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Lawmaker answers call to lead church
By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- State Rep. Frank Peterman's life soon will get a little busier. Peterman, a father of four and a second-term state representative, on Feb. 2 will be installed as pastor of his own church. The small congregation will be known as Rock of Jesus Missionary Baptist Church. The assistant pastor will be Peterman's mother, Peggy, a retired staff writer for the St. Petersburg Times. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. and take place at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 4201 Sixth St. S, where the congregation now meets. Frank Peterman, 40, has high hopes for his new church. "I pray that God would give us insight in terms of broadening the ministerial perspectives in this community, so that we can serve the present age in the way he would have us serve it. And that might mean breaking some traditional methods. More evangelization and outreach are extremely important," he said. "I think there are some pastors who do a wonderful job in this community. I just want to be a part of the team." His new role will not affect his political duties, said Peterman, a Democrat. "I don't believe it will hinder what I'm doing politically. I believe that it would enhance it," he said. As for finding time to pursue his political career, work at his job as development director of Juvenile Services Program Inc. and serve as pastor of his own congregation, Peterman said God is guiding everything into place. "It's really been an amazing process. There are quite a few demands, but for the most part, he's balanced the time quite well and is equipping me with the strength I need to carry this out," Peterman said. The politician added that during the legislative session he expects to be back in town toward the middle or end of the week and ready to preach on Sunday mornings. He added, with a chuckle: "It's such a great blessing to have an outstanding assistant pastor at the church." The state representative and his mother became ministers last June during a ceremony at Bethel Community Baptist Church, where they served until recently as associate ministers. Both had been preaching and studying for several years, but the ordination conferred the title of "the reverend" or "elder" and gave the Petermans the right to head a church, officiate at the Lord's Supper and perform baptisms, marriages and funerals. Now that he has left the Rev. Manuel Sykes' Bethel Community Baptist, does he expect some members of that congregation to follow? "I've had quite a few comments from people in the community wanting to visit this new church and have also stated that they might consider joining, but you know the Bible says, "Whosover will, let him come,' " Peterman answered. "I am certainly not recruiting from any other ministry area, but I am open to all who'd like to come." As it happened, Peterman was a relief preacher for his new congregation, which was started under the name of New Beginnings Baptist Church. The pastor, Dr. Alvin Moore, left recently to lead a church in Bartow and the tiny congregation asked Peterman to take over. The name of the congregation will not change until early February, Peterman said, adding that he received the Rock of Jesus name from God. Founded less than a year ago, the church has about two dozen members on paper, Peterman said.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
