More than a thousand people filled the National Church of God on Feb. 3 to celebrate the life of Pastor Rosalind Thompkins Lynch, a choir director who trained generations of gospel vocalists across denominations.
Lynch, who died on Jan. 24 at the age of 75, was born Aug. 1, 1948, and raised in the Amityville area of Long Island, New York.
A child prodigy who was accepted to the Julliard School of Music at the age of 9, Lynch’s music ministry crossed denominational lines. During her years at Washington, D.C.’s Howard University, Lynch earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She was one of the founders of the Howard University Gospel Choir with music icon Richard Smallwood.
In a more than 50-year career, Lynch trained voices with a strong attitude of excellence. She was the minister of music at New Bethel Church of God in Christ, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, and National Church of God in Fort Washington, Maryland.
The service was as eclectic as the music she performed. Minister Stephen Hurd facilitated the beginning praise and worship part of the service, followed by the Howard University Gospel Choir, which sang, “Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus” and “Let the Church Say Amen.”
“Rosalind Lynch was a trailblazer; not everybody is a trailblazer,” said recording artist Phillip Carter, who served as assistant director of the Howard University Gospel Choir. “Trailblazers make paths for others long after the lives they live.”
The Rev. Jonathon Zeigler, pastor of the National Church of God, struggled to limit pastors’ reflections to two minutes, as they shared tales of Lynch’s contributions.
The Rev. Stan Holder, administrative bishop for the Delmarva region of the Church of God, read a letter on behalf of the church’s national leader. Holder called Lynch a “songbird of this church for many years.”
“There is a big difference between a singer and a worship leader. Her songs always exalted God,” Holder said.
Richard Smallwood spoke in a video before the Howard choir sang the hymn prior to the eulogy. He talked about how he and Lynch had so much fun singing at Howard.
“This is one of the saddest days of my life. I miss her so much,” Smallwood said.
In addition to luminaries like Smallwood, the service highlighted Lynch’s family. Her husband of 41 years Elder Willie J. Lynch Jr.; two daughters, Victoria Lynch-Draper (Marcus) and Angelique Lynch-Jiles (Elliott); two brothers, Emmet Jr., and Samuel Thompkins; and three grandchildren, Luke Draper, Caleb Jiles, and Logan Draper, are some of the family members who will continue to cherish her memory.
During the eulogy, Bishop Joel Peebles of City of Praise Family Ministries focused on Lynch’s children and considered how hard it was to bury his own mother.
”This is what I consider a defining moment in your salvation,” Peebles said. “It is easy to worship God when things are easy, but how do you worship God when you are hurting?”
Peebles questioned: “Lord, how do I trust you when my heart is broken? How do I handle this box going into the ground?”
The bishop had a clear answer: “Your mother is alive in the presence of the Lord.”
Excellent tribute to a woman of God! May Rosalind rest in peace