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    123rd Annual Session of Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention ends on high note

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          The 123rd Annual Session of the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention, Inc. was held April 22-26 at the Old West Enrichment Center, Tallahassee, under the leadership of Eighth President Elder Dr. Chris A. Burney. Delegates from Miami to Pensacola attended the Session with the theme “Preparing for Greater” – Jeremiah 29:11.

    Queen Elaine Diaz and King Verdree Patterson

    The Mount Zion West Florida/Alabama/Louisiana, under the leadership of Moderator Ernest Williams, was the host for the Session and began the week with a lavish Welcome Reception for all delegates.

    In addition to sermons and discussions elaborating on the Session’s theme, other events included: Pastors, Elders, Ministers Summit—“Translating Visions Into Reality;” “The Deacons and the Church Preparing for Greater;” “Being an Effective New Pastor and Minister in the Primitive Baptist Church”; Women of the Church – “Joy in the Journey to Greater” and “The Greater In Me.” The State of the Convention included updates on its properties: Miracle Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Miracle Village Senior Independent Living Facility, and Miracles in Me Day Care Center.

    President Burney and President Likely accompanied by their vice presidents present the Convention’s PB&J donation to Julie Montenaro, WCTV evening news anchor and PB&J founder.

    The Women’s Congress “King and Queen Contest” to support scholarships yielded a total of $17,000 with Deacon Verdee Patterson (West Palm Beach), Laymen’s Council President being crowned King and Sister Elaine Diaz (Miami) representing the Women of the Church Auxiliary was crowned Queen. Mother Twanna Jackson (Tallahassee) representing the Choir was the 2nd runner up. The Women’s Congress’ Annual Outreach of $1,500 was given to the Delta Academy in Pensacola—the hosting district.

    In his address to the Convention, President Burney encouraged the delegates to “Hold on a little longer, Greater is coming.”

    President Burney and President Likely present award to Sister Esther Withers.

    The awards of the Convention were presented as follows: Moses G. Miles Award to a minister was presented to Elder Lee Harris (Jacksonville); Lillian J. Brantley Award to a Women’s Congress member was presented to Mother Sandra Ming (Fort Meade); Tommie C. Daniels Award to a Laymen was presented to Deacon Izeal Battle (Cocoa); and the James Tookes Servant Award was presented to Brother Carl Smith (Cocoa). The Women’s Congress President’s Award was presented to Sister Esther Withers (Miramar).

    Earlier in April, President Burney asked all delegates to bring a/some jar/s of Peanut Butter and Jelly to support WCTV’s PB&J Project to provide some food for students during the summer when school is not in session. Prior to Friday’s Closing Session, Julie Montanaro, evening news anchor for WCTV (CBS) and founder of the PB&J Project (in its 8th year) came to pick up the two large bins filled with PB&J, thanked the delegates for their support, and shared the history of the project.

    Elder Brandon Mason, pastor at Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church, Pensacola, delivered the closing sermon. The 124th Session, 2025, is scheduled for Tampa being hosted by the South Florida District Association.

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    Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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He has grown his flock from the 25 or so students who showed up at his first services to more than 200 each Sunday. Sometimes, it’s standing room only. “We’ve been trying to figure out what to do next because on Easter Sunday we had 342 people, and some were standing in the back,” he said. Word In Black talked to Lockett about the secrets of his success: how his adjustment of Sunday ser-vices got people into the pews, why his philosophy for guiding students on their spiritual journey centers on independent thought, and how his “Spin the Block” initiative is shaking things up on campus. The in-terview has been edited for length and clarity. Word in Black: The first thing we want to know is, how do you get so many young people to chapel every Sunday?. Lawrence Lockett: Well, first of all, I changed the time of service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I realized a lot of the students like to sleep in late. It gives them time to do whatever they need to do. I’m sure many of them still like to party hearty over the weekend. So they have a good chance just to kind of refocus, recali-brate, get themselves lunch, and then come over to the chapel for service. When I started in November, maybe 20-25 students came, but now it’s over 200 that come every Sun-day, and it’s pretty cool. So now we’re repositioning ourselves to go after the freshman class this year. If we have the same success as last year, there’s definitely not going to be any room. Word in Black: Tell me about pastoring on a college campus. Lawrence Lockett: Morgan actually started as a biblical institute, so the Christian traditions have al-ways been here. As a pastor or shepherd, I’m walking students through their questions, not always just trying to preach answers to them. It’s about being vulnerable. I tell them I was in their same position, just trying to figure it out. And it’s not me just trying to give them answers. 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