T
he Humanity Baptist Church had its spiritual beginnings in the mind of God’s Servant, Brother Simuel W. Simmons and was manifested on earth on August 25, 1950 at 50 Rutgers Street, Newark, New Jersey in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Brock. Later that year, brother Simmons was ordained and called to be Pastor of the church. Brother Brock was the first deacon and Brother James Jackson was the first trustee as well as the first president of the Baptist Training Union (BTU). In May of 1959, the church relocated to 23 Fourteenth Ave., Newark, in the neighborhood where most of its members resided. In the 1962, the church purchased a lot from the city of Newark located at 10 Prospect Place, and with much prayer and fortitude construction began in 1965. The congregation moved into its new edifice in March of 1968, even though the building was not completed. After securing a loan in the amount of $10, 000 from the American Baptist Home Mission society, the church burned the mortgage on September 1975. During Reverend Simmons tenure he recognized God’s hand working in the life of Deacon J. W. Brown. Deacon Brown held various positions in the church, from Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Trustee, Business Manager, and Chairman of Deacon Board. J. W. Brown was called to the ministry, and ordained by the Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Association in 1975. Following Reverend Simmons retirement in 1979, the church voted Reverend J. W. Brown as the second Pastor of The Humanity Baptist Church. Shortly after Reverend Brown became pastor, the church was displaced to urban redevelopment. During this time Reverend Brown and the member were without a their own physical location. However, after persistent prayer and research, Reverend Brown found a parcel of land at 235 Bergen Street in the Central ward of the city. Pastor Brown was a strong advocate Christian Education as a result a variety of Bible study classes were offered throughout the week as well as on the weekends. Pastor Brown was called home to be with the Lord on September 28, 2000. The church was without a pastor for over two years. On March 16, 2003, the church held installation services for their newly elected pastor, Reverend Francis E. Gilliard. Under the leadership of Reverend Gilliard, the church added an 8:00AM Sunday morning worship service and continued to grow both physically and spiritually. Reverend Gilliard served as pastor until August 2006. Once again, Humanity was without leadership. In April of 2007, Reverend Robert L. DeVeaux was selected to become the interim pastor; he served in this capacity for one year. On March 3, 2008, Reverend DeVeaux called to the pastorate. On Sunday, October 19, 2008, Reverend DeVeaux was formally installed as the fourth pastor in the church’s fifty-seven year history. Reverend DeVeaux is credited with leading a renovation of the sanctuary, restoration of the exterior and currently in the process of renovating the kitchen to better serve the community. He has also made numerous administrative changes to increase efficiencies to increase efficiencies and broadening the overall scope of ministry at Humanity. Under Reverend DeVeaux, community outreach and neighborhood involvement are integral parts of the ministry. With expanded ministries to meet the unique needs of the residents of Newark, Humanity Cares For All Community Development Corporation, a 501 ( C ) 3 was initiated by Reverend DeVeaux to meet the social, economic, educational, youth development and health services of the city of Newark and vicinity. Reverend DeVeaux to lead us in ministering in this present age.
The Reverend Robert L. DeVeaux
r Reverend Robert L. DeVeaux is pastor-preacher, scholar, and social activist who has taken up the work of those gone before him, leading local and national efforts for a new generation of Americans living not in the age of segregation, but in the age of information. As Senior Pastor of the Humanity Baptist Church, he has developed an altruistic passion for faith, love and social justice, which not only has fueled his vision and mission for serving the community, but also believes are inseparable companions that form the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As pastor, he sees the whole community as his parish. His motto is “we come together on Sunday to be revived, restored, renewed, and re-empowered to go back into the community to serve.” Rev. DeVeaux has been a voice in the pulpit and the community on matters of race, equity, tolerance and justice in the city of Newark and across the nation. He has been an advocate for voting rights, criminal justice, health care, immigration and public school reform As part of his community engagement, Rev DeVeaux has initiated the Humanity Cares For All (HCA) Community Development Corporation, which is a non-profit 501(C) 3 corporation organized with a purpose to address the social, cultural, educational, economic, and physical course of Newark and the surrounding community. Through the CDC, the have offered free Summer Camps for children as well as cosponsor a variety of community forums to address citizens concerns. Also, during his tenure, outreach ministry expansion has taken place as well as renovation and restoration to the facility. Most importantly, lives have been changed and committed to Christ. A native of Washington, D. C., Reverend DeVeaux was licensed to the gospel ministry by the late Dr. Louis B. Jones, Sr. at the Springfield Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. He is an ordained American Baptist minister who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University in Washington, DC., Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University School of Social Work in New Brunswick, NJ. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate in the Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Scholars program with a focus on African Religious Thought and Ministry at the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Reverend DeVeaux’s ministry has taken him to four continents, various countries and the Caribbean.
