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Reverend Forest Adams relocated to Syracuse, New York in the 1940's from Chattanooga, Tennessee. On January 9, 1954, the Tucker Missionary Baptist church was founded; having the first service at 829 East Washington Street, Syracuse. At the first service, nineteen Christians joined the church including Sister Ella Adams, wife of Rev. Adams and Sister Carrie Nellons, sister of Rev. Adams. The congregation outgrew the space on Washington Street and moved to a Co-op Hall on Harrison Street and then moved again to Montgomery Street. The next move was to 515 Oakwood Avenue, where members currently worship. On June 12, 1974, as the congregation praised the Lord and clapped their hands, Deacon Willard Waller burned the first mortgage papers.
Reverend Adams was a firm believer in Christian Education and placed special emphasis on religious education on the local, state and national levels. Rev. Adams was appointed the first Vice President of the Empire State Baptist Sunday School and Training Congress. Rev Adams retired from Pastoring in 1990. After 33 years of faithful service, the Lord called Rev Forest Adams home to rest, on July 24, 1991.
In January 1992, Rev. Robert E. Baines, Jr. became our second Pastor. His ministry emphasized training and tithing. His gift of preaching, teaching and singing helped to revitalize the members and many souls were saves. His leadership also embarked Tucker on other new adventures such as park revivals, outreach programs, marriage enrichment retreats and the scholarship program. After 3 years of leadership at Tucker, the Lord moved him and he was called to pastor in the state of Ohio.
On December 4, 1995, Pastor Leslie J. Johnson, II was called from Dallas, Texas to become the third and current Pastor. Pastor Johnson evaluated the mission of Tucker and began to strengthen and improve the foundation that was already laid before him. Pastor Johnson sparked a membership growth that created a need for a larger facility. A committee was formed and additional land was purchased. On November 15, 1997, ground was broken for the $1.2 million building project, which would include a 650-seat sanctuary, office complex, kitchen renovation and parking area. Under the theme of "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it", the first service in the new edifice was held on Sunday, May 24, 1998, to much joyous praise. A 15-passenger van and an ambulatory bus were purchased to transport members to and from service. Services were expanded to include an 8a.m. worship service and Junior Church for the children and youth. Sunday school has expanded to include couples class and Tucker offers a nationally accredited school, which offers state and national courses throughout the year.
Tucker Missionary Baptist Church continues to build on the legacy and foundation of Rev. Adams by reaching beyond our walls and tackling such issues as domestic violence, educational opportunities and several other issues that effect our community. With all that we do with and for the community, we never lose sight of our mission, which is to save souls to Christ.
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The ministry of Rev. Leslie J. Johnson, II began with his ordination to the office of Deacon in 1976 at the Gilgal Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. After being called to do a mightier work for the Lord, Pastor Johnson preached his initial sermon and was licensed to the ministry in 1979 at the Gilgal Missionary Baptist Church. For six months, he served as co-pastor of the church. During this time, he performed duties as assigned to him by the Senior Pastor that included speaking in his absence, teaching Sunday School and Bible Study and visiting the sick.
His commitment to the Lord and his diligence to do the work did not go unnoticed. Pastor Johnson was ordained into the ministry in July of 1980. This same year, he also received his first pastoral appointment to the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in McKinney, Texas. He served as the Senior Pastor of Good Hope MBC for nine years. During this time, he helped the church to pay off her mortgage, purchased two vehicles - a 40 passenger bus and a 15 passenger van - and paved the church parking lot. The membership increased from an attendance of 45 to 210.
Pastor Johnson's next pastoral appointment would take him to the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Texas, where he labored for four glorious years. In those years, the Lord guided him to help the church to accomplish many tasks including increasing membership, restoring weekly prayer meeting and adding a youth ministry. The Church also made major improvement to the church, landscaping and parsonage.
Rev. Johnson's third appointment was to Marlin Missionary Baptist Church in Marlin, Texas. During his tenure, Church school attendance increased, a strong youth ministry was developed, the Men's ministry grew, a Male Chorus was formed and an "African Male Conference" was instituted. In addition, there were upgrades to the Church facilities which included purchasing a computer, buying a library, starting a scholarship fund, purchasing a 15-passenger van and paving the church parking lot.
Rev. Dr. Leslie J. Johnson, II was called to be the third Pastor of the Tucker Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, December 4, 1995. Since his arrival, he has been a true pastor, shepherd, teacher and preacher for the Tucker Church and the Syracuse community. His southern drawl, warm smile and powerful sermons ignited a fire in many and the Tucker Church family began to expand. With the belief that the Church should meet the needs of the total man - spiritual, physical, emotional and sociological and to accomodate a growing and diverse membership, Pastor Johnson has created and expanded the Tucker ministries.
Upon arriving from Dallas, Texas, he began evaluating what was already in place and then began to strengthen and improve on the work laid by those before him. Pastor Johnson's work has been based upon the scripture - "where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he" Proverbs 29:18. With a concern for his flock, he has led the congregation forward - working with a clear purpose to build a solid foundation. Pastor Johnson's vision has taken the form of many tasks and projects, some of which include: leading the Church into breaking ground for a new 650-seat sanctuary and office complex in 1997 and joyously celebrating our first service in May 1998; to the development of written church ministry guidelines, staff job descriptions and the formation of new ministries. All of which stay true to his calling - leading people to personal faith in Christ and growing members into being Christ-like.
