HOMEGOING CELEBRATION OF q:;~ ~ ~~ QJ;, Sunrisc:Junc 22, 19tH Sunset: June a, 2012 Saturday,June 9, 2012 12 Noon Israel Missionary Baptist Church 2071 Hosea L. Willian1s Dr. Atlanta, GA 30~~ 17 Rev. Dr. Willian1 Sn1ith, Pastor/ Eulogist Rev. Dr. J ohn Smith, Oiliciatmg THE BEGINNING Pastor Macon Gwinn Sr. was born June 22, 19.:tl to the late Benjamin Gwinn Sr. and the late Fronia Lewis-Gwinn in Llanta, Georgia. At the age of five years old he was sent to his farnily's hornetown Sparta, Georgia (Hancock Cow1ty) where he was reared by his Aunt and l fncle Yank <:mel Arny Lewis. He was educated in the Hancock County School Systen1 and also attended The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. Pastor Gwinn accepted and received Christ at atl early age while attending Springfield Baptist Church under the leadership and guidance of Pastor Edwards. At the age of 19 years old in 1959, Pastor Gwinn journeyed back to A.tlar1ta to start a new life. He did not realize that the vision he saw while working on the family's fann estate in Har1eock County, would tnanifest. upon his first day back in the Atlanta. Belt) Davis can1e into view through an introduction frotn his brother Beqjarnin Jr. and inunedi- ately proclaitned to her tl1e first day of n1ccting that she was his wile. Then, 18 year old Betty Davis tlippar1tly stated she was {already n1arricd with siY children" and therefore not interested. However, Macon Gwinn knew that tl1is could not be true! This quiet strong young tnan stood finn, not intinudated at all by this young lady, and n1arricd Betty Davis three rnonths later on Decen1ber 3rt\ 1959. T'o tlus union, the initial false selfprophes) spoken in 1959 can1e true (words indeed have power) and six children were bon1: Macon Jr., Martha Michell, Pllilip, Gary, Jacquelyn, and Victoria. THE PROVIDER Macon began working in the early 1960s as a car1dy rnaker for T'he Sophie Mae Candy Company. In 1971 , he bccan1c a Master Clutch Builder Mechanic for Rayloc (a division of Crcnuine Parts/NAPA) where he worked for five years. Soon after, in 1979, Macon was cn1ployed by Rich's and started out as a Relay Foreperson and soon becan1e the t)perations Manager for Macy's (a division of Federated Departn1ent Stores) at South DeKalb Mall. He retired frotn retail rnanagernent in June of2006. THE PASTOR Macon answered and accepted his calling into the nlinistry 111 the mid-1960s and was blessed to pastor several great churches in Atlanta. Here is a brief view of hi 1ninisterial jotu11ey: BEREA MENNONITE CHURCH Pastor Gwuu1 and his new farnily began rnetnbership with the Berea Mennonite Church in 1968. In 1970 Pastor Gwinn becan1e the first African American Pastor of Berea Mennonite Church located at 29 Clay St SE, Atlanta, GA 30~-n 7. Pastor Gwinn faithfully served the purposes of God and preached throughout the entire easten1 seaboard. As a result of outreach n1inistry the congTegation gTew exponentially. During his tenure, Pastor Gwinn led the church body Lo a new facilit-y located at 1066 Bouldercrest Road in Atlanta, GA where tnany souls were saved, healed and delivered. GREATER PINEY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH In 1977, Pastor Gwinn transitioned fron1 the Mennonite denonunation and returned back to his Baptist roots. l nder the leadership of the late great pastor, Rev. Frank Jones, he beca.tne ail associate n1inister where he served faithfully for six years. MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH In 1983, Pastor Gwinn began a wonderful pastorate and was the shepherd of this flock for seven years. During his tenure as pastor, he spearheaded con1pleting several projects including the interior work from new construction, the acquisition of additional property, ordained several sons in the ministry, and won nmny souls to Christ. Men1bership dramatically increased and new layers of church adrninistration were added birthing several rninistries. FIRST GETHSEMANE BAPTIST HURCH Under God's guidance in the year of our Lord 1990, Pastor G-winn and Betty Gwinn founded First Gethsernane Baptist Church. Being a visionary, Pastor Gwitu1 began the church in his horne and the church precipitously orew then moved services into Sanunye E. Coan ~;fiddle School. 