Elected and non-elected officials from Douglas County joined New Jerusalem Church members for a sacred consecration service to start 2025. The event was sponsored by Midway Community Resource Center (MCRC), a not-for-profit organization of the church. The event marked a significant milestone for MCRC and New Jerusalem as hosts of the event for the fourth year.
Among the distinguished elected guests were Cynthia Adams, Superior Court chief judge, who is a Seventh-day Adventist and the first Black female to hold this position. Also in attendance were Valerie V. Vie, probate judge for Douglas County; Henry Mitchell, commissioner for district 2; Martin Raxtonis, commissioner for district 3; Tameka Scott, school board member for district 1; and Sonya Compton, solicitor general.
The non-elected honorable guests present were Ivy Wright, family resource representative for Douglas County Community Service Board; Lt. Col. Tavarreus Pounds, a lieutenant colonel for the Douglas County Sheriff Department; Samantha Arnold, captain of Douglas County Sheriff Department; and David Long, Southern Union Conference director for personal ministries, prayer ministries, prison ministries, stewardship, and Sabbath School.
The church elders offered prayers of support and encouragement for the officials and their families. The consecration service reflected a shared commitment to fostering partnerships between faith-based organizations and civic leadership, working together to uplift and strengthen local neighborhoods.
During the service, Drake Barber, New Jerusalem pastor, emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing the spiritual and social needs of the community. “The greatest among us are called to serve the least of us,” said Barber.
Following the service, attendees were invited to a vegetarian/vegan dinner hosted by Food for the Soul, a ministry of MCRC dedicated to promoting health and wellness by providing plant-based cuisine on “Meatless Mondays,” held on the last Monday of every month. Community members and leaders gathered to enjoy an array of nutritious and flavorful vegetarian/vegan dishes, which highlighted the connection between healthy living and holistic community care. Organizers from Food for the Soul expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve and educate guests on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.
Together, the consecration service and community dinner served as a reminder of what can be accomplished when people come together with a shared purpose. This event was a demonstration that the church remains committed to its mission to provide spiritual guidance and service within the wider community.
South Atlantic | May 2025
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