WS Chronicle

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church is one of the premier churches in the city of Winston-Salem.  The church is led by the Rev. Dr. Nathan E. Scovens, who recently celebrated his 10-year anniversary at Galilee with an acknowledgment everyone will remember for years to come.

While there were events all through the year held to honor Dr. Scovens, who is a Chronicle Man of the Year, the anniversary culminated with three services: a service featuring his father in the ministry, one featuring a brother in the ministry and one featuring his mentor in the ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Cardes Brown, his father in the ministry and pastor of New Light Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro, spoke during the weekly Wednesday night service on Nov. 8. A special Communion was held at that time. On Saturday, Nov. 11, a gala was held at the Grandover Hotel in Greensboro, in which the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, spoke.  On Sunday, Nov. 12, his mentor, the Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, spoke.  There was also a proclamation from the city of Winston-Salem presented by Mayor Allen Joines.

All three preachers used Scriptures to celebrate Dr. Scovens and urge him to remain on the holy path he is on.

Dr. Scovens says throughout his 10 years at Galilee he has really enjoyed his time there.  He says the way he was celebrated really warms his heart.

“My time here has been great and I don’t recall having a bad year, some have been challenging but all have been a blessing,” said Scovens.  “I believe I pastor the greatest church in the world with some of the most loving people and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.”

Dr. Scovens says he felt very happy to have Dr. Brown come and speak during his anniversary celebration.  He says he learned a great deal from Brown and hopes to continue Brown’s legacy.

“It was awesome, and he is a man of wisdom and always has words of encouragement, and I am honored to be able to follow in the footsteps of such a dynamic legacy,” Scovens said of Brown.  “To be called one of his sons is a privilege, honor and a joy.”

For Scovens, the opportunity to fellowship with his congregation, friends and family was what he was looking forward to most at the gala Saturday night.  He says having the chance to “soak it all in” and giving thanks to God was great.  He wanted everyone to know that the celebration was not just about him, but about the church’s journey together.

Brenda Diggs, organizer of the anniversary, says her main focus was to make sure everyone in the church would be included in all activities the church planned for Scovens.  She says a bonus for her was how she was able to find people in the congregation with tremendous gifts to assist with the planning.

“I first and foremost want to say that it takes a team and this team has just been phenomenal,” said Diggs.  “It has been a great year and the Scripture tells us that we should honor the man God has appointed to be our overseer.”

Brown said it was one of the highlights of his time in the ministry to celebrate the anniversary with Scovens.  He says the continued success of those who came up under his tutelage gives him the greatest pleasure.

“It was a privilege and certainly a blessed opportunity to share that time with him as he celebrated at the service at Galilee,” Brown said of Scovens.  “It has been a phenomenal growth in his commitment and experience and knowledge over the years.  Whenever anyone wants to give me any credit, I point to Nathan and many others to say that is the measure of my success in the ministry.”

According to Scovens over the next 10 years he would like to see the church stay committed to being a church in the community, staying focused on families and strengthening people.  He says he wants to stay focused on their mission statement of making disciples, building community and changing lives for Jesus Christ.

Managing Editor Donna Rogers contributed to this report.