'T'he Lord blessed him with "good and [;:wored land" located at 2161 Oakview Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30317 where the church I resently resides. Pastor Gwitu1 acquired 3 acres of land and purchased additional property acljacenl to the church edifice. Being both an industri )US and hardworking leader, Pastor Gwinn, along with his son Pastor Gary Gwinn and Deacon Joe Meadows, literally built tl1e church building by hand with the seating capacity of .:150. During Pastor Gwinn' ' lnunble yet dlcctive leadership, the rnort:gc1ge was cancelled, n1any souls were brought to Christ, and rnany rninisters were birthed including 3 of his children, Rev. Philip Gwinn, Pastor Gary Gwinn, and Pastor Jacqudy11 Gwinn-Villaroel. THE MAN. THE HUSBAND. HE FATHER. OUR BEST FRIEND Macon (~winn Sr., with his cairn, cool and collected t:nanner, was known to have an infectious smile! He was hurnhlc, happy, and full of We and always ready to oller a word of encouragernent to everybody he encountered. As an avid reader of The Bible, his gentle spirit and love allowed hirn to deli' er the vVord in a way that was understandable and practical to his farrllly and beyond. Macon was always ready lo assist anyone in need. He pro,ided lood from his garden to feed his frunily, church. and conununity. He even ren1odeled and repaired hontcs while rnaintaining his full tirne job and pastoring a church. T'his rnan understood how to love, protect, and provide for his farnily. He worked da ' and night for his wife and children and never allowed thern lo lack anything. Because of his hurnble upbringing, he insisted that he be tl1e sole provider for his farnily, thus freeir o hi wife to be a horne1naker for over 52 year~ t:md retnained faithful until he entered in eternal rest. He was a real character and knew how to ha c a really good tin1e". You could ahva) s find hirn eruoYJng the following hobbies: fishing, gardening, showing olr his skills as a professional painter and carpenter, a layer of carpet and a retnodeler of homes. He was also a tnarksrnan proficient in tnulliplc lireann categories (therefore is responsible for his pistol packing wife <:md kid LOL). With his fantily, he never hesitated on footing the bill for dinners, the theatre, the arcades, lavish barbeques, or enjoying the hon1es of ltis children watching television, shooting pool, out playing his sons and grandchildren in basketball, spoiling his daughters, proving that he was tal Praise " (lnstnurJental) lflar Oy" (Praise BreaR) ld 'TcstarnenL ...........................................................~Iini tcr Juli Price (Daughter of Fir L ..cthsenmnc Baptist Church) P ahn 23 'W '1 cstat11ent................................................. ........ Rev 'larc11cc Price on of First Geth 'crnane Baptist Church) Rc elation 21: 1-7 or Song Praycr.......................................................Rev. Dr. Rob ~rt vVclch (Little Friendship Baptist Church, tlanta, GA) Prayc.r.......................................................................Pastor]olttl E. Blttler (Faith 1"'etnplc Baptist Church tlanta, c;A) Song......................................................................Cclcbration Ma. , Cl1oir "'On Chnst the Solid Rock " Pastor GwiiliJ sHwonlc H;1nn Reading of the ()hituary/Video 1-'ribule Remarks (3 Minutes Please) Pastor Arthtu L. Powell (11-avclcrs Rcst/J,.?ptist Church, RcxJ GA) Rev. Dr. Jolm H. Snuth (lrVclcoJnc Friend Bapt1:o;t (Juurh, Ellcnworxl. (;.A) PL'ilor C. C. Reeves (.~/anton (;rove B;1ptist CIJLurh, At/aula. G:4) Song............................................Minister Kenneth "The Maestro" Low "When I See j esus'' Remarks (3 Minutes Please) Pastor Clillord Elcsby (Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Adant~ GA) Pastor Jatncs Martin (New Mt. Sinai Baptist (-:burch, Ad;;mta, GA) Pastor Johnny Mincy (Fli-sl Grace JJaptist Church, Adant.a, GA) Sgt..Janice Sturvidant (Atlanta Police Dcparti11cnt) Song.............................................................................Pastor Durwin Paul (Ncar the Cross Baptist Church, Lithonia, GA) (Yy Soul Is Anchored 1i1 the Lord !1 Eulogy...................................................................Rev. Dr. Williarr1 Snutl1 (Israel Missionaty Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA) Acknowlcdgcrncnts................................................Willic . Watkins Stall Recessional................................................................TI1e G\vinn Children "On My l-J'ily Hon1c " Interment Kennedy Me1norial Gardens 2500 River Road Ellenwood, c;A 30294 Repast Isra l Missionary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall PALLBEARERS (P TOR GWINN'S SON~S;:)=-~Ff""~ Gary Gwirm I Philip Gv ~nn Nathauicl ) oung StaHley Young Nlacon Gv'rinn, Jr. Dmid Villaro 'I FLOWER LADIES God~Daught rs L1.dies of First Gethsemane Baptist Church Ladies of Kingdom Harvest Christian Fellowship I ACKNOWLEDGE FROM THE GWINN FAMILY The family of Pastor Macon Gvvinn, Sr. would like to thank. each and every one of you for yow love, support, and tender care during tllis tin1e of berC