THE EPISTLE Newsletter of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church

“You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men…” 2 Corinthians 3:2

Volume 34 No. 3 December 2011

Benefit Concert to Kick Off the New YearBy Virginia Lee, Donza Poole, and Deaconess Brenda Tolbert Buildings and Blessings Capital Campaign Committee

Looking for an uplifting, spirit-filled way to kick off your New Year? Come to Nineteenth Street on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 5:30 PM for an extraordinary musical concert, show-casing our multi-talented Minister of Music David Griffiths and The Praise and Worship Experience.

The concert will feature the musical compositions of Griffiths, a uniquely and exceptionally gifted singer, composer, pianist, vocal coach and arranger. Griffiths has earned both national and international recognition for his rich baritone voice and for the more than 300 pieces he has composed. He has performed with many artists, including Take 6, Wintley Phipps and the Jezic Women’s Ensemble.

Sharing the concert stage with Griffiths will be his very talented wife Monique Griffiths, a versatile psalmist, vocal coach and choir director. Like her husband, she has performed with many famous artists both at home and abroad. Duawne Starling, an accom-plished classically trained vocalist, will also be featured. Starling has worked with some of Gospels’ biggest names, from Kirk Franklin to Donnie

McClurkin, Fred Hammond, CeCe Winans, Out of Eden and Bishop T. D. Jakes.

This soul-stirring concert with the Griffiths will be the second benefit concert presented by the Buildings and Blessings Capital Campaign. The Aeolians of Oakwood University from Huntsville, Alabama gave an outstanding concert performance on November 6. The Aeolians are the 2010 and 2011 champions of the HBCU iSing Challenge and have performed nationally and internationally.

Tickets for the January 28th concert are $25 for general admission and $50 for patrons. Sponsorships, tributes and memorial program listings are also available. For more information about the concert, tickets, sponsor-ships or how you can help, contact Shebra Sims (shebra510@yahoo.com or 202-723-7858) or Sandra Howell (SWHowell@cavtel.net) or stop by the table in the fellowship hall after Sunday worship services.

Concert tickets make great Christmas presents for your friends and family members! Don’t delay. Get your tickets today!

David Griffiths

Monique Griffiths

Duawne Starling

2 December 2011 The Epistle

The Pastor’s CornerBearing Witness, Politically SpeakingBy Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins

I often speak of the importance of making our faith relevant in the “public square”; so in late summer when the White House asked me to consider accepting the position of National Director of Faith Outreach for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the question with which I wrestled was, “Could I step into an important role in a politically charged environment and still bear my witness toward Christ?”

I am thankful that my position keeps me engaged with the faith community around issues and concerns that matter to people of faith. For the next eleven months, I am responsible for leading the team that is developing the strategies to connect with, and organize, faith leaders around the country, and to assure that the work of the Presi-dent and Administration is clearly “messaged” to people of faith. I also make certain that a number of clergy and faith leaders have the opportunity to meet and interact with the President, the First Lady, senior members of the Administration, as well as key Democratic leaders. I am also speaking on behalf of the campaign to faith groups and the press around the country concerning a number of issues, ranging from voter protection, especially in states like Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where voting rights are being threat-ened, to immigration reform and local initiatives that are supported by the Federal government.

I am particularly thankful that the leadership of the DNC has valued and made accommodations for my continuing role as pastor of Nineteenth Street. In taking on the duties of two significant positions, albeit temporarily, I have already benefitted from the wise counsel from others who have had similar experience, including former Congressman Walter Fauntroy, my colleague Dr. Calvin Butts of Abys-sinian Baptist in New York, and our own Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Jerry Moore.

It is also important to note that while speaking about social issues from the pulpit is fully appro-

priate, there is a sharp distinction between those types of observations and being directly partisan (endorsing a specific candidate or political party). I have always felt that we, as a church, and specif-ically my statements from the pulpit have been mindful of those distinctions; but I also realize the particular care that I will need to exercise in this election season.

With the tremendous support of our ministerial staff, our officers, and our church family, I believe the answer to my initial question is “yes,” for the next three hundred thirty odd days, I can bear witness to Christ in a politically charged and chal-lenging environment.

Rev. Harkins with Rev. Walter Fauntroy, former District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives.

