About Us (continued)
It took a committee of 9 members, meeting once a week, approximately 2 years to create the new documents. Many issues, responsibilities and requirements were discussed, debated and prayed over to bring it to fruition. However, the group never wavered from what God had intended, which was to "Let all things be done decently and in order." (1Cor. 14:40). And at the end of 2020, the new Constitution and By-Laws were voted on and unanimously approved by the entire congregation.
As a testament to the church's commitment to forstering more fellowship, five senior members of the congregation were honored in February 2020 for their years of dedication to the church. Dubbed the Fabulour Five, Sisters Emily Boone, Kathy Brown, Deloris Daniel, Joy Goddard and Barbara Putney were lauded at a special dinner.
Also in February that same year, First Baptist came together with St. Paul Baptist Church in Red Bank to celebration Black History Month. For the next several years, Rev. Jackson would be invited to preach at St. Paul's annual Black History Month afternoon program; demonstrating it is always a blessing to bring God's people together in the name of the Lord.
It wasn't long after that event; however, that life on Earth would change in ways no one could ever imagine. The United States found itself in the beginning stages of a worlwide pandemic; the coronavirus, and more specifically, COVID-19. The virus was spreading at an alarming rate throughout the world. By mid-March, most of the United States was grappling with what to do, as huge numbers of people were getting sick and dying daily from the highly contagious disease.
With overcrowded hospitals and the death toll rising each day, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on March 20, 2020 announced an immediate statewide shutdown. That meant closures of businesses, restaurants and schools followed by houses of worship until further notice. A shelter in place order was also issued, pleading with people not to leave their homes except to go to the doctors' office or get essential supplies. First Baptist Church's last full in-house service was on March 22, 2020.
As God would have it, Pastor Jackson announced that the church buildng itself would be closed. However, he said, "We are the church and we are still here!" With that, a number of actions were quickly taken to help the congregation continue to worship and fellowship during these extremely uncertain and difficult times.
In April, the Communications and Social Media Ministry was created. It immediately began live streaming abbreviated services from the empty church or Pastor's home every Sunday on Facebook Live, then posting the videos on the church's new YouTube channel so church members were able to hear a word from God. The ministry even set up special videos and Zoom interactions called "Tuesday's Inspirations" so members could interact and actually see each other which was very encouraging.
As members shared the videos with family, friends and coworkers, the church was blessed with a huge increase in our live viewership -- at times, more than doubling the total amount of First Baptist members. People were atually "attending" these live church services from New York, South Carolina, Mississippi, and even Holland, the United Kingdom and Greater Asia.
But the ultimate joy came when God touched a young man during one of the broadcasts and he gave his life to Christ right then and there -- a true blessing for all!
During the pandemic, other changes took place early on; The Diaconate Ministry began hand delivering communion pieces to church members so communion could be taken together virtually; and the Trustee ministry set up online tithing. The Youth Squad jumped in and did their part to help with community outreach by making get well cards over Easter break for a local nursing home.
By summer, the spread of COVID-19 was easing slightly as hospitalizations and deaths were slowing down in the United States. With proper coronavirus precautions being taken, including sanitizing the entire church building -- and after much prayer -- Pastor Jackson decided it was time to make plans to come back to church.
In mid-June, First Baptist leadership began attending Sunday service in what Pastor Jackson called a "soft opening," and by late July, members were encouraged to begin coming back to Sunday morning services. Little by little, they did.
Church history was again made on August 30, 2020 when Deaconess Louise Shivers was ordained as the first female Deacon in First Baptist's 120-year existence. Rev. Carla Jones Brown, a pastor at the Arch Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphis and longtime friend of Deacon Louise, officiated the Ordination and Elevation Service. Diaconate Chair, Deacon Bellamy Shivers, gave the Charge to the Deacon to his wife, while Rev. Jackson prayed the Prayer of Ordination. Upon completion of that service, Deacon Louise was now a member of the First Baptist Church Diaconate Ministry along with her husband, Deacon Bellamy and Deacon Mark Turner. Sis. Kathy D. Henriques was elevated to Deaconess during that ceremony as well and was added to the ministry in a support role.
As COVID-19 began to ramp up again, there was one more special event to celebrate in 2020 -- First Baptist's120th Church Anniversary. A small celebration was held on October 25th with a guest preacher and foyer redecoration for the occasion. A Happy Anniversary banner was hung overhead and photos of the four past pastors along with Rev. Jackson were mounted on the wall. A museum-worthy display of the actual cornerstone from the original building was set up as well. And at the end of the service, always being aware of pandemic precautions, a piece of celebration cake was distributed in a small souvenir box to all attendees as they left the church.
As the challenging year closed, the "Little Church by the Side of the Road" thanked God that not one member of the First Baptist family became ill with COVID-19. And even during the pandemic, two people gave their lives to Christ and were baptized: and six more joined the church.
During 2021, more and more of the congregation began coming back to church with many opportunities to fellowship with each other. One of those opportunities, the fifth Pastoral Anniversary celebration for Rev. Jackson, was held in June. The program included guest preachers, spiritual mentors and old friends. Each special presentation given by the church ministries commemorated Rev. Jackson's time at First Baptist. And add to that, special prayers and gifts, lots of accolades and many good wishes for the future.
Highlights of 2022, in February, included taking the time to honor Rev. Jackson on two important milestones in his life -- retiring from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs after a combined 33 years of military and administrative service; and receiving his Doctor of Theology degree from the New Jersey Institute of Theology.
Because his actual graduation ceremony was canceled the previous year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the congregation wanted to celebrate the accomplishment in a special way. Pastor was presented him with his doctoral robe, framed diploma and a new name plate for his desk.
Deacon Bellamy Shivers gave a most-appropriate salute on the special occasion, as he said, "The church has often been called a spiritual hospital. And now we can honestly say...we have a doctor in the house, the Rev. Dr. James A. Jackson, Jr., ThD."
In the spring of 2022, First Baptist was asked to become a part of the historic Walking Tour of Belmar. We presented a very brief history of our church which was included in the tour narrative. So as summer visitors stroll around the beautiful beach town and walk near our church, they are able to click on the QR code and hear through their own devices the history of the first Baptist and first African American church of Belmar, NJ.
And later that same year, First Baptist ordained its second female Deacon. On June 12, 2022, Deacon Kathy D. Henriques was added to the Diaconate.
Several annual occurrences happened in 2023, none more important than the 7th Pastoral Anniversary of our pastor, Rev. Dr. James A. Jackson, Jr., ThD. At his celebration, Chairman of the Diaconate Ministry, Deacon Bellamy Shivers explained the importance of the number 7. "The number 7 is considered to be a Holy number that represents completion or divine fulfillment. It derives much of its meaning from being directly tied to God's creation of all things and is referenced by God throughout the Bible more than 700 times. Therefore, it is safe to say that God sees the number 7 as significant. Pastoring a flock for 7 years is a divine achievement and worthy to be celebrated." As we honored Rev. Jackson, he was already looking to the future. The number 8 signifies new beginnings and we can wait to see what God has in store for us.
As we look towards the future, the goal remains the same. Under the leadership of Pastor Jackson, the First Baptist Church of Belmar will always be lea by the spirit of God and will always be a church that evangelizes to the sinners and equips the saints. Pastor Jackson continues to prepare our church to fulfill the Great Commission, given to us by Jesus Christ, through life example and service. "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost... (Matt. 28:19). Undoubtedly, there is much more ahead for the "Little Church by the Side of the Road".
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