CHURCH MISSION
“WE ARE MACEDONIA AND WE ARE CALLED TO HELP SOMEBODY,” has become our church motto and part of our “vision statement”. But the larger mission statement is birthed out of what happened AFTER The Macedonia call.
People who gave out of their own poverty, who ministered from their own misery and who sacrificed what they had for the well being of someone else, became the cornerstone of the characteristics of people birthed out of the Macedonia experience. Before that call, Jesus explained what it should look like and this has become the Scripture basis for our mission.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
Matthew 25: 35-40
CHURCH HISTORY
Our Story
Our story is a story of hope, a story of commitment, a story of people passionate about praising and worshipping their God. The year was 1925. A small group of God-loving disciples met in the home of Brother and Sister William Wolfe to begin a journey many generations would benefit from. Through much prayer and great faith “The Gospel Light Mission” was born.
In 1920 under the leadership of God through Pastor L. Lemon the church moved to a larger building on the corner of Leon Court and Catalpa Avenue and became known as the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
Various reasons made it necessary for the church to build a new sanctuary in 1949. Under the leadership of God through Pastor Willie Matthew, Macedonia accomplished this task.
In 1957, Macedonia was blessed to call one of its finest Pastors to lead this flock in the person of Rev. F. D. Johnson. Under 35 years of leadership, the church grew spiritually, numerically, and financially. On October 1st, 1967, the church moved to its current location at 1862 N. Olive Street. Because Pastor Johnson believed and taught the concepts of tithing, the church burned its mortgage in 1975. In 1976, the church built an addition to accommodate the growth that God had allowed to take place.
On August 3rd, 1993, Macedonia called Rev. Anthony R. Pettus Sr., to become its Pastor. Through his leadership, a strong emphasis of men serving God took place. God allowed over 12 men to be called into the ministry of preaching. Many of those men developed into some of the leading pastors here in South Bend.
In 2005, Macedonia called Rev. Carlos D. Williams to pastor Macedonia. Under his leadership, the church experienced a great revival atmosphere through expository preaching and fellowship within the church.
In the church’s 83 year, God called Rev. Ray E. Owens to become the 12th pastor. Under his leadership our church continues to proudly stand on the foundation of which we were built. He too, follows in the footsteps of the wise pastors before him in revitalizing our church family, spiritually, financially, emotionally and instituted a church motto that now seems so fitting… “We are Macedonia and we are called to help somebody.”
OUR PASTOR
Pastor Ray Eugene Owens
A Man of Faith…A Man of Family…A Man of Favor
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Pastor Ray Eugene Owens was born and raised in the great state of Oklahoma. He was reared spiritually at the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City by the wisdom of Reverend A. Glenn Woodberry. Under Pastor Woodberry’s leadership Rev. Owens answered God’s call to preach at the young age of sixteen. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry with a minor in sociology. These days Rev. Owens is completing his Masters of Arts degree through Southwestern Theological Seminary with an emphasis on counseling. |
Once you meet Pastor Owens it is very obvious he loves God, loves people, and loves his children. He is the devoted dad to three girls who are no doubt the joy of his heart: Rachael, LaBraia and Raven.
Rev. Owens relocated to Ft. Worth, TX in 2007 and joined the Forest Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He served under Pastor Aaron A. Jackson Jr. The impression and impact Rev. Owens received from the Forest Hill family helped forge him into the pastor he is today. Pastor Jackson urged Pastor Owens to “become a man of integrity, to not just preach what you know but live what you preach, to have your yes be yes; and your no be no.”
In January, Pastor Owens became Macedonia’s spiritual leader. A position he takes seriously and wholeheartedly. It is certain by the favor God has shown our church and our pastor that our faith journey continues down the right path.
Pastor’s Blog
MACEDONIA PASTORAL TIMELINE
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