The Installation of
The Reverend Warren T. Harley
Sunday, October 29, 2017
3:00 PM
Rev. Jerome Anderson,Speaker
Unity Fellowship Community Church, Orangeburg, S.C.
Reverend Warren T. Harley’s Biography
Warren Harley is a native of Bowman S.C. He currently lives in Columbia, SC and is married to the former Venyke Free. They have two children, Brandon and Lauren. He attended the University of S.C. where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and became a member of the Zeta Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in the Spring of 1992. He later received a Master of Arts degree from Webster University. He has also studied at Erskine Theological Seminary.
He accepted his calling into the ministry in the fall of 2004 and was licensed to preach in the fall of 2007 at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Orangeburg, SC under leadership Rev. Jerome Anderson. Warren was ordained while serving as an Associate Minister at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Columbia, SC under leadership of Rev. Dr. Ivory T. Thigpen.
Professionally, Warren has served as the Asst. City Administrator for the City of Orangeburg, Lobbyist for the Municipal Association of SC and Asst. County Administrator for Richland County. He currently serves as the Manager for the City of Orangeburg's Department of Public Utilities.
His personal mission is to live his life in constant pursuit of Christian excellence. To please God by how he responds to what is allowed in his life, both good and bad. To love his family and his fellow man and to steward well the resources that God has provided.
To My Rock Hill Family:
I am so excited that you have allowed me to be your Pastor and so excited at what God is preparing to do here at Rock Hill Baptist Church. This day is not about me, but about God and what he desires from the Rock Hill family. It is about us confirming what God has already spoken by bringing us together.
Therefore, it is my belief that God has brought us together for a mighty work. We cannot accomplish the work without God, He must be at the center of all we do. We must surrender ourselves to His purpose and His plan so that our actions will always bring glory to His name.
Finally, as I reflect on where God has brought me from, I must say that it is a wonderful story of grace and mercy, providence and power, faith, hope and love. Most of all, I know that where we are today is because of the mighty hand of God working in our lives. I charge that we live worthy of our calling. That we always honor God in our trials and triumphs.
Sincerely yours,
Pastor Warren T. Harley
History of the Rock Hill Baptist Church
In 1866 with all guns silent, and minds on Heaven four jubilant former slaves by the names of Lisbon White, Sr., George Belton, Douglas Murphy and Horace Lawhorne met and discussed plans to build a church. According to the facts, they went from house to house to inform the community about their plans. The people were happy. They all agreed – the plans did not meet with opposition. Our founders worked diligently to implement the plans. In 1867, John Robinson gave our forefathers the land in which the first Rock HillBaptistChurch was built. Before then, the church was piled brushes.
The ChurchBuilding was completed in April 1867. The church was named Rock Hill because our founders weren’t men and women of letters, but they could relate to Rocks and Hills from previous experiences. They chose the Reverend Zion Jones as their Pastor. The church was dedicated to the services of the Lord the second Sunday in May, 1867. Services were held twice each month because their means of travel was a barrier. The preacher was given food items for his service in lieu of money.
In 1867 Rock HillBaptistChurch congregation was huge. People walked long distances to attend. Rock HillChurch became the Mother of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church and AntiochBaptistChurch.
From 1867 to the present, Rock HillBaptistChurch has elected fifteen pastors. Their names are: Rev. Zion Jones, Rev. Scott Brown, Rev. Alfred Dixon, Rev. Andrew Stokes, Rev. Thomas Williams, Rev. Byrd, Rev. K. B. Berry, Rev. Eli Derry, Rev. Gibson, Rev. Adam Jones, Rev. J. E. McGill, Rev. J. L. Perkins, Rev. E. F. Steadman, Rev. W. N. Stallworth, Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Joseph Robertson Interim Pastor Rev. Vera Stone and our current Pastor, Reverend Warren Harley.
Ministers ordained since 1867 are: Minister Raymond Brown, Minister Paula Perry, Minister Robert Young, Reverend Vera Stone, Reverend Orenthal Robertson and Minister Joann Freeman.
Deacons ordained since 1867 are: George Belton, Horace Lawhorne, Douglas Murphy, Lisbon White, Sr., Daniel White, Robert Martin, Jesse Peay, Jacob Murphy, Morant Tucker, Green Kirkland, Boykin Butler, Frank Robinson, Henry Long, Preston Kirkland, Leslie Tucker, Blake Butler, George White, Thomas Tucker, John C. Butler, Joseph Robertson, Willie Kirkland, Milton McGee, Rhudine Harris, Melvin Butler and Caleb White.
On November 28, 2010, the Membership began worship in the new Rock Hill Baptist Church located at 1060 Shivers Green Road, Ridgeway, SC. The Members marched from the old Sanctuary at 1034 Shivers Green Road to the new Sanctuary. A Dedication Program was held at 4:00 p.m.
Our Founders’ Legacy is evident of their dedication. Their profile seems to fit the Scripture: St. John 9:4 – “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day.” Our Founders did not hesitate and labored hard and long to improve the Sanctuary and the Worship Services. In these one hundred and fifty years, much progress has been made. Today, we thank God and our forefathers who made it possible for the Rock Hill Baptist Church. It is because of Jesus Christ, our Chief Cornerstone that we continue to move forward.
Words from the Members of the Rock Hill Baptist Church
We the members of the Rock Hill Baptist Church commit to honoring the Scripture as God’s authoritative Word.
We will commit to faithfully attend the preaching of the Word of God and receive the Word, not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the Word of God.
We will give of our time, resources and energies to the work of the church for the edification of the church and the belief in Jesus Christ.
