Leadership
Top Left - Ministering Evangelist - "Thomas" C. L. Thomas
Top Right - Bro. and Sis. Harold Ruff - Elder
Bottom Left - Bro. and Sis. Gabriel Evans - Elder
Bottom Right - Bro. and Sis. Walter Maxwell - Minister Emeritus
Top Right - Bro. and Sis. Harold Ruff - Elder
Bottom Left - Bro. and Sis. Gabriel Evans - Elder
Bottom Right - Bro. and Sis. Walter Maxwell - Minister Emeritus
The History of the Roosevelt-Freeport Church of Christ
The roots of the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation have been surely planted in both the Roosevelt and Freeport communities for over seventy-five years. The congregation began in the home of Jesse and Madie Saylor. The Saylor family moved from Florida to Freeport, NY in 1942 and in 1943, the church began meeting in their home at 94 Albany Avenue, Freeport. Pauline Maxwell was the first to be baptized, followed by Harold and Daisy Ruff, Marjorie Jones and her late husband Alfred Jones. It was also during this time that the longest tenured Minister, Walter Maxwell, would be added to the body of Christ.
Walter Maxwell and Harold Ruff quickly began to be instrumental parts of the growth, development and stability of the church. After worshipping in the homes of Jesse Saylor, Nehemiah Rolle and Walter Maxwell for over twenty years, the church purchased its first property in 1967 – a two-story private home located at 17 Monroe Avenue, Roosevelt. In that same year the Maxwell family were sent to Texas and supported by the church to attend Sunset School of Preaching to better prepare to lead the church. This decision germinated from the fact that Walter Maxwell had already began preaching and teaching for the church. Maxwell graduated SSOP in 1970 and returned to continue his service to the church.
The church quickly outgrew its meeting place and six years later, in 1973, moved to the present location of 24 Woods Avenue, Roosevelt. Maxwell retired from secular work as an X-ray technician in 1988 to serve as the first fully supported Minister of the Roosevelt-Freeport church. The church continued to see God’s hand in its growth and development.
Throughout the history of the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation, several faithful men have served to minister to the church such as Jesse Saylor, S. T. Moore, Donald Kelly, Richard Hickerson, Nehemiah Rolle. Walter Maxwell, the current minister has served the church for more than fifty years.
Additionally, there have been those who have supported Maxwell’s leadership serving as Shepherds and assistants for the church. Men who have served as shepherds include Robert Johnson, Wallace Webster, Walter Maxwell, Harold Ruff, Amos Isaac, Kevin Smith, and Gabriel Evans. Men who served under the leadership of Walter Maxwell as assistants include, Wallace Webster, Steve Gregory, Thomas C. L. Thomas, Kevin Smith and Rufus Williams.
While the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation has experienced growth and longevity in the community, she has never ceased to forget about the Biblical principle of sending out others to spread The Gospel. In 1977, Bro. Steve Ludy was sent out to Far Rockaway to plant a congregation there. This congregation is still growing under the faithful leadership of Cornelius Heyward. In 1989, the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation was instrumental in planting a congregation in Scotland Neck, North Carolina.
At present, the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation is a consistent staple presence in the community offering spiritual guidance and support through worship and bible study each week. For those seeking to grow deeper in God’s word through intense study, the Long Island Bible Institute Satellite School offers weekly classes using material from Sunset International Bible Institute. The church has served as a base for supplies and materials during time of disaster and continues to meet the needs of the community as they arise. The standing goal of the church has been to honor Jesus by intentionally accomplishing the great commission.
As the church moves forward into new seasons and challenges, the seeds of her history of an evangelistic stronghold and her desire to establish quality leadership allow for secure footing to build and reach the world for Jesus. It is the primary aim of all disciples to look for people who are looking for God and develop them so that they are fully functional followers of Jesus.
Walter Maxwell and Harold Ruff quickly began to be instrumental parts of the growth, development and stability of the church. After worshipping in the homes of Jesse Saylor, Nehemiah Rolle and Walter Maxwell for over twenty years, the church purchased its first property in 1967 – a two-story private home located at 17 Monroe Avenue, Roosevelt. In that same year the Maxwell family were sent to Texas and supported by the church to attend Sunset School of Preaching to better prepare to lead the church. This decision germinated from the fact that Walter Maxwell had already began preaching and teaching for the church. Maxwell graduated SSOP in 1970 and returned to continue his service to the church.
The church quickly outgrew its meeting place and six years later, in 1973, moved to the present location of 24 Woods Avenue, Roosevelt. Maxwell retired from secular work as an X-ray technician in 1988 to serve as the first fully supported Minister of the Roosevelt-Freeport church. The church continued to see God’s hand in its growth and development.
Throughout the history of the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation, several faithful men have served to minister to the church such as Jesse Saylor, S. T. Moore, Donald Kelly, Richard Hickerson, Nehemiah Rolle. Walter Maxwell, the current minister has served the church for more than fifty years.
Additionally, there have been those who have supported Maxwell’s leadership serving as Shepherds and assistants for the church. Men who have served as shepherds include Robert Johnson, Wallace Webster, Walter Maxwell, Harold Ruff, Amos Isaac, Kevin Smith, and Gabriel Evans. Men who served under the leadership of Walter Maxwell as assistants include, Wallace Webster, Steve Gregory, Thomas C. L. Thomas, Kevin Smith and Rufus Williams.
While the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation has experienced growth and longevity in the community, she has never ceased to forget about the Biblical principle of sending out others to spread The Gospel. In 1977, Bro. Steve Ludy was sent out to Far Rockaway to plant a congregation there. This congregation is still growing under the faithful leadership of Cornelius Heyward. In 1989, the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation was instrumental in planting a congregation in Scotland Neck, North Carolina.
At present, the Roosevelt-Freeport congregation is a consistent staple presence in the community offering spiritual guidance and support through worship and bible study each week. For those seeking to grow deeper in God’s word through intense study, the Long Island Bible Institute Satellite School offers weekly classes using material from Sunset International Bible Institute. The church has served as a base for supplies and materials during time of disaster and continues to meet the needs of the community as they arise. The standing goal of the church has been to honor Jesus by intentionally accomplishing the great commission.
As the church moves forward into new seasons and challenges, the seeds of her history of an evangelistic stronghold and her desire to establish quality leadership allow for secure footing to build and reach the world for Jesus. It is the primary aim of all disciples to look for people who are looking for God and develop them so that they are fully functional followers of Jesus.