The Contemporary Relevance of Legacy
By Dr. Brenda R. Simmons-Hutchins, 11th Episcopal District
Joshua 4:20-22 says, “Those twelve stones, which they had taken out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal, saying to the Israelites, ‘When your children ask their parents in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel crossed over the Jordan here on dry ground.’” The 2019 edition of the Ethel Brooks-Thelma Johnson Vacation Bible Institute achieved another record in the history of St. Paul AME Church. The lesson content was locally-created, developed, and implemented with a vision to make biblical teaching and learning religious, relevant, and rich.
This unique Vacation Bible Institute served as a “soft opening” of the 150th celebration of St. Paul AME Church, whose current pastor is the Rev. Dr. Marvin C. Zanders, II. Pastor Zanders’s opening remarks focused the attention to the rich legacy of African Americans that began deep in the lands of Africa where our foremothers and father’s reigned as kings and queens and who built a great culture of astute mathematicians, engineers, architects, writers, and religious leaders. Both Pastor Zanders and Dr. Brenda R. Simmons-Hutchins put forth the challenge found in the words of the great scholar, the late Dr. Asa Hilliard, “Free Your Mind, Return to the Source.”
Returning to the source, indeed, was the order for the opening day. The Institute commenced with something that would be least expected: a tour of the St. Paul campus. Much like tours of museums and monuments, the session began with a video presentation and small tour groups rotated through the campus learning about the history of St. Paul by strategically-stationed docents who spoke about the people who have left indelible legacies upon St. Paul and the community.
For the remainder of the week, the classroom professors implemented the intergenerational lessons and invoked deep, provocative, and engaging lessons based upon the curriculum prototype developed by Dr. Hutchins. The lessons delved deeper into the lives of selected biblical characters examining three areas: early life and education; marriage and family; and career and public impact. These biblical personalities were paired with local leaders whose lives and contributions compared and contrasted. The personal stories shared by the local leaders added deeper meaning and provided real-time experience with community leaders and elders.
All aspects of the Legacy VBI including games, arts, and crafts addressed the theme and was capped by the music ministry, which provided melodious and meaningful refrains such as:
I just want to leave a legacy.
I want them to remember me because of Jesus
I’ve only got one life to live
I’ve got to do my best and give because of Jesus.
The biggest joy was the fire ignited in our youth to make their mark upon society. We are grateful for the seed planted by Pastor Zanders, the opportunity to water it, and the blessings of increase from God our Father.
Dr. Brenda R. Simmons-Hutchins serves as the director of Christian Education for St. Paul AME Church in Jacksonville, Florida. The Rev. Marvin C. Zanders, II, is the senior pastor.
