Ordination Services for Deacon Larry Coleman, Jr.

On Sunday morning, September 6, 2009 Bro. Larry Coleman, Jr. was ordained as Deacon in our local assembly.  Dec. Coleman is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Larry Coleman, Sr. and has one brother and one sister.  His parents, sister, niece and nephew were in attendance at the service. He was raised in Monroeville, PA, grew up in the Apostolic Faith and was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of eleven (11), and was filled with the Holy Ghost at twelve (12) years of age. Later in life and some wrong choices made, he decided that Jesus Christ remained his best path. In considering Bro. Coleman for Deacon, Pastor Deas did a background check calling upon Bro. Coleman’s former pastor.  Bro. Coleman left in good standing and had served in the capacity of a Deacon approximately 3-4 years prior to leaving that ministry.  His former pastor only had high regards for Dec. Coleman and was happy that he would be ordained as a Deacon.

When first arriving at our local assembly, Bro. Coleman informed Pastor Deas that all he wanted to do was “to serve,” and he has done nothing but serve in whatever capacity he was called upon.  He is one of the drivers for the van ministry, and serves as Youth Director of the Youth Department.  Dec. Coleman’s church attendance has been stellar since his arrival, attending Prayer, Bible Class, Sunday School, and worship services.  He makes sure to “give an account” of himself if he is unable to be in service. He has proven himself to be sincere and faithful in the work of the Lord.  He has proven himself a teacher, has taught Bible Class, and is currently involved in teaching the youth in special sessions during the Sunday School time period helping to equip them to be more spiritually oriented.  He has also organized “Friday Night Fervor” to be held each lst Friday night at 7:30pm and is opened to all of the church members; the first “fervor” is to be held on Friday night, October 2nd.  This “fervor” is all about spending time in “prayer,” and receiving the power of God through his Holy Spirit.

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 Pastor Deas brought Bro. Coleman before the church weeks before the Ordination service to let all know he was being considered for Ordination on September 6, 2009.  During the service, Pastor Deas asked if anyone knew of any reasons why Bro. Coleman should not be a deacon, to speak now, because afterwards he didn’t want to hear it.  When all was clear, the service continued.  Pastor Deas spoke about Bro. Coleman’s dedication and faithfulness in the church and admonished him through the word of God, using Acts 6:1-4 and I Timothy 3:8-13. Bro. Coleman was anointed with oil, hands were laid upon him, and prayer was made on his behalf.  The entire ceremony was anointed, and the choir sang “Keep on Working for the Master.” Dec. Coleman was moved to tears and humbled before God and His people.  After presenting Dec. Coleman with his Certificate of Ordination and bible, Pastor Deas asked his family and others to come and embrace our church’s newest Deacon.  The service continued with the preaching of God’s holy word.

 Pastor Deas’ sermon topic was “A Strong Finish” and scripture text was II Timothy 4:6-8 and Hebrews 12:1-3. A sermon excerpt to remember is that “In his final moments, Jesus stayed focused on the joy God put before him. He focused on the prize of heaven. By focusing on the prize, he was able not only to finish the race but to finish strong. You and I could learn a lot from Jesus in this example, finish strong by keeping our eyes on the prize…the prize of heaven.”