First Baptist Church of Ahoskie installs Rev. Dr. Gilliam as Pastor
Published 12:57 pm Monday, October 23, 2017
AHOSKIE – On Sunday, Oct. 15, First Baptist Church of Ahoskie celebrated as they installed their new minister, Reverend Dr. Paul R. Gilliam III, (Trey).
Dr. Gilliam, also a professor at Chowan University, came to First Baptist as an Interim pastor as they searched for a permanent minister. As the church membership prayed and felt Dr. Gilliam was called to the church, God called him and opened doors to make a way for that to be possible.
“We have always had a wonderful supportive relationship with Chowan University and are so happy that Dr. Chris White, and Chowan University worked with us to make this possible. We all feel that God had a plan and everyone came together,” said Claire Presley, First Baptist Deacon Chair.
Rev. Dr. Trey Gilliam
The worship leaders and special guests for the service included Reverend Dr. Larry C. Hovis, Executive Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina; Dr. Jesse J. Croom, Pastor Emeritus, First Baptist, Ahoskie; Reverend Dr. Christopher White, President, Chowan University; Reverend Jill Awuni, Assistant Professor of Religion and Director of International Students, Chowan University, and Reverend Anita Thompson, Associate Pastor, First Baptist, Ahoskie.
Dr. Gilliam was called as the pastor on July 9. He is an Associate Professor of Religion at Chowan University. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from Gardner-Webb University, a Master of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Edinburgh.
He, his wife, Lou Ann, and their daughter, Matty Grace, live in Murfreesboro.
“October is the perfect month for our pastor installation as we also celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month,” stated Presley. “We are so thankful for our new senior pastor, Dr. Gilliam, and we are thankful for our Associate Pastor, Reverend Anita Thompson, who brings inspiring worship experiences for us each Sunday morning through music and worship planning.”
Following the worship and installation service, the church community and invited guests enjoyed a wonderful time of food and fellowship.