Christian Education Department

By Reverend Larry M. Banks

In the matchless and anointing name of Jesus Christ, Greetings to you!

Let’s meet and greet our Christian Education Department (CED):

The Episcopal Chairman is the Reverend Larry M. Banks, who is the current pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, West Memphis, AR.  Rev. Larry Banks has provided Episcopal Leadership as the chairman for seven (7) years.  Under his leadership everyone knows that his focus is the youth.  One word that describes Rev. Larry Banks is “Passionate”.  His heart, soul and mind are continually on Christian education.  According to him, the continued successes of the CED and the Congress are twofold.  First, it’s due to the grace and mercies of God.  Second, it’s attributed to the esteemed Episcopal District’s leadership and the expert conference directors.

Our Episcopal District Director is the Reverend Shirley I. Bowers, who is the proud pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church, Warren, Arkansas.  Rev. Shirley I. Bowers has served as the Episcopal Director for three (3) years.  However, she has provided Episcopal leadership with the department for many years.  As a result of this wealth of experiences, Rev. Shirley I. Bowers can perhaps be best described as “meticulous”.  No doubt her educator training and background carries over into her Christian education administration.  She is our senior Christian education department staff member.  When we don’t know, we ask her.

Our Oklahoma Conference Christian Education Directors are Presiding Elder Marcellus Fields, the Reverends Roy Jones, Jr. and Travis Doolin, pastor of First A.M.E. Church, Oklahoma City, OK.

The Arkansas Conference Directors are Mrs. Kaye B. Person, a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Tuckerman, Arkansas, where the Reverend Cleophus Collier is the pastor, Ms. Katherine Baker, a member of Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, where the Reverend John Grissom is the pastor, the Reverend Kurbe Newsom, pastor of St. Andrew A.M.E. Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Directors for the East Arkansas Conference are Mrs. Miranda C. Johnson, a longtime member of St. Andrew A.M.E. Church, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where the Reverend Marcia Burns is the pastor; Mrs. Katrina Shepherd, a member of Pilgrim Rest A.M.E. Church, Monticello, Arkansas and the Reverend Harriel White, pastor of Gates Chapel A.M.E. Church, Crossett, Arkansas.

The West Arkansas Conference our Christian Education Director is the Reverend Angela  Brewster.  Rev. Brewster is the pastor of historic Visitor’s Chapel, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

What you'll find in the future

Growth and Expansion of the Christian Education Department

Throughout the connectional church, Episcopal Districts have begun to model after our connectional Christian Education Department.  Dr. Darryl Ingram has both visibly and electronically communicated the Christian Education relationship between those units that fall under the auspices of the Christian Education Department.  Most notably,

• Sons of Allen
• RAYC
• DMC
• Health Commission
• Music

A quick look at the purpose, goal and mission of the auxiliaries of the Christian Education Department, one can easily see why our connectional church has housed them with the Christian Education Department.  Specifically, their mission is to “Educate”.

I believe you’ll find in the 2011-12 Conference year that we will better organize our Episcopal Departments so that we’ll have a harmonious mission and direction for the Episcopal District.  Our Episcopal District Church School Superintendent, Presiding Elder Napoleon Davis, knows all too well that the local church school represents the cradle of our Christian education for all ages.  Needless to say, Church Growth and Evangelism, Reverend Harvey Potts, Jr., Episcopal Director, remains all about teaching, training and continued education.  There’s no explanation necessary when we include our own Shorter College and Jackson Theological Seminary, and our four Conference Board of Examiners.  Two words explain it all, “Christian Education”.

I believe you’ll find in the 2011-12 Conference year that we will organize our structure to maximize the continued growth of Christian Education at every level in the Twelfth District.

A Shared Episcopal, Conference, District and Local Vision and Focus

This shared vision and focus will unite our myriad of resources, thereby allowing a continuity of focus at each level.  This shared vision and focus would truly assist the Presiding Elders at their conferences and conventions.  This process would also allow for inclusiveness of additional skilled and willing individuals in the planning and execution of the District Meetings.  While every Presiding Elder District is different, I’m sure you would agree that if we can have a key focus for our weekly church school lessons, then we could find common ground for Christian Education.

I believe you’ll find in 2011-12 that we will make notable progress in this area.  A summit or retreat with the proper leaders and leadership would do wonders for us to realize this vision and focus.

Spiritual Renewal and Anointing

Real Christian Education, when focused, leads to a closer connection to God.  It allows one to be convicted in our sins and at the same time rejoice in the grace, mercy and salvation of Jesus.  As we reconnect, recommit and rededicate ourselves individually, the anointing spirit of God will shower down on us.  During the Christian Education and Youth Congress, July 20-23, 2008, held at Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia Arkansas, the opening worship service spoke to us in many ways.  When we look at the number of youth and adults that gave their lives to Christ when the invitation was extended by our Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Reverend Samuel L. Green, Sr., certainly the anointing of the Holy Spirit was present.

I believe you’ll find in 2009 that this was a sign of greater works to come.

Numerical Growth

“Where there is smoke, there’s fire”.  When Christian Education is given the full opportunity to flourish north, south, east and west;  to the young as well as the young at heart;  to the lay as well as the clergy;  when we allow no stones to be left unturned, then will the smoke turn to fire.

The Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapter 3, perhaps said it a little differently.  It recorded that John the Baptist said “I am going to baptize you with water, but The One coming after me will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire”.

Let the Holy Ghost Fires Rain Down!