A Publication of Pilgrim Baptist Church of Rockford, Illinois The Pilgrim Messenger PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH 1703 S. Central Avenue Rockford, IL 61102 815-968-4449 www.pilgrimbaptist.org MINISTERIAL TEAM Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Board, Senior Pastor Rev. Sharon L. Olson, Assistant Pastor Minister Marvin Ballard Minister Ernest Evans Minister Kevon Hayes Rev. Carmen Jordan Elder Kevin D. Lambert Minister Willie Reed Minister Carl L. Towns A Church inspired by the Word and Empowered by the Holy Spirit. ALL ARE WELCOME! WEEKLY WORSHIP Tuesday: 9:30 am - Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon - Bible Study 6:00 pm - Prayer Service 6:30 pm - Adult Bible Study Sunday: 9:00 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Worship Service 10:30 am - Children’s Church Chapel of the Crosses CONTENTS PASTOR’S 11TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION November 2016 Volume X, Issue 10 PILGRIM’S VISION STATEMENT The vision of the Pilgrim Baptist Church is the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation through the belief in the Ministry of Jesus Christ and the empowerment of excellence in all people through Christian education and community activism. by Rev. Carmen Jordan “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story – those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from the east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in the desert wastelands finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the LORD and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and wonderful deeds for mankind” Psalm 107: 1 – 8 (NIV) God’s goodness and love looks different for every believer in Jesus Christ. Yes, we all have the blessed assurance of John 3:16; however, each of us has a unique story. For some, it may be of life before our point of belief, for others it may be one of God’s continual grace and mercy through this journey of faith. The commonality is that out of God’s goodness and unfailing love, he gives us each a story to tell. Let us pray and thank God for our stories, then tell someone of the goodness of the Lord. Prayer & Devotional • Pastor’s 11th Anniversary1 • Prayer & Devotional 1 • Virginia Wynn 2 • Senior Banquest 3 • Pilgrim Happenings 3 • Calendar 4 • Celebrations 4 Reverend Dr. Kenneth R. Board and First Lady Marilyn Board arrived at Pilgrim Baptist Church September 1, 2005. The 11th Pastor’s Anniversary was celebrated October 16 at morning service. Frances Blalock noted The Occasion, Min. Carl L. Towns read a Tribute to the Pastor. The Mass Choir sang robustly and God’s Will Mime Ministry, led by Min. Kevin Marks, performed a soulful mime to the song “Declaration”. Pastor Board’s longtime friend and mentor, Rev. Dr. Calvin S. Morris, Former Executive Vice- President and Dean of the Interdenominational Center of Atlanta, Georgia, spoke and sang eloquently. The Church then celebrated with a delicious dinner after service. w Our pastor is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana: born to the union of Johnny and Lula Board (Brown). He is married to Lady Marilyn Diane Board and they have a blended family of five children (Keysha, Weldon, Kimberly, Kevin and Kenneth Jeremy) and two grandchildren (Gregory and Caleb). He came to us after having had served as an assistant pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and adjunct professor at The Interdenominational Theological Center. Over the past 11 years, Pastor Board has ably led us through the expansion and total renovation of our church campus and grounds. Under his leadership, Pilgrim has enjoyed sound teaching and a moral voice of social justice in the Rockford community. Pastor Board has identified and trained eight new ministers to help him shoulder the load of shepherding. Their positive impact on this congregation is a testament of Pastor Board’s commitment to shared leadership and discipleship. Pastor Board is highly regarded as a public theologian and a leader among leaders in Rockford, our region and our nation. In addition, he is adjunct professor of leadership at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Lombard, IL) and a guest columnist to the Rockford Register Star newspaper. Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Board and First Lady Marilyn Board at the Pastor’s 11th church anniversary. Min. Kevin Marks, a soulful mime. Rev. Dr. Calvin S. Morris
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A Publication of Pilgrim Baptist Church of Rockford, Illinois
The Pilgrim MessengerPILGRIM BAPTIST
CHURCH1703 S. Central Avenue
Rockford, IL 61102815-968-4449
www.pilgrimbaptist.org
MINISTERIAL TEAMRev. Dr. Kenneth R. Board,
Senior PastorRev. Sharon L. Olson,
Assistant PastorMinister Marvin BallardMinister Ernest EvansMinister Kevon HayesRev. Carmen Jordan
Elder Kevin D. LambertMinister Willie Reed
Minister Carl L. Towns
A Church inspired by the Word and Empowered
by the Holy Spirit.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
WEEKLY WORSHIPTuesday:9:30 am - Bible StudyWednesday:12:00 Noon - Bible Study6:00 pm - Prayer Service6:30 pm - Adult Bible StudySunday:9:00 am - Sunday School10:30 am - Worship Service10:30 am - Children’s ChurchChapel of the Crosses
PILGRIM’S VISION STATEMENTThe vision of the Pilgrim Baptist Church is the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation through the belief in the Ministry of
Jesus Christ and the empowerment of excellence in all people through Christian education and community activism.