The Epistle December 2011 3

Rev. Jerry A. Moore Plaza Is Almost Real

Hallem Williams Elected Vice President of D.C. Baptist ConventionCongratulations to Trustee Hallem Williams who was elected Vice President of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC) at its recent annual conference in October at Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Trustee Williams, a life-long, active member of Nineteenth Street, is the former Director of the D. C. Department of Corrections.

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church is a long standing member of the convention. Assistant Pastor Rev. James Crosson is current chairman of the Nomination Committee and has held other offices in the convention. Associate Minister Rev. I. Benni Singleton was elected as a member of the Executive Committee.

The Jerry A. Moore Commemorative Committee continues to make good progress with plans to honor our pastor emeritus for his more than 50 years of service to our church and to numerous local and national organizations.

On November 16, 2011, the D. C. Council Committee of the Whole, chaired by Council Chairman Kwame Brown held a public hearing for the “Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Moore, Jr. Commemorative Plaza Designation Act of 2011.” The Act calls for the symbolical renaming of streets surrounding Nineteenth Street Baptist Church (16th, 17th, Crit-tenden and Buchanan Streets). Speaking to the Council on behalf of this initiative were Pastor Derrick Harkins, Trustee Elmer Brooks, Deacon Michael Bonner and commemorative committee chair Deacon Reginald Elliott.

Rev. Walter Fauntroy, former District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives, spoke eloquently of Rev. Moore’s life and his contribu-tions to D.C. and the world. Council Chairman Kwame Brown and Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas also praised Rev. Moore for his many achievements, but noted that his true legacy is that he is first and foremost a “man of God.” Coun-cilmember At-Large and church member Michael Brown also offered accolades to Rev. Moore. Nineteenth Street is especially grateful to Coun-cilmember Brown for his office’s continued assis-tance with this project.

Chairman Kwame Brown made a commit-ment that the D.C. Council will vote to pass the Moore Commemorative Plaza Designation Act by December 25th. We look forward to holding the plaza renaming ceremony in 2012.

One of the first initiatives of the Jerry A. Moore Commemorative Committee was having the D.C. Council proclaim June 14, 2011 as Jerry A. Moore, Jr. Day.

Welcome New MembersJuly - November 2011

Garrett AlstonComasell ButlerJimmie Harrell

Dollena B. JonesRichard C. Jones

Kesha PendergrastDale Stewart

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Numerous church members and community leaders attended an honorary ceremony for Rev. Moore at the DC Council. Seated: Trustee Emeritus Ursula Holmes and Rev. Jerry A. Moore; standing l to r: Rev. James Crosson, Rev. I. Benni Singleton, D. C. Councilmember Michael Brown, Rev. Der-rick Harkins, Deacon Reginald Elliott and Dr. Ettyce Moore.

4 December 2011 The Epistle

Women of 19th Street: Redeemed, Revived, RestoredBy Edith Bullard-Britt

Praise and worship… a powerful word…spirit filled songs…a relaxing massage…personal testi-monies…heart felt prayers… communing with nature. Over 60 women who gathered at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Virginia on September 9–10, 2011 for the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Women’s Retreat experienced all that and more.

For two amazing days the women of Nineteenth Street celebrated the many gifts of sisterhood. During the two days we experienced the power of love, reflection, courage, and resilience.

Minister Cheryl Hall kicked off the retreat leading a Praise and Worship service that encouraged us to look at the weekend as a time for family, a time to support each other and our walk with the Lord. Norma Williamson led an informative and enter-taining session on Enneagrams to help us discover our inner selves. We ended Friday evening with reiki, massage, testimony circles and a time for introspection.

One of the centerpieces of the weekend was our sunrise meditation, which moved us from darkness to the light of the rising sun. This deeply moving commune with nature and the love and praise of God’s word will long be remembered.

The spirit of praise continued to be strong with deeply moving services being led by our women of God. Minister Lorise White-Wolfe led the Saturday Praise and Worship service and shared with us the many ways to lean on the Lord. Rev. Kendra Smith, from the Rivers of Life AME Church, led the

closing service and urged us to not limit ourselves in our lives and in our relationship with the Lord.

