Pastor Emeritus Dr. Lewis Randolph

RANDOLPH, Pastor Emeritus Dr. Lewis - Age 76, passed away Saturday, September 10, 2022, at his residence. Funeral services 10:30 AM Monday, September 19, 2022, at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, 1851 W. Carpenter Rd., Pastor Michael Pettigrew, officiating, Dr. Frank E. Ray, Eulogist. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Monday. Pastor Emeritus Randolph will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM Sunday. The Beginning Thursday, November 1, 1945, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Lewis Randolph was born to the late Lewis and Minerva Randolph in Leighton, Alabama. Pastor Randolph was the youngest son of 12 siblings. He was blessed to be born in a Christian, loving, nurturing family that put God first. He joined Galilee Baptist Church in Leighton, Alabama at an early age and was very active in all youth activities. Pastor Randolph attended and graduated from the Colbert County Public School System in Leighton, Alabama. After graduating from high school, he relocated to Flint, Michigan and joined the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. L. W. Pryor. He was a joyful and active member participating in various ministries including the choir and deacon board. The Family Pastor Randolph was married to the late Mrs. Jane Nelson, a beautiful, loving, supportive wife and mother. To this blessed union, two sons were born, Rodale and Marcus. One of the many joys of his life was becoming a doting grandfather to Lewis Adolphus Randolph, the apple of his eye. Pastor Randolph was employed with General Motors as a Tool and Die Maker - Chevrolet Manufacturing, for approximately 20 years and was an exemplary worker with great work ethic, including attendance, timeliness and integrity. Pastor Randolph enjoyed family time and he was so happy when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Randolph relocated to Flint and united with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. He especially enjoyed holidays clebrations with the family. He enjoyed watching and attending sporting events, especially when the University of Michigan, and the University of Alabama were winning. He felt that former coach Bear Bryant from Univeristy of Alabama was still the greatest coach. Pastor Randolph sincerely loved his Antioch Church family. During the years, prior to his sickness, the church traveled to numerous church engagements and it was always such a enjoyable time. Pastor Randolph looked forward to the district, state and national annual sessions where he shared special times with family and friends. He was especially overjoyed when he was invited to preach at the Late-Night Service in September 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri. Pastor Randolph had a special love for the Antioch Youth Department, he knew all of them by name, along with the names of their parents and he kept up with their pursuits. However, his very special favorite person to keep up with was his cherished grandson, Lewis Adolphus who he dearly loved. Accepting the Call In June 1971, Pastor Randolph accepted his call to the ministry under the pastorate of the late Dr. L.W. Pryor. Under Dr. Pryor’s ministerial leadership, Pastor Randolph worked faithfully and tirelessly in the local church, district and state, serving in numerous capacities while working a full-time job. On August 14, 1976, after the homegoing of Dr. L.W. Pryor, he was elected the 15th Pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, serving for 41 years until his retirement in 2017. Always appreciating the importance of training and continued education, Pastor Randolph attended Midwestern Bible College and Grand Rapids Bible College. He ultimately received his Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Tennessee School of Religion. May The Work I’ve Done Speak For Me Pastor Randolph was an anointed servant leader, visionary of God, chosen, charged and committed to the works of the Lord. He had a vision of not only growing the church by amassing land but also by being a fisher of men. A known visionary, Pastor Randolph always had a vision of a church that would honor God and ensure that the members were safe and comfortable. Under his leadership vans and buses were purchased, the sanctuary and pastor’s office were enlarged; a secretary’s office and a finance room were added, and beams were removed from the sanctuary which many felt was impossible to do, but God. With his continued foresight, additional restrooms were added to the upper level of the church; many lots were purchased for parking and paved and enclosed. He also built a new state-of-the-art kitchen and a spacious dining facility, appropriately named for him, the Lewis Randolph Fellowship Hall. During his tenure he placed his focus on adding new auxiliaries to the current roster which included the Voices of Antioch choir, an usher board, jail, hospital, nursing home, sick and shut-in and Security In Ministry. He also reorganized the young matrons and Sunday School classes which continued to grow after the reorganization, and even added a new Sunday school class that he taught. Pastor Randolph never lost sight of the focus of the church, and always prioritized Kingdom Building. He believed that evangelism was essential in leading souls to Christ. During his tenure, many souls accepted Christ as their personal savior. He faithfully, eagerly, and energetically taught weekly Bible class, sponsored tent revivals, initiated midweek morning and evening Bible classes, had a Sunday night Broadcast on AM 1420 – WFLT, and provided a community picnic after a week of Vacation Bible School. He also spearheaded the first Family and Friends Day in the City of Flint and was known for his famous Boys to Men services and their noted speakers. As a testament of his leadership of his evangelism and guidance, under Pastor Randolph there were 14 men called to the ministry. As Pastor Randolph, continued his vision to expand the work of the Lord, land and a facility at 1401 E. Stewart Ave were purchased that provided extra space to advance the work of the ministry. In August 2016, for Antioch’s 96th Church Anniversary, Pastor Randolph proudly held a Third mortgage burning, leaving Antioch Missionary Baptist Church debt-free. A true testimony to his leadership. Leaving a Legacy of Love Pastor Randolph leaves to cherish sweet and precious memories, two loving and caring sons, Dr. Rodale Randolph, DHA, Burton, Michigan; Deacon Marcus A. Randolph, Flint, MI; his only grandson, Lewis Adolphus Randolph, Flint; four sisters, Betty Walker, Burton, MI, Catherine Thomas, Ollie Hudson, and Geneva (Akil) Eberechuku, all of Flint; six sisters-in-law, Edna Bell Mastin, Flint, Clarice Webber, Emma (Robert) Nichols, all of Chicago, IL, Dorothy Griggs of Detroit, MI, Margaret (Murry) Mills, Mary Misters, all of Chicago, IL, Patsy Coffee of Leighton, AL and Linda Hamilton of Muscle Shoals, AL; four brothers-in-law, Bobby (Mattie) Nelson of Flint, MI, John Nelson, and Larry Nelson, both of Starkville, MS.; and many loving nieces, nephews, who were all very special to him. god-brothers, Mr. Lawrence (Valaria) Moon, and Dr. Roy (Jacquelyn) Thomas, of Georgia; god-son, Deacon Kerry Nelson; god-daughter, Trina Dawkins-Patterson of Wisconsin, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church members, clergy members and Christian friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Jane Randolph; and his parents, Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Minerva Randolph; brothers, sister, nieces and nephews. Well done, thy good and faithful servant. To God be the glory! The family asks that no pictures are to be taken. Services can be live streamed at: https://youtu.be/V3px6mN8Z0s Houseofpratermbc.org churchlivestream.org

Pastor Emeritus Dr. Lewis Randolph

November 1, 1945 - September 10, 2022