WE THE MEMBERS OF THE CONNECTIONAL YACM

WOULD LIKE TO WISH OUR ADVISOR 

REV. DR. LESTER AGYEI MCCORN

A HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY

WE PRAY THAT YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!

Ms. Tysha Jonique Thompson

YACM MEMBER OF THE MONTH

We the members of the connectional YACM Public Relations Committee would like to announce Ms. Tysha Jonique Thompson as our March YACM Member of the month. She is the Local Director of YACM for the Little Rock AME Zion Church in Charlotte, NC.

Statement from the Immediate Past Southeastern Regional Chair

Ms. Constance Leach

As immediate past Southeastern Regional Chair I can truly say that the involvement, the excitement and the commitment level of this local church YACM department has really grown and and is doing exceptionally well with this ministry.. This is Ms. Thompson first year as director and you would think she been around since our inception as a department. I personally don t know much about her but can say that she has implemented a lot of programs and ministry concepts since her appointment from her pastor. One of the programs is entitled "First Friday". This program seems to be very successful. The format is very open and inclusive of varied forms of Ministry. As Young Adults and Young Adult Directors, I feel that we should catch this same epidemic of being excited, willing, and eager, and ON FIRE to serve our present church.

*Ms. Leach is the one who recommended Ms. Thompson*

Statement form her pastor the Rev. Dr. DeWayne Anthony Walker

I am pleased to submit a statement regarding Ms. Tysha Thompson. I appointed Tysha this past conference year as Director of YACM at Little Rock A.M.E.Zion. I appointed her because I had observed the level of commitment and enthusiasm she had for the ministry, and believed she would be a blessing to that department. Since taking on this appointment, Tysha has been on fire! She has shared some great ideas for bringing our Young Adults together not just in YACM, but in every ministry of the church. She has such a warm personality and a desire to serve God through her church. She attends almost everything we have, and takes pictures so that those who may have missed it, will get a sense of what occurred. Her enthusiasm is contagious! I am noticing other Young Adults stepping up and becoming active through her example and encouragement. Not only is she reaching out to Young Adults in Little Rock but throughout the District, Conference, Region and Connection. I praise God for her and the leadership she is providing.

We SALUTE you Ms. Tysha Jonique Thompson and we ask that you keep up the good work because Zion needs you!!!!



OBSERVANCE SUNDAY

The national steering committee has set aside the month of March as YACM month. They are asking every church across the connection to set aside one Sunday in March as YACM Observance Sunday. If you would like an email copy of the program please send a message to YACMPR@gmail.com.

Offical Order of Service
(If you press on the picture you will be able to see the program better)



WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH

 THE 93RD BISHOP IN LINE OF SUCCESSION 

THE RT. REV. LOUIS HUNTER

A HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY

WE PRAY THAT YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY BISHOP!!!!

WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH

YACM STREERING COMMITTEE MEMBER

MS. MELISSA GAYLE SLADE

A HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY

WE PRAY THAT YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!

“Episcopal Candidates Corner”

By

Rev. George William Whitfield

YACM Public Relations Committee Member

Associate Minister at Spradling Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Louisville KY

Good Afternoon my Zionite Family!

The Board of Bishops meeting is going on this week and it’s always exciting to see the Fathers and Mother of our church busy working to move our church in the right direction. I pray that someone who attended the meeting will submit a brief article to us, so that we can post it on our blog.

At the 2011 Winter Meeting today’s candidate decided to end one of his evening with us at the Red and Gold Fellowship. It was great to see him in there with his wife and daughter dancing and having fun with all of us. A few days ago I had the opportunity to talk with today’s candidate and I am happy to say that he was excited about having this opportunity.   

I would like to introduce to you today’s Episcopal Candidate the Rev. Dr. Michael Angelo Frencher. He is the son of the late Mr. James V. Frencher and Mrs. Rutha Mae Frencher. He was born in Detroit Michigan June 17, 1953.

Rev. Dr. Frencher completed his early education in the Detroit Public School System graduating from Mumford High School. He went on to the University of Detroit graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (Marketing Management). He continued his education at Hood Theological Seminary earning the Master of Divinity in 1981. In May of 1992 he earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Dr. Frencher a long standing member of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church, Detroit, Michigan, accepted his call into the ministry at an early age and was ordained Deacon and Elder by the late Bishop William Alexander Hilliard.

Dr. Frencher has pastured the following churches: Mt. Zion and Indian Hill A.M.E. Zion Churches, Fort Mill S.C. South Carolina Conference 1980-1981, Mt. Olivet A.M.E. Zion Church, Greensboro, NC West Central NC Conference 1981-1984, St. Stephen A.M.E. Zion Church, Hamlet, NC West Central NC Conference 1984-1988, Wesley Center A.M.E. Zion Church, Pittsburgh, PA. Allegheny Conference 1988-1992, Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, Greensboro, NC West Central NC Conference 1992-Present

Dr. Frencher serves on several Committees and holds many positions, including, Member of the Connectional Budget Board, Treasurer of the West Central NC Conference, Adjunct Professor, Hood Theological Seminary and Chairman, Finance Committee, Dorothy Walls Conference and Retreat Center.

He is married to the former Gelenia Aaron and they have two children: Michelle and Michael “J”.

This is how Rev. Dr. Frencher answered the questions:  

Why do you think we have a lack of young adult involvement in our church?

I believe many Young Adults do not participate in our church because many of our Young Adults do not feel accepted with the gifts and talents that they bring. Young Adults are looking for places where they can freely exercise their gifts, talents and abilities.

As Bishop what will you do to engage the young adults?

As a Bishop I will do all I can to make room for Young Adults to actively participate in the church. I will do my best not to stifle them with outdated traditions, but will gladly discuss with them some of the changes that need to take place to help make the church more inclusive of young adults, youth and children. I believe that by keeping the lines of communication open we will receive fresh new and creative ideas that will enhance the growth and development of our church, especially as it involves Young Adults.

Currently what ministries are you doing at your local church that engages young adults?

At Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church I worked with the Young Adults who sponsored a series of Discipleship Classes designed to help members learn more about the church and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The Young Adults did an excellent job sponsoring this ministry which greatly benefited the entire church. I have also nominated Young Adults to serve on the Steward Board, the Class Leaders Board and have also nominated some as Class Leaders. The Young Adults participate in several other areas of ministry in the church including:

·         The Lay Council

·         Christian Education

·         The Scouting Program

·         Missionary Society

Where do you see our church in the next 10 years?

In the next ten years I see the A.M.E. Zion Church moving forward with new vigor and vitality. I see the A.M.E. Zion Church operating with a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit which will empower the gifts of our people. I see a new Freedom Church that will live out the legacy of its beginnings in a new way that bless us. I see great things happening with us because more and more people will be involved and making contributions. This can happen when we approach the future with a TEAM Approach:

·         T-Teaching and Training at all levels

·         E- Evangelism and Church Growth

·         A- Accountability and Responsibility for financial and fiscal affairs

·         M- Ministry Support and Leadership Development

Together Each Achieves More

If you would like to contact Rev. Dr. Michael Angelo Frencher he can be reached at revmfrencher@aol.com.

“Episcopal Candidates Corner”

By

Rev. George William Whitfield

YACM Public Relations Committee Member

Associate Minister at Spradling Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Louisville KY

Good Afternoon my Zionite Family!

How was your weekend? I pray that it was blessed and productive as mine was.

I want to take this moment to thank all of you who have been working to make this blog series a success. I want to personally thank past YACM Steering Committee Member Ms. Francilla Allen for helping getting the information about the blog to today’s candidate. Having people working behind the scene without you even knowing it is always a blessing from God. I salute you Ms. Allen!!!  

Today’s Episcopal Candidate is an awesome man of God. Anyone with the name George has to be that way….lol….Okay I know that was corny but I had to go there.

