, Ohio - FBH 

taught us well. I t enabled us 

to stand for what is right and 

never bow down for any 

wrong. 

Betty Frazier 

Note: Adrien Frazier passed away 2 days 

after I received this post. We are praying 

for Sister Frazier and her family. 


Pastor Mae E. Sullivan 

always took care of the 

Saints' transportation needs. 

She brought the Saints to 

church and took them home. 


Sister Anna Lou Tolbert 

Anna Lou Tolbert, my 

grandma, is the reason I 'm 

even in the Fire Baptized 

Church. 

She was a member of Antioch 

for close to fifty years. She 

was a great Trustee, usher, 

and church worker. 

She taught me early, ?I f you 

tell God, you don't have to tell 

nobody else. God will take 

care of His own.? 


Sister Anna Tolbert-Jackson 

Sister Ann, aka "Miss Ann", 

sponsors a wonderful 

Out-Reach program at New 

Hope in Covington, Kentucky. 

Her missionary work speaks 

for itself. She does whatever 

the Lord gives her to do. 

We love giving out her free 

bag lunches consisting of a 

sandwich, chips, cookies, and 

water or a bottled j uice. 

She faithfully played one (1) 

snare drum under the 

anointing for four (4) years. 

Now the Lord has made her 

ruler over a full set of drums. 

I love Sister Ann and I love 

working with her. I refer to 

her as my other mother. 

Audrea Turner 





Deacon Eddie L. Turner Sr. 

Deacon Turner is an A-#1 

deacon who sees after the 

widows and the orphans, 

whether you're in the church 

or not. I f he knows you have 

a need and he can help with 

groceries or staples, he'll get 

it to you. 

When we were at Sister 

Davenport's church, we loved 

to hear him moan, "There's a 

man over the river. He's 

giving sight to the blind". 

He'd start that praise and 

sang it until we all felt the 

Lord. 

Pastor Roberta Turner 


Sister Roberta Turner is a 

legend in the mission field. 

She taught me everything I 

know about being a 

missionary and seeing after 

the Saints. 


Pastor Roberta Turner, my 

mother, had faith and a good 

foundation to build upon. The 

teachings of Pastor Shirley 

Davenport and the Fire 

Baptized Holiness Church 

helped lay that foundation. 

I am a product of my 

mother?s seed of faith. I love 

the word God gave her to 

speak into my life, ?She shall 

live and not die, to declare 

the works of the Lord.? 

My mother taught me to push 

through every bad 

circumstance or situation in 

life. I n hard times she told 

me to remember the 

scriptures ? I can do all 

things through Christ who 

strengthens me. 

Pastor Turner had an 

unconditional love for the 

youth. She taught them 

scriptures. Her favorite one to 

teach the young people was 

?I n all thine ways 

acknowledge Him and He 

shall direct thy path?. 

God gave her the vision of the 

Tree of Life Church when she 

was a member of Antioch. She 

saw the Tree of Life as a type 

of ark for souls to be saved. 

When God commissioned her 

to go, she took all of her 

learning and experience with 

her. 

She had a creative mind and 

creative hands. Whatever she 

put her hands to do, 

blossomed and bloomed. I am 

fruit from that tree. I thank 

God for the teaching of 

sanctification, and that you 

have to be sanctified before 

you get the Holy Ghost. 

We?re yet holding on and 

keeping it real for this 

generation. 

Pastor Mary Jennings 






(cont'd) 

Sister Turner was a woman 

before her time. How should I 

begin? Pastor Roberta Turner 

was family to all. 

She was always doing 

outreach for as long as I can 

remember. Along with her 

husband, Deacon Eddie 

Turner, they took food and 

supplies to the saints. Boy, 

those donuts and day old 

bread were good! 

When I was looking for God 

years ago in my late teens, I 

went to Tree Of Life Church 

one Sunday. Pastor Turner 

preached the word to me with 

an interruption of a yell in 

the midst of her message..... 

This was the beginning of the 

Spirit drawing me. 

I didn't realize how many of 

the older Saints had a part in 

my molding (break here, 

tears flowing). Pastor Roberta 

Turner saw it. Later I went 

back at the age of 25 to give 

my testimony of being saved, 


Holy Ghost. 


