Rev. Vivian Baker Castain became the first woman to serve as pastor in the Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, despite initial opposition from her Baptist relatives, and has continued to serve the church in various ways, including as a mentor to other women in ministry.
Category: Spiritual
Posted inSpiritual
Sweet Hope: How the Pandemic Helped Two Baltimore Churches Find Unity
When Rev. Dr. Terry Thornton conceived the concept for his doctoral dissertation, “A Discovery of a Pastoral Leadership Succession Plan and Its Benefits for Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church,” he […]
Posted inPreserved by Purpose
Preserved By Purpose: Processing Trauma
In the wake of recent traumas such as the Guadalupe River floods and the ongoing ICE detentions, Shewanda Riley encourages people to trust in God’s presence and deliverance, rather than expecting the trauma to miraculously disappear.
Posted inSpiritual
Beginners Need Bible Translations With Them in Mind
New believers should choose a Bible translation that is easy to understand, such as the New International Version (NIV), the New Living Translation (NLT), the English Standard Version (ESV), or the Contemporary English Version (CEV), and read it slowly and meditatively for a year to become familiar with Christ.
Posted inSpiritual
51 Caskets Drive Home the Impact of the Big Beautiful Bill
Moral Monday protesters in Washington, D.C. held a rally with 51 caskets representing 51,000 people who could die in the first year of the Big Beautiful Bill, which would cut healthcare to millions and harm hospitals.
Posted inSpiritual
Gay by the Grace of God: A Black Pastor’s Journey
Bishop Joseph Tolton is working to revitalize Pan Africanism and promote intersectional justice for LGBTQIA+ individuals, while countering the efforts of “family values” activists who are promoting oppressive restrictions on queer identity on the African continent.
Posted inCulture
From Middle-School Teacher to Gullah ‘Culture Keeper’
Anita Singleton Prather, a former middle school teacher, has been called by God to share the stories of God’s people, particularly those who look and live like her, through the Gullah Traveling Theater, Inc., in order to preserve the values of resilience, optimism, tenacity, and faith that have carried her ancestors through generations.
Posted inSpiritual
Paula Patton Finds Redemption in Drama ‘Finding Faith
You could say faith is a noble endeavor and should be the hope of every well-lived life. Hebrews 11:1 defines it as the “substance of things hoped for, the evidence […]
Posted inSpiritual
Spreading the Good Word, Through Good Works
Mention the word “seminary,” and what might come to mind is a leafy green campus, anchored by a stately cathedral, with aspiring ministers poring over the Bible and gray-bearded professors […]
Posted inPreserved by Purpose
Preserved By Purpose: Will Real Christians Stand Up for Godly Compassion?
Christian leaders need to speak out against the inhumane and unjust deportation policies of the current administration, as the Bible encourages us to love our neighbors as ourselves.