"It's been a long time coming," proclaimed Pastor Michael-Ray Mathews at his service of ordination at his home church, Trinity Baptist Church in Los Angeles. A large crowd of friends and family gathered to celebrate with him on Sunday, April 29, 2001.
Pastor Mathews first met with the Ordination Council - an assembly of clergy and lay leaders from at least ten sister congregations of the American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles. Pastor Mathews presented the Statement of Faith section of his ordination paper and was examined by the council. After an hour, the council voted by majority to affirm his application for ordination. The certificate was signed and the assembly proceeded to the sanctuary of the church to celebrate with a service of ordination.
After the clergy processional to Blessed Assurance, Rev. Eugene Marzette, an associate minister at Trinity led the call to worship. (Rev. Marzette is the brother of Rev. Frank Byrdwell - a name some long time GBC members would remember.) Rev. Dolores Osborne, pastor of Temple Baptist Church - Los Angeles, where Michael-Ray served as youth pastor for 3 years, brought the invocation. After Trinity's pastor, Rev. Alvin J. Tunstill, Jr. brought words of welcome, Rev. Randolph Miller, moderator of the Ordination Council, presented the affirmative report from the council to the congregation.
The reading of the Old and New Testaments scriptures were led by the pastor's siblings, Mr. Myron Mathews (Jeremiah 20:7-9) and Ms. Michelle Mathews (Ephesians 4:1-16). These texts were the basis of a challenging sermon, Called To Lead, delivered by American Baptist Seminary of the West president, Dr. Keith Russell. Special music was rendered by the music department of Trinity.
Rev. Robert Wilkins, spiritual father to Pastor Mathews, delivered the charge to the ordinand. This was followed by the ordination vows led by Dr. Samuel Chetti, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles. All ordained clergy present laid hands on Pastor Mathews as Dr. Elliott J. Mason, Sr., pastor emeritus of Trinity led the ordination prayer.
Dr. Jane Gahs Wilson, retired executive from ABCLA presented Pastor Mathews with the Certificate of Ordination. Rev. John Polite III, close friend and colleague of Pastor Mathews and associate minister at First Baptist Church - Los Angeles, welcomed him into the fellowship of ordained ABC ministers.
Grace Church was well represented by church moderator, Dr. Penny Hogg who brought greetings from GBC. GBC members Marge and Lloyd Burns, Barbara and Tim Kellogg, and Linda and Don Sheppard stood with Penny as she presented a gift, on behalf of the congregation, to Pastor and Mrs. Mathews.
Pastor Mathews closed the service with remarks and acknowledgments. The service ended with the congregation singing Here I Am, Lord. A reception followed in the church's social hall.