Thursday, July 23, 2020

Advocacy - Evangelism - Social Justice

Advocacy: Mass Incarceration and the Role of the Church

Advocate for Changes in the Criminal Justice Process

America locks up more of its citizens than any other nation and, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts, all states have become more punitive. Even though overall crime and arrest rates are down from the early 1990s, states are exacting sentences at a rate 165% harsher than they were for the same crimes previously.

This presentation is designed to identify the policies and areas of the mass incarceration process that impact many of the people who fall victim to the practice. Participants will learn the tactics of arrest, sentencing, imprisonment and post-incarceration stigma as well as strategies to reform our secular broken system.

The effects of such broken justice? 2.7 million children have an incarcerated parent, including 1 in 9 African-American children. An estimated 1 in 4 Americans have a criminal record which creates obstacles to finding housing, jobs, and other life necessities. The problem is so far-reaching that almost every congregation is impacted by the crisis of crime and incarceration.

A Barna poll commissioned by Prison Fellowship reveals that practicing Christians were more likely to believe caring about prisoners was important because of their values. That is encouraging.

While these numbers indicate that the foundation for redemption has been laid for the Church to use its unparalleled capacity to continue playing a role in creating a more restorative justice system, there is still significant work to be done in challenging perceptions and increasing Christian engagement in advocating for a restorative approach to justice.

Chuck joined the Scotland AME Zion Church of Potomac, MD in 2006. Prior to joining Scotland, Chuck was active in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and worked diligently with the ELCA’s Mission 90; an initiative to build ethnic diversity within the Lutheran denomination.

In 2010, Chuck was elected President of the Scotland Lay Council, and in 2016, Chuck was elected president of the Baltimore District Lay Council. He has spent those years searching for ways to build the laity of the Baltimore District. He is now the past president of the district Lay Council. In August 2017, Connectional Lay Council President appointed Chuck to the role of States-side Regional Director for Eastern West Africa (Nigeria) to work alongside of the indigenous Regional Director located in Nigeria. Chuck has a strong belief that the mission of the church can only be completely fulfilled when the laity steps in to make a difference in the world. He has confidence that the lay people of the church can accomplish great things for the world in the name of Christ.

Chuck is also Former Director of Adult Christian Education for Baltimore District of the AME Zion Church (2010-2016); Member of the Montgomery County, MD Police Advisory Board, Charter member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the largest membership organization for the international financial planning community;  Charter member of the African American Association of Financial Advisors (AAAA), a trade organization for financial advisors of African ancestry in the United States; and Founder of Money Management Mini$tries, a not-for-profit financial empowerment ministry.

https://www.facebook.com/chuck.williams.397948 | https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-chuck-williams-1927b813/

Evangelizing in a Digital World

Educate attendees on doing evangelism in a digital way     

For years, evangelism has been a take it to the streets ministry. However, the recent pandemic has forced us to re-evaluate how we do church. New and innovative technology has also forced us to adapt. In the midst of all these changes, how do we continue to move forward and fulfill the Great Commission?

This presentation will provide you with new and innovative ways to do evangelism.

Rev. Prince is a graduate of Shaw University Divinity School. She studied Biology from Winston Salem State University, Biblical Woman's Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Afro-American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She's an ordained minister and the founder of Delois Prince Ministries, International. As the founder, she functions as a facilitator, preacher, psalmist, intercessor, and worship leader. Rev. Prince also founded D. I. V. A. S. (Divinely Inspired & Victoriously Anointed Sisters) whose purpose is: to spiritually enrich the lives of women by creating and maintaining sisterhood for the purpose of empowering and equipping women to do ministry in the church, home and community.

With over 19 years of ministry experience, Rev. Prince is competent and capable and knowledgeable in multiple areas of church ministry, particularly skilled in organizational planning, missions, and community relations and outreach.

She serves as an Associate Minister at the Union Baptist Church of Jamestown/High Point in High Point, NC under the Rev. Dr. Kia Hood-Scott, as Ministerial Assistant to the Pastor, Church Administrator, Sunday School Teacher, and Intercessor.

