He and his wife, Bertha, brought many years of experience as builders and educators to our ship. In November, 1949, Dr. Winston went to be with the Lord. In December, 1950, Dr. John L. Tilley took over the helm of the ship. He was an eloquent, distinguished and effective spiritual leader. He resigned the ship in 1960, but "THE OLD SHIP" kept on sailing. On the fourth Sunday in April 1962, (Easter
Sunday morning) Dr. Lawyer L. Swinson took over the helm of the ship. For twenty- four years he guided the ship through storms, clouds, rainbows, sunshine and rain. Many accomplishments were achieved and we grew to higher heights and deeper depths. Pastor Swinson was a loving, caring, charismatic leader and friend. God called him from labor to reward on June 7, 1986. "THE OLD SHIP" kept on sailing. By God's Divine Providence, Pastor Richard Dickens became the fourth pilot of "THIS OLD SHIP" on Palm Sunday, 1987. These eighteen (18) years, through his preaching and teaching of God's Word, God has allowed and used him to win souls to Christ, establish many ministries and make major improvements to "THIS OLD SHIP." Some of the improvements are:
• a twenty-one passenger church bus
• air conditioning of sanctuary
• new pews
• new flooring in lower auditorium
• new and reconstructed bathrooms
• church office and office machines
• associate minister's office
• carpeting
• rebuilt outside sidewalk
• a learning center
• a thirty-nine passenger motor coach
• a complete renovation of the downstairs dining area and kitchen.
• a new stove
• new chairs in the lower auditorium
• new chairs in the Sanctuary choir stands
• a new audio/visual system complete with camera and screens, and
• a new keyboard and amplifier
The Lord is continually blessing "THIS OLD SHIP." We must take this time to remember those persons who helped to build the bridge that has brought us to this point in time. Some have gone to be with the Lord, and their memory will be forever cherished. They are:
Anita Harris, Doris Weeks, J.C. Weeks, Ruth Jenkins and Charles Shoultz, Jr., Albrosia Thompson, Rosetta Hopson
We also praise God for Sister Frances Beverly who is still laboring with us. We are grateful to God for His manifold blessings and always mindful that the race is not given to the swift, but to them who endure to the end. THANKS BE TO GOD FOR 72 YEARS OF SAILING WITH
"THIS OLD SHIP OF ZION." "TO GOD BE THE GLORY! ! !
