They gathered at the UNIA Hall on Nov 26, the congregation of Imani Family and Full Gospel Baptist Church, others in the faith community, friends and supporters, in veneration of a spiritual leader who in his relatively short time in Montreal has made his mark on the lives of many.
The Pastor Appreciation Evening was an homage to Pastor Glenn Gray, who in the six years that he has been installed as the head of the church is being recognized as a teacher and a builder.
In paying tribute to him, Alison Ingram, a congregant at Imani spoke of Pastor Gray’s honesty in acknowledging “that in his life he has overcome hurdles and challenges to come to the spiritual and faith-filled place he is in today.”
And speaking on behalf of the membership, she told him: “We, individually and collectively, appreciate your candor, humor and advice. Your example serves to inspire us to live our lives in a manner that pleases God.”
Ingram also commended him for encouraging the congregation to take their ministry outside of the walls of the church to form Christian partnerships and expand worship opportunities.
“I thank you for seeing the role we as a Christian faith community have. We know that in blessing others we are in turn blessed.”
Pastor Gray is the younger brother of Pastor Daryll Gray, founder of Imani Church. He was born in Boston and grew up in South Carolina and Nova Scotia.
He moved to Montreal in 2011 and immediately began serving at Imani Family and Full Gospel Church later became a member of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which he serves as vice president today.
Pastor Gray was ordained as a Baptist preacher in 2016. He is married to Rachelle Bruno Gray.
Several other members of his congregation and spiritual leaders offered messages of reverence for Pastor Gray’s leadership including Lorianne Edwards, Angela Smith,Pastor Randolph Phillip Haynes and Pastor Brian Berry.
The evening was punctuated with musical tributes by Skipper Dean
Cece Walker and Cleopatra Marshall. Associate Pastor Fanwell Makunde served as master of ceremonies.
