The St. Louis Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church recently hosted the CME Spring Convocation. The two-day convocation held at St. Louis Airport Hilton Hotel featured members of CME from 10 different states.
Bishop and Mrs. Paul A.G. Stewart Sr. were honored at the Quadrennial Celebration Luncheon. The “power couple” received praise throughout the luncheon on their hard work, encouraging words and consistent ways of putting God first. The bishop oversees more than 200 churches in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Missouri.
Host pastor and 58th District state Rep. James T Morris gave thanks and appreciation to everyone at the luncheon. Morris showed his humbleness and expressed his gratitude for his church who hosted the convocation.
“We truly welcome you,” Morris said.
The event was a way to say “thank you” for the efforts and accomplishments the bishop and his wife have made in the past four years. Under Bishop’s Stewart’s leadership, several new churches have been built, others have been restored, and many new pastors have been developed.
St. Louis District Presiding Elder Quenton H. Whitlock Jr. has known the bishop through all his career changes.
“I have known Bishop Stewart Sr. for 40 years as a college professor, pastor and now as my bishop. He has always worked towards developing people for ministry to their full potential. All that he does is in the name of Jesus Christ,” Whitlock Jr. said.
“Bishop always finds an encouraging word to say about everyone and every situation,” said Pastor Wayne W. Mays of Jamison Memorial C.M.E. Church in St. Louis.
Always by his side is Bishop Stewart’s devoted wife, Earline Garner Stewart, who gave up her career as an educator to support her husband’s ministry.
Connectional President of the Minister’s Spouses and Widows Department of the C.M.E Mrs. Linda K. Whitlock Church knows how wonderful Earline Stewart is.
“Mrs. Stewart is a virtuous woman, one who loves the Lord, family and friends. She’s an ideal role model, supporting her husband, stressing spiritual growth and family unity as the Minister’s Spouses Episcopal Liaison. She loves people and greets everyone with a smile,” Mrs. Whitlock said.
Part of the Presiding Elders’ Spouses, John McClure, thanked Earline Stewart for “stepping out on nothing and doing anything by Christ.”
A brother of Bishop Stewart, the Rev. Charles E. Stewart, explained how he always believed it was important growing up in prayer. Also, Charles knew that helping others was Bishop Stewart’s true calling.
“He was chosen before he was called,” Charles E. Stewart said.
While Earline Stewart expressed how grateful she was to be honored Bishop Stewart focused on thanking everyone who’s helped along the way.
“We are grateful for your dedication, support and assistance,” Bishop Stewart said.
Bishop ended his thanks with some words of wisdom, making sure that people realize that everyone needs help and everyone plays a part and is important in the church community. Bishop Stewart stated how the pastor is only strong if his followers are as strong.
“Sheep will not go far without a shepherd. I have never seen a strong church without a strong pastor. We need each other,” Bishop Stewart said.
Congressional Prayer Breakfast
The 12th Annual Congressional Prayer Breakfast will be held on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 7:15 a.m. at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, Ill.
This year the keynote speaker will be Aeneas Williams, former defensive back for the St. Louis Rams. In 2007, Williams and his wife started the Spirit of the Lord church.
The event’s sponsor is the Christian Business Men’s Committee. Tickets prices are $160 for a table of eight or $20 each and can be obtained by calling (618) 463-6850.
