2. FAITH IN ACTION
Table of Contents
Pastor’s Word ................................................... 2
Conference Highlights......................................... 3
Conference Highlights......................................... 4
Vision 2020 ...................................................... 5
Financial Report ................................................ 6
Ministerial Staff
Malcolm Hassan Stephens Rev. Charlene Brown
Pastor Elder
Rev. Wanda Waters
Rev. Thelma Carter
Elder Deacon
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3. FAITH IN ACTION
Scripture declares that all things are possible to those who
believe. This annual report is a testament to that fact. As you
peruse these pages, I pray that you will be inspired to higher
levels of faith as to what God will do if we are faithful and
obedient to His word. Let us journey together as we explore the
resurgence of Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
in Panama City, Florida.
When appointed by Bishop McKinley Young in November 2010 to
Pastor of Greater Bethel, the church was facing several crises of
epic proportions. Bethel was reeling from malfeasance and neglect. Accounts payable
were in arrears, giving and attendance were down, and spiritually the church was in a
stupor. Attendance was so sparse that one ecclesial leader went so far as to opine,
“…during Sunday worship you could roll a bowling ball through the sanctuary and not hit
anyone.”
We are excited to report that our “budget” is paid. Both giving and attendance have
increased. Members are beginning to avail themselves fully to the spirit of God. Since
December 2010, we have added two additional worship locations. With the addition of
these locations, we now have three opportunities to worship on Sundays and four weekly
opportunities for bible study, one for youth and three for adults. The members of Greater
Bethel are determined to become a thriving community of faith reminiscent of the first
century church.
Greater Bethel owns several parcels of land in the Glenwood Community, which is a part of
the City of Panama City’s Downtown North Community Redevelopment Area. The City is
looking for faith based and other non‐profits to assist in the revitalization of the
community. Because of this, we are in conversation with key leaders from the City of
Panama City regarding leveraging these parcels to aid the City in its goals; however, our
focus is to affect the larger community for Christ.
We are under no delusions regarding our health as a congregation. There is much work yet
to do as we persevere toward Christian maturity. We hope that our pursuit of Christian
maturity and commitment to transparency and fiduciary responsibility will inspire other
congregations regarding what is possible when obedience to the word of God trumps
tradition and political expediency.
Forever in the service of Christ,
Malcolm Hassan Stephens
Malcolm Hassan Stephens, Pastor
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4. FAITH IN ACTION
Conference Year Highlights
CDR Anthony Anglin First
Added two additional African American Commander
worship locations of Panama City Navy Base with
Man in Me Mentoring Program
Reinstituted Vacation Bible Twenty‐Six preparatory
School after a ten year hiatus Members added to the
church roll
The Pastor enrolled in the Working with Pastoral
Foundations of Christian Leadership Coach at Wake
Leadership Program. Members are Forrest University to
actively participating with him. overcome adaptive
challenges
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5. FAITH IN ACTION
Conference Year Highlights
Added In Partnership with Pastors in
Computer Lab & Library South Africa & Zimbabwe to
Donate Books to R.R. Wright
Seminary
Sons of Allen Prayer Partner Senior Ministry Financial
Pastor Spurgeon of India Empowerment Seminar
(Prayer conducted via Skype) at SunTrust Bank
Pastor worshiped with Rev.
Increased Attendance and
Keith Cordier and the Cain
Dynamic Worship
Grant AME Church in KC, MO 3
days after their roof collapsed.
