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Church dedication involves local residents
calvary picture
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church's new 15,000-square-foot edifice is between Midway and Richmond Hill.

Saturday is church dedication day for Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Richmond Hill. The new edifice of will be dedicated at 11 a.m.

The 15,000-square-foot facility includes classrooms, a computer lab, bookstore and administrative offices.

The 145-year-old Calvary Missionary Baptist Church is at 200 Danielsiding Loop Road and is led by the Rev. Stanford Anderson, who has served the church for 11 years.

Anderson also serves as the president of the First District of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia. He has been in the ministry for more than 40 years. He began preaching at age 7. He has been pastor of Piney Grove Baptist Church in Hazlehurst since 1981.

“God is doing great things,” said Minister Shelia Renee Payne, who serves as Calvary’s secretary. “We have already been celebrating the big occasion. The celebration started with a 24-hour prayer from noon on Feb. 26 until noon Feb. 27.

“On Saturday, March 5, at 8 a.m., we had a Spread the Love Prayer Walk in the community. The Bryan County Sheriff’s Department escorted us, and the youth ministry was involved. On Saturday, March 12, at 10 a.m., there (was) a fashion show with the youth. We want to get everybody involved.”

The final worship in the current sanctuary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday with Pastor Frederick McIver and members of the First Zion Baptist Church in Riceboro as guests.

Saturday, the dedication speaker will be the Rev. Anthony Corbett Sr. of Lundy Missionary Baptist Chapel in Macon. The Rev. Dr. Kenneth B. Martin, pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Augusta and president of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia will speak at 10 a.m. Sunday. And at 7 p.m. March 31, the guest speaker will be the Rev. Hermon Scott, pastor of Baconton Missionary Baptist Church in Walthourville and moderator of the Zion Missionary Baptist Association.  

“This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our sight,” Anderson said.

Payne said, “Our theme for the year is ‘This is the Year of Manifestation, Greater Expectations and Greater Commitment.’”

Under Anderson’s leadership, Calvary has grown, with many members and ministries added. He is known as an energetic, anointed, spirit-led visionary, leader, teacher and servant to his congregation and community.

Anderson received the 2010 Outstanding Shepherd Award from Vision Magazine.

Anderson is married to the former Dorothy Y. Jay. They have two children, Stanford II and Faith.

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