ACLC Prayer Breakfast: Women in Ministry

On Saturday April 23, 2016, there was an American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) Prayer Breakfast at the Berean Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. Rev. Dr. Jeffery T. Garland hosted the program with Minister Reiko Jenkins as the keynote speaker where she spoke on the topic of ACLC: Women in Ministry (WIM).

The program had an excellent turnout thanks to Rev. Hitoshi Onishi, Rev. Kathleen Sato, and the rest of the outreach team from New Jersey.

The event was from 8:30 to 11:30AM with forty participants attending. There was a lot support from the Clifton Family Church, especially from District 3 Pastor Manoj Jacob who stayed for the entire program. He greeted the guests on behalf of District 3.

There were also several ministers, including Deacon Thomas, Pastor and First Lady Wei, and Deacon Johnson from Elder Page’s church. One of the new pastor’s wife, First Lady Green, attended the meeting. Deacon Johnson also brought two of her five great-granddaughters.

The program began with a very nice breakfast of scrambled eggs, grits, bacon, and sausage. Then the choir from the Clifton Family Church delighted the participants with music. Mrs. Cynthia Nakai also gave an accordion performance where she played a Venetian gondola tune and an Austrian Polka.

Rev. Jesse Edwards was asked to say a few words. Then he invited up Rev. Tanya Edwards who also played the accordion and together they shared some songs they sang thirty years ago in their evangelistic crusades. The pastors had a great time, and sang along. During their final song, the audience spontaneously rose to their feet. It was a delightful celebration.

Rev. Sulanch Lewis and Rev. Thomas Cutts were also invited up to the podium to extend greetings on behalf of ACLC Co-Chairmen, Dr. Ki Hoon Kim and Rev. George Augustus Stallings, and the ACLC National Headquarters.

Then, Rev. Sato read a portion of True Mother’s address titled, Opening, Inheriting and Fulfilling the Era of the Victory, Liberation and Completion. In her speech, True Mother explained that women are not born just to help or to be protected by men. Women are interdependent individuals who, as representatives of the other half of God’s nature, are meant to complete men, and vice versa. Going beyond the century of power and technology, women will be the central axis in building the century of love and a culture of peace.

Finally, Minister Reiko Jenkins passionately gave an inspiring sermon about “Putting Faith into Action.” She shared about the ACLC WIM activities of 2015, and their plans for 2016. She also explained how true love and living for the sake of others can heal and unite all humankind.

Minister Jenkins was thanked with flowers. The Berean Baptist Church Director of Hospitality also received a bouquet of flowers. After the program, many participants stayed after to continue their warm and spirited fellowship.