Reed celebrates 44 years as minister

Pastor M.R. Reed Sr., is celebrating 44 years of ministry for the State of Louisiana and Mississippi.
His humble beginning is from Monroe. He has proven that with God all things are possible. He started at the tender age of 12 and has continued this journey through trial, pitfall and triumph.
He presently resides in Rayville where he has been living for more than 30 years.
Pastor Reed is known as a circuit minister, meaning he has more than one congregation. Pastor Reed reflects on his own life that pretty much followed the same ministry as other African American preachers have done over the last 125 years.
Pastor Reed began pastoring at the age of 16 years old. He nevertheless has gone somewhat beyond his colleagues and preachers on the circuit, regularly pastoring at nine different churches in Louisiana and Mississippi, literally driving home his message morning, afternoon and evening every Sunday. Reed is a preacher on the go.
The circuit ministry is more active in the rural area than any other area in the country. Pastor Reed has served Richland Parish faithfully as the former pastor of Pilgrim Rest # 2 Baptist Church of Rayville for 20 years. During his tenure at Pilgrim Rest #2, more than 57 converts united with the church. He later served the New Jerusalem Baptist Church for a short time. He later re-established the Westside Baptist Church of Rayville. Westside had only three members left and had closed its doors, but Reed was sent by God to open the doors and during his first service as pastor, 23 members united with the church. Until this day through the direction of God and the brief ministry of Reed, Westside still continues its work in church ministry.
Reed organized the King Solomon Baptist Church with 23 members. They worshiped at Mt. Zion Baptist for six months and later at the Green Grove Baptist Church building on Spruce Street.
It was available and the rest is history. Pastor Reed and the congregation were blessed with a building northeast of Holly Ridge that was formerly the New Bethel Baptist Church when the building was donated by Fred Franklin and Family. King Solomon Church is still operating its ministry for the Kingdom of God.
Reed is also the past pastor of the New Fellowship Baptist Church of Delhi and the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church also of Delhi. Many souls have been saved. Many preachers have started ministry under Reed’s Ministry.
Reed, who is still a resident of Rayville and a part time resident in Vicksburg, served three churches in Vicksburg and six churches in Louisiana. He has served faithfully visiting the sick and shut ins, officiating funerals, marrying couples and serving as an evangelist in various cities and towns conducting revival.
He and his wife, Marge, who is also his driver, go many miles spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On Jan. 8, Reed will celebrate 44 years of ministry and 40 years as circuit pastor and on Jan. 23 will celebrate his 56 birthday. He is the father of three children and seven grandchildren.