Pastor Willie F.
Wilson and Co- Pastor Mary L. Wilson of Union Temple
Baptist Church
Celebrate Their 38th Pastoral Anniversary
Well-known Preachers and Gospel Artists Including Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Dr.
Marvin Sapp, Rev. Richard Smallwood And Many Others
Union Temple Baptist
Church, one of the most popular African American churches in
the Nation’s Capital, will be hosting an exciting 38th Pastoral
Anniversary Celebration of Pastors Willie F. & Mary L. Wilson. The festivities will take place between
Sunday, April 10, 2011 and Sunday, April 17, 2011.
Sunday
services on April 10, 2011, will feature guest preachers Rev. Dr. James Lewis
of Buffalo, New York at the 7:30AM service. Then at the 10:30AM service, renowned and
multiple award-winning Gospel Recording Artist and Preacher, Reverend Richard
Smallwood will be preaching.
T
On
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 7:30PM, widely acclaimed, multiple award winning
Gospel Artist and Pastor of The Lighthouse Full Life
Center Church in Grand Rapids,
Michigan, Rev. Dr. Marvin
L. Sapp will be the guest preacher.
Services continue on Thursday April 14, 2011 at 7:30PM with Pastor
Patrick J. Walker of The New Macedonia Baptist Church of Washington D.C.,
bringing the anniversary message along with his choirs directed by Stellar
Award winner, singer and composer Isaiah D. Thomas.
On
Friday, April 15, 2011, Union
Temple Baptist
Church will be hosting a
concert featuring popular Gospel Ensemble Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of
Music, Comedian Sean Sarvis, and special guest Gospel Artist VaShawn Mitchell
singing his hit song “Nobody Greater”.
On Sunday, April 17, 2011, the Anniversary will culminate with
Archbishop G. Augustus Stallings preaching at the 7:30AM service and National
Civil Rights Advocate dynamic leader and speaker Rev. Al Sharpton at the
10:30AM service. Pastor Wilson is
thrilled about the events. "Though
much has been accomplished -- the best has yet to come," he says.
Charismatic
preacher Rev. Willie F. Wilson took on the pastorate of Union Temple
Baptist Church
in March 1973, with 30 members, after the passing of the church’s founder, the late Reverend
Chester R. Smallwood. Since that time,
Wilson and his wife, Co-Pastor Mary Wilson, have done phenomenal work in their
community. In 1990,
against incredible odds and opposition, Rev. Wilson led the construction of a
$3.5 million church complex in the heart of Anacostia. With its Kente-stained
glass windows, the church receives world acclaim for its 30-foot by 19-foot
mural depicting the Last Supper. It not only has the image of a black Christ,
but also has the twelve disciples depicted as twelve significant Africans and
African Americans, among them Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm
X.
During Reverend Wilson’s many years of inspirational leadership,
the membership has grown to over 8,000 and is distinguished as one that is on
the cutting edge of social, economic, and political changes with the church,
community, and the world. UTBC
ministries and programs include, but are not limited to: The Akoma Project
which provides case management to individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS, the Aya
Program which provides long term welfare recipients with assistance in the
transition from welfare to work, the Harambee House which provides residential
and counseling services to court adjudicated juveniles, the Manhood & Womanhood
Training Programs which assist adolescents in their transition from childhood
to adulthood. UTBC serves as host to the Leon Wright Seminary for those within
the community who choose to expand their knowledge of the Christian church.
Finally, UTBC co-sponsors the outdoor festival, UNIFEST, which routinely draws
200,000 visitors each year.
(April 11, 2011)