Shiloh Newsletter

SHILOH NEWS

Newsletter of Shiloh Baptist Church

Join our jubilant journey at Shiloh Baptist Church Cleveland, marking 175 years of history. As the oldest African American Baptist church in Cleveland, we embody Sankofa's essence, gazing back to move forward. Inspired by Philippians 3:13-14, we celebrate our legacy, standing on the shoulders of our ancestors. This year, we unite our community through 1 Peter 4:10, embracing the path we've traveled while inviting friends and family to share in the joy.

As we tread "The Road to 175," guided by Psalm 145:4, we restore greatness and anticipate our greatest days ahead.

THE PASTOR'S DESK

The Road to 175

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

The month of August marks 174 years of existence for Shiloh Baptist Church. 174 years ago a few brave African American Clevelanders led by businessman John Malvern walked away from First Baptist Church of Cleveland after they decided to ban any further Black membership in that church. Following in the footsteps of The Right Reverends Richard Allen and Absalom Jones who formed the AME church and began Black denominationalism in this nation, these visionaries founded Shiloh. This place would become not only a spiritual home but a place of refuge, advocacy, and empowerment for Africandescended people who made their homes in Cleveland. Many of these were likely people escaping freedom, while others were freedmen and women. With the financial support of a few benevolent members of First Baptist Church, Shiloh was formed first as a Sunday School Mission in 1849, calling their own pastor and incorporating as a fully-fledged church in 1850. Since those infamous days in 1849, Shiloh has remained a stalwart force in Cleveland’s AfricanAmerican community.

Having completed 174 years of existence we are now on “THE ROAD TO 175!” Very few churches have managed to last 175 years. So, we have much to be proud of. Shiloh was the church home and launched the career of Dorothy Dandridge. Shiloh has been active in the civil rights struggle hosting the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Jesse Jacksson, Jr., Mayor Carl Stokes, Congressman Louis Stokes, and Rev. Al Sharpton. In recent years

We hosted the the new president of Rainbow PUSH, Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes, III and were instrumental in the election of the nation’s youngest Black mayor of a major city, Mayor Justin Bibb. During the Hough riots, Pastor Alfred Waller was active in negotiating peace and Shiloh rebuilt a home for a family that was burned out. During the pandemic, Shiloh vaccinated over 1300 Cleveanders and gave out over $105K in aid. Yes, Shiloh has an illustrious history of ministry and service in Cleveland - a history that is both distant and recent. Shiloh became the 1st African-American Baptist Church in the city to call a female Senior Pastor.

In our 175th year, we will celebrate the African principle of Sankofa. Taken from the Akan tribe, Sankofa is literally interpreted as “ go back and fetch it.” It means to utilize the wisdom of the past to plan and achieve a prosperous and successful future. As we celebrate the Road to 175 we will lift the glory of our past not as a monument that keeps us stuck in the past, but as a building block to the great things God has in store for our future. The Road to 175 and Beyond looks bright!

Because of Calvary,

Member Spotlight

Sister Jada Streifel

Sis. Jada Streifel is a Public Health major with a concentration of clinical trials at Kent State University. I will be a senior this year and am also the Vice President of the Epsilon Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Social Media Coordinator for Kent African Student Association. Upon graduation, I plan on going back to get my masters in epidemiology to then do infection control and disease prevention. My hopes are to eventually work at the CDC or for the World Health Organization doing disease surveillance.

The Power of Evangelism: Sharing Faith With Love

In the journey of life, few tasks hold as much significance and challenge as the act of evangelism – the art of sharing one's faith with others. As a people grounded in the teachings of the Bible, we find solace and inspiration in the words of Jesus Christ, who beckoned us to spread His message of love and salvation. The task may seem daunting but armed with biblical references and the gentle wisdom of age, we can effectively evangelize to friends and family, fostering a deeper connection with both spirituality and loved ones.

As the winds of change blow through our world, the essence of evangelism remains constant. Just as the Apostle Paul passionately wrote to the Corinthians, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died" (2 Corinthians 5:14, NIV), so too are we compelled by the love and grace of our Savior to share His story. This verse reminds us that our evangelistic efforts are not driven by duty, but by a genuine love for those around us.

When considering evangelizing to friends and family, personal relationships come to the forefront. The parable of the prodigal son, as narrated by Jesus in Luke 15:11-32, resonates deeply with this aspect. The father's unwavering love and forgiveness symbolize God's boundless grace, teaching us that our role is to offer compassion, patience, and understanding. Much like the father in the parable, we must be ready to open our arms and hearts to our loved ones, regardless of their past or present choices. This patience speaks louder than words and paves the way for genuine conversations about faith.

