Service attended by a who’s who of prominent clerics
Staff Report
Roanoke’s High Street Baptist Church held a grand celebration, Sunday, April 12, with the installation service for the new pastor, Rev. Serenus T. Churn Jr. and First Lady, Mrs. Karen Churn.
Rev. Churn was elected as the ninth senior pastor of the historic church on November 6 and officially began his duties on January 2. The Yonkers, New York, native is an accomplished minister, educator, lecturer, singer and musician who has a servant’s heart, a love for the ministry of music and a passion for preaching.
A graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Rev. Churn received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education. In 1992, he was confirmed with the Mater of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina. He served as senior pastor for 23 years at Calvary Baptist Church, Danville. In addition to his pastoral work, he taught music in Danville and Pittsylvania County school systems.
The day-long installation celebration began with Rev. Dr. Joseph Jones, Zion Memorial Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC delivering the morning message. Escalating things officially, State Senator John Edwards extended greetings and Mayor David Bowers added a special highlight presenting the Key to Rev. Churn.
Rev. Dr. Edward T. Burton, former pastor, Sweet Union Baptist Church, presided over the 4:00 p.m. service. A sizable number of prominent local, state and out of state ministers were also in attendance and one by one christened the honoree with heartfelt praises of support.
The choir, praise team and a host of ushers, officers and members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Winston Salem NC traveled to witness the momentous occasion. The entourage was a true testament to the spiritual linkage that surrounds Rev. Churn and his family of ministers.
Leading the family is one of Rev. Churn’s most influential supporters, his father Rev. Serenus T. Churn, Sr. pastor of Mount Zion BC who fed the crowd with a spirited installation sermon tailored for the occasion.
In a most delightful manner Mrs. Shirley Churn, mother of the honoree, had the honor of introducing both her husband and her son in the true spirit of family.
The well-attended service lasted over 3 hours and included inspirational messages from many who spoke. Among them was Dr. Thurman Echols, Jr., president Virginia State Baptist Convention who said “this church is known all over the country.” After extending his blessings to the newly elected minister of such an esteemed house of worship, he closed encouragingly saying “Good, better, best, never let it rest until the good is better and the better is best.”
Officially speaking in his new role as pastor, Rev. Churn, first briefly spoke of the book “We Have This Ministry,” by Rev. Gardner C. Taylor, the iconic preacher who recently passed April 5–considered to be the “dean of the nation’s Black preachers.”
He gave special credit to his wife Karen, recognized his family (many of whom were in attendance) and spoke passionately lifting, “my spiritual father, my biological father and my mentor, my dad.”
With a calm yet deliberate confidence, he explicitly reassured the congregation of his intent to, “preach the gospel simple, full and free.”
Following the installation a banquet was held in the beautifully decorated Anchor of Hope Community Center.
It was truly a momentous day for the members of one of the most historic churches in the area that has been without a pastor for over 2 years–which consequently is all the more reason for such a grand affair that joyfully installed Pastor Serenus T. Churn, Jr. as the new spiritual leader at High Street Baptist Church.