Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. EDITOR’S CORNER:
I will be heading to the airport in several more hours on my way to Harare, Zimbabwe. I ask that you pray for the Global Development Council. The AME Church is truly a global church with a global mission.
2. CONNECTIONAL CHRISTIAN DEBUTANTE-MASTER COMMISSION EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING/RETREAT FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2005 THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2005:
Bishop Robert Webster – Commission Chair
Mrs. Loretta Hill – Administrator
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Mr. Stan McKenzie – Host Bishop and Supervisor
Mrs. Gloria Massey Ward – Host Commissioner
Registration Fee - $ 50.00 if postmarked by April 30, 2005
Late Registration Fee - $ 60.00 after April 30, 2005
Please mail registration fees and general contributions to:
13th Episcopal District CDMC
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Mrs. Gloria Ward, Commissioner
1600 Dunmoor Road
Memphis, TN 38114
(901) 743-5550 Phone
(901) 744-1594 FAX
For Hotel Reservation Contact:
Radisson Inn Airport
2411 Winchester Road
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 332-2370 Phone
(901) 398-4085 FAX
$83.45 dbl room
3. PASTOR AND AUTHOR, THE REVEREND WILLIAM M. CAMPBELL, SENIOR PASTOR OF ANDERSON CHAPEL AME, KILLEEN, TEXAS FEATURED IN CENTRAL TEXAS NEWSPAPER:
“More Than A Conqueror”
First, it was "Born to Dream." And now, the Rev. William M. Campbell Jr. of Killeen has come out with "More Than: I Am a Possessor!" - a second book of religious discourses that he has written to enlighten congregations throughout the country.
"This work, 'More Than A Conqueror,' comes from the book of Joshua," said the 44-year-old pastor of Anderson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Killeen. "Just as 'Born to Dream' reflects a transition in my life, so does 'More Than A Conqueror.'"
The 14-chapter book contains printed sermons dating back to 1996; a time Campbell said was his transition year, a year after he buried his father and a time in which God confirmed a significant change of course in his life and his ministry.
"If you want to be informed and inspired to pursue your destiny, 'More Than A Conqueror' is for you," said James C. Wade, the executive director of Department of Church Growth & Development of A.M.E. Church. "After reading the pages of this book, you will be more than a conqueror. You will be a possessor."
Dr. Russell T. Cephas Jr., the founder and president of Church Growth International, said he highly recommends "More Than A Conqueror," not only to pastors and Christian workers, but to all Christians, who want to overcome hindrances that prevent them from receiving God's ordained destiny for their lives.
Chapter 1 of the book is the sermon Campbell preached Dec. 31, 1996, at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church in New Brunswick, N.J. - the church of his late pastoral mentor and friend, the Rev. Henry A. Hildebrand, who died just before the book came out. Campbell said he wanted so much for Hildebrand to have lived to read his new book. "I'm really sad that this did not come out before his death, because it was on the day when I preached Chapter 1 that I made the announcement that I was moving from Florida to Texas," Campbell said.
Chapters 4, 6 and 7 are sermons he preached at Anderson Chapel. The other chapters are his preachings in Muncie, Ind.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Nashville, Tenn., and Duncanville, Dallas, all in Texas.
Campbell said "More Than A Conqueror" should have been completed seven years ago. "So, I'm a little behind time, and I have to repent to the Lord for my slowness," he smiled, noting he will have four more books published soon to catch up. "I should have had 'More Than A Conqueror' out in 1997, and now I am seven years late in getting this out to people who may have needed to learn how to become a conqueror sooner."
Campbell said he was inspired to put his sermons in writing while preaching a revival in January 1996 in Muncie, where the snow and sub-zero temperatures kept him inside, which gave him a lot of time to study and write. "It was a wonderful experience, when that series began to evolve into my life," he said. "I think someone said to me, 'Reverend, you need to put this into a book, on a tape or something."
March 2005, Campbell said, will mark 27 years that he has been preaching. "Often, as in 'Born to Dream' or as in 'More Than A Conqueror,' when I would come into a revival, a series would begin ... unbeknownst to me that it was going in that direction," said Campbell, noting the writing aspect was very easy for him. "I always hated English,” he said. "When I was 5, 6 and 7 years old, my mother, who was an educator as well, drilled me into writing correct sentences and words and made me read." Campbell dedicated "More Than A Conqueror" to his mother, Edith Campbell, "To the most remarkable mother of any man anywhere. Your life teaches me never to give up," he said. "More Than A Conqueror" can be obtained for a donation of $10 or more at Anderson Chapel or by ordering it on his Web site at www.flamingfire21.org Campbell said some of the money made on the book will go toward ministry projects.