Rev. Prince fervently believes that ""Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"" Philippians 1:6"

http://www.facebook.com/DeloisPrinceMinistriesInternational/ | http://www.linkedin.com/in/delois-p-07968024/ | http://twitter.com/AnointdVessel

The Black Church and Public Policy

How the Black Church can shape Public Policy at every level of Government

With the emergence of Jim Crow laws and Black codes in the 19th century, African-Americans were asking the question of how to deal with the problems like unequal access to educational institutions, unfair housing laws and unfair treatment by the justice system. The African-American church seemed to be the medium through which Blacks could confront the problems that Jim Crow laws and Black codes posed. The problem was there were different views on what role the African-American church should play. Some believed that accommodation was best, and the church should cease trying to force integration, civil rights, and political power. The solution for this camp was to concentrate on training Blacks for service in society. Others saw the church as the most important social institution in the Black community and followed a tradition of prophetic radicalism consistent with the actions of Moses toward Pharaoh that would confront the system with demands for justice. This is still the dilemma in the African-American church, what role should the church play and how should it play its role?

Born December 14, 1972 in Nashville, Tennessee to the Late Rep. Harold M. Love, Sr., and Mary Y. Love he is the last of five children and the only male. He was educated in the public schools of Metro Nashville Davidson County and graduated with Honors from Whites Creek High School in 1990. Entered Tennessee State University in 1990 and Graduated in 1994 with a Degree in Economics and Finance with a minor in Political Science. Graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Divinity in 1998 with a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies. Graduated from Tennessee State University in 2017 with a PhD in Public Policy and Administration . While attending Tennessee State University as an undergraduate he marched in the Aristocrat of Bands, and was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. “Mighty Rho Psi” Chapter and elected president of the Graduating class. Was ordained an elder by the A.M.E. Church  in 1999 and received his first Pastoral assignment. From October 2002 to November 20, 2016 he was the Pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Nashville, TN. On November 21, 2016 He was appointed Pastor of Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church. In 2012 He was elected to the TN House of Representatives for the 58th Legislative District and  He serves on the following Committees in the TN House of Representatives: Education, State Government, Consumer and Human Resources. He is a 33° Mason and a Shriner. He currently serves as a Board Member of The 18th Avenue Family Enrichment Center, Tennessee Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Affairs. His wife Leah Love is an Attorney and Owner of Dupree Consulting.

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h58.html | https://www.facebook.com/haroldlovejr/ | https://www.instagram.com/haroldlovejr/ | http://twitter.com/haroldlovejr

Next Generation Evangelism: Speaking the Spiritual and Technological Language of Millennials

Millennials are looking for a church that is authentic, casual, and focused on changing the world. And the first place they look is in what is the weakest area for most churches: their online presence.

The current research into the millennial generation gives insights into precisely where we have failed them and what they are looking for from the church. This seminar will focus on the three important areas of focus to reach the next generation and how we reach them in their online world. It will talk both about a theology of evangelism that fits their worldview as well as giving practical tips on how to optimize your online presence for effective millennial evangelism.

When he is not playing with his four children with his wonderful wife, Jeremy is an associate pastor at Los Altos UMC in Los Altos, CC where he preaches, oversees children and youth ministry, and is leading a team launching an online campus .  He is passionate about reaching people with the message of Jesus in a way that engages them with the movement of God. Jeremy has spent over 20 years working in youth and children's ministry and continues to train children and youth workers as well as writing and speaking extensively in that field. Jeremy's most recent book is the All the Best Questions. You can find a list of all his books, articles, and resources for churches at his website: JeremyWords.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

http://jeremywords.com | https://www.facebook.com/JeremySteeleAuthor/ | http://instagram.com/unpretending | http://twitter.com/unpretending

Community Evangelism

Small Groups...Class Leader System...New face to Evangelism

Evangelism in today's world has to have a new appeal with the same heart behind it. Evangelism is not just passing out tracks going door to door. Evangelism is being a part of the community and letting the community see Christ in the work that you do for and in the community.

The Reverend Dr. Jerret Fite loves God, his family, and the church! He was born in Utica, NY but has been a North Carolinian since 1990. He is the proud graduate of Harding University High School in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was an outstanding student-athlete and drum major. He matriculated to North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. Reverend Fite graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in History. While at NC Central Dr. Fite was the recipient of the prestigious Chancellor’s Leadership Award which is granted to outstanding seniors who exhibit a commitment to excellence in the classroom and the community.

