2018 Scholarship Program for Website

Dr. Matthews McGary, Sr.
Scholarship Foundation

of the

First District Missionary Baptist Association
Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr., President
Dr. Rufus Bonds, General Secretary

22nd

Saturday, March 24, 2018
12:00 p.m.

InterContinential New Orleans
444 Saint Charles Avenue

New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Speaker
Dr. Willie Gable, Jr.

Pastor, Progressive Baptist Church
2nd Vice - President

First District Missionary Baptist Association

To our director, Mrs. Gwendolyn Ray Smith, her assistants, and the Dr. Matthews McGary, Sr.
Scholarship Foundation committee thank you for doing an outstanding job. I know that you and
your committee prayed and worked hard for the success of this program. I would like to thank all
of the Pastors, Ministers, leaders, churches, parents, businesses, community leaders, and friends
for your financial support. Today we are rejoicing and praising God for opening the doors of the
Intercontinental New Orleans Hotel. It has been over 12 years since we have been able to hold our
Dr. Matthews McGary, Sr., Scholarship Foundation Annual Luncheon at a hotel. This was done
through prayers, networking, and your financial contributions. Thank you.
To our outstanding graduating class of 2018, congratulation! We are proud of your accomplish-
ments and the vision that you have for your future. We are glad to honor and award scholarships to
these outstanding graduates, and community leaders that are impacting our city and state. We will
continue to monitor our graduates progress and pray as we support them through our financial con-
tributions.
To our honorees, Mr. Nick Harris, Ms. Sabrina Wilson, Rev. Dr. Samuel Gibbs, Jr., Dr. Warren J.
Ray, Jr., and Dr. Lisa Mims-Devezin, thank you for making a difference in our community. To
our speaker, Rev. Dr. Willie Gable, thank you for accepting this invitation to be our speaker. We
are proud of all the things that God has used you to accomplish in our city, state, and nation. We
know that God has placed a message in your heart to encourage and inspire us. I pause to thank
God for giving the late Rev. Dr. Matthews McGary, Sr. this vision for our children and to all the
other Presidents of the First District Missionary Baptist Association, Dr. Linda Fortenberry, Past
Director and Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith and her committee for keeping this program alive. It is an
honor to serve as your president and to work together to make a difference in the lives of God’s
people.
Sincerely,

Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr.

Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr., President

DR. CALVIN W. WOODS, JR.
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP

DR. MATTHEWS MCGARY, SR.
HIGH ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

DR. PAUL WALKER RAPHAEL DR. ROBERT TURNER, SR. LIVING DR. ZEBADEE BRIDGES, SR.
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP LEGEND SCHOLARSHIP LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

DR. A. P. FORTNER SPECIAL SIS. NAOMI L. GROOMS DR. LINDA T. FORTENBERRY
ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP TRAILBLAZER SCHOLARSHIP EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

REV. BAZILE JOLICOEUR BRO. JOSEPH YOUNG
MERITORIOUS SCHOLARSHIP LAYMAN’S SCHOLARSHIP

REV. ELLIS DUPLECHE
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

First District Missionary Baptist Association

Scholarship Recipients

Rion Christin Askin Tyrone Banks, Jr. Ashley Breane Baptiste

The Asia Baptist Church The Asia Baptist Church Metropolitan Baptist Church
Dr. Kenneth G. Thibodeaux, Pastor Dr. Kenneth G. Thibodeaux, Pastor Dr. Rufus Bonds, Pastor

Lusher Charter School Slidell High School Warren Easton Charter High School

Casey Dominique Broady Kayla Monae Caldwell Mya Trtyana Calice

Beautiful Zion Baptist Church Law Street Baptist Church Greater Liberty Baptist Church
Rev. James R. Williams, Pastor Rev. Johnny Arvie, Pastor Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr., Pastor
Eleanor McMain Secondary High School
Helen Cox High School Chalmette High School

Kristen Maya Chambers Grace Alaye’ Clark Destiné D. Collins
Beautiful Zion Baptist Church
Rev. James R. Williams, Pastor St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church Greater Liberty Baptist Church
Dr. Robert Turner, Sr., Pastor Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr., Pastor
Lusher Charter School Warren Easton Charter High School
International High School of N. O.

