Shady Grove 158th Homecoming Program

Shady Grove Baptist Church

H1o5m7ectomhing
CELEBRATION

“The Promise of Restoration”

Zephaniah 3:18.20

November 7, 2021 157Years
10:45 a.m.

Rev. Dr. Reginald Woullard, Pastor

From the Pastor’s Desk…..

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Congratulations on our
157th anniversary. We have so much for which we are thankful. Let us not become boastful, but be humble,
about what God is doing in this ministry. As a church, we have grown from a log cabin with just a few
members in 1864 to the Shady Grove Baptist Church of today with a recorded membership of more than
3000 of which 99% are African-Americans. Our congregational membership ranges in age from 6 years to
late 90s. Our adult population educational range is from 3rd grade level to post graduate.
The R.W. Woullard Family Life Center enhances our vision to meet the immediate need to serve more people
in our community. This multi-purpose complex is used to host concerts, conferences, religious dramas, sports
activities, weddings, receptions, and much more. We offer enjoyable activities, acceptance, grace, and love to
each person who walks through the doors of the R. W. Woullard Family Life Center. We transcend cultural,
racial, and gender lines because we offer a common life in God for all. Reaching more outside the church will
be our goal in 2022 as we faithfully proclaim and live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us all rise to the
present challenge and the future commitments that lay ahead. Our future promises to be even richer than
our rich history.
In order for us to carry out the vision of the Lord, it will take sacrifice; so in closing, with His power working
in us, God will do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. I love you Shady Grove and I
pray God’s richest blessings upon you.

Happy Anniversary

In the Grip of His Grace,

Rev. Dr. Reginald Woullard

Pastor

From the First Lady….

I praise God for the awesome privilege He has given me to serve as your First Lady.
As I watch you work along with the Pastor’s God-given vision, it gives my heart immeasurable joy.
I am committed to the spiritual growth of each of you while supporting our shepherd as he is led by
the Holy Spirit and as he continues to take us to new levels in God’s Word. Thank you for your
continued support over the years. Congratulations on our 157th year anniversary. May God help us
to live in complete harmony with each other and in His will. I join together with you giving praise,
glory, and honor to Him.

Yours in Christ,

Lady Joyce Woullard

157Years

History of Shady Grove Baptist Church

According to historical artifacts in 1864, Black Christian (African American) pioneers broke their ties with the
Providence Baptist Church (a white congregation) of the Kelly Settlement Community. They felt that it was time
for them to worship and fellowship on their own. Although the names of all the Black members who attended
Providence are not listed in the documents, the names of some members were noted. They were Green Grant,
Oquilla Keys, Susan Kelly, Warren Kelly, Julia McLaurin, Jerry Mott, Harry Watts, and Polk Watts.

During the initial organizational meeting, the records show that there were three deacons from Providence
Baptist Church who met with several of the black members in a bush arbor in the vicinity where the church is
located today. After the organizational meeting, a structural meeting was convened and the onset of the building
of the church, a log cabin, began. Early church services were held in a shady area with eight members, two
deacons, a clerk, and several other community people. What a commentary for those who trust and believe in
the Lord; although small in number, they went from a bush arbor, worshiping and praising the Lord to an
increased membership requiring a larger structure. The church’s records do not specify the exact date that the
structure was completed; however, the records do show that during the early days, various visiting ministers
delivered spirit-filled sermons every week. The first pastors to be called to the church were: Rev. I.B. Travis,
Rev. R.W. Jones, Rev. Luke McInnis, and Rev. J.J. Jordan.

In 1917 Rev. Jordan resigned and the church was in need of a pastor. Deacon George Dahmer had the privilege
of hearing Rev. R.W. Woullard, Sr. preach a sermon. He was so impressed with Rev. Woullard, as noted in the
records, that he returned to Shady Grove Church, met with the Deacons, and shared “just” how this preacher
had elevated the Word of the Lord. He encouraged them to hear him for themselves. At Deacon Dahmer’s
request, Rev. R.W. Woullard, Sr. was invited to come to Shady Grove to preach. After hearing him preach, the
congregation was pleased with his message and he was called to pastor the Shady Grove Baptist Church. Shady
Grove Baptist Church grew spiritually and numerically under the leadership of Rev. R.W. Woullard, Sr. He
shepherded the Shady Grove Church family for over forty years before his health began to weaken. After Rev.
Woullard resigned, Rev. T.B. Brown was called and served for five years. The Rev. Enoch Jones and Rev. K.C.
Holmes served as pastors for a short period of time at Shady Grove Baptist Church

To whom much is give, much is required. How can a flock of sheep whose Christian tradition was galvanized
and synchronized by the Lord, not be blessed with a leader who could not be instrumental in increasing the
membership? In August 1969, the shepherd’s rod was passed to Rev. R.W. Woullard, Jr. Under his
administration, God endowed him with the gift to more than double the membership. Pastor Woullard, as he
was affectionately called by man, was quick to teach. His ability to teach was reflected in the many lives that he
touched and inspired to go on to become ministers, pastors, preachers, teachers, deacons, and faithful Bible
believing Christians. Wherever he went, he taught. He taught, in his office and home, to the masses at the
Mississippi Baptist Seminary as Dean, and stewardship to a group of deacons in a sister church. He lived the
word of the Lord, and would often say “I do not want to get to Heaven and not see you there”.

“I want my crown.” On Friday, January 28, 2005, Rev. Woullard was called home to be with his Heavenly
Father. The Shady Grove Baptist Church family met on Sunday, February 6, 2005 and discussed moving forward
to find a new pastor. Deacon Wayne Dixon offered a motion for the church to relinquish the traditional process
of searching for a pastor and allow the deacons to go into conversation with Rev. Reginald Woullard, Sr., the
son of Rev. R.W. Woullard, Jr., regarding becoming the pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church. The motion was
seconded and carried. The deacons met with Rev. Reginald Woullard, Sr. and offered him the position as pastor
of Shady Grove. He accepted the offer, and on Sunday, February 20, 2005, he preached his first sermon (8:00
a.m. service) as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church.

Rev. Woullard’s vision is kindred to that of his father, the late Dr. R.W. Woullard, Jr. He often says that God
used his father to bring Shady Grove to where we are now, and God will use him to carry us to the next level.
This vision has begun to be realized under his leadership; spiritually, numerically and financially.

~Order of Service~

“The Promise of Restoration: Bridging The Gap From Generation To Generation”
Zephaniah 3:18-20 (NKJV)

Praise and Worship………………....…………………………………………..…....Praise Ministry
Call to Worship…………………………………………………………………..………....Minister

18 “I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly,
Who are among you,

To whom its reproach is a burden.
19 Behold, at that time

I will deal with all who afflict you;
I will save the lame,

And gather those who were driven out;
I will appoint them for praise and fame
In every land where they were put to shame.

20 At that time I will bring you back,
Even at the time I gather you;

For I will give you fame and praise
Among all the peoples of the earth,
When I return your captives before your eyes,”

Says the Lord.
Zephaniah 3:18-20 (NKJV)

Altar Prayer/Points of Emphasis……………..…………………...…….Pastor Reginald Woullard

Welcome/Occasion ……………….………………………. …..….…………….... Sis. Anita Tart
Song Service……………………………………………...………..…Shady Grove Music Ministry
History……………………….………………………..…….……...…………. Video Presentation
Memorial Tribute…………………………….……………….….…….....…. Sis. Donnicka Hayes
Something Special….Sis. Maxine Coleman, Sis. Monique Crowell & Bro. Cameron Woullard
Presentation……………….……………………….………………..……..….....…Mime Ministry
Worship in Giving……………………………………………….…………....…………. Deacons
Sermon……………………………………………………….………Rev. Dr. Reginald Woullard

Hymn of Invitation
The Lord’s Supper
Remarks/Announcements……………………………….……….……. Pastor Reginald Woullard

Benediction

157Years



M TEMORIAL RIBUTE

Dea. Leonard Arrington Bro. Ralph Lindsey Bro. Horace Hayes Rev. Albert Woulard
April 28, 2021 January 26, 2021
August 18, 2021 August 15, 2021

Sis. Dorothy McPhail Sis. Louise Dahmer Bro. Terry Cole Sis. Dorrie McInnis
October 28, 2020 July 31, 2020
June 18, 2021 May 3, 2021

Sis. Nakyshia Foster Sis. Linda Eaton Sis. Charlene Butler Bro. Alfred Crowell, Sr.
May 5, 2020 March 31, 2020
February 26, 2020 February 14, 2020

Sis. Louise M. Ellis Bro. Charlie Andrews, Jr. Sis. Irma J. Haynes Sis. Laura M. Ellis

February 16, 2020 February 3, 2020 March 16, 2019 December 1, 2019

REASONS WE CELEBRATE

As we approach the celebration of another milestone in the life of the Shady Grove
Baptist Church, we have much that is positive to celebrate.

We do not just celebrate the passage of time; we celebrate a way of life, a spiritual
sensitivity that transcends the negative and accents the positive.

First, we celebrate the reality of the Church’s ownership-“Upon this rock I will build
my church.” The Church still belongs to the Lord.

Next, we celebrate the reality of those who were here before we arrived. We stand
on their shoulders, walk in their tracks, and feast from a table that was set before
them. “We have a lofty heritage.”

Last, we celebrate the tranquility of our fellowship. All is not perfect, all is not
exactly what we would want, but there are those who work and pray for the harmony
and peace of our church on a daily basis.

In Honor and Memory of the First Lady of Homecoming
Sis. Moselle Tate

Sermon Notes

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Special Thanks

We are deeply grateful for the dedication and support that each person has

given to make our 157th Homecoming Celebration successful, both spiritually

and financially. May God bless and keep each of you.

Homecoming Ministry

Donnicka Hayes, Ministry Leader Richard Crowell
Betty Dagons Jason Gholar
Magnolia Gholar Jeffrey Griffin
Maxine Coleman
Kendra Heidelberg Ora B. McLemore
Kenneth Young, Sr. T. J. Thompkins
Jacqueline McLemore Sharon Bolton
Kelvin Patrick
Sonya Felts Cheryl Heidelberg
Beverly Patrick
Teresa Haynes Anita Tart

Mission Statement

“Empowering people to live a more than conquering life through
worship, ministry, mission, discipleship, and fellowship to reach the world

with the love of Jesus Christ”