A Trailblazer
&
A Visionary
Gone Too Soon...But
WHAT
an
IMPACT
He Has Left
In Loving Memory of Pastor Gregory A. Tyson, Sr.
Pastor Tyson was a friend to many. He loved the senior members as well as the youth and made everyone feel special in his own way. He saw life as being bigger than what it was which allowed him to accomplish so much in a short time.
Nov. 30, 1968 – Feb. 22, 2015
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” II Corinthian 5:1 Our beloved shepherd, Pastor Gregory A. Tyson, Sr. suddenly departed from this earthly home on Sunday, February 22, 2015. We humbly ask for your prayers while seeking the Lord’s guidance as we move forward.
Pastor Tyson accepted the position of Pastor of First Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church (FJMBC) in Savannah, GA in April of 2002 and preached his first message as Pastor on May 5, 2002.
Under Pastor Tyson’s leadership, FJMBC became a spiritual powerhouse in Savannah by growing church attendance from approximately 70 on roll and 20 active members to over 1,500 at the time of his passing.
Pastor Tyson truly loved the Lord and had the ability to preach the gospel and connect with all who knew him.
God Gifted Pastor Tyson
God gifted Pastor Tyson with many spiritual gifts and during his ministry, God allowed him to see all nine spiritual gifts continually at work in his ministry.
God spoke through him as a Prophet; he could lay hands on the sick and heal them, and he had a direct communication line with God through the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. God also gifted him with the spirit of discernment, wisdom, faith, knowledge, and the working of miracles.
He leaves to cherish a devoted wife of 21 years, Melanie; a daughter, Jada; a son, Gregory, Jr.; mother, Evalena Tyson; brother, Louis Tyson; other family members, church family and friends.
A Trailblazer, A Visionary
Gone too soon but, what an impact he left…
While at FJMBC, Pastor Tyson is credited with:
- Completing renovation of 45th street church which is now known as the “old FJMBC”.
- Organizing a building committee.
- Purchasing land on ACL Blvd for $275,000.00 to build a new sanctuary.
- Obtaining a two million ($2,000,000) loan to build the new sanctuary.
- Finishing construction of the new sanctuary on ACL Blvd and leading the church family in a walk
from the old location to the new location on Saturday, December 13, 2008. - Establishing the first new member’s training class in the new sanctuary on February 21, 2009 with 109
new members and 37 for baptism. - Purchasing two buses – Grace and Mercy.
- Licensing several ministers and elders and ordaining numerous deacons’.
- Adding several ministries for the youth.
- Creating an annual Family and Friends Day event which attracts thousands.
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My relationship with the late Pastor Tyson started several years ago at his barber shop. I noticed that he was different. He was a younger man (so was I), but his moral standards, professionalism, focus, and drive were well beyond the norm. After attending First Jerusalem and hearing Pastor Tyson’s messages, I could clearly see that he was a man of God and a man after God’s own heart. Beyond that, I saw that Pastor Tyson was an exemplary leader of his congregation, and a loving husband and father to his wife and children, respectively. He was an excellent role model for me and other leaders at First Jerusalem. I am proud to have called him my leader.
And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. -Jeremiah 3:15 ESV
Deacon Michael A. Hill
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What I admired most about the late Pastor Tyson is his teaching ability and his love for young people. He had the ability to relay a message that even the youngest of his parishioners could understand and gave our youth various platforms to showcase their talents. The late Pastor Tyson has given our youth various platforms to showcase their talent.
Aiesha Reeves
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The message that the late Pastor Tyson gave was simple and could be applied to everyday living.
Marissa Campbell
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After many years of alcoholism, a co-worker and member of First Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church talked me into coming to a service over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2007. Still drinking, I reluctantly accepted and came to a service. What a powerful spiritual experience I had that day. Shortly after that first visit to the church, the disease physically took me down and cirrhosis of the liver was my diagnosis. The drinking stopped and the recovery began. Had it not been for the love, support, prayers and concerns offered by Pastor Tyson and the congregation of First Jerusalem, I would have never made it through months of recovery and the re-examination of my purpose in life. My cirrhosis was cured by His hands and my spirit has been lifted to the place where God wants me to be. Now, I can serve God and his people every day as secretary of this awesome ministry.
Jane Cheves