We know that you will do well and that the members of Antioch will be most pleased with their overwhelming vote to bring you here.
A hymn composed by William Cowper in 1774 says that “God works in mysterious ways; his wonders to perform.”
This passage is most prophetic with the anticipated arrival of Rev. Todd C. Davidson who will take over the reigns as senior pastor of Cleveland’s historic Antioch Baptist Church.
The 34-year-old theologian will take up the spiritual reigns of that sanctuary on East 89th and Cedar Avenue where the pre-eminent pastor Marvin McMickle left off. McMickle is becoming the president of a divinity school in New York.
When Rev. McMickle left, this page praised him for his service to his God, his congregation and to this city and nation.
And now we welcome his successor who comes to Greater Cleveland from a pastorate in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
It has been reported that the Antioch congregation’s search committee believes that the Almighty led them to Davidson.
Likewise Reverend Davidson believes God led him to Cleveland—a city he never visited—to be asked to consider the job.
In our opinion, the new pastor needs never to worry about filling Marvin McMickle’s shoes. All he needs to concentrate on is bringing forth a new era and generation of pastors.
Lord knows we need them.
And so, this newspaper welcomes Reverend Todd C. Davidson to our community.
We know that you will do well and that the members of Antioch will be most pleased with their overwhelming vote to bring you here.
If you read this, pastor, know that you’ve got “serious backup” in the faith based community when you arrive with your family.
That’s just the way Cleveland is.
