All Glory, Honor and Praise to God! It is a tremendous honor and privilege to extend to Brother William A. Stephens and Sister Altamease (Skeater) Stephens a hearty gratitude for their many years of service and work here in Durham, NC! Here’s my testimonial tribute: -I first met William Stephens on Monday, July 26, 1982 which is the exact day we spoke about one question I had about Christ and His church, and it culminated in Brother Stephens escorting me to the water to be baptized into Christ! -I’m thanking GOD for William and Skeater bringing their Family to Durham in the Fall of 1982 planting/building the congregation of Southside church of Christ. -In 1982/1983 in his office on Chapel Hill Street, Brother Stephens and I spent time talking about and dreaming about establishing a private school. -Our first independent place of worship was in the old St. Joseph’s church building, now, an almost dilapidated edifice. But, it was our church family’s place to be together worshipping and learning Christ’s way as best we could. -After old St. Joseph’s building, we worshipped and studied together in a one-room funeral home chapel known as Reeves’ Funeral Chapel on Angier Avenue. -Next, we worshipped in the Shepherd Middle School auditorium and, (oowee!), it was colder in there than in old St. Joseph’s building. -In the meantime, while we were moving from place to place, Brother Stephens and leading brothers were making plans to build our own place of worship. Note: Shepherd Middle School is diagonally across the street from where we now worship. -Then, in the middle of 1991, GOD guided Brother Stephens and the membership to erect this edifice so we could worship, study and fellowship together in our own new building. (Look at GOD, why don’t you?!) -Brother Stephens and the leading Brothers envisioned and decided to hire a Women’s Counselor for which GOD blessed me to become for the Southside Church of Christ in January 1994. What a journey from Baptist preacher to Women’s Counselor in a congregation of Christ’s church! -Brother William and the leading brothers commissioned me to research, implement, and oversee our own private school – Quality Education Institute of Durham ,which opened in August of 1998! Hallelujah! I am ecstatically grateful to GOD for sending you, Brother William Arthur Stephens and Sister Altamease (Skeater) Stephens to Durham, NC to envision and to establish this great Southside church of Christ. For sure, only by the Grace of GOD, we have had and surpassed many challenges over these 38 years. I’ve seen and experienced William inject his Christ-Brother/Christ-Pastor self into the lives of the membership to help calm family disputes, pains and losses. He was there for our bad times and for our good times - - I gratefully remember! Believe me, we did not always agree, but GOD guided us to be able to successfully work together for GOD’s purpose, which at times ,was not at all easy. I am thankful to GOD for the lives, service and works which William, Skeater and their family have given a huge portion of their lives in building and nurturing this church family! Thank you!
Your sister, Ricki Fuller
We Honor You! If you would have asked me 5 years ago if I ever saw things going this way, I would have told you no. Who knew, that returning home to serve one of the greatest churches this side of Heaven, and working under, with, and alongside one of the most selfless, loving, wise, and caring men of God in our brotherhood, was exactly what The Creator ordered. Bro. Stephens has allowed me to truly be my authentic self. We have laughed, cried, disagreed, avoided each other at times, and still God caused our relationship to blossom to where I have come to love this man on a deeper level. When I say Pop, I mean that as if I was speaking about my own father. Pastor/Evangelist/ Minister/ Brother William A. Stephens you are exactly what I needed at this time in my life. Our relationship will remain eternal. And as you have demonstrated enough confidence to trust me with the work God has allowed you to build. I will demonstrate my loyalty to you by serving this people faithfully. I hope to never push them too far, serve them too little, love them too less, teach them too much, in a way that dishonors God or you. Whereas you know there are things I might do differently, I aim to never neglect the solid foundation you have built. I am grateful that I not only get to lead the church you have left a huge imprint on, I am thankful I get to pastor you, as you continue to pastor me. You have helped me to see what others didn’t have the patience to teach me, and waited patiently on the Lord to increase me. And so now I say salute to one of the greatest spiritual giants I have even known. May your legacy always remain intact, may the people never forget the sacrifice you have made. I know traditionally in the Church of Christ we have general shunned charismatic expression and rejected the notion of clergy. But in our ignorance, may we never neglect to honor those who have paved the way in which we walk today. Let’s not be quick to honor and celebrate those who benefit us secularly and forget the vessels by which God has increased us at the hands of those who labored spiritually in our lives. This is your time, your day, your moment. And I believe even God smiles because of your demonstration of what it means to be a man of your word. Love you Pops always, let’s do this! Cause I know I don’t do it without you! First Lady Altamease “Skeater” Stephens, we love you with our full heart, and thank you for you sacrifice of love, for you will always be our first lady! God, I thank you, because if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side… y’all finish the rest! Peace! ~O.R. Thomas & Britney Thomas, FLOSS
