October is National Pastors Month and the month that Second Missionary Baptist Church (SMBC) celebrates 31 years of sincere dedication to ministry by their senior pastor, Bishop Calvin C. Barlow, Jr. Known to some as ‘Pastor B.,’ ‘C.C. Barlow, Jr.’ or just ‘Bishop’ to others, he is the same servant of God and his people no matter how he is addressed.
Various committees have worked tirelessly to pull anniversary celebration events together in honor of the Bishop and the church. President of Pastor’s Aide Joyce Helms heads the anniversary committee. Sister Lanese Campbell and Min. Shawn Holmes were instrumental in coordinating the remarkable Gospel concert-themed ‘Arise, Ignite the Praise.” There are many others throughout the church working in heated preparation for the October 21-22 31st anniversary celebration.
On Saturday, October 21, the Gospel music concert will light up the church and sing the praises of a man who has given so much. On Sunday, October 22, two separate church services will take place at 9 am and then again at 3 pm.
More of the same is set for November 4, with the fourth annual Cervical Cancer Walk. With Navita Gunter as the founder of the Cervical Cancer Coalition. Registration is at 9 am, with the actual walk beginning promptly at 10 am. The church is located at 1000 Halcyon Ave., corner of 10th, Nashville Tenn. 37204.
The esteemed man of God in question wears many hats, is multi-talented, devoted to his personal family, his church family and to the city of Nashville.
Bishop Calvin C. Barlow, Jr., is a native of Ripley, Tenn. He is the pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church, located in the heart of the historic Waverly-Belmont community in Nashville. He is a graduate of Tennessee State University and Pensacola Christian College. He holds a Bachelor of Science in music education and a Master of Art in Biblical studies.
He is a former adjunct professor of New Testament Greek at the former Nashville Bible College, and a former moderator of the Stones River District Association, N.B.C. Churches, Inc.
Rev. Barlow is a board member of the National Baptist Convention’s Home Mission Board. He is currently the president of Lowbar Publishing Company. He has written for The National Baptist Voice magazine and the African American Lectionary.
He is the author of several books, including Prophetic Building: Preparing Your Church for Pastoral Leadership, and Grace: Building Wealth One Penny at a Time. He has owned several businesses in the Nashville’s area.
Bishop Barlow is married to First Lady Rutha L. Nixon, and they have three sons, Min. Calvin C. Barlow III (Terrica), Jeremiah M. Barlow (Sharemah), and John K. Barlow (Shareka) and seven grandchildren.
