Pastor Stephen Samuel said it was good to be back down south as a roomful of his new congregation members greeted him with warm applause at the Georgia Mountains Center.
A Rome, Ga., native, Rev. Samuel is the new pastor at the 750 member St. John Baptist Church on E.E. Butler Parkway.
"I really like the people," Samuel said. "Being back down South is wonderful and after spending years in the North it's good to be around southern hospitality."
Samuel comes to Gainesville from Trenton, N.J., where he was pastor at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.
Deacon Kenny Austin said the reception begins a weekend long celebration that ends with Samuel's installation Sunday at the church.
"He's bringing a lot of excitement to the congregation," Austin said. "We're looking forward to what God has led him to St. John to do."
Welcome sign is out for new pastor
Pastor Samuel at his reception
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/7/211827