In 2015, Dr. Fite earned his Master of Divinity from Gardner-Webb University and in May of 2018 earned a Doctor of Ministry from Hood Theological Seminary. Dr. Fite Pastors The Robinson A.M.E. Zion Church in Cheraw, SC. He continues to move ministry in a positive direction by, Exalting the Savior, Evangelizing the Sinner, Equipping the Saved, Edifying the Saints, and Encouraging every soul through administrative excellence by the power of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He is married to Andrea Leslie Fite and they have two boys, Jeremiah and Aaron, and his precious baby girl Maya! Dr. Fite lives by the motto: “Only what you do for Christ will last!”"

http://www.facebook.com/jfite | http://www.instagram.com/jcfite/ | http://twitter.com/JerretFite

Returning to Macedonia: Mission Trips and Engagement After COVID-19

"Mission Trips" are a staple of ministry across denominational lines and still can happen after the pandemic. In this presentation, we will look at the pro's and con's of the traditional mission trip experience as well as examine the mindset behind "mission trips". Attendees will come away with new tools for engagement with Christians outside of their local context in the post COVID-19 environment.

John Thomas III is a lifelong member of St. John African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Nashville TN. He has developed young adult programming for the AME Church Lay Organization and the World Methodist Council and served as a missionary for the AME Church in the Dominican Republic. Since July 2016, John has served as Editor of The Christian Recorder, the official newspaper of the AME Church. He is a PhD candidate in the Political Science department at the University of Chicago.

http://www.thechristianrecorder.com | https://www.facebook.com/jthomas3rd/ | https://www.instagram.com/jthomas3rd/

Returning to the Roots: Equipping, Educating and Empowering Christian Disciples for Social Justice

A clearer commitment to the Christian mission of social justice for the masses

The presentation will explore the historic mission of the Black Church and its contemporary application in the era of Trumpism and neo-white supremacist retrenchment. Special attention will be paid to the prophetic stream of preaching and praxis throughout the Black Freedom Struggle, especially the apex of the Civil Rights Movement and the unfinished work of the Poor People's Campaign, led by MLK. King's call for economic justice, based in the Social Gospel tradition, presaged the inextricable link between systemic racism and capitalism.

Dr. McCorn is the 13th President of Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC.

http://Www.clintoncollege.edu | http://Facebook.com/LesterAgyeiMcCorn | http://Instagram.com/prez_lam | http://Linkedin.com/LesterAMcCorn | http://youtube.com/LesterMcCorn | http://twitter.com/LAMcCorn

Cultural Competence and the Church: Where Do You Fall?

Cultural competence around different topics in the church

Each one of us fall on different places of the cultural competency continuum when it comes to certain topics in the Black Church. It is important for us to know where we are and how to get to a place of cultural competence even in our most uncomfortable topics for the glory of God's Kingdom. In the Black church culture, we encounter a myriad of topics that are ever-present in our current reality. For each of these topics, all of us fall on different places of the cultural competency continuum (Cross, et. al, 1989). Where we fall on this continuum influences how we act towards one another and ultimately, how we work together to get things done. Join me and be ready to confront your biases and stereotypes honestly so that you can work towards #RethinkingChurch and building the Kingdom of God up together.

Mallory Wright was born and raised in Salisbury, MD. After graduating from high school in 2009, she matriculated at Towson University earning her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2014. Soon after finishing at Towson, Mallory completed her Master’s degree in School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University, graduating in 2018. Mallory taught in Baltimore City Public Schools for three years, and shortly thereafter taught in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. In 2018, she returned to school to pursue her Ed.D. in Urban Educational Leadership at Morgan State University, where her current research topics include how integration has affected Black students along with cultural competence in teacher preparation programs perpetuating the school-to-prison pipeline. Also, she is approaching one year with Baltimore City Public Schools as a Title I Staff Specialist, supporting 28 principals with maintaining compliance in their Title I funds. Mallory has also been working in the nonprofit sector of Baltimore City through developing quality youth programming for the last 10 years. Currently, she is on the leadership team of Play on Purpose, Incorporated; a 501©3 that cultivates student-athletes through athletics, academics, and leadership.

Mallory has been involved with church her entire life. Born and raised in the A.M.E. Zion Church, she has maintained lifelong membership. Mallory has served with the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society and the Varick International Christian Youth Council on local, district, conference, and international levels. Currently, Mallory is a member of Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church in Baltimore, MD."

https://www.facebook.com/mpwright09 | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorypwright

Practical Principles For Effective Church Growth

It takes a personal commitment to Christ, Prayer and Witnessing to Win a Soul for Christ  and Discipleship to  Grow a Church and expand the Kingdom of God.     The Presentation will provide practical principles which when implemented will enable individuals to become effective in their Christian Witness and Disciple making process. The ultimate results will be Church growth and Kingdom expansion.

