A Unique Partnership: The Church Partnership of The Orlando Times Newspaper
http://www.orlando-times.com/a_unique_partnership_511.html
BY JALESSA CASTILLO, TIMES STAFF WRITER
ORLANDO - Whether you have been an avid reader of The Orlando Times for many years or if perhaps the featured sermon found on the front page of this newspaper has caught your attention for the first time, you might have had the opportunity to read the Spiritual Living section of the paper. In this section lays an inspirational gem, The Orlando Times Church Directory.
The Orlando Times has used the Church Directory to provide the contact information and service times of nearly 40 church partners in the Orange, Lake, Seminole, and Osceola County areas for over 30 years! Not to mention, these religious men and women who are the paper’s partners are invited to submit sermons that are published in our spiritual living section, just like the one featured in this edition. These sermons are published with the goal of inspiring and strengthening those reading them.
The Orlando Times Church Directory/Partnership Program was founded in the 1970s when our Publisher Dr. Calvin Collins Jr. was persuaded by clergymen that ministries should be featured in the paper. On February 15, 1978 Rev. Kenneth Richards of New Hope Baptist Church had the honor of becoming the first Pastor to have their sermon published in the paper. The title of his sermon, “Why The Church Exists.”
Those who helped to establish the program include Father Nelson Pinder, Rev. Leroy Dennis, Elder W. D Judge, and Bishop Thomas Chenault.
“It’s a wonderful place for clergypersons to share the Word of God and for the community to know about their clergypersons,” said Father Nelson Pinder.
Since that humble beginning The Orlando Times has grown to be the only publication with a large church circulation. As the paper currently is circulated to over 300 churches. With this growth The Orlando Times understood that more was needed to keep up.
Due to the increase in trials and tribulations facing many today The Orlando Times has used the past year to create The Preaching Teaching Panel. This panel is made up of about 20 of our active and inactive church partners who were specifically chosen and who are devoted to constantly write timely and inspiring sermons. This chosen group of men and women are the ones you see featured on the front page along with the title of their sermon.
Some of the sermons provided by the Preaching Teaching Panel this past year include: “Authority of the Believer,” by Pastor R. W. Merthie of New Life Word Center, “Overcoming Insecurity,” by Pastor Dora Richardson of House of Refuge Ministries, and “Back to Jerusalem,” by Pastor Clarence E. Bell of Church of Christ. Now, some of the sermons are longer so they are broken up into parts, for these sermons the part that you are reading is clearly typed next to the title of the sermon. For instance, “Party Planner Parts 1 & 2” by Pastor Weaver Blondin of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and, “Effectual Grace Parts 1, 2, & 3,” by Pastor Dr. Larry Mills of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.
These sermons have been able to touch the hearts of many readers.
“I read the sermons every week and they continue to deeply inspire me to grow in knowledge of the word of God,” said Magdalene Henderson, an avid reader of The Orlando Times. “Every week there is a new pastor with a new sermon that helps me to gain new insight in my walk with Christ.”
Although the Church Partnership is meant to encourage readers, like you, that does not stop the Pastors in our partnership from receiving the genuine joy that is brought upon them by being a part of the Church Partnership.
“When asked to submit a sermon I felt good,” said Pastor Weaver. “It means our message will reach more individuals and maybe lead someone to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church enjoys being a partner with The Orlando Times and we look forward to a continued partnership for many years to come.”
Along with bringing joy to those who read it the Church Partnership also provides other benefits.
“I choose the be a church partner with The Orlando Times because it offers a way to present the Gospel to those who do not attend church, it is serves as a marketing vehicle for my church, and it provides an opportunity to support a Black owned business,” said Pastor Robert Spooney of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Institutional Church. “I would tell any pastor considering becoming a partner that it is a great investment with great returns.”
The Orlando Times truly hopes that the sermons, like those listed above, have proved to be encouraging to you in your times of distress as well as a source of further joy when you are happy. That is and has always been the goal of The Orlando Times Church Partnership.
If you are interested in joining the Church Directory and Partnership please feel free to contact us at 407-841-3052 ext. 13 or email us at circulation @ orlando-times . com.
