Press Release
PERTH AMBOY – 35 years ago a buzz was generated in New Jersey about the 26-year-old, Rev. Donald Hilliard, Jr., the new pastor at the Second Baptist Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. This new pastor incited the buzz with his exceptional leadership ability, compassion for people and deep conviction for the gospel. According to Rev. Hilliard and his wife, Phyllis Thompson Hilliard, there was never a strategic plan created for what their pastoring journey would entail. “Faithfulness in prayer, praise, worship and giving along with our four-fold mission to Evangelize, Educate, Emancipate and Empower has guided us through challenges and enormous achievements,” states Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., Senior Pastor, Cathedral International.
Cathedral International pauses to celebrate and honor visionary leaders who for 35 years have created a legacy that represents what God does for a people willing to give of their time, talent and tithes.
Everyone is invited to the three-day celebration that marks another milestone in the Journey of Cathedral International and Bishop Donald & Pastor Phyllis Hilliard.
•Friday, November 9, 2018, 7pm, The Testimonial Gala. The Rev. Dr. DeForest Soaries is the Toastmaster. Bishop John Bryant is guest speaker. The attire is formal.
•Saturday, November 10, 2018, 12:00pm, The Legacy Leaders Luncheon. Bishop Curtis Douglas is the Emcee and Bishop George Searight is the guest speaker.
•Sunday, November 11, 2018, Three Worship Services, 6:30am, 9:30am and 12:00pm with Dr. Karen Wells speaking at the 9:30am service.
There is no cost to attend the celebration that takes place on the Cathedral Campus, 277 and 272 Madison Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Call the church office at (732)826-5293 for more information or visit www.cathedralinternational.org/35th
ABOUT BISHOP HILLIARD AND CATHEDRAL INTERNATIONAL
There are incredible milestones in the God-glorifying journey of Cathedral International with Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., serving at the helm. His willingness to “Say Yes!” to the Lord has fostered his ability to provide leadership in the exponential growth of the church over the last 35 years. The Ministry has expanded to serve the specific needs of three different locations of Perth Amboy, Asbury Park and Plainfield, thus “One Church in Three Locations”, all reaching the lives of many people with over fifty ministries operating on the three campuses. This includes Iglesia Catedral Internacional which is on the Perth Amboy Campus. Through the facilitation of the gospel via streaming technology, Cathedral International now reaches millions of homes across the globe.
MILESTONES
As Cathedral International celebrates, they pause and look back with thanksgiving for the amazing things God has done. Here are a few of them:
1990 – Former Majestic Theater purchased and renovated into The Cathedral Sanctuary; The Cathedral Academy was founded.
1992 – Former Elks Building purchased and dedicated as the Family Life Center
1994 – Former Madison Pines restaurant (282 Madison Ave.) purchased and renovated into the Cathedral Café; purchased 284 Madison Avenue rental property and dedicated as Cathedral Technology Center
1995 – Former Margaretten Mortgage building and two parking lots purchased and later named the Donald Hilliard, Jr., Community Affairs Complex.
1995 and 1997 – Purchased residential properties at 280 and 282 McClellan Street and converted into the Mercy House and the Timothy House
1997 – Purchased Cathedral by the Shore Church, Asbury Park, NJ
1999 – Purchased home next door to Cathedral by the Shore Church and named it Asbury Park Community Cornerstone Complex
2001 – 2002 – Built new townhouses named Cathedral Village; purchased rental property (Kaleidoscope); purchased Amboy Florist; purchased former Oasis Bar (Asbury Park)
2004 – Closed on 101 acres in Cranbury, NJ
2016 – Planted Cathedral Gardens at Cathedral International Farm. Cranbury, NJ
2017: Celebrated 25 years of worshipping in The Cathedral, Perth Amboy, NJ; Burned the Mortgage on the Cathedral; Cathedral Community Counseling Center celebrated 20 years of service
2018: Partnered with Perth Amboy Police Department and opened the “Community Police Substation” on the Cathedral Campus which has already made a difference in the downtown area of the city
