Growing in the Kingdom with Word, Worship and Witness

Submitted by Sixth Baptist Church

We are very grateful to God – in December 2000, we were blessed to receive as a leader the Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones-Bibbs. Her name was submitted to the church to provide opportunities to assist in the spiritual guidance to the congregation. She became the fifth pastor of the Sixth Baptist Church in Richmond, that was organized in 1923.

Sunday, January 3, 2001, Dr. Bibbs’ name was submitted as the only candidate to become pastor. She was installed June 3, 2001. Under her leadership, the church has a vibrant 21st century worship with six choirs, two worship praise teams, and two praise dance worship teams. There are 64 active ministries of the church that minister to the needs of children and senior citizens. The Word is spread to the larger community through the “Blessings and Miracles” television broadcast which airs Saturday mornings at 8 am on Fox TV.

The 4 “T’s” –Time, Talent, Treasure and Temple has been taught throughout her tenure. The first five years of Dr. Bibbs’ Administration, the church’s theme was “LORD LIFT US UP WHERE WE BELONG”. The supporting scripture was John 2:32, “IF I BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME.”

The church was LIFTED up by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the areas of Discipleship, Membership, Fellowship, and Stewardship. Those “Ships” were lifted up in all areas of the church while Pastor Bibbs was reorganizing the church’s boards to become “MINISTRIES.” The next five years, the theme was “CAN GOD, GOD CAN, I CAN, I CAN.” The supporting scripture was, Philippians 4: 13, “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME”.

It was also during the second five years that the church remodeled the entire sanctuary and redesigned the pulpit, built a media room, installed cameras for T.V. broadcast, and installed an elevator. The renovations included a lower worship center and dining facility that organizations outside of the church rent for affairs.

Special attention was paid to the exterior of the church. Part of the front lawn was redesigned as a courtyard where members and others can sit and enjoy the carillon bells that were installed on the church’s steeple. The bells play hymns at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. Also, the bells ring at 10:55 each Sunday morning which call people to worship. The pastor and people are now in their eleventh year. Pastor Bibbs has expanded the theme and added, “GROWING IN THE KINGDOM AS WE GROW THE KINGDOM WITH WORD, WORSHIP AND WITNESS.” The Word, Worship and Witness is emphasized each week as a mandate from God to grow HIS KINGDOM. Sixth Baptist has become a HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL PEOPLE. It has organized five prayer groups, praying around the clock 24 hours seven days a week in 2011. The church has also purchased a beauty and barber shop and other property for future visions. The before and after school program and summer camp is open for registration year round.

Visit us on the web at www.sixthbaptistchurch.org or find us on Facebook. Celebrate worship with us every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

“To God Be the Glory for the Great Things He Hath Done!”