Anthony Jamel Day Randal J. Enclarde

St. Mark’s Fourth Baptist Church Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church
Dr. Robert Turner, Sr., Pastor Dr. Richard A. Keller, Pastor

Sophie B. Wright Charter School Lake Area New Tech Early College H. S.

Cory A. Johnson James Andrew Johnson, Jr. Jacobie Kevon Jordan

Gloryland Mt. Gillion Baptist Church First Free Mission B. C. of Algiers First Free Mission B. C. of Algiers
Dr. Norman Stovall, Pastor Rev. Johnny Johnson, III, Pastor Rev. Johnny Johnson, III, Pastor
Lusher Charter High School
Crescent City Christian School Edna Karr Charter School

Sierra Rivani Morgan Alex Rorey Perkins Darius Keith Slack
Clio Place Baptist Church
Mt. Hermon Baptist Church Rev. Sherman L. Hughes, Pastor The Asia Baptist Church
Dr. John Jackson, Pastor McDonogh 35 High School Dr. Kenneth G. Thibodeaux, Pastor

George Washington Carter High School St. Augustine High School

Destiní Azhanteʹ Warner Zhante Lakethia Williams
Greater Liberty Baptist Church
Second Free Mission Baptist Church Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr., Pastor
Dr. Warren J. Ray, Jr., Pastor Warren Easton Charter School
Warren Easton Charter School

“
1 Corinthians 2:2

Presiding - Dr. Alvin Williams
First Free Mission Baptist Church/Algiers

Dias, Honorees, Summa Cum Laude Sponsors, Magna Cum Laude Sponsors , Scholarship Foundation, Students

Prelude

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” Mrs. Lillian Gibbs, Song Leader

Second Baptist Church 6th District

Invocation Rev. Tommie Lee Banks

President, FDMBA Evangelical Board
Greater Liberty Baptist Church

Greetings & The Occasion Mr. Jared Pratt, MMSF

St. Peter’s Baptist Church

Music Miss. Kayla McCarty

Friendship Baptist Church
Sophie B. Wright Charter School

Presentation of Honorees

Mr. Nick Harris……….……………………..……......Dr. Lionel Davis
Ms. Sabrina Wilson……………………..…..Dr. Mitchell Stevens
Dr. Lisa Mims-Devezin …..,,……..Mrs. Constance Woods
Rev. Dr. Samuel Gibbs, Jr. …………..…..Mrs. Joyce Raphael
Dr. Warren J. Ray, Jr..………..Timothy David Ray, Esquire

Introduction of Speaker Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr.

Pastor, Greater Liberty Baptist Church
President, First District Missionary Baptist Association

Music First District Chorus
Speaker
Dr. Willie Gable, Jr.

Pastor, Progressive Baptist Church
2nd Vice President, First District Missionary Baptist Association

Lunch Is Served

Recognition of Scholarship Foundation Contributors Mrs. Josie Ramsey
& Praise Report
Chairperson, MMSF Finance Committee

Recognition of Scholarship Alumni Mrs. Frankie Mobley

Recognition of Scholarship Recipients
The Criteria Selection Committee - Ms. Evelyn Compton, Chairperson

Expressions Mrs. Joyce Raphael
Announcement
155th Annual Session (April 10-15, 2018) Luncheon Chairperson

Dr. Lionel Davis

Pastor, Pentecost Baptist Church

Closing Remarks Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr.
Benediction Dr. Willie Gable, Jr.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Lift every voice and sing, God of our weary years,
'Til earth and heaven ring, God of our silent tears,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Let our rejoicing rise Thou who has by Thy might
High as the listening skies, Led us into the light,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Thee,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget
Let us march on 'til victory is won. Thee;
Stony the road we trod, Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
Bitter the chast'ning rod, May we forever stand,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; True to our God,
Yet with a steady beat, True to our native land.
Have not our weary feet “Lift Every Voice and Sing" — often called "The Negro National
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? Hymn," "The Negro National Anthem," "The Black National Anthem,"
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, or "The African-American National Anthem"— was written as a poem
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the by James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) and then set to music by his
slaughtered, brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954) in 1900.
Out from the gloomy past,
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

Our Speaker

Dr. Willie Gable, Jr.

