The Christian Recorder - $10 Million Lilly Endowment Grant Expands Support for Turner Theological Seminary and Partner Schools

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 29, 2025 Turner Theological Seminary is among the theological schools benefiting from a $10 million grant awarded by Lilly Endowment Inc. to New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS). The grant, made through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, expands the work of AdminWise, a nonprofit shared-services organization that provides essential administrative and operational support to seminaries and church-related schools nationwide. The grant will support efforts to strengthen partner institutions by expanding shared services in recruitment, financial aid, human resources, advancement, marketing and communications, information technology, healthcare, and other critical administrative areas. By relieving schools of these operational burdens, AdminWise allows them to focus on preparing students for faithful and effective ministry while improving long-term sustainability. President & CEO Dr. Ammie L. Davis believes, “The Pathways for Tomorrow initiative affirms that the future of theological education depends on innovation, collaboration, and shared responsibility. Through this partnership, Turner Theological Seminary is advancing a shared-services model that strengthens institutional capacity and supports the long-term sustainability of theological education nationwide.” The project builds on the success of AdminWise, a nonprofit created with support from earlier Lilly Endowment grants to help theological schools reduce costs, enhance services, and mitigate institutional risk. Through this collaboration, TTS and partner schools are strengthening their operations and contributing to a more sustainable future for theological education. Collaborating institutions include Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, The Aquinas Institute, Bethany Theological Seminary, Eden Theological Seminary, Gammon Theological Seminary, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Turner Theological Seminary, and Western Theological Seminary.

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Share Tweet Forward The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright © 2025 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.

The Christian Recorder - Introducing the Blessings from the 17th Episcopal District

