THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM
The Christian Recorder
APRIL 2022
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17TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SONS OF ALLEN ELECTS NEW OFFICERS By Rev. Royd Mwandu, 17th District Field Representative
The Sons of Allen (SOA), Men in Ministry of the 17th Episcopal District, held its elective convention with the South West Zambia Conference-Copperbelt East District and Presiding Elder Amigo Mwansa as hosts. The host church was Mother Hughes AME Church Ndola under the leadership of Pastor Winford Chabala. The two-day convention was opened by Bishop David Rwhynica Daniels, Jr.’s administrative assistant, the Rev. Margaret Nkana Mwanza, on Friday, February 25, 2022. On Saturday, February 26, 2022, Bishop Daniels addressed the Men in Ministry. The bishop introduced Mr. Miller, the Connectional SOA president, who addressed the gathering on the need for men to fulfill their constitutional requirements as enshrined in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only delegates from Zambia managed to attend. Here are the newly elected 17th Episcopal District SOA executive officers: President: Br. Robert Chilufya Chitenge Vice President: The Rev. D. K. Phiri Secretary: Br. James Simuyemba Correspondence Secretary: Br. Agrippa Ngwenya Treasurer: The Rev. Winsford Chabala Coordinator: Pending bishop’s appointment. ❏ ❏ ❏
...From Biden’s p2 the end of his speech, he only briefly mentioned these issues,
such as abortion, immigration reform and transgender rights, and climate change. Throughout his speech, he seemed to be trying to speak to issues dear to Republicans — and perhaps disaffected Democrats. Stylistically, he spoke over the applause, seeming to rush through his speech without any pause to allow for more extended ovation and critical points to have their moments. It felt swift even with his mention of the historic appointment of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first black woman appointed to the Supreme Court, no recognition of the landmark diversity in the judiciary, and then quickly pivoted to immigration, which he failed to lay out a comprehensive immigration plan. All things considered, President Biden affirmed what we already know - he is the epitome of white moderation - consistently appealing to the political attitudes of right-of-center Americans and small “C” conservatives who do not support him despite his efforts. Furthermore, his “Unity Agenda,” which supports needed initiatives such as opioids, cancer research, mental health, and veterans care, is more
of the same, while necessary, more of what we have heard previously. No innovation, no big legislative agenda, no haecceity, comforting and enduring vision for the country. Democrats need a winning strategy; President Biden has yet to exercise his bully pulpit fully in support of this strategy. Biden concluded: “Fellow Americans: Look, we can’t change how divided we’ve been ... but we can change how to move forward on COVID-19 and other issues that we must face together.” Regrettably, the president did not provide a framework for change moving forward. President Biden enthusiastically concluded, “Go get ‘em.” Unfortunately, I am afraid, that is precisely what the Republican Party will do - deliver a shellacking to the Democrats in November. Quardricos Bernard Driskell is an adjunct professor of legislative politics at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. Follow him on Twitter @q_driskell4.
REPORT FROM THE AME CHURCH IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO By Rev. Mutabazi Kamutera Seraphin, 17th Episcopal District
Please do receive warm greetings from the African Methodist Episcopal Church – North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This period of nearly over a decade of service, answering the call of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), has been measurably and endlessly blessed. The Spirit has helped our different local churches to grow. We have witnessed a great advancement of God’s work in North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have won souls, ministered to the needy, and empowered and equipped men, women, and children with a convertible knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank and praise God for the souls added to our churches—new conversions and baptisms. We thank God also for the life and labor of those who have endured the hardships faced while serving the needy. The leadership of the Steward Board helped enhance the spirituality and stewardship in the church. The diligent work of the trustees facilitated all the works we have
been doing, from the work of painting the churches, providing chairs, musical instruments, finishing toilets, and much more. Organizational ministries, such as the Women’s Society Ministry, Young People’s Department, and Lay Organization, have met needs in their respective churches and surrounding communities. We remain grateful to each congregation and to all those who gave support to the ministry all these years. We thank God for the incredible work of the Holy Ghost in restoring and replenishing the ministry in the North-Kivu, D.R. Congo. Bless his holy name.
EVANGELISM AND CHURCH GROWTH DEPARTMENT In the true spirit of the AME Church class leader structure, we organized cells in churches, urging each member to belong to a cell depending on where he or she lives. So, this approach helped us to reach hundreds of people wherever ...continued on p4
