CLEVELAND, Ohio - When times are hard, the Rev. E. Theophilus Caviness finds comfort in song. One particular gospel song often restores his faith.

"This song, 'Victory Shall Me Mine,' emanates out of my great concern for the motif of the Christian religion that suggests that in everything, we give thanks to Jesus Christ," Caviness said. "It is through him that we gain the victory; regardless of our circumstances, he is always there for us, and victory is ours if we trust in him."

This month, cleveland.com is celebrating Black History Month with stories from local ministers talking about the songs that mean most to them. We are also bringing you performances from choirs singing those songs.

Today, we bring you Caviness' story. He is pastor of Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church, located at 1161 East 105th Street in Cleveland. Caviness has served as pastor there since 1961. He is also president of the Greater Cleveland chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a national organization founded by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph David Abernathy.

In related events, the Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church Sunday School will hold its own Black History Month program at 9 a.m. on Feb. 26.

Greater Abyssinia's choir is directed by Music Minister Tremell Yarbrough.

If your choir is interested in being a part of this special series, please contact Nate Paige at npaige@cleveland.com

Rev. E. Theophilus Caviness, Pastor Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church

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