But the retreat was far from over. The women of Nineteenth Street were further engaged with a number of breakout sessions. Rev. Raiza Rahim led a Saved and Single session; Tanya Agurs-Collins provided invaluable information about heart health in the Your Body Is His Temple session. Rev. Kendra Smith led a powerful session on deep-ening our relationship with God called Are You Stuck? Rev. Robin Turner and Yvonne Gowdy led a spirited session called the Hour of Power; and Wilma Bonner had participants re-enacting stories from the Bible in her Contemporary Lessons from Women of the Bible session. Monique Griffiths led us in song throughout the retreat.

More important than the messages, more impor-tant than the sessions themselves, were the special bonds that we experienced throughout the retreat. Young women and older women, women who were new to the church, women who had been members for years, women who’ve walked with God for a long time and women who were just beginning their walk…all came together for this very special time of worship and fellowship. Each of us came together bringing our own expecta-tions and each of us left, as a body of women…Redeemed, Revived and Restored.

A special thanks to each and every person who helped organize, plan, support or participated in the retreat. It would not have been possible without everyone playing the role that God intended.

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The Epistle December 2011 5

‘Be My Guest’By Deaconess June Jackson

This year’s 20th annual church family dinner on Sunday, October 16, 2011 was just as surprisingly different as the previous nineteen. But some things have not changed: the terrific camaraderie among the deaconesses in planning from start to finish, the marvelous fellow-ship shared with our guests, the singing of our song, the delicious and elegantly presented cuisine, and of course, the play production.

Each table is hosted by one or more deaconesses. By design, each table has a different decor. No two tables are expected to look the same. There are some table standards: the principal table covering, the fresh floral centerpiece, the name cards, and the deep purple napkins. However, for the past twenty years, the deaconesses have shown their individuality and creative styles with their matchlessly set tables. And, at least three tables are hosted by family members in memory of beloved Sister Deaconesses.

The Board of Deaconesses presents the annual church family dinner and play on the third Sunday in October. On the Saturday morning before the dinner, the ‘Saturday Morning Deaconesses’ gather for prayer, venue/dinner table prep, a light lunch and fellowship. The adrenaline is peaking, a little anxiety is present but, with the guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit, calmness always prevails. By 1:30 PM on the Sunday of the dinner, all tasks are completed and with the play director, church administration staff, and all guest helpers in place, we are ready for our guests. You see, “We’re glad to be a part of this institution—doing our duties as deaconesses should, For God has no hands to do His work but ours.”

Dear Friends, you are the ones who inspire us to climb higher and higher, day by day. From the chairman of the board, Deaconess Ettyce Hill Moore, the dinner steering committee, the dinner sub-committees, and members of the Board of Deaconesses, thank you for your support and for dining with us.

Jarvis Memorial’s Heavenly ConcertThe Jarvis Memorial Club presented its annual concert, The Heavenly Sounds of Vocalists Tami Hayes, Donald Rankin and Renaire E. Rivers, Sr., on October 9, 2011.

Saxophonist Keith Britt, drummer Cary Gross, lead guitarist Tony Harrod, trum-peter Calvin Jones, bass guitarist Terry Lambert and trombonist Michael Taylor accompanied the singers. The concert also included a dynamic group from St. Phillips Episcopal Church and rap singers, all praising God through their varied gifts.

The program offered a variety of songs, from traditional hymns to modern day gospel. The concert honored the memory of beloved Deaconess Lela F. Burleson, one of Jarvis’ former leaders.

The Jarvis Memorial Club (known as the “Love Club”) was established December 14, 1902 by Deacon Henry Jarvis. The club serves the church by supporting the ministerial staff, but its members also give their time, talent and treasure supporting the church’s other ministries.

The group meets on the fourth Sundays after church service in March, June, September and December. All persons interested in serving God through this ministry can join. Deaconess Mozelle E. Watkins is the presi-dent.

Photo by Gloria Tisdale

6 December 2011 The Epistle

Above: Star players in the 15th Annual John H. Brinkley Memorial Golf Tournament with Rev. Derrick Harkins (far left), Platinum Sponsor Mrs. Rosemary Brinkley (center) and Golf Tournament Chair Trustee Charlie Sprow (far right). At left: The tournament’s only all-female foursome.

