GREATER MOUNT PLEASANT A.M.E. CHURCH EMAIL: GMPAMECHURCH@YAHOO.COM Tel: 954-921-5756

2341 Freedom Street Hollywood, Florida 33020, United States

WELCOME TO "THE MOUNT" "A PLEASANT PLACE OF FREEDOM"

CONTINUED HISTORY

Subsequently, in 1935, devastation occurred again when another severe storm destroyed the newly constructed church building. After the storm, the church members worked very diligently to raise money to rebuild. While rebuilding, church service were held in the Liberia Chamber of Commerce Building then located on Atlanta Street in Liberia. A new building was finally erected on the same site as the building that was destroyed by the storm. Many documents were also lost to the storm as well. There are no existing documents that tell which ministers served during which times, and years followed after Mount Pleasant was rebuilt subsequent to the devastation of the 1935 storm.Nonetheless, in spite of many credentials lost, the following church members and trustees: Brothers: John Wilson and Miles and Sisters: Mary Maddox, Arthina Bennett, and M. Smith recalled the best recollections of those ministers’ names who were appointed as leaders at Mount Pleasant from 1935 through 1962. Those appointments included the following Reverends: Woods, M.H. Wilson, R. Monroe, Butler, another Wilson, Salmon, Byrd, Jones Jamison, Solomon, Samuels, Hooks, Wright, Benson, Rufus Bishop, and C.D. Perry. During Reverend Rufus Bishop’s reign as pastor of Mount Pleasant, Reverend Richard Thigpin served as his associate pastor and Mrs. Annie Blocker was the first Sunday School Superintendent.Thereafter, the appointment of Revered James M. Askiew in 1963 brought about great and glorious events. He brought with him to Mount Pleasanthis wife, Evelyn and their seven children. The Reverend came to Mount Pleasant with a dream. He envisioned, “a new Greater Mount Pleasant AME Church with a steeple high enough to be seen from I-95 and Federal Highway.” During that time, Interstate-95 was under construction. His dream began to unfold when the ground-breaking ceremony of the church was held on March 22, 1970, on the corner of Forrest Street 24th Avenue in Hollywood. Officers, members, and friends along with Pastor Askiew, labored untiringly to get the new church completed. The new Greater Mount Pleasant African Methodist Episcopal was completed and dedicated March 14, 1976. The Rt. Rev. H. N. Robinson, Presiding Prelate of the Eleventh Episcopal District presided over the dedicatory service; assisted by Rev. H.J. Benson, Presiding Elder of the Fort Lauderdale District. The Pride of Hollywood Masonic Lodge members laid the cornerstone. The trustees of the new church were: Brothers: Willie J. Hill, Clarence McIntyre, John A. Steward, and William Rush, Sr., Sisters: Bessie McSwain, Annie L. Thomas, and Ethel Dixon-Burke. Three deaconesses were ordained by Bishop Robinson: Sisters: Mary Washington, Stella Green and Eliza Sampson. Members praised, “To God Be the Glory” for a job well done. During that same year, under Reverend Askiew’s leadership, Mount Pleasant hosted the October 1976 South Florida Conference and in the following year, hosted the Sunday School Convention in 1977. Reverend Askiew remained at Mount Pleasant until 1983.In 1984, Reverend Leroy Washington was appointed to the church. He served two years as shepherd. He oversaw the purchase of the church’s first van, dining room tables, and chairs. A beautiful dining area was established and was utilized as an annex or extension to the main auditorium of the church when needed. Reverend Washington served at Mount Pleasant until 1986.In 1986 Rev. Hector Smith was assigned as leader. He served until 1992. During this time the church members were blessed with Brother Andrew Wells and his wife, Patricia, and their two children. Reverend Well was ordained under the leadership of Reverend Smith and Brother Elbert Harris was called into the ministry. Under Reverend Smith’s administration, a new church organ waspurchased. Reverend Smith remained at Mount Pleasant for six years.In 1993, Reverend Theodore Roddy was appointed to the church. Although Reverend Roddy was here for a short time, due to his unexpected death on June 6, 1993, he was only at Mount Pleasant for a short time, but he accomplished much. So much that he left an inedible mark on the hearts of the Mount Pleasant flock. Stunned but not stopped by the sudden loss of Reverend Roddy, the church moved forward striving to live up to the inscription that he had given to his flock, “Busy as Bees and as Sweet as Honey.” After Revered Roddy’s death, Bishop Frank C. Cumming and his wife, Mother Martha C. Cummings served as the interim leaders during the 1993 Conference year. Bishop Cummings spearheaded a Men’s Day drive, which lead to the support of the entire District, as well as the South Florida Conference. Through Reverend Cumming’s effort, the church was able to significantly decrease its debts. In 1994, Reverend Lewis A Myers was assigned to lead the flock at Mount Pleasant. Along with him came his wife, Easter and daughter Valencia. Reverend Myers brought life and spiritual uplifting to the church with a host of programs, ministries and a wealth of Christian life experiences. During his tenure a new parsonage was acquired and dedicated. Two members were called into the ministry: Reverends Horace Martin and Audrey Council.In 1997, under Reverend Myers’ guidance, the Mount Pleasant Family was consecrated with a miraculous financial blessing by one its deceased members, Sister Mildred Beckles. Through this blessing the church members were enabled to pay off the church mortgage and purchase a new church van. In the names of her deceased family members, Sister Annie Thomas donated to the church an awning which covered the front entrance walkway of the sanctuary. The “Silent Workers Club” donated to the church a plot of land that sits directly across front the church sanctuary.In 2002 through 2003, the church was still thriving and making improvements. The sanctuary was renovated and refurbished with new tile in the foyer, and the roof was repaired. On October 17, 2004, Bishop McKinley Young Appointed Pastor Eddie Laketo the leadership at Mount Pleasant. He brought with him his wife, Reverend Paula Lakeand their daughter Jessica. Under Reverend