EZCDA Celebrates 100 Years; District Moderators Recognized

By M. Patterson; FBC Communications |  February 26, 2020

During 2020, the East Zion Consolidated District Association (EZCDA), the largest District affiliated with the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention, will be celebrating 100 years of ministry, mission and service.  The theme for the observance is “Celebrating 100 Years: Working Together as We Contend for the Faith,” Jude 1:3.

The Zion District Association and the Eastern District Association both had their beginnings with God.  In 1920, Rev. John Dove (J.D.) Provo, Organizer and Moderator of Zion District and Pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, and Rev. Ezell W. (E.W.) Perry, Moderator of Eastern District and Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, envisioned that the unification of their forces and resources could result in accomplishing what they could never accomplish alone.  Thus, the resultant organization, The East Zion Consolidated District Association.

“As we embark on the 100th year of the Association, it is my goal to make this a phenomenal century celebration,” stated Dr. Kelly Booker, current EZCDA Moderator.  Events and activities currently scheduled include:  A commemorative Souvenir Journal, a 100th Centennial Memorial and Living Legends Revival, A Centennial Music Concert, and the Celebration Banquet.  The commemoration will culminate the week of the EZCDA Annual Session, August 3-7, 2020. 

The District has been under the leadership of 19 past Moderators; Dr. Booker, Pastor of New Union Baptist Church, was elected as the 20th Moderator during the 2019 Annual Session.  “We will recognize and salute the Moderators of the East Zion Consolidated District Association for their diligence, self-motivation, as well as dedication to always go the extra mile in order to achieve the best possible results,  making our District superlative,” remarked Dr. Booker. 

The Moderators will be recognized during a 100th Centennial Memorial and Living Legends Revival.  The Revival will span five Wednesday night services, held at churches in the District where some of the Moderators served.  Four moderators will be recognized per night, in the order of their terms.  The evening will include a lecturer, a sermon, as well as the special recognition and acknowledgement period. 

The first night of service will be held on February 19 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Rev. Larry T. Crudup, host pastor.  Rev. Orlando Black, Pastor of Greater Shiloh, will be the lecturer and Rev. Crudup will be the preacher.  The Moderators to be recognized, posthumously, are Rev. E. W. Perry (1920-1927; Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church), Rev. J. D. Provo (1928-1931; Pastor, Fairview Baptist Church), Rev. F. K. Leath (1932-1935; Pastor, Greater Shiloh Baptist Church) and Rev. J. P. Patterson (1932-1962; Pastor, St. John Baptist Church, Ponca City).

The succeeding revival nights and locations are:  March 11, St. John Missionary Baptist Church; April 8, Unity Baptist Church; May 13, Fairview Missionary Baptist Church; June 17, Tabitha Baptist Church.  All services will begin at 7 p.m.  All churches in the EZCDA, as well as the community, are asked to help pay tribute to these great pioneers and living legends that lead this great organization. 

The full schedule for the Revival, with honorees, lecturers and preachers, is available on the District website, www.eastziondistrict.org.  Information on other Centennial activities, including souvenir journal forms, banquet ticket information, and concert ticket information, will be posted on the website as details are finalized.

For additional information on the EZCDA and the Centennial Celebration activities, contact the Moderator’s office at 405-424-3451 or 405-424-2439.

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