Awaits naming of next pastor
Bishop John M. Borders III, senior pastor of Morningstar Baptist Church on Blue Hill Avenue. Seth Daniel photos
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It was just after 10 o’clock last Sunday morning when three organists went to work alongside a drummer, guitarist, and other musicians, backed up by some 50 church members singing in the cascading choir loft at Morningstar Baptist Church.
With infectious energy, they belted out the Baptist church standard ‘Takin’ Back Everything the Devil Stole from Me,’ the sounds catapulting off the stage and into the audience like a divine freight train lighting a fire under the large crowd, which was singing, praising, clapping throughout the room.
In all, just a normal Sunday morning at the Blue Hill Avenue mega-church.
But things were not normal at the pulpit, where the church’s 45-year senior pastor, Bishop John M. Borders III, was celebrating his just-announced retirement and succession plan for what is one of the largest congregations in the city.
Borders sat on the side of the stage in his regular seat taking the “Legacy Sunday” in with humility, smiling over several times at his wife Sandra, whom he jokingly called his “juicy fruit” later in the service.
“I still have a lot of energy and strength, but I think it’s very important to recognize the end of a season and I think it’s important to do this job as long as I am able to do it,” the pastor said in an interview before service. “I feel God calling me to another responsibility and turning over the leadership of a hectic, vibrant congregation to someone younger.
“We’re in the process of finding that person right now, but over 45 years I have to give all credit and glory to God and thanks to the congregation for allowing me to love them and serve with them,” he said.
The 67-year-old Borders began his career in a recording group called ‘The Energetics,’ but he said he had a moment of spiritual crisis in Switzerland while on tour with notable musicians like The Supremes and Marvin Gaye.
At 3 o’clock one morning in 1979, he walked away from the bright lights to pursued the ministry. He preached his first sermon on April 26, 1981, at Morningstar – a church that had been formed in 1965 when 20 people split off from New Hope Baptist Church in the South End and eventually settled at the former Schlossberg Funeral Home building on Blue Hill Avenue.
After that sermon, entitled ‘Going Back Fishing,’ he was asked to become the full-time minister. He accepted and has never presided over any other church in his 45 years at Morningstar.
On Sunday, he noted that “attitudes” have made the church more necessary than ever before to show examples of love and caring for others, including the growing immigrant population at Morningstar, which is 25 percent of the congregation.
“Values haven’t changed, and people are just the same; they care about the same issues and want safety, they want community, and they want prosperity,” he said. “What’s changed is the attitude in the country. It is more tribal, more defensive and more vitriolic and hostile.
“So, the church is more important than ever…to bring people out to a fellowship about love, caring for one another, compassion, and caring for the immigrant…It’s our responsibility to care about people from every walk to life.”
Borders and his leadership team have certainly led the church “through the valley of the shadow of death,” and “beside quiet waters,” as the Psalmist wrote.
Whether it’s the towering new church building completed in the mid-2000s on the site of the former funeral home, or the prominence the church and its pastor have gained in persevering through tough times, the success, and as it was put Sunday, “the hand of God,” cannot be overlooked.
Outside of the church walls, in a previous article in The Reporter, Borders said an event in 1992 pushed their focus on the community. During a church service, gang members armed with guns and knives ambushed the church congregation by coming inside looking for a young man. Panic ensued as shots rang out, the young man was stabbed, and the sanctity of the space was forever changed.
The incident led to Borders becoming a key member in the Ten Point Coalition that focused on Boston’s gang problem, which also became a national effort. More recently, they have focused on health needs, serving 110 families per week from their food pantry.
Sheriff Steven Tompkins, Councillor Julia Mejia, Bishop John Borders III, state Sen. Liz Miranda, and Councillor Ed Flynn at the service on Sunday.
On Sunday, there were videos of encouragement from US Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Gov. Charlie Baker, Gov. Maura Healey, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. In attendance were Councillors Ruthzee Louijeune (a member of the church), Ed Flynn, and Julia Mejia, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, and state Sen. Liz Miranda.
Several special performances were also part of the celebration, including R&B recording artist “MAJOR” R. Johnson Finley, who sang his hit ‘Why I Love You’ in honor of Borders.
Rev. Billy Houze, a retired minister from North Carolina, delivered the message to the congregation. He used the biblical Book of Deuteronomy to illustrate the situation, noting that Moses took the Israelites to the Jordan River, but Aaron took them into the promised land.
“I’m so very glad a legacy here has stood the test of time with integrity, vigilance, and love,” he said.
From the pulpit, Borders said he would be in place until the end of the year. “This is not my last Sunday, and I will not be leaving Morningstar Baptist Church until the next pastor has been chosen to lead Morningstar,” he said.
“As a result, I’m not talking about this anymore. I’m not putting it in every sermon and talking about ‘I’m leaving’ every Sunday and having everyone waiting at the door to see if I’m coming.
“What matters is that Jesus Christ is here, and we’re moving forward and do what the Lord has called us to do.”
Afterward, Borders said he will do more book-writing in retirement, and will encourage young ministers and community leaders who might need an experienced listener and mentor.
“I always want to be a listening ear in the future to everyone, and I pray for the next person to come along and take this church further than we have,” he said.
Copyright © 2026 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. This content may not be re-published or re-used without written permission.
