Honoring the Rev. Dr. Hercules Miles, Jr.
By Rev. Dr. Alice Hubbard Crenshaw, 8th Episcopal District
The Rev. Dr. Hercules Miles, Jr., a retired general officer, reconnected with long-time members of the past. The Rev. Dr. Alice Hubbard Crenshaw and her daughter, Josette O. Peyton, visited with Dr. Miles in Atlanta, Georgia, during the General Board meeting held in January 2020.
“It was a wonderful reunion with the Rev. Miles after so many years,” said Josette, “it brought back so many good memories.” She was a young girl who watched and listened to his teaching and preaching before there was a Tri Union AME Church building. He showed so much love and concern to children and no child was left behind on any event, trip, or activity. If a parent did not have the means, it did not matter.
Tri-Union was being created through the union of three smaller churches and the Rev. Miles was able to bring them all together and build. We used to meet in a room in the AME Church Extension Office that was located along with Allen Travel. Tri-Union AME Church was built at 3030 North Grand Blvd Street in Louis, Missouri, in 1972. The membership grew from less than 20 persons to 300 congregants in less than two years.
What I know about administration and successful ministry came from observing the then Pastor Miles. He went on to become the Secretary-Treasurer of the AME Church Extension Department dealing with church growth.
The Rt. Rev. H. H. Brookins was the presiding prelate in the 5th Episcopal District. Under Pastor Miles, I learned how to properly follow the doctrine and discipline of the Church by listening and watching as Dr. Miles was guided by God and cared for the flock.
During that time, Dr. Miles was also the Director of Allen Travel Agency, business owned and operated by the AME Church. I became his administrative assistant and for several years, supervised the work performance of the travel agent staff. Meanwhile, I traveled the connectional church alongside Dr. Miles. As a result, I came to know the bishops and general officers as he had a special skill in entertaining AME Church dignitaries.
After running for 20 years, I responded to the Lord’s call to pastoral ministry. I implemented what I learned from Dr. Miles regarding conducting trustee, steward, and official board meetings and preparing paperwork for quarterly conferences. He made me a steward and placed me on the finance committee, where I gained church budgetary experience. I utilized these skills over many years in the 5th, 12th, and 8th Districts.
I thank God that my daughter and I encountered the successful pastoral ministry of the Rev. Dr. Hercules Miles, Jr. He taught me how to love the people as God loves them and to be a servant leader to God’s people rather than being served by the congregation. May God continue to bless him in all of his endeavors.
