Barb, I have been reading this forum for several months- "a lurker" you would call me I guess. Was raised at South Flint, was there when NW was there, I was between the ages of 5 to 11. I moved away when I was 18 and live in Tennessee now. Of course I know the Henson's as well. My Mom still goes there. She was a teenager there when Bro Abbey was there. Elvin Erwin married my Aunt's niece. Such a small world on the internet. I have enjoyed reading your posts, it keeps me close to home.
Welcome! Where in Tn are you?
__________________
"If we don't learn to live together we're gonna die alone"
Jack Shephard.
Thank you for the welcome. I live 1 1/2 hr south of Nashville in a little town called Pulaski. I used to live in Nashville and go to Christ Church (the Goldsberry's were there at the time) we moved shortly after Dan came back.
Barb, I have been reading this forum for several months- "a lurker" you would call me I guess. Was raised at South Flint, was there when NW was there, I was between the ages of 5 to 11. I moved away when I was 18 and live in Tennessee now. Of course I know the Henson's as well. My Mom still goes there. She was a teenager there when Bro Abbey was there. Elvin Erwin married my Aunt's niece. Such a small world on the internet. I have enjoyed reading your posts, it keeps me close to home.
My goodness, girl...it is smaller evertime I log on!! And your mom still goes there...hmmm....
This is something I've been thinking a lot about this week. It is a thread that probably won't mean much to anyone but me, and maybe those who are from Michigan and know the people of whom I am mentioning here...
Bro. Albert Abbey was pastor and founder of South Flint Tabernacle in Flint, Michigan for many years. During that time, South Flint was one of the largest UPCI churches in this state, as well as one of the most respected.
There were a number of associate ministers there, but the one who seemed destined to take over the responsibilities of pastor when Bro. Abbey retired or passed was Bro. Gary Richardson. Sis. Abbey said later that this was indeed Bro. Abbey's desire, as they loved Gary like a son.
Bro. Gary seemed to just have it all, ya know?! I was young at the time...early teens I guess, but I remember his boyish good looks, and my goodness, what a voice!!
He was married to Velda Tatum, and they had three small children.
While traveling on I-69 to preach a revival, a woman came flying off the ramp onto the E-way and Gary was killed. That was March 3, 1969.
That tragic event stunned us all...my parents let me out of school that day to attend the funeral. But more than being stunned by his untimely death, it allowed for changes in the lives of many...changes which have had far reaching effects.
I have wondered this week, just what would our lives have been like had Bro. Gary lived?!
When Bro. Abbey passed, Bro. Herbert Ervin became pastor for a time. Through events not of his making, he resigned and has since pastored other churches. Bro. Arthur Pruitt was pastor (for an even shorter period).
The church which had once been the state's largest (5 or 600 at least), by this time had dwindled down to 90 souls.
And then God sent a man from California...Bro. NJ Wilson. When he resigned 6 years later, the church was well over 700 in membership. He was followed by Bro. Robert Henson, who remains as pastor.
Had Gary lived, none of this would have happened. Bro. W never would have come here...there would have been no need. Those who left and went to CA, wouldn't have.
And what about me?! I was living in TX when he came here. Unsaved and not thinking about Jesus, my ONLY reason for visiting SFT was a friend told me I should come out and hear this great man of God. She was on me so about it, I finally relented, and thank the Lord I did!!
Would I have ever gotten saved had he not come here?! Perhaps, but one never knows. As I said, Church was the LAST thing on my mind... I don't know.
And what of Bro. Ervin?! He seemed content to be an associate minister...would he have ever pastored otherwise?!
To cap all of this off, his son, Elvin, married Gary's widow, Velda.
All of these changes because one man passed from this life.
And now this week, another man has passed...Bro. Elvin Ervin.
Wow, the memories...before I moved to TX, Elvin and Velda worked SO hard trying to mentor my rebellious life. The hours they spent with me are precious memories that will remain with me forever.
He helped Velda raise her children and they called him "Dad.." they had a child together as well.
Elvin was a good man.
We knew this was coming...Sunday they said that it wouldn't be much longer, but it just really threw me to hear the words, "Elvin passed away..."
Praise the Lord for a life well spent, preaching, pastoring, and mentoring. As the song goes, "I am a life that was changed...I am SO glad you gave!!"
The difference one life can make, and the difference one death can make...
And so glad for AFF so I can ramble on and not worry my family with my ramblings...
Barb, I knew Elvin and Velda also, but wish I knew them much better. Sadly, there was a lot of rumors and controversy that was spread when Bro. Ervin left the UPC about 13 years ago. I won't go into that here, but I know they were fine folks, and were always nice to me, even though they didn't know me.
But I know Mona, Gary and Velda's only daughter. She is married to Terry Griffith, who pastors one of the UPC churches in Herrin to this day, and took over when Bro. Ervin left. I also know Aaron, his wife and children, and know a little of Nathan. I met Derek only once.
Thank you for your post, because it gave me insight into a part of their lives that I would have never known had you not told of it.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Barb, I knew Elvin and Velda also, but wish I knew them much better. Sadly, there was a lot of rumors and controversy that was spread when Bro. Ervin left the UPC about 13 years ago. I won't go into that here, but I know they were fine folks, and were always nice to me, even though they didn't know me.