Wanting everyone to have the favor of God, Pastor Johnson has placed an emphasis on learning and teaching. He annually hosts city-wide church growth conferences, workshops and other services in order that all can become better stewards of their talents. His leadership style has led many to accept their call to the ministry. He has recognized this talent in his midst and has licensed seven ministers and ordained three during his tenure here. His sons and daughters in the ministry seek his counsel often as they progress in their own ministries.
Pastor Johnson's desire to see the kingdom of God grow has meant that he has expanded his work beyond Tucker's doors. He shares his talents with the city and the state by being a teacher, mentor and facilitator in the Northeastern District Baptist Association and the Empire State Congress of Christian Education, where he is second vice president. His work was recognized on the national level and he was appointed to the Evangelism Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. In June of 2006, Pastor Johnson was awarded an honorary doctorate of divinity degree from St. Thomas Christian College based upon his work and writings. He is one of the founders of the City-Wide Coalition of Urban Pastors, the Greater Syracuse Black Church Expo and the Covenant of Fellowship Churches.
Knowing that behind every good pastor is the family that loves and supports him - we thank God for our First Lady - Sister Cozette Johnson. She is graceful, patient and a true woman of God who is always understanding of the daily demands that we place on her husband. Our Tucker family is completed by the Johnson's four children: Delecia, Quindalyn, Leslie Chevez and Sheena, five grandchildren: Naquinta, Shazell, Nathan, Azaria and Aaniya and one great-grandchild: Nyvonna.
Pastor Johnson can be reached at PastorLJay@tuckermbc.org. |
First Lady Cozette L. Johnson
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
First Lady Cozette L. Johnson was born the only child of Sherman and Doris Wilson of Dallas, Texas. She was publicly educated in the Dallas Independent School District. She attended El' Centro Junior College and later Paul Quin College of Dallas, Texas.
First Lady Johnson retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company with thirty years of completed service. First Lady Johnson works part-time for the Jamesville Dewitt School District as a Teacher Assistant.
First Lady Johnson is the current President of the Minister's Wives and Widows auxiliary of the Northeastern District Baptist Association. First Lady Johnson is the director of the 8 a.m. Sanctuary Choir of the Tucker Missionary Baptist Church. She is also a Sunday School teacher and teaches the Marriage Enrichment class for married and engaged couples.
First Lady Johnson has been married to Pastor Leslie J. Johnson, II for 42 years and has been blessed with four children (Delecia, Quindalyn, Chevez and Sheena), five grandchildren (Naquinta, Shazell, Nathan, Azaria and Aaniya) and one great-grand (Nyvonna).
First Lady Johnson truly loves the Lord, her family and the work of the ministry. |
MINISTERIAL STAFF
Members of the Ministerial Staff are co-laborers under the Pastor in seeing to the spiritual needs of the congregation. The Ministers are clergy persons whose ordinations or licenses have been recognized by Pastor Leslie J. Johnson, II. Ministers also include persons who are being prepared for licensure or ordination and who display Godly lives of intergrity. Members of the ministerial staff will share in the spiritual leadership, under Pastor Johnson's direction, by preaching, teaching and counseling.
- Reverend Mary Gatewood, Associate Pastor
- Reverend Jeffel Mike, Congregational Care
- Reverend Joann Hicks, Associate of Fellowship
- Reverend Eddie Holmes
- Minister Gregory B. Collins, Minister of Worship
- Minister Jaymar Mike-Fulton, Youth Minister
- Minister Deloris Collins, Minister of Hospital Visitation
- Minister Inez Flanagan
- Minister L. Chevez Johnson
- Minister Lateef Johnson
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DIACONATE MINISTRY
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The Diaconate Ministry are men and women who have been appointed by the Pastor. They are servants to those in need, administer communion, and are called upon to take part in hospital and home visits.They are the eyes, ears, hands, arms and feet of the Pastor. They serve in harmony with the Pastor to build the Kingdom of God and to care for the congregation. The Diaconate Ministry can be reached at DiaconateMinistry@TuckerMBC.org.
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TRUSTEES
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The Trustee Ministry functions by maintaining the upkeep of the church property, collecting and maintaining the funds received in to the church for operational ministries, providing statements to members and other contributors. The Trustee Ministry oversees all financial activities within Tucker Missionary Baptist Church. The Trustee Ministry can be reached at Trustee@TuckerMBC.org.
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DIRECTORS
The Directors of the following ministries have shown themselves worthy of their respective positions by having given their lives to Jesus Christ, actively participating in Bible Study and/or Sunday School. These directors have been given a spiritual gift(s) and are fulfilling the gift that they have been called to do. These gifts glorify God and edify the body of Christ.
- Brother Eric Dickson ~ Director of Music Ministry
- Sister Johnnie M. Hill-Marsh ~ Director of Christian Education
- Sister Ella Applins ~ Director of Service Ministry
- Sister Mildred Thomas ~ Director of Family Life
- Sister Elizabeth Rohadfox ~ Director of Torchbearers Ministry
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
The purpose of the Office Administration is to provide exceptional administrative support by organizing, planning and performing tasks to encourage and enable the congregation, ministries and staff to operate effectively and efficiently. Our office administration staff consists of Rachel Smith, Office Manager, Tamika K. White, Church Clerk and David Brownlee, Custodian. The church office can be reached at (315) 475-8175 or by e-mail at ChurchOffice@TuckerMBC.org. For all website related e-mails, please contact WebAdmin@TuckerMBC.org.
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