| The Ministry of Education |
The Education Department consist of the following teaching ministries:
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School is the primary entity of the church for the purpose of training and enlightening both children and adults in scriptural understanding and the doctrines of the church. Classes are established and designed for various ages and gender. In addition, scripture texts are developed to minister to all people at all levels. The Sunday School Superintendent presides over the Sunday School and is assisted by a teacher assigned to each class.
BIBLE BAND
The Bible Band, a weekly bible class, is designed to train individuals in biblical knowledge in their zeal to lead others to right and righteousness. The group, a women's department auxiliary, has as its aim the spiritual growth and development of its members through structured bible study. The Bible Band provides the following:
Opportunities for expression. Participants can give expressions to truths learned in a practical way by actually speaking forth the Word of God through more in-depth discussion.
Specified training. Sessions are designed to strengthen ones relationship with God, family and church.
The organization of the Bible Band is as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Teacher.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
The Vacation Bible School is a summer bible retreat for all age groups from primary to adult. The school, held during the summer months for a period of one to two weeks, involves a curriculum of bible teaching, recreation, and entertainment. The setting is informal and the atmosphere is designed to be relaxed and appealing to summer vacationers. In addition to bible discussion and study, participants have access to arts and crafts, sports, field trips, etc.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
The purpose of the Music Ministry is to glorify God through the medium of music; to magnify the message of salvation in song; and to serve as a true companion to the ministry of the Preached Word.
The Music Department of the church consist of the following:
SANCTUARY CHOIR
The Sanctuary Choir is the adult choir of the church and is primarily responsible for the music ministry in most services. In addition, it is generally the Sanctuary Choir that accompanies the pastor on engagements.
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT CHOIR
This choir is primarily responsible for singing on Youth Days and at special occasions. The Youth and Young Adult Choir consist of singers that are members of the Youth Department. At the request of the pastor or minister of music, these members may be asked, at certain times, to join in with the Sanctuary Choir as a combined or mass choir.
SUNBEAMS
The Sunbeams are those members of the Sunshine Band that come together as a singing group. It is desired that all children, to the age of 12 years old, be members of the Sunbeams.
MEN'S CHORUS
The Men's Chorus is a group of men that desire to sing and minister in song as a male singing group. This group is responsible for the music ministry on Annual Men's Day.
The Music Ministry of the church is under the auspices of the Minister of Music. Each choir has a President and various officers, in addition to a Choir Director.
| Young Women's Christian Council |
The Young Women's Christian Council (YWCC) is a group of women from the ages of nineteen to an indefinite age. This group is older than the Purity Class and younger than the Mother's Board. The age is indefinite because of the great interest held by the young women at an age when they should be leaving the YWCC. The church thought it best to let them remain in the YWCC than allow them to leave because of age and possibly lose them entirely.
The YWCC woman is at the peak of her strength. She faces her college years, years of marriage and motherhood, and will very soon come to the summit of leadership. The arms of the church reaches out to women in this age group because they need the church and the church needs them. This stage of passion, success and many times depression necessitates a firm concentration of God's will and His way.
The prime purpose of the YWCC is to gather together these young women and channel their minds into productive motives of Christian endeavor. This is the training station for every facet of women's work. Here they are trained to be homemakers, lovers of their husbands, minister's wives, auxiliary leaders, prayer warriors and lovers of their God.
The organization of the YWCC is as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Chaplin, Treasurer, Teachers and Counselors.
The Single's Ministry is a ministry of the church whose membership includes those persons that have not yet entered into marriage.
The ministry is designed as a support mechanism to single adults in their Christian walk. Its members are encouraged and admonished through biblical teaching to practice principles of godliness as a way of life. In addition, various fellowships and outings are in keeping with the doctrines and spiritual beliefs of the church.
All single adults are encouraged to be members of the single's ministry.
| Married Couple's Ministry |
This organization is a fellowship of couples designed to develop a strong family unit within the home. The love of God, family, and the church are emphasized as important ingredients in a successful marriage. In this time of unprecedented divorce rates, it is imperative that the church provides support through the ministry to those that have vowed before God and to each other, "till God, by death, shall separate us."
