Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 7-8-16 Online Edition

Local FYI
Bethel AME Church’s New Pastor Settles In
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
When the annual confer- ence of the African Methodist Episcopal Church met in Octo- ber, 2015, there were some changes made among pastoral leadership. One of the churches in the Tampa com- munity with new leadership is Bethel AME Church, 5001 Cumberland. The former pas- tor, Reverend Beverly Hills Lane, stepped down from pas- toral duties.
The new pastor is the Rev- erend Bobby L. Jacobs, who joined “The Tremendous Tampa District,” coming from the “Celebrated Central Dis- trict.”
Having been in the min- istry over 20 years, Pastor Ja- cobs was born in Tampa, the 6th of 11 children born to Vetta and Ennis Jacobs. He has held many positions of service and leadership.
A graduate of Bethune- Cookman University, Pastor Jacobs earned a Bachel0r’s of Arts degree in Business Ad- ministration. His Master’s de- gree in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care and Coun-
REV. BOBBY L. JACOBS ...Pastor, Bethel AME Church
seling is from Turner Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center. He served the country for 6 years in the United States Navy as a Com- puter System Technician.
“My faith heritage is birthed out of a father and mother who took us to church. My father was a gospel singer all of his life and an active par- ticipant in the life of his local church. We were taught the importance of a personal rela- tionship with God and the need to be active in church service.” His journey in the ministry began in 1991.
“I have been active in min-
istry from an early age, from singing in the choir as a young man to serving in the office of Trustee in the local church,” he explained.
Pastor Jacobs has served as a senior pastor in 2 devel- oped congregations, and has birthed 2 congregations. “I have found challenges in both, but God has always revealed Himself in every situation.”
Rev. Jacobs talked about the importance of family. Of his siblings, Rev. Jacobs is joined by 2 brothers who serve in ministry; 3 brothers are at- torneys; another brother is the founder and director of the West Coast Black Theater Troup of Sarasota; 2 other brothers live in Tallahassee; another brother lives here in Tampa and their only sister lives in the Deland area.
“We were raised in a close family environment and taught to care for and protect each other. Because of our upbring- ing, we are still very close to each other.”
Rev. Jacobs is the hus- band of Lady Sydelle Ja- cobs and the father of 4 – Jonathan, Devin, Alexan- dria and Jordyn.
Howard W. Blake Class Of 1968
Members of the Howard W. Blake Class of 1968 will meet on Saturday, July 9, 20126, at the West Tampa Library, 2312 W. Union St., 11 a. m. – 1 p. m.
Howard W. Blake Class Of 1967
The Howard W. Blake High School Class of 1967 will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, July 9th at 11 a. m. at the home of King Davenport, 4604 Riverhills Dr., Temple Ter- race (33617).
For more information, contact Gwen Andrews (813-248- 1071), Rosita W. Baker (813-621-1027), King Davenport (813-989-3198) or John Bowden (813-600-8859).
Spelling Bee Sponsors
The Beta Sigma Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. sponsored the end-of-school-year spelling bee at Potter Ele- mentary School. It is an initiative of the sorority’s Adopt-A- School Program.
Myeesha Harris is president of the sorority chapter.
FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A