THE MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
OFFICERS
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Mrs. Garnett Gray, Chair
Mrs. Virginia Tubbs, Secretary
Mrs. Betty Smith, Asst. Secretary
Librarian
MEMBERSHIP
Mrs. Betty Chism, Emeritus Ms. Carolyn Simms
Mrs. Garnett Gray Mrs. Betty B. Smith
Mrs. Vanessa Gray
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- EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS -
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Key Leadership Roles in Our Christian Education Ministry
Rev. Henry L. Key - Pastor
Mrs. Sandra C. Jones, President - Missionary Society
Mr. George Tubbs, Chairman - Deacon Board
Mrs. Virginia Tubbs, General Superintendent - Sunday School
Mrs. Gladys Amis, President – Usher Board
Ms. Alisa Y. Gladney-Petty, - Nurture for Baptist Churches (NBC)
WHAT IS IT?
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It is a vital ministry of the church composed of representatives of every phase of the church life to assure the impact of the church’s philosophy,
goals, directions, mission, etc., upon the members of every group and auxiliary of the church, as well as the membership at-large.
PURPOSE:
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This Ministry will serve to embrace, direct and undergird all educational activities within the congregation, with a view toward fulfilling the
church's mission: “making disciples.”
GUIDELINES:
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Colossians 1:28
To provide unified directions to those educational ministries so that each person in the body is “admonished and taught with all wisdom in
order to present everyone complete in Christ.”
2. Church Constitution (Article 3, Section 6)
“The Board of Christian Education shall coordinate the educational programs of the various auxiliaries of the church, enlist and train leaders
and other workers, determine needs of church and community that may be fulfilled by auxiliary group, conduct workshops, retreats,
seminars and conferences for auxiliaries, suggest policies and changes to enhance educational programs.”
RESPONSIBILITIES:
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To develop a total education program
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To evaluate church’s educational needs
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To oversee objectives of Christian Education
4. To suggest policies and changes deemed necessary for greater effectiveness of the church's Christian Education Program.
5. To enlist and train leaders and other workers in Christian Education.
6. To coordinate the Christian Education elements of the different auxiliaries of the church.
7. To survey the church and community to ascertain needs and recommend educational materials or other help which may be used to meet
the needs.
8. To provide or recommend, when requested, audio visual materials such as slides, filmstrips, cassettes, videos, etc. For Sunday School,
NBC, clubs, other groups andspecial events to enhance the development of individuals into Christ like persons.
9. To conduct workshops, retreats, seminars and conferences for groups needing and desiring
personal improvement for their work in God's program.
PROGRAM EMPHASIS:
WORKSHOPS AND RETREATS
FAMILY WEEK
SENIORS MINISTRY
CHILDREN/YOUTH MINISTRY
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL CONFERENCE
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THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY
The objectives of the Missionary Society are as follows:
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To enlist unsaved person: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 15:15; Acts 1:8; John 14:25-27
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen
(Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV)
(2) To have all circles contact their adopted sick or shut in member once a month and have the reports made at each board meeting for the church's record.
MISSIONARY CIRCLES
ROSE OF SHARON
Sister Alisa G. Petty, Leader
DORCAS CIRCLE
Mrs. Virginia Tubbs, Leader
ESTHER CIRCLE
Mrs. Elizabeth McKinley, Leader
BASKIN CIRCLE
Mrs. Annie Williams, Leader
RED CIRCLE & SUNSHINE GIRLS
SHEPHERD BOYS
Mrs. Barbara Parks, Leader
Long Range Goals: To work closely with the pastor in an outreach program. To spread the good news throughout the community. To win souls through personal service for Christ in the next twelve months. To open the "Manna Pantry" on a weekly basis.
The Missionary Society will meet the 5th Sunday of the month immediately following 11:00 A.M. service. The President may call a meeting of the Executive Committee (which consists of all officers) as deemed necessary.
OUR ORGANIZATIONS
Extra effort organizations have made the difference in our financial standing in St. John Baptist Church.
THE FAITHFUL FEW CLUB
(1st Saturday each month – 12:00 P.M.)
Mrs. Barbara Parks who succeeded Mrs. Martha Robinson is working hard in making this club a success. This year the club celebrated its Centennial Anniversary. The club had for this special occasion, the dynamic Dr. Terrence L. Taylor, pastor of Mt. Joyner Baptist Church as guest speaker along with Mt. Joyner Male Chorus, Alcy SD Jr. Academy Student Choir and Mrs. Lucy Parson of White Stone Baptist Church.
Mrs. Barbara Parks, President
THE WILLING WORKERS CLUB
(2nd Saturday each month – 12:00 P.M.)
The purposes of the Willing Workers Club are to provide Christian fellowship among members, to assist during times of sickness or death, and to provide continuing support of the church. In observance of the club’s annual day in October, the club presented “The LeMoyne Owen College Concert Choir,” under the direction of Dr. Gavin Wigginson.
Mrs. Narcissia Ivy, President
THE NEW ERA CLUB
(1st Saturday each month at 12:00 P.M.)
The New Era Club was organized in our new church, 640 Vance. Its purposes are (1) To co-operate with the pastor (2) To be useful to the church in the area of needed services, and (3) To encourage young people in pursuit of their talents. In observance of the club's annual day the second Sunday in December, the club presented a cantata entitled “Son of the Highest,” by Dick Bolks. This cantata was performed by the St. John Community Chorale, directed by Mrs. Rosetta Peterson, accompanied by Mr. David A. Caudill, organist and Mrs. Joy M. Plunkett, pianist. Mr. Stan Bell narrated the program.
Sister Aleasa Rankin, President
THE OFFICIAL BOARD will meet on the first Saturday at 2:00 PM.
The Breakfast Services Ministry
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A St. John member with an affinity for children noted the unmistakable yearning in the eyes of two newcomers. She surmised that this pitiable look could likely be one of two things—either hunger, or the need for regulation in their diet. Being proactive this Member Sister Betty Smith, began the above Christian Service with emphasis on feeding children—particularly those deprived of food—for whatever reason.
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This Service/Ministry began in 1997 and continues to this day. The Breakfast Service has expanded to include any who comes—particularly those with that doleful look of hunger.
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Per Sister Betty Smith; “a young girl came to me—in 1997—one Sunday morning and said; “Aunt Betty my brother and I are hungry, I have one dollar ($1); will you go to McDonald’s and get us a hash brown so that we can share it?” “My response to her was—keep your money and put it in Sunday School like your mother told you. As soon as I get Sunday School started I will go and get all of the children something to eat.”
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Further, Sister Smith commented “after sharing this conversation with Mr. George Gossett, Sr. I left and went to Sessell’s Grocery and purchased a box of sausage and biscuits, juice, and fruit. Each Sunday thereafter, I prepared and served breakfast to make sure that no-one was hungry.
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The Ministry began with sixteen (16) children. It soon grew to twenty-five members including adults. The number increased to as many as thirty-five (35) members including adults.”
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Faithfully, Sister Smith enters to prepare the Breakfast at 8:00a.m. each Sunday morning. And, she is assured that her supporters will soon enter to assist in presenting Christ through the feeding of those who might not otherwise be fed. Those supporters—St. John Members—have come-alongside Sister Smith and regularly support the work through financial support, time, and other donations. So noted, the Breakfast Services Ministry continues and—given the energetic, enthusiastic, and enterprising staff—this service of love will advance.
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This Service is Bible based as recorded in Matthew 25 which reads in part; “I was hungry, and you fed me…”