Humanity Cares for All Humanity Cares for All, Inc. (HCA) is a 501 (C ) (3) nonprofit, community development corporation that was initiated in 2015 through The Humanity Baptist Church. HCA focuses on delivering a literacy and social action activities to the children and families of Newark. Spearheaded by Pastor Robert L. DeVeaux, Humanity Cares For All, Inc. is a community development corporation that enhances the church’s outreach capacity by serving families and young people from all walks of life. A board of directors comprised of both church members and non-church members guides HCA The Mission of Humanity Cares for All • Improves social, educational, and economic conditions • Provide community services and other activities that benefit the children and families of Newark. • Improvement of the community infrastructure, standards of living and quality of life
Words of Appreciation from the Co-Chairs “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15 KJV Greetings, Christian Family and Friends: to God be the glory for the things He has done! It is with utmost and gracious honor that we welcome each of you to our Pastor’s 10th Anniversary and Appreciation Celebration! Once again, the Lord has allowed us to come together as a church family to celebrate this most joyous occasion as we continue to appreciate, respect, and show Agape Love to the shepherd God has placed to lead us! He exemplifies the true meaning of a spirit-filled leader following the road map God has ordained for him. To our invited guests, we thank you for joining us in celebrating this very special occasion in our church history. We invite you to allow the Holy Spirit to have its way with you. We encourage you to magnify the Lord with the highest praise HALLELUJAH! A special thank you to our gala guest speaker, Reverend Dr. Joseph Oniyama (Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, East Orange, NJ) and our Sunday guest celebrants, Reverend Wayne Scott (Springfield Baptist Church, Washington, DC) and Reverend Levi Combs (Pastor, First Refuge Progressive Baptist Church, Camden, NJ) for sharing this very distinctive occasion with us. Finally, we extend our most cordial appreciation to our Humanity Baptist Church Family for your support, participation, and presence during this wonderful spirit-filled celebration. Also, special appreciation is extended to our many friends from other churches, and to the community for your support in helping to make our Pastor and First Lady’s Day of Celebration a most memorable occasion. May God continue to bless each of you! In Christian Love,
Carol Gilliard, Co-Chair Linda Devoe, Co-Chair
Pastor’s Anniversary Committee
The Reverend Wayne Scott Springfield Baptist Church Washington, D.C. 10 A.M. Worship Service
The Reverend Levi Combs, III
First Refuge Progressive Baptist Church Camden, New Jersey 3:00 P.M. Worship Service
Reverend Dr. Joseph Oniyama, is a native of Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. He accepted Christ’s offer of salvation in 1977. In the 1980’s, Reverend Oniyama worked with Youth for Christ Liberia, where he served as counselors’ coordinator, radio program producer and community club leader. He later joined the Providence Baptist Church where her served as junior church director. In 1988, Reverend Oniyama joined Calvary Baptist Church in East Orange, New Jersey, and over several years served as Sunday school teacher, VBS director, deacon, and youth minister. In October 2001, Reverend Oniyama was called by Calvary Baptist Church to become their 8th Pastor. Reverend Oniyama serves as a member of the Board of Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Missions Convention. He has led several delegations of youth and adults on mission trips to China, England, Jamaica, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Ghana and Liberia. Reverend Oniyama currently serves as the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) United Nations Representative in New York. He is a member of the Board of the Healthcare Foundation of the Oranges, and a recipient of the prestigious Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Grant program in 2005. He is a graduate of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he received a Master of Divinity degree and was awarded winner of the Reverend Edward Lodwick Prize for Excellence in Preaching at the Seminary. Reverend Oniyama received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Reverend Oniyama is married to Teresa Oniyama, and is a father of one son, Jonathan.
