John Arethaus Reed, Jr., was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, the second of eight (8) children, to the late Reverend John A. Reed, Sr. and the late Mae Ella Reed. The family moved to Oklahoma City early in his life and he attended Dunbar Elementary School. In August 1949, they moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where the Senior Reed served as Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He graduated from Washington High School in May 1956 and began his post high school education at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, in January 1957. He transferred to Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma, in September 1957. College education was interrupted to serve in the military. He was inducted into the U.S. Army m June 1959 and received an honorable discharge in 1961.
Pastor Reed was married to the late Patricia Ruth Fisher of Nowata, Oklahoma. They were blessed with two daughters, LaShai Yvette and Johnneese Shree. LaShai is married to Reverend Anthony Rhone who pastors the Galillee Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The two have a daughter, Tonia Janae’ Rhone. Shree, the youngest daughter, is married to Reverend Derrick Walter, Sr., who is the Assistant Pastor at Fairview. They have a daughter, Kaubriana Sharde’, and a son, Derrick Walter, Jr.
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The Preacher — Reverend Reed answered the call to the ministry in August 1957 and was issued his License to the Gospel Ministry from the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Stillwater, on August 18, 1957. He was ordained on July 30, 1961, at Mt. Zion. </div
Dr. S. S. Fairly, Pastor of the Fairview Baptist Church, selected Reverend J. A. Reed, Jr., to serve as his assistant and on the second Sunday in January 1963, Reverend Reed and his wife, Pat, were presented to the congregation.
He resumed his education at the Oklahoma School of Religion, Langston University, and in May 1964, was awarded a Bachelor of Theology Degree. He has done further studies at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, and Midwest Christian College.
The Pastor Servant — At the close of morning worship on January 12, 1969, the yoke of pastoral responsibility was passed on to Pastor Reed. In June of 1974, Reverend Reed was elected President of the Oklahoma Baptist State Congress of Christian Education, a position he held until June 2000. In July 1975, following the death of Dr. Fairly, the congregation of the Fairview Baptist Church installed Rev. J. A. Reed, Jr. as Pastor.
The decade of the 80’s proved to be a time of continued growth and development for Pastor Reed and the church under his leadership. On July 23, 1989, a groundbreaking service was held and construction of a new sanctuary was begun on September 23, 1989. August 19, 1990, Pastor Reed received the keys to the new building. On the first Sunday in December 1999, Pastor Reed led the church in dedication of the Donald E. Burns Educational Center and Fellowship Hall.
At the Annual Session in October 2000, Dr. Reed was elected President of the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention, a position he held until October 2009. Pastor Reed has instituted various changes and added many ministries and programs during his tenure at Fairview. He is known and respected throughout the state and nation.
Pastor Reed celebrated 50 years of preaching the Gospel in 2007. The occasion was held in conjunction with his 44th anniversary as Pastor of Fairview. In March 2013, the Fairview Baptist Church held a month-long observance in honor of Dr. Reed’s 50 years as shepherd of the flock. On August 20, 2017, the the Fairview Church Family and the Oklahoma City community joined with Pastor Reed in celebrating 60 years in the preaching ministry. The service focused on the theme, “A Treasure in Clay Pots,” II Corinthians 4:7. Pastor Reed was presented with a clay pot, containing sentiments from worshippers of sermons he has preached over the years that made a positive impact on their life.
In June 2008, Dr. Reed was made the 5th Vice President of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, an affiliate of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. This position was preempted in September 2009 when, during the 129th Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Rev. Reed was recommended for and unanimously accepted by the parent body to serve as one of five Vice Presidents for the 7.5 million member body. He was given the responsibility of leadership over the Western Region. He served directly under Convention President, Dr. Julius Scruggs of Huntsville, Alabama.
At the September 2014 Annual Session of the Convention, a new President was elected in the person of Dr. Jerry Young of Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Reed was affirmed by the parent body to serve another five-year term as one of the Vice Presidents of the Convention, overseeing the Western Region. He was chosen by President Elect Young to serve on the Transition Team for the new administration.
At the September 2014 Annual Session of the Convention, a new President was elected in the person of Dr. Jerry Young of Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Reed was affirmed by the parent body to serve another five-year term as one of the Vice Presidents of the Convention, overseeing the Western Region. He was chosen by President Elect Young to serve on the Transition Team for the new administration.
Pastor Reed has reached across the nation, conducting revivals, seminars and workshops. His aim in life is to serve God and mankind. Pastor Reed’s song of life is “If I Can Help Somebody As I Pass Along.” His scriptural motto is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Dr. J. A. Reed, Jr., Senior Pastor |
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Fairview Missionary Baptist Church |
1700 N E 7th Street |
Oklahoma City, OK 73117 |