Dr. Willie Gable, Jr., a native of New Orleans, received his Doctorate of Ministry from United
Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH), Masters of Divinity from Union Baptist Theological
Seminary (New Orleans, LA), Masters of Public Health from the University of Southern Cali-
fornia (Los Angeles, CA) and Bachelors of Science from Tennessee State University
(Nashville, TN).
Committed to a life of ministry and community service, Dr. Gable is the pastor of Progressive
Baptist Church, only its third pastor in 117 years. He is also the founder and Executive Director
of the Dr. M. W. McCaleb Educational Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization that offers
housing, rental assistance, and tutoring to low-income individuals and families.
Dr. Gable has numerous years of experience in the health administration field. He played an
essential part in the building of Pembroke Area Family Health Center and Health Department
where he served as CEO. In 1976, he was recruited to Chicago, Illinois as the Administrator of
Tabernacle Hospital, a 150-bed African. American church—owned facility. In addition, be was
the Fiscal Administrator of the Nashville Model Cities Program in Nashville, Tennessee. His
achievements in program development created the opportunity for him to join MeHarry Medical
College faulty to develop a new undergraduate program in Health Administration andPlanning.
Dr. Gable has formerly served on many community boards. He is currently a member of
theAmerican Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, National Baptist Convention
Housing and Economic Development Commission as Chairman, National Conference for
Community and Justice, Legacy Foundation, Director Faith Based Initiatives HUD National
Baptist Convention USA, Inc., and Gulf Coast Housing Partnership.
He is Board Member of the 1st District Missionary Baptist Association and an Instructor with
Louisiana Baptist and National Baptist Convention Congresses of Christian Education.
He is married to Julie Christina Gable and they have to boys Joshua and Jeremiah

Committee

Mrs. Gwendolyn Ray Smith, Chairperson

Mrs. Joyce Raphael, Luncheon Chairperson

Chairperson Gwendolyn Ray Smith Woman’s Auxiliary Barbara LeFlore
Board of Directors Calvin W. Woods, Jr.
Samuel Gibbs, Sr. High School Forum Evelyn F. Compton
General Secretary Robert Turner, Sr.
Treasurer Rufus Bonds Data Specialist Frankie Mobley
Secretary Winston Ricks
Committees Kenneth Thibodeaux * Chairperson
Finance Elvert Bijou
Rufus Bonds
Luncheon Hosia Gardner

Criteria Selection Linda Merrick

Public Schools Josie Ramsey * First Free Mission Mt. Tabor
Public Relations Rufus Bonds of Algiers Emile Hall
Corporate Sponsors Deloris Hill-Stewart Progressive
Alumni Pledges Emile Hall Barbara LeFlore Patricia Butler
Communication Linda Johnson Alvin Williams Second Baptist 6th
Hospitality Joyce Raphael * Gloryland Mt.
Josie Ramsey District
Nancy Cooper Gillion Willie J. Crain
Alvin Williams Henry Coleman Joyce Raphael
Barbara Leflore Greater Asia Second Free Mission
Patricia Butler Elvert Bijou Gwendolyn R. Smith
Janice Cojoe Greater Ebenezer Beverly A Ray
Frankie G. Mobley Josie Ramsey Second Zion No. 1
Evelyn F. Compton * Janice Cojoe Deloris Hill-Stewart
Linda Merrick Greater Liberty St. Andrew
Frankie G. Mobley Linda Merrick Nancy Cooper
Deloris Williams Law Street Elouise Williams
Alvin Williams Roxlyn Ford St. Mark’s Fourth
Roxlyn Ford Metropolitan Deloris Williams
Emile Hall Evelyn Compton The Asia
Patricia Butler Mt. Hermon Frankie G. Mobley
Willie Crain Thelma McGowan
Henry Coleman
Evelyn F. Compton
Alvin Williams
Joyce Raphael
Nancy Cooper *
Patricia Bulter
Linda Merrick
Willie J. Crain
Deloris Williams *
Barry Payton

