HISTORY OF DEACON BOARD

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In 1903, approximately 37 years after the founding of Cedar Landing Missionary Baptist Church, the first Deacon Board was organized under the Pastorate of Reverend Luke Pierce. The men ordained as deacons were Brother Johnnie Mebane, Brother Simon Mebane, Brother Richard B. Speller Jr., Brother Plummer Speller and Brother William Carter.

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In 1905, Reverend Jonah Thompson of Lewiston, NC was called to pastor and under his leadership, new deacons were added. They were Brother Albert Speller, who served as Chairman, Brother Austin Watson, Brother Simon Speller, Brother Solomon White Sr., and Brother Harvey Rascoe Sr.

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In 1957, Reverend A. M. Williams was called as pastor. Under his leadership, the church made great progress.

During 1962, Chairman Deacon Albert Speller led the Deacons to new heights and five new Deacons were added. They were Brother Thomas Speller, Brother James Miller Sr., Brother Danny T. Speller Sr., Brother James Pugh and Brother Eugene Watson. Deacon Thomas Speller soon became Co-chair. Under the leadership of Pastor H. H. Murrill, two more Deacons, Brother Lovis Rudolph Williams and Brother William Small, Sr. were added to the Deacon Board.

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In 1985, following the resignation of Pastor Murrill, the church was led by the Board of Deacons with Deacon Thomas Speller serving as chairman and Deacon Johnnie T. Speller, Sr. as his Co-chairman. Through much prayer and supplication, the Deacon Board, in unison with the Trustee Board, successfully held the congregation together as they searched for a new pastor.

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In 1986, under the leadership of The Deacon Board, Reverend Shelton R. Barnes was chosen as the under shepherd to lead the flock. Brother  Ronnie  Speller,  Brother Zachariah Wilson, Brother Columbus Hyman, Brother Johnnie T. Speller Jr., Brother Allen W. Speller and Brother William Bowen were added to the Deacon Board.

The Deacons continued their God-given duties of visiting, praying and providing communion to the sick and shut-in members and the community.

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In 1993, Chairman Deacon Thomas Speller passed on to glory and Deacon Lovis R. Williams was appointed Chairman with Deacon Johnnie T. Speller Sr. serving as co-chairman.

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In 1996, Deacon Johnnie T. Speller Sr. departed this life and Deacon William Small, Sr. became co- chairman. Deacon Johnnie T. Speller, Jr. was called to ministry in the year 2000 and the church was again in need of new deacons. Brother Kelvin Outlaw and Brother Vernell Rodgers answered the call and were added in 2001. Our oldest deacon, James W. Miller, was called home to glory in 2003.

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God prepared and sent Brother Dalton (Nick) Nicholson who had previously served as deacon at The International Community Christian Church in South Africa. He was ordained at Cedar Landing in 2004.

 

In 2005, Senior Deacon and advisor, Deacon William A. Small, Sr. was called home to glory and Deacon Ronnie Speller was appointed Co-chairman.

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As Cedar Landing Church moved into the 21st Century, Pastor Barnes was led to reorganize the deacon and deaconess ministries into the formation of the diaconate ministry.

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From 2006-2012, Deacon Ronnie M. Speller served as chairman of the Deacon Board, Deacon Kelvin Outlaw as Co-chairman and Deacon Dalton (Nick) Nicholson as Record Keeper. Deacon Lafayette L. Bunch joined the Deacon Board during this time.

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From 2013 – 2015, Deacon Kelvin Outlaw was chairman of the Deacon Board, Deacon Ronnie Speller was co-chair, Deacon Allen W. Speller and Deacon Lovis Rudolph Williams were record keepers. Deacon John W. Taylor joined the Deacon Board during 2015.

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In 2016, members of the Deacon Board are Lovis Rudolph Williams, Ronnie M. Speller, Allen W. Speller Sr., Kelvin Outlaw, Dalton Nicholson, William Bowen (Deacon Emeritus)  and John W. Taylor.

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As we conclude the history of our Deacons, we invite men to accept the challenge of becoming a Deacon. The Bible states that a Deacon must be serious, not double tonged, not addicted to much wine and not greedy for gain; they must hold the mystery of the faith in a clear and pure conscience. Also let them be tested first and then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as Deacons.

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