The Man, The Vision, The Results
"Where there’s no vision, the people will perish"
By Jerrlyne A. Jackson, Ph.D.
Posted: 4:49p.m .est, October 08, 2006

Fortunately, during the 20th Century, there was a visionary in this community by the name of Moses General Miles, whose visions materialized into a better life for many.

Born on January 31, 1918, to Primitive Baptist parents in Lakeland, Florida, Elder Miles grew up in the Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church of Lakeland. At the age of 30, he was called to pastor Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church in Tallahassee in 1948 and served as its visionary pastor for 47 years (almost half of its existence—Philadelphia will celebrate its centennial this year, December 12-14).

A 1941 graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College, his visions and tenacity for making them realities made him one of the best known graduates in the history of the institution. He held several major positions at FAMU/FAMU including Dean of Men, Mathematics Instructor, Director of Public Relations, Director of Student Activities, Dean of Students, and President of the FAMU National Alumni Association. Elder Miles was a founding member of the FAMU Foundation, Inc. and served as its president for eight years acquiring over $30 million in donations.

Visualizing the need for the enhancement of manhood, Elder Miles was a charter member of the graduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Tallahassee, the founder and advisor for the Florida State University undergraduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.

Probably closest to his heart were the Primitive Baptist Conventions—state and national. As Executive Director of the National Primitive Baptist Publishing Board for 39 years, he wrote several booklets that are currently being requested and used by Primitive Baptists throughout the nation.

While serving as President of the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention (a position he held for 34 years), he envisioned several enterprises to be owned and operated by the Primitive Baptists—supermarkets, banks, camps, rest homes, and housing projects. He thought blacks should be capable of providing the services they purchase from other nationalities.

The State Convention supported the vision of the nursing home and camp. Therefore, a 70-acre campground with overnight facilities exists on the banks of the Santa Fe River in Union County (County Road 18, Worthington, Florida). In 1969, the doors were opened at the Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescent Center in Tallahassee, with Elder Miles serving as its Administrator. In addition to the 60 persons this facility could accommodate, employment opportunities were provided for another 60+ persons.

Today, Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescent Center is recognized as one of the top facilities for quality service in the State. It continues to be owned and operated by a Board of Directors of the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention. Mr. Freddie Franklin, of the Greater Mt. Trial Primitive Baptist Church in Sopchoppy, has been the Administrator since 1978.

In September, 1998 a $5 million addition and renovation occurred at Miracle Hill-- bringing its capacity to 120 beds and a beautiful first-class facility. It continues to receive superior ratings each year and maintains a 99 percent occupancy rate, and will soon begin construction on an independent living facility across the street.

During the Annual Meeting of the Florida Health Care Association in July 2003, Administrator Freddie Franklin, a past-president of the organization, was presented the 2003 Walter M. Johnson, Jr. Circle of Excellence Award. This is the highest honor of the organization. In presenting the award, FHCA’s Executive Director Bill Phelan indicated, "Freddie has served as a role model, mentor and preceptor to many of today’s nursing home administrators. He has distinguished himself as a respected business and community leader, church deacon, educator, philanthropist, tireless advocate for the elderly, family man, and a good and dear friend to so many of us." The award was first given in 1972 and recognizes significant contributions made to the Association over the past year as well as in previous years.

This vision, occurring in the early sixties and presented to the Florida State Primitive Baptist Convention during President Miles’ first presidential address in 1962, became reality in 1969, and in 2003 is providing a better life for many atop the hill on Abraham Street.

 

 

 

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