ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Members of Elmira's Monumental Baptist Church gave a big welcome Sunday to Reverend Frank Raines III.
"He served here about nine years as pastor. We've grown to love him as a son,” said Mary Hargrave, Monumental Deacon Board Chair.
Raines says kind people like Deacon Mary Hargrave are part of what's brought him back to Elmira every couple of years since he left Monumental.
"Because of that and because of the work we were able to do in the community, it's important to me to come back and give something back to them,” said Frank Raines III, Former Monumental Baptist Church Pastor.
A visit by a former pastor brings back part of an Elmira church's rich past. Reverend Frank Raines, III, led services Sunday at Monumental Baptist Church in Elmira. As our Kat De Maria tells us, Raines' presence helped to remind people of the importance of ministries.
Raines says during his time in Elmira, he and others were able to serve the hungry, senior citizens, students and even prisoners. He says that work helped him understand the essence of ministry.
"If you're going to be a true pastor, you're going to be a true shepherd, if you're going to be a sincere servant, you must share yourself with the community,” said Raines.
One church member says over the years, the congregation of Monumental has aged and not gotten out into the community as much. She says it's time to renew that ministry.
"We have a lot of our young people, young parents, that come from dysfunctional homes, we have to get in there and try to help them and motivate them that they must change their behavior if their children are to succeed,” said Ernestine Kyles, Monumental Baptist Church Member.
She says recently released graduation rates highlight the need for Elmira's churches to move back into a leadership role in the community. Church leaders say they agree, and are starting with spirituality.
"We're a church moving in the right direction trying to enhance people to come in and serve God and get themselves in right with their souls,” said Deacon Mary.
After that, she says the rest will come in a big way.
Reverend Raines visits Monumental Baptist Church every other year. Next year, members are expected to travel to his church, Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, in Detroit.