Rise Up O Men of God!

Concerning Men’s Day, Marty Austin Lamar wrote in the African American Lectionary, “Traditionally Men's Day has been a moment in the life of the Church when the men lead every aspect of worship. From the devotion to the presentation of the music ministry, the men lead. This encourages the fellowship of men of faith... Men's Day is being used to prepare and preserve the church of tomorrow.”

As I consider the church today, I think about the godly men of the Bethesda Baptist Church, who have all gone to glory, whose worship, work, and witness of decades past has shaped the church and the kingdom today. I give God thanks for Deacon Granville Seward, Deacon Alfred Potts, Reverend Louis J. Waddell, Brother Rudy Battle, Trustee Elwood Tuck, and, of course, Reverend Dr. Allen Paul Weaver, Jr.

If it is in fact true that Men's Day is being used to prepare and preserve the church of tomorrow, then I imagine that in twenty years, as I recount the contributions of godly men in my life and whose lives have made a profound impact on the church, the roll call will include the names and stories of the amazing men of the First Baptist Church of Englewood.

So on this day where we recognize your invaluable and unique contribution to the church and the kingdom, and the days to come, men of First Baptist, I charge you in the words of the hymn writer:

Rise up, O men of God!

Have done with lesser things;

Give heart and soul and mind and strength

To serve the King of kings.

Growing in Christ

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah