Joel 2:25 King James Version (KJV)
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
VACCINATED!!!
Restoration Ministries Leaders Leading by example...
During the months of March and April, the ministry leaders, members and youth of Restoration Ministries received the Covid 19 Vaccine. All expressed appreciation for the opportunity to get the vaccine through various sites, including Lee Road Baptist Church (Rev. Dr. James P. Quincy, Senior Pastor), MetroHealth Maple Heights, Ohio location, University Hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic and the Wolstein Center (Cleveland State University). Pastors and leaders from across the Greater Cleveland Area are working together to encourage EVERYONE to get vaccinated. United Pastors in Mission (President, Dr. Larry Macon), The Cleveland Clergy Coalition (Pastor Aaron Phillips, Esq., Facilitator) and many other groups are working hard to educate the public on the benefits and protections of the vaccine. "Many people have questions about the safety of the vaccine, especially since the concerns over the Johnson & Johnson vaccination pause. Some are fearful of short and long term side effects. However, national statistics show that the vast majority of individuals experience no or minimal side-effects that dissipate quickly. The benefits far out weigh the risks in terms of saving lives and minimizing the need for hospitalizations. As leaders, we can help allay fears when we lead by example and show ourselves getting the vaccine," Pastor Chris Smith, Senior Pastor, Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland, Inc.
The Season of Lent...
Every year somewhere between February and mid March, the Christian Church observes the season known as, Lent. Originally, Lent was a time of preparation for Easter baptism. Those preparing to be baptized would fast and pray. The climax of the season came with an all-night vigil of Easter Even with baptism, confirmation and celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. Lent also was a time for all members of the church community to repent of and mourn for sin. The forty weekdays of Lent represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness during His Temptation. According to Matthew and Luke, He fasted for forty days.
During Lent, the church of today continues to focus upon the themes of repentance, forgiveness and restoration. Wednesday, February 17the began the 2021 Lenten Season. Lent concludes on Good Friday, April 2nd, 2021. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. The ashes are made from the burned palms from the previous Palm Sunday. In the Christian Tradition, the ashes are blessed and then the pastor, using the ashes, makes the sign of the cross upon the foreheads of the repentant. The ashes symbolize repentance. The idea comes from the Old Testament times when mourners clothed themselves in sackcloth and sprinkled their heads and faces with dust or ashes.
Job said, “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:6). Jesus declared, “Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Siden, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” (Information obtained from, Symbols of Church Seasons & Days, by John Bradner)
While the ashes symbolize repentance, let us remember that outward symbols without inward transformation is unacceptable in the sight of God. During the Lenten Season, we invite the entire congregation to join with the Pastor, Associate Ministers and Deacons to fast (from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon each Wednesday) to pray for our communities, nation and world.
Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling Endowment for African American Female Pastors...
In 2019, Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland, Inc., "seeded" an endowment of $70,000 with American Baptist Home Missions Societies. The "Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling Endowment," was established to offer grants to African American Female Senior pastors of small congregations (300 or less). Recently, ABHMS launched a dedicated donations page for the endowment... Below is a portion of the site's wording...
Support Beyond the Stained-glass Ceiling Endowment Fund
The Rev. Chris Smith had a vision of providing support to African-American women ministers who were leading small congregations, many struggling financially. Buoyed by this prophetic calling, Smith authored her groundbreaking book, “Beyond the Stained-glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors” (Judson Press, 2013).
Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland Inc., the church pastored by Smith, has established a $70,000 endowed gift with American Baptist Home Mission Societies that will support at least two African-American female pastors yearly who serve congregations of 300 or fewer members as senior solo pastor...
To read more and to make a donation, click here...
RMGRCLE Sermon Podcasts...
Restoration Ministries has launched a new podcast where all are invited to hear our Sunday morning sermons! To listen to the latest messages, click here...
In prayer, faith and wisdom, churches around the country are practicing "social distancing," by pausing "in-person" worship. Many are hosting online worship services, ZOOM sessions and Facebook live streaming. During this season, each Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m., Restoration Ministries will hold Worship Service via conference call. For more information about this service and or to participate, email us at rmgrcle@gmail.com
Welcome!!!
COVID-19 Vaccination Information...
Check out our new Outreach Endeavor, "R.E.A.C.H."
Beginning in the Fall of 2020, Restoration Ministries will begin to "roll out" our new outreach endeavor, "R.E.A.C.H." The acronym stands for Restoration, Education, Advocacy, Collaboration and Hope."
While the actual implementation of REACH will happen over several years, it is our hope to begin to put various aspects of the vision into place starting this fall. To read more, Click here...
Check out ministry highlights
Restoration Ministries Celebrates 1st Annual "Friends and Family Day...
On Sunday, March 15th, 2020, Restoration Ministries celebrated its 1st Annual Friends and Family Day! Click here to read more and to see pictures from the celebration...
"400 Years of the Vestiges of Slavery in Cleveland, Ohio..."
to reflect on the past, present and future of the black church. To read more, to see the interview and pictures, Click Here...
