St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating the retirement of Rev. Dr. Philip L. Shobe after 33 years of leadership and welcomes Rev. R.E. Robinson as its new pastor.
Shobe, the church’s seventh pastor in its 109-year history, began serving the historic Martindale Brightwood congregation in 1992. Under his guidance, the church erected a new facility in 2009, expanded to online services and strengthened a culture of stewardship and discipleship.
Known as a “pastor’s pastor,” he trained numerous ministers who now lead churches of their own. His final sermon, a family tribute and a chapel rededication in his honor capped a month of celebrations in July.
Robinson, who delivered his first sermon on Aug. 3, brings nearly 30 years of ministry experience, including roles as youth pastor, assistant pastor, business administrator and senior pastor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and philosophy, an MBA, a Master of Divinity and is pursuing a doctorate in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric. He most recently served at St. John Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana.
Pre-installation events for Robinson will follow in October:
- 3 p.m. on Oct. 5 – Pastor R. Janae Pitts-Murdock, Light of the World Christian Church
- 3 p.m. on Oct. 12 – Pastor Theron D. Williams, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
- 3 p.m. on Oct. 19 – Rev. Dr. Courtney V. Buggs, Christian Theological Seminary
Main installation services are set for 10:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 26. All services will take place at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, 1651 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue in Indianapolis.
The church invites the community to attend Sunday worship at 10:45 a.m. and to join in gratitude for Shobe’s decades of service and anticipation of a new chapter under Robinson’s leadership.
For details, contact the church office at (317) 636-5775 or stjohnsmbc@att.net.
