By Alexandria Leatherberry
The Truth Reporter
Members of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church gathered Saturday evening for a heartfelt Pastor Appreciation Banquet honoring the Rev. James Willis Sr., DMin, for his 22 years of dedicated service.
Rev. Allen T. Smith led the event at The Premier banquet hall, drawing more than 300 attendees consisting of community leaders, longtime members and visiting clergy. The guests enjoyed dinner, music and expressions highlighting Willis’ leadership and spiritual guidance. The musical performances by Rev. Thomas J. Hutchens moved the guests into a reaffirming keynote address from Rev. Kevin Bedford of Progressive Baptist Church of Aurora, Illinois. “Tonight, we say we love you,” stated Bedford.
State Senator Paula Hicks- Hudson and Toledo City Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson joined in the celebration with the presentations of state and city proclamations to Willis as a commemorative to his contributions to his congregation and community.
Rev. Willis, originally from Grenada, Mississippi, relocated to Toledo in 1970 and for 33 years worked in leadership and managerial positions with Ford Motor Company. He began his service in the ministry in 1993 with Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. H.M. Crenshaw.
Willis is a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) and Toledoans United for Social Action (TUSA). He also serves on the President’s Committee of African American Recruitment and Retention for Pharmacy Students of the University of Toledo Medical Center.
He is active with the Masonic Organization and Past Master of Amazon Lodge #4, a member of Mecca Temple #43, an Honorary Past Potentate of Mecca Temple #43, Honorary Past Grand High Priest, Grand Chaplain of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, Past Grand Advisor for the Order of Pythagorans, Past Deputy Grand Lecturer for the 7th Masonic District, State of Ohio. He currently serves as the Grand Chaplain for the MWPH Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio.
He and First Lady Linnie Willis share two adult sons, Shelby Willis, Sr. and James Willis, Jr. They have five grandchildren.
First Lady Willis retired as the executive director of the Lucas County Metropolitan Housing Authority and leads her own contributions of service that have been recognized by the YWCA, Girl Scouts of NWO, and the African-American Legacy Project.
Linnie Willis has served in leadership roles with the Toledo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc; Toledo Chapter of the Links, Inc; Zonta Club of Toledo 1; Mental Health and Recovery Services Board; Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities among other organizations. She currently serves as a board member of the Mercy Health Foundation – Greater Toledo.
Linnie Wilis was recognized for leadership by the YWCA Milestones – A Tribute To Women; a Pioneer by the Girl Scouts of Northwest Ohio and the African American Legacy Project.
Rev. Willis expressed gratitude and humility for the honoring received throughout the evening. “We are reminded that the strength of our church lies in unity and our shared commitment” he stated.
The banquet concluded the congregation’s celebration of recognizing Willis’ pastoral service and community impact.