On Saturday evening, November 17, 2007, 6:00p.m., approximately 100 saints and friends adorned in “After 5 and Dressy Attire” entered the Hilton Garden Inn-Atlanta East/Stonecrest Mall to attend an Anniversary Banquet in celebration of the Church’s & Pastoral 32nd Anniversary. This year’s theme was “32 Years Building the Kingdom of God Through Quality and Quantity,” and was in memory of Mother Claudia Rose Thurmond-Howard who passed away on October 19, 2007.

 The Mistresses of Ceremony were Sis. Dawn Deas and Sis. Qualyn McIntyre.  Program highlights included selections from the choir, saxophone duets by Elder Marion Deas and son Caleb Deas, gifts and remarks were presented by Rose Pounds of Donald Trimble Mortuary, Ronald Kelley of KSI Security Company and Janice Sturdivant, a former co-worker of Pastor Deas’.  Roast and toast remarks were given by the saints, family members and friends. 

A delicious meal was catered by the Hilton Garden Inn Staff which included: Mixed Field Green Salad w/Fresh Vegetables, Raspberry or Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing;

Assorted Freshly Baked Breads w/Butter; Grilled Salmon w/Brown Sugar Glaze; Grilled Stout Glazed Chicken Breast w/Portobello Mushrooms, Peppers & Onions Served on Garden Rice Pilaf; Roasted Garlic Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes; Bouquet ere of Fresh Vegetables; Peach Cobbler with or w/o/Ice Cream; Cake; Sweet & Unsweetened Tea.  The Children’s Menu included: Chicken Fingers;

Macaroni n’ Cheese; Green Beans; Rolls; Peach Cobbler; Cake; and Fruit Punch. The delicious cake was provided by Mrs. Rose Jenkins of Columbia, SC, table centerpiece by Sis. Qualyn McIntyre, decorations and corsages by Sis. Latonya Marsh, Dinner music was presented by Bro. Kenneth Jackson of KENTHOMJA’S Music and Louis Deas manned the video camera. Separate programs which included color photos were provided for the banquet and church service by Sisters Janis Deas & Kriss White.

 Out of town guests included Sis. Deas’ sister, Gloria Brown of Riceboro, GA, Rose and Michaela Jenkins of Columbia, SC and the parents of Min. Sweet, Raymond & Carthy Sweet of Flat Rock, MI. Bro. Ramon Sampson, whose job recently relocated him to the Chattanooga, TN area came to town for the banquet and Anniversary Service, along with his wife, Jamala, and children, Ramon, Jr., Rachael and Devin.

 The Women’s Auxiliary officers, who comprised this year’s Planning Committee, were also responsible for the sponsorship of ten (10) youths and teens being able to attend the Anniversary Banquet.

 The church members and planning committee presented Pastor and Sis. Deas with an overnight stay at the Hilton Garden Inn following the banquet.  Although Sis. Deas was in on the surprise, Pastor Deas was completely unaware that Sis. Deas had packed his bag for an overnight stay. Believe it or not, but they were on time for the Anniversary Service that following Sunday morning!