Our Honorees

NICK L. HARRIS

Nick Harris is a native of New Orleans and has worked at Dillard
University since 1989. In 2006, Nick was appointed the Assistant
Vice President of Community and Economic Development at
Dillard University, responsible for community engagement
throughout the Gentilly residential and commercial sections.
Nicks’ work with the neighborhood associations in the Gentilly community vastly grew, and attracted
the support from U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD). In 2009, Dillard University
received a grant from HUD to open the Dillard University Community Resource Center, where Nick
currently serves as the Director of Dillard University Resource Center and the Office of Community
and Church Relations (OCCR).
As the OCCR Director, Nick concentrates on engaging the New Orleans community by providing re-
sources to help created sustainable neighborhoods in the areas of housing, health, job training, youth
mentoring program, and business development. His responsibility is to provide life skill services to
families in the New Orleans area that reside in public housing and those that live in underserved com-
munities. As a result of this community collaboration, the Dillard University Gentilly Advisory and
Church in Unity which consist of several churches and neighborhood presidents to serve as an adviso-
ry committee to create programs to help residents in need of critical resources. In recognition of his
work and dedication, Nick Harris was awarded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment - Residency Opportunity Self Sufficiency (ROSS) grant for 2013 - 2016 and 2016 – 2020.
Nick Harris also developed and implemented community-based initiatives, some of which include but
are, but not limited to: 1) developing and implementing health fairs and housing fairs at local churches;
2) built community gardens at Pentecost Baptist Church, Bethany United Methodist Church, Progres-
sive Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Holy Cross Lutheran Church; 3) engaging youth and
adults in a variety of educational programs and campaigns to raise awareness to obesity related diseas-
es; and 4) hosting community and town hall meetings to discuss the most pertinent social and health
issues that community members are facing 5) provided over 1500 volunteers to assist residents in re-
building their homes, 6) provided funding to churches to create exercise programs, building communi-
ty gardens, and assist with their Senior Citizens Program.
Nick is a member of Bethany United Methodist Church , and a member of Pentecost Baptist Church
where he serve of several committees. He is board member of several non-profits in New Orleans and
has received several awards and has been acknowledged for his community work by the New Orleans
City Council, Mayor’s Office, National Community Service Organizations, and the U. S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development.
Mr. Harris co-authored a paper which was published in the National Institute of Health, Ethnicity &
Disease Office Journal, the article is titled: Community-Academic Partnership Development to En-
hance Program Outcomes in Underserved Communities.
Mr. Harris received a B.S. – Marketing /Economic – Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA, and Mas-
ters of Business Administration/ Management from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama. He also
has a Certificate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kentucky.

Sabrina M. Wilson

Sabrina M. Wilson, is a veteran broadcast journalist whose news report-
ing has garnered national, regional and local awards.

Born in New Orleans, Sabrina is honored to use her vocation daily to
provide the public with important information.

Sabrina began her broadcast career while still matriculating at Loyola
University in New Orleans and one job led to another.

Since 1996, she has been a part of the FOX 8 News team in New Orleans,
and over the span of her long career Sabrina has covered almost every
news story imaginable.

the District of Columbia. In January of 2009, Sabrina was the only local TV journalist to cover the
historic inauguration of the nation's 44th president, Barack H. Obama, in

Sabrina's storytelling covers the map. Over the years, she has done thousands of interviews and
written equally as many stories, which include: Papal visits, national and local political races, state and
local government, the North American Leaders' Summit which included President George W. Bush,
and his counterparts from Mexico and Canada, the rare local snowfall that instantly becomes
"breaking” news, and of course, the devastation Hurricane Katrina wrought on her community,

Sabrina has also appeared on national television to discuss politics and has guest lectured at local
universities.

Because of her many years of covering political issues, Sabrina was one of the journalists chosen for
participation in an RTNDA Fellowship in 2004, at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., which
focused on covering presidential politics.

Sabrina is also a Fellow of the Institute of Politics, at Loyola University. She also holds a B.A. in
Communications from Loyola and has also participated in post-graduate writing institutes.

Sabrina is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists; has reached “Lifetime Member” status
with the National Association of Black Journalists; a member of IRE (Investigative Reporters &
Editors) and the New Orleans Press Club.

Sabrina’s reporting often appears on stations around the country, as part of the Raycom News
Network.

Sabrina has mentored scores of aspiring journalists over the years and enjoys every moment of it.
In her spare time, Sabrina enjoys singing, reading and traveling.

