Page 8
March 2003
The AC Phoenix
Pastor Philemon A. Samuels and
Prophetess Gloria M. Samuels
Mechanics & Farmers Bank Saintes
Goedwill Baptist Ghnrch inc.
“The 21st Century Church”
By Paula McCoy
Mechanics and Farmers Bank salutes
Goodwill Baptist Church as their church of
the month. “We congratuiate Goodwill
Baptist Church on their good works. Their
ministries are in touch with the needs of the
community and help individuals live suc
cessful and productive lives,” says Evelyn
Acree, city executive of Mechanics and
Farmers Bank. “We look forward to estab
lishing a long term relationship with Goodwiil
as they realize their vision. They are indeed
a church of the 21st century”, says Acree.
Goodwill Baptist Church Incorporated, a
121 year old church located in Arcadia, NC
(Hwy 150 West), right outside of Forsyth
County is a 21st Century Church. Pastor Philemon A. Samuels and his wife.
Reverend Gloria Samuels, envisioned a different kind of churcha Christ-cen
tered church for the people. The 21 st Century Church is a movement that is
being promoted by many seminaries. It is a church that helps individuals
“better serve God”. It changes as the world changes - from a church building
programs to a people building process. A 21st Century Church is characterized by
its focus on its congregation to help them flourish and grow; that is decentralized
and responsive to the grass roots; that establishes ordination and training
standards to create strong, biblical leaders; that is based not on coercive
connectionalism, but on relational and spiritual connections; that honors the
Scriptures and embraces the Confessions; that engages in creative and articu
late mission partnerships. The pastors of 21st Century Churches are “agents of
change”. They are moving away from the traditional way of “doing” church; they
are “being” churches without walls. Churches that are not moving in this direc
tion are slowly dying.
Goodwill Baptist Church is alive and well. The church’s motto, “running with
vision and ministering with excellence” is evidenced in how the church is
growing and meeting community needs. The church currently have 500
members and are in the final planning stage of a 1,500-seat sanctuary and
Family Life Center. “We no longer have enough room to do the kinds of
ministries that we are doing or to add the kinds of ministries that are needed by
our community”, says Pastor Samuels. The church has purchased 25 acres of
land; the new facility will be constructed on six of those acres.
The facility will feature a stage type pulpit that will accommodate live TV
recordings with a sound studio. The family life center will house a full gym with
a weight room, a day care, accommodations for hosting health fairs, business
expos, and other community related services. The family life center will have
classroom space for educational purposes, workshops, and training and will
include a fully equipped commercial kitchen that will provide for banquets and
other activities.
The community in which Goodwill Baptist is located is a mixed community.
The church’s ministries is geared toward a multicultural approach. “Regardless
of ethnic backgrounds,” says Pastor Samuels, “everyone is welcome. Jesus
died for all of us”. Goodwill will begin two Sunday services beginning April 1st
at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Samuels has been the pastor of Goodwill for 13 years but has been in
ministry for 31 years. Coming from a lineage of ministers, Samuel’s father, the
late Rev. W. Samuels was a pastor at-Mars Hill Baptist Church. His brother. Rev.
J.R. Samuels, pastors at St. Stephens Baptist Church. The Samuels have two
daughters, Bril, age 24 and Joi, age 23.
March 13th
D’Tonya Dean
We Love You!
From Your
Family & Friends
Danielle, R.J.,
Areatha, Anita, &
Darnell
Tanya R. Wiley
Have a
Blessed Day
March 14th
We Love You!
^ Mom, Dad
jand Sjstgia
John Raye
John Raye Invites You to Join
THE MATAH BUSiNESS
NETWORK!
• start Your Business
• Build or Exand Your Business
• Earn More Money
• Work from Home
• Promote Black Business Development
• Keep More Dollars in Black Communities
CALL 336-996-4704 DR 336-782-8383
JDIN THE MATAH NETWORK TDDAY!
ANDRE M. WALKER
• Bring This Ad
• Purchase Vehicle
• $50.00 Donation to Your
Local Church or Charity
Thanks for allowing me to take care of your
automobile needs for the last 8 years. Visit us on
line at www.bobkingautogroup.com
1601 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27127
(336) 724-2861