A Blueprint

For Growth

To our Magnolia Park Family

It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I share

with you our new campaign to be embarked upon,

and with the Lords help, we will be successful in

our endeavor.

Many of you remember that, several years ago, you

who are the faithful, the concerned and the lovers

of the work here at Magnolia Park, set out on a

mission. That mission seemed as a mission impos-

sible for the doubters, but to the faithful, it was recognized

that with God, all things would be possible. The mission

was to build a new edifice that would house the Saints of

Christ in this area. You worked hard, saved enough funds and ultimately were able

to build that building of which we use daily; Give God the Glory.

Now it is time for us to journey into other phases including reducing the note on

the building, obtaining a Steeple , audio visual equipment and by way of City Ordi-

nance, provide proper signage for the building. A third phase would be the plan-

ning stages of a Fellowship facility which would be a multipurpose area for more

class rooms, large functions and youth activities..

Aldanzo L. Pratt

Minister The Magnolia Park Church of Christ

One Lord • One Faith • One Baptism • One Lord • One Faith • One Baptism • One Lord • One Faith • One Baptism • One One One One One One One One One One One One

The Magnolia Park Church of Christ

was started in the 1950’s. It got its

beginning when Bro. Franklin McGill

ran a tent meeting for a month in

the city of Opa-Locka, Florida. Sev-

eral souls were baptized, and when

the meeting was over Bro. Richard

E. Payne was sent to be the minister. They began worshipping in a small store-

front on the south-side of Ali-baba Avenue. Later, as the congregation grew,

they moved to a larger storefront on the north-side of Ali-baba Avenue. Bro.

Payne worked diligently with the members for several years. He eventually left

Magnolia Park to work with another congregation.

In June 1958, Bro. O. L. Lamar became the minister. He and his wife worked

long and hard with the saints at Magnolia Park, and as a result of their efforts,

property was purchased and a building was erected on this present site. As

time passed, the congregation purchased a small house on the east side of the

building and it was used for classrooms. The congregation also purchased the

Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church Church • One Love • One Vision • One Purpose • • One Love • One Vision • One Purpose • • One Love • One Vision • One Purpose •

property next to the classrooms and it was used as income property. Bro.

Lamar served with the congregation until his retirement in 1987.

During a search for a minister to lead the congregation, Bro. Thomas Campbell

worked with the congregation until the appointment of Bro. John Davis. Under

his leadership, the congregation thrived and many souls were added. A deci-

sion was soon made to enlarge the building to include a fellowship hall and

kitchen. This area would also be used as classroom space because the small

house was torn down to create additional square footage for the addition and

for parking spaces. Bro. Davis worked with the congregation until he became ill

in 1994. But, just like God provided a ram in the bush for Abraham, the congre-

gation was immediately blessed with an able minister to carry on the work.

Bro. A. B. Alford began the work in 1994 and under his leadership, Magnolia

Park saw many changes in its building program. Property was acquired on the

west side of the building and a small house on the corner across from the

building. In January of 2003, the old building was demolished to make way for

the new edifice. The congregation began worshipping at the Victoria Manor

Church of Christ in Liberty City, where Bro. Martin was minister, while the con-

struction was underway. Many delays hampered the efforts, but the members

never lost faith in God and his ability to see this project completed. In 2004,

One Salvation • One Redeemer • One Goal • One One Salvation • One Redeemer • One Goal • One One Salvation • One Redeemer • One Goal • One

Bible • One Delight • One Home • One Message • Bible • One Delight • One Home • One Message • Bible • One Delight • One Home • One Message •

the congregation relocated to the Ralph Renick Middle School to worship. The

construction of the new edifice was going very well, and the members contin-

ued to support this project spiritually and financially. But soon tragedy struck,

and in the early part of 2004, the congregation lost its beloved minister. But,

the members continued the work and services were finally held in the not yet

complete building, shortly after Bro. Alford’s death.

Again, the congregation was without a spiritual leader, but with many prayers,

God blessed the congregation with a young man on fire for the Lord. Bro.

Aldanzo L. Pratt, who worked with the late Bro. Bernard Smith, took on this

great work. Once again, Magnolia Park has been truly blessed with this young

man who has worked tirelessly since July 2004. Under his leadership more

than fifty souls have been baptized and many have been restored. The mem-

bers of this congregation have renewed faith in the Lord and our vision to take

Opa-locka for the Lord becomes more of a reality everyday. And with His help

and the strong preaching of the word, Magnolia Park will continue to grow in

Spirit and in Truth.

$ 5.00 $ 20.00 $ 780.00

$ 10.00 $ 40.00 $ 1,560.00

$ 15.00 $ 60.00 $ 2,340.00

$ 20.00 $ 80.00 $ 3,120.00

$ 25.00 $ 100.00 $ 3,900.00

$ 50.00 $ 200.00 $ 7,800.00

$ 75.00 $ 300.00 $ 11,700.00

$ 100.00 $ 400.00 $ 15,600.00

$ 125.00 $ 500.00 $ 19,500.00

$ 150.00 $ 600.00 $ 23,400.00

$ 175.00 $ 700.00 $ 27,300.00

$ 200.00 $ 800.00 $ 31,200.00

$ 225.00 $ 900.00 $ 35,100.00

$ 250.00 $1,000.00 $ 39,000.00

One Command • One Family • One Location • One One Command • One Family • One Location • One One Command • One Family • One Location • One

Ask God For Creative Ways to Increase Your Gift. You Might

Consider income from savings, tax refunds, garage sales, re-

ducing expenses, deferring a major purchase, etc. Involve the

whole family in raising a specific amount.

Many tools are available now that can benefit the church AND

leave an inheritance for your heirs.

Far more can be given when spread out over time (see chart on

opposite page). Please take advantage of this option.

In addition, you can give real estate, stocks, bonds, etc.

Plan • One Mission • One Past • One Present • Plan • One Mission • One Past • One Present • Plan • One Mission • One Past • One Present • One Future One Future One Future One Future One Future One Future One Future One Future One Future One Future One Future One Future

One Lord • One Faith • One Baptism • One Church • One

Love • One Vision • One Purpose • One Salvation • One

Redeemer • One Goal • One Bible • One Delight • One

Home • One Message • One Command • One Family • One

Location • One Plan • One Mission • One Past • One

Present • One Future

The Magnolia Park Church of Christ

2037 NW 152nd Ave.

Miami Gardens, Florida 33054