The Hidden Jewel in Plain Sight

By Dr. Derek Anderson, Member AME Church Judicial Council

Every so often, we discover something extraordinary where we least expect it. A hidden treasure.
An unknown gem. A secret masterpiece quietly resting in plain sight while the world rushes past.

History is full of these discoveries—paintings found in dusty attics that later prove to be priceless works of art, quiet neighborhoods that hold architectural wonders, or overlooked voices that eventually reshape entire movements. But what if one of those hidden treasures was not a painting or a monument? What if it were a church?

Across our denomination, we often hear about radical hospitality—the sacred calling to welcome others with warmth, dignity, and grace. And while that principle is vital to the life of the church, every once in a while, you encounter something even deeper. Something that goes beyond hospitality. Something that touches the soul of worship itself. You encounter radical spirituality.

Nestled quietly in the downtown district of Kentucky’s capital city stands a church that, at first glance, appears like many historic congregations within the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Its architecture bears the dignified marks of time. Its presence in the community is steady and faithful. To the casual passerby, it might seem like just another historic church that has faithfully served generation after generation. But appearances can be deceiving. Because there is nothing ordinary about what happens inside those walls.

That church—this hidden gem—is St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Frankfort, Kentucky, and under the dynamic and visionary leadership of the Reverend LaVeeshia Pryor, something truly remarkable is unfolding. From the moment you walk through the doors until the moment you step back out into the streets of the capital city, a spirit is unmistakably present. It is not the result of elaborate production, expensive technology, or carefully orchestrated programming. It is the result of a congregation and a pastor who are deeply committed to authentic spiritual life.

Having had the privilege of visiting churches and Episcopal districts across our denomination, I can say without hesitation that St. John AME Church stands as one of the true diamonds of our connection. It is one of those rare places where worship feels genuine, faith feels alive, and the Spirit of God moves freely among the people. 

You might naturally ask, What makes this church so remarkable? Like many messages heard on a Sunday morning, allow me to offer three observations that reveal why St. John AME Church is truly a hidden jewel within our denomination.

First — Worship That Is Naturally Spirited. What I witnessed was worship in its most authentic form. There was nothing manufactured about the experience. No elaborate band, no dazzling high-tech screens, and no carefully staged production designed to impress the eye. Yet the sanctuary was filled with something technology can never create—the unmistakable presence of the Spirit of God.

The worship was spirited, heartfelt, and deeply sincere. Voices lifted, hands raised, and hearts opened in a way that reminded every person present that when the Spirit moves, no embellishment is required. The power of genuine praise filled the room and lifted the entire congregation.

Second — Officers Who Serve Within Their Spiritual Gifts. My visit happened to fall on Lay Sunday, a day that often includes prepared remarks and recognitions. As the service unfolded, however, something remarkable occurred. The Holy Spirit electrified the worship experience. The atmosphere became so spiritually charged that the program itself yielded to the movement of worship. The congregation rejoiced together as a new member joined the church, and the service flowed naturally to its conclusion.

What stood out most was the humility of the officer scheduled to give remarks. There was no attempt to reclaim the microphone. No subtle signals to interrupt the pastor. No effort to return to the printed program. Instead, the officer surrendered to the Spirit, choosing worship over recognition and allowing the moment to remain centered on God rather than on personal participation. In that moment, leadership was not merely demonstrated—it was embodied through humility, discernment, and spiritual maturity.

Third — A Brotherhood of Young Men Drawn to the Altar. Perhaps the most striking moment of all came from the younger generation. This was the first church I have visited where young men and boys noticeably outnumbered young women in attendance. Not only were they present—they were engaged. They worshiped together. They listened together. They responded together.

And then something unforgettable happened. Led by a young man who had recently answered the call into ministry, six young men walked together to the altar to pray. Shoulder to shoulder, they knelt in unity before God. It was a powerful witness—one that offered hope for the future of the church and a reminder that when young men encounter authentic spirituality, they respond.

In a time when many worry about the absence of young men in the life of the church, here was a visible and moving example of what can happen when leadership nurtures spiritual growth in the next generation.

Much of what is unfolding at St. John AME Church can be traced to the leadership of the Rev. LaVeeshia Pryor. The Reverend Pryor is not simply a pastor occupying a pulpit—she is a servant leader who is clearly invested in the lives of the people she shepherds. Her ministry reflects a deep pastoral heart combined with a clear vision for what the church can become.

She leads with humility, authenticity, and spiritual conviction, sowing seeds into the lives of the congregation in ways that are already bearing fruit. Under her leadership, worship is vibrant, leadership is engaged, and the next generation is being drawn closer to God. There is a quiet but unmistakable sense that this is only the beginning.

The Reverend Pryor’s leadership signals promise—not just for St. John AME Church in Frankfort, but for the wider connection of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She represents a generation of visionary pastors who understand both the sacred traditions of the church and the spiritual possibilities of its future. Indeed, one leaves St. John not only grateful for the experience of worship, but also curious—and even excited—about what the Rev. Pryor’s next chapter of leadership will bring. Because if what is happening now is any indication, she truly has much more to offer the church.

Sometimes the greatest treasures are not loudly advertised. Sometimes the most powerful ministries are quietly shaping lives week after week within historic sanctuaries. And sometimes, right in the heart of a state capital, you discover a hidden jewel shining brightly for the Kingdom of God. At St. John AME Church in Frankfort, Kentucky, that jewel is already shining—and the rest of the church would do well to take notice.