REDFORD, MI — The Greater Detroit Baptist Association celebrated the grand opening of the Annie Armstrong Library and Media Center in January. The Library and Media Center is inside the Greater Detroit Baptist Association Training and Development Center, and offers access to the latest in technology and Christian literature. Located in the most ethnically diverse area in the state, the Library will give the Association’s staff and volunteers the opportunity to cultivate relationships for the purpose of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Rev. Nathaniel Bishop, Sr., Church Strengthener and Mobilizer for the GDBA, was pleased to name the Library and Media Center after Annie Armstrong. She was a gifted leader with a passion for missions unhindered by the political correctness of her day. It was in 1886 when Annie Armstrong took on the role of manager of the Maryland Missions Rooms. Annie stocked these rooms with the best missions-related literature available in order to advance knowledge and understanding of missions. Later, as Annie led the Woman's Missionary Union, she frequently met with Native American and African-American women to help organize their mission societies and empower the women to take on leadership roles.

 

The grand opening of the Annie Armstrong Library and Media Center was attended by local residents, pastors and members of Association churches, as well as state leaders of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Rev. Tim Patterson, Executive Director and Treasurer of the BSCM, presented Rev. Bishop with a certificate of recognition for the Association's commitment to advance the Kingdom of our Lord through the library. Rev. Patterson reminded those in attendance to never underestimate the impact  that a book can have on the life of a believer who wants to learn and know more about Christ.

 

As visitors celebrated the opening of the Annie Armstrong Library and Media Center, they enjoyed the fellowship, and  took pictures with a life-size cut-out of Annie Armstrong. An "I Like to Read " Gift Basket, was awarded to Lois Brown of Forest Park Baptist Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The basket was created by Mrs. Joyce Bishop and stocked with items that make for a good and comfortable reading experience.

 

The Annie Armstrong Library and Media Center is located inside the Greater Detroit Baptist Association Training and Development Center at 24250 Joy Road in Redford, Michigan, and is open to the public every Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Visitors can stop by and read a book, watch a DVD, discuss doctrine, have coffee and take a selfie with Annie Armstrong. The Center's catalog of books and DVDs include many LifeWay products donated by Scott Zaborowski, Manager of the LifeWay Christian Store in Toledo.