I haven’t had the opportunity to have dialogue with this candidate but I have heard a lot about his teaching and preaching. I enjoy his visionary moments that he posts on facebook everyday because, It gives you the chance to reflect on Gods word, as you go about your day.  

I would like to introduce to you today’s Episcopal Candidate the Rev. Dr. George D. Crenshaw. He is married to the former Laurenna Hardy of Birmingham, Alabama and is the parent of two children Quentin Dewayne and Kennedy Diane.

Dr. Crenshaw holds a B.A. from Indiana University, Masters of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Hood Theological Seminary.

At present, Dr. Crenshaw is the Pastor of Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church. He has presided over the Indianapolis, Cheraw-Bennettsville and Lancaster Districts.

He is a six time delegate to the A.M.E. Zion Church General Conference and a three time delegate to the World Methodist Conference.

This is how Rev. Dr. Crenshaw answered the questions:  

Why do you think we have a lack of young adult involvement in our church?

Unfortunately, the lack of involvement in our church is not only among young adults. In many churches our young population is at its lowest level in many years. We are not replacing our senior saints who have been elevated from the church militant to the church triumphant. As it relates specifically to young adults, young adults are energetic, empowering, and enthusiastic concerning meaningful ministry.  Young adults are genuine and therefore seek avenues of authentic expression, affirmation, and confirmation. Unfortunately, this is not always found in church. I believe the lack of involvement of this vital demographic in our Zion is due in part to a disconnection of generations. This disconnect can be as varied as dress, music, lack of relevant ministries or administrative deficiencies. Many young adults have cited such reasons to include lackluster worship, impersonal and/or judgmental membership and the lack of church involvement with social or political issues.  If we are serious about engaging young adults in a meaningful way, we must demonstrate seriousness about the great commission!

As Bishop what will you do to engage the young adults?

I believe the most significant ministry we offer as a denomination is at the local level. As Bishop I will encourage pastors to offer a ministry that empowers and edifies every section of our church, but especially those who face a myriad of issues associated with being young adults.

It is my experience that in order to engage young adults we must offer a ministry that is real, relevant, relational and revolutionary. Because young adults are seeking to be partners in a ministry that affects change, they gravitate toward ministries that impact society. Young adults respect tradition but they will always choose a cause over a creed. On the Episcopal district and connectional level I will appoint young adults to fiduciary boards to ensure the voice of young adults are at the table.

Currently what ministries are you doing at your local church that engages young adults?

Our Young Adults serve at the helm of leadership at Shaw Temple. From our ministerial staff to our Trustee and Steward Boards, young adults serve not only in supportive roles or in support based ministries, but our young adults are the cornerstone of our ministry. Our Young Adults serve in every capacity because we are clear - the Church of today includes every age group. Upon your arrival at the Temple, you are greeted by young adults. Your children are taught by young adults. The congregation is ministered to in song by young adults. The Health and Wellness ministry, Couples Ministry, Singles Ministry and our Learning Center are all headed by young Adults. The fact however, I am most pleased with is our young adults serve in senior administration at Shaw Temple. Many of our young adults serve in senior administrative positions in their secular employment, but thank God, they also use those unusual gifts and talents in the ministry of Shaw Temple.

Where do you see our church in the next 10 years?

I firmly believe our best days are ahead of us. I believe our greatest chapter is yet to be written. If our church however, is to fulfill her destiny we must be willing to make some difficult decision.  We must become flexible enough to adjust our methods while retaining our message. We must return to seeking to become the advocate for the disenfranchised. We must return to our social justice roots that earned us the name “The Freedom Church.” We examine every aspect of our polity and embrace lay leadership as equal partners in kingdom building. t is my prayer that our beloved church will be a multi-cultural, family-focused, cutting-edge ministry known for her dynamic worship, social justice ministries and incomparability in management, accountability and integrity.

We can position ourselves to experience the favor of God as never before, but we must return to our first love, by displaying Christian character for our membership and life changing concern for all.

If you would like to contact Rev. Dr. George D. Crenshaw he can be reached at peldergdc@aol.com.