Saturday, March 17, 2012
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
Its name, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, conveys the atmosphere of the church and the attitude of the congregation.
The legacy of being a welcoming church began with Mary Myers, who originally suggested Friendship as the name of the small group who first prayed together in 1922 and evolved into the church. Pastor B.J. Myers, son of Mary Myers, so believed in the goodwill of the church he underscored the name with “Greater.”
The camaraderie and support among members has sustained the church throughout its 90 years. A dinner Friday and special service at 10:30 a.m. March 24 will feature guest preacher, the Rev. Ernest Ellis, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, a son of the church.
Pastor James Bowie, installed in April 2010; Francine Jeffries, anniversary committee chairwoman; Jewel Black, co-chairwoman; and Elverna King of the history committee and granddaughter of Mary Myers, recently gathered to talk about the past, present and future.
“The name speaks for itself,” said Black. “It’s always been a friendly and welcoming church,” King added.
To enhance that tradition, Pastor Bowie formed a new ministry, We Care, which follows up on new members and keeps in touch with members who fall out of touch.
Pastor Bowie has channeled efforts into the formation and re-establishment of specific ministries to target need. The Women of Worship hones in on “worth and worship” to meet the spiritual needs of women members. The women attend retreats and host speakers.
The pastor said the goal of a Men’s Devotional Class “is to build a strong bond among men of the church.”
A multifaceted effort is being made in that area. Expressions, a youth choir, is featured at services once a month while the youth department focuses on fellowship and activities to engage the young. Fifth Sundays are devoted to junior church. Mime and liturgical dance are other avenues for youth to participate. “It’s another way to express worship,” Pastor Bowie said.
“We have the history and experience,” said King of the older generations, but noted young people are the future of the church.
A bereavement ministry, the pastor said, helps those grieving current and past losses. A marriage ministry provides support for couples.
A tape ministry, which records the services, then delivers CDs to sick and shut-in members to maintain their connection to the church. Demetrius Cunningham, chairman of deacons, assists in this project. Pastor Bowie also gets out a message from 8 to 9 a.m. Sundays on 1540 AM.
A mother ministry, described as the “elder stateswomen,” help and mentor young women of the church in various ways.
Dress to Succeed is an outreach ministry to help women and men with appropriate clothing for interviews and the workplace. It was begun by Rose Carter, an elder, and church members volunteer to staff a “boutique” set up in a room at the church. Call the church at 330-743-5084 for information.
Jeffries, Black and King commented on how the new pastor has “invigorated” the 90-year-old church with his enthusiasm and devotion. “He’s brought new life here ... in membership and spiritually,” King said.
Black noted that she has heard “positive comments” in the community about the pastor, and Jeffries confirmed that with “you know you have a good person when you hear so many nice comments.”
As for Pastor Bowie, he said, “God had a calling on my life to pastor. The opportunity opened up and here we are today.” “God had a plan. ... He knew we needed him,” King said of the pastor.
The rich history of the church isn’t lost on the pastor, who said it is an example of fortitude. Founding members built a church in 1928 at Alpine and Cypress streets.
A cross that hung in that former church now is displayed behind the pulpit at the current church. “At one time, the bells were rung at noon Sundays. Everyone on the South side knew what time it was,” said Jeffries. Black added shut-in members were called and could hear the bells during a prayer time.
The sanctuary with oak pews seats between 1,500 to 2,000; it can be opened up to seat up to 3,000. When Gospel singer Albertina Walker performed at the church in the late 1990s, it was a full house, Cunningham said.
A dome of stained glass highlights the sanctuary, which also is adorned with multiple stained-glass windows, some measuring 30 feet wide and 60 feet high. Cunningham said the windows feature Matthew, Mark, Luke and John along with the Good Shepherd, Jesus knocking from Revelations 3:20 and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The three-story church also houses nine classrooms and a library with computers is in the works.
Cunningham underscored the “friendly” nature of the church. “There’s a balance between older members and youth coming in,” he said. He said he appreciated the pastor’s efforts in “educating the congregation on the meaning of what we’re doing in terms of singing, mime and dance.”
The chairman of deacons said the role of that group was to “help in the practical and spiritual. We want to balance the worldly so it rightly reflects the religious aspect,” he said. He credited Pastor Bowie with “leadership and imagination.”