Above: Women’s Retreat Below: Men’s Retreat

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Children in Youth Church show off the Thanksgiving cards and floral arrangements they made for their parents; shown with co-teacher Judy Brandon and assistant Nicholas Brandon.

Walkers enjoy fellowship and exercise during the Global Missions Walk-a-Thon on October 8, 2011.

The men of Nineteenth Street demonstrated their support for increased breast cancer awareness by wearing lots of pink on Real Men Wear Pink Sunday, October 23, 2011. Shown are Ushers Marion Gale, John Jackson, and Eugene Byrd.

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— —

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

8 December 2011 The Epistle

Pantry Ministry Helps With Food and More By Deacon Sandra F. LeSesne, Pantry Min-istry Spiritual Adviser

The Pantry Ministry provides non-perishable food items to those who are in need in our community. The participants are normally referred to us by Change Incorporated and the National Capital Food Bank. Church members who are in need can contact any Deacon. The food pantry is open for service on Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 AM until 12 noon.

We are blessed to have Minister Clendon Wooten as pantry manager and Deborah Heard as volunteer to distribute food and prayers for those who need to be served. This year Nineteenth Street Baptist Church has partnered with the D.C. Superior Court Community Service program. As a community host site, we provide supervision for defendants performing community service. Non-violent offenders assist in stocking, packaging and distributing food.

Recently, we met with Ms. Antinette Williams, Community Court Resource Coordinator. She expressed her grati-tude for the church’s participation in the program. She shared with us the importance of the host site program to the participants, the church, and our community. We thank God that we are able to carry out our mission through these caring acts that show our love for the Lord and each other.

As you well know, lately we have been inundated with requests for food, and we appreciate your response when we make appeals for donations. Food and monetary donations are accepted in the church office at all times. If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Sandra LeSesne at (202) 726-4842.

Rev. Ralph Williams is Guest Minister at Prayer BreakfastThe 33rd annual prayer breakfast, sponsored by the Evange-lism Committee on Saturday, October 4, 2011, featured guest minister and poet Rev. Ralph Williams from Gideon Baptist Church. Rev. Williams is the son of Deaconess Pearl Sudduth. The theme for this year’s breakfast was “Prayer and Trouble.”

Guests from the Gideon Baptist Church attended the breakfast. Using Psalm 20 as a reference, Rev. Williams’ message empha-sized the importance of prayer through preaching and poetry. Tami Hayes led the breakfast in lively worshipful singing. Maxine Bynum offered prayers for our church and country. Deacon Candidate Louise Richardson prayed for our youth and Rev. James Crosson provided the summary.

The Evangelism Committee invites church members to help them spread God’s messages of salvation and love, an obliga-tion each Christian is commissioned to do. The Committee meets every third Sunday after the worship service in the Board Room. Contact Janice Hinton, Evangelism Committee Chair, or other committee members for more information.

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Rev. Laura W. Smith, Pastor, Gideon Baptist Church; guest speaker Rev. Ralph J. Williams and members of the Evangelism Committee. Deaconess Pearl Sudduth, center, is the mother of Rev. Williams.

Breakfast Chefs (left to right) Trustee Charlie Sprow, Deacon Joe Sudduth, Deacon Raymond Johnson, Deacon Michael Bonner, Trustee Ron Taylor, Trustee John Jackson, and Arthur Stephens.

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Congratuations…Major Percy T. Moore (USMC) who will be promoted to the rank of Lieu-tenant Colonel on Friday, December 9, 2011. Major Moore is the grandson of Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Moore, Jr. and Deaconess Dr. Ettyce H. Moore. Thank you also to Major Moore for presenting a framed American flag that was flown over Afghanistan to Pastor Harkins and the Nineteenth Street congre-gation at the November 6, 2011 worship service. Major Moore has served two tours of duty in the war zone. We thank him and all of the servicemen and women who defend and protect our country. Please continue to hold them in your prayers.

…Lillian Secundy Lynch for being recognized by the Highland Beach Community for her past services and, at 97, for being the oldest senior at the beach. The award was presented at the summer annual picnic attended by over 400 people.