When we were little kids, we 

spent the night over our 

grandmother?s house (Pastor 

Roberta Turner) most 

weekends so that we could go 

to church with her on Sunday 

morning. 

She put us on the altar each 

time and told us to say, 

?Say-Me-Lord?. After church 

my brothers and I would try 

to figure it out, ?What is 

Say-Me-Lord?? 

I ?m so glad I figured it out! I 

got saved at Tree of Life in a 

revival. 

I have been growing in the 

Lord ever since. I ?m saved, 


Holy Ghost. 

Thank you, Grandma, for 

putting that in us early. 

Audrea Turner 

Sister Turner was our Jr. 

Church pastor at Bethany. 

She was a quiet woman. 

She never argued. She never 

talked about anybody for any 

reason. I f you started in, she 

would interrupt with 

something wonderful about 

the person and that was the 

end of that. I t took all the 

steam out of whatever you 

were going to say. 

When I was new working in 

the church, I talked to her 

every morning on the phone. 

She helped form my walk in 

the Lord. We talked about the 

Lord and what we needed to 

do for upcoming church 

events. 

Sister Turner always had 

ideas for us, the young people, 

to do. I loved it! I would stop 

by her house after work, she?d 

feed me and then we would 

exchange or refine ideas on 

the next out-reach or Jr. 

Church event. 

I didn?t know what to do with 

myself the first time we 

didn?t have Sunday Afternoon 

service. I went home with 

Sister Turner. We ate. We 

talked like usual, but I felt at 

a loss. I told Sister Turner I 

didn?t see how people went on 

vacations that have nothing 

to do with church. ?What do 

they do with themselves??, I 

asked. She didn?t have an 

answer that would help me. 

For sure, everything she did 

had something to do with the 

Lord, church, or helping 

people. 






(cont'd) 

She & Pastor Davenport kept 

us busy. We made home visits, 

visits to the Children?s Home, 

and Catherine Booth ? a home 

for pregnant girls. We gave 

them items that we had made 

by hand, fruit, and anything 

we thought they might need. 

I could go on and on. I 

learned a lot from Sister 

Roberta Turner. 

Vernell Morgan Turner 


I n honoring pillars & 

patriarchs of the Ohios, my 

mind goes to Sister Vernell 

Turner. 

I 'm honored to be able to 

write about this wonderful 

woman of God! She has so 

many gifts and talents and 

doesn't mind sharing them. 

She is a blessing to everyone 

she encounters. 

I want to mention the words 

of the famous scientist, Albert 

Einstein, who said, "Try not to 

become a man of success but 

a man of value". 

I t does not matter what your 

position in society or how 

many regalia you have. The 

most important goal is to be 

someone who brings quality 

to society, who contributes 

their efforts, skills, and 

knowledge to improve one's 

life and the lives of other 

people. 

Sister Turner is a woman of 

value. I thank God for her 

continuing service to the 

community, the district, and 

the Fire Baptized Holiness 

Church. 

Michelle Shinholster 

Sister Turner works hard and 

keeps on working. 

Her parents told her when 

she was a young black girl 

attending Walnut Hills High 

School, that she had to work 

harder than everyone else to 

get the same grades. She 

never stops working. 






Sister Daisy Wilson 

Sister Daisy Wilson was my 

YPI Supervisor on the 

Southwest Ohio District. 

She made a great impact on 

my life as a member of the 

FBH Church, 

She worked very hard with 

the young people encouraging 

them to be involved with the 

church. 

I always wished that I had 

the where with all to work 

hard with the young people 

like she did. 

Stephanie Fomond Mann 

Pastor G.M. Wilson 

Pastor Gussie Mae Wilson 

was the pastor of Macedonia 

in downtown Cincinnati for 

about 34 years. 

She was an humble, wise, and 

powerful woman of God, who 

loved the Lord. 

She was more precious than 

rubies. Her children call her 

"Blessed". 

Pastor Wilson loved the 

Saints of God. She loved 

people in general, and did not 

fail to tell about Christ, His 

love for them, and how they 

should surrender their lives 

to Him. 

She also loved FBH, serving 

the organization for over 50 

years. 

