Elder Leon Taylor and his wife, Fannie, celebrated 35 years of ministry at The First Church of God in Christ, Clifton Forge, Sunday. The Rev. Dr. Roslyn C. Thomas, the pastor of Haven of Hope Apostolic Ministries, Brooklyn, NY, delivered the anniversary message to an audience of approximately 50.
Taylor has been in ministry for over 50 years and has spent 35 of those years pastoring at First COGIC, Clifton Forge. He was sent to Clifton Forge by the late Bishop Samuel L. Green, Jr., initially, to support the late Elder Robert Spencer but later replaced him.
Taylor not only serves the local assembly but is also president of the Pastors Interdenominational Christian Alliance, serving churches in the Alleghany Highlands, and is chairman of the General Assembly for the Church of God in Christ’s 2nd Jurisdiction.
Taylor and his wife have been trusted voices in the local community, the COGIC community as well as the Roanoke area, where they reside since their arrival 35 years ago. They continue to give, love, and serve those whose paths they cross, willingly.
“He gives and gives and will give you the shirt off his back,” said Deacon Kenneth Anderson of Taylor during his anniversary celebration. “He has sown into many people’s lives and has produced many spiritual sons and daughters and two pastors since his arrival, Rev. David Halsey, pastor of Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church in Eagle Rock and Lapsleys Run Baptist Church in Fincastle and me,” said Thomas of Taylor. “He taught me humility,” added Thomas.
The Taylors’ vision for the future is to “pay off the current mortgage on the church within the coming month, with hopes of building an even larger church building. They are also seeking to expand their virtual ministry to reach as many souls as possible for Christ,” added Taylor in closing.
The Taylors have four children: Kimberly Taylor, Leon “Kevin” Taylor, Kyra Taylor, and Keisha Motley; and seven grandchildren: Jonathan Motley, Kevin “K” Taylor, Christian Mills, Ezekiel Mills, Gianna Motley, Zekeira Mills, and Jordan Mills.
First COGIC is located at 603 Verge Street, with in-person services every Sunday at 12:00 noon, which are also broadcast via Facebook Live at 12:45 pm. Taylor also hosts “Live at Five” every Saturday at 5:00 pm via Facebook.
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