Mrs. Lynch has owned a house on Highland Beach, a Black community on the Chesapeake Bay that was founded by a son of Frederick Douglas in 1893. In the 1940s and ’50s, after children had been bitten by jellyfish in the water, Mrs. Lynch spearheaded the effort to build a net to create a protected area for swimmers. She also was respon-sible for establishing Labor Day weekend as a time to award athletes for their achievements. She has served as president of the Highland Beach Citizens Association and as chairperson of the Beautifica-tion Committee.

…Team Fellowship 19 and Real Men Wear Pink Committee for their work to raise funds and increase breast cancer awareness. Team Fellow-ship 19 participated in the October 29th Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk and raised over $2,332, more than doubling the goal of $1,000. The funds were allocated to the local chapter of The American Cancer Society.

Men’s Retreat Focuses On Battles Men Must Win By Rev. Jerry Cheatham

The Annual Men’s Retreat was held November 4–5, 2011 at the Mount Washington Conference Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Rev. Jerry Cheatham opened the retreat with prayer, and Trustee Charles Hall facilitated a session in which partici-pants talked about their personal walks with God. After dinner, Minister of Music David Griffiths talked about the male worship experience.

Our special guest was Dr. Bowyer G. Freeman, Senior Pastor of New Saint Mark Baptist Church in Baltimore who blessed us with lessons from the book, Six Battles Every Man Must Win by Bill Perkins. The book uses the story of David’s mighty men to illustrate

the six battles men today must win to become powerful and effective warriors in God’s kingdom.

Our Saturday morning began with a 7:30 AM prayer outside around a fountain. The Holy Spirit was moving through each of us, so that we did not notice the 39°F temperature. Following a hearty breakfast, Deacons Mike Bonner and Joe Sudduth led a rousing devotion service. Morning and after-noon sessions were led by Trustee Hall and Rev. Freeman. Remarks by Rev. Cheatham and prayer by Pastor Derrick Harkins closed another uplifting retreat for the men of Nineteenth Street.

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10 December 2011 The Epistle

Why His Homeless Ministry Is Important to MeBy Edmund Hundley

It’s close to freezing tempera-tures outside but why do I feel so warm inside? I have yet to eat but why am I full? I am in unfamiliar surroundings but why do I feel so at ease? These are the kinds of questions I ask myself while handing out lunch bags to the less fortunate alongside the members of His

Homeless Ministry.

We meet on the second Saturday of the month in the fellowship hall at 8:00 AM. Ideally, my Saturday morning would consist of sleep and more sleep; however, the early time is not an issue because I am ultimately helping people who don’t even have the option of sleeping on a bed. We setup a couple of tables and lay out all of the food that will be put into the lunch bag: a sandwich, chips, juice, candy, and condiments. Of course, we do not neglect to provide them with spiritual food as well, so a track or Bible passage is included. We all work together, forming a human assembly line, to put all of these items into lunch bags. If you do not know where to help, Ms. Cece or Ms. Dickson will soon guide you. Once all of the lunch bags are made, we load them onto the bus. After everyone is aboard, we head downtown to the parks where we hand deliver the bags to the homeless. Also, we always remember to pray before we do any of this.

His Homeless Ministry is a way for me to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than I. Needless to say, one or two meals is not going to completely change their lives, but the knowledge that someone is thinking about and praying for them might brighten their day. It is one thing to see a homeless person occasionally on the way to a fast-food restaurant, but it is another to be exposed to them in mass quantities. His Homeless Ministry provides an opportunity for me to expe-rience this first-hand. Although all of the people are complete strangers to me, I don’t feel uncom-fortable because there is always a church member nearby.

His Homeless Ministry also allows me to see examples of what faith and perseverance look like.

The men and women, and sometimes even children, I meet have to endure extremely hard conditions on a daily basis, and things for them are generally bleak. Despite this, they still greet us with a smile and remain faithful that things will indeed get better. In conclusion, His Homeless Ministry is a great and humbling experience and I encourage people of all ages to join the Ministry or to seek out a similar program because the feeling of self-satisfaction is unparalleled.

Edmund Hundley is 15 years old and attends St. John’s College High School. He regularly attends Sunday school, is a member of the Manhood Training Ministry and sings in the Men’s Choir. He is the grandson of Mrs. Evelyn B. Taylor.