Pastor Wilson worked in 

Macedonia, repaired the 

building and remodeled the 

sanctuary with the help of 

Deaconess Lillie Barton, 

Sister Augusta Howard, and 

her children. 

Pastor Wilson taught me how 

to love and love deeply; how 

to give God my all.... even 

when it comes to singing 

congregational songs. 

She would specify, "I f you live 

for God, He will let you in on 

some of His deepest secrets." 

I love her today and miss her 

much! I 'm everything I am 

because she loved me! 


Pastor G.M. Wilson was a 

gentle woman of God. She 

always had an encouraging 

word. 


Pastor Wilson was the most 

punctual woman I ever met 

other than my grandmother. 

She believed in being on time. 

She was faithful to every 

district and area event we 

had. She supported 

everything. She always 

attended & supported the 

closing of all our Pastor's 

Rallies. 

I remember the trip she and 

her children made to 

support me when I was 

appointed Jr. Missionary 

Directress. We were going to 

Chicago and the roads were 

so icy.... traffic was at a stand 

still seemingly forever....Good 

times. Good people. 







Pastor Darlene Johnson 

Zanders, the daughter of the 

late Pastor Theodore Johnson 

and Mother Ruth Johnson 

was saved, sanctified, and 

filled with the Holy Ghost at 

the age of 12. 

Her home church is Mt. Olive 

FBH Church in Youngstown, 

Ohio. She served as Sunday 

School Teacher, Choir 

Director, Musician, and YPI 

President. 

She was an Ambassador for 

Christ on the Northeast Ohio 

District. 

Pastor Zanders pastored Mt. 

Moriah FBH Church in 

Wyandanch, Long I sland, New 

York. She also served as the 

District President of the Long 

I sland District for 4 years. 

I n October of 2000, in the 

Annual Convention, Sister 

Zanders was appointed as 

District President of the 

Northeast Ohio District and 

Pastor Of Little Wonder 

Youngstown, Ohio. 

She is currently the pastor of 

Mt. Sinai FBH Church in 

Wellsville, Ohio. 

Sister Zanders is a 

multi-talented woman who 

loves the Lord. 

She is always willing to help 

where ever and when ever 

she can. 



IMPRESSIONS 




ADDENDUM 


A good Elder and godfather to 

my twin sons. Elder Fields 

was a great and very 

intelligent person, who held 

various positions on the 

Finance Board for the Youth 

Congress and other offices. 

I think you can remember 

when Athens was really on 

the map. We had about 75 or 

more members. God really 

blessed Athens in those days. 

We are praying that God will 

restore Athens. We know He 

will under the new Eldership. 


Deacon Benj amin Franklin & 

Deaconess 

Christine 

Franklin 

Brother and 

Sister Franklin 

were a part of 

Mt. Calvary?s 

(Hamilton) 

infrastructure 

for many years. They 

supported everything that 

went on at the church and 

took good care of all the 

pastors assigned to Mt. 

Calvary, Hamilton starting 

with Elder J.D. Goodbread. 

Deacon Franklin (aka ?Dad?) 

was a wonderful musician. 

He played the lead guitar and 

he trained his daughters to 

sing. We were always happy 

to hear a selection or 3 from 

the Franklin Singers. Dad 

drove us on his bus to various 

district and national events. 

Sister Franklin was dedicated 

to the church. I ?ve seen her 

add hundreds of dollars to 

the Elder?s Quarterly Meeting 

money so that the report 

would be where she thought it 

should be. Mother Franklin 

was an excellent cook! I 

loved her vegetable trays. 

Her cabbage simply melted in 

your mouth and I don?t really 

like vegetables or cabbage, 

but, I ate hers. 

Evangelist Alice Jones 


I must mention Evangelist 

Alice Jones. 

She took care of the Mission. 

My, what a woman! She 

would go to Coatesville, 

Pennsylvania every year to 

run a revival for First 

Apostle. She was very 

outspoken in a positive way. 

She worked in a number of 

church positions, Mission 

President and District 

Evangelist j ust to name a 

few. 



ACCOLADES 

-an Expression of Praise 

"Appreication is a wonderful thing: it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.." 

