Duke Crawford Installed at Emmanuel, Toledo

TOLEDO, Ohio—Emmanuel Baptist Church was filled to capacity on May 3, as Pastor Duke Crawford became its 21st pastor. Duke and Deb Crawford hail from Mount Pleasant, Iowa, with their three children: Anthony, Austin, and Abby. The new pastor’s first Sunday coincided with Heritage Sunday, as Emmanuel celebrated 111 years of serving the Lord in greater Toledo.  Interim Pastor Bruce Snyder passed the baton, reviewing some of the notable pastors who have affirmed Emmanuel’s connection to the GARBC. A missions group headed to minister in Portugal sang several numbers in Portuguese, and the choir sang a stirring anthem, “In Christ Alone.” The Crawford family received a heavy box of gift cards from the congregation to help introduce them to some favorite places in Toledo. The Collingsworth family presented a God-honoring concert in the evening service.  A “Taste of Toledo” reception followed the service, featuring locally produced foods. The congregation is expectant and enthused about upcoming days.