by Clarence W. Thomas, Jr.
MGI Contributor
thomasjr63@gmail.com
“This church is a well-oiled machine,” Pastor Andre C. Loyd, Sr., stated matter of factually in a recent conversation with the Middle Georgia Informer concerning Warner Robins CME Church. “It’s been a blessing. I inherited a solid foundation.”
Since being appointed to preside over the church on July 18 by CME church leader Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. Loyd says he has poured himself into furthering the legacy of the preceding pastor Dr. Lindsey P. Napier, Sr. Warner Robins CME has traditionally been a community focused church but varying factors over the years shifted that.
To understand better how to get Warner Robins CME back on track, Loyd has drawn on his ministerial experience that first took hold at the tender of age of 17 and what he describes as learning the language of his congregation. “You learn the language or loss the people,” he said. “Building on the foundation of Pastor Napier to maintain and grow this church as a place that people feel welcomed and safe is a high priority.”
Loyd’s journey towards becoming the current pastor began in earnest years ago as a youth member of Macon’s Bethel CME Church. Since then, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lane College and later a Master of Divinity from Phillips School of Theology at ITC.
He eventually pastored for two years in Elberton, GA where he met his wife Tameka whom he married in 2015. His next stop was Westside Community CME Church in Atlanta for eight years. Later the father of two sons was appointed to lead his home church of Bethel CME.
In addition, Loyd serves as Presiding Elder of the Southeast Region of the CME church which includes 26 churches from Moultrie to Valdosta. “God has really been moving in my life personally and professionally,” he shared.
The means by which Loyd is moving his members are Warner Robins CME’s ministries. With nearly 20 ministries at its disposal the church is making a difference. Some include music, boys and girls mentoring, transportation, and marriage. “There’s a ministry here for anyone to participate in,” he added.
A key focus on the future is youth outreach. In 2025 a once flourishing Summer Enrichment Camp disrupted by the pandemic will return, Loyd said. He envisions the camp filling the educational gap experienced by young people during the summer.
Loyd says church ministries are necessary. He believes they are part of the foundation of the Black community that allows Black folks to unfold their gifts. “The gifts of Black people should be celebrated in the Black church. The only thing that we own is Black business, Black colleges, and the Black church. No one can take that,” he added.
Warner Robins CME is a fairly young church. It’s less than 50 years old. But it has an old soul says Loyd that he’s building on to make community-minded once again. “Each One Reach One” is his mantra and is manifesting in the form of initiatives like Family Fun Day and a recent collaboration with CVS designed to educate and assist the community with proactively addressing its health needs.
These activities accompany his mandate of carrying the word to world. They are rooted in God loving the world so much, he gave his son Jesus says Loyd. “We have to be stronger together. No matter your background everybody is included.”
Growth is another big goal. Warner Robins CME’s worship services average nearly 200 people a Sunday – a respectable and noteworthy number of parishioners. But Loyd is about increasing those numbers using the following draw. “You are welcomed here. Warner Robins CME is God’s church. He’s given me permission to pastor his people.”
Warner Robins CME Church is located at 200 Othal H. Lakey Circle in Warners Robins. Call 478-923-6326 for more information about it. Follow the church socially at Facebook/Warner Robins CME Church.
