Reverend Rufus Vincent Strother, a son of the National Association of the Church of God, is a native and lifelong resident of Jersey City, New Jersey, the city that he loves. Graduate of Sacred Heart School and Saint Peter’s Prep School, in Jersey City, Rufus received his Bachelor of Sciences degree in Marketing and Management from Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia. He furthered his Biblical training by completing his course work at the Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute (ECBI) in Paterson, New Jersey. Rufus answered God’s call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at Orient Church of God in Jersey City, New Jersey, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Dr. James H. Barnes. Rufus received his license to preach the Gospel in 2008 through the New Jersey State Ministerial Alliance of the Church of God. In 2012, Reverend Strother received full ordination as minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Church of God Ministries, Anderson, Indiana. As a lifetime member, he has served Orient Church of God in Jersey City in the ministries of usher, deacon, choir member, Trustee Chair, Associate Minister, Sunday School teacher, young adult leader and all other duties as assigned. Today, Reverend Strother has been prepared by the LORD to serve his church family and the Jersey City community as Senior Pastor, at Orient Church of God at 18-20 Ivy Place. Combining experience in corporate, inner city and teaching environments with the Word of God, Reverend Strother counsels and mentors youth and young adults through the church. Reverend Strother currently serves as President of the New Jersey State Church of God Youth Council and the Vice-President of the New Jersey State Men’s Ministry. Rufus is blessed to be married 23 years to the love of his life, Brenda Alesia Strother, M.Ed. of Petersburg, Virginia. They have both been blessed with two wonderful children, Joy and Christopher.
The Pastoral Installation Service for Reverend Rufus Vincent Strother Moderator Reverend Dr. James H. Barnes Pastor Emeritus, Orient Church of God
Chief Consecrator & Presider Reverend Dr. James Dargan Credential Chairman, New Jersey State Ministerial Conference of the Church of God, Inc.
Reverend Warren F. McDowell New Jersey State Chairman, New Jersey State Ministerial Conference of the Church of God, Inc. Pastor, Prophetic Church of God, Paterson, New Jersey Officiants
Reverend Joseph Corbitt Credential Chairman Emertus, New Jersey State Ministerial Conference of the Church of God, Inc. Pastor Emeritus, New York Avenue Church of God, Atlantic City, New Jersey Reverend Melvin D. Farmer Vice Chairman, New Jersey State Ministerial Conference of the Church of God, Inc. Pastor, New York Avenue Church of God, Atlantic City, New Jersey Reverend Dr. John H. Hall Pastor, Elizabeth Church of God, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Reverend Ezekiel Hull Associate Minister, Community Church of God, Newark, New Jersey
Bishop Timothy J. Clarke, Senior Pastor of First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, was called to the ministry in 1974 and first served in his hometown as Associate Minister at First Church of God, Far Rockaway, and New York. He began his first pastorate in November of 1977, at the York Avenue Church of God, Warren, Ohio, where he served the congregation for four years. In February of 1982, he was called to be Senior Pastor of First Church of God, Columbus, Ohio. In 2001, the Lord led him to create the Berean Fellowship of Churches, which at the present time includes 50 + churches of various denominations. He also serves the church-at-large as an Evangelist and Teacher. Bishop Clarke received a Master in Ministry from the Southern California School of Ministry, Los Angeles, CA and was consecrated to the office of Bishop in 2001. His honors include: Doctor of Divinity from Mid-America Bible College, Oklahoma City, OK; Doctor of Law, Southern California School of Ministry, Los Angeles, CA; Doctor of Humanities, Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio and was inducted to the Morehouse College Board of Preachers. In the years after being ordained by the Church of God, Anderson, IN, in 1977, Bishop Clarke began a long career of association with the National Association of the Church of God, West Middlesex, PA. His service includes: President of the National Inspirational Youth Convention; Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the General Assembly; President, Vice-President, and Presiding Elder of the National Association of the Church of God. Bishop Clarke is the author of nine books, “Signs of His Coming” (1998), “Help for Those Who Hurt” (2001), “Bring Back the Glory” (2001), “Daughter Don’t Miss Your Season” (2002), “Living in the Blessed Place” (2003), “Making the Most of Your Time” (2004), “Celebrating the Family”(2005), Reclaiming your Spiritual Health (2006), Paying the Price to Win: Putting your faith into action (2008). Bishop Clarke and his wife the former Clytemnestra Lawson of Teaneck, NJ, are the parents of adult children Dionesha (Ocie) Clarke - Logan and Joscelyn Renee Clarke. They are the proud grandparents of Ryan Joseph Clarke and London Yvonne Logan.
