Native son Charles Myricks Jr. returns to lead congregation
Rev. Charles Myricks Jr.
The search committee at the historic Arlington Church of God in Akron did not need to look far when it set out to look for its new pastor. The historic Akron congregation, founded in 1917 as Robert Street Church of God, called one of its own — the Rev. Dr. Charles Myricks Jr. — back into the service.
Myricks not only grew up in the Arlington congregation of roughly 800 souls; he served for nine years as its Executive Pastor, in essence as its chief operating officer. He left that role in 2007 when he became the first Chief Operating and Development Officer of the denomination’s national body, headquartered in Pennsylvania. As the inaugural CODO, Myricks was responsible for the national association’s day to day operations of the national association, comprising over 400 congregations in North America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
His installation tonight is thus an unofficial homecoming as well. The installation service will begin at 7p, followed by a “COVID safe” reception.
Installation Weekend will continue tomorrow, Saturday, October 9 with a 9a-10:30a churchwide discussion on Christian ministry and leadership.
The celebratory weekend will culminate with a 10a worship service. The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Frymire, a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary and a board member of the National Association of the Church of God, will be the guest speaker.
All events will take place at the Church, 539 S Arlington St. [44309]. For the convenience of those unable to attend, the events will be livestreamed on the Arlington Church of God Facebook page as well as the church’s YouTube channel.
Myricks, Jr. graduated with special distinction in marketing and management from Anderson University, which subsequently awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. He also has a Master’s degree in homiletics from Ashland Theological Seminary.
Prior to his call to ministry, Myricks enjoyed a successful business career that began at IBM and included positions in sales, marketing, and management. Later he linked his business experience with his love for gospel music. He became the first African American to occupy the office of Vice President and General Manager for Word Gospel Records in Nashville, TN, considered to be one of the top five Christian music labels. Under his leadership, Word Gospel’s recordings garnered several Grammy, Dove and Stellar Awards. He was also instrumental in distributing the first multi-platinum gospel recording in the modern era of gospel music.
Myricks founded the gospel group Divine Hope, which utilized a blend of original, contemporary, and jazz inflected gospel music to communicate its religious message. The group traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and South Africa, and was the grand prize winner of the 700 Club/Star Song Records National New Artist Search.
As a pioneer participant in Akron’s Gospel Meets Symphony concerts, Charles has had several of his compositions performed by the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Tuscarawas Philharmonic. In 2000, he was commissioned by Akron’s First Night to write the new Millennium Theme Song for the city-wide celebration. His 2004 collaboration with the Ohio Ballet led to the premier of Transformation, a ballet featuring music composed by Charles and performed by Divine Hope. He also has written a musical, The Miracle of Love, and an opera, Paul: A Musical Journey.
In 2016 under commission by the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Myricks created an arrangement of spirituals entitled There’s a Stirrin’ in the Water. He is currently a trustee of the Greater Akron Musical Association Board of Trustees.
Myricks is married to Sherilyn Beverly Myricks and they have three children Kathryn Elizabeth, Kristen Nichelle and Charles James III and one grandchild Julian Rosa.
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