The Vast Wonder That Is God!By Cecelia Johnson

The Lord is Good! There is such power in those four words!

I was blessed by God to visit the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam this summer. As our group approached the spectacular Skywalk on the West Rim of the Canyon, we were quieted, moved in heart and touched deeply in our souls. Knowing that God created this wonder for us and that we were the greatest and most precious of His count-less creations is humbling and mind altering.

As I looked down as far as my eyes could view, I saw two beautiful black eagles flying. My thought was “Oh, to be higher than the eagles!” Experi-encing the vast wonder of God has forever changed me for the better. Give God the Glory!

The Epistle December 2011 11

THE EPISTLEis an official publication of the

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church.

Phone: 202-829-2773Fax: 202-291-6877

Email: office@nsbcdc.org

Website: www.everyblessing.org

PastorReverend Dr. Derrick Harkins

EditorKaren E. Williamson

Assistant EditorReverend Dr. I. Benni Singleton

Epistle StaffDeacon Cheryl Coleman Hall

Gwen Harris-GaleDeaconess Sageta Jackson

Deborah Crain KempVirginia Lee

Deacon Fred Leftrict Jaleya Leonard

Lillian Secundy LynchRosemary Massey

Odessa PhillipsGloria Spann

Deaconess Gloria Tisdale Deaconess Brenda L. Tolbert

The Epistle is seeking new volunteers to help with writing, editing, photography, and distribution. If you are interested in helping with The Epistle, contact Karen Williamson at Epistle@kew-consulting.net.

Sponsors & AdvertisementsThe Epistle is seeking sponsors who are willing to make a donation to support the newsletter and/or advertisers who wish to promote their businesses or services to the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church family. Reasonable rates.

Full Page $ 200 Half Page $100 Quarter Page $ 50 Business Card $ 30

The next issue of The Epistle will be published in March 2012.

Please submit articles, announcements and photographs at anytime to the

Church Office or email to Epistle@kew-consulting.net.

For more information, contact Karen Williamson at 202-829-5973. A color version of this issue of The Epistle is available on the church website.

Visit www.everyblessing.org today!

C A l E N DA R O F E V E N T S

Church School Devotions, Lighting of Christmon Tree & Annual Family BreakfastSunday, December 11, 8:30 AM

Church School Ole Fashion Christmas PartySaturday, December 17 12:00 - 2:00 PM

Church School Christmas ProgramSunday, December 18, 8:30 AM

Christmas Worship ServiceSunday, December 25, 10:00 AM

New Year’s Eve Watch Night Service and BreakfastSaturday, December 31, 10:00 pmZion Baptist Church4850 Blagden Avenue NWWashington, DC

2012

Usher’s DaySunday, January 8

Concert Featuring David Griffiths and The Praise & Worship ExperienceSaturday, January 28, 5:30 PMTo benefit the Buildings and Blessings Capital Campaign

Church School Annual Ski Trip to Ski LibertySaturday, February 4

Helping Hand SundaySunday, February 12

“Discover Ellington” Brian Stokes Mitchell sings Ellington American SongbookFriday, February 17, 8:00 PMMusic Center at StrathmoreSponsored by the Progressive Adults to benefit the Love Pal Program

Jubilee Sunday Sunday, February 25

Have You Pledged?By Donza Poole, Buildings and Blessings Campaign Committee

You may have noticed Church members wearing the blue and white “I Pledged” buttons. They are part of the growing list of stewards who have made a pledge or contribution to the Buildings and Blessings Capital Campaign.

The Church embarked on the campaign with the goal of raising $650,000 over the next two years to replace the church roof, restore the façade, renovate the Jones Handy House and establish a capital reserve fund. The campaign has gotten off to a good start and has already raised $145,680 through November 2011. And, while that is a sizeable sum, the reality is that much more is needed—just to begin the first and most urgent project of restoring the façade.

We’re grateful to those 176 contributors who have already supported the campaign. We challenge all members to prayerfully consider their spiritual and financial gifts to the Nineteenth Street Buildings and Blessings Capital Campaign and to commit to purposeful giving. We pray that God will continue to guide and direct our efforts.

I Pledged

$145,680

$650,000

Merry Christmas!