Rev. Dr. Mathew Wright

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” St. Matthew 28:19-20 On his favorite day…The First Sunday…June 6, 2010, Rev. Dr. Mathew Wright left this earthly place to live with the Lord. Born July 22, 1933, to Johnny and Alice Wright in Shaw, Mississippi, he accepted Christ at an early age on a Thursday. Having attended his early school years in Shaw, Mississippi, he later received his Bachelor of Theology and Doctor of Divinity in 1972 and 1974 from the Campbell School of Religion in Memphis, Tennessee. He was united in holy matrimony to Annie Mae McBride on August 11, 1952. To this union, four children were born. “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 Rev. Wright answered the call to the ministry in 1960, pastoring his first church, Greater First Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois from 1965-1966. He was then called to pastor New St. Mark Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1966-1970, prior to answering the call to pastor Second Missionary Baptist Church on October 21, 1970. He retired as pastor of Second Baptist Church December 31, 2009, after celebrating 39 years of leadership, holding the longest pastorate for Second Missionary Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “A Man With A Purpose” Rev. Wright was characterized as a man whose life encompassed the true meaning of spiritual purpose, service, and vision. This inspired man of God became known as a Pastor, Community Leader, Humanitarian, Evangelist and Visionary. His installation theme, “ A Man with a Purpose” began his vision of growing a progressive church that would integrate the ever-changing contemporary needs of the individual while strengthening the overall mission of the church. This vision led him to expand the church’s old structure into the new one, which was completed in 1985. Prior to his retirement, as the church celebrated its’ 155th Anniversary, the mortgage was burned in May of 2009. The church currently owns most of the property around the perimeter of the church, leaving it for the next pastor to continue to develop. Several ministries were created under this vision of which included The Booster’s Club, Young Matrons, Church-Wide Mission, Wednesday Night Bible School, Choir Ministries (Mass, Children, Youth Praise Team and Male Chorus), Ushers (Senior, Inspirational, & Youth), Health Ministry, and a host of other outreach ministries including Church School and “Salvation and Education” monthly talks with the youth of the church. A noted Evangelist, Dr. Wright was appointed Evangelism Outreach spokesperson for the State of Michigan, Wolverine Baptist State Convention, Inc, taking his “Christ is Alive” message across the state and nation, setting up the program in churches throughout Michigan, California, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, and the Caribbean. His many travels to Palestine, Rome, Egypt, and Athens enhanced his ministry, knowledge and his message of hope and repentance, leading the unsaved to Christ. Under his tutelage, ministers answered their call to preach, becoming his sons in the ministry. They include Rev. J. L. Hudson, Rev. Charles Hudson, Rev. John Smith, Rev. Ralph Henley, Rev. Ira Morgan, Rev. Monroe White, Rev. John Buchanan, Rev. George Lipsey, Rev. Adriel Morgan & Rev. Cody Minor. However, his heart was filled when his own son, Rev. Kevin Wright, began his ministry under his Dad’s wings. Other young ministers sought his mentorship as they entered the ministry. Rev. Wright’s fiery sermons were always practical wisdom-filled messages, full of information and biblical truths and frequently taken from the book of St. Matthew. Sermon titles such as “Standing on the Promises of God”, “Give up Isaac”, “Go Get Gomer”, “When You Could, You Wouldn’t, Now You Want To and You Can’t”, “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late”, and “How Long is the Night” stirred the many listeners each Sunday. A sermon was never complete without warming his audience with the melodious voice of Pastor Wright singing such songs as “It Is Well”, “Walk Around Heaven”, “Packin’ Up”, “He’s Sweet I Know” and “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep”. And if it was your birthday, you could expect to be serenaded with his smooth rendition of “Happy Birthday to You”. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” St. Matthew 5:16 Aside from his commitment to the church, Dr. Wright served the community in a myriad of ways as an active community advocate and leader. Under his leadership, the Ministerial Alliance became an incorporated organization. He was advisor to numerous boards and committees including the city of Kalamazoo’s Public Safety and City Commission and Public School District. His humanitarian efforts extended into the community as he was a lifetime member of the NAACP, established a community garden, and developed a partnership with Borgess Health Alliance to provide free health education and screenings to the church community. He participated with the Cooking Men of Kalamazoo, where he was know for his peach cobbler, and with the Black Women’s Round Table, Tent Crusades, and the Martin Luther King Jr., Annual Fund Raiser. Dr. Wright served as Dean of the New Era Baptist District and on the Board of Directors for the Arkansas Baptist College. He has been the proud recipient of awards and proclamations for his service and vision from the city of Kalamazoo, New Era District Association, and Wolverine Baptist State Convention and Congress. Rev. Dr. M. W. Wright is survived by his devoted son, Rev. Kevin Wright (Pamela) of Kalamazoo, MI; three daughters, Janette Henley of Nashville, TN; Margie Lenoir-Davis (James) of Skokie, IL; and Lisha Wright-Jackson (Sean) of Columbus, OH; three brothers, Jessie Wright and Samuel (Louise) Wright of Jacksonville, FL; and Nathaniel Wright of Chicago, IL; five sisters, Ruth Caples and Ruth (Earl) Love of Chicago, IL; Mary Rodgers and Christine (Daniel) Spears of Memphis, TN; and Ernestine Bridges( Richard) of Flint, MI; three brother- n- laws, Robert McBride of North Chicago, IL; John McBride (Kendall) of Zion, IL, and Willie McBride (Carli) of Peoria, IL eighteen grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, two Goddaughters, Gloria Bouie of Waukegan;, IL and Ramona Brantley of Memphis, TN; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and special friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Mae, of 42 years, his parents, Johnny and Alice Wright, two brothers, Johnny & Lawyer Wright; one sister, Laura Wright. and special in-laws, Eugene, Georgia, and Evans McBride.

Rev. Dr. Mathew Wright

July 22, 1933 - June 6, 2010