Spoken word by the spiritual poet

This thought was instigated while attending the homegoing celebration service of the Reverend Dr. Michael E. Haynes at Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury, MA on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

“Can Anything Good Come Out Of Nazareth And Can Anything Good Come Out Of Roxbury?”

Today, I was privileged and honored to witness in awe and wonder the homegoing celebration service of a prominent, profound and prolific servant leader–Emeritus Reverend Dr. Michael E. Haynes. Silent sermonic selections set the assembly aglow with delight ushering in chatter, laughter, meeting and greeting of old familiar folk and familial faces warming our being with joy and gladness. A tapestry of statuesque congressmen, congresswomen, honorable governor and mayors and clergy alike of different faiths colored both audience and frontstage in honor of a son of Roxbury and servant leader of the Most High.

The son of immigrants, son of Roxbury and son and servant leader of Almighty God was the very embodiment, attribute and characteristics of one who bears the marks of Christ. He is one of many priceless gold nuggets that can be found in the fallow grounds, foothills and mountain community of Roxbury. He lived unapologetically for his first love, the bride of Christ as an act of service and worship unto the Lord. For this living being, monumental mountain man of God granted to us for fifty years of active tour of duty at the historic Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts, lived a compelling, convicting and contrasting life such that the moral fiber, moral conscience and culture of Boston has been shaken and altered at its core. He truly lived out his given name (Michael – Etymology translates it as meaning, “Who among us is like God”) as one who looked to serve and not be served. I am just grateful to have experienced the homegoing celebration of a man who unapologetically upheld the blood stain banner of the crucified Christ by proclaiming and living out God’s will in his life–Emeritus Reverend Dr. Michael E. Haynes. Again, need we ask, can anything good come out of Nazareth and can anything good come out of Roxbury?