On Friday, August 1, 2003, Rev. Dr. Willie McClung, moderator, met with the founding members to review their progress, provide counsel and guidance in organizational structure of the church, and to preside in the election of pastor. It was on this day that the Emmaus Missionary Baptist Church called the Rev. W. D. McClung, II, as its Pastor. As his first official duty, Rev. McClung, II extended the invitation to discipleship and at that time 3 members joined the Emmaus church family: Connie Thorne, Margaret Garland, and Jasmine Garland. God led the members to a place of temporary worship at Deer Park Elementary School with Mrs. Iris Steele as principal. Having given her approval, the Emmaus Missionary Baptist Church held its first worship service on Sunday, August 10, 2003, and on this day nine persons united with the Emmaus church family. “And you are witnesses of these thing; Behold, I sent the promise of My father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are subdued with power from on high” (Luke 24:48-49). For “upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” January 21, 2004, marked Emmaus’ first Annual Church meeting. This night was set aside for the Pastor and Church to give an account of its stewardship for the year 2003. As we began to reflect on God’s goodness, the Emmaus Church Family was in awe at His wondrous works both spiritually and financially. All financial obligations were met and current, equipment and books were purchased in order to carry out our worship services, including Baptism and Communion. We began our tape ministry at the first public worship service. The Music Ministry was developed with the Mass Choir conducting our song services. The year 2004 was a time of celebration and commitment for Emmaus as its ministries began to develop. In that year, the Lord blessed us to accomplish the following: Add 47 members to the EMBC Church body; establish a Building Fund; host the 1st Annual Black History Banquet; participate in our State Convention’s “Church-wide Institute”; conduct our first Music workshop with Sis. Heather Caulton of Pennsylvania Avenue UMC; allow 52 of us to travel to Alabama to celebrate Moderator, Rev. Dr. W. D. McClung’s 12th Pastoral Anniversary of the Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama; establish the Youth ministry as well as allow the youth to serve every 3rd Sunday of the month; establish the Sacred Dance Ministry and purchase its first dance attire; celebrate our first Church Anniversary with Rev. Restia Whitaker for the morning service and Pastor Edward McLaurin and the Collective Christian Ministries that evening; celebrate our Pastor’s 1st Anniversary with Dr. W. D. McClung, and the Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama; ordain our first two deacons, recognize one deacon, and establish the Diaconate with the Rev. Marlow Mitchell and the Rising Sun Baptist Church of Washington, D.C.; have our Emmaus Women of Women’s Ministry host their first Retreat held at Mt. Washington Conference Center with Sis. Carmie Washington-Turner as the guest speaker; host our first wedding at the Church for Bro. and Sis. Andre (Shawn) Lane; establish and host our first Family and Friends Day the 2nd Sunday in November; feed 50 people for Thanksgiving; host a Gospel Explosion filled with music and sacred dance. |
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