The birth of Ebenezer Missionary Chapel, Inc. was similar to that of childbirth – it was born with great faith, sacrifice, uncertainty, and pain. As we reflect the early seventies, names of great “midwives” come to mind. These champions of the faith provided sound doctrine, wisdom, encouragement, and examples to a young brother who had a tremendous zeal for the work of the Lord.
Pastor Gerson C. Marshall was born in Barbados on March 17th, 1941, to the late Emy Cumberbatch and Arlington Marshall. He emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, in 1961, where he worshiped at Good Tidings Gospel Hall. There he met his “Queen” Joy J. James, a native of Trinidad, West Indies. They married in 1963 and became parents of three children.
The desire to serve the Lord was the main focus of Pastor G. C. Marshall. He was involved in a group called the National Crusaders in Christ. It consisted of young men and women who held crusades in various churches throughout New York City. They also preached the Word in Central Park, Flushing Meadow Park, Prospect Park, and Time Square.
One of their most successful crusades was held in Canarsie High School. This crusade lasted two weeks, and many souls came to know the Lord as their savior. Pastor Marshall’s involvement with the late Brigadier Bernard of the Bedford Salvation Army opened his desire not only to be concerned about the souls of men but also to be concerned with the total man. Brigadier Bernard opened the door for him and his group to minister at McCauley Water Street Mission, ministering to individuals who hit rock bottom. Outreach began back in 1969 and has continued, thanks to the vision of Pastors John, Jones, and Lee.
Brother T. Michael Flowers, the founder of the United Bible Conference, was also one of the individuals who encouraged Pastor Marshall to launch out into the deep. They all looked forward to the annual trip in May to the United Bible Conference. Believers were encouraged to unite and serve the Lord with gladness. The fellowship was sweet and everyone enjoyed the warm southern hospitality. Brother Flowers introduced Pastor Marshall to Brother Rex Major, another renowned Bahamian Evangelist, who was very instrumental in fostering the importance of the Christian family to Pastor Marshall.
The Late Reverend Bert Holmes of Plymouth Congregational Church in Canarsie was Pastor Marshall’s great mentor and friend. He also encouraged him to venture out into the community and begin this great work – Ebenezer Missionary Chapel. It was Plymouth Congregational Church’s late Reverend Bert Holmes and the late Reverend Cornelius Sparrow, who ordained Pastor Marshall in 1970.
Reverend Holmes allowed Pastor Marshall to assist him in work at Plymouth. He preached and performed weddings and funerals. The Congress on Missions, spearheaded by Pastor Marshall and Sister Ena Smith in January 1976, was a tremendous blessing to all. It was out of this outreach that the concept of Ebenezer Missionary Chapel was born. Weekly prayer meetings and Bible studies were held at the Marshall’s home throughout 1976. Among those in regular attendance were Brother and Sister Dexter Parke, Brother and Sister Albert Smith, Brother Claude Edun, Brother George Parris, Brother Robert Carr and, Brother and Sister Edward Adams.
Sister Marshall, inspired by the scripture found in 1 Samuel 7:12, gave the church its name: “Ebenezer,” meaning “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”The term “Missionary” emphasized their desire for evangelistic outreach. The Marshalls continued to host weekly meetings until Brother Pastor Agard informed them of an available building around June of 1976. In December 1976, Ebenezer Missionary Chapel opened its doors to the first official location, 387 East 51st Street, Brooklyn, NY 11203. Pastor Marshall assisted by associate Pastors Dexter Parke and Robert Carr; Deacons Edward Adams and George Parris. The original members of Ebenezer were Pastor and Sister Marshall and their two children, Pastor and Sister Dexter Parke and their three children, Brother and Sister Edward Adams, Brother George Parris, and Brother Robert Carr. The Lord greatly blessed and prospered the church through weekly prayer, street meetings, youth, and food programs. People of all ages accepted Christ and became involved in this growing ministry.
