Submitted by Gregory D. Miley, SON Staff Writer
The Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church installed its sixth pastor in the church’s history; on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Reverend Dion Jamar Watkins started his tenure as Pastor of Progressive Union in July 2021. He is a native of Buffalo, New York, and most recently was the pastor of a church in Hartford, Connecticut. The installation sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Manuell Smith, III, pastor of the Rising Star M. B. Church, Sylacauga, Alabama. Rev. Smith and Rev. Watkins are cousins. Welcomes to the new pastor were given via videos from local college presidents and local and state politicians and in person by Rev. Larry Davidson, President of the Greater Huntsville Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship (GHIMF). Charges to the Pastor and church, blessing of the First Lady and presentations of a Bible, key to the church and a robe to Pastor were all part of the ceremony. Pastor Watkins, in his remarks, thanked his family and friends who traveled from near and far to attend the installation. He stated that he is looking forward to becoming a part of the Huntsville/Madison County community and making Progressive Union an integral part of the community. Pastor and First Lady Watkins are the parents of three sons, DeAndre, Josiah and Xavier.