Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 2005 — Page 12

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

Small congregation, but a mighty ministry

By ANNETTE L. ANDERSON Recorder Correspondent It was just about four years ago when Bishop John T. Smith opened the doors of his church, Ambassadors for Christ on the city’s Southside at 3561 English Ave. “My mission was to develop a place of worship where people could be themselves,” Bishop Smith said. “As people grow with God, I believe it is not necessary to be too judgmental, and have them turn away from salvation. This shows a lack of compassion, and we all need deliverance from something. “When we point the fin ger at someone, there are three (fingers) pointing back at us. The Bible states that: ‘he who is without sin cast the first stone,’ so man is not worthy to cast any,” Smith said. Bishop Smith and his church have another mission, which is to pro- 'i vide food for at least 100 fami-

lies at Thanksgiving. “We will fill baskets with canned goods, cranberry sauces, and turkeys with all the trimmings,” he noted. Last month the church gave away 9,000 pounds of food with everything from drinks, breads, cereals and many other non-perishable items, which was a tall order since Ambassadors for Christ only has 30 members on its rolls. Therefore, the baskets for Thanksgiving will be an even greater challenge, but one that the bishop is prayerful will be met. In addition to feeding the hungry, Bishop Smith is also a consultant with the Public Action in Correctional Effort - Offender Aid Restoration (PACE-OAR). According to the bishop, this is an organization that provides housing, food, clothing and identification cards for those returning to the community from imprisonment. It also helps them to find employment. One of two men, Torie Lowe, whom Bishop Smith is now counseling and mentoring, is on

the ministry while incarcerated,” noted Bishop Smith. “He is now in training, and we expect great things from him. “Moreover, the church’s emphasis is on training ministers throughout the city, because we want them to be more proficient in doing God’s will as a minister. And there is no charge for this training.” In addition to Lowe there is another minister in training, Augustine Gilbert, and associate minister Sheila Wells is also on staff. Overseeing churches in Florida is something else the bishop is in involved with. “I assist them with administrative structure, ministerial training, and the overall development of the church,” he said. “It is gratifying and fulfilling.” Bishop Smith is married to Francine, who firmly believes in her husband’s work. “God’s mission for me is to stand beside my husband, and assist him in whatever task God puts before him,” she pointed out. “I have also been called to the ministry, and together we plan to take it to levels it has never been before.” The couple has three children between them. Anyone interested in donating food or money for the Thanksgiving baskets can call (317) 8288082. The church also is seekingvolunteers for the event.

Bishop John T. Smith and wife Francine (Photo/Quattara)

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Our wedding day During the wedding ceremony for Charles Ellis and Donya Smith (kneeling) Pastor Beverly Barney (left) prays for the couple. Pastor Reginald Barney prays in the background.

Ellis and Smith enjoy a laugh as Reginald Barney presides over the nuptials at Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church. After the vows, Ellis and Smith make the marriage official. (Photo/J. Hurst)

(Celebration & [ _ j onor: C astern ^)tar (Church 1 astor’s /Appreciation 200^ <l ,' (jje!ebrating' VVitb fYaise!

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m Join lts for a .‘Special oncert honoring Pastor Jeffrey /\. Johnson, C> r - anc l L a dy (Charon Johnson for 1 / years of dedicated, visionary and faithful leadership to JC a stern CS 31 " (Church! (3undafj, October 5C 200^ @ J-.OO p.m. ICastern ^)tar (Church (Northeast (Campus) SSjfOfC. i 0<}th (Jtreet ( 1 Odth & Lantern fCoad in pishers)

{“eaturing the L astern (Jtar (Church Music M m| stry, a praise orchestra and special musica guests! fC n joy a (Jpecial fC ece ption immediatej following the concert! Y ou don’t want to miss this! Mahe plans to join us!

ror more information, call 3 I J-^9 1 or visit our website at www.easternstarcburcb.org

CLASSIC ► Continued from B1

During the Prayer and Praise service ESC reported that: ■ The offering from the service would be designated for refief efforts. The congregation has already raised over $136,000 for hurricane relief efforts and shared those resources by sending $35,000 to Brookhollow Baptist Church (The Church Without Walls) in Houston, Texas and Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Those donations helped Friendship West to provide 24-hour shelter for evacuees and house families from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Brookhollow Baptist Church, pastored by Dr. Ralph West, provided clothing, household items, toiletries, counseling and legal services to 1,300 people from New Orleans and Mississippi. ESC's JEWEL Human Services also: ■ Served 101 evacuees (101 adults and 58 children) through its food and clothing pantry. ■ Coordinated housing for 64 families. ■ Organized 359 volunteers who have donated over 829 hours of their time. ■ Organized 38 pick-up deliveries of furniture and appliances for families ■ Distributed a truck load of items from Wal-Mart to several families who have relocated to Indianapolis. ■ Assisted hundreds of households by offering furniture, clothing, household items, toiletries, food and toys for children to help families get a fresh start.

“In light of the times and the world in which we live”, he said, “It’s time for the people of God to rise up, step up and put up, or go ahead on home and shut up! ... If God has done anything for you, whatever you got is not just about you. It’s about what God can do through you to bless somebody else!” Coca Cola Circle City Classic leadership present during the event included Tony Mason, Executive Director of Circle City Classic and Rev. Tony McGhee, Director of Fund Development. It was Rev. McGhee who approached Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr., ESC Senior Pastor, to ask if Eastern Star Church would host the Inaugural Circle City Classic Ecumenical Prayer and Praise Service. “I think it was wonderful because the community came together. We want to thank Eastern Star Church and Pastor Johnson for opening their doors to the community,” said Tony McGhee. “We were also thankful to have Dr. Haynesjoinus; itwasjustawonderfulway to kick off Circle City Classic. Rev. Williams was definitely smiling on us because this was his vision, and it has become a reality.” Over 3,000 people, including Katrina evacuees, attended the service, kicking off Classic activities that included the annual parade and football game. ESC Music Director, Sherri Garrison and national recording artist, Rodney Bryant, directed a stellar ecumeni-

cal choir, composed of over 250 voices from twenty different churches. Pastor Elaine Walters, director of ESC’s outreach facility, JEWEL Human Services (JHS), gave an inspiring presentation on ESC Katrina relief efforts spearheaded by JHS. (See sidebar). “There has been a citywide outpouring,” Pastor Walters said in a recent article. “It’s ecumenical! This is one of those times that we (the church) have not been divided by our doctrines or denominations. This has been the African American Church’s finest hour in terms of meeting the needs of our people. We came together and brought our resources to a common place.” The inaugural Circle City Classic Ecumenical Service was one more example that great things happen in the African American community. “We celebrate Joyce Rogers, an African American sister, who is doing a phenomenal job as the President and CEO of the Indiana Black Expo,” said Pastor Johnson. “We celebrate Tony Mason, an African American brother, and support all of the great work that he does as the Executive Director of the Circle City Classic. We will continue to celebrate and support efforts in our city, state, nation and world that help empower people so that they can reach the destiny for which God created them.”

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