LBJII Retirement Gala - Program

3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

FROM THE DESK OF REVEREND LOUIS B. JONES, II

Grace, love, and peace to each of you who have come out to celebrate with me as I cross a new river. As I look back at some of my own history, I am reminded of how I have crossed a whole lot of new rivers up to this point in my life, with God at the helm, navigating all the way.

What a ride! Even through the storms that brought growth, the choppy water that kept me woke, the high tides that brought some excitement, and the low tides that provided a time of rest and contemplation, not one day do I regret answering God’s call to shepherd His people. He knew the best place and plan for my life.

How rewarding it is to see some of the fruits of our labor –God’s, mine and the promising people of the Pilgrim Baptist Church that I have been blessed to pastor for thirty three years! I have dedicated babies who are now attending college, married couples who gave birth to some of the babies that I dedicated, counseled some who still remain married, attended high school, college and graduate ceremonies. To see our community now - cleaned up and a safer place to worship! The first two years of my pastorate, we watched people die on our steps from drug overdose. Wow! What a transformation! To know that as I leave, the work we’ve done has created the resources to keep our doors open, our work continuing and our place in the Nation’s Capital secure as long as we choose to stay.

The way church is being done these days is changing. I am glad to have had the opportunity to witness “old church”. And I am glad to be around to witness “new church”. Will things ever go back to our pre-Covid era?

Maybe not, but our praise and prayers should not be any less –perhaps more! Let’s embrace the changes that will bring more people to Christ!

I am so grateful to have a night to catch up and fellowship with so many friends, family and clergy – some who I started out with in Los Angeles and the District of Columbia, thirty three years ago!

To my family whom I love and to whom I’m grateful for allowing me to Pastor, even though it took me away from you on many occasions. To the First Lady of the Louis B. Jones, II’s camp…I could not have done this journey without you Michelle! Thank you for being authentic, for serving, and for loving me and the people of Pilgrim! Now, let’s go cross some new rivers and make some new memories!

For Christ, Reverend Louis B. Jones, II

Louis B. Jones, II

**For 30 years, Pastor Jones wrote a new message every week for the Sunday Bulletin. It ended in April 2021, the return to church following the Covid pandemic, and paper bulletins were no longer distributed!

RECOGNITION FROM DC MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER

RECOGNITION FROM DC COUNCIL MEMBER CHARLES ALLEN

September 15, 2023

Reverend Louis B. Jones II Pilgrim Baptist Church

700 I Street NE Washington, DC 20002

Dear Reverend Jones,

I am writing today to offer my congratulations on your retirement and express my gratitude for the leadership you have provided to our community for so many years. It is people like yourself that enrich our neighborhood and our city. The effects of your work will be felt for years to come.

As a second-generation Pastor you were born into a calling, but you did not coast on that in any way. Your work with the Lott Carey Pastoral Excellence Team has taken you around the world to share with communi Jamaica, Guyana and South Africa but you always returned home to Pilgrim Baptist. While your congregants were your foremost priority you also expanded your sphere of influence by serving many institutions in leadership roles including serving as president of the Ministerial Alliance, Chairman of Foreign Missions for the Baptist Convention of D.C. and Vicinity; and Eastern Theological Seminary.

While your focus was on the hearts and spirits of your congregation you also were savvy about the church’s purse leading the congregation to purchase and sell real estate to ensure your community stays debt leadership will continue to echo well beyond your tenure as pastor.

As you prepare for the next phase of life it is my wish that you get to spend more time with your a few golf courses too. Congratulations and enjoy some well-deserved rest!

Sincerely,

Charles Allen, Ward 6 Councilmember Chair, Committee on Transportation and the Environment

THIS EVENING’S PROGRAM

CELEBRATING THE MAN, THE MISSION AND THE MINISTRY of REVEREND DR. LOUIS B. JONES, II

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Hilton Mark Center | 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia | 7:00 P.M.

SEATING OF GUESTS AND HONOREE

The Call to Celebration

Patrick J. Walker, Pastor

The New Macedonia Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

SCRIPTURE, PRAYER AND BLESSING OF FOOD

INTRODUCTION OF THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES

GREETINGS

Reverend David Peoples, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., Pastor, Jabez Missionary Baptist Church Lexington, Kentucky

Reverend Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, Executive Director, DC Baptist Convention

Reverend H. Lionel Edmonds, President, Missionary Baptist Ministers Conference of DC and Vicinity, Pastor, Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. and Vicinity

Reverend Dr. Keith W. Byrd, Sr., President, Baptist Convention of DC and Vicinity, Pastor Zion Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

WHO IS THIS MAN?

