PHILADELPHIA — Two legendary pastors from the inner city of Philadelphia are being remembered for their long-time touches on the city, where they heroically led efforts to share Christ.
The Rev. Dr. William L. Banks, former pastor and well known Christian author, died April 19, and Rev. Melvin Floyd, inner city crusader, police officer and pastor, died April 20.
Banks, who led at Nazarene Baptist Church, Faith Fellowship Baptist Church, Union Baptist Church, among others, held several theological degrees and was the author of over eight theological works, including Daily Manna, Jonah—The Reluctant Prophet, A History of Black Baptists in the United States, and Pastor’s Pal, a classic handbook for those in the ministry.
K. Marshall Williams Sr., now senior pastor of Nazarene Baptist Church, wrote on his Facebook page: “We thank the Lord for Dr. Banks and the magnanimous gift as a Pastor, Preacher, Professor, Teacher, Author, Mentor par excellence! … He was a tremendous blessing to the Body of Christ!”
Williams also wrote how Nazarene Baptist Church was “saddened” and “mourn the homegoing of our beloved Missionary and Friend, The Rev. Dr. Melvin Floyd.”
Floyd, a former Philadelphia police officer, was the founder of the 50-year-old Neighborhood Crusades, Inc. and founder/pastor for 30 years of Agape Christian Chapel, Inc.
Floyd served as an associate minister under Banks at Union Baptist Church from 1974–1987.
Williams said, “We thank the Lord for Dr. Floyd! He was great Husband, Father, Grandfather, Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist, Police Officer, Anti-Violence Crusader and beloved Brother in the Lord!”
Floyd, who received over 100 awards, including one in 1969 when he was named one of 10 Outstanding Men in America for his work with ending gang warfare in Philadelphia, as well as the Philadelphia Award in 1975, was “a spirited preacher, on the streets or in the pulpit, with a joyful and energetic spirit! He was a friend of sinners, a lover of souls, as the Lord used him to win thousands to Christ and train a great multiplicity of saints, to be soul winners at the Mel Floyd School of Evangelism!” Williams said.
“He was innovative, uniquely unique in his manner (his van with a casket on top) and tremendously effective in his ministry as he with a bull horn or a microphone, courageously and fearlessly preached Jesus on the street corners of Philadelphia! What a blessed witness!!!” he added. “Thank you, Lord, for his love, his life and his legacy!”
Floyd’s full obituary can be read online here. There, a live webcast of his funeral is scheduled to begin on April 27, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.
Details for Banks are forthcoming.
