The Central District Baptist Association Celebrates 105 Years!

By Rev. Donna Brown Vestal

On Saturday, October 12, the Central District Baptist Association held its 105th Birthday Celebration. The momentous celebration highlights the continuity and collaborative work of district churches in servitude for Christ. The Celebration was sponsored by the Central District Laymen, Clergy, and Women’s Ministry, at the Historical Hotel Louisville. Attendees of the celebration were just as proud of the historic event, as they were in welcoming the keynote speaker and new moderator, Pastor Corrie Shull of Burnett Missionary Baptist Church.

Rev. Corrie Shull, Newly elected Moderator Keynotes The Celebration

Moderator Shull’s exhortation was on Longevity, “How to get it.” The text was lifted from Isaiah 40:31:

“31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.”

Moderator Shull included in his homily scriptural text from Luke 13: 31-35 which focused on “Being Confident in Times of Trouble.” He said,

“As believers, we will face challenges and rejection, yet it is critical for our thriving and surviving, that we stay the course day by day. In order to grow vigorously, we must, as Christ polemically addressed the Pharisees (v33), nevertheless go on our way today, and tomorrow, and the next day.”

Longevity is the benefit of not growing weary in well-doing. Shull added that the church must look to the future, learn to watch, work and wait; while standing on the side of God’s will for a just, secure, and peaceful world.

Moderator Corrie Shull has served as the Senior Pastor of the Burnett Avenue Missionary Baptist Church for more than ten years. A proponent of education he serves on the Jefferson County Board of Education. He is an adjunct professor for Louisville area colleges and a doctoral student at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.

The Central District also welcomes Pastor Eric French of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church as 1st Vice-Moderator and Pastor Robert Drake of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church as the 2nd Vice-Moderator.

(Left) Sis Peggy Lewis, Program Chair (Mt. Lebanon Church) and (right )Rev. Cleora Williams, Women's Ministry President, Triedstone Baptist Church, presenting at the CDBA 105th Birthday Celebration

Other event highlights included presidential service awards presentation by Rev. Cleora Williams, CDBA Women’s President, (Tried Stone Baptist Church).

Sis. Bessie Thompson (Emmanuel Baptist Church) and Rev. Pauline Owens, (1st Gethsemane Baptist Church) received the Dr. Penelope Fisher Awards.