Soaring Beyond Limitation
The determination of any success of an organization is measured in part by its ability to endure challenges, longevity, and be dynamic. To be dynamic is characterized by constant change, activity, or progress. The 16th District certainly meets this characterization during this devastating pandemic by following the 16th District theme, “Soaring Beyond Limitation.”
Winston Churchill’s quote “Never let a good crisis go to waste” is appropriate to the work in Belize, Brazil, and Cuba. The pandemic served as an opportunity to do something we have not previously experienced. The 16th District is glad to report that a crisis has not gone to waste. In addition to continuing missions we serve in the various countries, extraordinary efforts were realized.
On August 8, 2020, the Tabernacle of Praise was officially established in Belize City, Belize. The Rev. Laurier Vaughn is the pastor. This historic event was 20 years in the making by the fervent prayers and labor of Sister Virginia Echols. Sister Echols is a life-long member of the AME Church, growing up in Vernon Chapel AME Church in Detroit, Michigan. After serving the country of Liberia in the Peace Corps, she moved to Belize and tried to establish an AME Church.
In 2017, after heeding her call and others, the 16th District took a mission team to Belize City. The team consisted of the Rev. Kenneth C. Christmon, the pastor of Turner Chapel AME Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana; the Rev. William L. Gary, the pastor of Wayman Chapel AME Church in Kokomo, Indiana; Mrs. Estella Shockley, the former president of the Missouri WMS and a missionary at Tri-Union AME Church in St. Louis, Missouri; and the Rev. Dr. Carlos Perkins, the then-pastor of St. Luke AME Church and the Rev. Carla Perkins, the associate minister at St. Luke AME Church in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The efforts consisted of supporting children and youth group homes, women’s and men’s prisons, and churches.
After the inaugural mission, the 16th District—in partnership with Bethel AME Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the Rev. Mashod Evans is the pastor and Pastor John F. White, the pastor of Immanuel Temple AME Church in Pembroke, Florida—continued the mission with significant contributions to building and rebuilding physical structures for the elderly and continuing the ongoing missions to the children, youth groups homes, and elderly homes. Bethel Ann Arbor also provided health fairs which included medical education, basic dental and hygiene supplies, and blood pressure checks.
We thank God for Pastor Vaughn who joined the AME Church and was re-obligated in the Dominican Republic Annual Conference. Tabernacle of Praise continued the mission efforts supporting the community with food and household supplies.
Bishop John Franklin White introduced the AME Church in Brazil at the 2016 General Conference. This work expanded in the pandemic particularly in Salvador, Bahia. Libertade AME Church and Caipe AME Church were established in various regions in Salvador. These churches were motivated by the force of the Gospel in the heart of groups of black people who, for a long time, prayed and planned for a church that combines spirituality, community empowerment, and social justice.
Many of the leaders of the church had been exposed to Dr. James Cone and Dr. Dennis Dickerson and saw the AME Church as a model for their work. After much prayer and discussion, the Rev. Dr. Pedro Acosta Leyva, Ph.D. and the Rev. Walter Passo took steps to organize these two communities to serve Liberdade and Caípe, in the renewal of Bahia, particularly in the Favellas. The Rev. Leyva was re-obligated by the Dominican-Brazilian Conference in February 2021.
Two other missions were established in the Rio Janerio area. They are Seropegdica and Barata/Realengo.
One of the significant goals of the 16th District set was to re-establish the AME Church’s presence in Cuba. Before the Cuban Revolution which ended in 1959, the AME Church had a productive work in Cuba. The churches were active in the life of our Zion, participating in various Connectional meetings including General Conferences. After the Revolution, contact with the churches in Cuba was lost.
Since 2016, much prayer and work occurred with what appeared to be fruitless. It seemed every contact failed in Cuba and the US. Every planned trip was cancelled and every partnership did not develop. The few AMEs identified in Cuba were either involved in other churches or afraid to come back.
Then, during the pandemic, Bishop Henning Byfield was contacted by a Cuban pastor who was friends with the Rev. Leyva about the possibility of joining the AME Church. The Rev. Leyva is a Cuban who shared the beliefs of African Methodism with Pastor Ilsido Carrion, an independent pastor who had been seeking the Lord for a place that respected his personhood and commitment to justice and equality.
After several Zoom conversations, information vetting, and prayer, it was decided the District would go forward with the possibility of restoration. Five churches are meeting with Bishop Henning Byfield and another seven who have expressed interest but are without reliable internet and COVID-19 rules restrict movement in Cuba.
While the re-establishment of an AME presence is still early, we give thanks to the Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown; Editor John Thomas, III; the Rev. Dr. Dennis Dickerson, Dr. Christine Davidson; Dr. Jualynne Dodson; the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Cooper; and Attorney Gerald Selby for their ongoing support to provide historical clarity and documents about the churches in Cuba and enable the handling of any legal steps. We seek your prayers that we will be able to complete the process during the pandemic.
Prayerful conversations are ongoing with the establishment of a mission in the San Juan area of Puerto Rico. Join us in prayer as we continue to serve the District to “Soar Without Limitation” and imagine God.
