Building Kingdom Builders
BY KAYLYN KENDAL DYNES
North Jersey District Missionary Baptist Association Session
“B
uilding Kingdom Builders” was the theme for the 102nd Annual Session of the North Jersey District Missionary Baptist Association hosted by Union Baptist Church in Passaic. The week-long session, from July 19 to 26, brought together 45 churches within the association. Rev. Ralph Branch, pastor of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, is now in his second year of a four-year term as moderator of the association. Each night throughout the week, a different auxiliary attended a session followed by a worship service. This was a time of renewal for the Congress of Christian Education, Women’s Auxiliary, Music, Liturgical Dance, Ushers, and other ministries. Children and youth came together on the weekend for a Youth Explosion and barbeque. Step and praise dance performances gave young people a chance to express themselves. Eight-year-old Chelsea Branch received rousing applause when she introduced her father, Moderator Branch. “The annual session gave me the opportunity to challenge our churches, pastors, and members to equip ourselves to bring the Kingdom of God to this present age,” said Branch in his remarks. “We do that through ministry and service to the community. I pray that everyone who was present returns home committed to doing the work of the Lord.”
Chelsea Branch introduces her father
The procession
Photos: Karen Waters
L–R: Lady Tammi Branch, Chelsea Branch, and Moderator Rev. Ralph M. Branch Jr. thepositivecommunity.com
L–R: Rev Vincent Rouse, Rev. Roger Harris, Rev. Andre Coffee, Dr. Marilyn Harris, Dr. Bernadette Glover, Rev. Brian Evans, Rev. Ray Frazier, Rev. Antonio Porter, Moderator Rev. Ralph M. Branch Jr., Rev. John Gamble Jr., Rev. Wayne Stackhouse September 2015 The Positive Community
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