More About The Man
"Pastor C," as he is affectionately called, is just a tool in God's hand - a messenger of God, who has revived and enlightened thousands around the world with the eternal message of God's salvation. Born in the remote town of Milton in eastern Pennsylvania to a Methodist pastor and his wife, Campbell experienced quite a rich life in the itinerant ministry of Methodism. Having lived in Bermuda as well as in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida and now Texas, Campbell brings many colorful and diversified experiences to the ministry. His partner in life and in ministry is the former Melita Chew of Fort Worth. They have two children.
Campbell is the founder of the Flaming Fire Ministries Inc. of Dallas, an apostolic ministry with a global scope and a multi-denominational outreach. Since 1978, the Lord has allowed him to preach and minister around the world traveling throughout the continental United States, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. Noted as a teacher first and then an evangelist, Campbell says he leaves "no stone unturned" in delivering the timely message of God's miracle-working power.
He is also the author of three teaching manuals, titled "Giving-Prayer-Fasting: Three Tenets of the Christian Faith," "To Seek and Save That Which Was Lost" and "A Messianic Passover Haggadah: Looking at Our Faith Through the Eyes of Judaism."
In November 2002, Campbell was appointed pastor of Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church, where he is already making a difference in this, his second pastoral assignment in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. At Anderson Chapel, he continues the work of congregation and community building that began in his first charge in Dallas. He also serves as the chairman of the Richard Allen Community Development Corporation, which is the development arm of the church. Teaching continues to be the bedrock of his ministry and the weekly Bible study - Word Encounter - is well attended. His Internet column, "From The Pastor's Heart," has blessed hundreds around the world each weekday. Campbell has a liberal arts degree and is ever seeking to improve the quality of service that he renders and is presently working toward a Master of Divinity degree at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University in Waco.
Article, “More Than A Conqueror” published in the Killeen Daily Herald, November 13, 2004, Reprinted by permission of the Killeen Daily Herald.
Writer: Jimmie Ferguson
Editor: Dave Miller
Contact Jimmie Ferguson at jferguson@kdhnews.com
4. EIGHTEENTH EPISCOPAL 2005 REVISED 18TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT CALENDAR DISTRICT DIRECTORY:
”Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-10
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8
The Right Reverend Sarah F. Davis – Presiding Prelate
Mr. Claytie Davis, Jr. – Supervisor of Missions/YPD/Clergy Spouses
Eighteenth Episcopal District Headquarters:
F. C. James Center for AME Services
Cathedral Circle
P.O. Box 223
Maseru 100 Lesotho
Southern Africa
Office telephone: 011-266-22-320869; FAX: 011-266-22-310548
Episcopal Residence: 011-266-311801
e-mail addresses: bishopsarah@leo.co.ls ; claytiedavisjr@netscape.net
Official 18th District Website: www.18thdistrictamec.org
USA
P.O. Box 821308
Houston, Texas 77281-1308
FAX: 281-759-5123
MAY THROUGH DECEMBER 2005
May 2005
11-25 - Baldwin Wallace University Sojourners in 18th District lending “Hearts and Hands” to the work in the District, Sis. Mila Cooper – University Coordinator
13-14 - Mid-Year and Christian Education Conference – Maputo, Mozambique, Richard Allen A.M.E. Church, Reverend Jose’ Sevene, Host Presiding Elder
18–21 - Mid-Year and Christian Education Convocation – Butha Buthe A.M.E. Church, the Reverend M. T. Machefo, Host Presiding Elder
May 18- Lay Organization - Evening Meeting w/District President M
May 19-21-Mid-Year Convocation
28-29- Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church Centennial Celebration, Makhosini, Swaziland, Bishop Sarah preaching
30 - Bishop and Supervisor leave for Houston, Texas, USA
June 2005
02-05 - Lesotho Women Sojourners and our District WMS President participate in the OSUSU Conference-Phoenix Arizona, USA as guest participants of Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant and the 5th District WMS (Women leave May 30th)
02-05 - Bishop Sarah teaching at OSUSU Conference – Phoenix, Arizona, USA
07-10 - Hampton University Ministers’ Conference, Hampton, Virginia, USA
23-25 - RAYAC’s Connectional Young Adult Conclave – First AME, Los Angeles, USA (18th District RAYAC leave 20th)
27-29 - Bishop Council and General Board Meeting – Dallas, Texas, USA
July 2005
11-12- Strategic Planning Meeting, Nashville, TN, USA
24-29 - Connectional Lay Biennial – Houston, Texas USA
August 2005
