WS Chronicle

Rev. Dr. Dennis Bishop is one of the most well respected pastors in the city.  This past weekend he celebrated his 50th anniversary in the ministry, with 35 of those years at his current church, First Waughtown Baptist Church.

The church organized a multi-day celebration culminating in a special Sunday morning service.  The scheduled service Thursday evening was canceled due to Hurricane Michael, but that did not dampen the spirits of the congregation for the remaining events.

“I am just so thankful to have my family here to celebrate this day with me,” said Bishop.  “I also wanted to thank the congregation of First Waughtown, because I could not have asked for a better group of people.

“I was recently asked if I would do it all over again and as I thought about it, the only answer I could come up with was yes,” he continued.  “My family and I have truly been blessed during the time I have spent here.”

Sunday’s service was highlighted by the preaching of Rev. Dr. James Woodson II of St. James Home of Fresh Start Ministries out of Greensboro. Woodson elevated the energy level of the congregation before he even began his message.  The impromptu praise and worship session lasted for nearly 20 minutes and had everyone eager to hear what Woodson had to say.

Woodson’s message touched on many things dealing with the senior pastor of the church, especially when he decides to step down.

“One of the things that the church has to do is that we don’t deal well with succession because we don’t preach about it,” said Woodson.  “All of us at one point is going off the scene, but what is it that you want to transfer.  Is it language or is it spirit?  I contend that it is spirit.”

This was Woodson’s first visit to First Waughtown. He said, “The spirit and passion of the church was amazing.

“I just wanted them to join with me in celebrating an anointed pastor, whose anointing is greater than his intellect or anything else,” he said.  “It is spirit that drives him, so it should be spirit that drives this ministry.”

Following the service, the various ministries of the church presented Bishop with special presentations and gifts.  Bishop and his family then enjoyed a home-cooked meal in the basement of the church.  He says it is a day he will never forget.

“When I look back over the years, it does not seem like I have been preaching for 50 years, or that I have been here for 35,” said Bishop.  “I know I will continue to spread the Word for as long as I live, but I am not sure how long I will continue to preach in the pulpit.”