Tabernacle’s Men Offer Tasty Food and Lively Fashions

Photos by Keytron Hill
Member of Images Modeling Troupe Inc, Jonathan Smith poses at the top of the runway.

By Keytron Hill
Outlook Writer

The men’s ministry of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church put on their aprons and chef hats, while some dressed to impress, to put on a taster’s choice sampler and a fashion show for the members of their church and the community.

The Walker Ford Community Center was filled with laughter and joy as guests walked from tray to tray, tasting and sampling foods of all sorts. There was a variety of options ranging from chicken and rice to red velvet cake and pie.

Tonyia Crews volunteered to help at the event and thought it was a great way to give back in representation of his organization. Dressed in a blue Mason shirt, he decided to bring his grandmother’s “Sweet Heat” chili.

“For my organization this is another mode of giving back, it isn’t anything to highlight us, just to serve the community. We (will) have a good time, I brought my grandmother’s Sweet Heat, we’ll see if they like this,” said Crews.

Images Modeling Troupe and the men of Tabernacle line up for the men’s all black casual scene.

Guest laughed and cheered in suprise as members of Tabernacle walked the runway.

While everyone ate, members of Images Modeling Troupe Inc. prepared for three scenes, motivating and giving advice to the deacons and members of Tabernacle, who participated in each scene with the troupe.
The event was hosted by comedian Mike Randolph (Mike Tight), who kept the crowd entertained with jokes and personal stories. Growing up as a member at Tabernacle and having parents who are active in the church were facts Randolph was sure to mention as he made jokes about the church Senior Pastor, Stanley Walker.

“This church builds a foundation for you, before I go on any stage anywhere I have to pray, regardless of what I say after that, I have to start off with a prayer. That guarantees a good show and I’ve been blessed to have a 15 year career and I thank Tabernacle for that,” said Randolph.

Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church has been in the community for 140 years and believes in giving back to the community.

“What we try to do is bring some type of fellowship and unity in the community so people can come together and enjoy them selves away from the church. We wanted to make an activity where people can mingle, talk and socialize and get to know one another on a individual and personal level. That’s what we need for the community because it’s so much going on,” said Walker.

Members of Tabernacle filled their plates, tasting foods of all sorts.

For Deaconess Melba Hawkins-Little, this event came as no surprise and is something she is used to doing as a member of Tabernacle, united voices choir and as a Sunday school teacher. Littles has been a member of the church since 1988 and assists with the church’s community outreach programs and is captain of the American cancer society team outreach program.

“Tabernacle is one of those church’s where we do a lot of community outreach. Pastor always says that service is outside of the church, we come to church to worship. He (Walker) wants to show the community that we are not just a church where we are inside of four walls, we go outside to the community,” Littles said.