But I know Mona, Gary and Velda's only daughter. She is married to Terry Griffith, who pastors one of the UPC churches in Herrin to this day, and took over when Bro. Ervin left. I also know Aaron, his wife and children, and know a little of Nathan. I met Derek only once.
Thank you for your post, because it gave me insight into a part of their lives that I would have never known had you not told of it.
Ahhhh...well you just answered MY question...will PM...
Thank you for the welcome. I live 1 1/2 hr south of Nashville in a little town called Pulaski. I used to live in Nashville and go to Christ Church (the Goldsberry's were there at the time) we moved shortly after Dan came back.
I live in AZ and for the past year I went to the Goldsberry's church here. Now I went back to the UPC though I do not follow all the beliefs. My wife and child go there.
P.S. I am from Knoxville and My dad lives up in Madison.
__________________
"If we don't learn to live together we're gonna die alone"
Jack Shephard.
Barb, I knew Elvin and Velda also, but wish I knew them much better. Sadly, there was a lot of rumors and controversy that was spread when Bro. Ervin left the UPC about 13 years ago. I won't go into that here, but I know they were fine folks, and were always nice to me, even though they didn't know me.
But I know Mona, Gary and Velda's only daughter. She is married to Terry Griffith, who pastors one of the UPC churches in Herrin to this day, and took over when Bro. Ervin left. I also know Aaron, his wife and children, and know a little of Nathan. I met Derek only once.
Thank you for your post, because it gave me insight into a part of their lives that I would have never known had you not told of it.
The more I think about this, the more amazing it is...I mean our lives are so interconnected, in ways we had never imagined.
This is something I've been thinking a lot about this week. It is a thread that probably won't mean much to anyone but me, and maybe those who are from Michigan and know the people of whom I am mentioning here...
Bro. Albert Abbey was pastor and founder of South Flint Tabernacle in Flint, Michigan for many years. During that time, South Flint was one of the largest UPCI churches in this state, as well as one of the most respected.
There were a number of associate ministers there, but the one who seemed destined to take over the responsibilities of pastor when Bro. Abbey retired or passed was Bro. Gary Richardson. Sis. Abbey said later that this was indeed Bro. Abbey's desire, as they loved Gary like a son.
Bro. Gary seemed to just have it all, ya know?! I was young at the time...early teens I guess, but I remember his boyish good looks, and my goodness, what a voice!!
He was married to Velda Tatum, and they had three small children.
While traveling on I-69 to preach a revival, a woman came flying off the ramp onto the E-way and Gary was killed. That was March 3, 1969.
That tragic event stunned us all...my parents let me out of school that day to attend the funeral. But more than being stunned by his untimely death, it allowed for changes in the lives of many...changes which have had far reaching effects.
I have wondered this week, just what would our lives have been like had Bro. Gary lived?!
When Bro. Abbey passed, Bro. Herbert Ervin became pastor for a time. Through events not of his making, he resigned and has since pastored other churches. Bro. Arthur Pruitt was pastor (for an even shorter period).
The church which had once been the state's largest (5 or 600 at least), by this time had dwindled down to 90 souls.
And then God sent a man from California...Bro. NJ Wilson. When he resigned 6 years later, the church was well over 700 in membership. He was followed by Bro. Robert Henson, who remains as pastor.
Had Gary lived, none of this would have happened. Bro. W never would have come here...there would have been no need. Those who left and went to CA, wouldn't have.
And what about me?! I was living in TX when he came here. Unsaved and not thinking about Jesus, my ONLY reason for visiting SFT was a friend told me I should come out and hear this great man of God. She was on me so about it, I finally relented, and thank the Lord I did!!
Would I have ever gotten saved had he not come here?! Perhaps, but one never knows. As I said, Church was the LAST thing on my mind... I don't know.
And what of Bro. Ervin?! He seemed content to be an associate minister...would he have ever pastored otherwise?!
To cap all of this off, his son, Elvin, married Gary's widow, Velda.
All of these changes because one man passed from this life.
And now this week, another man has passed...Bro. Elvin Ervin.
Wow, the memories...before I moved to TX, Elvin and Velda worked SO hard trying to mentor my rebellious life. The hours they spent with me are precious memories that will remain with me forever.
He helped Velda raise her children and they called him "Dad.." they had a child together as well.
Elvin was a good man.
We knew this was coming...Sunday they said that it wouldn't be much longer, but it just really threw me to hear the words, "Elvin passed away..."
Praise the Lord for a life well spent, preaching, pastoring, and mentoring. As the song goes, "I am a life that was changed...I am SO glad you gave!!"
The difference one life can make, and the difference one death can make...
And so glad for AFF so I can ramble on and not worry my family with my ramblings...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barb
I was just thinking about Bishop W and wondered what impact coming to Michigan had on him, as far as the man he is today?!
Those who knew him in his younger days...Elder Raven and George and others...what do y'all think?!
He took a church that was hurting and turned it, as well as this city, upside down. He left Flint, went to St. Louis for 1 year, and then Sacramento...
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