“God has been good.” Mount Pisgah has evolved a strong leadership ministry building staff and nourishing spiritual leaders.
These Days At Mount Pisgah Rev. Youngblood Says “Namaste”
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uring his 35 years at St. Paul Community Baptist Church in the East New York section of Brooklyn, Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood built a magnificent multi-dimensional ministry. These days, the 88-year-old congregation called Mount Pisgah Baptist Church is reaping the benefits of his ministry. Mount Pisgah was founded as they say “back in the day” by a sister. The Rev. Salina Asa Perry of Abbeville, South Carolina founded this now most pregnant congregation. Discouraged by sexist views held by many in the ministry at that time, she would not be stopped. One man, however, the late Dr. James B. Adams of the Concord Church of Christ, looked beyond her gender and honored her claim to a gospel call. The church was launched with children in the living room of open-hearted people, and a recorded offering of 13 cents. Acquiring an existing church facility, Perry sustained Mount Pisgah for 37 years, and grew the congregation to tens of families and friends. Vilified not only because of her gender, but for her lack of academic attainment, Rev. Salina Asa Perry is now the mother beloved to Mt. Pisgah’s exciting, 21st century ministry led by Rev. Youngblood. Rev. Perry was succeeded by the Rev. George H. Murray, a native Brooklynite who remained for 33 years, moving the congregation to an even larger site. www.thepositivecommunity.com
He initiated a grade school ministry that remained for over 20 years and supported civil rights causes with other clergy of Brooklyn. At the age of 50 plus years, Youngblood received orders of a lateral promotion and in the words of The Black Church, “God has been good.” Mount Pisgah has evolved a strong leadership ministry building staff and nourishing spiritual leaders. A strong teaching ministry known as SonRise Academy is forming and promising. The contention is that the historic Sunday School is the weakest organ in the body of the average local church. Mount Pisgah, as a single congregation, provides a lifesaving church donation to The Progressive National Baptist Convention during the presidency of Dr. James C. Perkins. Mount Pisgah is the lead church with a most relevant social justice ministry, initially called Safe Surrender, now known as Begin Again. Through this effort, burdens of misdemeanors and law infractions are removed from the heads of those victimized by revenue driven legislation. Recently four District Attorneys of four of the five boroughs of New York City granted exoneration to over 700,000 people with outstanding warrants in the greater metropolitan area. Mount Pisgah is expanding exponentially and to the benefit of all. Visit us, there’s more… “Welcome to Mount Pisgah, where we say Namaste!” —TPC Staff June/July 2018 The Positive Community
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