MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

ISLE OF WIGHT—The service was about praise for and thankfulness to God on Sunday when Christian Home Baptist Church recognized nearly 30 cancer survivors from the Suffolk, Isle of Wight and Southampton County area.

Those honored, having survived from several months to 34 years, each took a seat in front of the pulpit as his or her name was called. The Rev. Wendell Waller offered a prayer upon completion of the roll call.

The pastor, who has led the more than 200-year-old church for 26 years, said the services for the survivors began about six years ago.

“We praise God for healing our brothers and sisters,” he said. “We felt this would be a fitting tribute.”

The program began at 9:30 a.m. with a song of praise by the church choir. This was followed by a rousing sermon by guest speaker, the Rev. Gloria Newsome, assistant pastor of First Baptist Church on Bute Street in Norfolk. Newsome is a cancer survivor of more than four years.

“We were very happy to have Pastor Newsome deliver the sermon,” Waller said, indicating that it was most appropriate on this occasion.

“Our team, the CHBC Fighting Angels, has been involved in the Isle of Wight/Surry Relay for Life for several months and 12 of its members just completed a walk in Smithfield.”

The team captain reported that more than $6,500 has been raised this year for cancer research.