First
Baptist Church, 935 E. 50th St., known as the oldest Baptist Church in the city
of Chicago, celebrates its 178th Anniversary on Oct.16. The theme: “For the
Glory of God, by God’s Power and Do it God’s Way.” Rev. David Watkins and
members of Greater Bethesda Church choir will lead the service, which begins at
4 p.m.
First
Baptist was organized on Oct. 19, 1833 by 15 believers who met in a two-story
frame building owned by the Methodist Church at Wacker Drive and Franklin
Street. The first University of Chicago was organized by the pastor and members
of First Baptist Church in 1857 and FB has continued its relationship with the
university through the Baptist Theological Union and the Divinity School’s
internship program. First Baptist is a member of the American Baptist Churches
of Metro Chicago, the American Baptist Churches USA and the Hyde Park-Kenwood
Council of Churches and Synagogues.
First
Baptist is recognized in the Hyde Park community as a church dedicated to
children, community involvement and youth ministry. It also supports an
Assisted Living ministry for senior citizens and a Prison Ministry Team for the
incarcerated and their families.
Rev.
Jesse M. Brown has been pastor of First Baptist for 31 years. A diverse
pastoral staff of 11 ministers includes his wife, Rev. Carol Jamieson Brown,
who also pastors First Baptist Church of Park Forest. For more, call Hope
Johnson, (630) 926-8508.
Parishioners of
Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church are in final preparation stages for their annual “Black &
White Gala,” a dinner and concert, scheduled for Oct. 15, beginning at 5 p.m.
at the church, which is located in the heart of the Bronzeville community at
4100 S. King Dr. The 6:30 p.m. concert will star Chicago’s own “soulful
vocalist,” Terisa Griffin. For tickets to attend the benefit event, call
Cecilia Peeler, (773) 313-9145 or (7t3) 520-6598. Rev. Dr. Leon D. Finney Jr.,
is pastor.
Local and national
Christian leaders will be featured when Apostolic Faith Church, led by Bishop
& Mrs. Horace E. Smith, M.D., and Mrs. Susan D. Smith, host FaithWorks
2011: Connecting the Body: Living God’s Purpose, a dynamic ministry whose goal is to train and empower
Christians everywhere to build God’s Kingdom. Programming for the FaithWorks
conference, Oct. 12-15 at Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 S.Indiana Ave., will
reflect the need in the Body of Christ for connectedness with each other and
will equip participants from all walks of life – pastors, Christian workers,
lay leaders and the unchurched — for ministry beyond the walls of the local
church.
Among the many
conference speakers: Pastor Marvin Sapp, Bishop Noel Jones, Pastor Sheryl
Branch, Pastor Bill Winston, Pastor Charles Jenkins, Fr. Michael Pfleger,
Pastor John Hannah, Dr. Rosa Sailes, Pastor Yolanda Hunt, Evg. Sandra Riley,
Pastor Noah Nicholson, Bishop Clifford Frazier and Pastor James Ford.
On Saturday, youth
ages 7-25, will participate in “#FaithWorks: The Social Gospel.” During
age-appropriate sessions young people will be challenged to not only grown in
their faith, but to share it with the world. General registration:$50; youth,
$15. Evening worship services are free and open to the public.
To register or for more
information, visit www.faithworks2011.org or call (866) 26-FAITH. The fax
number is (773) 373-6902; the mailing address: FaithWorks Ministries, c/o
Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago, IL 60653.
Living Sanctuary
World Outreach Ministries, 5820 W. Chicago Ave., is sponsoring a coat drive on
Nov. 13 during the regular Sunday morning service, giving away new and gently
used coats as well as clothes to the less fortunate and the homeless. Also
members will be passing out hot chocolate and sharing inspirational words.
Currently, the church is accepting donations on Sundays, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. and
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Pastors are Elder W. Terrell and Michelle
Burgess. Contact Deacon Christopher Hill, (312) 203-9524.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
