The Truth Staff
Following a Saturday night of celebration at the Premier Banquet Hall for the 22 years of service of rendered by Pastor James and Frist Lady Linnie Willis, the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church’s congregation honored the couple the next morning during Sunday service.
This year’s pastoral appreciation theme was “A Man of God Worthy of Double Honour”- 1 Timothy 5:17-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Jeremiah 3:15.
The deacons thanked the Lord for bringing their pastor to St. Paul for helping him “be the leaders that he is.” Said Ray Wood during the praise and worship: “We want to give him his flowers while he can still smell them.”
After the Praise and Worship opening by the Deacons, Sis. Deborah Gardner presented the stirring musical selection and then the honorees, Pastor and First Lady Willis, were escorted in by grandchildren Jackson and Jace Willis.
Sunday’s speaker, as he was on Saturday evening, was Rev. Kevin Bedford. Rev. Bedford, a Chicago native, has served since 2013 as senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church of Aurora, Illinois. However, prior to his move back to the Chicago area 12 years ago, he was senior pastor of Toledo’s Historic Third Baptist Church from 2004 to 2013.
During Bedford’s time in Toledo, he was also president of the Toledo Branch NAACP, the African American Leadership Council and actively participated in a number of initiatives that addressed criminal justice reform, academic improvement and economic development for poos and underserved communities.
Bedford’s academic accomplishments include a bachelor’s of Arts degree from Union University of Jackson, TN; a master’s of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary and a master’s of Science Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern Connecticut State University.
After the celebratory message delivered by Rev. Bedford, Sunday’s service concluded with a musical selection, the recognition of guests and remarks by Rev. Willis thanking the congregation for the recognition.
“Dear Beloved Members and Friends of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Gace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!,” wrote Pastor James and First Lady Linnie Willis in a letter to the congregation. “It is with full hearts and deep gratitude that we write to express what a true joy and blessing it is to serve in this community and to walk alongside each of you as part of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church family … thank you for allowing us to serve you … “