Reverend William Buchanan (1994-
A new model of ministry for the body of Christ is operative in us. Pastor Buchanan has become a catalyst for Holy Spirit-inspired new dimensions in worship activities and is leading us toward the fulfillment of a new vision God has set before us. With new energy, Pastor Buchanan has led us toward the fulfillment of a new vision God has set before us.
The concept of VISION is deeply rooted in biblical history. Solomon proclaims in Proverbs 29:18 that “Where there is no vision, the people will perish…” Vision is essential to the unfolding and forward movement of Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church. It also is the bedrock of Kingdom Ministry. John S. Dunne in The Reasons of the Heart, speaks of an adage from the Bushman tribe—”There is a dream, dreaming us.” Dunne says, “We are part of a dream (vision).” The dream dreaming us is God’s vision of us. What a sobering thought that something as fragile and sinful as humanity is a part of the vision of God for lost humanity! However, as essential as a vision is to the church, it can be difficult to define in any substantive way. A vision deals with a reality that is not yet or a reality that is becoming. George Barna, in his book, The Power of Vision, consistently describes a vision as opposed to defining it — “vision is about stretching reality to extend beyond the existing state...a vision connotes a reality that does not exist currently.” Therefore, if a vision is anything, it is seeing the future from the present; it is looking toward a future that is captured only in the heart.
Success Judged by Ministry, Not Numbers
In ten years, Pastor Buchanan has brought to us a bold new model of ministry. Under his watch, “ministry” has become the mantra for all members. God has richly blessed our congregation with persons of many gifts and resources. One of the Pastor’s gifts is discerning how best to use each individual gift for the betterment of the church body. Under his leadership, the church’s ministries include the following: Love Kitchen for the homeless, the Forever Young (a ministry for seniors), the Community Development Corporation, the ChristFund, an endowment to provide scholarships for high school graduates, Children’s Church, an expanded Christian Education Department, the Nineveh Outreach Program, the Prison Ministry, the Angel Food Ministry, the Bus Ministry, the Radio Worship Program, LifeSpring (grief and pastoral counseling ministry), Psalm 46 (a disaster preparedness ministry) and many other initiatives which expand the church beyond the wall of the physical building.