Page 2
December 2002
The AC Phoenix
Pastor Robert L. and First Lady Terry
McGowens
IVIechamcs & Farmers Bank
Recognizes
Galilee Baptist Church
By Paula McCoy
Mechanics and Farmers Bank
recognizes Galilee Baptist Church
for its spiritual leadership and
guidance to the Winston-Salem
community for almost 40 years.
From humble beginnings in 1964,
when a group of people who got
together in the home of Cora
Montgomery to organize the
church, Galilee has grown to
become a church that is firmly
rooted in the community with a
deeply spirited, dedicated and
enthusiastic congregation of about
500 members. “Rev. Robert L.
McGowens and the members of Galilee are to be applauded for being
that ‘church on the corner’ that reaches out in the community to meet the
needs of seniors, youth, families and singles to create a whole family
atmosphere”, says Evelyn Acree, city executive at Mechanics and
Farmers Bank. “Though they have done good work over these years, we
believe their best is yet to come”.
Galilee Baptist Church has been like a ‘tree planted by the water’.
There were several events in the church’s history that could have
precipitated a move, but the church remained in its location. The
church, presently located at MLK Boulevard and New Walkertown Road,
once faced Locust Street. When the city decided to close Locust Street,
the church decided not to move. Instead, they changed the front of the
church from Locust Street to MLK Boulevard. There was also a fire at
the church. Again, rather than move, the church met at Clark Brown
Funeral Home while the church was being restored. “The church has
made a conscious decision to remain in this location,” says Carolyn
Gray, special events coordinator for the church-and lifelong member;
“we feel what we want to do as a church we can do where we are”.
Galilee is doing a mighty work! Seeking to serve the ‘total man’,
Galilee ‘opens wide its doors to all who hunger for God and his
righteousness’. Galilee offers two services on Sunday morning, 8:00
a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and a Wednesday evening service at 8:00 p.m. Prior
to the Wednesday evening service, bible study classes are taught and
classes for children ages 5-11, and teens 12 years and older are
offered. Mentoring activities are provided for male teens and a special
group meets for teen girls.
Galilee has a ‘genuine spirit of interest in youth’. “There are a lot of
things going on for young people,” says Gray. In addition to the
Wednesday evening activities for teens, the church supports them in
other activities such as attendance at piays, basketball games, and other
social events of sororities and fraternities. There is a focus on education
and ‘helping youth to get a step above’. The Scholastic Achievement
Test (SAT) was given on site with teens from thirteen churches in
attendance and a total of 70 teens tested. While the teens were in the
education building, the parents attended a workshop on “the parents’
role in arming their kids for success”. The church’s Scholarship Day.
presents graduating seniors with the W. C. Hay Scholarship that is
available to Galilee students as well as other community students. “Our
Pastor really believes in our youth,” says Gray; “he meets with the church
scholarship students when they come home for holidays and attend
most of the events of which they are a part.” This year, a youth revival
brought over 300 youth and parents together and featured youth pastors
Waymon Monroe (Mt Olive Baptist), Keith McDaniels (Union Baptist) and
Kedrick Lowery (Greater Cleveland Baptist). Training for junior deacons
and deaconess helps interested teens to become servant leaders.
Galilee has something for everyone. The seniors get together monthly
and eri]oy activities that might involve trips on the train, trips to the
mountains, plays or speaking events on issues of concern or topics that
help them adapt to their environment as they age. A Family Ministry
offers classes in understanding the bible and classes for married couples
as well as regular Sunday school classes. A Prison Ministry sponsors
prisoners and invite them to regular worship. Worship services and bible
study are also done at the prisons. A Bereavement Ministry provides
service that starts when people are ill and last for up to one year after
they die. Training is provided through hospice and some individuals are
trained and certified as grief and trauma counselors. A support group is
also available for those who have loved ones who have died or who have
been incarcerated. A Media Ministry offers tapes and video to the sick
and shut-in and anyone who wants to purchase them. The Evangelism
Ministry goes into the community to spread the good news of the gospel
to those who aren’t saved.
Galilee strives to do more. The church is planning for a major
renovation project that will signify its intent to remain the ‘church on the
corner’. In the summer of 2003, Galilee will seek to serve children whose
parents have difficulty finding a place for their children in the summer. A
summer enrichment program will be offered for kindergarten through age
thirteen that will help children with reading, math and test taking skills
that will help them improve in school. The program will offer a nurturing
as well as culturally enriching environment. For more information, call
the Galilee Baptist Church office.
TME
An Associate Consultant’s Newspaper
Established 1982
Rodney J. Sumler, Publisher
Sartia Stover, Managing Editor
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Dr. Linda Bowman-Hopson
Education Editor
Ideas expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the
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