Religion News 4 - Alabama Preacher Becomes Pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church at 19 Years Old

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Alabama Preacher Becomes Pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church at 19 Years Old
Courtney Meadows, Preaching Since the Age of Six, Believes He's Been 'Called' by God to Ministry

By Nicola Menzie, Christian Post Reporter

July 9, 2013/1:53 pm

(Photo: Facebook/Courtney D. Meadows)

Courtney Meadows, 19, was installed as pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in White Hall, Ala., on Sunday, June 30,

Courtney Meadows, currently 19 and preaching since the age of six, was finally able to answer his calling when he was installed as pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in White Hall, Ala., during a recent and well-attended Sunday service.

"I can honestly say, there has never been a time when I couldn't imagine myself preaching," Meadows told the Montgomery Advertiser. "I always make this statement: If I'm not preaching, life is not worth living for me, because I know that's what I've been called to do."

Meadows couldn't help but smile, and the congregation laugh with him, when the presiding bishop mentioned during his installation service the New Testament requirement for a church leader to be the husband of one wife and manage his children — "when the time comes," the bishop added.

Despite his age, the 19-year-old minister has been described as an "old soul" for his spiritual insight, a "blessing" and an "exceptional leader." Meadows, according to his mother, started asking questions about God when he was three years old, preached his first sermon at the age of six, became a licensed minister at age nine, and was finally ordained when he turned 18.

The "highly requested and gifted preacher and speaker," as noted on his website, will have his mother become acting first lady of First Missionary Baptist Church. She told the local paper, "He's always been an extraordinary child. Just different. He really loved to go to church and worship God."

The Rev. L.L. Brown Sr., who has led the White Hall church for more than 40 years, said of Meadows, "I've met a lot of preachers, but he stands out to me."

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"I thank God for this young man," the reverend added.

Meadows' mentor and pastor of the past seven years, the Rev. Ezekiel Pettway Sr. of Maggie Street Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery, called it a blessing to be "used by God at such a young age." He added that he "always knew there was greatness" in the teen minister.

The teen pastor, who has excelled at public speaking throughout his academic career, is studying marketing full time at the University of Montevallo, where he is president of the Student Government Association.

Meadows travels regularly to speak at various churches in Alabama as well as across the nation, recently making a stop at Riva Tims' Majestic Life Church in Orlando, Fla. In addition to his speaking engagements, new pastoral role and serving as leader of his university's student government, the young minister is also the National Youth Director for the The Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute.
"Although anointed by God while in the womb of his mother, Pastor Meadows affirmed his call to the Evangelistic Ministry at age six and has since devoted his life to empowering mankind through the gospel of the Kingdom of God," reads the teen's biography.

During his installation ceremony, Meadows thanked the First Missionary Baptist Church congregation for "taking a risk" on him as their new pastor. The church's former pastor, Meadows' mentor as well as the church's board of deacons and trustees were expected to help guide the young minister.

Meadows' story might bring to mind that of another young preacher who attracted national attention when he was featured on ABC News in 2012. Ezekiel Stoddard, 12 years old and ordained as minister at his parents' independent Fullness of Time Church in Capitol Heights, Md., has spoken clearly of the moment he believes he was called by God to preach the Gospel.

"When I was about 7-years-old God spoke to me. He was saying, 'Son, I want you to do my will. I want you to preach the Gospel,'" Stoddard has said. "I can't describe what the voice sounded like but it was the voice from God because when that Man comes by and tells you to write a sermon, an eight-page sermon? He'll give you everything."

Read "Md. Boy Ordained as Pastor, Claims God Called Him to Preach" for more about Stoddard.

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/young-alabama-preacher-becomes-pastor-of-first-missionary-baptist-church-at-19-years-old-99669/#EwU6s8oBzZ3TqVKd.99

Source:http://global.christianpost.com/news/young-alabama-preacher-becomes-pastor-of-first-missionary-baptist-church-at-19-years-old-99669/

   A vocation of pastor is to preach the word of God to the whole world. Starting sacred vocation in young age is so remarkable thing, and it is a very honored job that used by God.    

   However, people cannot understand the whole word of Bible by their own power. Realizing the true meaning of Bible can be possible by being with the Holy Spirit, the Counselor.

 * but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  – 1Co 2:10

   We cannot understand God’s will without the Holy Spirit even though a preaching is so excellent.  

  Then, who is the pastor that preaches the word of truth and is being with the Holy Spirit? The proof is that the promised pastor testifies the prophecies and its fulfillments which no one in heaven and earth could open or solve (Rev 5: 3).

One important thing we should remind is that there is the promised pastor who preaches the word of truth, prophecies and fulfillments in Shincheonji. This means that Shincheonji is the right place to find out the word of truth.

 I hope that you come to Shincheonji and listen to the word of truth. You can be a real believer loved by God.