2010 was a year that witnessed a variety of changes for people of faith.
Some ministries experienced growth and celebrated longevity, while others had their faith tested by unexpected challenges.
The year will especially be remembered for how faith institutions in the Indianapolis community worked together to meet the needs of people abroad in the earthquake-ravaged nation of Haiti, and at home facing job losses and other economic difficulties.
Here is a summary of the major faith-based events that shaped 2010:
January
Members of the local faith community act quickly to help those devastated by the massive earthquake in Haiti. Churches from multiple denominations, including the Indianapolis-based Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), send relief supplies. The Baptist Ministers Alliance and Indiana Churches for Haiti, a coalition of 30 churches, join forces to raise more than $300,000 for relief.
New Revelation Christian Church, a new “plant” of Light of the World Christian Church led by Pastor Richard Reynolds, officially opens its doors during a worship service at Eastwood Middle School.
Rev. Stephen Clay, pastor of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, is installed as president of the Baptist Ministers Alliance of Indianapolis and takes a leading role in addressing controversies surrounding police misconduct. He replaced Rev. Rayford Brown, former pastor of Rock of Faith Missionary Baptist Church.
February
Butler University hosts its highly successful 22nd Annual Gospel Fest, with the theme “Celebrating the Queens of Gospel.” Guest performers included Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams® and CeCe Winans.
March
Pastor Darrel and first lady Liz Humphrey, formerly of Westside Baptist Church, open a new congregation, Kingdom Builders Bible Ministries International, at Morenci Professional Park.
April
Pastor Clyde Shovan, a community activist and anti-violence advocate, and his wife, Robin, establish a new congregation, Total Focus Urban Ministries Full Gospel Church.
“Our goal is to impact urban neighborhood violence with a life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the communities,” Shovan said.
President Barack Obama meets with 20 major religious leaders, including those from the major African-American denominations, at the White House to discuss the needs of the Black community.
May
Local pastors and their congregations gather to celebrate the 83rd birthday and 34th pastoral anniversary of Bishop James E. Tyson, longtime pastor of Christ Church Apostolic in Indianapolis and an influential national Pentecostal leader.
Cathedral of Praise Church of God in Christ in Indianapolis hosts A Celebration of Pentecost service, which brought together congregations representing Pentecostal denominations such as the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW) and other groups. Local pastors also developed a new alliance of Pentecostal ministers from different organizations, one of the first of its kind in the country.
June
The historic Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Carl Z. Liggins, celebrates 100 years as a church family with special events.
July
Thousands of community leaders and residents gather at Eastern Star Church to hear civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton during the Together We Stand Rally. The rally was held by the Baptist Ministers Alliance to encourage youth and address cases of alleged police misconduct, especially the beating of teenager Brandon Johnson by area police officers.
Elder Dexter Powellπ is installed as the new pastor of Free Church of God Full Gospel Temple.
Grammy Award winning gospel singer and composer Walter Hawkins, known for songs such as “The Lord’s Prayer,” dies of cancer at age 61.
Teresa Snorton becomes the first female minister to be ordained a bishop by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
August
Rev. Roosevelt Sanders®, pastor of Mt. Vernon Community Missionary Baptist Church, dies after a battle with cancer at age 63. The pastor and community activist was best known for feeding thousands of people by continuing the annual Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner launched by his father.
Hundreds gather for the annual Pepsi Gospel Music Day concert at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, which included artists such as New Direction, the Chicago Mass Choir, Sharon “Bunnie” Moore, the Judah Band and Pat Carson.
September
Rev. Preston T. Adams, former executive pastor at Light of the World Christian Church, and author of the book From Hustling to Hallelujah, launches a new Disciples of Christ congregation, Amazing Grace Christian Church.
Controversy continues to be raised nationally over plans of a Muslim organization to build a mosque and community center near the site of the Sept. 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City.
Four men file charges stating that popular Bishop Eddie Longß, pastor of the Georgia-based New Birth Church mega ministry, had an inappropriate relationship with them as teenagers. Long has denied the charges.
October
Mt. Paran Missionary Baptist Church opens its new 50-unit senior housing project as part of the first phase of its new “The City of Hope” complex.
Joyful Sound Productions’ annual Gospel Music Explosion returns as part of Circle City Classic weekend, featuring uplifting and dynamic songs from artists such as Vickie Winans, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson and the group Joshua.
Abertina Walkerπ, the singer and leader of The Caravans known affectionately as “The Queen of Gospel Music,” dies of respiratory complications at age 81.
Rev. Clarence Moore, pastor of Northside New Era Baptist Church, celebrates his 20th anniversary as leader of the congregation.
November
Rev. Neris Willis®, pastor and founder of Little People Missionary Baptist Church, celebrates the congregation’s 30th anniversary with a six-day series of events featuring guest preachers from across the city.
Pastor Frank Alexander of Oasis of Hope Baptist Church is honored for his 35 years of service to the church family and the community.
Rev. Al Sharpton makes a second visit in 2010 to Indianapolis at Eastern Star Church. The Baptist Ministers Alliance request his return after the Indianapolis Police Merit Board exonerates an officer involved in the beating of Brandon Johnson. Sharpton told those in attendance the city can no longer tolerate a “battered race syndrome.”
December
Howard Jones, one of the first African-American ministers to conduct a major overseas mission, and the first Black organizer of the Billy Graham Crusade, dies at age 89.
The national Christian Methodist Episcopal Church celebrates its 140th anniversary with events nationwide.
Elder Peter Davis, founder of the popular Prayerline Ministries, dies of cancer at age 44.
Ebenezer Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Brownπ, celebrates 50 years as a church family.