Special Guest Artist..................................................................................................................................................Jeff Majors

THIS EVENING’S PROGRAM

(DINNER SERVED)

SALAD

Mark Center Organic Greens

Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Shaved Carrots

Croutons, Balsamic or Ranch Dressing

ENTRÉE

Duo of pan roasted chicken & grilled salmon & Vin Blanc Sauce

Golden Mashed Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables

Vegetarian Option

Turmeric & cilantro seared tofu, served with grilled asparagus & steamed rice

Children’s Option

Chicken Tenders with French fries, sliced fruit and milk or juice

DESSERT

New York Style Cheesecake

Special Guest Artist.........................................................................................................................................Lena Byrd Miles

INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER

Special Guest Artist........................................................................................................................................Lena Byrd-Miles

Keynote Speaker.............................................................................................................................Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr.

First Baptist Church of Glenarden

PRESENTATIONS

California Sons in the Ministry

Pilgrim Baptist Church Sons and Daughters in Ministry

The Good Old Boyz

Pilgrim Baptist Church

REMARKS FROM THE HONOREE

BENEDICTION

THE MAN, THE MISSION

Pastoring With a Spirit of Excellence, Our Pastor Reverend Louis B. Jones, II

Our April 2023 Anniversary Celebration, the 112 Church and the 33rd of our Pastor, Reverend Louis B. Jones, II was bittersweet as we also were preparing for this occasion, the official retirement announcement of our Pastor in July of this year.

Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and look back at the work of our Pastor over the years. Space won’t allow us to tell it all, for the work that he has done in his thirty three years as our under shepherd could no doubt fill several volumes. Through the years, Pastor Jones has led us through many challenges, and taught us that without prayer, we can do nothing. God has favored us through so many situations that seemed impossible, that we earned

A second generation Pastor, son of Sister Dolleen Jones and the late Reverend Dr. L.B. Jones, Sr., he embarked on what has become a strong marriage of Pastor and People at the Pilgrim Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. thirty three years ago. Pastor Jones is the husband of Michelle Frances and together they parent five children, De ’Etta, Lynnette, Michelle, Colleen and Louis III, 14 grandchildren and 13 great

Having come from the Pastorate of the Bethany Baptist Church, his first church in Los Angeles, California, and having been licensed and ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry by his father in Ministry, the legendary late Dr. E.V. Hill of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California, he arrived and preached a

THE MAN, THE MISSION AND THE MINISTRY

and ever since that time, he has a made a habit of continually “Crossing New Rivers”. A firm believer of acquiring “learning with your burning” (to preach or Pastor), Pastor Jones received his undergraduate degree from Antioch College in Venice, California, and began graduate studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and continued to earn a Masters of Theology Degree from Eastern (Palmer) Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Northern Virginia University. Higher education has been a priority that Pastor Jones has mandated for members of the Ministerial Staff of the Pilgrim Baptist Church, and supported in part, for our youth, young adults and college students through a Scholarship Fund that he began shortly after his arrival.

He Crossed New Rivers as he fulfilled his passion for Missions as a member of the Lott Carey Pastoral Excellence Team traveling to mission fields in Jamaica, Guyana and South Africa. He has served as Chairman of Missions for the Baptist Ministers Conference as well as the Baptist Convention of D.C. and Vicinity. He played a major role in assisting the Lott Carey

Foreign Mission with building and equipping a Skills Training Center in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Just this year, he traveled to El Salvador in Latin America with the highest levels of inequality to explore another possible Mission opportunity for the church.

He Crossed New Rivers when he led his congregation to purchase commercial and residential property in what was then an area still ravaged by the riots of 1968, where their church is located, where the city was slow to redevelop, convincing the membership that the only way to clean up the neighborhood was to own the neighborhood. Today this area, Capitol Hill, is one of the wealthiest in the country. In October 2014, Rev. Jones was able to pay off over one million dollars in mortgages, allowing the church to be debt free and still retain ownership of nine properties. That’s generational wealth for our children!

He has worked diligently to grow the church membership spiritually and numerically. During his time as Pastor, Reverend Jones has licensed 9 ministers and ordained four of those.

