A mighty spirit-filled “Celebration of God’s Faithfulness” took place Saturday, April 23, 2022, on the campus of Bethel AME Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Bishop Michael L. Mitchell, Presiding Prelate, Supervisor Cordelia D. Mitchell, along with members of the 12th Episcopal District joined together in recognizing Psalm 118:23, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes,” with a mortgage burning worship service for the Episcopal Headquarters, which also houses Jackson Theological Seminary. Attendees gathered for an occasion that signifies the realization of a vision guided by a dedicated, benevolent, and selfless leader in the person of Bishop Michael L. Mitchell and documents the committed and faithful follow-ship of the people of the 12th Episcopal District. This mortgage burning is significant because the 12th Episcopal District was able to satisfy all debt and obligations associated with a potential thirty-year mortgage in five short years.
General Co-Chairman set the atmosphere, Presiding Elder Tyrone Broomfield, serving as Worship Leader, and the General Chairman, Sister Melanie A. Hillard, extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to all in attendance. The 12thEpiscopal District presidents of the Lay Organization and the Women’s Missionary Society, Sister Natalie Horton and Sister Thelma Denton, respectively, participated by leading the Litany and Scripture reading. Representatives from every conference were also included in the worship experience. The 12th Episcopal District choir offered beautifully befitting musical selections, further ushering in God’s presence. However, the congregation simply could not contain their praise as Bishop Mitchell spontaneously began singing a cappella, “Father, I Stretch My Hand to Thee!” The worship experience was taken even higher as retired Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie preached a powerful word, “Be the See Something and Say Something AME Church,” taken from the combined texts of Psalm 34:8, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good” and Matthew 16:16, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Indeed, the works of the talented and dedicated Mortgage Burning Celebration committee, as well as the support of the members of the 12th Episcopal District, were acknowledged as instrumental in executing a celebration honoring the marvelous thing God has done for the people of the 12th Episcopal District.
The mortgage burning celebration was the culmination of the 12th Episcopal District’s Called to Serve Holy Convocation, which began April 21, 2022. Bishop Mitchell assured those in attendance were spiritually fed through powerful preaching and teaching by the Reverend Dr. Patrick Clayborn, Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Baltimore, Maryland. Throughout the convocation, dynamic messages were also given by the Reverend Tom Scott, Pastor, St. Paul AME Church, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and the Reverend Elijah Shafah, Pastor, Avery Chapel AME Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In addition, it was a blessing to have guest psalmists, the Reverends Patricia and Tracy McGeathey, St. Stephen, Jacksonville, Florida; Chief Financial Officer Marcus and Yolanda Henderson, Executive Director of Global Witness and Ministry Reverend Dr. John F. Green, President Dean Turner Theological Seminary the Reverend Dr. Ammie Davis and Connectional Women in Ministry President the Reverend Dr. Erika Crawford to come and share. Truly this historic occasion in the life of the 12th Episcopal District was an exemplary celebration of God’s unyielding faithfulness to his people, and we look forward to the wondrous works he has yet to perform.