Southside Church of Christ History
The Southside Church of Christ officially began on the first Sunday in October 1982 with 14 members in attendance. The first meeting place for the congregation was the historic Old St. Joseph’s church building. The idea for a congregation to serve the inner city originated during a monthly brotherhood meeting. Bro. Clifford Davis, the founder of the “Back to the Bible Crusade,” along with the elders of the Olga Avenue and Cole Mill Road congregations, sponsored a soul winning campaign in Durham. During that time, several congregations supported the crusade, however, the Cole Mill Road congregation served as the host and sponsoring congregation. Bro. William Stephens, of the Northside Church of Christ in Jacksonville, Florida was a part of a delegation that traveled to Durham to help in the evangelistic efforts. Once it was decided to start a new congregation in Durham, Bro. Stephens agreed to become the minister. After much prayer, he, his wife Altamease, and their three children moved to Durham. For three years, Bro. Stephens received financial support from several congregations to support him in this missionary work. Groups of faithful members of the Carver School Road (Winston-Salem) and the South English Street (Greensboro) congregations supported the work by bringing bus loads of members each month to help encourage the members during worship on Sundays. To enhance the ministry, a Single’s class, the Ladies’ Bible Class, Family Enrichment Class, and New Member’s Class were established. An a cappella ensemble was also established in 1983 to help spread the gospel through song. Under the leadership of Bro. Stephens, God blessed the congregation to grow numerically and financially. While meeting at the Old St. Joseph’s building, we purchased 5.33 acres of land on Elmira Avenue. Due to renovation plans for the St. Joseph’s Historical building, the congregation had to find a new meeting place. In 1987, the congregation rented a building on Angier Avenue and broke ground for our new edifice in September 1990. In January of 1991, we met at Shepard Middle School to be closer to our anticipated meeting place. By the grace of the Almighty, we moved into our very first church building in June 1991. An addition was made to the building in 1996 to accommodate our growing congregation. Several ministries were established by the evangelist to address the needs of the church. The ministries established were Koinonia Group Ministry to emphasize the purpose and importance of caring for and sharing with one another; the Southside Ladies Involvement Ministry (S.L.I.M) directed by our Women’s Counselor, Sis. Ricki Fuller; an Education Department; a Youth Department directed by our Youth Minister, Bro. Chris Turner; and a College Campus Ministry. Some additional ministries added as the congregation grew included: Health, Community Outreach, Tutoring, Substance Abuse, Singles, Single Mothers, Blended Families, Grief Support, Door-Knocking, Food Bank Ministry, Communications, K4 through 5th grade private school and much more. Every ministry has been established with the sole purpose of addressing known needs as well as helping to save and encourage souls. We were blessed to ordain six deacons in 1998. In 2003, the Lord blessed us to ordain four of the deacons as elders and seven additional deacons. In 2006, Bro. Bryan Moss was brought in as our Assistant Minister to serve the College and Single ministries. In 2011, the Lord called Brothers Moss and Turner to serve as senior ministers at other congregations. Also in 2003 by God’s grace, we have erected a fully equipped multi-purpose building at a cost of approximately $1.5 million. In 2008, we established a child development center and today we are a five-star center. In 2015, God saw fit to bring Bro. Orlander Thomas and his family our way to work along with Bro. Stephens as our new Assistant Minister. Due to retirement and relocation, we do not have any brothers serving as Elders at present, however we have ten Deacons serving. In August of 2020 we witnessed the retirement of Bro. Stephens, which has allowed for Bro. Thomas to transition him as the new Senior Minister of the Southside Church of Christ. It has been the foresight of brother Stephens to transition in his lifetime in order to see the furtherance of the vision of the Southside Church of Christ carried out in a manner in which God will be pleased. From our humble beginnings to our present day, the Lord has added more than 1500 souls through baptism, while several others have placed membership.
Honoring Our Bridgebuilders Special Tributes From Churches & Businesses Across The Country
We hope your retirement is filled with nothing but joy and happiness. -Bro. & Sis Devins Jackson
Congratulations on your retirement!
Congratulations Best wishes to my beloved friends Bro. William and Sis. Altamease Stephens on your retirement!
Sis. Pam Parker Arizona Sisters' Prayer Line Founder Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. II Peter 1:10
The Fuller Institute on Eternity takes special pleasure and gratitude congratulating Southside church of Christ and William & Altamease Stephens for 38 great and meaningful years of service to our Lord Jesus Christ in the Durham and surrounding area!