Rev. Dr. Richard M. Gadzekpo is an ordained Elder in the A.M.E Zion Church. He now serves as the Pastor-in-Charge of the Thompkin Chapel Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Presiding Elder of the Chattanooga District in the Tennessee Annual Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church. He is a graduate of the Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas.

Rev. Dr. Gadzekpo, has held positions on the A.M.E Zion Department of Church Growth and Development, Connectional Budget Board and served as the Episcopal Liaison of the Western West Africa Episcopal District.

He has served as the National Director of the Ghana Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Ghana. He also, served as the Housing Coordinator of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission where he was responsible for the enforcement of the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Tennessee Human Rights Act. His recent publication is titled How to Reach the Masses: A Practical  Christian Discipleship available on Amazon.

Rev. Dr. Richard M. Gadzekpo, is a recipient of the Aggrey –Small Transatlantic Missionary Award and the Tennessee Human Rights Commission 2011 Employee of the Year Award. Richard is married to Noreen Aku Dzifa Gadzekpo. They are the proud parents of two lovely children, Delali and Eli.

https://www.facebook.com/osofomawuli | http://twitter.com/Osofomawuli

Panhandling & Praise: Comprehensive Approaches to Help the Homeless

Millennial Homelessness, Advocacy of services for vulnerable populations

Homelessness is not a new phenomenon and continues to impact the country as a whole. Over half a million people go homeless on a single night in the United States. Approximately 65 percent are found in homeless shelters, and the other 35 percent—just under 200,000—are found unsheltered on our streets (in places not intended for human habitation, such as sidewalks, parks, cars, or abandoned buildings). Homelessness almost always involves people facing desperate situations and extreme hardship. There is a large percentage of this vulnerable population that attends church every Sunday. What is the church doing to meet the needs of this population?

This presentation will focus on providing a clear definition of homelessness, and what it looks like. Removing the stereotype and allows all persons to be inclusive in the ministry ad growth of the church. It is important and valuable for the church to become social change agents and collaborate with community-based organizations to assist with battling homelessness. At the end of the presentation the viewers will be able to take away the following points:

• Define the term “homeless”

• Describe who makes up the homeless population

• Reasons for Homelessness

• Comprehensive Approaches to Help the Homeless

Dr. Xellex Z. Rivera is a native of the Bronx, New York, and a graduate of Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, with a double Master’s Degree in Counseling and Mental Health Counseling. A proud HBCU graduate, Xellex attended Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC with a major in Liberal Arts, English. Initially, with the dream of becoming a journalist, Xellex quickly realized her life calling was going in another direction. In 2019, she was conferred her third Master's Degree from Walden University in Philosophy. With a passion to help people realize and chase their potential, Xellex currently works as the Program Director at an NYC Family Shelter in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Her primary clients are families with children that are struggling with homelessness, as well as being severely mentally ill or drug-addicted. She completed her doctoral work at Walden University with a concentration in Social Policy Analysis & Change. Featured in ForbesWomen, her dissertation, “Experiences of Long-Term Stay Among Homeless Millennials in New York City Shelters”, explored the experiences of 4 long-term-stay millennials, 25 to 34 years to the age, residing in single adult NYC shelters to understand how they explain and interpret their extended stays.

In May 2016, Xellex decided to stop procrastinating and develop her mentorship organization with the hopes of launching a city-wide mentorship program. With the undertone name of Caterpillar Girls, Inc. and under the umbrella of the Rivera Sister’s Foundation – Xellex started a Women’s Empowerment Seminar/Organization entitled #iAmSHE. This non-profit organization prides itself on the advancement of minority women and girls. With the devoted mission to provide a holistic approach and mentorship to bring women and girls together to build positivity and strength. With the succession of the #iAmSHE Women’s Empowerment Conference, the organization has gone from 25 women to 75+ women – with the anticipation to continue to grow. Traveling state to state to promote the message of Sisterhood, Healing & Empowerment – through personal mentoring, transparency, and motivation. #iAmSHE is more than a brand, it is a model towards a positive lifestyle."

http://yesiamshe.com | http://www.facebook.com/XZRivera | http://www.instagram.com/dr._xzr