I love my church and our ministry. I was in a strange situation in t recently as I attended an event at a familiar location. The name of the place sounded familiar Though I’d never been there. The fact that I’m taking a new role in young adult leadership had my focus on being an ambassador of the church first and foremost on my mind. Within my new role, I’m finding out more about myself as I learn about others. I’m finding more about ministry, faith and commitment. As a newly appointed leader I went with my church to an event at Reid Temple AME. My pastor was the guest preacher for the night. Our church’s are quite close because of their relationship. They were both in the area many years ago. We were in attendance for the Pastor Lee P. Washington’s 25 Year Ministry Anniversary
Reid Temples AME Ministry under Lee P. Washington
I attended a recent event at the Reid Temple for leadership development. The leadership program was under Dr. John Maxwell’s 360 Degree leadership seminar. This one day event at Reid Temple was exciting, dynamic and life changing. I thought “What a visionary church to have such an amazing speaker.” I considered this church to be new and progressive with a mighty anointing.
The fact that they had a ministry for 25 years is a true blessing. The fact that the church had such progressive ideas working showed that the ministries are taking action. The church has a progressive website with real time streaming video. As the service goes on, you can watch the service from your computer. They have an evangelism outreach with a focus of giving potential new member business cards. They have a leadership program open to both insiders as outsiders. They have a school, credit union and two church campuses. They have more ministries that I ever imagined.
Reid Temples AME Faith under Lee P. Washington
One thing I noticed the last time I attended and event at Reid Temple AME was the membership. The members were steadfast and faithful. I was amazed at how they built such an amazing facility. It has marble foyers and many extraordinary appointments. But the faith I see is so much more than just what they have today.
I was reminded of my youth when my pastor mentioned that he knew Pastor Washington when he was on Michigan Avenue. Now sometimes in a sermon, you think the preacher is preaching to you. This time, I pretty much knew there had to be only a few people in the room that knew what or where Michigan Avenue was. In fact, I immediately started to look for the member I met last time I attended an event at this church. My pastor mentioned that the church on Michigan Avenue was no bigger than the current church’s alter.
With my pastors consistent Michigan Avenue revelations, my focus moved from the sermon back to my childhood. I visualized the modern looking small church at the top of a hill on Michigan avenue. This church was walking distance from my home. I walked to Reid Temple and past Reid temple often. When I thought more, I probably attended Pastor Washington’s first sermons at the church. My connection to the church was through a Caribbean family with whom my family is still close. Heck, I just came from a birthday party at one of their children house recently. Flabbergasted at the messages, I looked more for the person whom I new could confirm that this is indeed the same church. I just knew they were not there, but I had faith to keep looking. I left the church and decided to turn back around and re-enter the church to stay to fellow co-chairmen. I ran right into the person I’d been looking for all the time. He and his wife were in attendance for their Pastor’s Anniversary. I ask “this isn’t the same church is it?” ” Yes it is.” He replied with a smile. I was floored at the fearfulness his congregation must have shown to go from where they were to where they are now.
Reid Temples AME Commitment under Lee P. Washington
People think you can start out as a big mega church over night. Some people think that people just grow these churches everywhere. The commitment the Lee P Washington made shows is evidence in the works of the church. It takes commitment for a church to get to the level of the New Reid Temple AME. They have shown a commitment to the ministry and a faith that changes things in a mighty way.
I spoke to my mother after the event. She reconfirmed that this Reid Temple AME was the same little church on the hill from my youth. She played the piano for this church at one time. My extended family helped sow the alter rail covers for their old sanctuary. One close family member was the church’s former accountant. I was again shocked at how involved we were in this church when I was little. Today my cousin and many other family members still attend the church. She said that she tried to tell me this before I went to the prior event. I didn’t get the message until now. Had I been committed to find my cousin I’m certain I would have found he and his wife.
My commitments (in the fashion of “The secret”) right after I attended the service last night were on two things:
1) Confirming that this was the same church of my youth (which my family confirmed that night);
2) Getting a Salad which is all I could think about after getting my confirmation of the Reid Temple’s History (which the church fed us after service along with a fantastic meal).
While my commitments were not quite as expansive or lengthy as Reid Temple parishioners, it was quite satisfying immediately effective. My testimony is that I learned more about commitment last night. I congratulate the pastor on his success. And I applaud Reid Temple AME church on their commitment to the ministry and strong foundation of faith.