by Rev. Carmen Jordan“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story – those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from the east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in the desert wastelands finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the LORD and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and wonderful deeds for mankind” Psalm 107: 1 – 8 (NIV)God’s goodness and love looks different for every believer in Jesus Christ. Yes, we all have the blessed assurance of John 3:16; however, each of us has a unique story. For some, it may be of life before our point of belief, for others it may be one of God’s continual grace and mercy through this journey of faith. The commonality is that out of God’s goodness and unfailing love, he gives us each a story to tell. Let us pray and thank God for our stories, then tell someone of the goodness of the Lord.
Reverend Dr. Kenneth R. Board and First Lady Marilyn Board arrived at Pilgrim Baptist Church September 1, 2005.
The 11th Pastor’s Anniversary was celebrated October 16 at
morning service. Frances Blalock noted The Occasion,
Min. Carl L. Towns read a Tribute to the Pastor. The Mass
Choir sang robustly and God’s Will Mime Ministry, led by Min. Kevin Marks, performed a soulful mime to the song “Declaration”.
Pastor Board’s longtime friend and mentor, Rev. Dr. Calvin S. Morris, Former Executive Vice-President and Dean of the Interdenominational Center of Atlanta, Georgia, spoke and sang eloquently.
The Church then celebrated with a delicious dinner after service.
wOur pastor is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana: born to the union of Johnny and Lula Board (Brown).
He is married to Lady Marilyn Diane Board and they have a blended family of five children (Keysha, Weldon, Kimberly, Kevin and Kenneth Jeremy) and two grandchildren (Gregory and Caleb).
He came to us after having had served as an assistant pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and adjunct professor at The Interdenominational Theological Center.
Over the past 11 years, Pastor Board has ably led us through the expansion and total renovation of our church campus and grounds. Under his leadership, Pilgrim has enjoyed sound teaching and a moral voice of social justice in the Rockford community.
Pastor Board has identified and trained eight new ministers to help him shoulder the load of shepherding. Their positive impact on this congregation is a testament of Pastor Board’s commitment to shared leadership and discipleship.
Pastor Board is highly regarded as a public theologian and a leader among leaders in Rockford, our region and our nation. In addition, he is adjunct professor of leadership at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Lombard, IL) and a guest columnist to the Rockford Register Star newspaper.
Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Board and First Lady Marilyn Board at the Pastor’s 11th church anniversary.
September 25, Pastor Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Board received for the church handmade figurines from the group of Lidköping, Sweden Nursing Students and Faculty visiting SwedishAmerican Hospital, Rock Valley College and Guilford High School. This is their second visit to Pilgrim.
1. Congratulations on your promotion to Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) or E-8. What was the process that you pursued toward earning the promotion? I had to put a package together to compete with all Air Force Reserve Personnel that also put in a package. I was one of 30 people selected through a rigorous process. You compete with your own unit and base before it is sent up the Air Force Reserve Headquarters and then they decide who they feel is ready to be promoted.