Sabrina is a dedicated member of the Pilgrim Baptist Church in Kenner, La., where Dr. Mitchell
Jerome Stevens, serves as pastor. Sabrina’s late grandfather, the Reverend Richard Wilson, Sr., served
as pastor of Pilgrim for nearly five decades and made an indelible mark on her life.

Dr. Lisa Mims-Devezin

Dr. Lisa Mims-Devezin has served as an educator with over 25
years of experience in higher education. She currently serves
as Chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans, with the
previous year spent as Interim Chancellor and the prior nine
years as Dean and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and
Sciences at Southern University at New Orleans, from which
she is an alumna. Dr. Mims-Devezin also serves as a Profes-
sor of Biology. She earned her Ph.D. in 2004 in Science and
Math Education and is a 1988 graduate of McDonogh # 35
Senior High School. Dr. Mims-Devezin decided to devote her
career to education because of her love for teaching. She at-
tributes her success to hard work, dedication, commitment to excellence and a passion for her
profession. A past recipient of the University’s Most Outstanding Grant Writer Award, Most
funded proposals, College of Science’s Mentor of the Year Award and the Award for Teaching
Excellence among others.
Dr. Mims-Devezin is and has been affiliated with numerous organizations such as Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Institute of Science, the National Science Teachers Associa-
tion, American Society for Microbiology, Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society, and Beta
Beta Beta Biological Honor Society and has been recognized on several occasions by Who’s
Who Among American Teachers. In 2008, Dr. Lisa Mims-Devezin was inducted into the 2008–
2009 Cambridge Who’s Who Executive, Professional and Entrepreneurial Registry for showing
dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of higher education. In 2009, Dr. Mims-
Devezin received the Thurgood Marshall Distinguished Faculty Award which was an extreme
honor, not just for her, but for Southern University at New Orleans. Further, she has been
awarded numerous accolades and certificates of Appreciation for successfully assisting the insti-
tution with SACS reaffirmation without recommendations, serving on the Advisory board of the
Honore’ Center, being a pioneer in online teaching and learning and most importantly, writing
the proposal for the Health Information Management Systems Program, which was recently ac-
credited in 2013.
Additionally, she has served as the state articulation officer, through the Louisiana Board of Re-
gents, for over 20 years and she served as a member of the General Education Committee. In
2017, Lisa Mims-Devezin was appointed to the Peer Advisory Board of The Southern Associa-
tion of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC). Dr. Mims-Devezin has
assisted with the implementation of transfer degree policies and articulation agreements between
Southern University at New Orleans and state institutions and has served as a mentor to numer-
ous students and faculty over the years. Many of these students have completed graduate and
professional schools or are currently enrolled in graduate programs. As a distinguished alumnae
of McDonogh 35 High School, Dr. Mims-Devezin was inducted into her high school’s Hall of
Fame in February 2018. She is a native of Long Beach, CA and is the daughter of Leo and
Yolanda Lee Mims. Dr. Mims-Devezin is married to Jerome J. Devezin, Jr. and they have one
son, Joshua Jerome Devezin.

