Write the vision. . .
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. - Habakkuk 2:3
A great African American writer stated in his book, and I quote, "Someone once said that studying the past prepares us for the future. It is important to look backward and see the patterns that causes us to feel some sense of continuity." Well, on another occasion, at New Bethel, an assuring friend of Bishop Howard and the family of New Bethel , Bishop Jessie Delano Ellis, Presiding Sr. Bishop of the Pentecostal Churches of Christ of Cleveland, Ohio spoke to us. It was while he was preaching a most soul saving and soul stirring message, that he shared with the Saints a comparison of traveling on the Christian journey and driving a car. Bishop Ellis placed heavy emphasis on the danger of not using your automobile's rear mirror occasionally while driving. Bishop Ellis stated and I quote, "the value of the rear view mirror carries a great appreciation as it readily assist in the knowledge of how to safely and cautiously move forward". It's vital that while driving, you must take full advantage of the front windows, side mirrors and the rear view mirror for a safe journey to your destination. What an awesome comparison to legacy acknowledgement.
In time past, there were too many lessons taught and learned that we should never forget. Lessons on how to get and maintain the victory over sin. Lessons of overcoming faults and failures. Lessons on how to love God with all of your heart, soul and mind. Lessons on support to the family. Lessons on how to pray through. Lessons on having financial stability. Dad Howard would always say, "trouble knows how to get your attention. If it's not trouble in the home, it's trouble on the job. If it's not romance, it's finance. In order to have an appreciation of our present walk with God, we must never forget to occasionally view the lessons of life taught to us by our founder and great assisting warriors. Above all we must cherish where came from. From our very origin at 12th and Streets, 5714 Georgia Avenue and to the current location at 6440 Piney Branch Road. It was those holiness Pentecostal teachings and examples of a sanctified walk with God, that were solid foundations laid for us to build on. Those were the bridges built for our safe crossing. Remember what the Ole' Timers said, "don't tear down the bridge. Appreciate it. You just may have to cross it again."
So, Therefore, we take great pleasure in presenting to our church family, the Sherman S. Howard Legacy Foundation, Inc. The Sherman S. Howard Legacy Foundation, Inc. has chosen a mission with a vision to assist students pursuing higher education with scholarships, to assist families in need of a hand-up and to assist various ministries. These goals will be accomplished as we highlight our great legacy of the late Bishop Sherman S. Howard, our father in the Gospel and the many saintly Warriors who labored in this vineyard. We all agree that we will never forget that it was those Pentecostal Holiness Pioneers who gave us this awesome and rich legacy that will live forever in our hearts.
My personal involvement of this great legacy and my initial account of New Bethel's ministry was given to me while attending my family's church, New Bethany Baptist. My first visit to New Bethel was in 1966, in response to an invitation from my mother's colleague, the late Elder W. T. Greene, (an eloquent and inspiring Gospel Singer) who was being featured in an annual concert sponsored by a church ministry group. I accompanied my mother to this concert and was highly moved by the love of the Saints, the music and holiness mannerisms. After that night, I returned to my family church and community friends and immediately began sharing what I witnessed at New Bethel. At the excitement of sharing my observations, a very large group of youth from my family's church, New Bethany accompanied me to New Bethel to see if for themselves. Well, I need not tell you, this eventually became a life turning event for some of us, as we became a member of this Pentecostal Holiness Church. During that particular era, moving from a Baptist Church to a Sanctified Church was not a very popular and encouraged move. However, we made the move and today we are more than glad that we obeyed God. It is from those early days until now, that I shall always cherish the birth, growth, and ministry of New Bethel, the Warriors and the founder. May I encourage you to do the same.
History has recorded the truth about this church. This church and it's ministry was built on prayer, faith and upon the backs of men and women who withstood discomfort for a cause. I thank God for those Warriors who were not the end but the means whereby God was and is glorified.
Therefore, with a grateful heart unto God and appreciation of history, this legacy website will share the legacy story with you from the archives' of our vast collections of memoirs, our overwhelming legacy moments through various writings, historical photos and historical artifacts. These memorabilia items along with various church family precious memory notes of love and appreciation and other related historical items will be showcased on this website which is promised to be a great blessing to the memory of our pastor, the Saints of yester-year, you and each website visitor.
Yes, my dear friends and Saints, there is a serious and frightening danger in forgetting our past. How can we forget this wonderful legacy? Our children and their children must know our legacy. This country and the world must know our legacy. We must remember that, it was our God, in whom we believe, who commissioned the birth of New Bethel into the heart of our beloved pastor. It was then, in the early 50's when our dear leader said, "Yes" to the call. He often told us how he battled with this commission versus his love for being a radio personality. Thank God, Pastor Howard eventually yielded to the voice of God and began this great work . And now, we, the Children of the Legacy take great pride and humility in cherishing these saintly memories of our heritage, it's many accomplishments and it's saintly assistance in building the lives of it's thousands of followers and friends.
We send special dedications and thanks to Deacon Lewis Howard, District Missionary Norma F. Brailsford, Mother Ella Payne, Mother Sarah Inez Mosely and General Church Mother Girlie Richards. These are the living Warriors and Keepers of the Legacy from 12th and S Street church location.
We make a public declaration that the memories of Bishop Howard and the New Bethel Family shall live on. This great legacy will forever live in the hearts of men, women and children everywhere. God bless New Bethel!
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise
masterbuilder,
I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation
can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
- I Corithians 3:10-11
Vannest G. E. Wilkins (Elder)
Founder
SSH Legacy Foundation
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