Voltaire 

PROLOGUE 

The names in this section were submitted as outstanding individuals worthy of acclaim on the 

Ohio districts, past and present. 

Sister Leatha Alexander 

St. James, Detroit, Michigan 

Sister Lucy Barrett 

St. Peter, Evanson, Illinois 

Sister Betty Battle 

Bethel, Lima, Ohio 

Brother Price & Sister Mattie Bennett 

Mt. Zion, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Mother Hattie Birds 


Sister Virginia Blueford 

St. Matthew, Columbus, Ohio 

Pastor's Wife, Church Secretary, Church Mother, Vice 

President of Sisters of Charity 

Brother Amos Brown 

Mt. Olive , Youngstown, Ohio 

Sunday School Superintendent. He was always on 

time. 

Sister Lumer Caldwell 


Faithful Deaconess & Church Mother 

Sister Sue Carol 

St. James Detroit, Michigan 

Reverend Nelson Clark 

Toledo, Mt. Pleasant 

Deacon Coleman 

Mt. Sinai, Wellsville, Ohio 

Brother Howard Colquitt 

Zion Chapel, Chicago, Illinois 

Sister Rosa Colquitt 

Zion Chapel, Chicago, Illinois, St. Peter, Evanston, 

Illinois 

Timothy Colquitt 

St. Peter , Evanston, Illinois 

Our District Musician - played the keyboard. 

Sister Coreen Brown 

St. Peter, Evanston, Illinois 

Mother Verdia Carr 

Holy Bethel, Chicago, Illinois 




Voltaire 

Sister Evelyn Daniels 


Church Secretary, Vacation Bible School 

Co-ordinator. Known for giving excellent Welcome 

Addresses 

Sister Yolanda Daniels 


Sister Dawn Davenport 


"Supports me 100% as the Supervisor. She always has 

encouraging words." LaVonne Reynolds 

Deacon Thornton Davis 

Mt. Olive, Youngstown, Ohio 

Prayer Warrior 

Sister Mary E. Day 


Brother Samuel Day Jr. 


Mother Blanche Dinkins 

St. Paul, Akron, Ohio 

Deacon & Sister Dixon 

Mt. Calvary, Springfield, Ohio 

Sister Nicole Dixon 


Deaconess Christine Franklin 

Mt. Calvary, Hamilton, Ohio 

Brother & Sister Franklin 


Deacon George Freeman 

Christian's Temple, Chicago, Illinois 

Sister Mary Germany 

Mt. Olive, Youngstown, Ohio Church Mother, 

Pastor's Wife 

Sister A. Gladden 


Deaconess, Church Mother, & Pastor's Wife 

Deconess Genevieve Goodnight 

Faith Temple, Inkster, Michigan 

"One of the greatest deaconess' that ever walked the 

aisles of Faith Temple. Known as the 'Song Bird', she 

had much love for everybody." 


Sister Monique Grace 


Deaconess Edith Green 

Bethany, Tree of Life, Cincinnati, Ohio 

"A great deaconess. Her witness was effective. It drew 

people to the church." 

Brother Gary & Sister Rathel Fizer 


Brother Ben Franklin aka "Dad" 


Sister Edna Greenwood 


Evangelist, Faithful Servant 





Voltaire 

Elder J.O. Hargrove 

"Wonderful Elder. His preaching was extraordinary. I 

still remember his sermon in the General Council: 

'Don't Worry About a Thing'. If God can take care of 

the birds. He will surely take care of you." 


Sister Sharon Hardy 


Sister Hattie Hilton 


Church Mother & Church Secretary 

Deacon Joe Hilton 


Faithful Deacon. Always started service on time 

regardless of who was present. 

Sister Audrey Hood 


Mother of Sister Beth Poellnitz 

Loved to send encouraging cards to the discouraged 

or sick. Loved Sunday School and Bible class. Wonder 

supporter of the church. Favorite Song: "Praise the 

Lord Everybody". 

Sister Mary Hornsby 


Deaconess & Preacher 

MoSister Johnnie Ruth Howard 


Church Mother, 1st District Superintendent NEO 

Sister Litrea Hunter 

St. Peter, Evanston, 

"Legendary! Extrordinary! Fabulous! Amazing! Love 

this woman of God. Always encouraging." 


