Matikane “Abe” Makiti, President
Connectional Lay Organization African Methodist Episcopal Church
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
As we stand on the threshold of another milestone in the life of our great Zion, I am honored to address you as President of the Connectional Lay Organization (CLO) of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. With gratitude and excitement, I encourage each of you to prepare for our upcoming Biennial Convention and the pivotal elections that will shape the future of our organization.
Over the past four years, the CLO has remained steadfast in its commitment to equipping, educating, and empowering laypersons for service within the AME Church. Through dedicated efforts, we have strengthened our educational initiatives and training opportunities and are enhancing our communication strategies to keep members informed and engaged.
Key accomplishments during this time have included advancing our Lay Witness Sunday and evangelism programs, providing prayer opportunities, and ensuring that every member has access to the tools necessary to be effective stewards of God’s work. Additionally, we have focused on increasing young adult participation, recognizing that they are the future torchbearers of our great church. We have also stood with our brothers and sisters in times of disaster, providing support and resources to help them rebuild and recover, demonstrating our commitment to Christian service in action.
In a significant step forward, I am pleased to announce that the Connectional Lay Organization has entered into a dynamic partnership with The Christian Recorder. As part of this collaboration, the CLO will provide insightful articles by elected officers and episcopal districts each month to be featured on the Lay Page in this esteemed publication, ensuring that the voices, concerns, and perspectives of the laity are heard throughout the AME Church. This initiative serves as an extension of our ongoing mission to inform, engage, and inspire lay members across our global connection. It also supports our mission to increase the circulation of church periodicals as we participate in a subscription drive.
As we approach the Biennial Convention, I encourage every lay member to actively participate, pray for our continued growth, and remain dedicated to the work of the Lord. This is an important time for us to reaffirm our commitment to our mission and the vision for the next chapter of the CLO. By staying focused on our strategic goals, we can build upon our foundation, maintain our commitment to excellence, and move forward with a shared purpose.
I thank God for the opportunity to serve and for the unwavering support of each layperson who has worked alongside me during this time. Your dedication fuels our collective success, and I am confident that the best is yet to come.
May God continue to bless the Connectional Lay Organization, The Christian Recorder, and the entire African Methodist Episcopal Church.
