2022 Annual Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING FIRST INSTITUTIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH – PHOENIX, ARIZONA DR. WARREN H. STEWART, SR., SENIOR PASTOR January 29, 2022

The zoom protocols for the meeting were given by Dr. Karen Stewart.

The membership was welcomed by Pastor Stewart.

The meeting was called to order by the Senior Pastor, Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., at 9:04 A.M.

The membership was directed to address questions to Pastor Stewart in the chat room.

The opening prayer was offered by Dr. Donta McGilvery.

The Theme Scriptures were not read aloud, but were listed as follows: John 13:34-35; Romans 12:1-2; Acts 1:6-8; and Luke 14:34-35 (New Revised Standard Version).

The annual reports were available on the FIBC website.

Approval of the 2022 meeting agenda. It was motioned by Sis. Tracy Lewis and seconded by Sis. Effie Goldbold to approve the agenda for the meeting. Motion Carried.

Minutes of the previous annual meeting. It was motioned by Sis. Tracy Lewis and seconded by Sis. Jocelyn Thomas to approve the minutes of the meeting held January 30, 2021 with any necessary corrections. Motion Carried.

Silent Roll Call by Sis. Nancy Hooper, Church Administrator/Church Clerk. The final log-in count shown was 136.

Old Business – The 2021 End-of-the-Year Video Presentation was viewed. Sis. Tracy Lewis was thanked for the video.

New Business – The Annual Report and Recommendations of the Senior Pastor (pages 7-11). Pastor thanked God, the congregation and staff, media, volunteers and all who supported FIBC for the activities of the past year. FIBC will no longer have a PLT (Pastoral Leadership Team).

Staff who ended their tenure with FIBC are Renette Shaw, Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor; Gaynelle Dorsey, Part-Time Receptionist; Carolyn Engram-Sullivan, retired as Director of Operations; Carlos Molina, full-time custodian; Shirley Lewis, Minister of Pastoral Visitations; Steve Washington, drummer; and Jocelyn Thomas, Interim Children’s Ministry Leader.

As a result of the reorganization of the pastoral staff, the following persons will constitute the FullTime Staff: • Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., Senior Pastor • Dr. Karen E. Stewart, Executive Director of Ministries • Elder April Hawkins, Pastor of Family Life beginning March 1 • Sis. Geralyn Staten, Operations Administrator • Sis. Nancy D. Hooper, Church Administrator • Sis. Kym Majors, Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor • Bro. Fodey Barampunde, Custodian • Vacant positions are the Executive Director of Operations and the Creative Director of Virtual and Multi-Media.

Part-Time Staff: • Dr. Donta McGilvery – Pastor of Outreach and Justice • The Reverend Roland Pierce – Pastor of Congregational Care • Dr. Carolyn Watson – Minister of Pastoral Counseling • Sis. Brenda G. Hankins – Minister of Music • Sis. Tolanda Coker – Database Facilitator • Sis. Tracy N. Lewis – Social Media Manager • Sis. Myesha Akins – Nursery Worker • Bro. Raymond Kirkendall – Organist • Bro. Greg McGlothen – Bass Player • The Rev. Kendall Washington – Worship Leader • Bro. Phillip Shaw – Worship Leader

Vacant positions are: Digital Pastor, Multimedia Facilitator, Drummer, Receptionist, and Custodian(s)

The staff reorganization was a stressful situation; however, as a result, the average age of the staff has been lowered.

In the areas of Evangelism and Emancipation, 63 persons answered our Invitations to Discipleship for membership.

FIBCO Family Services, Inc., celebrated their 35 anniversary and this year the Broadway House will celebrate 50 years. Discipleship was mostly done virtually.

Our income from tithes, offerings and other sources was $1,943,497.23, including the government’s PPE forgiven loan. The Fund for Missions giving totaled $173,616.84 and the Legacy Endowment is $160,356.58.

Pastor Stewart had 36 deaths related to FIBC, 22 of those being members. He gave 19 eulogies and had 80 visitations.

FIBC serves as the headquarters for AACCC (African-American Christian Clergy Coalition) and Pastor has been involved in several faith-based justice advocate organizations locally, statewide and nationally. Several FIBC members and national leaders were engaged in actions engaging in civil disobedience in support of voting rights.

The FIBC 20/20 Vision Plan includes five points as outlined in the report will ultimately lead to our congregation fulfilling our purpose, vision and areas for more progress.

Pastoral Goals and Recommendations 1. That our 2022 Church Theme will be A PASTOR AND PEOPLE LOVING, TRANSFORMING, ENGAGING AND PRESERVING WITH GOD’S GOOD NEWS FOR 45 YEARS! The Scriptural Foundation is John 13:34-35; Romans 12:1-2; Acts 1:16; Luke 14:34-35 (NRSV). 2. That each leader, ministry, worker, pastoral staff member, committee and member will set goals and objectives for how they will implement our 2022 Church Theme. 3. That the following persons be elected and/or appointed to serve in the following positions, respectively: • Church Moderator – Pastor Warren H. Stewart, Sr. • Church Clerk – Sis. Nancy D. Hooper • Chairperson of Tithes and Offerings Tellers Committee – The Rev. Thelma Staten • Church Historian – Sis. Annette Smith-Willis • Elections Commission Chair – Sis. Deborah A. Long • The election of officers will be held at the end of the first quarter 2022.

Several questions pertaining to human resource matters were raised by persons in the membership which because of their sensitivity in nature were referred to the Chair of the Governance Council and/or appointment meetings with the Pastor for responses.

It was motioned by Bro. Ralph D. Thompson II and seconded by Sis. Brachelle McMurry Ganther that the recommendations of the Senior Pastor be approved. Motion Carried.

Report of the Deacons Ministry – Deacon Arthur P. Harrell, Jr. – Deacon Harrell was thanked for 13 years of service to the Deacons Ministry. Deacon Harrell thanked the deacons that despite the restrictions of COVID they were still active in doing God’s work. The sum of $16,079.12 was provided to assist families with rent and utilities. They are still seeking younger deacons to be active. New baptism guidelines reference COVID-19 have been established. In 2021 the deacons had their first annual retreat and he is hopeful that the retreat will continue. He thanked Pastor

Stewart and the deacons for their support over the last year. He will be going to a new starter church in Queen Creek and will seek the support of FIBC. He offered his blessings on us.

Report of the Governance Council – The Rev. Levada Coker – Rev. Coker thanked God and Pastor Stewart for serving through another (challenging) year. We hope to pay off the property debt this year. The members of the Governance Council were thanked for their service. The council is seeking new members. The overall budget was $1.9 million last year and will be $1.8 million for 2022.

Pastor Stewart thanked the members of the Governance Council for their service, some of whom have extended their terms as new members are being sought.

The Report of the Church Clerk – Sis. Nancy D. Hooper – The necrology of the membership for 2021 was read which totaled 22 members.

The Report for FIBCO Family Services, Inc., was presented by Sis. Chiquita Taylor, Executive Director. She thanked the volunteers, donors, board members and everyone for a successful year. A new logo and website have been developed.

Report of the Broadway House Corporation – Pastor Stewart thanked God, the Broadway House Board and staff for the work of the Broadway House which was a vision of the late Pastor Nesby.

It was motioned by Dr. Carnella Hardin and seconded by Deacon Paul Ellis to receive all other reports. Motion Carried. (Written reports of all presentations are available upon request or the Annual Report in its entirety may be downloaded from the FIBC website.)

It was motioned by Bro. Darrell Rayford and seconded by the Rev. Miriam Bacon that the meeting be adjourned at 10:11 A.M. Motion Carried.

Nancy Hooper Church Clerk