Op Ed Editorial

HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS BROOKLYN First Baptist of Crown Heights Installs Youth & Wisdom: New Pastor Reverend Rashad Raymond Moore

By Hazel Rosetta Smith

This is a story only half told of a millennial minister who has risen in stature and wisdom to dwell amongst God’s highest echelon of workers in His vineyard. The Reverend Rashad Ray mond Moore became the third Pastor of Brooklyn’s prominent First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, located at 450 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, January 19, 2020.

Most appropriately, the pastoral installation was held on the week end celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., exemplifying the presence of youth and wisdom in the 29-yearold Moore, as he takes on the role of leading the 66-year old church in this twenty-first century.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Moore’s spiritual upbringing began at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, under the late Rev. Dr. V. Simpson Turner, Sr. Formal education included The Clara Cardwell School (P.S. 308) and Brooklyn High School of the Arts. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, minor in Religion from Morehouse College, Atlanta and Mas ter of Divinity degree in Christian Social Ethics from Union Theologi cal Seminary, NYC. Currently, Rev. Moore is completing a Ph.D. in Phi losophy and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC. He is a member of the Academy of Young Preachers and Phi Sigma Tau Philosophical Honor Society.

Rev. Moore served seven years as Assistant Minister at The Abyssinian Baptist Church, NYC, under the tu telage of the Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III. Among many clerical and civic duties, Rev. Moore serves on the UNCF-New York’s Faith Initiative Council, Sheltering Arms Children and Family Services, Inc., and the Morehouse Manhattan Alumni Asso ciation. He is also a member of Prince Hall Masons (Boyer Lodge No. 1).

Reverend Dr. Adolphus Lacey, Pastor of Brooklyn’s Bethany Bap

Prayer of Installation (L-r): Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw, Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, Rev. Rashad Raymond Moore, Pastor

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond and Veronica Moore, Parents

tist Church and Rev. Dr. Cheryl F. Dudley, Regional Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of Met ropolitan New York, presided. Seventeen Reverends came in purpose, praying and blessing, advising and uplifting. Those in other capacities shared their relationship: Dr. Yvette Wilson-Barnes, Reverend and Asso ciate Dean, Student Affairs of CUNY School of Law and Mrs. Jacklyn Charles-Marcus, Principal, Stephen Decatur School 35. Deaconess Ger trude Moses of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church told of her first siting of God’s call on the young Rashad’s life. She was sitting with his grandmother, lis tening to him speak about Dr. King on a church program. She nudged his grandmother and said, “Boy Preach er.” Truth has been marching on since then.

The guest speaker, Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, Pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church, addressed several subjects found in II Timothy 4 of the Bible (Saved from a selfish, self-willed spirit. Preach the word! Be ready in and out of season.)

Reverend Nicholas L. Richards arrived from South Africa to speak on “Helping You to Get Ready”. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Veronica Moore assisted in the PRESENTA T:10" TION OF THE ROBE. Three individual pieces, three symbolic colors joined in majestic silk brilliance, explained by Rev. Richards, to in corporate fire (light), black (power) and green (becoming.) No stripes, no cross or religious emblem, just a de vout look of wisdom, as a sage of old or magi would have worn.

The legacy of The First Bap tist Church of Crown Heights began in 1953, under the leadership of its Founding Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Clar ence Norman, Sr., who served dutifully for 62 years. At the passing of Dr. Norman, the second pastor, Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw served diligently from 2015 to 2019. He recently ac cepted the invitation to pastor The Ebenezer Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia.

Finally, with the same humble warmth and welcoming spirit he has always presented, Moore stood on the pulpit to thank and acknowledge. Under his newly received God-given right, he is henceforth entitled to be recognized as the Reverend Rashad Raymond Moore, Pastor of The First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY. And, the church said Amen!

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