We will love our pastor, Reverend Warren Harley, praying for him rather than complaining about him, honoring him as one who labors in Word and doctrine for the good of our soul and recognizing him as the shepherd God has given us.
We will honor Reverend Harley and follow him as he follows Christ, honoring him as Christ’s under-shepherd, ordained by God to keep watch over our souls, and will let him do this with joy and not with groaning.
We will stand alongside our pastor Harley in any endeavors that put God first and honor Jesus Christ.
And we will commit to lay aside our personal preferences, in order to strive for the unity of the church and desire all our actions to build up the body of the Rock Hill Baptist Church.
~The Rock Hill Baptist Church Family~
Installation Services
Rev. Archie J. Calhoun, Presiding
Corinth Baptist Church
Processional
***Escort of Pastor Warren Harley and Family***
By: Kareem and Jennifer White
Deacon and Trustees/Wives/Secretaries
of the Rock Hill Baptist Church
By: George and Patricia Lawhorne
Praise and Worship……………………………Harley Family Ensemble
Opening Selection……………………….………..….… “Seeds of Christ”
Rock Hill Baptist Church
Scriptures:
Old Testament Scripture ..……………………….Rev. Vera Stone
Rock Hill Baptist Church
New Testament Scripture ………………...………Rev. Ali Cooper
Rock Hill Baptist Church
Invocation…………………………………………...Rev. Elizabeth Dupree
United Hope Ministries
Selection………………..… Rock Hill Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir
Greetings ………………………..………………………. Sister Gloria Long
Rock Hill Baptist Church
Offering
Offertory Selection ….….. Rock Hill Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir
Offertory Prayer …………………………………… Reverend Patsy Rhett
Good Hope AME Church
INSTALLATION SERVICES (cont.)
Introduction of Speaker………………………………Rev. Archie Calhoun
Corinth Baptist Church
Selection……………………Unity Fellowship Community Church Choir
Installation Message………………………………..Rev. Jerome Anderson
Unity Fellowship Community Church
Selection……………………….…………………….…Mrs. Gayle Hampton
Pastoral Charge……………………………………….…..Rev. Eddie Moore
Moderator, Mt. Moriah Baptist Association
Charge to the Church ………………………………….. Rev. Eddie Moore
Moderator, Mt. Moriah Baptist Association
The Litany of Installation…………………….……Rev. Dr. Ivory Thigpen
Pastor, Rehoboth Baptist Church
Installation Prayer……………………….………. Rev. Dr. Ivory Thigpen
Pastor Rehoboth Baptist Church
Selection……………………Unity Fellowship Community Church Choir
Presentations from the Church………………….……Bro. Arthur Brown
Bro. Willie Belton
Dea. Melvin Butler
Presentation of the Pastor…………………………...Rev. Archie Calhoun
Corinth Baptist Church
Pastoral Remarks...………………………………....Rev. Warren T. Harley
Pastor Rock Hill Baptist Church
Benediction and Blessing ……………………………. Rev. Archie Calhoun
Corinth Baptist Church
Dinner served in the Fellowship Hall
The Litany Installation
Leader:At the center of history, stands Jesus, the Christ. Through Him, God calls forth a people for himself. Through God’s people, the Church, Jesus Christ extends himself to the entire world. Rock Hill Baptist Church is therefore, an extension of Gods, redemptive purpose in the world through Jesus Christ.
People:The Lord does not leave His people without leaders. He sends a shepherd to lead the flock. He has sent Reverend Warren Harley to be our shepherd.
Leader:In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, we as a congregation, have met to install as Pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church, Reverend Warren Harley. In as much as this solemn act requires mutual obligations, I call upon you to unite in a covenant of dedication. Will the Pastor to be installed stand?
Pastor:I will strive to exalt the name of Jesus, the Christ, in my living proclamation and service. I have heeded the words of Jeremiah who said, “woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture” (Jeremiah 23:1) and the words of my Lord who said, “as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.” I will pray to be strong and of good courage, for the Lord my God is with me as I serve His people.
Leader: Will the Deacon stand?
You are the ordained leaders of the church called to be servants, and set apart to be the Pastor’s right hand at Rock Hill Baptist Church. Will the Deacon make his declaration?
The Litany of Installation (cont.)
Deacon:I acknowledge with great humility, the responsibilities of the office to which I have been chosen. I pledge anew our loyalty and service to the Rock Hill Baptist Church. I will strive to be helpers to our Pastor in his spiritual and administrative work with the congregation by relieving him of duties and responsibilities that I can perform.
Leader:Will the Congregation stand?
What sayeth the people of Rock Hill Baptist Church on this great day of celebration and installation of your Pastor?
People:We, the people have spoken. We have cast our lots for Reverend Warren Harley. We believe it is the Lord’s work in the Lord’s time. We will support Reverend Warren Harley and the ministries of this church according to our talents and abilities. We will pray for him and his family.
Leader:We will now have the installation prayer
Leader:In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, we do hereby declare you, Revered Warren Harley to be properly installed as the Pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church. We commend you to the grace of God in the discharge of your duties as a minister of the Gospel. In token thereof we give you the right hand of fellowship. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you. Amen.
Rock Hill Baptist Church Officers
Board of Deacons
Deacon Melvin Butler, Chairman
Board of Trustees
Arthur Brown, ChairmanWillie Belton
Nathaniel Long Jr. Mary Mallory
Norman Nelson
Church Clerk
Gloria Long
Assistant Clerk
Alicia Nelson
Financial Secretary
Sandra Brown
Treasurer
Norman Nelson
Reverend Warren and Mrs. Venyke Harley
Pastor and First Lady