Dr. Joseph Installation Journal

FAITH TABERNACLE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
29 GROVE STREET – STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06901 – (203) 348-8755 – Fax (203) 348-1890
Mark of Excellence Pre School (203) 353-1503 Federal Credit Union (203) 921-1664
Reverend Dr. Joseph G. Ford
Senior Pastor
Dear Faith Family and Friends:
To God be the glory for the great things he has done. What a joy and privilege it is to be pastor of Faith
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.
We often mark years by pivotal moments in life: Isaiah 6:1 says “in the year king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord high
and lifted up.” Little did we know that the year 2020 would not only be remembered for the installation of Faith
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church’s 5 th pastor, but it would also be forever marked in history by two historic
events: the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 and the unnecessarily inhumane salughterings of George Floyd,
Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and subsequent resistance that has developed.
The high infectious rate of COVID-19 has required the nation to social distance, which has had a tremendous
impact on our ability to gather for worship, study, and fellowship. We have had to adjust to a new normal, but
through it all God has shown himself faithful. Though we have not been able to gather physically, we have used
the conveniences of technology to connect with each other virtually. Despite the pandemic we have continued
with our weekly worship services, prayer calls, Sunday school, Kids Zone ministry, and outreach to the
community. Though we have been physically apart, I believe we have grown spiritually closer to God and to
each other through our Daily Devotionals. Through all we have experienced there has still been a sense
of excitement within the church. Souls are being saved and people are joining virtually.
The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have ignited a push for racial equality not only
across the country but around the world. We as a church are charged to be a prophetic voice in this changing
landscape. We must continue to speak truth to power and champion the cause of the least, lost, and
disenfranchised.
Though this is a challenging time, it is exciting because it allows us to think outside the box and reimagine
ministry. The possibilities are endless! I believe the best is yet to come. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “eye has not seen,
nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love
Him.”
I would be remiss if I did not thank the pastoral search and installation committees for their diligence and
faithfulness in working through this process. I also must thank the membership for the love you have shown my
family upon our arrival.
To God be the glory for the great thing he has done!
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Joseph G. Ford