THE MAN, THE MISSION AND THE MINISTRY

Pastor Jones started two services when the membership increased and the need for parking was greater than we could handle all at once. Years later he brokered a partnership with J.O. Wilson Elementary School which provided additional parking. He initiated the start of many new ministries when he arrived. He has facilitated the church’s Bible Study and Weekly Prayer Meeting since he arrived. Our church building has not been slighted as he has been a good steward of the church’s tithes and offering and overseen the addition of a senior rest room, remodeling of the ladies’ restroom on the second floor, installed a new HVAC system, remodeled the balcony, installation of and constant upgrades to the sound system and computer systems, remodeled the chapel, purchased numerous new vehicles to include a 27 passenger bus, established a food pantry, and installed an elevator.

Through one of the most challenging times in our history, Pastor Jones led us through the closure of our church building for 12 months due to the Covid pandemic. We had weekly worship service, Bible Study, Bible Enrichment and necessary ministry meetings via technology. Toward the end, we historically held a drive up service on Easter Sunday at a local parking lot.

Serving outside of the Church in different Leadership capacities, Pastor Jones has established a stellar reputation for a solid, and creative style netting good results in every area. Some of the positions in which he has served:

• President, Ministerial Alliance and Community Development of D.C.

• First Vice-President Eastern Region of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.

• Board Member, Alliance for Retired Americans

• President, Nannie Helen Burroughs Scholarship Board

• Chairman, Home Missions, Baptist Convention of D.C. & Vicinity

• Member, National Baptist Convention

• Vice President and Director of Eastern Regional Congress, Progressive National Baptist Convention

• Member American Baptist Churches of the South

• Member Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.

• Board Member Project Bridges, Inc.

• Member, Pastoral Excellence Team, Lott Carey Foreign Mission

• President Missionary Baptist Minister’s Conference of

THE MAN, THE MISSION AND THE MINISTRY

• Field Representative, Promise Keepers

• Board Member The Fishing School

• Board Member Capitol Hill Group Ministry

• Board Member Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center

• Board Member International Christian Host Coalition

• Member H Street Task Force

• Member Near Northeast Community Development

• Member H. Street Merchants Association

• Outstanding Young Men of America

In 2016, Pastor began a partnership with Reverend Anthony Moore of the Carolina Missionary Baptist Church to facilitate the catechism and ordination for ministers from local churches in the area. To date, they have successfully brought more than one hundred men and women through the process.

We acknowledge and celebrate all that he has done for the Pilgrim Baptist Church and as he crosses this new river to Retirement, He is leaving the Pilgrim Baptist Church financially strong, well taught in the Word of God, and strong in prayer. His leadership has given us some good times, some great celebrations, some shouting Sundays and not a single church fight! We wish him the best blessings that our God can bestow upon him!

TIMELINE IN THE PASTORATE OF REVEREND LOUIS B. JONES, II

June 24, 1990 – Pastor Jones Installed

• Membership grew by better than 200 members

• Senior Citizens and Handicapped Rest Room was constructed

• Ladies Restroom was remodeled, Computer System Installed

• Substance Abuse/Outreach, Mother’s, and Drama Ministry and Literacy program birthed

• New Members Orientation and Annual New Members Day instituted

• Purchase of an additional Church Van

1992-1993

• August 1992 Purchase of lots at 817 and 819 7th Street, N.E.

• Purchase of Choir Robes, a Hammond Organ, Installation of Chimes

• Acquisition of property @ 817-819 7th Street N.E.

• Voices of Pilgrim Choir, Prayer Partners, Transportation, Pastor Pastors, and

• AMA (Administration Ministries and Auxiliary Guideline Ministry) were birthed

• 650 I Street Property was purchased

• Pastor Jones received his Masters’ Degree in Theological Studies from the Eastern Theological Seminary

• May 1993 Purchase of property at 650 I Street, N.E.

1994-1997

• Audio Visual Ministry

• Relief for the Poor Fund

• The addition of a 7:45 A.M. Service

• December 1995 Purchase of 701 I Street and 823 7th Street, N.E.

