More than 49 years ago, Rev. Melvin Girton was called to serve as the senior pastor of the historic Christ Missionary Baptist Church, a 94-year-old congregation located on Indianapolis’ Westside. In a move of God, Girton has announced his plans to retire. The congregation of Christ Missionary unanimously voted Rev. Michael Drane Jr. to succeed the long time civil rights advocate and preaching pioneer.
Girton’s leadership in the city of Indianapolis and work in the National Baptist Convention has left a lasting legacy. Girton has been a monumental leader in the church and a champion for social justice.
Under his leadership, Christ Missionary has served as host to a myriad of ministry and ecumenical community services over the years, ranging from memorable midnight music celebrations to annual Emancipation Day services, attended by gospel greats and Indiana state officials alike.
Today begins a new era as Girton announces his plans to officially retire from the senior pastorate in May 2014, completing a 50-year journey as senior servant of the congregation.
It was important to Girton, following the spirit of God, to make a recommendation as to his successor so that the church continues to be a beacon of hope in the Indianapolis community, and the lineage of senior pastors, in holy succession and service to the Westside congregation, not be broken.
“Where God is, there can be no failure. I have no fear about the future and believe that with Pastor Drane’s leadership, we are poised for great growth and reaching people, not only locally and nationally, but around the world,” said Girton.
Pastor Drane earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Leadership and Ministry from Crossroads Bible College where he graduated with honors and was recently recruited by its president, Dr. A. Charles Ware, to serve on the Alumni Council. He is an ordained Baptist minister in good standing since 2003. Drane made national news last year for his work with grassroots movements in the city.
Addressing a crowd of more than 4,000 demonstrators on the American Legion Mall in the wake of the Treyvon Martin slaying case in Florida, Drane called the city to constructive action in the midst of injustice in the nation.
His recent community work includes serving on the Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Council as well as serving as director of team mentoring for the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis. In this role, Drane was instrumental in writing grants that resulted in approximately $100,000 being raised for mentoring programs that placed 40 male mentors in IPS schools to teach character development and conflict resolution skills to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade boys weekly.
Rev. Drane has successfully planted two new church congregations in Indianapolis. He merged his first church with an existing congregation and it continues to thrive under new leadership today. While this new assignment is a direct call to become the senior pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church and not a church merger, Drane is encouraging the members of his most recent church plant, The House of Joy, to remain under his leadership by joining the historic congregation.
By doing so, Drane says, “They have an incredible opportunity to become the first fruits of increase in the new era. I believe God will use our combined gifts, talents and resources to produce a kingdom harvest that is far greater than anything we can imagine in our wildest dreams,” he said.
When asked about his approach to this assignment, Drane said, “I believe that there is no greater privilege for Christians than worshipping God, and there is no better way to do that than as an intergenerational community of five generations of believers in which all are important and all encourage and nurture the faith of the others. I look forward to nurturing this model at Christ Missionary Baptist Church and am deeply humbled and truly grateful to God, Rev. Girton and the entire Christ Missionary Baptist Church family for the call. I am also appreciative of the prayerful support from my wife, and unanimous agreement from the church council and membership of The House of Joy to send me forth with their blessing.”
Drane, as senior pastor-elect, will serve as transitional pastor from June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014. As transitional pastor, he will be responsible for assuming the roles and responsibilities of the senior pastorate while ensuring that Pastor Girton’s legacy is cemented and celebrated during the 50th year as he prepares for retirement.
The church will celebrate Girton’s retirement all year long and Drane will be officially installed as the senior pastor in June of 2014. The entire community is invited to attend the monthly celebration services honoring the life and legacy of Pastor and lady Laura Girton as well as the culminating retirement banquet, which will be announced at a later date.
