It's Not Where You Start, But Where You Finish That Counts

Chapter 12 – The Call to Bethlehem

I remember vividly my conversation with Deacon Philip Smith, Chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry at Bethlehem. He indicated to me I was the candidate the church decided to vote on. My heart was beating rapidly and I was indeed grateful that God heard my prayers. Deacon Smith began to share with me how my name would be placed before the congregation in March of the coming year. I felt the need to be honest with him so he would l know I was a candidate for another congregation. I did not want to take anything for granted knowing how I had been so close before only to find myself disappointed. Without naming the church, I indicated the church was going to vote in January and I felt if they were to call me as pastor I would accept the call. My heart was with Bethlehem though; I preached there on several occasions and met many members of the congregation, as well as with the leadership, and I was really excited. Deacon Smith was a very caring man of God and he truly knew my heart. He said to me, “Let me get back to you as we may be able to move our vote to an earlier date”. He then shared with me the voting process, and how they needed three-fourths majority of the members present to elect a pastor. They decided I would be their only candidate, and if I were to be successful in that voting process, I would be their new pastor.

That Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, is one I shall never forget. I shared the news with our sons and they were excited, which lifted my soul. I began to pray and ask God if He would give me the desires of my heart. I called Pastor Campbell and shared with him the events that had taken place over the last several days. He prayed with me once again that all would be well. A few weeks later, Deacon Smith called to inform me that he was able to move the church vote up to January, still abiding by the requirements of the constitution mandating the three-fourths majority vote. Believe me, the day they voted was an anxious day in January. I later learned what occurred that evening; it was nothing but the province of God at work. The Reverend Dr. Robert Johnson Smith, senior pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown chaired the meeting. It is my understanding he put the vote on the floor and I missed being called as the pastor by one vote. The objections of my being called were based upon the fact I remarried after my wife’s death. There were those who interpreted my remarrying to be against God’s will. Reverend Smith, who I had come to know and admire, spoke out on my behalf. He assured the congregation that my remarrying was not in violation of God’s will. He informed them God had called my wife home to glory and as a father and one that he knew to be a caring individual, he persuaded the congregation not to allow that to get in the way of calling me. He spoke from his heart at length, about what he knew about me. He believed me to have great character and total commitment as a husband and father. As a result of his passion he was able to call for another vote. I was elected as pastor elect with one vote over the requirement needed. Deacon Smith called me that night and began the conversation with, “brother pastor” that was his affectionate way of speaking to or about me, “you have been elected as our pastor”. I let out a shout and began to give God praise and thanks for the new opportunity He granted to me. Deacon Phillip Smith would become an important part of my years of ministry at Bethlehem.

I knew I had to inform Gibson Temple Baptist Church that I was about to accept the pastorate of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Penllyn, Pa.. But much to my surprise before I could even share with Gibson congregation, the church I had come to love and care for so much, one of the members found out I was leaving. It appeared someone from Bethlehem Baptist Church, who perhaps had another candidate in mind for pastor other than me, called Gibson Temple to inform them I was leaving them. This individual confronted me before I had a chance to speak to the Gibson Temple leadership. It was not a good meeting, for this individual was very angry, calling me by my first name as opposed to pastor or reverend, and all I could do was to ask God for strength that I might not lose my witness or respond in an ungodly way. I listened to him and asked him very strongly if he would please address me as his pastor or reverend, whatever his choice, and that we would take the time to give God thanks for our journey together at Gibson Temple Church. Perhaps he was angry or disappointed or had some other feelings, but I was not going to allow the relationship I had with him prior to this to be destroyed based upon his reaction. I knew deep in my heart he was a good person and he genuinely cared for me, which had been demonstrated time and time again throughout our years together at Gibson. I called a meeting with the Deacons and Trustees to inform them of my decision. They were prayerful, complementary and supportive. I then spoke to the congregation to inform them that I would be leaving in the next two months. There were tears, well wishes, prayers and an abundance of love from the hearts of God’s people. They were my first love and it was hard for me as well to bid them farewell.