1998-2004

• Five H Street Commercial Properties: 646, 648, 650, 652, 654 were purchased

• Purchase of a 24 Passenger Bus

• Licensing of 3 Ministers

• Startup of the Pilgrim Child Development Center

• Remodeling of the Chapel

• Upgrade Sound System and Drums

• Secured $250,000 Grant for H Street Property Renovations

• Ordination of Reverend Herbert C. Bruce, Jr., first Son

• Purchase of a new piano

• Remodeling of the Narthex

• Audio Visual, Sign Language, Wedding, Women For Christ Ministries birthed

• Opening of ASPIRE Training Center

• Renovation of purchased properties

• Established the Scout House

• Installation of new central air conditioning unit

IN THE PASTORATE OF REVEREND LOUIS B. JONES, II

2005-2009

• Praise Team added new spiritual dimension to worship

• 2 Evangelists licensed

• 4 Trustees entrusted

• 4 Properties acquired (in total 14 properties purchased)

• Instituted Consecration

• Construction of parking lot

• Collaboration with CSOSA to mentor/ counsel exoffenders as they prepare for re-entry into society

• Elimination of Ministry Days and started one All Ministry Day

2010-Present

• Installation of television monitors throughout the sanctuary, chapel

• Opened Bed and Breakfast @ 701 I Street, N.E. property

• Instituted Discipleship Ministry through Bible Tribes and Families

• Added a Robo Call System

• Expanded Staff to include an Executive Pastor and a CoPastor

• A continued partnership (25 years) with J.O. Wilson Elementary School providing yearly school supplies and uniforms

• Maintained a Scholarship Fund that enables students to receive assistance after their first successful semester in college

• Along with several members and Dr. David Goatley, traveled to Jamaica for a site visit and work project for a school that our Mission work helped to fund.

• Provided support to the Bartica Baptist Church in Guyana

• Started a Food Bank

• Traveled to San Salvador, El Salvador and to Ecuador to explore Mission Opportunities

• January 2011 purchased the property at 712 I Street, N.E.

Covid closed the physical doors of the Church for Corporate Worship, the 3rd Sunday of March 2020, one month before the 30th Anniversary Black Tie Gala for Pastor Jones. Online services began immediately @ 9:30 A.M. each Sunday. Since 2021, Pastor Jones has continued to strengthen the Ministry of the Pilgrim Baptist Church. Services are held every Sunday at 9:30 A.M. and are streamed through the website, Facebook and YouTube, and Bible Study is held weekly via Zoom as well as a weekly Wednesday Noon Day Prayer and Study.

BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN IS A GREAT WOMAN!

First Lady Michelle Jones

Sis. Michelle Jones, a native of Mississippi that grew up in Los Angeles, California is a committed Christian woman who has used her gifts to glorify God, and in doing so has strengthened her church, family and community. She worked in the field of banking before moving into the District of Columbia Office of Finance and eventually opened her own Health Food Store, before she left the work force to be able to give support to our Pastor and her family.

If you want to catch a glimpse of the First Lady of Pilgrim, don’t look for her in the pews. Sis. Jones is more likely to be found in the aisle or on the door, serving as an Usher, as she has done since coming from Los Angeles with her husband in 1990. Missed her there? Oh, check her Bible Enrichment Class of Young Adults where she has been teaching for almost as long as she has served as an Usher. Her classroom motto has been “What Happens in the Classroom, Stays in the Classroom!” Not there? She definitely must be taking a moment to communicate and pray for her Rachel Women Family of the Bible that she gives leadership to.

Over the 33 years that Sis. Jones has been at Pilgrim, she has done so much for her church family that doesn’t make the front page and she likes it that way.

Her style is unmatched, you can’t beat her wearing a hat! And she brings that same energy when it’s time to pray. We have been celebrating her with a hat and glove salute for the last 29 years. Her mother, the late Sis. Clareatha Holloway would come from California every year for Anniversary. She was known for her hat style and sometimes bringing one for her daughter. In memory of her and in tribute to our First Lady, we honor the tradition of our mothers and grandmothers with

, we honored her with a Sereni-Tea at the Hillwood Museum in Georgetown. Sis. Jones served the Pilgrim Baptist Church for 33 years. She is “Lovely” to her husband, and “Ma-Ma” to her grands. In the midst of serving as the First Lady at Pilgrim, wife to the Pastor, mother, grandmother, sister and friend for many - the joy, faithfulness and dedication she has brought to all of these areas is a joy to behold!

OUR GUESTS

PASTOR JOHN K. JENKINS

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. has been preaching the Good News since becoming licensed as a minister in 1973 at 15 years old. From an early age, he developed a love for the Lord and felt called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Jenkins has traveled across the world preaching and teaching the masses about the love of Jesus Christ. Leading First Baptist Church Glenarden since 1989. Pastor Jenkins remains steadfast in his quest to “develop dynamic disciples.” He is recognized as a catalyst to help individuals grow into lifelong Christian disciples who follow Jesus Christ. Pastor Jenkins believes that these individuals will impact the world on behalf of the Lord, thereby strengthening families and healing broken hearts along the way.

