Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Hosts ACLC Prayer Breakfast
Contributed by Rev. Tom Cutts
“During the days of Jesus’s life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect,he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him … ” (Hebrews 5:7-9).
Rev. George Augustus Stallings Jr., the national co-chair of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), was the keynote speaker at the ACLC Prayer Breakfast in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, April 30, 2016. He gave a challenging message to the audience of 80 people who had gathered at the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, known as “the jewel of Brooklyn.”
Rev. Stallings said each believer not only should believe and follow Christ but also should become a “little messiah”. Jesus calls each of us to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48). We are made of the same stuff as Jesus, and if we are not “anointed ones” ourselves, how can we do “greater works” than those done by Jesus? (John 14:12)
Just as President Obama will transfer his power and authority to the next president on Friday, January 20, 2017, on the Day of Pentecost Jesus transferred his Power or dunamis to his disciples (those who “work in the footsteps” of another) and his apostles (those “sent out”). On the Day of Pentecost the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and three thousand people were baptized on that day. “God is challenging us to manifest that same dunamis in our own lives,” said Rev. Stallings. “We are not doing that now, however, because we do not know who we are, and though we talk the talk, we fail to walk the walk.”
The Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, executive pastor and spiritual engineer at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, was the host pastor. His son and assistant to the pastor, Rev. Joel R. Youngblood, was the master of ceremonies during the program.
After breakfast in the Fellowship Hall, participants performed a “Jericho walk,” going out to the street and walking around the corner to enter the main sanctuary from the front door.
The program began with Holy Communion conducted by Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood and the deacons. An invocation was offered by Bishop Antoinette Dreckette, pastor of United Holy Revival Church, also in Brooklyn. ACLC National Executive Director Rev. Tom Cutts then welcomed the attendees, explaining how at every Sunday Service at Mount Pisgah the ancestors and those who helped bring each person to Christ are appreciated. Rev. Cutts explained the value of this filial, pious practice, and how God is the ancestral root of all of us.
Pastor Lea O’Neal, founder and pastor of the Friends Christian Church in Brooklyn, led a responsive reading taken from Matthew 5:43-45 and Luke 6:32-36. These passages referred to Jesus’s teaching to love even one’s enemies, and to give love and forget that one has given. Rev. Sulanch Lewis, the ACLC national co-president who is also the co-chair of ACLC Women in Ministry, invited all to the ACLC Women in Ministry Retreat which will be held at the Imani Temple in Suitland, Maryland, from June 10 – 12. Throughout the program music was provided by Minister Brandon Smith (keyboard), Minister Sean Coleman (vocals), and Minister Kim Brothers (audiovisual).
A video introducing ACLC and the Marriage Blessing movement was shown. The video featured the story of Pastor T.L. Barrett of Chicago, who was reunited with his children’s mother after ten years of separation, divorce, and her remarriage. True Parents, who co-founded ACLC, had predicted that Pastor Barrett would be reunited with his ex-wife “very soon.” In less than a week, she returned to Pastor Barrett. Master of ceremonies Rev. Joel Youngblood made a heartfelt comment that many marriages, including clergy marriages, might have been saved had these couples met ACLC sooner.
Rev. Stallings delivered his dynamic and powerfully anointed keynote address. He is an eloquent orator, and spoke with conviction, awakening the spirit of many. Leaving the pulpit, he moved around the sanctuary and allowed the spirit of Christ to speak through him.
Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood delivered concluding remarks and offered the benediction. He thanked God for the life and spirit of True Parents. He also welcomed ACLC to Mount Pisgah for future Prayer Breakfasts, Prayer Luncheons, Prayer Dinners or even afternoon snacks.