Musical Prelude The Introduction of Master of Ceremony ................................................................... Mrs. Sheila Howard The Call to Worship............................................................ Master of Ceremony: Reverend Stan Howard The Invocation ........................................................................................................... Reverend Brenda Byrd The Welcome and Occasion ......................................................Elder Kelly Williams, Executive Minister The Song of Celebration .............................................................................................................. T Ray Band
Community Greetings
Reverend Louis Roundtree, Aide for Clergy Affairs Office of The Honorable Mayor Ras Baraka Charles Hall, Jr., President Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 108
Ecumenical Greetings
Reverend Miram Mendez, Associate Regional Pastor American Baptist Churches of New Jersey Reverend Alfred E. Brown, Jr., Pastor First Baptist Church of Cranford, New Jersey President of Progressive National Baptist Churches of New Jersey The Meal Blessing ...................................................................................................... Reverend Stan Howard
Dinner is Served
T Ray Band Video/Slide Presentation ...................................................................................................................................
Pastor’s Peers and Friends
Reverend Alfonzo Williams, Pastor Aenon Baptist Church, Vauxhall, NJ Reverend Robert Wilson, Pastor Bethel El Love Christian Center, Orange, NJ Reverend Edgir Jean, Pastor Glenwood Baptist Church, Vernon, NJ Reverend Robin Webb-Greene, Assistant Pastor Calvary Baptist Church, East Orange Reverend Wayne Scott, Springfield Baptist Church, Washington, DC Introduction of Guest Celebrant ........................................................................................ Miss Aysia Blake The Song of Preparation ............................................................................................................... T Ray Band The Word of God .............................................................. The Reverend Dr. Joseph Oniyama, Pastor Calvary Baptist Church, East Orange, NJ The Honoree Remarks and Reflections ....................................... The Reverend Robert L. DeVeaux The Benediction...................................................................................................Evangelist Erdine Richards
Musical Entertainment by T Ray Band
Lunch Menu Appetizer
Vegetable Minestrone Soup with Herb Pistou
Salad
Baby Seasonal Greens, Homemade Red Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil
Entrees
Herb Crusted Chicken Breast, Sun-Dried Cherry Chicken Jus OR
Gingersnap Crusted Salmon, Bourbon Sauce OR
Filet Mignon, Bordelaise Sauce All Entrees are Served with Chef ’s Selection of Vegetable and Starch
Dessert
Honey Lavender Crème Brulee, Key Lime Pie and Raspberry Mousse Torte
Full Beverage Service
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee and a selection of Fine Teas
Congratulations In Recognition Of 10 Memorable Years as a Pastor, Teacher, and Friend
Pastor Robert L . DeVeaux, God has a special place for each of us to serve and you have chosen to follow His path. You have been the hands, the feet, the voice, and the love of God expressed in many different ways. You have chosen to honor Him as you have served in His name. Your ten years of faithful service has been a generous gift to a world in need. May the Lord bless you as you have blessed so many and give you peace and joy in your priestly service. Thank you for your willingness to give of yourself and be used where God has placed you. We, the Officers and members of Springfield Baptist Church, wish to thank you for your words of inspiration and guidance and all that you do. “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!� ~ Romans 10:15
Springfield Baptist Church 508 P Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20001
Congratulations Reverend Robert L. DeVeaux on your 10th Pastoral Anniversary
Congratulations Pastor Deveaux
on your 10th Anniversary as the Shepherd of the Humanity Baptist Church! We pray that our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ continues to bless you with His wisdom, knowledge and strength to lead His people. Love and Peace, Pastor Robert M. Wilson and The Beth El-Love Christian Center Family
Rev. Robert L. DeVeaux Our Family is so blessed to know how vital Appreciation is in strong families; You are a Faithful Pastor with a Love of God’s Word; You are a Preacher, Counselor, Teacher, Listener, Encourager and Comforter; You have touched so many lives, this is an experience you’ll never outgrow; A truly Great Pastor is Hard to Find, Difficult to Part with, and impossible to Forget. The Lord works in wondrous ways through you, you are and expression of God’s Love. Hebrew6:10 God Bless You Cous,
Zina
Pastor Robert L. . De Veaux
Congratulations on your success in the Ministry. You have made us all proud. Stay firm in your Christian walk.
Uncle Johney &
Auntie Ethel
Community impact, one neighbor at a time.
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Building Strong Communities For A Better Tomorrow
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