Lake direction, the church members adopted the mission, “To Save the Lost, Make Disciples and to teach the Principles of Christ to Promote Godly Living.” Many new and innovative ministries and missions evolved during Reverend Lake’s tenure at the Mount. Those ministries included: an “Evangelism Ministry,” “Hospitality Ministry,” and a “Feed My Sheep Ministry.” Other undertakings under Reverend Lake guidance consisted of: sponsoring a Health and Fitness Workshop, establishing a Women’s Book Club, members attended leadership workshops, sponsored a Community Town Meeting, and assisted along with six other churches in the Liberia area a family of five from the New Orleans Hurricane Disaster Area. The church made strides during Reverend Lake’s tenure at Mount Pleasant. Within the first year, fifty-one members joined the church, with more than eighty-five percent of the membership tithing, and there were one hundred twenty-eight conversions. The following year, there were more than one hundred fifteen new members with ninety-two percent of the membership tithing.After Reverend Lake’s reassignment to another church in early 2007, Reverend Dallasteen Yates was temporarily assigned by Presiding Elder Jimmy Thompson to lead the flock of Mount Pleasant.Then, on October 5, 2007, Pastor Eddy Moise, Jr. was appointed by Bishop McKinley Young to serve as Pastor of Greater Mount Pleasant AME Church. Reverend Moise brought withhim his wife, Roberta and their three children: Eddy, Elizabeth, and Emmanuel. Under this new leadership, a church website has been created: www.greatermountpleasant.org A partnership with the neighboring apartment complex has been established and the church adopted a needy family for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Pastor Moise is excited about what God has in store for the ministry of Greater Mount Pleasant and he “challenges everyone to take a weekly walk with God, Talk with God and Love God; because God walks, talks and loves each of us.In 2010, Reverend StanleyS. Dawson and his lovely First Lady Pamela Dawson as the newly appointed leaders of the Mount. Under their guidance the church has been on the move. The church made all its bills current, repainted the church, and the parsonage has been renovated and furnished by the membership. Through his talks with the Lord, Reverend Dawson has taken the Mount to a new level. He has elevated the congregation with his enthusiasm and determination to move us on up! He has claimed every ministry of the church as his own, and we have all claimed him. The church is excited about what God has in store for us!In 2015, God had in store for us a new pastor, in the form of The Reverend Curtis Randolph, and his lovely wife Mary and their family. Rev. Randolph has come with fire and determination to show the membership, that, “the Sky is the limit to what we can have.” In 2016, God did it again and blessed us with the return of our first family to complete Gods plans. This year we are committed to our theme of: “Where We’ve Been & Where are We Going “and Pastor Randolph is doing this by encouraging us to refocus upon our Spiritual Gifts and our Stewardship. In 2017, God did it once again and blessed us with the return of our first family to complete his plans. This year we are committed to Waging War! Greater Mount Pleasant members and Pastor Curtis Randolph have put on the whole armor of God as we continue to love our neighbor and remembered that “It takes more than a busy church, a friendly church, or even an evangelical church to impact a community for Christ. It must be a church burning with holy ghost fire, led by leaders who are on fire for God.” “This Means War”! Since taking the helm in 2015, Reverend Randolph has been at the Mount, an inspiring and quiet leader. He developed the 20% Rule that has assisted the church in meeting its financial obligations by putting aside each week twenty percent of what is given to the church through tithes and offerings; he has increased membership and advanced our understanding of the Bible through weekly Bible study classes; he has set up 2nd Sundays Youth Bible Study. Reverend Randolph leads with a vibrant persona of justice and fairness. He fascinates the church with his weekly Sunday 11 am topics such as: “But I thought you said you Loved me! “Stay in the Ship!” The Seal of Redemption” “Who is This?” and “My House will Serve the Lord.” Such Power! We thank God for our leader and his visions, we are moving up to greater heights, because, it’s not over yet, there’s more to come. In 2018 through 2020, God's grace continued to shine on Greater Mount Pleasant under our visionary leader, Pastor Curtis Randolph. Mount Pleasant's own Reverend Eric Brown received his license to preach. Under Pastor Randolph's leadership and support Rev. Brown has worked hard, studied, and successfully become a pastor of o church. Brother Rudyard Julius received his calling to ministry and under Reverend Randolph continues to serve Mount Pleasant with humility. This period also saw the birth of "The Gift to a Stranger Ministry. Members voluntarily give a suggested financial gift (matched by the Church) to a stranger. Members report how personally rewarding this program has been. Pastor Randolph has overseen the development of a "Wills, Trust, and Estate Planning" Ministry. A very needed program for the Church. Additionally, Pastor Randolph has seen the birth of a Seniors program spearheaded by Sister Rose Lester. This ministry is designed to teach, serve, and unite the senior population of the Church. Truly, Greater Mount Pleasant is a Church on the move for the Lord! We are moving even more so into the millennia with Servant Keeper. Reverend Randolph has foresight to see the need to make it possible to connect the Church to the membership. We praise God for he and his wife, sis Mary Randolph. As the local WMS Supervisor, she has excelled at leadership and kingdom building through her singing ministry. The Stewardess Board under her tutoring is one of the most devoted and dedicated group of women. The Randolph legacy has transpired and continues to lead Greater Mount Pleasant African Methodist Episcopal Church to greater heights.

WELCOME TO "THE MOUNT" "A PLEASANT PLACE OF FREEDOM"

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