Rev. Dr. Samuel Gibbs, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Samuel Gibbs, Jr. is the humble pastor of Second
Baptist Church 6th District. He is married to the beautiful
Sis. Lillian Beaulieu and they were blessed with one son,
Samuel J. Gibbs.
Rev. Dr. Samuel Gibbs, Jr. was elected as Pastor of Second
Baptist Church 6th District on February 28, 1982. He was
installed as Pastor by the First District Missionary Baptist
Association on March 21, 1982.
Rev. Gibbs presently serves as 1st Vice President of the First District Missionary Baptist Association.
Rev. Gibbs received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dillard University; Master of Science from
University of Wisconsin; Master of Divinity from Union Baptist College and Theological Seminary;
and Doctor of Theology from Christian Bible College.
Rev. Gibbs was called into the Gospel Ministry while serving as a member and deacon of the Second
Baptist Church in Madison, Wisconsin under the leadership of his spiritual father and his beloved pas-
tor the late Rev. Eugene Bailey. Rev. Bailey licensed and prepared Rev. Gibbs for his ordination.
Rev. Gibbs was both publicly ordained and set apart to do the work of God in the Gospel Ministry by
the Second Baptist Church in Madison, Wisconsin on July 16, 1978 with the laying on of hands and
prayer.
Rev. Gibbs has served in numerous ministries of the Second Baptist Church 6th District as Sunday
school teacher; Director of Baptist Training Union; Member of Benevolent Society; and Member of
the Pastor’s Support Ministry.
Pastor Gibbs mission as Pastor of Second Baptist Church 6th District includes the following… increase
evangelism efforts to bring the lost to Christ, initiate outreach programs for the sick, initiate outreach
programs for the afflicted and youth with a spirit of love.
Pastor Gibbs has proven that he is God’s under shepherd. He communicated with the members of Sec-
ond Baptist Church 6th District before and after Hurricane Katrina to ensure all were safe. Pastor
Gibbs and the members of Second Baptist Church 6th District was one of the first churches to open its
doors in the uptown area. Pastor Gibbs not only opened the doors of Second Baptist Church 6th Dis-
trict for worship to anyone who needed a church home, but he opened the pulpit for any Pastor who
wanted to serve God during that time of uncertainty.
During Pastor Gibbs tenure the church has been debt free, many renovations and major projects have
been completed, including replacement of the roof on the Dr. Paul Walker Raphael Educational Build-
ing, installation of a new air conditioning system for the church and repair of the roof at the front of
the church. He also served as a pastoral leader as we celebrated a spirit filled and very successful
Gospel Fest in conjunction with our 144th Church Anniversary and lead the way as the church donated
$3000 to purchase a church in India.
Rev. Gibbs favorite hymn is “At the Cross” and John 3:16 is his favorite scripture.

Rev. Dr. Warren J. Ray, Jr.

Dr. Warren J. Ray. Jr., is a graduate of Xavier University Preparatory High
School and has earned degrees in chemistry from Xavier University of
Louisiana (B.S.), Tuskegee Institute (M.S.), and the University of New
Orleans, (Ph.D.). He has also done graduate work in chemistry at Loyola
University. To prepare himself for the Christian ministry, Rev. Ray attended
Union Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological
Seminary (Master of Divinity). Ray was awarded the honorary Doctor of
Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in Monroe, LA., and has
done further study at Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN.
Dr. Ray holds the rank of Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Xavier Univer-
sity of Louisiana. In May 1993 he was honored by the University as the recipi-
ent of the 1993 Bush Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Ray became involved in the civil rights movement in the early 1960s when he joined the New Orleans
Branch NAACP Youth Council. He was actively involved in many of the Youth Council’s efforts to
desegregate lunch counters, increase voter registration among blacks, and protest unfair employment
practices, including the successful boycott of Canal Street. He spent many hours on the picket line and
sitting-in at lunch counters. For many years he worked with the Louisiana Chapter of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) along side of the late Rev. Dr. S. L. Harvey. He served on the
National Board of SCLC for several years and served as Chairman of the Board for the local SCLC Chap-
ter. He is also a life member of the NAACP and has worked with the New Orleans Branch NAACP.
Through his work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Louisiana Coalition for the
March on Washington, he was instrumental in obtaining transportation for many people to attend the 20th
Anniversary Celebration in 1988. For many years he served as Chairman of the Board of the local SCLC
Chapter, and frequently served as substitute host for "The SCLC Forum" on radio station WYLD.
Rev. Ray has provided outstanding and unexcelled leadership during his ministry at Second Free Mission.
With the cooperation and support of the officers and members, we now enjoy the singing of the Sanctuary
Choir; Vacation Bible School; winter and summer revivals and training institutes; Family Emphasis Week;
Family Day Observance; and weekly Bible Class, taught by our Pastor, with extensive use of audio-visual
aids. He has brought a number of outstanding religious film presentations to our church, and has been
instrumental in bringing two commodities programs to our church and in obtaining financial assistance for
needy persons.
For many years he worked with the Greater New Orleans Federation of Churches where he served on the
committee for the African Famine Relief Effort in 1985 sponsored by the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of
the American Red Cross. He led our church in supporting this drive to help famine victims in Africa.
Under his leadership our church has supported such mission projects as the Mexican Earthquake Relief
Effort, Pace Boulevard YMCA, Oxfam America's Annual Fast for a World Harvest, Food for the Hungry,
United Negro College Fund, Haitian Mission Ministry, Impact Movement, and many other local and world
mission projects. He served two consecutive terms as chairman of the Greater New Orleans Federation of
Churches Hunger Committee. Following the earthquake which struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, Pastor
Ray led the church in raising more than ten thousand dollars to help the people in Haiti.
Dr. Ray is the secretary of the Upper City Ministers Union; a member of the Executive Board and Director
of the Department of Christian Education of the First District Missionary Baptist Association and Presi-
dent of the First District Congress of Christian Education. He is also a member of Research Missionary
Baptist & Educational Association. He is a member of the New Orleans Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal
Holiday Planning Commission and former chairman of the Ministers Memorial Service Committee. He is
a former member of the Executive Committee of the Greater New Orleans Federation of Churches.
Dr. Ray has pastored the Second Free Mission Baptist Church for 44 years and during his ministry, he has
touched the lives of many people - preaching, teaching, baptizing, serving, helping, doing whatever he
can, where he can, in the spirit of the Lord.





