Pastor Joshua M. Daniels, new at Saginaw’s Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, says he would have started sooner, except his father told him he needed to learn to read before he could address the congregation. The Rev. Samuel Daniels was the family’s initial generation in the clergy.

“When I was four, five, I would have dreams that I was behind the pulpit,” explains Pastor Daniels, whose debut theme as a first-grader was, “The Baby (Jesus) Who Saved the World.”

He takes the reins from Pastor Marvin Smith, who has retired.

Daniels hails from the Houston area and his childhood experience and education extended into formal ministry as a young adult, and then his first pastorship in Beaumont, a smaller town 85 miles up the Gulf Coast along the Texas border. He moved with his family in 2021 to become pastor of a prestigious Los Angeles congregation, but the hustle and bustle and endless highway traffic were at odds with the slower-paced downhome lifestyle.

“To me, L.A. was not a ‘people city,’ ” he says. “Saginaw has more of a Southern feel.”

When he learned of the Saginaw opening, he was eager to pursue the opportunity.

Still, he says, the decision to move was based “not on the city,” but the historic role of Mt. Olive in Saginaw’s First Ward, what Marvin Smith often described as “the meaning of the steeple” that stands like a beacon on North Sixth Avenue between Norman and Farwell streets.

The website, mtoimbc,org, outlines 20 areas of involvement that range from stage performance to sports, followed with the summary, “A good measure of our spiritual heart is our depth of concern for other people.”

Daniels says, “This is a church that is alive, only in need of a shepherd.”

By obtaining nearly a dozen vacant lots that surround the campus, Mt. Olive congregants show that they are reaching beyond the four walls of the physical church.

As far as a possible future move if the First Ward’s overall abandonment continues, Daniels says the top priority is to maintain and continue updating at the current location.

His spouse is Arianna, and son Joshua Jr. is seven years old, between sisters Jarrington, 10, and Jenesis, 2.

So how do the kids feel about moving from Los Angeles to Saginaw?

“They are excited about seeing snow fall for the first time,” Pastor Daniels says.

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Pastor Charlene Washington of Holy Communion Gospel Center will lead this special gathering that aims to focus prayers on the future of Saginaw’s new high school, Saginaw United, and the city as a whole. It is a chance for the community to join hands and seek divine guidance and blessings for the success and growth of the school and the well-being of the city’s residents.

Participants are encouraged to come and experience the profound impact of collective prayer. The event is intended to be a moment of unity and reflection, with everyone coming together to uplift the future of Saginaw through the power of prayer.

The downtown Genesee Avenue bridge will serve as a symbolic and central location for this gathering, allowing participants to visibly and spiritually connect with their city.

All are welcome to join this meaningful occasion and contribute to the collective spirit of hope and faith. Mark your calendars for August 31 at noon and join the community in prayer for Saginaw’s new high school and the continued blessings upon the city.

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The conference will kick off on Wednesday, August 21, at 7 p.m. with a Church Game Night, featuring the “Victorious Life Family Feud,” which is sure to bring fun and fellowship for all attendees.

On Thursday, August 22, at 7 p.m., participants will be treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience with “The Real Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” featuring Pastors Cheyenne and Shavon Smith from Dallas, TX. This special session is expected to offer valuable insights and inspiration for couples and families.

Friday, August 23, will feature a Community-Wide Prayer & Praise Service at 7 p.m., focusing on health within the church and the community. The service will include powerful messages from Apostle James Glenn and Pastor Jim House, alongside worship led by the Hopevale Worship Team, Psalmist Chrystal Harris, and others. Bishop Hurley Coleman will also be part of the special evening, contributing to what is expected to be a spiritually uplifting experience.

The grand finale of the conference will take place on Sunday, August 25, at 11 a.m., with a Worship Service led by Evangelist Courtney Shelby Thompson. Following the service, the church will host a Back-to-School Community Fun Expo, featuring a giveaway for teachers and students to help prepare them for the upcoming school year.

The Victorious Life Family Conference is set to be a powerful and transformative event, bringing together faith, family, and community in a celebration of unity and spiritual growth. All events will be held at Victorious Believers Ministries, located at 624 S. Outer Drive, Saginaw, MI.

For more information and to stay updated on the conference, visit victoriousbelievers.com or follow #VBMNation on social media.

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