Success, however, did not come without sacrifice. Pastor Marshall recognized the need for quality Christian education in the East Flatbush area and therefore pursued his vision at the expense of his popularity, credibility, and church support. In April 1980, the Lord led us to our present location, 5464 Kings Highway, the former Ingersoll Nursing Home. The building had been abandoned for several years and was in a severe state of disrepair; in short, it was a community eyesore.
During this trying time, Pastor Marshall gleaned support and encouragement from his devoted wife and beloved brother, Wilton. The Lord laid Pastor Marshall’s burden on the hearts of like-minded members of the family of God, who offered both financial and practical support. Work crews mobilized to clean and refurbish the dilapidated property. Fundraising was innovative and ongoing through bake sales, concerts, dinners, and free will offerings. Pastor and his wife continuously made a tremendous personal financial sacrifice at work. As a full time paid employee of the TransWorld Airlines (TWA) and a full-time unpaid church worker, Pastor Marshall worked around the clock to ensure the continued growth of the ministry.
The Lord breathed Ebenezer Preparatory School into being in September 1981 with five students. Pastor Marshall worked diligently as the school’s Head Master, further reinforcing the church’s commitment to developing God-fearing, intelligent, responsible young men and women. Hence the school’s motto of “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).
Pastor Marshall led the congregation at Ebenezer for eighteen years, enduring times of rejoicing, sadness, challenges, and victories. Throughout the years, the Ebenezer Church family continued its mission to reach the lost for Christ. The Leaders of the Church focused their efforts on family unity, senior citizens, community involvement, spiritual growth, youth evangelism, and sweet Christian fellowship. Unexpectedly on April 7th, 1994, at the age of 53, Pastor Marshall came full circle and met his Master while visiting his beloved birthplace, Barbados. A testament to Pastor Marshall’s legacy is the successful continuation of both ministries.
On January 4th, 1998, Brother John N. Noel, born in Aruba, was installed as Ebenezer’s second Pastor. Before becoming Pastor, he held various leadership positions within the Ebenezer community, including musician, Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Youth Pastor, and Elder. Pastor John has continued Pastor Marshall’s rich legacy through street evangelism, community outreach, and spirit-filled ministry of the Word. Subsequently, Pastor John married his “Gem” Sister Esther Bonadie Noel and have five sons. He has two older daughters from his previous union with the late Yvette Williams Noel.
On October 29th, 2000, Elder Randolph M. Jones became installed as the Assistant Pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Chapel Inc. Natives of Belize, Pastor and Sister Maurina Wade Jones, his wife of forty years, parented four children and have been blessed with nine grandchildren. They joined the Ebenezer fellowship in 1989 and have provided exceptional spiritual guidance to both ministries.
Pastor John and Jones were assisted by Deacon Paul R. Jones and Eglon Ishmael. Together they sought to do the will of God, who sent them to demonstrate the power of God to an unbelieving world.
The ministry has undergone trials and tribulations of every kind, as expected when standing for Christ against the devil. The Lord is now raising a new generation of believers who are seeking to do His will. We are blessed with a youth choir that ministers in song, drama, and liturgical praise.
Our leaders regularly visit our sick and shut-in members and continue to baptize, marry, and dedicate children to the Lord. The Sister’s Fellowship spearheaded and completed the beautification of our sanctuary. They also coordinate our weekly Fellowship Hour immediately following Sunday church service.
Indeed, God has been faithful to us. We praise Him for allowing us the privilege to serve Him in the vineyard—the church and school’s labor to preserve our founder’s memory. After many years of intense fundraising, in June 2000, the Ebenezer Preparatory School’s Parents Teachers Association coordinated the construction of the Pastor Marshall Memorial Playground and Basketball court at the corner of Avenue D and Kings Highway. The joint effort of the Church and PTA is still in coordination to build a gymnasium at the back of the church – a community outreach effort of which Pastor Marshall often spoke. We continue to “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2. Truly, we’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord!