The congregation of Zion Poplars Baptist Church, Gloucester, will welcome this week its new pastor and his wife, the Rev. and Mrs. Ronald W. Gayle Sr. His first Sunday service will be at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, and will be held outside.

An installation service for Zion Poplars’ 11th pastor will also be held outside the church at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Rev. Willie Dickerson, pastor of Union Zion Baptist Church, Ware Neck, will render the sermon and the Rev. Ward Warren, pastor of First Baptist Church, Ordinary, will be the worship leader. The Male Chorus of Zion Poplars will sing. Everyone is encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

The Rev. Mr. Gayle is coming from Union Zion Baptist Church, Ware Neck, where he served as an associate minister for the last four years. Prior to that, he was the pastor of Christ Fellowship Christian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a direct descendent of one of the original 17 founders.

He spent 20 years in the military with the United State...