The biennial National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) convened 300 attendees for a time of music, worship and fellowship that focused on honoring the past and envisioning the future.
It was like a warm hug from 300 of your favorite cousins.
In a predominantly White denomination – about 41,000 Black members among roughly 1 million total in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – the work of Black Presbyterians can feel overlooked. The caucus provides a vital space to address challenges specific to Black congregations that differ from those facing predominantly White churches.
The timing held special significance. The gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, officially began on Juneteenth, which is a few days after the anniversary of the White supremacist shooting at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME church, where nine Black people were murdered during Bible study.
Despite these solemn reminders, the conference theme – “Your Labor in the Lord is Not in Vain” – provided an optimistic vision.
Leadership and vision
The Rev. Dr. Charles Heyward, concluding his term as president, referenced 1 Corinthians 15:58 in his opening sermon: “Your labor is not in vain. Your labor is today to actively be the people of God in the earth, in spite of all the challenges.” He encouraged spiritual growth, Bible study, and congregational growth, asking attendees to organize their ministries around a 10% growth goal.
The Rev. Dr. Amantha Barbee emphasized the importance of empowering the next generation in Friday’s opening worship, sharing her experience of being the only Black person in Columbia Theological Seminary’s dining hall. “When you surrender to God, you do things you didn’t think you could,” she said.
Key presentations
Conference attendees heard from four main speakers during plenaries:
The Rev. Jermaine Ross-Allam, director of the Center for Repair of Historical Harms, discussed the American Colonization Society’s impact and emphasized the importance of reparations. He encouraged support for the RGJ-07 initiative that addresses the continuing lack of full-time, installed pastoral leadership in Black congregations.
Dr. Perzavia Praylow, who directs and manages Louisville Presbyterian Seminary’s Black Studies program, described the Black Church Cornerstone Collaborative’s work with rural Black Presbyterian congregations. A $5 million Lilly grant supports the initiative, and Praylow encourages congregations to apply for microgrants to address practical needs while fostering collaboration.
“We must get past the optics of church growth being aligned with how many people we have,” Praylow said. “Church growth has to be more than that. We can’t wait for young people to join the church. We have to do the work of ministry right now.”
The Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson and Rev. Dr. Aisha Brooks-Johnson led an interactive lectio divina workshop, incorporating Scripture reading, individual reactions to the Scripture, and moments of contemplative silence.
Throughout workshops and conversations, recurring themes emerged: engaging youth and young adults, promoting inclusivity, defining growth, addressing presbytery injustices, and making the caucus more viable in the long term.
Awards and recognition
Thursday’s Lucy Craft Laney Awards Brunch honored several leaders:
- Elder Juanita Eldridge (Grace Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem) received the Lucy Craft Laney Award
- Rev. Dr. Jerrod Lowry (Presbytery of Coastal Carolina) received the Innovation in Ministry Award
- Rev. Dr. Jimmie Hawkins (PC(USA) Office of Public Witness) received the Drum Major for Justice Award
- Rev. SanDawna Ashley (Synod of the Northeast) received the Maria Fearing Award
- Rev. Dr. Danny C. Murphy (Trinity Presbytery of South Carolina) received the Edler G. Hawkins Award
The gathering also celebrated General Assembly Co-Moderator CeCe Williams’ birthday by singing Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday.”
Women of Impact Gala
Friday evening’s gala honored three transformative leaders:
Rev. Dr. Arlene Gordon, former executive presbyter and president of the NBPC, was recognized for her justice advocacy and church revitalization work, including the growth of one congregation from 20 to 240 members.
Rev. Dr. CeCe Armstrong, co-moderator of the 226th General Assembly, was celebrated for her heart-centered ministry and leadership. She emphasized the importance of remembering those who paved the way and continuing to mentor the next generation.
Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, who served as the Presbyterian Mission Agency president and the agent of the Matthew 25 initiative, was honored for her transformative leadership, courage and conviction, and she issued a charge in addressing systemic racism. “It’s not our first rodeo, but we want to act like it is,” she said. “We better come together like our ancestors did. The church has a role.”
Moving forward
In closing worship, Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo of Columbia Theological Seminary charged convention members and attendees to “take all that is out there and testify to the goodness of Jesus,” emphasizing full commitment to the work.
The caucus elected Rev. Dr. Jerome Bentley, former 224th General Assembly co-moderator, as president. “My focus is going to be on developing strong congregations and congregational leadership. The caucus is only as strong as our congregations,” Bentley said.
Mack Tuggle was elected treasurer, and a nominating committee was chosen, including Otis Smith, N’Yisrela Watts-Afriyie, Lauren Fields, Perzavia Praylow, and Shani McIlwain.