Order of Divine Worship
Reverend Dr. James Barnes, Moderator Pastor Emeritus, Orient Church of God Musical Prelude..........................................................................................................Dr. Scott O. Cumberbatch Pre-Worship.............................................................................................. Orient Church of God Praise Team Bridgett Lacroix (Praise Dance) Processional...........................................................................................The Strother Family, Visiting Clergy & The New Jersey State Credential Committee Call to Worship & Prayer of Invocation.................................................Reverend Warren F. McDowell Opening Selection....................... “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” - New Jersey State Fellowship Choir Scripture Readings....................................................................................................................................................... Romans 10:14-15 - Reverend Anthony Holliman, First Church of God, Camden, NJ 1st Timothy 4:11-16 - Pastor Niki Hampton, Greater Works Church of God, Columbus, OH Praise Dance................................................................................................................................. Diamond Gittens Musical Selection.................................................................................... New Jersey State Fellowship Choir Special Offering............................................................................................................... The Trustees & Ushers Introduction of the Installation Preacher................................................ Reverend J-Anthony Dargan, Pastor Congregational Church of God, New York, NY Sermonic Selection................................................................................ New Jersey State Fellowship Choir Installation Message............................................................................... Bishop Timothy J. Clarke Call to Discipleship.......................................................................................................................................................
The Installation Ceremony
Officiated by Reverend Dr. James Dargan, Credential Chair The New Jersey State Ministerial Conference of the Church of God, Inc.
Testimony of Calling Reverend Dr. James Dargan (to the Church): Orient Church of God, do you testify to this man’s divine calling to your congregation, to his spiritual anointing, gifts of wisdom, teaching, faith, love and administration?
Congregation: We have seen his ministry in the Church of God and we testify to these gifts of God’s grace. Reverend Dr. James Dargan (to Reverend Strother): Are you truly called to this ministry according to the will of God; called to feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lord over God’s heritage, but as an example to the flock?
Reverend Rufus V. Strother: I am called of God and will be a good steward of the manifold grace of God.
Reverend Warren F. McDowell (to Reverend Strother): Are you determined to preach the gospel, to be instant in season and out of season, to teach the apostles’ doctrine, to be committed to study the word and to engage in prayer and fasting? Reverend Rufus V. Strother: By the grace of God, I am determined
Scriptural Charge from Credential Ministers Reverend Dr. James Barnes - I Timothy 6:12-16 Reverend Melvin D. Farmer - Ezekiel 3:4-11 Reverend Ezekiel Hull - Ezekiel 3:16-21 Reverend Joseph Corbitt - Titus 1:5-9
Pastoral Charge Reverend Dr. James Dargan: I charge you, my beloved brother, to obey the injunction of the Apostle Paul when he challenged young Timothy with the following words in II Timothy 4:1-5
Reverend Rufus V. Strother: I regard this as a great honor and privilege to enter into this covenant in the sight of God and before this congregation, to obey these scriptural injunctions, to fight the good fight of faith, to lay hold of abundant and eternal life in Christ. Congregational Charge Reverend Warren F. McDowell: Orient Church of God, my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, you have heard the solemn pledge taken by Reverend Rufus Vincent Strother. Will you accept him as your Pastor, the under-shepherd of Jesus Christ, the one to cast and teach God’s vision for the church, to guard your faith, to disciple you as followers of Jesus Christ and equip you for the work of ministry? Will you love him, render unto him honor and obedience in the Lord?
Congregation: With singleness of mind and spirit, and with a hearty Amen, we will follow him as he follows Jesus Christ, who is the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.
Reverend Dr. James Dargan (to Sister Brenda Strother): Having heard the charge placed upon your husband, his pledge of devotion to this calling, and the promise of cooperation from the congregation, will
you Sister Brenda Strother, as his wife, vow to be supportive and understanding of your husband during those difficult times in which he may seem to be growing weary with the great task that lies before him? First Lady Brenda Strother: I will be supportive of him as my husband and gladly partner with him in ministry. The Prayer of Consecration & Installation by the Laying of Hands The Official Pronouncement of the Pastoralship of Reverend Rufus Vincent Strother As Chairman of the Credential Committee of the New Jersey State Ministerial Conference of the Church of God, Inc., I now declare Reverend Rufus V. Strother installed as the Senior Pastor of Orient Church of God. Celebratory Selection....................................................................................New Jersey State Fellowship Choir Presentations.......................................................................................................................................................................... Words of Encouragements...........................................................................................Two minutes limit, please Remarks....................................................................................................................... Pastor Rufus Vincent Strother Prayer of Benediction.......................................................................................................Bishop Timothy J. Clarke Recessional......................................................................................................The Strother Family, Visiting Clergy & The New Jersey State Credential Committee
The Orient Church of God Reverend Rufus V. Strother, Senior Pastor Reverend Dr. James H. Barnes, Pastor Emeritus Diaconate Sister Sadie Pearson Sister Florence Atkins
Officers/Ministry Leaders Brother John Brown, Trustee/Treasurer Brother Tyrone Barnes, Trustee Sister Sadie Pearson, Trustee Sister Florence Atkins, Trustee Sister Brenda Strother, Administrative Assistant Sister Charlene Barnes, Sunday School Superintendent Sister Maxine Walker, Ushers President Brother Wilbert Jackson, Church Sexton
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