The members of Second Missionary Baptist Church, located at 5508 Rev. Dr. Earl Miller St. in Kinloch, voted overwhelmingly (a 68 percent triumph) to call the Rev. Alfred L. Washington as their new Pastor. He succeeds the late Rev. Dr. Earl Miller.
Rev. Washington, a native of St. Louis, has been a member of Second Baptist since 1984, serving as a Deacon, ministering to the youth, and teaching in the Philadelphia District Association.
Upon receiving his call to preach in 1994, Rev. Washington also served as an Associate Minister under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Earl Miller. Rev. Washington received his degrees in Christian Education in May 2013.
On Sunday, June 30, the church was honored to host the Installation Service for their new Pastor with officials of the Philadelphia District Association. The Rev. Sammie Jones, Director of Christian Education (Pastor, Mt. Zion Baptist Church) stood as Presiding Officer. The Rev. Dr. Haymond Fortenberry (Pastor, Greater Fairfax Missionary Baptist Church) stood as Moderator in officiating this momentous occasion.
Rev. Washington remembers with gratitude, the faith, fortitude, and leadership demonstrated during Rev. Dr. Earl Miller’s 42-year residence as pastor of Second Baptist.
Members of Second Baptist also pay homage to Deacon Edward Robinson, (Deacon Ministry Chairman) who acted as the Church Overseer, Deacon Henry Owens Sr. (Assistant Chairman) and Deacon Leon Hite (Trustee Chairman), who held fast the business of the church during the 18-month tenure without a pastor.
The Second Missionary Baptist Church Family welcomes Pastor Washington along with his wife Agnes, daughters Alana and Ashtyn, and grandchildren Akira and Charles III.
Pastor Washington believes the key to seeing the church transformed is “to shepherd the entire body in being a church that pleases Christ with emphasis on the next generation, helping them to realize their God-given potential in Kingdom building.”
As Pastor Washington and the SBC family embark upon new beginnings, the congregation decrees, “The journey has started, and faith in God will see us through!”
Jesuits hire director of Volunteer Corps
The Jesuits of the Missouri Province have hired Bridget Brennan as Director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) in St. Louis, an initiative of retired men and women committing substantive service to vulnerable populations in the context of Ignatian spirituality.
Bridget Brennan comes to IVC after successfully launching and leading St. Louis Healthy Families. As Executive Director she oversaw a $5.5 million federal grant that helped the organization build stronger communities in the St. Louis area by helping people establish and sustain healthy families and relationships through education, information and outreach.
Ignatian Volunteers pursue personal growth through Ignatian spirituality. Brennan has vast experience with pastoral ministry, including her experience as a staff member of St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, her work with marriage preparation, spiritual direction, retreats, and as an author. She and her husband, Jerome Shen, have been married for 36 years and have written books and directed retreats together.
She holds three degrees from Saint Louis University: a B.A. in Sociology and Education (1968), a M.A. in Human Relations (1971), and a M.A. in Religious Studies (1994).
The IVC is currently comprised of 29 Ignatian Volunteers who commit two days a week, September through June, serving 20 local social service agencies, schools, and non-profit organizations throughout the region.
Ignatian Volunteers are retired women and men from a wide range of backgrounds who put their experience and competencies at the service of agencies who are in need of their professionalism. Ignatian Volunteers gather together monthly to reflect on their service, discuss common readings on Ignatian spirituality, and spend time together socially and in prayer.
For more information on the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, or to become involved as an Ignatian Volunteer or partner agency, email ivc@jesuits-mis.org, or call 314-361-7765.
