4 BOCNEWS.com JULY 2018 RISING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH recognized several men in honor of Father’s Day this past month. What is so special about these gentlemen is that they are all over the age of 80 years old, pioneers paving the way in the church. First Lady Ida Smith of Rising Star said it was important to honor these great men. “It is their faith- fulness of service to our church. And we had discovered while going through our roster that more than 20 men have served at Rising Star since the inception of the church to the present.” One of those men in particular, Brother James Harvey, was part of the prestigious Tuskegee Airmen. “We here at Rising Star are just so grateful for those people God has allowed to share with us in our min- istry,” the first lady added. “Most importantly, it is their stewardship and faithfulness. These are men of integrity, valor and strength. As our pastor said, ‘they are men who manned-up, stood up and stood the test of time.’” Rev. Jules Smith is the senior pastor at Rising Star Baptist Church located at 1500 S. Dayton in Aurora, CO. Those special men honored this past Father’s Day at Rising Star Baptist Church includ- ed: Elton Alexander, Herman Bray, Walter Gray, Amistad Fitz James, Gerald Liggins, Willie Lee Robinson, Warren Rasberry, Lan Wiggs, Lonnie Whittaker, James Harvey, Willie Pigmy, Russell Cole, Oscar Graham, Frank Waller, John Hamilton, Charles Brown, Willie Burton, Ulysses Landry and Howard Smith. Pioneers Over 80 Honored on Father’s Day Deacon Lan Wiggs Walter Gray Willie Pigmy Russell Cole Deacon John Hamilton Elton Alexander Deacon Willie Burton Deacon Frank Waller Deacon Jerald Liggins Sr. Howard Smith Deacon Willie Robinson Deacon Hermon Bray Lonnie Whittaker