Suffolk News-Herald

An ordination service will be held for Brian Eric Outlaw Sr. and Sheranda Shambley Outlaw at 4 p.m. Sunday in Metropolitan Baptist Church. Dr. Melvin R. Boone, pastor emeritus of the church, will be the guest speaker.

Outlaw is a native of Suffolk and is a 1984 graduate of the former John F. Kennedy High School. He has also attended many classes and workshops at the Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg.

Outlaw said he has always wanted to be a minister but at first didn’t quite want to accept the calling.

&uot;I have always done a lot of speaking engagements and people would tell me that I was doing an imitation of the real thing. I also couldn’t rest because God was constantly picking with me to do more. That’s when I knew what my calling was,&uot; he said.

Outlaw is the eighth child of 14 children born to Deacon and Mrs. Clifton Outlaw Sr. He is married to the former Sheranda Shambley of Suffolk. They have three children, Kimberly, Brian Jr. and JaMelvin.

He has been a member of Metropolitan for 30 years and a deacon for 12.

Early in his calling, he came into the leadership of Elder Clarence Goodman at Potter House Christian Center. Now he is under the direction of Bishop J.C. Wilson at Prayer and Faith Church of Deliverance in Portsmouth. He delivered his trial sermon on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002.

&uot;I give a lot of credit to my role model Dr. Melvin R. Boone for nurturing me and giving me spiritual guidance in the ministry. I am also sending out special invitations to the Class of 1984 at the former John F. Kennedy High School to come out and see the great works of the Lord,&uot; he said.

Refreshments will be served immediately after the service.

Metropolitan Baptist is located at 125 County St.