2. What will your duties be and where?I am a First Sergeant with 932nd Aeromedical Evacuation Unit at Scott AFB, IL, where my job is to be sure the morale and welfare of the unit is positive and productive. My job can consist of rewarding people and disciplining them as well. Luckily for me it is more rewarding.
3. How do you balance being a teacher, wife, mother, and Airman? I juggle everything and pray that I don’t falter but the love and support of my family keeps me going. My Principal, Ms. Emma Gipson, last year was rewarded by the state of IL ESGR (Employee Support of Guard and Reserve) for being supportive to a military member. She has been great in supporting me when my duties take me away from my civilian job. The people I work with also are supportive. My Air Force family is supportive as well with including my family in events that we do with our unit. My church family continues to pray for me and are supportive whenever I need it. Mitch Chappell has given me CD’s of the church sermons if I have been gone or if I remember to ask him. Ms. Albara works around my schedule so that I am able to teach Children’s Church. My husband, Cedric, holds down the fort at home. Noah and Chaniya help my husband hold down the fort as well and do well in school, so I don’t have to worry. My sister helps by doing Chaniya’s hair when I am out of
town. My parents also help with the kids. There are even more but I couldn’t list them all. If I didn’t have everyone helping me, I wouldn’t be able to go to work to do my job and not worry about home. Anyone in the military sacrifices but we couldn’t do what we do if the people around us weren’t willing to support and sacrifice with us.
4. Why do you want to be a Airman?I grew up in the military world watching my father do great things for great people. I enjoyed traveling around the world. I wanted the same for my children. Noah was able to experience what life was like for many people around the world and is able to appreciate life. Now Chaniya is able to not see as much but still travel. I love serving my country and doing the great work we do oversees. Media has a way of twisting things and making what we do look like tragic killing or military hurting their own. What they don’t see is the humanitarian missions, working with other nations to see how truly good we are, regardless of the people that do make us look bad. We help many people who may never have what we do or children who will never see inside a school building. I feel like I am supporting something greater than myself and it keeps me grounded to know that there is more to life than myself.
5. What can the congregation at Pilgrim do to support you in your service to our nation?Support and pray for my family and me. Ask my family if they need anything or check to see how they are doing. This is normally done any way. Also support my unit whenever they deploy or I have to deploy. My unit right now is deployed and prayers would be appreciated.
6. What is your ultimate goal in service to our nation?My ultimate goal is to becoming a Chief (E-9), the highest rank an enlisted Airman can hold. I would like to work in a position where I am helping an entire
base (Wing) or at Headquarters helping to make change for our future Airmen to continue to have a better life and work environment.
7. What advice would you give to others who are interested in military service?I would advise them to be prepared to give more than your all. You must be physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially fit to be successful. It will push you to places you didn’t know you had. At the end you will be rewarded by you becoming a better person and helping others to do the same. The benefits are exceptional and they include taking care of your family. There are so many jobs in the military that you can find anything that piques your interest. At the same time you have to know the sacrifice can be, literally and figuratively, giving up your life at times. Luckily, we are a great military and giving up your life is not an everyday thing. Thank God for the veterans before us that has made life a little easier, so that we don’t have to do that as much any more.
8. As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, for what are you most thankful?I am most thankful for the Holy Spirit guiding my life so that I can love, live, have hope, help others, complete the mission the Lord has for me, and be the person I am and want to be.
October 1, 2016 Virginia Wynn was one of only 31 Master Sergeants promoted to Senior Master Sergeant out of the total Air Force Reserve personnel. “I am very happy to have been given this honor. Getting promoted as a First Sergeant beyond Master Sergeant is very difficult because I would have to apply for different jobs and would have had to leave my current unit. It has been a blessing that I can stay with my unit for now. I was very blessed that I was able to promote with the people I take care of and who take care of me”.
“Last, but not least, my family has made sacrifices for me to do my job and I thank them for me being able to do my job without having to worry about home. I couldn’t have gotten promoted without their full support”, said Virginia.
