For all of us, the year 2013 will be remembered for a variety of developments and events that changed the lives of people around the world.
However, the spirituality of individuals in the faith community sustained them through everything the past year brought. Here are some of the most memorable events that took place in the faith community during 2013.
Anniversaries
Ministers and pastors throughout the city celebrated significant anniversaries and milestones. Among them were Rev. Curtis Vance of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, who celebrated his 30th pastoral anniversary, Rev. Stephen Clay of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, who commemorated 30 years in ministry, and Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr. of Eastern Star Church, who was honored for 25 years as senior pastor of his congregation.
Pastor Willie Robinson and his wife Maggie were blessed with 15 years of leadership at University Community Christian Church and New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, led by Pastor Darrell Brooks, celebrated 98 years a congregation.
Indy serves as the host
In 2013, Indianapolis served as the host city for major faith-based events, including the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World’s International Summer Convention in July and August, and the National Catholic Youth Congress in November.
New leaders
In February Pope Benedict XVI shocked some observers by becoming the first pope in centuries to resign. Following a conclave at the Vatican in Rome, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected as the new pope, and took the name Francis. He immediately attracted worldwide praise for his informal style, emphasis on serving the poor and needy and willingness to reform some administrative practices in the Catholic Church.
Locally, new senior pastors were installed at several congregations, including Pastor Terrace Harper at Covenant Community Church, Rev. Brian Shobe at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and Rev. Shaune Shelby at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
In December, one of the city’s most prominent faith organizations, the Baptist Ministers Foresight Alliance of Greater Indianapolis and Vicinity, chose Rev. Douglas D. Tate of Psalms Missionary Baptist Church as its next leader. He will be installed during a service on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at his church, 3340 E. 32nd Street.
Special guest visits
Numerous gospel recording artists made visits to Indianapolis for various events throughout the year, including Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Ricky Dillard, James Fortune, J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise, Mary Mary, J Moss, CeCe Winans and many others.
Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, arrived in Indianapolis in December and spoke before a large crowd at the Indiana Convention Center.
Other developments
Faith and drama on television: In 2013, reality TV took many Christian views by storm with highly anticipated shows such as TLC’s “The Sisterhood,” about the wives of five pastors in Atlanta, and the Oxygen network’s Preachers of L.A.
In a surprise announcement in December, Pastor Michael Drane announced his resignation as the transitional pastor at Christ Missionary Baptist Church. He had been expected to succeed Rev. Melvin Girton as senior pastor in June of 2014.
