Home The News SHILOH A. M. E. CHURCH 92nd YEARS OF SERVICE & WORSHIP

SHILOH A. M. E. CHURCH 92nd YEARS OF SERVICE & WORSHIP

Tuesday, 09 December 2008

The Shiloh A.M.E. Church of Mims, FL celebrated its 92nd Anniversary with a special service November 9th. Anniversary co-chairs, Sis. Deloris Ferguson and Bro. Dennis Young invited Rev. A. Mandrell James of New Direction Evangelistic Church, Richmond, VA to give the sermon at the 4:00 p.m. worship service.  The Jackie Madison Ensemble sang Songs of Praise as over two hundred visitors from other churches, friends, clergy and members of the Shiloh Church family filled the pews. The melodious voices of the St. Simon Baptist Church Male Chorus from Orange Park, Fl thoroughly entertained the group. The church traces its roots back to the 1900’s in an area called “Turpentine Quarter”. As time progressed, the congregation moved to East Mims and established Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church and worshiped under the leadership of Rev. Carl Brinkley. Today, 92 years later, said Sis. Raynetta Curry, the doors remain open and we welcome you with hearts full of joy as our nation celebrates the election of its   first African American president. For the past nine years, Shiloh has been under the spiritual leadership of Rev. Joyce Brown Harvey. The current presiding Bishop of the 11th Episcopal District is Bishop McKinley Young. Under Rev. Harvey’s leadership, the Fellowship Hall was dedicated to the late Rev. David Malcolm. A paved parking lot was added, landscaping of the grounds was developed and a lighted marquee was installed. A beautiful office was renovated in the Fellowship Hall and dedicated as the pastor’s study. The Men & Women’s Ministry was re-established with monthly meetings and outreach. Rev. Harvey’s love for children led to our Drama and Praise Dance Ministries. The Hospitality Ministry has brought recognition to the Shiloh family because of their love for others. Rev. James, a native of Titusville, FL and the son of Michelle James-Lewis and Amos M. Lewis, took his message “Don’t Hold Back” from Acts 5:1-5. He told the story of a couple named Ananias and Sapphira who went along with the idea of selling their possessions and putting the proceeds in the treasury of the church. Their mistake, of course, was in pretending they had given their all when in reality they hadn’t. The consequence that fell to them because of their pretences was a swift and dramatic, death.  Rev. James asked the congregation “to keep doing what is in your heart to do; openness and honesty draw God quickly to our side. The lord will give you your reward. Show others with your walk, your talk and your praise for Him that you are a Christian”. He told the congregation “we must not forget our purpose: to serve, not to be served. You must give more than 10% and come to auxiliary functions. Faith without works is death. Remember, it was given to you first; you have more than enough; there’s always someone in need. Stop holding back”. Before the group filed out of the sanctuary to feast on the bountiful meal prepared for them by church members, Pastor Joyce Brown Harvey expressed  in her closing remarks: Shiloh can truly state that they are “highly favored” in the LORD! Only that which is of God will last and it  is nothing but God that has kept Shiloh A.M.E. Church together for 92 years. Shiloh has endured, pressed on, and continued to strive for excellence in Christ Jesus. To the friends that graced Shiloh on this special occasion, we love you and value your friendship. Keep us in your prayers as we will continually remember you. Rejoice in the Lord always!

 

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