Effective evangelism requires living out our beliefs, as the book of James wisely advises, "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17, NIV). Our actions, attitude, and character serve as the living testament to our faith. When we exhibit Christ-like behavior, we naturally attract curiosity and questions from those around us Our gentle demeanor in the face of adversity or our readiness to lend a helping hand in times of need become the living sermons that can touch hearts far more deeply than words alone.

Drawing inspiration from Shiloh Baptist Church's nurturing tone, it's essential to remember that evangelism is not about conversion through coercion, but rather a heartfelt sharing of personal experiences. The story of the woman at the well (John 4:1-42) exemplifies this beautifully. Jesus approached the woman with compassion and understanding, engaging in a genuine conversation that led to her transformation. In the same way, our evangelistic efforts should seek to understand the unique journey of our friends and family, fostering an environment where they feel safe to express doubts, fears, and questions.

Furthermore, the art of effective evangelism involves prayer and humility As Philippians 2:3-4 teaches, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (NIV). Praying for our loved ones and recognizing that it's God's work in their hearts, not our persuasive tactics, that will ultimately lead them to faith, helps us approach evangelism with a humble heart.

In conclusion, evangelism is a noble calling that requires patience, love, and a deep understanding of biblical principles. Find comfort in the timeless teachings of the Bible, which remind us that evangelism is not a mere duty, but a privilege borne out of love Like the prodigal son's father, we must extend grace to our loved ones, embodying the love of Christ through our actions. Just as the Samaritan woman's life was transformed by a genuine conversation, so too can our loved ones be touched by our authentic sharing of faith. With prayer and humility, we can embark on this journey of evangelism, nurturing connections that transcend this world and echo in eternity.

Areyouconnected? Areyouconnected?

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

I Corinthians 12:12

It takes all of the members of the body to help Shiloh Shine. Are you connected to a ministry? In this issue, we are highlighting a few of our ministries to serve.

Women's Ministry

Sis Ruth Michael

Sis Brenda Pope

Usher Ministry

Sis. Terri Woodson

Praise Team

Deacon Margaret Lovett Bush

Outreach Ministry

Deacon Duane Evans, Jr

Men's Ministry

Deacon Marcellous Hart

Deacon Charles Michael

Youth Ministry

Minister Venica Evans

Educational Board

Sis Terri Woodson

Sunday School

Supt. Ruth Michael

Deacon Marcellous Hart

Dance Ministry

Sis Karen Webb

Real, Relevant, Redeeming Ministry that Matters

Have you missed seeing someone in church lately? Please pick up the telephone and give them a call. Reaching out to absent church members shows care, preserves community, and encourages their return, fostering a sense of belonging and reinforcing Christ's love within the congregation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

24: Pastor's Anniversary

7: Quarterly Church Business Meeting

22: Men's Day

12: Treats with Pastor Lisa

18: Thanksgiving Community Meal & Food Giveaway

9: Shiloh Christmas Party

17: Adopt a Family & Food Give Away

24: Christmas Eve Worship

25: Christmas

31: Watch Night

The Road to 175!

Sankofa is a word and symbol from the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa. It embodies the idea of "learning from the past to move forward." The Sankofa bird, often depicted looking backward while moving forward, symbolizes the importance of remembering one's roots, history, and culture as a way to guide and shape the future It's a powerful concept that encourages embracing one's heritage to build a better tomorrow.

Shiloh Baptist Church

fellowship

Fellowship provides support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. It strengthens relationships, fosters growth, and reminds us that we are not alone on our spiritual journey.

Student Loan Information – Virtual Drop-in Sessions

The federal student loan payment pause will be ending soon To help prepare for the return of repayment, Legal Aid will host virtual ‘drop-in’ sessions this summer to answer questions and provide information. Jump in any time during the hour to talk with one of our student loan experts, or join for the entire time to hear others’ questions. Sessions will be held on the first Thursday of August and September. Register today:

Thursday, September 7, 12:00-1:00 PM https://lasclev.org/09072023-2/?

bblinkid=271077838&bbemailid=48648914&bbejrid=-1545158623

Please pray for our bereaved, sick and shut in.

Praise the Lord, oh my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Deacon Celerstine Beasley

Bernice DuBose

Patsy Cowan

Virgil Smith

Brenda McCutcheon

Lee McCutcheon

Glinda Dames Fincher

Josephine Phillips

Vernon Henderson

Gwen Johnson

Pauline Dixon

Janice Harrell

Helen Hooks

Tiffany Gardner and family

Sydnie Jefferson and family

Charlise Evans

Rose Stewart

Ivan & Rhonda Willis

Tommy Smith

Trustee Maxine and Johnny Johnson

Melvin Johnson, Jr

Michael Williams

Rosalyn Goods

"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord." James 5:14

Zelle