Founders Day: Honoring John Jasper's Enduring Legacy

But there is a place. There is a refuge. There is a covering, and it's not in money, not in status, not in power, not in politics. It's in the arms of god. The Psalm has said the eternal the eternal god is our refuge underneath our everlasting arms. Not temporary arms, not weak arms, everlasting arms. Arms that held up our founders, arms that held up our elders, arm that held us through grief, sickness, layoffs, heartbreak, and uncertainty. [00:55:03] (33 seconds)  #EverlastingArms

One thing we have realized is if we don't talk about it, if we don't chronicle it, if we don't keep it, it will be forgotten. And for us, we don't want to forget those who have come before us, done the work to help us be the people that we are, not just our founding pastor but the reverend Peter Randolph who we talked about this week, on our prayer call and the nine others who we called out in prayer. [00:26:01] (30 seconds)  #PreserveOurLegacy

through Jim Crow, through civil rights, through violence, through pandemics, through political madness, and through everything, god, that this nation has tried to place on your people. And yet, god, here we are again on the 2026, and we stand today as living witnesses that you, god, are faithful. Yeah. Yeah. We thank you, god, for the sacred legacy of this house of worship for one hundred and fifty eight years of worship. [00:09:36] (30 seconds)  #158YearsStrong

Build a church with people who did not have power in the world but power in their spirit. God, they didn't have wealth, but they had worship. They didn't have influence, but they had intercession. They didn't have a seat at the table, but they had a place at the altar. [00:10:44] (15 seconds)  #SpiritOverStatus

Amen. Before the before the choir sings, though, I need to speak to the hearts of those who came in today. Some came in carrying something heavy. Some of us are smiling, but you're tired. You're standing, but you're shaking. You're praising, but you've been pressed. Life has a way of pushing you. Storms have a way of rising. People have a way of disappointing, and the world has a way of feeling unsafe. [00:54:38] (26 seconds)  #YouAreNotAlone

Doctor Roscoe d Cooper junior is a legend in our area, and we ought to be thankful for those who are amongst us. Give flowers while people are with us. [00:52:39] (16 seconds)  #GiveFlowersNow

And I will say, that Eric English probably is one of the best chiefs because not just because he knows the law, not just because he makes sure that the law is followed, but he has a spirit of humanity. And Eric English cares about people, and we carry that out in our county because of his care. [00:31:22] (23 seconds)  #LeadershipWithHumanity

And bless us. And I want to start by reminding all of us that God has never failed. Amen. Not once, not ever. And on this Founders Day as we honor the faith, the sacrifice, the carriage of John Jasper and our 10 faithful founders, we're not just celebrating a date. We are celebrating a testimony. [00:16:20] (25 seconds)  #FoundersDayTestimony

Let it be a sweet stirring of the holy spirit. And now, god, we ask you to bless every generation, the elders, god, who carried us, the adults who are building now, the young people who would carry the church forward, and the children who are watching what we do. [00:11:30] (17 seconds)  #BlessEveryGeneration

One hundred and fifty eight years of preaching, of praying, of singing, of serving. One hundred and fifty eight years of baptisms and communions and children being raised and saints being strengthened. One hundred and fifty eight years of the gospel being lifted in this city. And, God, today, we honor the faith of our founders. [00:10:06] (20 seconds)  #158YearsOfWorship

we went we needed to send a message. We needed to do something that was different and to show the community that, that where we were, we were serious about caring about those who had not been cared about before. [00:31:00] (15 seconds)  #ServingTheUnseen

She is a Richmond product, and we are so proud of her and what God is doing. She is still ascending. But even if she stopped her work right now, she has blessed this region, Commonwealth, and country. [00:39:29] (17 seconds)  #RichmondRising

Amen. 100% church participation. We don't do turn and tap your neighbor and all that. But I do want you to turn to your neighbor on this one, and I want you to tell them 100% participation means you too. Alright? Just say, yeah. He talking to you. [01:55:38] (18 seconds)  #100PercentParticipation

he constantly reminds us that I want y'all to do the work, and don't let the work break up your relationship. And only a daddy can tell you that. [00:53:21] (15 seconds)  #BalanceWorkAndLove