We here at Shekinah have received a number of comments over the last 3 years or so, both from actual former Shekinah Fellowship members, and from simple observers of this website, concerning the attention that Pastors Tilson Shumate, David Sloane and myself have given to the memory of the late Rev. R. Brant Baker, Original pastor of Shekinah Fellowship.

Some feel that we have put Brant on a pedestal, that we give him undo attention on this website, that we in affect are attempting to 'bring him back', as it were (as if we could), rather than moving on with our lives and living in the present. Despite a few attempts on our part to ease these concerns, we still get the occasional comment (usually as a complaint) with regards to our mention and treatment of Shekinah's first pastor.......

I want to try and straighten a few things out as best as I can here. Now, I've spoken with pastor David about this, and we're in agreement, so here goes. We have basically gone out of our way to keep a proper and balanced perspective on Brant Baker's history, from the beginning of his ministry (and even a bit before) to it's demise, including his own death.....

If you were fortunate enough to have watched Brant minister, you noticed that he was an unusually gifted man. His teaching was eminently biblical and involving, genuine (and confirmed) healings took place as he ministered in the gift of Word of Knowledge, and he consistently presented the risen Savior to his audience, regardless of where he preached. Something else occurred during the services that you'll remember- the Presence of God was so great that you could actually see as well as feel it. It was as if God had made a pact with Brant, "You go out there and give them My Word and present the reality of My Son, and I will go out there with you every time you minister". It was truly something to behold.......

You will have noticed some other things, too. Brant had a somewhat flamboyant personality, a hilarious sense of humor, and some glaring deficiencies. He was by no means a perfect servant of the Most High, nor did he pretend to be. He had tremendous struggles in his life, the most obvious being with homosexuality. Had he let these struggles interfere with his calling though, we would never have been blessed by the manner in which God chose to use him. He was tormented with his numerous frailties, yet he always presented Christ, rather than point to your shortcomings (or his own, for that matter), and maybe this is the issue here....

We here at Shekinah did not admire Brant's lifestyle in the flesh. It was not his well groomed hair, the puffy-sleeved shirts (which later gave way to the perfectly taylored suits), his manner of speaking or his engaging personality that we were drawn to, either. Please pay attention here- It was God's anointing of the man Brant Baker that we were so enamoured with. How does one 'move on' from the Glorious Presence of the Living God? How does one 'leave yesterday behind' when we remember how we would glow with the Glory of God after the services? Or how we couldn't wait for the next service?.....

Did you really forget? Weren't you there?

Don't you long for His (Jesus Christ) Presence today as you once did? Who did you think we were adulating all this time? Did you really think that it was a frail, effeminate man?

Listen, God's Presence and anointing don't die with His servant!

This ministry of the Holy Spirit is as necessary today as it was yesterday, and we will most certainly see it again! .......

We're thankful to Almighty God for the manner in which He used Brant Baker, and we're thankful to Brant for being a yielded vessel (yielded, not perfect) through which the Holy Spirit so mightily moved.

Sincerely,

Pastor Jim Ewing