The Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Jr., has announced his plans to retire on January 31, 2019. If the church completes the process earlier, his retirement date could be as early as September 30, 2018. During this transition process, the Senior Pastor, J. Alfred Smith, Jr., and the Assistant Pastor, Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, will continue in their respective roles, as Allen Temple Baptist Church functions normally, in accordance with God’s will and the stated mission of the church.
 
Over the last 8 months, since our Senior Pastor’s announcement of retirement, God has continued to bless the Allen Temple community as the church is experiencing steady new member growth, a thriving Children and Youth Ministry, the strongest financial stability in years, plans to retire the Family Life Center Mortgage – you will hear more about the “Burn the Mortgage Campaign”, and an orderly transition process that models Christian love and unity. The Pulpit Search Committee was elected by the church at the First Quarter Church Business Meeting on Saturday, April 28, and will be responsible for the process of managing the Pastoral search process and bringing potential candidates forward for consideration by the church. The Pulpit Search Committee members are:

 

Sister Mary Amos

Deacon Ted Carter (Committee Chairperson)

Rev. Dr. Brenda Guess

Deacon Vangeria Harvey

Sister Lyniece Hill

Dr. Judy Martin-Holland

Deaconess René Mastin

Dr. Jesse Perry

Sister Sheila Powe-Fuller

Sister Dalisa Roberts-Rucker

Brother Saul Rodriguez

Deacon Michael Perrilliat

Deacon Enitan Adesanya

Rev. Dr. Martha C. Taylor

Sister Linda Walls-Brown

 

Pulpit Search Committee Alternates:

Dr. Donna Thompson

 

Let’s continue in prayer for this group of servants who will be a part of the sacred process to understand where our congregation has been, identify where we are as a church family, and consider the ministerial leadership that is God’s will for Allen Temple Baptist Church. The Pulpit Search Committee will be consecrated on our First Sunday service, on May 6, with the complete listing of the names and alternates listed on the Pastoral Transition web page at Allen-Temple.org.

 

As we continue seeking the will of God and His discernment through the processes of prayer and meditation, we invite you to not only incorporate our Scripture & Meditation Focus into your daily life via the weekly newsletter insert but also the entire archive on the Church website (Allen-Temple.org; click Pastoral Transition on the top blue bar of the home page), but to also join us at our Thursday Pastoral Transition Prayer Hours in the Sanctuary. The Prayer Hour will be followed by Thursday Evening Bible Study taught by Pastor Smith and Reverend Olu Bereola. Dates and times are:

 

Thursday, May 17 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, May 31 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, June 14 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, June 28 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, July 12 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, July 26 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Thursday, August 9 – 6:30pm to 7:30pm

 

As Allen Temple enters this new phase of transition, 1 Corinthians 12:14 reminds us; “For the body is not one member, but many”. The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us through unity. Let us continue to be active in our faith, pray continuously, love each other, and hold onto what is good, as we celebrate God’s continued love, mercy, and grace for the Allen Temple Baptist Church Community.

 

Peace and Blessings,
Deacon Ted Carter

Chairperson, Deacons Ministry