The members of New Zion Baptist Church will celebrate 42 years “as a beacon of hope for the community,” Sunday.
The all-day event will include three keynote speakers, all ministers with roots in Marietta.
Jimmie McCarroll, son of the late Bessie and William Halstied, and the late Vernis McCarroll, is a longtime member of Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Langston. McCarroll, a minister, will enhance the Adult Sunday School with his gifted teaching.
During morning worship, McCarroll’s son, Gregory, who serves as pastor of Mount Bethel Baptist Church, will speak. The theme McCarroll has chosen is “God Is Able,” and is based on Romans 8:35-39. Special music will be performed by the New Zion Male Chorus and Ruby Willis-Austin, Lawton, the daughter of the late Rev. Ocie and Helene Willis.
Duane Talley, pastor of Greater Trinity Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, will be featured during the afternoon service. Talley is the son of the late Mary Lee Talley and William Jack Talley.
The afternoon session also includes the testimony of Doris Dailey. Wanda Douglas will perform a vocal solo, “Through it All.” In addition all past and current choir members will join together in a mass choir and sing what New Zion Pastor Lawrence L. Anderson describes as “A very ancient, traditional Negro spiritual, ‘Surely, God is Able.’” Anderson said the mass choir performance will be a “high point” of the service.
New Zion was founded in 1967 by the late deacon William Bill Halstied. The church is located on the corner of Third Avenue and Bill Halstied Street.
“Citizens of the community cherish and maintain fond memories of the church’s location, the initial site of Douglass School, which housed black students from grades one through 12,” Anderson said.
The current sanctuary was purchased from the Assembly of God Church and moved to the present location in 1967. In 1969, the Fellowship Hall, purchased from Hickory Resort, was annexed.
Anderson said he acquired spiritual counsel and growth from New Zion. He has served as the church’s “shepherd” since 1997.
“The Lord called me and appointed me as pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Waurika. I feel like He was preparing me for this task –– to lead my own people, as He did Moses. After 13 years in Waurika, He sent me back home. I am honored to serve in my hometown. I pray that the works I’ve done will speak for me. Surely, God is able,” Anderson said.
The public is invited to join the celebration. For more information about the all-day celebration call Anderson at (580) 276-4670.
