APRIL 4, 1976 - APRIL 10, 2005 

REV. DR. ROOSEVELT A. GRIFFIN, FOUNDING PASTOR

As the floodgate of memories of the past 29 years is opened, I am almost speechless. For this time is half of my life. I shall not attempt to summarize those years, for that would be an injustice to them. They all have been the joy of my life and for my family as well.

To each of the members of this church, we want you to know how much we love you. We also want you to know how much you have added to our lives. Your love for us is beyond measure.

Our appreciation for the opportunity to serve you has been an honor and a reward. We are richer in life, fellowship and our relation with our great God for each of you present and those who have gone to be with the Lord in heaven.

The work here at St. Mark Baptist Church has been very fruitful, but our work is not
finished, as you well know. As a church, we have worked hard, made many sacrifices, and
endured some difficult challenges. In all these things, God has given us twenty-nine victorious
years. We have come this far with God's abiding presence and help. With knowledge of this, we
are encouraged to go on to the end. 

                                          

         "Heavenly Father, we know from all of the experiences that have been ours, that we cannot make this journey by ourselves. All of life teaches us that we need Thy hand; we must be led by Thy counsel. We would daily walk with Thee, because of Thy help: but we also would walk with Thee for the joy that we obtain from Thy fellowship. Bless the aged who can no longer come to the services in Thy house: bless those who have given themselves in your name to Thy service: bless those who on a daily and weekly basis serve you with their time, talent and finances."

The future of God is filled with promises that only need to be claimed. Therefore, the wonderful things we have experienced are only to be followed with things that are even better as we continue to change and rearrange for blessings.

Let us be mindful as to how we have been blessed. The blessing came because we accepted opportunities to serve and glorify our Lord. We owe all gratitude, and thanksgiving with our deepest and most sincere spiritual praises to Christ. We are His and He is ours. What wealth we enjoy!

Now, as we continue in this grace, let us continue to share in our service to our Church families and our communities.

To my most precious and dear brothers and sisters, my parents, my children and my
family, "I Love You." May God in His external Glory richly reward you in every place, in
everything glorifying our Lord in You always.                                                                               ,

In the Faith - your faithful servant in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Roosevelt A. Grfffin, Pastor