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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 1991)
August 2 1 ,1991"'The Portland Observer-Page 3 • Portland Observer RELIGION A Skilled Foreman BY MATTIE ANN CALLIER-SPEARS In the book of St. John, in the eleventh chapter and the fortieth verse, Jesus asks the question, "D id n ’t I tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?’ ’ Many are wandering around, still groping in the dark, wondering, "W hat must I do to be saved? I accepted the Lord but I’m still not sure...” And the list goes on. The city of Portland, Oregon has been under spiritual construction for about ten years now. It will be a while before the last brick will be in place. Across the city and across < « the denominations, there has been change. The time for change is NOW! This construc tion that’s under way has employed new construction foremen. Each foreman comes to us equipped with a different skill. But every last one of them is working on the same project; toiling until its comple tion. The foremen have come in from such places as California, West Vir ginia, Ohio, Missouri, Texas and other states -- in this, our United States of America. United! Words such as this ring in our ears from the very fabric of our nation. Togetherness, unity, weav ing patterns, brotherly love and kind ness are words pouring from the pulpits throughout the city. One of the pulpits in Portland has recently been filled by one o f these young, energetic construction foremen. His name is Minister Gregory Fobbs. Rev. Fobbs is the newly appointed Minister of the Mallory Avenue Church of Christ located at 3908 NE Mallory Avenue. Minister Fobbs came to Portland, from Redwood City, California in March of this year. While he was here he had an opportunity to speak before the con gregation of Mallory Avenue Church of Christ. They enjoyed his message and the rapport he exhibited with the members of the congregation. “ Yes! He’s the one that God has sent to us,” said the members. “ We must get him to come back.” So during that time, Minister Fobbs was asked to consider pastoring Mallory Avenue Church of Christ. On the 16’.hofJune, 1991, Gre gory Fobbs, assistant pastor of Laurel Avenue Church of Christ in Redwood City, California arrived in Portland with his wife, Levearn, and three of their six children: Latricia, 20; Gregory, 11; and Kevin, 9. The two oldest children, Ronnette, 26, and Char les, 24, both live in Sac ramento, California. And there is yet an other, who happens to be the twin to Latricia. His name is Luther. He is a student at UCLA in Los Angeles. Gregory Fobbs, the son of Sam and Louise Fobbs, is not just any fly-by- night, nickel and dime preacher. He is a construction foreman with a purpose. He’s not just any foreman, but Gods’s chosen. He is skilled and accomplished. He’s degreed and able. Already, he has set in motion a Life Support Group, a Benevolence Program, an Evangelistic Outreach Program and a Youth Depart ment. With the help of God, he is look ing to accomplish great things in the Portland area. Rev. Fobbs, equipped with a BA in Social Work and the Holy Bible, came to evangelize the youth, give an up lifting hand to the down trodden and to bring hope to a comm unity under siege. The tools he brings with him are love, understanding, a listening ear, an open heart, prayer and fellowship with the Holy Spirit " I had never really thought about ministering to a church,” said Fobbs. He had always worked with and under someone. It was in 1974 that he took up the cross and answered the call to be come a minister. As a youth, coming up in church (Westside Church of Christ in San Mateo. California), he can re- Always stick with the Lord and never turn back.” mcmber attending worship service with his family. He chose to get involved. He became the Youth Director. He would coordinate recreational activi ties and spiritual activities such as youth rallies, door-knocking campaigns and weekly Bible study. But the memory that lingers is the inspiration he received from his maternal grand mother, Mrs. Mattie Kelly. " I t was my grandmother who inspired me to become a Christian,” Fobbs shared. “ I still contact her. 1 can remember many nights sitting up with her. We would discuss various scriptures of the Bible.” He recalled the advice that his grandmother gave him. "Always stick with the Lord and never turn back," she said. "T he faith she has in the Lord really slicks out in my m ind,” Fobbs beams as a warm smile lights up his face. W ith three sisters and three broth ers, all still in California, Minister- Fobbs is the only sibling who chose to pursue the ministry. When asked if any of his children con sidered the ministry, he answered, “ None have considered the ministry. But they are happy that their father is a minister and doubly proud that he is involved.” As the assistant Minister at Lau rel Avenue Church o f Christ, Fobbs evangelized the youth in the Bay Area before coming here. It is his hope to be able to work with the youth in this community, as well. For five years, he was also employed with the Juvenile Detention Center in San Mateo as a Group Supervisor. Reaching the youth is his specialty. His goal is to have a full-time personal evangelism minis try and youth ministry in full opera tion. And to have various programs that will meet the needs of the com munity. Each program will be an out reach of Mallory Avenue Church of Christ. “ We will emphasize physical outreach and we will eventually ven ture out with a radio ministry,” Fobbs