South District Conference of the East Annual Conference Holds Bible Discovery Convention
South District Church Superintendents, officers, teachers, chaperones, and delegates were called to meet with Presiding Elder Eugene Moseley, Jr.; the Rev. Roger Williams, the South District Christian Education Director; and Sister Penny Wilson, the District Superintendent at Wayman Temple AME Church (West Campus) on June 5-7, 2019. They met under the new Banner of Bible Discovery Hour established by Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. and Dr. Connie Speights Richardson, the Episcopal Supervisor.
The Opening Worship and Communion Service was observed on Wednesday, June 5,with the Rev. Johnnie Johns, the pastor of St. Luke AME Church in St. Augustine, as the preacher for the hour. The scripture was Luke 23:38-43 and the subject was “The Lesson at the Cross.”
The South District gathered on Thursday, June 6. The Rev. James Pernell, Sr., the pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church in Green Cove Springs taught from the lesson for Sunday, June 9. The subject was “Jesus Seals the New Covenant” (Mark 14:32-50; 15).
The Rev. Williams, with the assistance of Sister Wilson, announced the organization of officers for the Bible Discovery Convention. It included secretaries and marshals.
The Plenary Session included reports from components from the Christian Education Department. The following reported: the Rev. Williams (Christian Education Department), Brother Byron Cohen (coordinator, Sons of Allen), Sister LuCretia McBride (Christian Debutante Masters Commission), Brother Herman Floyd (11thEpiscopal District Scouting Director, Greater Grant Memorial AME Church), and the Rev. Anthony Newton (New Zion AME Church in Watertown, representing the Richard Allen Young Adult Council).
After the clergy, delegates, and others went into various workshops, the Hour of Power began at 11:45 am with youth delegates in charge of the service. They were assisted by Minister of Music Angelo King (Wayman Temple AME Church, Jacksonville), Brother Robert Jackson (Greater New Hope AME Church, Jacksonville), and Brother Byron Cohen (St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine).
The Rev. Christopher Johnson, the pastor of Mt. Olive in Williston, spoke from the subject, “Your Best Life or Your Worse Life: The Choice is Yours,” from Deuteronomy 30:15-20. His points were that God has a land of promise for each of us; we have got to make a choice as choices have consequences; and choose life, choose Jesus.
The afternoon session began with the classes for all age groups. There was also a spelling bee. The Bible Discovery Bible Bowl’s coordinator was Sister Jacqueline Johnson (Phillip R. Cousin AME Church, Jacksonville) and it was hosted by Brother Jonathan Samuel (St. Stephen AME Church, Jacksonville). The youth were congratulated and rewarded for their participation.
The most anticipated portion of the Convention was the Youth & Young Adult Explosion with the Rev. Roderick Stevenson, the director of Worship and Outreach at Allen Temple AME Church in Tampa. Nine youth accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They were charged by the Rev. Stevenson to go back to their churches to win others to Christ.
On the closing day, the Rev. Pernell taught from the lesson for Sunday, June 16. It was entitled, “The New Covenant’s Sacrifice” from Hebrews 9:11-28). The closing Plenary Session was facilitated by the Rev. Williams and included a question and answer session for attendees.
Following awards, the Closing Hour of Power Service was held with the Rev. Malinda Samuel of St. Paul AME Church in Mayport, presiding. The preached word came from Brother Jonathan Samuel from St. Stephen AME Church in Jacksonville, who used John 10:7-10. He said that we have a lot of shepherds trying to be leaders but who continue to harm the sheep. While there are shepherd look-a-likes out there, God still has all power in His hands and new mercies every day.
Dr. Mark and Dr. Cynthia Griffin, along with Wayman Temple AME Church in Jacksonville, received rousing applause from the Convention for their gracious hospitality, service, and the love extended to the Bible Discovery Convention. The attendees were served a wonderful takeaway lunch and look forward to another great Bible Discovery Convention next year under the leadership of Presiding Elder Moseley and South District Consultant Sister Evelyn Moseley.
