The East — September Edition
After seasons of planning, prayer, and persistent labor, the Grand O’le East gathered on our own 17.52-acre campus for the 155th Annual Session & Youth Convention. Doors opened, lights glowed, and voices rose in praise. What took shape on the ground was more than a schedule of services; it was a testimony that steady hands and steadfast hearts still move mountains.
How We Made It Back
- Faith that works. Repairs were completed on both buildings, guided by patient leadership and careful stewardship.
- Tuesdays that told a story. Week after week, volunteers traveled in on Tuesdays—cleaning, carrying, painting, patching, and preparing. Every task became prayer in motion.
- Many members, one purpose. Trustees, leaders, youth, and seniors all contributed. One hour at a time, the campus knit back together.
What This Homecoming Means
- A spiritual reset. Coming home marks the beginning of a new season for the East—space for worship, training, youth development, and mission sending.
- A place for our young people. The Youth Convention shared the same ground as the Annual Session, affirming that our next generation stands at the center of our fellowship.
- A platform for service. A restored campus is not a finish line; it’s a launchpad—for evangelism, discipleship, and community care in every district church.
Highlights to Celebrate (and Remember)
- First hymns and prayers echoing in rooms long quiet.
- Smiles across generations—seniors recognizing spaces they helped build; youth stepping into halls they will one day lead.
- The quiet, faithful work that never makes a headline: mopped floors, working lights, replaced panels, stocked closets—the invisible repairs that make visible ministry possible.
155th Annual Session Highlights
Moderator’s Recommendations (Approved by the Body)
- Lift the moratorium on auxiliaries; once quotas are met, auxiliaries may retain their balances.
- Treasurer: Sister Mary Myers (Greater Mount Gilead B.C.).
- Pastors’ & Ministers’ Conference naming: The Pastor Charles Carter, Sr. Pastors’ & Ministers’ Conference(for pastors of 20+ years or 20+ years preaching).
- Rainbow Night naming: The Pastor Jimmie Flakes, Jr. Memorial Rainbow Night Celebration.
- Trustees Emeritus: Sister Ruby Hill, Deacon Nathan Kennie, Deacon Ralph Collier—with all honors to which they are entitled.
- Hall of the Faithful additions: Sister Melva J. White and Deacon John Robbins.
- Property governance addendum: Building on the 2001 Annual Message protection (“no part of the property sold or leased without majority vote in a regularly scheduled meeting or 30-day written notice to all members registered in the previous Annual Session”), add the clarification that notification must be made to all registered churches and individuals from the previous Annual Session—to protect the Association’s assets.
- Strategic collaboration: Authorize the Executive Board and Trustee Board to engage the Mission Development Group of San Antonio for exploratory discussions on possible collaborative efforts.
- Greeters Ministry: Establish a Greeters Ministry with Sister Bernetta White as Coordinator.
- Security Coordination: Sister Alfreda Reese appointed Security Coordinator.
These actions honor our past, strengthen our present, and safeguard our future—spiritually, financially, and operationally.
Rainbow Ceremony — Winners & 2026 Colors
By Count (Attendance)
- 1st Place — Green Team (47 present):
Sisters Shirley Carter (Greater Mt. Gilead), Delores Florence (LT), Tommysha Narcisse (Solid Rock), Brook Cherith & Creston.
- 2nd Place — Red Team (28 present):
Shiloh (Alice Prince), Greater Mt. Calvary, Linda Edwards, Judy Tillmon (Victoria Area), Michelle Robinson (Edna Area).
- 3rd Place — White Team (23 present):
Strait Life, First Saint Mark, True Vine.
By Special Effort (Monies Raised)
- 1st Place — Blue Team: $4,000.00
Leaders: Sister Eva Tillmon & Sister Roceal Baker.
- 2nd Place — Pink Team: $3,063.00
Leaders: Sisters Gwen Deason (Worthington), Doris Richards (Graceland), Phyllis Easley-Bernard (Sunlight), Lynn Bennett (Gethsemane—Houston).
- 3rd Place — Orange Team: $2,029.00
Leaders: Sister Mary Ann Sandles (West Point), Bible Way, Lucille Wright (New Vision).
