As I am preparing to enter preliminary discussions and negotiations concerning some important business with a few of the trustees of our church and two others who we will be present. I cannot help but to reflect on how far we have come as a corporate body that started out with a handful of people in 1982 in my mother’s living room. If my recollection serves me right, there were only about twelve (12) adults and a few children who were bonafide members at the time. By 1984, we had grown by the grace of God into an increasing flock and was having church in a storefront on the corner of Highway 301 and Dargan Street (presently a Chinese Restaurant). We were in the process of building the first phase of our church complex that we presently occupy, however, there was one major problem standing in our way. We had gone as far as we could on the money we had been able to raise in our building fund project. The fundraising, along with some other necessary financial maneuvering, had afforded us the money to complete the dry-in stage of our construction project. Nevertheless, in spite of how well the few people we had sacrificed in their giving, we were at a standstill. The only way we could move forward and finish our project and construction was to secure a loan from a bank. Obtaining a loan was a very difficult thing for an upstart church that did not have many members. This was especially true for an African -American church that was only a few years old. I will never forget the few people in the church with good enough credit and jobs (who believed in the vision God had given me) who readily co-signed the mortgage. However, what really encouraged me and is the impetus for my column today was the people who were not members of our young church who also believed in me enough to also put their “John Hancock” on the mortgage. I will never forget the faith and trust these people had in me during the formative stage of our ministry that has become the flagship church of an international fellowship of churches on five continents.
All of us (if we are honest) have people and good deeds and services that were rendered in our lives that helped us to be who and where we are today. If not for these special and significant people who came into our lives at the right time, none of us would have been given the tools, inspiration, and encouragement to advance and overcome the challenges that we would confront on our way to success. Admittedly for most of us, we dare not forget the foundational role and sacrifices our parents contributed to our well-being and success. Nevertheless, there are others (who we must cite and commend) who also contributed to our development. What about the school teachers (from kindergarten through twelfth grade) who instructed and inspired us in helping to lay the educational foundation of our lives that we have been able to build upon and launch forward? We would not be where we are had it not been for those strategic mentors and motivators who equipped and academically empowered us to advance and excel to the best of our abilities and opportunities. Many of us who were church affiliated and attenders at an early age sat in Sunday School classes for years under some very impactful and inspiring Sunday School teachers. They not only instructed and challenged us with biblical lessons, but also in many cases served as examples and counselors. Some can affirm that had it not been for those Sunday School teachers in our lives (at a very crucial time) with words of encouragement and moral nourishment, we would not be where we are today. There have been quite a few mentors and motivators in most of our lives like coaches, older siblings, aunts, uncles, and of course, pastors who were there for us at the right time. Without the influence of these people and the timely impact they made in our lives during very challenging and formative times, most (if not all) of us would have most likely failed or not reached our full potential.
I will never forget nor stop being very appreciative of the essential people who were a part of the preparatory phases and process that I have experienced in my life. I am forever grateful to my first pastor in the little church I attended while growing up in Newtown. Also, I am appreciative to the two men (bishops) who helped to lay the theological foundation from which I launched, as well as to certain teachers who recognized my potential that lie dormant while attending first through twelfth grade at Gordon. They wrestled to stimulate my intellect during the time of my life when I took my studies lightly. Like me, I am certain that most of you will not forget the people in your life who played an important role in helping to prepare you to be where you are today. If for some reason you have forgotten those people, it would be to your well-being to take a scroll down memory lane (as I often do) to keep myself mindful of the people who helped me to be who and where I am today. Oh, that we don’t forget!