The Truth Staff
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church held its annual Youth Day on Sunday, June 28, as several young students were presented with college scholarships and the whole congregation celebrated their youthful members with the theme “Young and in Love with God.” (1 Timothy 4:12).
The church presented three scholarships to their youth: Jazz’inna De’Shay Patterson who will be attending the Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology; Shelby Willis, Jr. who will attend Illinois State University and Keshia Jenkins who will enter Bowling Green State University.
Worship Leader MaKayla Evans opened the Sunday service followed by the processional. After the prayer and responsive reading, the Youth Choir performed a song and Matthew Skipper welcomed the congregation.
Adryin Brown presented the scripture reading, 1 Timothy 4:12, reflecting the theme of the morning service. After the Altar Call and Altar Prayer, the Youth Choir offered another selection and the speaker for the day, Rev. Thomas J. Hutchen, Sr., was introduced.
Hutchen, a lifelong resident of Toledo is a graduate of Waite High School and earned an associate’s degree in Applied Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice in 2013 and has served withing the Lucas County justice system since 2014. He answered the call to ministry in 2012 and preached his first sermon at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. He became a member of United Vision MBC, before uniting with Jerusalem Baptist Church in 2014 and has served as associate pastor there since 2019.
After the sermon, the youth/young adults were recognized by Sis. Yvonne Gayle, Aufwiedersehen Agee and Caysen Jewell and the three honorees received the scholarship funds.
In addition Benjamin Donato received a special recognition from the church – “Unsung Hero as Supporter of Youth.”
The morning service was closed by remarks and the benediction by Pastor James H. Willis, Sr.