Discussion topics for this group include the following: What Marriage Means, How Marriage Can Succeed, How Can Money Help Or Hinder, Physical Harmony, Meeting Difficulties Constructively, Parenthood, The Deeper Meaning of Marriage, and Pathways to Harmony of Spirit.
In addition to monthly seminars and fellowship sessions, the group also sponsors an annual married's retreat.
The Men's Fellowship involves all of the men of the church. The group's aim is to develop Christian brotherhood that will inspire men to their rightful place in God, family and church. The men of the church meet weekly and are involved in various activities beneficial to the church and community.
The Media Ministry is responsible for the taping, both audio and video, of all services. Tapes are provided at the conclusion of each service for a small donation.
The Ministerial Staff includes all persons that have been called to the ministry of the Preached Word, and are actively functioning as an armor bearer to this ministry. The Elders and Ministers of the gospel are the core of this group, and are responsible for the assisted implementation of the God-given vision for the Church to the Pastor.
The Deacon Board, a group of brothers appointed by the Pastor, is the backbone of the ministry. The Deacons are the spiritual assistants to the Pastor and serve the congregation in temporal and spiritual matters.
The Trustee Board is responsible for the physical property of the church. This group, appointed by the Pastor, assist in the maintenance of the facility and its upkeep.
The Mother's Board, a group of senior women within the church, is appointed by the pastor for teaching and admonishment of the younger women to a holy walk. The board is an extension of the pastors' arm, and because of their tenure and longevity in the church, they assist, and are helpful in the implementation of the women's work in the church.
They are women of keen insight, and have at their disposal the rich heritage of our great church that allows them to be examples of true saints of God.
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The Youth & Young Adult Department of the church is the "Young Peoples" department. Its major thrust involves both the spiritual and physical development and enhancement of our youth.
Activities vary from biblical teachings to social activities. Topics of concern to the youth of today are discussed, and on occasion outside speakers are employed. This department is so designed to reach all ages through a number of specific groups within the department to include the following:
SUNSHINE BAND
The Sunshine Band is one of the oldest auxiliaries of the church. Its primary function and area of responsibility are the development of children, ages five to 12 years old.
The Bible, the teachings of Christ, and the essence of the church are all presented through teaching techniques that are tailored for and to young minds. Special programs, plays and presentations throughout the year, featuring the Sunshine Band, are highlights of their activities, in addition to an enjoyable and enriching experience for all.
PURITY CLASS
The Purity Class is the auxiliary of the church that has as its aim the desire of keeping in focus the true values of good morals, high standards of living, Christian virtue, and the discouragement of all forms of vile behavior that violates true Christian virtue.
This organization is a fellowship of Puritans who have not yet been led astray by the immorality of their society. The Purity Class is unique and unlike any other organization of its kind, in that it not only teaches youth how to be pure, chaste, and holy in the home, school, neighborhood and church, but it offers a full activity and involvement program that discourages the need in Christian youth for the companionship of the world.
The Purity Class is a very sensitive auxiliary. It caters to the age levels that are trying to find themselves, to know who they really are, and what they want to do in life. They are yet unsure of where and how far up the ladder of success they should aim. Thus, finding one's self-value is not an easy job unless there is someone there to guide them.
This group caters to those persons within the age groups of 13-18 years old.
JUDAH COMPANY
"Let them praise his name in the dance . . . " Psalm 149:3
The Judah Company is a group of preteen girls that combine as a praise dance team. This organization utilizes the medium, art form, and God-ordained act of dance, as an expression of praise to the Almighty.
BOY'S CLUB
The Boy's Club is an organization for young boys geared toward the enhancement of both their spiritual and physical development. The groups' activities, designed to portray and instill positive male influences, vary from biblical instruction and course study to precision drill teams, intramural sports, field trips, etc. The club, an entity within the Youth and Young Adult Department, meets as part of the Youth Church.
DRAMA GUILD
The Drama Guild consists of those persons that are involved in the production, and performance of seasonal dramatic plays, skits, etc.
A major responsibility of the group is the annual Easter and Christmas presentations.
