Friday, March 29, 2024

Family & Friends Celebrate the Life & Ministry of Garland Leader

By Ruth Ferguson
NDG Editor

A native of Dallas, son, husband, father, friend and a star athlete are just a few ways one could describe Dr. Roosevelt Eric Almond Griffin, Sr. However, he would prefer others to remember that he was a Servant of God and student of His Word. His warmth, generous and friendly spirit drew children and adults alike to St. Mark Baptist Church in Garland, the church he began in 1976 with his wife, Mrs. Linda Griffin.

Following his passing on September 29, Griffin’s life and ministry was celebrated at St. Mark to what was undoubtedly the largest gathering in the church’s history. Family, friends, members – current and former – joined with city dignitaries, including Garland Mayor Ronald Jones. Garland Independent School District (GISD) officials also attended the inspiring home-going celebration.

Griffin and his wife began St. Mark in April 1976 in a story-front building on First Street. Together, they were dynamic leaders who devoted so much of their time, energy and resources to the youth of the church. Mrs. Griffin is a current GISD School Board Trustee

When the property owners decided to go in a different direction and the church lost their lease, the couple opened their home to the members until the current property was acquired.

A proud native of Dallas, Griffin was a graduate of Hamilton Park High School, where he was a legendary running back. He went on to graduate from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelor of Science; a Master of Ministry from Trinity Valley and a Doctorate of Divinity from the Bible-New Wines Ministries.

Griffin had a passion for teaching and sharing the gospel message. He continually reminded the members of the importance of “studying to show thyself approved,” and that is one of the reasons why, even now, every auxiliary within the church has an assigned book to study as a part of their regular meetings.

During her comments at the service, Mrs. Griffin spoke of his can-do spirit, which resulted in his serving as the general contractor for the current sanctuary in 1984. Some members helped frame the building; others helped lay the tile, all under his direction.

Griffin enjoyed learning and was an incredibly intelligent man, and his kindness and love of laughter made anyone feel comfortable with him.

Working as his secretary was my first job, and it prepared me for nearly every job I have held since then, including my position as editor. I never considered the idea of being a writer, until a lunch-time conversation with Griffin.

Also, I observed how Griffin talked with members and guests in the office, engaging them in conversations about their profession and discovering their interests. Although I never received formal training, over the last nine years, I have enjoyed the opportunity to interview celebrities, community, political and business leaders, using what I learned from him.

In the early 1990s, St. Mark began to study and observe the Christian Liturgical calendar, a more common practice in the Catholic tradition and other protestant denominations. Griffin introduced it to the congregation to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of church history and familiar symbols such as the Advent wreath and the meaning of different colors of the liturgical seasons.

Perhaps many of my favorite memories of Pastor Griffin come from the Christmas holiday season. Advent, the first season of the liturgical year, begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve, when we would often hold a candlelight service.

At the beginning of the Advent season, he would remind us of two things. First, “Don’t spend money you don’t have – to impress people you don’t like.”

Then he would remind the congregants not to leave the baby Jesus on the front of a Christmas card, or assume you know everything there is to know about Christmas. He cautioned against becoming so comfortable with the story of Christ’s birth that you lose reverence for the miracle and the promise of salvation it offers. He challenged that if we study and pray, every year, we can still learn something new about the birth of Christ.

Like the hundreds of others gathered last Saturday, I believe there are not enough words to say thank you for Dr. Griffin’s many kindnesses to my family and me. However, I know he would simply say, “To God be the glory.”

4 COMMENTS

  1. Ruth, this is such a nice and touching article. Thank you for letting everyone know how a great man of God and servant to people my Dad was.

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