Virginia answered some questions asked by Pastor Board:
L to R: Son, Noah; Virginia, daughter, Chaniya; and husband, Cedric, at Virginia’s promotion to Air Force Reserve Senior Mas-ter Sargeant, October 1, 2016
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This PDF has Enhanced HTML links! by Jacci Mannery,Secretary, Trustee Ministry
The Trustee Ministry is inspired by and looks forward to the activities honoring the 100th Anniversary of Pilgrim Baptist Church. We have an outstanding committee which is making significant plans for this momentous occasion.
The Trustees are mindful that the nature of this celebration will be such that extra finances may be needed. We encourage all members and friends of Pilgrim to begin early making contributions toward the Anniversary. This will allow us to coordinate available funds to budgetary requests.
As time goes on, the Anniversary Committee will be sharing details of plans with our congregation. This is an exciting time in the life of our church and we encourage all of our members to “get on board!”
Contact Staci Wright, Anniversary Chair to volunteer for the many tasks leading to August 27.
by Lorraine Wilson,President, Seniors’ Ministry
100TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY
COMMITTEE IS READY!
NEW DOOR POLICY
SENIOR FALL BANQUET WONDERFULBY GOD’S WILL
REVEALED: WHO WAS YOUR SECRET SISTER?Saturday, November 12, the Pilgrim Women’s Ministry will hold a Secret Sister reveal luncheon. Participants draw a Pilgrim sister’s name from a basket and stay in contact all year encouraging and loving her. Sometimes small gifts are involved but, more importantly, sisters have someone to spoil. If you have not been one this year, be sure to come to this year’s luncheon and sign up.
In order to help ensure security for the church building on Sundays, the Deacons will lock the back door of the church at 10:30 a.m., the side door by the offices at 10:45 a.m., and the Elevator Wing door at 12:00 noon.
The sanctuary entrance door will remain open until the service has ended and all members, except the Trustees, have left the building.
The Seniors host a fall banquet every year. This year our intended speaker was Rev. Sylvia Lumpkins, who came with her husband who was so kind to agree to introduce his wife that evening. Unfortunately, after they arrived, he took ill and had to be rushed to the hospital. Pastor asked who I would choose to speak in her place. I said, “you”. He said he would like to ask his Pastor, Rev. Ed Libby. Being the most gracious man he is, he agreed to speak.
Believe me, God had a plan because as usual he brought the word along with one of his most appropriate stories. It all came together so well.
My plan was to honor our outgoing President, Mrs. Lorraine Thurmond. Unfortunately, she was ill. Pastor
Libby’s sermon was about the seeds we plant in our children and the people we mentor, which, of course, was so appropriate. Our honoree, Mrs. Thurmond worked 15 years
in Culinary and Seniors’ ministry. Both her daughters, Doloras Ransom
and Sharon Thurmond, were present to receive her gifts and honor their mother.
We also posthumously honored Hallie Williams. Beverly Owens gave a rousing dedication to Mrs. Williams, lauding her ability to assist others even though she was physically limited.
The lesson we learned was that even the Bible speaks of how God continually uses those with open minds and hearts, no matter their age, to do great things in His name. I believe that applied to both our honorees who have faithfully served.
Sister Janet Mitchell prepared an excellent meal served by Parnell Smith and the men & boys of Pilgrim.
Along with the program message, Ray Buchanan’s moving musical renderings made the evening more than we had anticipated. Deacon Chair Roby Johnson blessed us with his wonderful voice as well. Many of us lingered in fellowship long after the closing prayer.
Z=Birthdays B=Anniversaries 2 Z London Smith 2 Z Michael Jones 7 Z Mary Bonner 7 Z Stefani Howard-Smith 7 Z Nicole Walker 8 Z Jacci Mannery 9 Z Khalil Hayes 11 Z Joyce Bowden 12 Z Janet Wyatt 21 B Victory & Carol Bell 23 Z Quintisha Hannah 25 Z Forest Patterson, Jr. 29 Z First Lady Marilyn Board 30 Z Randy Cook
