As I look back on 36 years of God’s goodness and mercy, I can truly say that God is real. Throughout the years it has never been easy but because of your unwavering faith and trust in Him, I can truly say God is real. Thank you for being hard and difficult, because you definitely were! Now that I am a man and raising my own family, I now know and understand what it is you were trying to impress upon me. Simply put; having priorities and being responsible are indeed traits that are necessary to be a man. God has been so good to you, I have no other choice but to follow in the path that you have tread. Whenever I think about you I think about my life verse. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the time of trouble, and He knoweth them that trust in Him. You have definitely trusted in the Lord these 36 years and I am the better because of it. Happy 36th Pastoral Anniversary and may GOD continue to bless you as you continually let him lead you!! Never would have made it; never could have made it without you as my father! It is my divine pleasure and privilege to Bless you with words of congratulations; on serving God's people as His anointed undershepherd, for 36 glorious years! As I write this, I am listening to Marvin Sapp's "Never Would Have Made It." I know that God, and only God, has kept you believing, committed, dedicated and focused on preaching the gospel; winning souls to Christ; teaching and growing the body of Christ; unwrapping spiritual grandfather! You are stronger! You are wiser! You are better, much better! As I look back on my sharing 33 of your 36 years in ministry and pastoring, I have not always comprehended how you do what you do. However, as I develop into womanhood, servanthood and businesswoman, I am beginning to understand. It was you who made it clear to me on Christmas morning, 2007. You had just finished a conversation with Joe Cook. As I questioned part of your words shared with him, you put it mildly and to the point: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be yea steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." That scripture allows me to understand all that I have witnessed you do at Calvary; your moderating; presidencies; sitting on boards and councils; and your preaching the gospel all over the country and world. You are doing the work of your Father! Man will not dictate what you do! I no longer fret over the things and stresses you allow in your life and work. It's all because of God's Holy words: "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep."I love you daddy! May God continue to keep you and mommy! God has Blessed you with a supreme life partner. I am Blessed and highly favored with you both as parents! Happy 36th anniversary! 11 On this day we celebrate 36 years as you being pastor of the people called “Calvary”, and not only do I get a chance to honor my pastor, but my father. It is not often that I get the chance to tell you how thankful I am for having you as my father. I often take for granted what you do and how you serve your purpose. For me, I often focus on how dedicated you are to being a pastor. Such as, preparing for sermons in your office, waking up at 4:30 a.m. every Sunday morning, dropping your luggage upon returning from being out of town and going straight to the church, it’s what you do. But the Lord knew what He was doing when He put the spirit inside of you. I know being a pastor is similar to being a father, the same unconditional love you show your children, you show to all those you lead. I know your patience is constantly tested, you nerves are continuously plucked and through the years you have had your share of letdowns. But your faith has never let you falter; it has never allowed you to compromise what you stand for. I can only hope to have as strong a faith as you. I always tease and say that Terence, your spitting image and firstborn, should have been named “Calvin”, but I am proud to bear the same name as you. And just as when people see me, they should see a child of God, I also hope that they see you in me! So happy 36th Pastoral Anniversary to you, Rev and that fabulous first lady you have (Boogie) and may you have many more, cause I know you are not hitting the brakes anytime soon……….Love you Big Rev Calvin James McKinney 12 WYATT TEE WALKER Former Chief of Staff to Martin Luther King, Jr. Theologian Author Cultural Historian (804) 778 -7969 6512 Bel Lac Drive Chester, VA 23831 January 7, 2007 Dear Cal: I never thought I would live this long. Since I am now in my 80th year, it has caused me do a little more reflecting. As you probably know, a series of strokes forced me to retire in 2004. I have been in some phase of rehabilitation for the last five years trying to gain some level of normalcy. In the last month or so, I have returned to thy use of a computer. I manage with one hand because I have no use of the left. The last of four strokes left me paralyzed on the left side in January of 2003. Before the strokes, my personal balance sheet was considerably more than a million dollars. The catastrophic illness depleted more than half of that. Retirement ended my earning power. I was forced to sell our motor yacht which I practically gave away. We sold it (a $250,000 vessel) fo r $50,000 to pay some of the medical bills. I realized over the last five years that though I possessed some of the world's goods, the real wealth that I possessed was the friends like you. I do not know how much longer I will live and before I die, I wanted to thank you and a few others for what you have meant in my life. Thank you again for sending the pictures of the church and sanctuary. I can't wait until I see it in person. What I want to say to you is thank you for the genuine friendship you have proffered to me over the years. Having been a sort of public figure, I was a bit wary of the make-up of my circle of friends. Some drew near for their own agenda. I never sensed that in you. I always felt that you saw me realistically as a person and sensed my commitment to the parish ministry. When I went to the Holy Land, I entrusted my pulpit to you because of that . Canaan fell in love with you as the Dash- man. One year, on a pilgrimage to the land of the Bible. We played the tape of that sermon all over Israel. We enjoyed you and Brenda on that trip to Portugal! Whenever I had a crisis at Canaan, I felt I could call on you and you never disappointed me. You have been a great friend to me and I hope I have reciprocated. I rem ember you from LaGarde's Church and from our times at the Hampton Ministers' Conference. You arranged for me to speak at the Governor's conference (I think he was the mayor then). That was a critical platform. In short, you have always looked out for me and I appreciate