WS Chronicle

Raised to always be a giver, Alvin Robinson has dedicated his life to helping others. People have noticed his good works and for his dedicated service he was recently ordained as a deacon of his church, Greater Tabernacle Worship Center.

Robinson has been a member of the church for seven years and was in line to become a deacon under Apostle Brenda McCloud. Unfortunately, McCloud passed away before he could be ordained, so he wanted to wait until a new senior pastor was in place before he moved forward with becoming a deacon of the church.

“Apostle Brenda McCloud told me years ago, right before she passed away, that I needed to be at the church more,” said Robinson. “I told them I didn’t want to be one until I got under a good leader.

“I wanted to be under somebody that knew the word of God and knew how to serve God and the people.”

A service was held on Jan. 2 to ordain Robinson as a deacon at the church. Surrounded by family, friends and several members of the congregation, Robinson was ordained by Bishop Phillip McCloud Sr. 

“I know I try to live a righteous life; now I got to keep my eyes on the Lord and serving the man of God and doing right by the church,” he said. “I need to try and take my spiritual [life] to another level.”

Robinson was honored to become ordained as a deacon, but feels he did not need the title to continue his good deeds in the community.

“Whatever they were saying from the pulpit, I have been doing all along, I didn’t need the recognition to be a deacon” Robinson said. “I have been doing it and I am the type I don’t need a title, but when you get honored with a title, it makes you feel like it’s a job well done and that I have been doing something right.”

Giving and doing things for others is second nature for Robinson. He was brought up to never be selfish and looking out for your fellow man is the only way to live.

“I was taught by my momma, my granddaddy, and my grandma to always give because it will come back to you,” he continued. “I don’t even care if it comes back to me because I don’t do things just to do it. I do things because God speaks to my heart all the time and He asks me to do it.”

Nowadays, it’s very common for people to show on social media how they have helped someone. For Robinson, it’s never been about recognition, and many times he doesn’t even want others knowing what good deeds he has done.

“I am not doing it, God gets all my glory,” Robinson said about not wanting to be recognized for the things he does for other people. I am doing it to show people that you can give and don’t have to be looking for something in return.”

Robinson is thankful that his children have taken notice of his good deeds over the years and have followed in the same path.

“I want them to just give and when they can’t give, give,” he said. “Don’t give that you can’t pay your bills because God is going to provide all your wants and needs. I don’t want anything; I just want my kids to learn how to give. I want them to give unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

As a deacon, Robinson says he wants to be able to give more. He says he has a vision that he would be able to write a check to his church so they don’t have any future financial issues or hardships.

Robinson says he could not have made it this far without his family. He leans on his wife for questions about the word because she knows the Bible very well, Robinson said.

“I just want my kids to learn how to be good people, do right by all people of all races, and just do right and give.  If you are giving from your heart, you will see a whole change in your attitude that day or that week.”