Elder Chris A. Burney becomes eighth president of Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention

Special to the Outlook

A standing-room-only crowd inside the Old West Enrichment Center witnessed the installation of Elder Dr. Chris A. Burney as the eighth president of the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention, Inc.

In addition to Old Primitive Baptist members, the audience that packed into the sanctuary for the March 15 event included friends from other denominations. 

Elder Dr. Kenneth A. Duke, president of the National Primitive Baptist Convention, Inc., led the processional of moderators, pastors and ministers to begin the service as the S.A. Community Choir provided song service.

The program included greetings from each moderator of the five associations that are members of the official Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention, Inc. They included  East Florida – Elder J. C. Haynes (Sanford); Middle Florida/Georgia – Elder Terry L. Price (Tallahassee); Mount Zion West Florida/Alabama/Louisiana; Elder Ernest Williams (Louisiana); North Central Florida; Elder Michael Israel (Palatka); Old West Florida; Elder Kenton Floyd, Vice Moderator (Tallahassee); and President Burney’s long-time friend, Archbishop Q. S. Caldwell, presiding bishop, Celebration of Praise (Albany, Ga.).

National Primitive Baptist Convention President Kenneth A. Duke delivered the sermon, “Facing Your Giants” – I Samuel 17:45-47.  He reminded President Burney and the congregation that in order to face giants, “You must have relentless guts, the right gear, and God.”  Following the sermon and invitation to discipleship, President Duke presided over the installation ceremony, with the assistance of Elder LaNorris McFadden, the worship leader for the evening.

As all the clergy surrounded President Burney, the prayer of installation was offered by Elder Ernest Ferrell, fourth President of the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention and 12th President of the National Primitive Baptist Convention.

President Burney thanked everyone for their attendance and support and introduced some family and friends who had traveled to share this occasion with him. They included his mother from Green Cove Springs,  sister from El Pasco, Texas;   and long-time friends from Georgia and South Carolina.

The service was followed by a sold out gala. 

Mother Cynthia Gaines of the Shady Grove No. 1 Primitive Baptist Church of Tallahassee, served as mistress of ceremony for the gala that included the invocation/blessing by Elder Corey G. Young and greetings from each Association Women’s Congress;  East Florida, Vice President Sabrina Floyd (Miami); Middle Florida/Georgia – President Cherry Alexander; Mount Zion West Florida/Alabama/Louisiana – President Carolyn McCray (Milton); North Central Florida – President Lorriane Whitaker (Sanford); Old West Florida – President Patricia A. G. Mayes (Crawfordville); and the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention Women’s Congress – President Minnie Likely (Port St. Joe).

Elder Janes R. Mooney, Bible Expositor for the National Primitive Baptist Convention and Pastor at Saint Bartley Primitive Baptist Church, Huntsville, Ala., shared words of encouragement, “Do Whatever He Tells You To Do.”

President Burney stated, “I am humble and grateful for the opportunity to serve this wonderful Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention, Inc. and solicit the prayers and assistance of everyone as we “prepare for greater.”