LENA BYRD MILES

Lena Byrd-Miles, Stellar Award winner, Billboard #1 My Block Inc. artist, the darling of the Oakland Bay Area has been singing since the ripe ole age of 4. Coming from a musical family, she launched her singing career at her Grandfather’s Church where she faithfully lent her gift. More than an artist, Lena is a wife, daughter, sister, and friend with a unique ability to connect with people. Her innate comedic prowess and infectious laugh draws you in, but her compassion for mankind will cause you to appreciate her heart.

OUR GUESTS

JEFF MAJORS

As a native of Washington, D.C., music flowed throughout the household of Jeff Majors courtesy of his mother Annie P. Fitzgerald — a talented jazz trumpeter in her own right. Hailed as an inspirational jazz / gospel producer and renowned harp master Jeff Majors has touched the hearts of millions.

TANGENT BAND

TANGENT-LDQ is a jazz, R&B cover band that has been performing throughout the DC vicinity since 1999. TANGENT has performed at such local venues as The Kennedy Center, The Martin Luther King Library-DC, DC Arts Night and plays at private and corporate venues. TANGENT is comprised entirely of musicians who met while playing praise and worship music at the Pilgrim Baptist Church! Band Members Are: Lonnie Dance - Bass Guitar, Melvin” Tony” Harrod - Lead Guitar, James “Jim” Burell - Drums, Christopher “CJ” Burnett - Keyboard, Eugene “Gene” Chapman - Saxophone.

WINSTON CHANEY

WINSTON CHANEY is the voice of Morning Radio in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Affectionately known as “The Morning Man,” he hosts “The Winston Chaney Morning Show,” the longest running Music Morning Show in The Nation on WYCB AM 1340; a member of the Radio-One Network. Winston is a member of the Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Washington, DC, where he also serves on the Deacon Board and a member of the Male Chorus.

MESSAGE TO AND FOR THE PROMISING PEOPLE OF THE PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH

Ministry comes with opportunities, but it also comes with opposition. Thank God for opportunities, here at the Pilgrim Baptist Church.

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Father, breathe on every word that shall come out of my mouth. Give life to every word, every sentence, every phrase, that it might be a blessing to the hearers. We thank you God for what you have done. Thank you for what our eyes have seen; our ears have heard. We thank you for what you have in store for this body of Christ in days and months, and years to come. Now bless us in this moment in time. Help us to say all that you want us to say, do all that you want us to do. In the wonderful and adorable name of Jesus we pray. We say Amen, amen, amen.

I want to say a few little things before I get to the text today. These are some of the things the Lord has laid on my heart. I want to be able to share those things with you. Interesting enough, leading up to this today, I’ve written some things down and some comments, written, and rewritten, written, and rewritten - I want to make sure it’s coming from my heart to your ears.

I began to ask myself several questions. What do you say in this moment in time? Especially if you have never been at this place before. I’ve learned that in life and living that whenever God promises you something it never goes without the connection of pain. Pain comes with promises. Promises come with pain.

Thirty-three years ago, when I was thirty-eight years old, I was afforded the privilege to exercise my faith here at the Pilgrim Baptist Church, as your under-shepherd, your leader, your servant, in the house of God. I was a young 38, I thought that I was old at the time, for many of my colleagues started pastoring at 21, 22, 23, years old. They were 10 years down the road. Some in their 2nd or 3rd pastorate. 38 years old taking on such a mammoth responsibility. Also, when I came, I’m not just talking about me, but us, or us (my wife, Michelle, and our children). We exercised our faith and we have invested much in this ministry. I have had the opportunity of practicing preaching these 33 years, and if the truth be told, I’m still practicing preaching.

I’ve sharpened my teaching skills to bring you awareness of the ancient text, its history, and its timeless truth that is revealed from the wisdom writer who reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun, meaning that there is nothing new on earth.

So, I gave myself to preaching and teaching, and loving God’s people. Promoting God’s love and preparing God’s people; I’ve had the opportunity of being an entrepreneur, thank you, and lead this body into staking your claim in, this community. To not only discipleship, but also, through ownership. I don’t know, whether you know it or not, the largest land owner in the District of Columbia is the federal government. They own about 12,000 acres.

(Taken from Pastor’s Jones’ last official Sunday as Senior Pastor of the Pilgrim Baptist Church)

MESSAGE TO AND FOR THE PROMISING PEOPLE OF THE PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH

Followed by the District government is the Catholic Church, and Pilgrim Baptist Church is not far down on the list.

