Milestones to Glory.

 

As we approach our 60-year anniversary I want to reflect on some of  the milestones that brought us to this point. It would be easy to say that the vision continues when you look at all the God has done and all the ministries that were birthed out of FTCOD. Other organizations that began, churches planted, and calls acknowledge. It’s amazing to reflect on the beginning. The vision of Bishop Finney, Bishop Hale, Bishop Wiggs & Bishop O’Hannon may have not seen what was to come but I am sure that they had an idea.

 

Milestones are significant points in history, or on a journey from one place to another that allows us to look back and reflect on all that God has done. Milestone like the beginning when the families that would start came together with a need to further the Gospel in as a unique a way as they could. Providing the platform that would position, Evangelist Susan, Bishop Darryl O’Hannon, Bishop Josh O’Hannon, Evangelist Lisa Hale Smith, Bishop Stevie Wiggs, and others to begin the journeys that theirs Parents started in 1967 to license the next generation of those to carry the gospel in as unique of ways as those gone before them.  Watching the second generation of torch bearers prepare and hand off the vision to those coming behind them. Whether sons and daughters, or nieces and nephews the die has been cast and the vision continues.

 

There are three milestones I want to briefly mention. One is the elevation of Bishop O’Hannon to the office of Presiding Bishop after the transition of Bishop Finney. After Bishop O’Hannon there was Bishop Young, and our current Presider Bishop Smith. All mark significant milestones in the movement of this great body. We look at them as men that God had prepared to be a part of the journey. Not just the journey, but the continuation of a vision. The journey they would make their own but the vision was theirs to become a part of. A legacy. For me the hardest part was finding my space as I didn’t grow up here, nor did I know the people that would labor to build what was entrusted to me. Unlike my predecessors, respect was not given but earned.  The type of respect you earn when dating the youngest of the family, and not just the parents are watching but the siblings as well. If you can take care of her, than you good.

 

One milestone should be entitled “I see the vision” There were those that were part of the beginning that may not have been family, but they were definitely apart of the family. Bishop and Mother Dukes. Elder and Sister Baker. Deacon Thompson, and many others that were there long before my arrival. Now we are witnessing the third and fourth generations of torch bearers to continue what was started in 1967. 56 years after the beginning as I write this, we have witnessed Tyheem, Antony, Barry, Richard, Meleah, and those that have accepted the call yet have begun walking in it.

 

All these that I have mentioned are milestones that we have witnessed and there are more to attain as we continue the vision that will be a part of the lives of those that call Faith Tabernacle Church of Deliverance f the Apostolic Doctrine Home.  It is my goal to list them as Milestone of Glory. You will hear from those God has blessed  to be a part of this great move.

 

Their story helps to tell this story.

Bishop L. Neal Smith