First Missionary Baptist Church of Carthage. AR
          The Church Where Everybody is Somebody and Christ is All.
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May God Bless and Keep You
The First Annual Pastor & First Ladys Holy Anniversary Celebration

    Saturday May 21, 2011 was SPRING GRADUATION for the
John Kelly Edwards Bible Institute. At
FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
The graduates of the John Kelly Edwards Bible Institute.Rev. Walter L. Hawkins Jr. the "Proud Pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church" Carthage, Arkansas graduating from John Kelly Edwards Bible Institute.First Lady, Annette Hawkins graduating from the Bible Institute.Minister Fannie Jones graduating from the Bible Institute.Min. Raymond Davis graduating from the Bible Institute.Sis. Sharon Johnson graduating from the Bible Institute.Sis. Ruth A. Johnson graduating from the Bible Institute.Bro. Calvin Whitaker graduating from the Bible Institute.Bro. Eric Lea graduating from the Bible Institute.Graduating Class of the John Kelly Edwards Bible Institute @ First Missionary Baptist Church, Carthage AR.Graduating Class of the John Kelly Edwards Bible Institute @ First Missionary Baptist Church, Carthage AR.
First Lady Hawkins giving Deaconess Johnson some beautiful Red Roses. — with DeMarcus Johnson, Anthony Johnson, Deacon James Henry Johnson, Deaconess Kathlene Johnson and Annette FirstLady Shermika Rainey, Shermika Rainey, DeMarcus Johnson, Annette FirstLady Hawkins, Anthony Johnson, Deacon James Henry Johnson and Deaconess Kathlene JohnsonDeacon Johnson opening his gifts. — with Deaconess JohnsonCarolyn Colins, Thomas Johnson, Demetress Whitaker, Alice Faye Pryor, Vickie Hicks and Shermika Rainey.Carolyn Colins, Thomas Johnson, Demetress Whitaker, Alice Faye Pryor, Vickie Hicks and Shermika RaineyCord Whitaker, Deacon James Henry Johnson, DeMarcus Johnson, Anthony Johnson and Ahmad Rashad JohnsonCord Whitaker, Deacon James Henry Johnson and DeMarcus JohnsonJesse Dean Brandon With Deacon James H. Johnson and Deaconess Kathlene JohnsonJesse Dean Brandon With Deacon James H. Johnson and Deaconess Kathlene JohnsonRita Hawkins Govan and Demetress WhitakerRita Hawkins Govan and Demetress WhitakerGary Johnson, Bro. Billy O'hara, Deacon James Henry Johnson, Deaconess Kathlene Johnson. and Annette FirstLady HawkinsBoster Johnson Jr. and Jesse Dean BrandonDeMarcus Johnson and Rev. Raymond DavisSis. Lorraine Archer and Rev. Anthony Wayne ArcherLorraine Archer and Rev. Anthony Wayne Archer and Billy O'haraLorraine ArcheWillie Ray JonesMother Venita Westbrook and Missionary Virgina WalkerBilly O'HaraI Loved this cake, and I'm sure it tasted good. Deacon this is your seasonTwo of our lovely ladies working hard with the food prepration. Sis. Marsha Ricks and Sis. Ericka Davis
Appreciation for Deacon James Henry Johnson
The office of Deacon was created because the Church needed men to fill a place of service so that the Preachers could devote themselves to prayer, Bible study and sermon preparation.  

The requirements are very stiff.  The men chosen as Deacons must be men of the highest moral character.  They must be men who are filled with the Spirit of God.  They must also be men who possess a servant*s heart and willingness to serve others. 

When the right men are selected and ordained certain benefits will be enjoyed by the church, the community and by the candidates themselves.

There are many Deacons who think they should be honored because they have a title.  Then there are Deacons who are honored because they have earned the respect of the church.  No man who is a truly spiritual man will desire to be placed on a pedestal.  Yet, if a Deacon serves the church as he should, he will earn the respect of the church and they will  honor him for his service.  He will achieve a place of honor and will be seen as a leader, not because he demands it, but because he deserves it..