TEENS SAVING TEENS (TST)
"A Christian Sorority of Love"
This social group inspires young women, ages 14-18 years, to unite in Christian love while building self-esteem and self-respect to an ultimate
end of spiritual growth in Christ. "Big Sisters" act as role models and mentors, thus providing natural and spiritual support for these developing young ladies.
The group meets each Saturday for fellowship outings, and is involved in bible study each Tuesday. Full membership into the organization is
granted after an in-depth initiation period.
The Usher Board consists of a group of men and women who have so organized and dedicated themselves as an usher unit. The usher is a silent evangelist; a door keeper in the house of God. The beauty of the Lord's house is its order, and much of this depends upon an efficient usher board.
Ushers escort worshipers to their respective seats and assist in the maintenance of reverence during the worship experience. In addition, the usher minimizes walking and excessive disturbances that can hinder the orderly flow of the service.
The Usher Board of this church is divided into the following:
Female Usher Board
Male Usher Board
Youth Usher Board
The Hospitality Committee is a group of women organized to show kindness in entertaining visitors and special guests. This committee is of vital importance to the church. It consists of women who are lovers of people, given to hospitality, and enjoy making others happy. Their major function is during special projects, events and programs.
The Pastor's Aid Board is a reciprocating activity which demonstrates appreciation for the pastor's love and sacrifice. The group's goal is the quality care of the pastor. This board works for the pastor in behalf of the entire church, and all activities are conducted in concert, fully supported by the entire group and church. This unique board in the church, accentuates, through a responsible membership, what care giving and proper supplemental financial support to the pastor truly is. Members provide the aid and the support necessary to help the pastor have a longer life and a more meaningful experience in the ministry.
The pastor is a man of dignity and position. He embodies the local church's ministry and should be in the best condition possible to represent Christ and the Church. The Pastor's Aid Board works to this end.
The Nurses unit involves those professional persons that are a part of this ministry that has been trained and certified, and have previously or is presently working in the medical field. These persons offer their services as a ministry to the wellness of the membership of the church.
Healing Helpers is a ministry of reconciliation and restoration. It is a healing ministry designed to minister to those persons that are facing various addictions in life. Its focus is deliverance through the power of Jesus Christ, and its goal is a sustaining ministry designed as a support mechanism for both the addicted one, and also those family members and friends that are co-dependants and victims of the disease.
This church is actively involved in mission outreach. Each Sunday, as part of the worship service, a mission offering is collected for the cause of mission, and is dispersed to various entities or ministries in need of assistance as they spread the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
The church food pantry provides food products for those families in need. It is the desire of this ministry to meet the physical need of feeding the hungry, in addition to ministering spiritually to all of whom assistance is provided.
The Missionary Board consists of a group of missionaries in the following categories: (1) Aspiring, (2) Deaconess, (3) Evangelist.
Each of the above listed operates a unique program in the church. Visiting the sick, administering to the needs of the poor, reaching the unsaved and conducting bible training classes are a few of the responsibilities and involvements of the Missionary Circle.
An Aspiring Missionary is a woman age twenty-one years and over who feels a special call of God. Her life must reflect a Godly image. She must be concerned about the work of prayer, teaching soul-winning, etc., feeling the inner call to the service of God. The Aspiring Missionary is observed for at least two years before being recommended for license.
A Deaconess Missionary is a licensed missionary whose activities are within the confines of the local church. However, if she is invited to serve outside the confines of the local church, she may do so with the permission of her pastor, but she must be accompanied by her church mother or a qualified missionary. A Deaconess Missionary must study the Word of God as her rule of faith and practice, seeking knowledge from the Higher Power and training through Institute Classes, Bible Schools, etc. This will better equip her to serve God and His people. It is recommended that after two years of in service training, and being led of God, her activities lead to the Evangelist Missionary.
The Evangelist Missionary is a missionary whose ministry extends into the District and the Jurisdiction. However, she must have the endorsement of her pastor and Jurisdictional Supervisor. She is expected to help build the work on all levels. She should be available to travel and conduct revivals whenever and wherever called upon. She
must be a prayerful woman and one of spiritual insight. The Evangelist Missionary will have two prerequisites: (1) a Mission, and (2) a Vision. These two prerequisites will give and provide for a greater thrust in soul-winning.
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