Giving Thanks

Gwendolyn Ray Smith
Chairperson

Dr. Matthews McGary, Sr. Scholarship Foundation

Thanks to all who have supported the Dr. Matthews McGary, Sr. Scholarship Foun-
dation. Many of you have been with us since the beginning and in spite of these
times of financial difficulties you have maintained your commitment to our young
people through this initiative.
Your generosity is an expression of your faith in “Him who is able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in
us.” (Ephesians 4:20)
As a result of your generosity, others are blessed, God gets the glory, and the work
of the Scholarship Foundation continues.

My sincere thanks to all



155th Annual Session

Four Year Theme: The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Lifestyle Matthew 5-7
Kingdom Responsibility: The Believer and His Money-Matthew 6:19-24
2018 Theme: The Responsibilities & Rewards of Being Christian Stewards

April 8-15, 2018
Held with

Second Baptist Church Sixth District
Dr. Samuel Gibbs, Jr., Host Pastor
4218 Laurel Street

New Orleans, LA 70115

Rev. Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr., Moderator
Rev. Dr. Rufus Bonds, General Secretary

Rev. Dr. Donald Berryhill Rev. Dr. Calvin W. Woods, Jr.
President President

Liberty General Baptist Association First District Missionary Baptist Association
Pastor, First Zion Baptist Church Pastor, Greater Liberty Baptist Church

Saturday, April 7, 2018 Wednesday April 11, 2018 Friday, April 13, 2018
9:00 am Laymen’s Fun Day 8:00 am Department of Christian 8:00 am Department of Christian Ed.
10:30 am Evangelical Board
Sunday, April 8, 2018 Education CLS
4:00 pm Association 10:30 am Woman’s Auxiliary President’s Message
12:30 pm Recess 12:00 pm Recess
Musical 1:00 pm Educational Sermon
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 1:30 pm Missionary Sermon 2:00 pm Sunday school
8:00 am Department of 2:00 pm Woman’s Auxiliary
3:00 pm Visitor’s Hour President’s Message
Christian Education 5:00 pm Woman’s President’s 5:00 pm Parent Body
Christian Leadership
School Message Business Meeting
10:30 am Official Opening 7:00 pm Parent Body Night Sermon 7:00 pm Night Sermon
Theme Emphasis
11:30 am Fraternal Visitors Hour Thursday, April, 12, 2018 Lord Supper/Baptismal
Fellowship Sermon, 8:00 am Department of Christian Service
Moderator Donald Berryhill Education CLS Saturday, April 14, 2018
Liberty Baptist Association 10:30 am Parent Body Session 9:00 am Young People’s Director
Pastor, First Zion B. C. Reports & New Business 11:00 am Sermon
1:00 pm Recess (Lunch) Memorial Sermon Sunday, April 15, 2018
2:00 pm Introductory Sermon Noon Recess 9:00 am Model Sunday School
3:00 pm Ministers’ Wives and 1:00 pm Doctrinal Sermon 3:00 pm President’s Closing
Widows Program 1:30 pm Nurture For Baptists/BTU Association Sermon
President’s Message President’s Message
5:00 pm Laymen President’s 5:00 pm Ushers’ Department
Message President’s Message
7:00 pm President’s Message 7:00 pm Parent Body
Dr. C. W. Woods, Jr. Night Sermon