Brother Henry & Mother Lula Hurry 

New Hope, Cincinnati, Ohio 

Sister Margaret Hutson 


Trustee Treasurer, Missionary President, Church 

Mother 

Deaconess Louise Johnson 


"Founding member of Faith Temple. Quiet spirit, 

served with humility. Instrumental in many souls 

living for the Lord." 


Sister Nancy Jones 

Antioch, Cincinnati, Ohio 

Pastor Veola Jordan 

New Life, Indianapolis, Indiana 

"Awesome woman of God" 


"A praying woman of God. I loved to hear her sing, 

"I'm gonna tell God what I need" 





Voltaire 

Sister Orabell Keaton 


Church Secretary, Deaconess, Church Mother 

Deacon Lamb 


Mother Lottie Lampkin 


Famous quote: "Service time, Dear Hearts!" 

Sister Mary Lampkin 


Famous quote: "This is the day that the Lord has 

made I will rejoice and be glad in it. Use it or lose it." 

Deacon Charles & Sister Garnetta Lewis 




"Supports me 100% as the Supervisor. Always has an 

encouraging word." 


Sister Birt Little 


"Makes the best peach cobbler...simply amazing!" 


Deacon Malcolm 

Pilgrim Community, Cleveland, Ohio 

Sister Angela Martin 

Faith Temple 

"Known as Sister Bubbly for her joyous attitude. 

Loves to sing and willing to do a work for the Lord. 

Faithful missionary at heart and a good worker". 


Sister Cynthia Troutman Miller 


Sister Laura Mincey 


Mother Ruth Murphy 


Sister Mary Lou Nathan 

Walker's Tablernacle, Chicago, Illinois 

Mother Mary Nesbit 

"Woman of God that exemplifies strength. Preaches 

under the anointing." 


Deaconess Oliver 


Very faithful backbone of the church. 

Deaconess Gladys Payne 


Dedicated & faithful member of the church. 

Sister Cora Pinckney 

Pastor's Wife, Church Mother 

Sister Brenda Poellnitz 


Sister of Elder Reginald Poellnitz. Great supporter of 

the church. Established phone ministry. Loved Sunday 

School. Encouraged others via phone calls and cards. 




Voltaire 

Sister Betty Pullie 


Church Mother, Sunday School Superintendent 

Sister Della Ray 


Church Mother, Sunday School Superintendent 

Brother Vernell Reeder 


Sister LaVonne Reynolds 

New Hope FBH Church 

Mother Rhoddy 


Sister Carolyn Roberts 




"A man before his time. Rich in the knowledge of God 

and organizational leadership." 


Deacon Larry Ruffin 

Mt. Moriah, Campbell, Ohio 

Sister Linda Ruffin 


Minister, Teacher, Faithful Missionary 

Mother Ida Slappy 


Church Mother, Sr. Mission President. 

A wonderful woman who always taught us to live so 

God can use you anywhere & anytime. 

Deaconess Agnes Smart 


Deacon Russell Smith 

Mt. Pleasant, Toledo, Ohio 


Deacon & Mother Louise Strickland 


Pamela Strickland 


Mother Tessie Thomas 


"One of the greatest Mission Presidents to walk the 

aisles of St. James. A woman with the sweetest spirit, 

willing to help everybody. Supportive of the Pastor 

and a wonderful cook" 


Deacon Dock & Sister Minnie Troutman 


Sister Pearl Ware 


"Founding member. Great worker in the church. 

Known for her unique soprano voice. Most 

memorable song: "I Come to the Garden Alone" 


Sister Clifetta "Kaye" White 


Y.P.I. President 




Voltaire 

Sister Alice Wiley 


Sunday School Teacher 

Mother Marie Wiley 


Youth Church Leader 

Deacon James Williams 


Bible Scholar 

Sister Nina Williams 


"Sweet woman of God who know how to encourage 

you." 


Sister Regina Williams 


"Faithful member, Vacation Bible School Director. 

