AHOSKIE – Growing up in a Christian home, Roy Faison learned at a very early age that by following in God’s footsteps, the path will lead to a just reward.

Just as his father – the now late Deacon Lee Andrew Roosevelt Faison – did before him, Roy Faison has discovered the joy of serving others through God’s word.

Picking up his late father’s ministry – the Bible Band – Rev. Faison ministers to anyone in need, no matter their faith or color of skin.

Today, Rev. Faison proudly continues his father’s legacy. Despite balancing a busy professional career as a salesman at Central Ford of Ahoskie around his “calling from on high,” Rev. Faison finds the time and the energy to ensure that God’s teachings in the Bible are delivered to those seeking the word.

The Bible Band meets on a regular basis, Tuesday through Friday mornings at the Carpenter’s Shop Church in Ahoskie. But the ministry doesn’t stop there. Often accompanied by Bible Band members, Rev. Faison visits nursing homes, rest homes and other churches. The ministry has even found its way to regular meetings at the Ahoskie High School Apartments.

The Bible Band was founded over 30 years ago by Lee Andrew Roosevelt Faison, who passed away in 2004, and his wife, Lucy Faison. Lee Faison was a local master plumber by trade and an ordained deacon at Church of God in Christ of Ahoskie.

The husband-and-wife, who were married for 61 years and raised 14 children, first started going house to house to conduct Bible study and held prayer. Deacon Faison also taught the Bible classes.

This effort continued until his death on Oct. 21, 2004.

“Just prior to his death, he called me to his bedside and told me I was the one to continue the vision; that the Lord would be with me like he was with him,” Rev. Faison said.

As fate would have it, the Bible Band has grown beyond Faison’s imagination.

“It’s not because of me,” Rev. Faison said. “This is God’s work.”

His mother remains active in the Bible Band, stating that, “I am living for Jesus and I’m going to serve Him until I die.”

Others have nothing but high praise for Deacon Lee Faison and for his son.

“I can truly say that I’ve learned a lot of God’s word through both men,” said Luvenia Bailey of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church and a Bible Band member since 1993.

That same year, Novella Jones of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church joined the Bible Band.

“There’s no other place I’d rather be than around the table from 10-to-11 a.m. studying the word of God and getting this word in my spirit every morning,” Jones said.

Deacon Fred Myrick of Conoconary Baptist Church has been a Bible Band member for the past five years.

“I am studying and learning more of God’s word,” he said. “There’s nothing as great as getting up in the morning and going out to receive God’s inspiring words.”

“I am thankful to God for putting Rev. Roy Faison in my life,” said Lucille Gatling of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and a Bible Band member for the past five years. “I’m also grateful to God for allowing me to come out and receive his word every morning. It is sweeter than honey from the honey cone.”

Rosa Mitchell of Newsome Grove Baptist Church is one of the Bible Band’s newest members, joining the group just five months ago.

“The word of God is being taught by a man of God…Rev. Roy Faison,” she said. “To God be the glory for the great things he has done.”

Pattie Murill of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church has been a Bible Band member for four years.

“I thank the Lord for placing me with such a nice bunch of people where God’s word is being taught,” Murill noted. “It’s truly been a blessing to me.”

Wallace Winn said the Bible Band Ministry is about fulfilling the great commission.

“I am blessed to be a part of God’s work,” he said.

Another newcomer to the group, William Bunch of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, said his six months with the group “has been a great experience of learning and love.”

“This ministry has helped me grow,” stated Dorothy Thompson of the Carpenter’s Shop Church.

Even though his home church is in Staten Island, NY, Charles Smith said that since becoming a Bible Band member, he has “began to understand the Bible more and it has encouraged me to study more.”

The Bible Band also includes Mary Francis Deloatch, a longtime member who was a childhood friend of Deacon Lee Faison.

If there’s one common thread weaved throughout the years of this ministry, it’s that of enjoying the freedom to gather and listen to words of inspiration.

“My father and mother started this and now the torch is passed to me,” Rev. Faison concluded. “The Bible Band is a testimony in itself. It is part of my father’s lasting legacy, one that I plan to continue as long as the good Lord gives me the strength to do so.”

Faison thanked Rev. Wallace Phillips of the Carpenter’s Shop Church for continuing to open those doors to the Bible Band.

Those wishing to join the group or learn more about the Bible Band can contact Rev. Faison at 332-4705 or 332-5906.