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Gospel Baptist Church celebrating 75th year
By LINDA M. LINONIS
POLAND
The pastoral staff and members of Gospel Baptist Church take fulfilling the Great Commission noted in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye and teach all nations,” to heart through its ministries.
It’s been a priority since the church began as Poland Center Community Sunday School. On Nov. 8, the church, guests and visitors will mark the 75th anniversary.
Recently, Pastor Ron Royalty and Don Barth, a 45-year member, Sunday school superintendent and deacon chairman, talked about the upcoming celebration and activities of the congregation that numbers about 60 families.
Barth said he attended the Community Sunday School. When Ron Shipley became the first full-time pastor in 1969, Barth said he and his family were motivitated “to help out.” He’s continued to do just that as a deacon, whose job “is to assist the pastor in what he needs.
In Sunday school, Barth said he oversees the operation that is grouped in grades including kindergarten, first and second, third and fourth, fifth and sixth, seventh through 12th, college and career, and adult.
Pastor Royalty said the bus ministry is an integral part. “We cover four areas of Youngstown. The ministry started in the 1970s,” he said. The bus ministry, staffed by about 25 volunteers, brings youths and adults to the church for Sunday school and services. “It’s door-to-door service,” the pastor said of the service provided to about 100 participants on four buses.
Complementing the bus ministry is a door-to-door campaign in which church members go out on Saturdays to follow the Great Commission and offer information about the church. “We visit many of those involved in the bus ministry and make new contacts,” Pastor Royalty said. He said this activity helps bus ministry volunteers know who will be on the routes on Sunday. Active ministries are “on the go,” a phrase on the church website.
The inspiration to support mission work came early on when the Community Sunday School first donated $50 to Miss Coyne, a missionary in China. That legacy continues. Church members currently send regular donations to support the work of missionaries, Shari House in Thailand, Bruno and Sylvia Malepou in Cameroon and Adam and Carol Rich in Zambia, who grew up in the church.
Pastor Royalty said the church donates about $70,000 annually to help 40 missionaries around the world and began the concentrated effort in 1995. In 2013, he said, the church passed the $1 million mark in donations.
“It’s a major emphasis for the church,” Pastor Royalty said. “Church members sacrifice to make it happen.”
Pastor Royalty said Gospel Baptist School was founded in 1984 as a nonchartered, nontax-supported school and has grades from kindergarten to 12. The school covers appropriate subjects along with the Bible. There are 24 students from church and community. “We want to give students a strong foundation,” the pastor said.
A Golden Eagles ministry for those 55 and older and is mostly a social group. The church, Pastor Royalty said, also reaches out residents at five area nursing homes. He said services are conducted at various times and Deacon Bill Davis is in charge. That ministry is in its 26th year.
Saints of the Round Table is directed at men 19 years and older and meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, September through May, for dinner and Bible study. A Ladies Fellowship meets at the church, which also has activities for children and youths.
In the spring, the church sponsored a “Signs of Love” event to reach out to the deaf and hard of hearing.
“We want to learn how to be effective,” Pastor Royalty said.
Barth said he describes the church as “caring and welcoming” because of its members and ministries. Pastor Royalty said members “have a desire to serve the Lord.”
The pastor uses a well-worn Bible with notes in the margin and some loose and tattered pages. He said his source of inspiration is in Philippians 2:5-11.
Ben Neilsen is assistant to the pastor and Chris Stivers is assistant pastor in school ministry.