26th African American Fellowship Conference Emphasizes Loving Neighbors

The 26^th Annual African American Fellowship of Texas (AAFTX) Conference met at First Woodway Baptist Church July 8-11. This year’s theme was “Together We Will Succeed,” referencing Acts 2:1b, which said of the early church, “They were all together in one place.” Various Baptist-related organizations were present as vendors, including Logsdon Seminary.

Logsdon Seminary representative at conference

The conference began with a traditional Sweet Hour of Prayer or SHOP time on Monday, with a full day of workshops and missions projects on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, the Culp Banquet honored the first seven presidents of the African American Fellowship of Texas. The Culp Banquet celebrates the legacy of Dr. James W. Culp, Sr.

Wednesday and Thursday’s worship services were led by Dr. Breonus M. Mitchell, Sr., pastor of Keller Springs Baptist Church. On Thursday, the 2019-20 AAFTX installed their officers for the new year. The new president is Kenneth O. Jackson, pastor of New Light Baptist Church in Lubbock. Vice president will be Edward Wagner, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Harker Heights/Killeen.

Workshops were available for ministers, spouses, and lay leaders interested in choir, church administration, church starting, crisis prevention, culture, discipleship, evangelism, family, and the next generation.

One workshop was titled “Fight the Fear: Learning to Love our Muslim Neighbors” led by Ran Espanioly, Cross-Cultural Mobilizer for Texas Baptists. “Fear builds walls, but compassion and love build bridges,” he said.

Espanioly, who grew up in Nazareth, now resides in the metroplex. “We don’t have to go overseas to find other cultures,” he said. “The mission field is in our own communities.

According to Espanioly, ministering to Muslim populations begins is developed through relationships. “Don’t view them as a project or a program; they are people created in the image of God,” he said.

Espanioly says many churches can minister to Muslim refugees and international students in their communities. He offered many resources, including a book titled Hummus, Haircuts, and Henna Parties: Creative Ways to Reach Out to Muslims.

Another workshop was titled “Remember the Prisoner: Criminal Justice Reform and the Church.” Kathryn Freeman, Director of Public Policy for Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, shared information about the number of prisoners in the U.S., especially the high percentage of African American and Hispanic incarcerated individuals.

Freeman shared ways for churches to get involved with this issue at the capitol, in their community, and in their church. She highlighted justice reform organizations like Smart-On-Crime which aim to rehabilitate ex-offenders. She also encouraged churches to be welcoming to returning citizens by starting support groups and partnering with local businesses to create employment opportunities.

One easy change Freeman suggested was simply to refer to people exiting the prison system as “formerly incarcerated individuals” or “returning citizens.” Terms such as “felons” or “ex-convicts” can be dehumanizing for these individuals who already need to overcome many obstacles to reenter society.