F I
FULLER INSTITUTE on ETERNITY, Inc.
F I
Presents
The Annual Praying Women Stay Prayer Retreat meeting virtually January 30; February 6; February 13, 2021
We will focus on seeking GOD’s guidance on living resurrected lives for you. This will be a great time of reflection and renewal! More information is available by contacting Ricki Fuller (919.599.7005 – leave a message) Fuller Institute on Eternity, Inc. – P.O. Box 11673 – Durham, NC 27703 - www.thefullerinstitute.org
Congratulations on your retirement! 905 Lynn Rd. Durham, NC 27703
|
919-514-1355
Congratulations on your retirement!
Southside Ministries
Golden Wisdom of CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT! YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE EMPTIED YOURSELVES INTO THE WORK HERE AT SOUTHSIDE. YOU'VE SHARED HIS WORD, HIS LOVE AND HIS COMPASSION THROUGH YOUR WORDS AND LIFE. WE WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL FOR THE DIFFERENCE YOU'VE MADE IN THE MANY LIVES YOU'VE TOUCHED. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AS YOU FACE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE AND CONTINUOUSLY WATCH OVER YOU AS YOU CONTINUE TO WORK IN HIS KINGDOM.GOLDEN WISDOM MINISTRY
Golden Wisdom Members VELMA BETHEA ALETHEA BELL LINDA CLARK BLONDELL DUBOSE SANDRA DUNMEYER REBE HANSOM CLARA HAWLEY DOROTHY HOLMAN JOYCE JONES LOUVENIA MATHIS SHON MAYFIELD ROBBIN CURRY-MICKELL HARVESTINE MOBLEY EVON PALMER SHEROLYN PATTERSON SENORITA REYNOLDS CHARLESTINE ROYSTER JANINE SHEARIN SYLVIA SHEARIN BETTY SUMMERS BETTIE THOMAS ADRIANNE WASHINGTON ANNETTE WASHINGTON ELENA WATSON JEAN WIGGINS MILDRED WILLIAMS DARLENE WILSON CHERYL XAVIER
SLIM sends our warmest congratulations and appreciation to Bro. and Sis. Stephens and the entire Stephens family for 38 years of love, sacrifice and dedication.
*SLIM-Southside Ladies Involvement Ministry includes all women of Southside under the guidance of an advisory board that serve as liaison to leadership concerning sub-ministries, beginning with adolescents and settling into womanhood.
G.L.O.B.A.L God's
Love
Overcoming
Boarders
Abroad
Leadership
G.L.O.B.A.L. Ministry wants to personally thank Bro. and Sis. Stephens for their support and advocacy for our mission trip efforts. Thank you for your leadership and believing in our purpose and vision, Bro. Stephens!
Single
Mothers
Ministry 38 years ago you and your family committed yourselves to this work here at Southside. Through the years you have served tirelessly with Faithfulness, Great Wisdom and Gladness. May God's Best be yours as you transition to the next phase of life. Your desire to reach every member of the congregation has given birth to many Ministries within the congregation and for that, we are thankful. God grant you and your family peace now and always. Renee Jackson Joanne Harper Robbin Curry-Mickell Vassie White Velma Bethea
Tina Williams Sean Gipson Danita Brooks Ashleigh Bethea Valerie Fogg
Tamette Farrington Antrell Kent Norlina Strand Kimberly Crook Niketa Greene
Elena watson Harriett Ware Donya Jones Cassandra Jones Lisa Jordan
Young Ladies' Ministries Young Girls | S.T.Y.L.E | G.R.A.C.E
COLLECTIVELY, THE YOUNG LADIES MINISTRIES OF SOUTHSIDE CELEBRATES 38 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE STEPHENS FAMILY. WE APPRECIATE YOU.
Young Girls-Ages:4-8
S.T.Y.L.E-Ages:9-12
G.R.A.C.E-Ages:13-18
Congratulations Bro. & Sis. Stephens from Harper's Parlor
Ashley Nail Curator
: @yupp_naildit 919.491.6994
Amber Make-up Artist
: @erbodyluhgrannie
alynnemua@gmail.com
Minister Stephens, Thank you and your family for 38 years of dedicated service to the Southside Church of Christ! You have led us with pride and dignity. We will never forget the way you all embraced us and made us a part of your family! God Bless you all as you move on to another phase of your lives. We love you!
Chester, Shon, Candice, Donovan, Kingston, Princeton
Celebrates the Life & Legacy of Bro. William Stephens. We thank him and his entire family for the amazing impact they have made on the Brotherhood and Christians across the country.
Digital Souvenir Booklet Compliments Of...