it very much and now that I am at an advanced age, I don't want to leave this earth without saying it to you. I hope I'm able to see you soon. Happy New Year to you and the Calvary family. ANTIOCH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH P.O. Box 6 1454 Florence Street Augusta, Georgia 30903-0006 (706) 724-2809 Rev. Kenneth B. Martin, Pastor Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney Calvary Baptist Church 217-245 Passaic St. Garfield NJ 07026 June 1, 2008 Reverend McKinney: Congratulations and Salutations to you as you celebrate 36 years of delivering God's Word and serving God's people at the Calvary Baptist Church. It is my prayerful wish that this celebration will be very rewarding and uplifting as you reflec t on what you have been, where you have gone, and what you have done to promote the Mission of our Father, and to enhance the lives of His people. May God continue to keep you warmly wrapped in His love and peace, His grace and mercy, His guidance and protection. May the fruit of these productive years uplift you and bring you joy, with your knowing that visions have come to fruition. I commend and applaud you this day - and tomorrow when you leave what you have done for what you must do, may God continue to be there with you, always guiding you through all you shall do. Happy Anniversary and God's blessings always! R ev., Dr. Kenneth B. Martin New Shiloh Baptist Church 2100 NORTH MONROE STREET HAROLD A. CARTER WAY DR. HAROLD A. CARTER DR. HAROLD A. CARTER, JR. Pastor May 22,2008 The Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney, L.H.D, Pastor Calvary Baptist Church 217-245 Passaic Street Garfield, New Jersey 07026 The Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney: My life is deeply enriched because Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney is a part of my rich ministerial experience. God has many ways of bringing great people into our lives. It was my late wife of many years, Dr. Weptanomah W. Carter who first participated in ministry with Dr. McKinney and the Calvary Baptist Church. She came back telling me of Dr. McKinney, his wife and family, and his strong influence in the general Baptist family. Subsequently, I was invited to do associational meetings and conventions in New Jersey where Dr. McKinney's leadership was so strong, so prominent. Talk about the work of Baptists in the State of New Jersey, and you will inevitably hear the name of Dr. Calvin McKinney, and that of his family. Additionally, we are blessed of God to have a vital part of the McKinney family, his daughter, Gina, serving as a strong member and leader in the ministry of our church, New Shiloh Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Calvin McKinney, we strongly salute your work, and all the gospel influence you have poured into the lives of so many preachers/pastors who have been nurtured under your influence. The great church facility you have led the Calvary Church family into, in Garfield, will long serve as a testament to the great power of your love of Christ and proclamation of God's Holy Word. Always know that you have a friend and brother in Christ here in the new Shiloh Baptist Church. Peace and love always. Enclosure: $200.00 “A Church Determined To Live With Christ” 15 Mount Calvary Baptist Church Dr. Vernon C. Walton, Pastor Organized in 1957 May 8, 2008 C alvin McKinney, L.H.D. C alvary Baptist Church of N.J. @G arfield 217-245 Passaic Street Garfield, NJ 07026 Dr. McKinney; Grace and peace be unto you! It is my prayer that this letter finds and yours enjoying the blessing of being o n the Lord’s Side. I am writing today specifically to join the Calvary Church is celebrating you for your Pastoral L e adership for the p ast 35 years. It is hard to believe how quick ly tim e passes. I want you to know that your Ministry has extended w ell beyond the w alls of Calvary Baptist Church. Personally, I have been tremendously blesse d by your Ministry. The impact that you have had on my M inistry is invaluable. I am who I am and have experienced much of what I have experienced largely because of you. It was you w ho exposed me the National Baptist Convention, USA and shared the value of having a deno minational witness. It was you who invited m e on my first mission trip to South Africa. It was you who exposed me to some of the Nations great “Voices” as it relates to the preaching ministry. It was you who peaked my political curiosity. Moreover, it was even you who exposed me to some of my more “expensive” but healthy habits. I pray the Lord’s blessing upon you and your ministry. May you continue to strive to be a church “Taught and Grown.” Thank for being a Blessing! Much love, Dr. Vernon C. W alton “A CHURCH COMMITTED TO CHRIST AND HIS CAUSE” 90 Demar est Avenu e * Englewood, New Jersey 07631 *Phone (201) 567 -0113 * Fax (201) 567 -0348 Website address: www.mtcalvaryeng.org UNION BAPTIST TEMPLE The Church Where Jesus Is the Main Attraction Achurch isthe where main Jesus attraction MINISTER ALBERT MORGAN, PASTOR May 28, 2008 Reverend Calvin McKinney Calvary Baptist Church 217-245 Passaic Street Garfield, NJ 07026 Dear Calvin, I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ! What a blessing it is that you will be celebrating your 36th Pastoral Anniversary. This occasion is preordained by God that you will follow in the steps of His Son, Jesus, to minister man. I know it is your life’s goal is to one day stand before Jesus Christ and have Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” I encourage you with words from the classic chapter on faith, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Dr. Rick Warren encourages pastors and I challenge you to believe when you don’t see it. Hebrews 11:1 reminds you that faith is visualizing the future in advance. I challenge you to obey when you don’t understand it. Hebrews 11:8 is a classic example of Abraham obeying when he didn’t understand. If God tells you to do it, do it! I challenge you to give when you don’t have it. Hebrews 11:4 promote giving and faith go together. I challenge you to persist when you don’t feel like it. Hebrews 11:27 states Moses held on to his purpose like a man who could see the invisible. I challenge you to thank before receiving it. Hebrews 11:30 let us know by faith the wall of Jericho fell down. What were the people doing for seven times a day for seven days? Praising God in advance. I challenge you to trust if you don’t get it. Remember Hebrews 11: 39-40? Any body can trust God when ministry is going great. Real faith is developed in valleys of ministry. If you are not ministering in faith, then you’re not pleasing God. Above all, please God! Be encouraged in your work for the Lord! In His Service, Albert Pastor Albert Morgan 17