4 - Bishop Sarah and Supervisor Claytie return to Maseru
11-13 - Bishop Sarah visits the Xai-Xai and Guidja Districts in Mozambique
14-18 - Bishop Sarah visits the Gaborone, Hukuntsi and Lobatse Districts
in Botswana
24-26 - Presiding Elders Retreat with Bishop Sarah
30-31 - WMS Convention – Hukuntsi, Botswana
September 2005
1-4 - Botswana Annual Conference – Hukuntsi, Botswana
13-14 - WMS Convention – Beira, Mozambique
15-18 Mozambique Annual Conference – Beira, Mozambique
October 2005
7- Lesotho & NE Lesotho A.M.E.C. Schools Educators’ Conference Maseru, Lesotho at F. C. James Center for AME Service
11-12 - WMS Convention – Greater Collins Chapel, Mbabane, Swaziland
13-16 - Swaziland Annual Conference – Greater Collins Chapel, Mbabane, Swaziland
18 - Swaziland A.M.E.C. Schools Educators’ Conference – Manzini,
Swaziland
November 2005
22-23 - WMS Convention – Emmanuel AMEC- Maseru, Lesotho
24-27-Lesotho Annual Conference Emmanuel, Maseru, Lesotho
29-30 - WMS Convention – Butha-Buthe AMEC Butha-Buthe, Lesotho
December 2005
01-04 - Northeast Lesotho Annual Conference Butha-Buthe AMEC, Butha-Buthe, Lesotho
08 - District Prayer and Evangelism Workshop
09-10 - 18th District Planning Meeting – Swaziland
5. THE SECOND ISSUE OF BISHOP SARAH'S E-NEWSLETTER IS READY:
Click on the web address below and enjoy!
www.bishopsarahinafrica.org/enewsletter.asp
Or you may go to www.bishopsarahinafrica.org and once you are in the website, click on the "E-NEWSLETTER" button and ENJOY.
Blessings and Peace,
Bishop Sarah and Supervisor Claytie
6. THE PASTOR’S CORNER MEDIATION - GOING FORWARD WITH GOD, OPERATING IN HIS PURPOSE II:
1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 3Brothers, choose seven. We will turn this responsibility over to them. 5This proposal pleased the whole group. 7So the word of God spread [and] the number of disciples…increased rapidly. (Acts 6: 1, 3, 5, and 7)
The early church was growing. More disciples were being added to their numbers. With the growth in the church came additional responsibilities. One of the ways we recognize additional responsibilities is by the things that unfortunately “slip through the cracks” and are left undone.
The Grecian Jews (Greek speaking) noticed their widows being overlooked in the daily distribution of food and properly brought the matter to the attention of church leadership. It is here that the providence of God shined through. The church leaders recognized the expansion in duties required to operate the church and wisely sought to choose seven others to address the additional responsibilities. Notice criteria for selection as one of the new servant/leaders (deacons) in the church (v. 3). Are we, and those we select for positions of responsibility in the church, capable of passing God’s test for leadership as described in the criteria listed below?
1. Full of the Spirit – The new servant/leaders were to be persons controlled by the leading of the Holy Spirit. The working of the Holy Spirit and His fruit were to be evident in their lives.
2. Full of wisdom – The new servant/leaders were to reflect the nature of Jesus Christ. The wisdom demonstrated by the new leaders was to be pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Those who met the criteria and were selected to carry out the new role of serving the needs of the body were all Greek-speaking Jews. The persons whom God equipped to resolve this need in the early church were members of the group who recognized and gave expression to the need. God’s providential hand shines through!
In October 2001 I lived in Des Moines, Iowa. I visited the Chicago Annual Conference of the AME Church with a friend. On our way home I shared with my friend the sinking feeling I experienced when I heard, during the conference, reports of the difficult conditions of some of the congregations and beautiful AME Church sanctuaries in the city of Chicago. It was some two months later that the Bishop phoned to inquire of my willingness to come and serve in restoring the congregation and edifice of one of the churches I had heard about.
One of the ways God directs us to operate in His purpose is to reveal to us needs within the body of Christ that He has equipped us to meet. Our faith is demonstrated when we engage these needs with the understanding that God will succeed in His efforts. This is His plan.
What needs have you noticed “falling through the cracks” in your congregation? Have you given voice to those needs by addressing them with the proper church leaders? Most of all, are you ready to step out on faith by allowing God, the Holy Spirit to use you in meeting those needs? “So the word of God spread and the number of disciples increased rapidly (v. 7),” as the members chose to “OPERATE IN HIS PURPOSE!”
Pastor James Moody
Quinn Chapel, Chicago
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
