centralonthepearlcme

Central Metropolitan C.M.E. Church

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

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The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, familiarly known as the C.M.E Church, was organized on December 16, 1870, in Jackson, Tennessee by 41 former slave members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Composed primarily of African Americans, the C.M.E Church is a branch of Wesleyan Methodism founded and organized by John Wesley in England in 1844 and established in America as the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784. As such it is a church of Jesus Christ adhering to the basic tenets of historic Methodism, welcoming into its fellowship any and all desiring to “flee from the wrath to come and be saved from their sins.” It holds that Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Son of God whose life, teachings, sacrificial death on the cross and glorious resurrection from the dead reconciled humankind to God, overcame sin and conquered death, procuring thereby eternal salvation to all who believe. The C.M.E Church believes that the Holy Spirit is God’s continuing presence in the world empowering the church to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and fulfill its mission of saving and serving all humankind. Basic to the faith of the CME Church is the conviction that the Bible is the inspired Word of God containing all things necessary for human salvation.

The C.M.E Church is organized into eleven Episcopal Districts, nine in the Continental United States and two on the continent of Africa. Each Episcopal District consists of geographical Regions presided over by a bishop elected by the General Conference. Several connectional departments under the authority of a General Secretary carry out the ministries of the church, such as Christian Education, discipleship, evangelism, and missions. Its theological school is Phillips School of Theology, which is a part of the Interdenominational Theological Center, located in Atlanta, Georgia. The C.M.E Church sponsors four liberal arts colleges: Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee; Paine College, Augusta, Georgia; Miles College, Birmingham, Alabama and Texas College, Tyler, Texas. The Connectional Headquarters and publishing operations of the C.M.E Church are located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Presently the church reports approximately 800,000 communicant members in the continental United States and 14 African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and D. R. Congo. To learn more about the C.M.E Church, visit https://thecmechurch.org/

1890-1921

Central Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1890. The first pastor was Rev. Henry Thomas Toy. The members worshipped faithfully in a house. In 1905, the church began worshipping in a framed building located on West Beaver Street. That same year, Rev. T.F. Gunn became pastor and sold some prime property that he owned on the corner of First and Davis Streets to the Central members.

1921-1939

In 1921, Rev. N.M. Means became pastor. A second edifice was erected. In April 1929, Rev. Allen T. Clark was appointed pastor. During the 1930s, Central witnessed dynamic leadership from Rev. W.C. Crawford, Rev. W.Y. Waites, and Rev. B.J. Jones.

1940-1959

In November 1940, Rev. George W. Washington, Sr. was assigned as pastor. He became the longest-serving pastor with his leadership spanning from 1940-1954. Rev. Washington purchased the first parsonage, located at 1929 Reiman Street. Rev. R.O. Langford and Rev. O.R. Jackson followed as pastors.

1960-1970

Rev. D.W. Bass was assigned as pastor and purchased another parsonage on 21st Street and Boulevard. During the 60’s and ’70s, Rev. Willie C. Flanagan, Rev. M.C. Merriweather, and Rev. E.D. McWoodson served as pastors and led the congregation in spiritual and dedicated worship.

1970-1994

In 1974, Rev. Raymond R. Sommerville was assigned as pastor. He led the congregation to the present location of 4611 North Pearl Street. This was a time of great jubilation, joy, and excitement! The members marched and some rode from the old church to the new church. Men, women, boys, and girls were as happy as could be! Rev. Sommerville also led the members into purchasing the present parsonage located in Turtle Creek.

Rev. Henry Williamson was appointed pastor in 1983. Under Rev. Williamson’s leadership, the educational building was renovated and renamed the D.I. Isom Educational Building. The membership experienced new growth and greatly increased. Williamson was elected as the 52nd Bishop of the CME Church in 2002.

Rev. John W. Honeysucker, Sr. was assigned as pastor in 1986. He led the congregation into a spiritual renewal! He organized the children’s church and it became a vital part of the church’s ministry every Sunday.

1994-2002

In 1994, Rev. Harlan K. Jones was appointed as pastor. He was a great teacher. The Youth/Young Adult ministry really flourished! Rev. Willie Lee McDaniel became the next pastor. He was a Holy Ghost filled preacher and singer. Under his leadership, the Nehemiah Project transpired in which many renovations were completed.

2002- 2014

Rev. John W. Walker, Jr. was assigned and participated in many community projects. He served as president of the “I CARE” organization.

Rev. Clarence Kelby Heath was appointed pastor by Bishop L.L. Reddick. Rev. Heath loved to sing the great hymns of Zion. Pastor Heath made major renovations to the present parsonage on Turtle Creek.

Rev. Marquise Hardrick was appointed pastor in 2011. He was a gifted and Holy Ghost filled preacher. Under his leadership, he presented the first blueprint for future plans of the church’s renovation and the property adjoining the church was purchased.

2014 - present

In July 2014, Rev. John D. Pasley was appointed pastor. Under his leadership, the congregation was led into a major church renovation project. God’s glory is seen, heard and felt in the beautifully appointed sanctuary.

Our current pastor, Rev. Roscoe C. McKinney, Jr., was appointed in October 2017.

Under his dynamic leadership, Central is experiencing joyous worship experiences, insightful bible teachings and being led into real-life encounters with Jesus! We invite you to join us on any given Sunday at Central on the Pearl.

We have a great history and we pray that with one mind, one spirit and one soul – we will forever glorify God, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit for the things He has done in the life of Central Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church!!!

JOIN US ON ZOOM

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Giving

Roscoe C. McKinney, II is the Lead Pastor of the Central Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Florida. A native of Detroit Michigan, Rev. McKinney earned a Master of Divinity from Garret-Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, from Eastern Michigan University.

Renown as a dynamic preacher, Rev. McKinney’s illustrious career in ministry spans thirty-six years as a Lead Pastor and eleven years as Presiding Elder of the former Historic Jacksonville-Orlando District. The breadth of his ministry extends over several states which include Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, California, Alabama and Florida.

During close to fifty years’ experience, Pastor McKinney has represented his Annual Conferences as an elected delegate to several General Conferences. As a delegate, he was a tireless worker on the Episcopacy, Finance, Revisions, Itinerancy and Boundaries Committees. He was an officer on the annual conference level serving on the Joint Board of Finance, (twice chair), Committee on Ministerial Examination, (once chair), Director of Christian Education and while a seminarian Assistant Secretary of the Annual Conference.

His personal philosophy of ministry is exemplified in Ephesians 4:11-16 “The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” As such, his ministry focuses on “equipping the saints to make disciples of Christ Jesus, who will use their spiritual gifts and other resources to offer God’s answers for the many situations that arise in their church, community and the world.” This focus has broadened the scope of his ministry to being an ardent supporter of foreign missions through prayer, finances, supplies and as a sender. In addition, Pastor McKinney has been a concerned advocate for the members of the communities where he has served, giving time and ability as a Community Activist and Community Organizer. His most cherished honor was being named Pastor of the Year as the church he served was recognized as Church of the Year. the needs of all persons to become accepting of others, encouraging of others and the nurturing of others.

Pastor McKinney is married to the Rev. Mary Campbell McKinney, the father of Rev. Roscoe C. McKinney, III and calls Malik, Quincey, Akiely, Samuel, Samiyah, and Jasiah his beloved grandchildren. Soon!

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Central On The Pearl "OTP"

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ON THE PEARL (OTP)

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. - Ephesians 4: 11-12 (NLT)