Second Baptist Church Honors 2 For Their Community Contributions
The Coaster – June 23,2016 – By Don Stine
Second Baptist Church in Asbury Park will honor two local residents with special awards for their contributions to the community during a special service Sun., June 26.
Civil rights activist Rev. Gil Caldwell will receive the church’s Humanitarian Award and Interfaith Neighbors Paul McEvily will get the Community Service Award, with Rev. Brian K. M~Collum preaching at the Men’s Day Service beginning at lOa.m.
This is the 56th Men’s Day service at the church and while certain people are not always recognized during the annual service, this year the church is going outside its membership to present the awards.
“This is the first time Men’s Day has gone outside the church to recognize people. But we realized that other contributing people need to be recognized and this could also accelerate partnerships for the future,” church deacon Dan Harris said.
On Sat., June 18 Second Baptist Church, at 124 Atkins Avenue, began a series of events with its Christian Care and Helping Hand Ministry holding a flea market and lunch giveaway for neighborhood families. The Men’s Ministry also hosted its annual Men’s Day cookout with bar-b-que rib or chicken dinners offered for a $12 donation.
Some of the proceeds assist in funding Second Baptist’s first-time Arts Camp which will be held from August 22 to 26 for local youth.
On June 18 the church also held its Day with Dad Program in the Union Avenue parking lot, directly behind the church. Participating were Boy Scout and Cub Pack No. 241, Asbury Park Police Community Relations Team, Interfaith Neighbors/Kula Cafe, Prevention First, MURC, Trinity Church Food Justice Program, Meridian Health, West Side United, Sportz Farm, The Asbury Park Board of Education, Asbury Park NAN and the Charity Kings.
Residents are urged to sign up for the church’s Vacation Bible School, which is free to all children in the neighborhood.
Rev. Caldwell is a well-known civil rights activist who marched alongside Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the American civil rights movement and is a popular speaker.
Interfaith Neighbor’s has brought affordable housing, mentoring programs and food distribution programs to the city for many years.