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6. FAITH IN ACTION
VISION 2020
Greater Bethel
Community
Urban
Foundation Development
Ministries
Coorporation
Health & Real Estate
Credit Union
Wellness Holding Firm
Asset
Rental Convalescent
Food Bank Managment
Properties Home
Firm
Community
College Fund Single Family
Store
Resturant Multi Family
Prison Ministry
And the LORD answered me, and
said, Write the vision, and make it Aerial Photograph taken
plain upon tables, that he may run Google Earth
that readeth it. Courtesy of
Clothing Bank
City of Panama City
Planning Department
For the vision is yet for an
appointed time, but at the end it Not shown is Parsonage
shall speak, and not lie: though it located at
tarry, wait for it; because it will 706 Hamilton Avenue
surely come, it will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:2-3
KJV
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7. FAITH IN ACTION
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
2011 OFFICIAL CONFERENCE SUMMARY SHEET
THE RIGHT REVEREND McKINLEY YOUNG, PRESIDING PRELATE
DR. DOROTHY JACKSON YOUNG, EPISCOPAL SUPERVISOR
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Florida PASTOR: Malcolm Hassan Stephens
P.E. DISTRICT: Pensacola Marianna ADDRESS: 829 Hamilton Avenue
NAME OF CHARGE: Greater Bethel AME Church ADDRESS: Panama City, Florida 32401-3585
1 CONVERSIONS 36
2 BAPTISMS 2
3 ACCESSIONS 0
4 FULL MEMBERSHIP 151
5 NUMBER IN CHURCH SCHOOL 60
6 NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS 75
7 CONNECTIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 1
8 TOTAL OF ALL FUNDS RAISED THIS CONFERENCE YEAR 152,903.63
9 TOTAL AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES THIS CONFERENCE YEAR 149,805.17
10 TOTAL BALANCE OF MONIES IN ALL CHURCH TREASURIES 3098.46
11 NAME OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (S): Bay Bank & Trust
12 PRESIDING ELDER'S SALARY & SUPPORT (ANNUAL) $7,134.82
13 PASTOR'S SALARY $48,659.00
14 PASTOR'S HOUSING ALLOWANCE (estimated mv for rent of parsonage + untilites) $10,000.00
15 PASTOR'S TRAVEL (partial reimbursment) NA
16 PASTOR'S OTHER BENEFITS NA
17 CASH ON GENERAL BUDGET $2,355.00
18 CASH ON ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT BUDGET $4,710.00
19 PRESIDING ELDER'S ANNUITY & INSURANCE $244.62
20 PASTOR'S ANNUITY & INSURANCE $2,933.16
21 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SUSTENTATION $150.00
22 TOTAL CONNECTIONAL PERIODICALS $171.00
22 A THE A.M.E. CHRISTIAN RECORDER $36.00
22 B THE A.M.E. REVIEW $25.00
22 C THE VOICE OF MISSIONS $25.00
22 D THE JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION $25.00
22 E THE WOMEN'S MISSIONARY MAGAZINE $25.00
22 F THE SECRET CHAMBER $25.00
22 G THE Y.P.D. NEWSLETTER $10.00
23 OFFERINGS & GIFTS FOR THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE $415.00
24 TOTAL BROUGHT TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE $11,178.78
25 VALUE OF ALL CHURCH OWNED PROPERTY $571,000.00
26 AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE OR SECURED DEBT $0.00
27 IS THE MORTGAGE CURRENT? NA DATE OF MOST RECENT PAYMENT NA
28 MORTGAGE COMPANY(S): NA
29 CURRENT INSURANCE INFORMATION IS PROPERTY ADEQUATELY INSURED? YES
TYPE OF AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF NAME OF INSURANCE FILED
INSURANCE PREMIUM COVERAGE COMPANY CLAIM
29 A PROF. LIABILITY included in GL 100,000 MDW Insurance Group NO
29 B GENERAL LIABILITY 2,700 1,000,000 MDW Insurance Group NO
29 C FIRE included in Property included in Property MDW Insurance Group NO
29 D WINDSTORM excluded NA NA NA
29 E PROPERTY 4700 1,000,000 + MDW Insurance Group NO
29 F THEFT excluded NA NA NA
29 G FLOOD included in Property included in Property MDW Insurance Group NO
29 H VEHICLE 736.29 500,000 Liability Church Mutual NO
30 NUMBER OF STUDENTS AT EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE: ZERO
31 NUMBER OF CLERGY PERSONS AT THE CHURCH: FOUR
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8. FAITH IN ACTION
A Multicultural Intergenerational Church
Worshiping in Three Locations
829 Hamilton Avenue 2100 Jenks Avenue 924 West 13th Street
Sunday 8:00 & 11:00 AM Sunday 3:00 PM Monday 3:30 PM
Tuesday 6:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM
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