Served in many Capacities. The 'Go To' member for 

whatever was necessary to help in the cause of 

Christ" 


Sister Cheryl Wilson 


Sister Mary Wright 


Sunday School Department, Evangelist & Missionary 

Sister Youngblood 



Special Tribute 

for 

My Mother, Pastor M.E. Sullivan 

Words can?t express the loving bond that I feel for this woman. She is not only my 

mother, she is my mentor, counselor, prayer warrior and friend. 

This woman went to God many times for my healing and today I stand strong. Many 

years ago I was stricken with epilepsy and could not do much for myself. Mom never 

wavered in her faith. Many times I think of the prayer that was spoken over me: ? Lord 

if you give me back my child and allow her to be seizure free and marry and have 

children and be able to fulfill her dreams to obtain her education and hold a good j ob, I 

promise that she will serve you the rest of her days and will minister your word to your 

people. Lord I come in covenant with you on this day. Please spare my child?s life. ? 

From that moment in 1984 God healed me, and granted her every desire for me. I n 1988 

I was married and five (5) years later I had two (2) wonderful boys. 

I n 2013 I was called to preach and will finally graduate with a Bachelor?s degree in 

Human Services (minor in Psychology) this November 2014. God granted her every 

prayer, and for this we give God all the glory and honor. 

Mother has been a living example of a true women of God. As a child I witnessed mother 

pick up the saints for church, preaching all over the United States in revivals and 

conventions while still caring for the sick, broken, homeless, and lost with ease. 

I never saw Mother waiver in her faith. Even when she was talked about, and mistreated 

she remained a living example of an extraordinary woman. She didn?t stop there; she 

has held numerous positions in the Fire Baptized Holiness Church as a worship leader, 

secretary, evangelist, district president, j ust to name a few. 

Today Mother can?t go like she use to, but when you simply say the name, Jesus, you will 

see that same fire and anointing spirit that she has always had. When she begins to sing 

the praise unto the Lord, I believe, the heavens open up j ust to hear her voice. 

I personally thank God to have a mother like M.E.Sullivan. She taught me the meaning 

of being a virtuous woman of God. I t is my pleasure to honor her for all her good works! 

Keep on praising him, Mother, and may God continually bless you all the days of your 

life. 

. 

Mrs. Linda Mae Etta Sullivan Futch

The 

Gallery

Sister Concetta Lewis, Sister Litrea Hunter 

Pastor Mary Kidd, Sister Betty Carter

Top Row (L to R): Dawn Davenport, Rashena Stafford-Harris, Jimeka Green 

2nd Row (L to R): Jackie Hunter Watson, Shawdell Nesbit, Patricia Wright

Top Row (L to R): Darlene Z anders, Gloria Alford, Cynthia Canty 

2nd Row (L to R): Ellen K. Dinkins, Alice Williams

Top Row (L to R): Audrea Turner, Nina Wiliams 

2nd Row (L to R): Vernell Turner, LaVonne Reynolds

Top Row (L to R): Beth Poellnitz, Etta Everhart, Sarah Jennings 

2nd Row (L to R): Charlene Mearday, Sheldon Little, IsaacHarris

Top Row (L to R): Cherilyn Williams, Chaunta Burge, Falisha Young 

2nd Row (L to R): Johnnie Ruth Howard, Denise Tucker

Top Row (L to R): Pastor Michelle Hall, Pastor M.E. Sullivan, Pastor Joseph Sutton 

2nd Row (L to R): Pastor Yvette Clark, Pastor Emma Nesbit, Pastor Joseph Roberts

Top Row (L to R): Elder R. Poellnitz, Elder Willie Blueford 

2nd Row (L to R): Pastor Renee Gorham

First Row (L to R): Joseph Sutton, Sister Diane Haynes, Daniel Sutton, Rev. Rosa B, Sutton, Pastor Joseph 

Sutton, Sister Etta Everhart, Shierra Finnerson, Minister Audrea Turner 

2nd Row (L to R): Sister Ebony Finnerson, Mother Vivian Setzer, Rev. Melvin Bates, Sister Evelyn Bates, 

Rev. Nina Williams, Sister Alisha Finnerson, Brother Ricky Finnerson 

Antioch F.B.H . Church


Ruling Elder 

Pastor of Athens Cleveland, Ohio 

Northeast Ohio District 

Pastor Richard Rudolph Fields 

Pastor of Athens Cleveland, Ohio 

Northeast Ohio District


National Mother 3rd Episcopal Diocese 

Pastor of Antioch, Cincinnati, Ohio 

Southwest Ohio District


Pastor & District Evangelist 


Elder John David Goodbread 

Ruling Elder 


Reflections 

Reading the stories & assembling this 

magazine started me thinking... 

