By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
Friendship Baptist Church celebrated Pastor Duane C. Tisdale’s 40th Pastoral Anniversary December 12- 14. The weekend-long celebration featured an elegant Bishop’s Ball, a homecoming-esque pep rally and a spirit-filled Sunday worship service to commemorate the joyous milestone.
Pastor Duane C. Tisdale was elected the assistant pastor of Friendship Baptist Church on September 12, 1985, shortly thereafter, he served as interim pastor and was elected the senior pastor of Friendship on December 6, 1986 where he has served ever since.
Under his leadership, Friendship has undertaken the concept of “New Vision,” a church vision that embraces the spiritual/mental, physical, economical and social dimensions of the total being, therefore emphasizing “Ministering to the Total Person.”
Through “New Vision” Friendship Baptist Church integrates a holistic ministry in all areas that affect man, his family and his worship.
Pastor Tisdale serves as the Visionary for “The Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union”, which opened its doors July 21, 1996, as a result of the New Vision inspiration. He also leads as the CEO of Friendship New Vision, of the Church. The outreach ministry has a Drug and Alcohol Out-Patient Treatment Ministry named New Concepts; Transitional House for Women named NAOMI; Residential Housing Program; Tutorial Programs, Teen’s program, and Welfare to Work Program. (Source: fbctoledo.com)
Friday night, Tisdale was showered with an evening gala surrounded by family, community members, his congregation, fellow ministers and leaders. The evening, as well as the weekend, featured a mosaic of presentations from the lives of those who have been touched and transformed by his ministry. A ministry that he leads with a servant’s heart and a humble spirit.
“He doesn’t always accept a celebration,” said Pattie Poston, Bishop’s Ball Committee member. “We wanted to do this for him. To look out and see all the people and see the stage decorated in honor of him and First Lady was just amazing.”
Over 500 people attended the sold-out event. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, plated dinner, homemade desserts and dancing. Special presentations were given by the Mayor’s office and Ohio Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson as well as a ballroom dance salute by the congregation. The minister of ceremonies was Tavon Patterson, a Las Vegas-based comedian who grew up in Friendship Baptist Church.
Embracing the weekend’s homecoming theme, Friendship hosted a true pep rally for Pastor Tisdale Saturday morning. The rally featured Scott High School’s Marching Band and Friendship Baptist Church Choir. The church was decorated with streamers, balloons and a Bishop Tisdale Legacy Museum.
Over 20 ministries paraded around the sanctuary donned in various colors representing each ministry, many of which were created under the pastor’s leadership. “We wanted to make our pastor feel like the hero to us that he is,” remarked Bridge Leader and Weekend Committee member Kyndra Gaines. Those present enjoyed church games, and were given beads, noise makers and other party supplies. The event included t-shirt giveaways and a free concession stand.
The outpouring of love continued to flow into Sunday Service. It featured an anniversary choir as well as special presentations from praise dancers and mimes. Community leaders Lucas County Recorder Michael Ashford, Councilmembers Cerssandra Mcpherson and Brittany Jones, PhD, presented proclamations to Tisdale. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur read her addition of the milestone in the congressional record. The speaker for the morning was Bishop Victor Agee, senior pastor of New Vision Baptist Church in East Orange, New Jersey.
At the end of Sunday’s service Pastor Tisdale, among the many expressions of love for him during the weekend, was presented a quilt from the congregation stitched with different shirts representing various years in his transformative ministry.
“…You have been a covering to this church and today we offer this quilt to you,” remarked Bridge Leader Taurina Flores on behalf of the church, “thank you for saying yes to God for four decades – your faithfulness has covered us all.”
“I feel blessed and celebrated” commented Tisdale to The Truth, “It’s been worth the journey. I’m just glad to see how the family has really come together and I’m grateful…The journey has not been by myself – all the other pastors and other churches [and the community] we’ve come together to commit to do what pleases the Lord and I’m pleased at that.”
“We are going to be Kingdom and continue to do what Jesus taught.” Tisdale stated.
Friendship Baptist Church is located at 5301 Nebraska Ave. Sunday Service is at 9:15AM. To learn more visit fbctoledo.com or Friendship Baptist Church Toledo Facebook page.
The Bishop’s Ball Committee: Decorations – Gheinar Finn; Program – Pat Snelling, Pattie Poston & Tim Campbell; Hospitality – Ron Pattin & Patricia Jones; Publicity/Social Media – Kyndra Gaines & Stephanie Teamer; Registration – Leola Mitchell; Media – Charles Foulkes; Invitations/Tickets – Jerrod Poole; Finance (Ticket Sales) – Violet Smith & Sara Ross; Security – Homer Jackson
Weekend Committee: Jasmine Brown, Stephanie Dixon, Gheinar Finn, Charon Flowers, Kyndra Gaines, Robin Gaines, Felicia Howard, Lee Mitchell, Sara Ross and Arron Woods
Bridge Leaders: Jasmine Brown, Mike Brown, Danielle Carter, DeJuan Dixon, Stephanie Dixon, Bobby Fletcher, Taurina Flores, Charon Flowers, Kyndra Gaines, Donnell Poole, Jerrod Poole, Dawn Scotland, Crystal Sloan, Sam Tisdale, Alan Washington and Ja’Lasha Woods