BY LOUIS C. WARD
LEESBURG – Eleven parishioners accepted the Clarion Call to serve God and his people were ordained as elders, ministers, and deacons at the New Macedonia Worship Center’s highly spirited Elevation and Consecration Service Sunday evening, January 26, 2025.
At the beginning of his homily, preacher and Chief Consecrator Bishop Dr. Eugene Reeves informed prospective servants about the “cost of being a servant.” This is no small undertaking; this is serious. “When the church needs to draw a line concerning conflicting policies like holy and unholy, righteousness and unrighteousness, and go along to get along. There’s a price to pay… a price that goes along with ministry,” emphasized Bishop Dr. Reeves. “We need to get back to honor the Word of God.”
“You see the glory, but you don’t know the story,” D. Reeves told those about to be ordained. “We see the glitter, the blossom, and the shine, but we don’t understand the price.”
Prominent clergy members from Leesburg officiated the elevation and consecration ceremony, including Overseer Antonio Sears who did the purpose, Elder Dr. Shelia Smalley made the recommendation, and Overseer Luther Hickley did the examination, the charge to the candidates was done by Apostle Dannie Williams, and Bishop Steven Yates made the Charge to the Congregation, and finally Prayer of Consecration and Laying on of Hands by Bishop Dr. Reeves.
Communion was given by newly ordained Elders Jackie Carl Bentley and Melvin Lewis Walls. Candidates were presented their collars by their spouses and family members.
Jackie Carl Bentley and Melvin Lewis Walls were ordained elders. Ordained ministers were Karla Smith Clark, Pamela Thomas Jones, Melody Kiner, Patricia Arnold Walls, Tamicka Ware, and Shenita L. White. Reland L Bentley, Henry A Bouie, and Alphonso Jones became deacons.
Mt. Dora’s Impacting Word Family Worship Center’s Praise Team enhanced the spiritual service with their renditions of Gospel music.
“I am grateful to the Lord for calling each of them to serve in the most powerful role of mankind, which is to help fulfill the Great Commission, found in Mt. 28:19-20,” said Elder Dr. Shelia Smalley, Senior Pastor of Macedonia New Worship Center.
Eternally grateful for the evenings successful Elevation and Consecration Ceremony, a humbled Elder Dr. Smalley remarked, “It pleases me to play a key role in the lives of some who were elevated, as I’ve known them for 60 plus years. I’ve continued to shepherd and help them operate in the spirit of excellence, all for His glory”, concluded Elder Dr. Smalley. “May our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ bless each of them on their special day!”