You have added to your history and legacy by allowing me to lead you into uncharted waters. I’ve had the opportunity to marry, bury, and bless you and your children. I sought to change your thinking, change your thinking to give you a new life in Christ. I tried to be a visionary, to develop leadership because leadership matters. The true mark of a leader is that things don’t fall apart when they leave. More importantly than this, is that I am fully aware, fully aware that Christ alone is the head of the Church. Not the Pastor, not the Trustee, not the Deacon, but Christ alone, not the Preacher, is head of the Church.

Warren buffet said, “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” In 1911 someone planted a tree, Pilgrim Baptist Church was established. Pilgrim was Pilgrim before I got here and how many know, there will be a Pilgrim when I leave. It has been good, it’s been real, and what a wonderful people you are. I am the better because I had the opportunity to serve you.

I said earlier that ministry comes with opportunity, but it also comes with opposition, and I thank God for opposition because I would not be the Preacher/Pastor I am today without opposition. It increased my prayer life. I believe, just a little talk with Jesus will make everything alright. Sometimes I think God gets tired of hearing from me. I don’t know about you but sometimes I finish a prayer and then I start another one, I tell God, I forgot about this, O yeah, this person and this issue, so it’s always prayer. I understand the

text now that says: “… that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1). That means that every time you breathe you ought to pray. There ought to be some supplication unto our God.

Opportunity, Chris Grosser said, “opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” I tried to create an opportunity to make a better Pilgrim, to make a better you, to make a better world. Don’t miss your opportunity, and this is my opportunity to say to you, if I offended you, if I rubbed you wrong, it was only for the purpose to sharpen you, to make you the Preacher, Deacon, Leader, Member, that God is calling you to be.

Just because I corrected you does not mean I am jumping on you. I think we live in a world now, no one wants to be corrected. That is why our children are doing some of the things they’re doing. Mothers are afraid to correct them. I’m not saying, go out and start correcting folk that you see are doing wrong, but those in your circle you ought to be able to say a word to them.

I have lived long enough now, that I ‘m really not concerned about your opinion, I’m concerned about what God thinks of me, and how He looks at me. I’d rather lose you and win more of Him.

Pilgrim, you have an opportunity to do something different. Not only to be different, but I’m charging you to be daring. To do something. We are preparing to receive a new leader. However, until that person has been selected, I will continue to help guide the process, if you let me.

MESSAGE TO AND FOR THE PROMISING PEOPLE OF THE PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH

I have not always been perfect, but I’ve been faithful. I’ve been faithful. Not one time had you have to go down to the jail house to bail your Pastor out. Not one time on Sunday, had you have to go down to the red light district to see where your Pastor might be. Not one time did you have to stand at the door and say, I wonder if he is going to make it today. I may not have been perfect, but I’ve been faithful. I said, I have been faithful. So, I’ll be around until this thing smooths out. I will try not to get in the way.

Do me a favor Pilgrim: Stay faithful to the Lord, and to the Lord’s Church. Life is full of challenges. One of the things that have made you successful has been your ability to master each new opportunity. It has been said, good things come to good people; you are one of the best.

I close with this, Enjoy every bright day that is ahead of you - here it is: “Don’t cry because it’s over;” “Smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss.

THANK YOU

Just Wow! Looking around the room and seeing all the love you have shown with your presence today is indicative that you hold our Pastor, (now our Interim) in the same high cotton that we do!

We are grateful to every single person who helped to make this day of the Celebration of his thirty three years at the Pilgrim Baptist Church worthy of a high honor. Shouting out the Law Firm of Griffin and Griffin who provided transportation for us to this venue! To all of the Team that helped in all that needed to be done to get here, we thank you. To the Lord God Almighty whom our (#interim, #Emeritus) has taught us to trust in, we thank you and we glorify you, for had you not been on our side Lord, where would we be?

Heartfelt thanks to all!

The Gala Retirement Celebration Leadership and Team

We offer our warmest regards and best wishes to The Reverend Louis B. Jones, II, on his retirement after thirty-three years of dedicated service and inspired leadership of the Pilgrim Baptist Church. Congratulations, Reverend!

Our attorneys are very grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in service over the last decade and we look forward to many more years serving the Church and greater community.

Mark G. Griffin, Esq. – Founder

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1320 19th Street, NW Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 429-9000 | www.washlaw.com