Are we really in the great falling away, as I 

so often hear, or have I lost focus? 

Do I need to re-evaluate my priorities? 

I plan on making some adjustments. 

God does not change. He's the same 

yesterday, today, and forever. 

What do you see? 

Vernell Turner

Mother Madelle T. Brown's Song Sheet 

1. We Glory in H.Y.P.U. 

Tune: Since Jesus Came in My Heart 

I've a wonderful secret to tell, friend to you; 

We glory in H.Y.P.U. 

And our motto we honor by works that we do; 


Christ, the Savior we ser; keep his banner unfurled; 

We gory in H.Y.P.U. 

And as Christians we triumph our field in the world; 


We will boast our Church and our Pastors each day; 


All their burdens we share and for them ever pray; 


Chorus 



We delight in its laws, We promote its great cause; 


2. Tune: Star Spangled Banner 

Oh-Say who are we, who are gathered today, 

Whose voices are lifted in songs of rejoicing? 

We are workers of love for our Father above, 

And trusting in Him we are forward advancing. 

Brave and loyal we'll prove, 

From the right we'll not swerve, 

For this is our motto: "We're saved to serve"; 

Then onward! Right onward! 

with heart tried and true, 

We'll labor for Christ and our H.Y.P.U. 

Then come join our band, for the right take your 

stand, 

And never retreat, though the foe may surround 

you; 

The fight may be long, but our Captain is strong, 

And we'll conquer through Him, 

Who is ever victorius. 

Brave and loyal we'll prove, 

From the right we'll not swerve, 

for this is our motto: "We're saved to serve"; 

Then onward! Right onward! 

With hearts tried and true; 

We'll labor for Christ and our H.Y.P.U. 

3. A Round 

(feet) Lord we thank Thee (repeat) 

(pat on lap) On this day (repeat) 

(snap fingers) For our many blessings (repeat) 

(clap hands) We give thanks (repeat) 

4. Isn't It Grand to Be a Christian 

Isn't it grand to be a Christian, 

Isn't it grand, Isn't it grand. 

Isn't it grand to be a Christian, 

Isn't it grand, Isn't it grand 

Isn't it grand to be a Christian 

Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday-Friday - 

Saturday - and all day Sunday, 

Isn't it grand. 

5. Tune: Oscar Meyer Weiner Song 

I wish I were like Jesus Christ my Savior, 

Like Jesus I would truly like to Be-e-e, 

Cause if I were like Jesus Chrisr my Savior, 

Then all the world would see His love in me. 

6. Tune: Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus 

Lead on ye Christian workers 

Lead on with all your might; 

For those who lie in darkness, 

Wait patiently for light. 

And you must help to lighten, 

Their every call must heed; 

Lead on ye Christiain workers, 

For some are still in Need.

Mother Madelle T. Brown's Song Sheet page 2 

Chorus 

Lead on ye Christian workers, 

There's work for you to do; 

The Master whispers softly 

My child, I've need of you. 

7. Tune: We Praise Thee O God 

We praise Thee O Lord, 

For our H.Y.P.U. 

May we ever be loyal, 

In all that we do. 

We praise Thee O God, 

For leader so true. 

Give them grace every hour, 

to say, "I;ll go through". 

Chorus 

Hallelujah we will praise Thee, 

For our H.Y.P.U., 

Hallelujah we will praise Thee, 

In whatever we do. 

We praise Thee O God 

For the gifr of Thy Son, 

May we hear His, "Well Done", 

When our race here is won. 

8. The Roll Call 

Tune: When the Roll is Called up Yonder 

Let us talk about our Sunday School to everyone we 

meet; 

Let us talk to all our relatives and friends; 

Let's invite them out to Sunday School 

From work and off the strre; 

Let us have a zeal that never, never ends. 