explained. The congregation of the church in San Mateo was about 150. The congregation at Mallory is about 180 strong. " It is my hope that through community evangelism we will increase the membership,” says Fobbs. Levearn has already begun assist ing her husband by teaching the Women’s Bible Class. She is currently employed with the DePaul Treatment Center as a Substance Abuse Coun selor. With these skills alone, many will be caught in the spiritual eruption coming from Mallory Avenue Church of C hrist Yes, construction is under way. The newest foreman on the job is Gre gory Fobbs. And the Master Builder is Jehovah-Jireh himself. A full-time ministry will require full-time dedica tion, commitment and prayer. Minister Gre- gory Fobbs is well educated, well bred, has good business scruples and enters the ranks as another young man on fire for the Lord. When asked if he had anything to say directly to the community, he chose these words: "W e, as a Christian fam ily and as a commumity, must begin to work together. We CAN make our com munity a better place to live in.” To Minister Fobbs and his family, we, the members of the Portland Ob server staff and the entire city of Port land, wish to welcome you and your family to our fair city. And we ask God’s blessing to rest upon you now, henceforth and forever. Fobbs shares his goals and objectives. "Thus sailh the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my foot stool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place o f my rest?" Isaiah 66:1 Scripture o f the <Weef Matthew 13:3 M allory C hurch A of venue C hrist 3 9 0 8 NE MALLORY AVENUE M inister Gregory Fobbs Bible school, 9:30 am. Morning Worship, 10:45 am. Evening Bible Class, 5:00 pm. Evening Worship, 6:00 pm. Attended nursery for all services Wed. prayer meeting and bible study, 7:30 pm. 1092 Advocating NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY MT OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH WE ARE MOVING SUNDAY SERVICES TO Stone Tower Church, N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 30th Worship Services 8:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Church School 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. Bible Study, Wednesdays. 116 N.E.Schuyler 10:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. Pastor Wendell Wallace personally invites von to be his special guest al MARANATHA CHURCH New Worship Service Come expecting worship services, with contemporary music, practical preaching from the Bible, and sharing from personal experiences Service times are: Early Sunday Morning Worship at 8:00 AM (New) Sunday School at 9:30 AM Regular Sunday Morning Service at 10:45 AM Sunday Evening Service at 6:00 PM Wednesday Evening Service at 7:00 PM Sunday, "Maranatha Live”: KPOQ 93.7 FM at 11:00 PM Sunday, September 8, 1991 at 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM "HOW TO HANDLE LIFE’S DEEPEST HURTS & TOUGHEST PROBLEMS" Sunday, September 8, 1991 at 6:0 0 PM "RESTORING PURPOSE IN OUR GENERATION’ Wednesday, September 11, 1991 at 7:00 PM "MARANATHA’S VISION’ Prayer for healing every Service 4222 N.E. 12th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97211 (503) 288-7241 Correction Last week we ran "A Special Thanks” from the Washington Fam ily. Several names were listed and one was incorrect. Please note that "W om ack” should have been “ Lomax.” Again, special acknowledge ments to: Margaret Carter, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Harper, Rental Washer Company, Terri Obcrst, and the Lomax Family. Radio Ministry each Sunday, 8:00 A.M.-KBMS A Teaching Church With A Reaching Ministry Dr. James E. Martin, Senior Pastor Church Office 116 N.E. Schuy .cr, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church 8101 N. Fiske Avenue Portland, Oregon 97203 Church Phone: 289-0147 Reunion Choir Concert The Music Department of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church will sponsor a series of special choir re hearsals for all current and former choir members, August 21, 22, 23 at 7:00 p.m. The church is located at 3725 North Gantenbein Avenue. The Reunion Choir will be in Con cert at New Hope on Saturday, August 24 at 7:00 p.m. as part o f the Annual Music Department Day festivities, which culminate on Sunday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. New Hope, one of the area’s lead ing choirs, has had hundreds of people affiliated with the choirs since the first choir was organized in 1954 by the late Rev. Andrew A. Newton, Pastor. All persons that were members of any of the choirs (Angel Choir, Follow ers of Christ, Young Adult Choir, Sen ior Choir, Inspirational Choir, Male Chorus, Mass Choir) are encouraged to come back and participate in this gala event. The theme for the Concert is "O ne More Time.” The Annual Day on Sunday, Au gust 25 will feature the preaching ministry of Evangelist George H. Mer- nweather of Portland Foursquare Church. The Annual Day theme is “ The Sound of Music” (Psalm 150). The public is cordially invited to the Concert and Annual Day. For more information regarding these events, please contact the church at 281-0163. Study Phone: 289-1911 Sunday Service 10:45 Sunday School ^30 Bible Study 6:00 Evening Service 7:00 P.M. Theme: Whatever you’re going to do for the Lord, do it now. I Peter iv .ll /esus L o w s You/ Allan Thiiqjte O H Orarcdh Psalm 3 4 . 3 4236 NE Eighth Avenue (co m « of 8lh 4 Skidmor») Portland, Oregon 97211 (503) 287-0261 Phillip S. Nelson, Pastor For Best Results Advertise in the Observer