For the faith community, along with the rest of the world, the twelve months in 2008 were anything but mundane and ordinary.
As the nation prepared to make history by electing the first African-American or woman president, pastors mobilized their congregations to get registered to vote.
Then, when the economy took a sharp downturn many churches took the initiative to help those who lost their jobs, homes and resources.
Locally, faith-based institutions held historic events, celebrated special anniversaries, mourned the loss of cherished leaders and made important achievements. Here is a quick look back at 2008:
January
• The House of God Church, 3224 Schofield Ave. uses an “old fashioned” praise service to open its doors as the city’s newest non-denominational church. The congregation is led by Pastor Clary K. Butler, Jr., an attorney and state government official.
February
• Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Brown, hosts a series of events to discuss the important role of churches in preventing HIV/AIDS. The events are presenting by Bridging the Gap, Ebenezer’s AIDS awareness organization, in observance of The Black Church Week of Prayer For the Healing of AIDS.
• The 20th Annual Evening of Praise and Ministry takes place at Clowes Memorial Hall with special guest appearances by Rodnie Bryant, Deitrick Haddon, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Sapp.
March
8 Rev. Rayford and First Lady Aleatha Brown celebrate 15 years in leadership at Rock of Faith Missionary Baptist Church.
• Protestants and Catholics unite for a common goal as St. John A.M.E. Church and St. Rita Catholic Church co-host a historic Palm Sunday service.
April
• African-American pastors take center stage in the U.S. Presidential campaign as Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago, Sen. Barack Obama’s former pastor, gains criticism for remarks described as “anti-American” and divisive. Pastor James D. Manning of New York, a supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton, is also criticized for his blistering attacks on Obama, which some thought were racist. The controversy raises questions about the impact ministers have on associated political candidates.
• Evangelist Linda L. Ellis is installed as the new pastor of The Gathering Churches of Grace Inc. (W.I.T.M.).
• Light of the World Christian Church and the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis convenes a special forum on “Race, Religion and Politics.” The event allows Democratic and Republican candidates for the Seventh District Congressional seat to frankly discuss their views on faith.
May
• Over 300 churches dedicate May 18th as Giving Sunday to show financial support for Martin University and advancement of the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. The event is coordinated by gospel radio personality Burnetta Sloss-Tanner.
• Bishop Amos and First Lady Marie Myers celebrate 30 years at Word of Faith Church.
• Former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson joins the board of trustees of Christian Theological Seminary (CTS). Using his experience with charter schools and promoting the arts, Peterson helps educate students on the relationship between the arts and religion.
June
• New Baptist Church, under the leadership of its new Pastor D.L. Page, celebrates 100 years as a church family with a series of special events.
July
• City officials join Rev. Frank Alexander and the Oasis of Hope Baptist Church family in celebrating the opening of the Hope Side Senior Community, a $4 million apartment complex designed to provide a safe haven for area seniors.
• Indianapolis’ Mt. Zion Apostolic Church, led by Bishop Lambert W. Gates Sr., hosts the 51st Annual Convention and Holy Convocation of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith Association, Inc.
• Rev. C.V. Jetter, longtime pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, dies at age 90. Jetter, who became pastor of Shiloh in 1956, was the city’s longest serving African- American Baptist minister. He was also founding president of the Concerned Clergy, a local civil rights organization.
• The First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Indiana Church of God in Christ (COGIC), led by Bishop Mark H. Blade, hosts the 82nd Annual Holy Convocation. The event featured the denomination’s new leader, Bishop Charles Blake of California.
August
• Rev. Oliver DeWayne Walker, pastor of Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church, celebrates his 25th pastoral anniversary with a celebratory reception and worship service.
• Rev. E.L. Porter, pastor of Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, hosts a community service of remembrance concerning Hurricane Katrina. Porter is among over 2,000 individuals and families who have relocated to Indianapolis from New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.
September
• Imam W. D. Mohammad, founder of the Muslim American Society and The Mosque Cares, dies at the age of 74. Mohammad also briefly succeeded his father, Elijah Muhammad, as leader of the Nation of Islam before departing from the organization.
• Pastor Hilton and First Lady Juanita Hudson celebrate 10 years in leadership at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church. Hudson retires later in the year and is replaced as pastor by Rev. James O. Jackson.
October
• Rev. Charles J. Ellis, Jr., pastor of 25th Street Baptist Church, is named the new executive director of the Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to curbing violence and providing assistance to at-risk youth.
• Pastor Betty J. Griffin and Immanuel Presbyterian Church celebrate 50 years as a church family.
• Rev. Charles Harris, longtime pastor of Pleasant Union Missionary Baptist Church and mentor to many of the city’s ministers, dies at the age of 78. The congregation dedicates its 44th anniversary to his memory.
• Pastor Jeffrey A. and First Lady Sharon Johnson celebrate 20 years at Eastern Star Church. Under Johnson’s leadership the church has grown to thousands of members and has launched three new churches, opened a school and created a community service center. The same month Eastern Star Church hosts The Power to End Stroke Tour featuring Bobby Jones and Dottie Peoples.
November
• Dr. Carl L. Liggins, Sr. and his wife Sheryl are installed as the new pastor and first lady of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, replacing Pastor Donald Hudson.
• Pastor Mark Plummer, Sr. of Greater Faith Apostolic Church, dies unexpectedly at the age of 51. Plummer won respect across the community for his down-to-earth personality and strong leadership in creating ministries for the needy, drug addicts and at-risk youth.
December
• Visiting preachers celebrate with Rev. Christopher Ball as he is installed as the new pastor of New Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, replacing Rev. William C. Groves.
• Rev. Henry J. Lyons, a Florida pastor, speaks in Indianapolis at a revival at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church. The visit was part of a national campaign by the controversial minister to reclaim the presidency of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
