Congregation keeps the faith after church founder dies in car accident
Death gives group opportunity to rejoice, sing praises
11:06 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2007
"He's a man of praise. That's what he taught us to praise God and live by faith," said St. Paul Church of God in Christ member Olivia Harris.
Just a week ago, church members of St. Paul Church of God in Christ, 1431 SW Auburn Road, gathered to celebrate 22 years of worship. Now, they gather to remember the man who helped build the foundation of their church and their faith.
"He was my brother in law, but he was also my pastor," said church member Dwayne Lee.
51-year-old Pastor Wayne Franklin was killed Friday in a car crash near Burlington. Lee was one of four other people who were in the car with Franklin and survived.
"It hurts but we have to stand up and do our part," Lee said.
"God knows what happened. We may not understand it, but He does and we have to hold onto that," Harris said.
Franklin's wife, Ethel, was also in the car. She is recovering well and spending time with the couples' two sons.
And, while she wasn't able to make it to church, she called in to talk to her congregation just to make sure everyone was holding up.
"She needs a minute to get herself together, but she's so strong," Harris said. "They were married for 25 years and loved each other so much and demonstrated that so openly."
During worship, family and friends shed tears and sang the praises of the man who was not only a pastor, but a leader. He served as Secretary of Human Resources under Gov. Bill Graves.
"He was a powerful man," Lee said. "He was so loved."
As the congregation moves forward, they say they just want to fulfill the dreams Franklin had when he founded the church more than two decades ago.
"He taught us well," Lee said.
Funeral services for Franklin have not been finalized.
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