1 Bishop Larry E. Williams, D.Min. SENIOR PASTOR NEBO CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES, INC. t October 22, 2023 DOUBLETREE HILTON PIKESVILLE “CELEBRATING A LIVING LEGACY” Pastoral Anniversary – honoring – 50th
240 North Franklintown Road • Baltimore, Maryland 21223 410-947-9801 • fax 410-947-8037 Bishop Larry E. Williams, D.Min., senior pastor & ceo Elder Dorcas C. Baker, MA, executive pastor 2
Bishop Larry E. Williams, D.Min., senior pastor & ceo Elder Dorcas C. Baker, MA, executive pastor 240 North Franklintown Road • Baltimore, Maryland 21223 410-947-9801 • fax 410-947-8037 3
4
5
Bishop Larry E. Williams, D.Min. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Bishop Larry E. Williams, Senior Pastor of Nebo Christian Ministries, Inc. is an anointed vessel of God. Bishop’s ministerial career has amassed 50 years of service to God’s people. He began preaching the good news at 24 and was assigned to the Pastorate at age 27. He is the establishmentarian of Nebo Christian Ministries, Inc., the outreach ministry of Mt. Nebo Holy Church. Its mission is to serve the greater Baltimore community by bringing healing to the crushed spirit and changing lives through prophetic preaching and anointed teaching. While with the Mt. Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc., Bishop Williams contributed forty years of executive administration. While serving in this organization Bishop Williams earned four degrees. His final degree was a Doctor of Ministry from Howard University’s School of Divinity. Bishop Williams is a Founding Board Member of “The Center for African American Pentecostalism and Leadership Development” at the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at VUU (2015). As an Apostolic Father, Bishop Williams is a much sought-after speaker, teacher, mentor, and developer of church growth strategies, relationship fundamentals, and church corporate procedures. As he remains faithful to his divine call, wisdom, godly counsel, and spiritual guidance are a testament to the favor of God that rests upon his life. When recently asked, “What is your greatest joy in ministry?” Bishop responded, “seeing people’s lives transformed to a life pleasing to God has been the highlight of my 50-year career in pastoral ministry.” 6
Day by day, and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, Gives unto each day what He deems best, Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest. Every day the Lord Himself is near me, With a special mercy for each hour; All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r. The protection of His child and treasure Is a charge that on Himself He laid; “As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,” This the pledge to me He made. Help me then, in every tribulation, So to trust Thy promises, O Lord, That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation, Offered me within Thy holy Word. Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, E’er to take, as from a father’s hand, One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, Till with Christ the Lord I stand. Day by Day LINA SANDELL 1865 7
8
Order of Worship SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023 11:30 A.M. CALL TO WORSHIP t MUSIC MINISTRY t PRAYER t THE OCCASION AND TRIBUTE t RECEIVING OF CHURCH OFFERING AND TITHES t MUSIC MINISTRY t INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER t MINISTRY OF THE WORD OF GOD Bishop Ernest L. Moore Destiny Community Church Richmond, VA t PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY OFFERING t REMARKS BY CELEBRANT Bishop Larry E. Williams, D.Min. 9
Anniversary Speakers 2023 PASTOR CALEB GORDON Faith Community Christian Church Baltimore, Maryland BISHOP ERNEST MOORE Destiny Community Church Richmond, Virginia MINISTER DEREK SPENCER Faith Baptist Church of Glenarden Upper Marlboro, Maryland BISHOP KEVIN DANIELS St. Martin Church of Christ Baltimore, Maryland 10
Fifty Years of preaching and teaching the Word of God Fifty Years of performing weddings, funerals, blessing babies Fifty Years of counseling families in crisis Fifty Years of disturbed sleep answering calls in the dead of night like an on call Doctor Fifty Years of praying over souls who wanted to know Jesus Fifty Years of fasting and praying with God’s people Fifty Years of producing sons and daughters in the Lord Fifty Years of seeing miracles, signs and wonders Fifty Years of laboring with God’s people in all types of weather Fifty years of sacrificing time, talent and treasure Fifty Years of being a full time Pastor in days is 18,262 50 Years 11
12
50TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY A Dialogue with Bishop Larry E. Williams, D.Min. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 - 1 - Question # 1 Interviewer: Bishop Williams, what has been your greatest joy in ministry? Bishop’s Response: First, I was called into the Ministry, and from the first day the focus of my ministry has always been, and still is, the saving of souls. With that in mind, my greatest joy has been to see people transformed from the life they were living, to a life that is pleasing unto God. I have seen that happen, time and time again. To see people come in one way, burdened down with sin and the cares of life, and to see them grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus, is a joy beyond words. To see the lives of people totally transformed simply by the power of the Word of God is what true ministry is all about. It’s not about desiring titles…I was very satisfied without a title. True, I earned degrees from prestigious universities and one of our nation’s best seminaries, but they did not, necessarily, teach me how to preach. I just read the Word and expounded upon it and that was satisfying to me. This is what people were looking for within the ministry; and this is what they got out of the ministry. The ministry was focusing on transforming lives and bringing healing to the crushed spirit. The Lord specifically spoke that to me ….and I saw that there was a market, if I could use that word market, for those that needed that type of ministry. This means you can’t go but so far because you have hands on, and you’ve got to be with them. They must feel comfortable that somebody is overseeing them and walking with them in their spiritual walk. That’s the joy I have, seeing and witnessing lives being transformed. Question # 2 Interviewer: Most recently, we've seen your tenacity and unwavering faithfulness and commitment to the Work of Ministry, despite your own health challenges. Was there any personal revelation or epiphany that was revealed to you during those health challenges? Bishop’s Response: When the enemy attacked my body, I had to really come forth with a great understanding that even though I carried the Word of God, and even though I ministered the Word of God, I was not exempt from the attacks of the enemy. I remember there were days when the pain was so severe that all I could say was “Lord, I trust You.” I knew that He knew that I was certain about my faith and my service to the kingdom. Those are the moments, as a Believer, that we are we reminded that nothing happens unless God allows it. Question # 3 Interviewer: In 50 years of Ministry, you have seen and witnessed the miraculous move of God in so many various aspects of the church and ministry. As you reflect upon ministry and evangelism, what do you envision for Nebo Christian Ministries, through the Lord’s grace, as you approach year 50 in Ministry? 50th Pastoral Anniversary A Dialogue with Bishop Larry E. Williams, D.Min Wednesday, September 19, 2023 13
50TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY A Dialogue with Bishop Larry E. Williams, D.Min. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 - 2 - Bishop’s Response: I have asked myself the same question. Where do we go from here? Your servant, Lord, has now gotten up in age. It’s during those moments the enemy also tries to question me, do you still have worth? Or because of the new generation and new leaders that are doing things differently… the new way, do I still have meaning or am I as savvy as that? Do I need a new way of doing it? I do believe that we have come this far because this is what they wanted… this is what they were looking for. They have experienced other churches and other ministries where certain things they were not getting. God had prepared me so that when they come to Nebo Christian Ministries, they can find a “yes.” They can get to the point and say yes Lord, I can find rest for my soul. And this is the type of ministry or leadership that, I do believe, others who are coming behind me will be able to continue…because they witnessed this. They have witnessed this type of leadership, and they will be able to carry it on. Thank God for the Executive Pastor that we have. To me, she is the female side of the male side, and we work together. It’s just a miracle that you would have your assistant or executive pastor sharing the same birthday as yours. Question # 4 Interviewer: The COVID Pandemic, both pre and post, has had a profound impact upon the church. Thankfully, we are living and maintaining through God’s grace. However, what do you envision, as the work of ministry goes forth, regarding how the congregation adjusts to the timing of things based on technology and creative innovation? How will this shift and impact the Ministry? Will we still have zoom technology? How will we accommodate the congregation because of the pandemic shift? Bishop’s Response: I always ask God for direction. What I do know is that we must maintain our focus upon the kingdom, and our faithfulness to God. I never would have officially closed the doors unless something like this happened. And I was holding on to the very last moment. I remember distinctly December 13, 2020, Pastor Baker’s Appreciation Service. I wanted to make sure that worship service happened. But I knew then that people thought all along about not coming. Going forward, I will continue to embrace the new technology and the new way of getting the Word out, while trying our best to maintain the type of ministry that we have here at Nebo. Question # 5 Interviewer: The number 50 represents a pivotal milestone for you and the ministry. This is indeed an important time for you to look back and assess the high and low milestones within the work of the ministry. As Nebo Christian Ministries continue to move forward, what do you envision for the future of this great church? Bishop’s Response: I’m just looking for increase!! As a humble servant, and undershepherd of God’s people, I’m totally open to however God wishes to move. However, as long as God will allow me, I would love to remain as an advisor and counselor. However, it is my desire that Nebo continues to be a place where people just love God and love His Word. Thank you, Bishop Williams, for this wonderful and amazing interview conversation. 14
SERMONS DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS FROM THE CONGREGATION t Satan’s Kingdom Must Come Down 1983 Hold Out 1983 Saved by Faith in Jesus 1/24/1988 The Ten Talents 1990 My Lips Shall Rejoice 1991 We Have Loosing Power 1991 Habitation not Visitation 5/29/2005 God Will Give You Insight 2008 The Battle of the Mind 2009 Jesus Rebukes Sickness Feb. 2013 Carnal Christians are Intellectual April 2013 Healing Body Soul and Spirit 7/5/2014 A Promise is a Promise 2017 Retain, Release and Remember 12/31/2019 God is Our Refuge 2022 While Men Slept 2022 What Do You Feed an Angry Man Jesus Desires Your Devotion, dinner is secondary You Have to Fight Dismantle Your Glory Jesus is the Revealed Word of God Endure Hardness as a good Soldier God Shines Everywhere The Impossible Challenge The Purpose of Our Worship of God I’ve Got Me A Valentine 15
Acknowledgements Doubletree Hilton-Pikesville Time Printers Jam-Session Music Lil MsButterfly Event Hall Branded Bespoke, Tailor David Hatchett, Master Stylist t Anniversary Committee Elder Felecia Smith Elder Geraldine Johnson Elder Tavon Thomas Evangelist Bernetha McCray Evangelist Betty Johnson Deacon James Blackwell Deacon Bryan Williams Missionary Bridgette Thornton Missionary Sandy Jones Sis. Tammy Speights Pastor Dorcas Baker, Chairperson 16
Mt. Nebo Holy Church FORMER PASTORS Elder Joseph Gale SENIOR PASTOR Elder Gertrude Lee FIFTH PASTOR Bishop Elmira Jeffries FIRST PASTOR Bishop Charles Stevens FOURTH PASTOR Mount Sinai Holy Church BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bishop Ida Robinson FOUNDER Elder Mary Sutton THIRD PASTOR
timeprinters.com