2026 Rainbow Ceremony Colors
Will be announced and publicized in advance of the next ceremony. (Watch the News page and social channels.)
Youth Convention — Winners & Notes
Bible Story Telling
- 1st — Serenity Olojo
- 2nd — Toddrick Johnson, II
- 3rd — Bre’elle Fontno
Kahoot
- 1st — Chase Lewis
- 2nd — Trinity Davis
- 3rd — Rayshawn Mack
Additional youth winners to be added upon receipt from Sister Sandles/Deason. Thank you for your patience as we complete the list.
New Appointments
- Reverend Donnell Johnson — Special Assistant to the Moderator for Publicity
- Sister Mary Myers — Association Treasurer
These appointments strengthen our communications and our financial stewardship—two pillars of a healthy association.
Auxiliary Corner
- Worship & Arts Ministry: Brother Isaac Moshay will lead, helping our congregations offer God our best across music, liturgy, and creative expression.
- Junior Women Auxiliary: Sister Dr. Shannon Clark has consented to serve as President—investing in the next generation of women leaders.
New Communication Methods
(Look for our social media graphic and quick links.)
We’re expanding how we share updates:
- Website News posts for official recaps and announcements.
- Email Newsletter (Eastern Beacon of Hope) for monthly highlights.
- Social channels for reminders, photos, and day-of changes.
- “Text-to-know” pilot in select areas (details to come).
If you have photos from the Annual Session or Youth Convention, please send them to the Association office—so we can feature your congregation’s story.
Faith to Finish Campaign
Our facilities are mission tools. Every dollar given through Faith to Finish goes directly to loan principal—accelerating payoff and reducing long-term interest. As the Lord provides, consider a special offering above regular giving, and share the campaign with members who couldn’t attend.
- How to give: Givelify (select “Faith to Finish,” if available) or mail to:
NBEGAT, Inc., P.O. Box 657, Galveston, TX 77553 - Transparency: We will publish periodic updates on progress and milestones.
Announcements — Mark Your Calendar
- National Baptist General Convention of Texas
Dates: October 21–23, 2025
Location: Gospel Way Church, Houston - November Extension Board (Registration information forthcoming)
Dates: November 12–13, 2024
Venue: Encampment Building
Address: #128 County Road 119, Edna, Texas 77957 - Presidents’ Council Workshop 2026
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Location: Encampment Building
Details: Coming soon! - Women’s Conference 2026 (Ministers & Deacons Wives & Widows Auxiliary)
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Event pages will be updated with times, directions, and any schedule changes.
Monthly Giving — Three Lanes, One Fellowship
Every member is invited to choose a Monthly Giving lane that fits your household:
- Champion: $5–$25 / month
- Climber: $26–$50 / month
- Conqueror: $50+ / month
How to give:
- Givelify (select “Monthly Giver”), or
- Mail to NBEGAT, Inc., P.O. Box 657, Galveston, TX 77553
These steady gifts fuel ministry training, youth development, missions, and campus readiness.
Foreign Mission Effort — Fifth Sundays
Led by Sister Gwen Deason, our Association sets aside each Fifth Sunday to support Foreign Missions.
- Suggested gift: $8.00 per member (every Fifth Sunday)
- Ways to give: Givelify or mail to: NBEGAT, Inc., P.O. Box 657, Galveston, TX 77553
Your offering helps us respond quickly to needs beyond our borders—partnerships, relief, and gospel work.
The Grand O’le East Queen Contest — Call for Contestants
The Grand O’le East Queen Contest will be held during our 156th Annual Session in July. We are seeking contestants from each area.
- To enter or nominate a candidate, email the Association at cos@nbegat.org
- Subject line: “Queen Contestant”
Further details (criteria, deadlines, and event schedule) will be provided in upcoming issues and on the Events page.
A Word for the Journey
We have witnessed more than renovation; we have experienced revival. The scaffolding will come down, but the work God is doing in us will stand. As we continue forward—serving, showing up, telling the story, and praying specifically—may our campus, our churches, and our communities hear the same message: The East is alive, and the best is yet to come.
Thank you to every hand that served, every leader who guided, and every member who prayed. Let’s finish the work together.
