 The Black Leadership and Ministry track invites pastors and leaders who are currently engaged in the Black Church tradition to participate in education from a Black Theological perspective,” describes the Nazarene Theological Seminary website concerning one of its Doctor of Ministry tracks. “The uniqueness of the Black Church experience, exemplified in the racial injustices that continue to plague Black communities, requires theological education and scholarly analysis from a Black Theological perspective.” This is the program Anthony D. Bobo, Jr. (Senior Associate, The Joseph Factor Group) was selected to participate in. The first “face to face” meeting of the Fall 2022 Doctor of Ministry in Black Leadership and Ministry cohort met in Kansas City, Missouri the week of September 11, 2022, on the Nazarene Theological Seminary campus. This week was filled with in class discussion on trauma and participant presentations of community trauma analysis, site visits, as well as spiritual encouragement. What a week!  The first night students had dinner with the school’s president, Jeren Rowell, and other staff. During the week, the cohort visited St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (Reverend Dr. Charles Wesley Thurman, Jr., Pastor, and Associate Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program) where there was a presentation by counselor Shamika Pegue who discussed Trauma Informed Church. The group also participated in a “prayer walk” where they walked the neighborhood, prayed, interacted with the neighbors, and listened to the voice of God. They also visited historic St. James Methodist Church where they spent time with Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (former pastor) and his son Reverend Dr. Emanuel Cleaver, III (current pastor). The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art African Art collection was visited and reflections of the group on how what they saw relates to what was learned during the week.  Dr. Rev. Cleaver III (left) Congressman Cleaver II (right)  Stain glass window in St James sanctuary. “I am so honored and blessed to be a part of such a theologically rich program in my context as a leader in the community,” shares Bobo. “The cohort members are amazing, the school’s credibility and openness is encouraging, and the program is challenging yet inspiring.” We are so proud of our Senior Associate and how he continues to serve the community and further pursue academic greatness. Click HERE to learn more about the Nazarene Theological Seminary, Doctor Of Ministry In Black Leadership And Ministry.  The NTS D Min Black Leaders In Ministry Cohort  “We cannot do this work!” Anthony D. Bobo, Jr., Senior Associate of the Joseph Factor Group shares as he reflects on the partnership discussion experience. “God never intended for ministry to be done as a solo project, but a ministry is community of fellowship.”
On August 26, 2022, a team from Influential Global Ministries (IGM) met with the Reformed Church of America (RCA) African American Black Council (AABC) in Chicago. The AABC is the voice of African American and black congregants and congregations in the RCA. As they explore advocating for policies of inclusion and economic, social, and racial justice, AABC brought in Dr. Efrem Smith (IGM co-founder) and the IGM team to work through ideas of rediscovering the black church, reimagining ministry, and re-engaging communities. IGM focuses on equipping and releasing cross-cultural, reconciling, justice-oriented, and metropolitan disciple-makers through leadership development, church planting movements, and church revitalization. Bobo served as lead facilitator of the session. Dr. Smith shared the Theology of Change and how God is a God of change and invited us to be His change agents here on earth. IGM Team member Jonathan Banks (Chief Operating Officer, Urban Outreach Foundation) imploded the group to engage youth. In fact, he says that “the expiration date of your church is already written by how your youth ministry looks.” Other IGM Team members Dr. Joy Johnson (Founder, Dr. Joy Johnson Ministries) and Dr. Robert Owens (Chief Executive Officer, Rivers of Life) shared their wisdom and experiences in revitalizing churches and engaging communities. “It was a blessing to be with the AABC,” says Bobo, “to help explore a path forward in partnership, fellowship, and collaboration.” To have the IGM Team come to visit your organization, please reach out to them at sankofa@influentialglobal.com. |