When the roll is called on Sunday, 



When the roll is called on Sunday, I'll be there. 

I'll get up on Sunday morning and come out to 

Sunday School; 

I'll be faithful in all weather, foul or fair; 

For today and every Sunday this shall always be my 

rule; 

When our classes meet on Sunday, I'll be there. 

9. Clap Your Hands 

If you're on your way to heaven, clap your hands 

If you sins have been forgiven, clap your hand 

Point to heaven in the sky, then shake hands with 

one near by. 

If the Lord can satisfy, clap your hands, 

Clap your hands, Clap you hands. 

If you're glat that you're a Christian, clap your 

hands. 

If you're not ashamed of Jesus, raise your hand 

If you'll take the stand for Jesus, take your stand; 

Now sit down and rest awhile, 

Turn to someone with a smile. 

If you're happy all the while, clap your hands, 

Raise your hand - sit down - 

If you're glad that you're a Christian - give a smile. 

10. My Burdens Went Rolling Away 

All my burdens went rolling away, rolling away, 

rolling away. 

All of my burdens went rolling away down at the 

Saviour's cross. 

Peace like a river came into my heart, Came into my 

heart, came into my heart; 

Peace like a river came into my heart When Jesus 

saved my soul. 

Joy like a fountain sprang up in my heart, up in my 

heart, up in my heart; 

Joy like a fountain sprang up in my heart Since the 

day I was savedl 

11. Tune: Glory, Glory Hallelujah 

Booster, booster, be a booster, 

Don't try crowing like a rooster, 

Booster, booster, be a booster and boost H.Y.P.U.

Mother Madelle T. Brown's Song Sheet page 3 

` 12, Tune: Gillette Razor Blade Song 

To be sharp 

Read God's word and pray. 

To feel sharp 

Testify each day. 

To stay sharp 

Let God have His way 

And live for Jesus every day. 

13. As You Walk Along 

Sing, Sing, Sing, Sing, 

As you walk along with Jesus. 


As you walk along. 

H. Y. P. U. 

H. Y. P. U. 

I'll ever work for Thee, 

Faithful and true, 

H. Y. P. U. 

H. Y. P. U. 

Come join our happy band, 

You'll like it too. 

16. Big Bad Wolf 

Our H.Y.P.U. is up to par, 

Up to par, up to par. 

Our H.Y.P.U. is up to par, 

Yes we surely are. 


As you walk along with Jesus. 

As you walk, As you walk Along. 

2. Smile 3. Pray 4. Trust 

14. Tune: Reuben, Reuben 

Don't forget to read your Bible, 

Don't forget to kneel and pray. 

Don't forget to tell the good news 

To somebody every day. 

Don't forget to work for Jesus, 

In His power and in His love, 

Don't forget to come next ___________ 

Hurry back to (Bible School, Sunday School, HYPU, 

YPI, etc.) 

15. Tune: Love Lifted Me 

I was feeling very blue, 

Not knowing what to do, 

And so I took my hat and coat 

And went to H.Y.P.U. 

I was made so welcome there, 

Forgot all about my care, 

So I go on Sundays now, and do my share.

SPECIAL 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Every church is blessed with people I 

call "The Faithfuls". These are people 

you can count on no matter what. 

People who don't just ask "Let me know 

if I can help?", but often tell you "I'm 

going to ...... is that all right?" 

They understand the meaning of unity 

and the power of Working Together. 

In addition to the individuals 

acknowledged in the Editor's Note, I 

thank the Lord for the exquisite 

pleasure of working with the following 

people on this project: 

- Bishop P.L. Frazier Jr. 

- Sister Betty Carter 

- Sister Dawn Davenport 

- Sister Ellen K. Dinkins 

- Sister Johnnie Ruth Howard 

- Sister Litrea Hunter 

- Sister Concetta Lewis 

- Sister LaVonne Reynolds 

- Pastor Joseph Roberts 

- Pastor M.E. Sullivan 

- Brother Daniel Sutton 

- Sister Sorriah Wilson 

- Sister Marlena Woodhouse 

- Pastor Darlene Zanders 

Vernell Turner

The Encomium

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?