By Supervisor Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd, 17th Episcopal District Join me as I look back on August of last year–the exuberance of seeing the Rev. Vernon Byrd, Jr.’s name listed among the Bishops of the church! We were excited to be assigned to Africa. Afterwards, we were overjoyed to meet our district leaders. There were hugs all around. In a low voice, one person said, “You ain’t never been no place like this before!” Smiling, I assured them that I had been to several African countries. Yet, once more, they repeated those words. It wasn’t long before I realized that they were correct! Bishop Byrd asked a question, and the room fell silent. Thinking he must not have been heard, he repeated it: “Where is the Episcopal residence in Zambia?” he innocently asked. Once more—dead silence. One brave soul dared to speak the unhappy answer to the question: “We do have one, Bishop… but it’s uninhabitable.” We later learned that the Bishops before us had spent quite a bit of money to build what was once a beautiful residence.  Unfortunately, at some point, the marauders of the night had taken the beautiful wood, piping, doors, etc., leaving the once-beautiful residence a shell of itself. I searched the internet  to learn about the district, and found that of the five countries to which we had been assigned, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Congo Brazzaville were listed among the most impoverished and underdeveloped in the world. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have been engaged in civil wars, and the DRC is presently attempting to recover from a civil war that is cited to have left some 3 million people without homes, clothing, food, and living in encampments, and traveling to Zambia took 29 hours.  Nevertheless, God has been on the ground through the African Methodist Episcopal Church.   Longtime friend and miracle worker in the DRC, AME Presiding Elder John Weaver was able to aid Bishop Byrd in getting food to those in the nearby encampment, although some other NGOs had been blocked from doing so.  Bishop Byrd’s recent visit found Rwanda to be beautiful, impeccably clean, and organized.  Praise God for their incredible recovery and a shining example of a truth that few seem to understand. The truth is that when left alone and not ravaged for its riches or colonized by bigoted outsiders, Africa can rule itself quite well! The Good News is that, due to Bishop Byrd’s visits to Rwanda and the DRC, I was introduced to women there and began the first AMEC WMS in both Rwanda and the DRC! The well-organized WMS in Zambia was overjoyed to be able to include their other sisters in their planning and meeting.  The women in both Rwanda and the DRC were excited and emotional, stating that they now felt a part of the AMEC. Because of recent health struggles, I have been unable to travel for more than a day, which is the time it takes to get to the 17th District.   But God has sent Zoom to “help a sistah out!” Despite technical and electrical issues and the lengthy time meetings take due to the need to translate everything into two languages, successful WMS programming has been achieved in Zambia, Rwanda, and the DRC. All of our programs aim to increase spiritual enrichment and teach women marketable entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to provide for their families. Rwanda The Women’s Missionary Society of (WMS) Rwanda initiated “The Rabbit Project” in July 2025 as part of its economic empowerment and food security mission. The project aimed to provide vulnerable and low-income women with an accessible and sustainable means of income through rabbit farming. With the initial goal of teaching 30 women, financial assistance from the Revs. Drs. Ray and Gloria Hammond of Bethel AMEC Boston, and Dr. Iva Carruthers of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference, St. Matthew AMEC Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia-area WMS, we were able to graduate 89 women from the program.    We had: A 95% survival rate of the rabbits. Over 60% of the female rabbits gave birth, with litters ranging from 6 to 9 kits. 22 women reported already selling 2–4 rabbits each, earning between 10,000 and 25,000 RWF. 18 women reported improved household nutrition due to consuming rabbit meat. The Democratic Republic of Congo The program selected by this WMS was entitled “Empowering Women through Basket Weaving in Goma”, to teach 30 widows and war survivors the art of basket weaving as a financial resource. This 3-month program had the slogan "Sharing God's Love, Transforming Lives".    Women aged 40-60 were targeted as the first participants. With financial help from the Rev. Charles Wilkins, the Rev. Regena Thomas, sister Grend Reid, and the Grant Chapel AMEC, New Jersey, we were able to increase the program, pay translators and teachers, and offer snacks to participants. With the help of licensed Black psychologists and Christian/pastoral counselors from across the U.S. who have volunteered their time and talent, we are beginning the work of offering two six-week therapeutic groups for adults experiencing the effects of war trauma/PTSD.   Zambia The Zambian AMEC district WMS continues to address the issue of poverty and       food insecurity, in varied ways:  Offering an outreach ministry supporting local hospitals with food and bedding.   Creating female entrepreneurs by teaching the marketable skills of tailoring and dressmaking. (Because of the benevolence of the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Deforrest and Donna Soaries, two additional sewing machines were purchased).  A food program for orphans and vulnerable children Assuming the responsibility to paint the orphanage as well!       I give thanks to those who supported these programs and to all the Supervisors who came before me.  We need your help to keep the programming going.  Every little bit will help. Your money will be used for: Purchasing  food for those living in critical levels of food insecurity   Paying modest stipends to translators and teachers Purchasing additional sewing machines and other sewing materials  Purchasing one male and one female rabbit for each participant  Required medical exam and shots for each rabbit Cages, food, and other necessities for rabbit care The cost for travel to U.S. conferences (fees, room, and board for connectional WMS meetings) for one person is about $5,000! Sending a 17-lb. box via UPS to Zambia costs $1,500. (Other venues are similarly priced). To support, please send checks made out to the "17th Episcopal District AMEC WMS" to Supervisor Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd P.O. Box 181 Rocky Hill, New Jersey 08553.

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Share Tweet Forward The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright © 2025 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.

Breaking News: AME member sworn in as Vice President of Namibia

On March 22, 2025, Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi was sworn in as the fourth Vice President of Namibia. Mrs. Witbooi was born in Gabes, Namibia. She has a Grade 12 Certificate from Suiderling Senior Secondary School, Keetmashoop (1979), a Higher Primary Education Certificate at the University of Namibia [UNAM] (1996), a Diploma in Education from Azaliah College for Further and Higher Education (1997) and Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Port Elizabeth (1999). As a career educator, Mrs. Witbooi taught for over twenty years as Head of Department at Dr. W.M. Jodl Primary School and  Gibeon Schools cluster convenor for counseling. Since 2009, she has served in the National Assembly of Namibia, representing the SWAPO (South West African People's Organization) Party of Namibia. Per the Namibian Constitution, the President of Namibia is vested with the power to appoint a Vice President from among the elected members of the National Assembly. The last election was held in December 2024. The appointment of Mrs. Witbooi by the recently elected President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is historic, as it is the first time in Namibian history that the top executive offices are held by women. Bishop Henry A. Belin III, Presiding Prelate of the 15th Episcopal District, was at the Government House swearing-in ceremony. Mrs. Witbooi is a member of St. Mark AME Church in the Gibeon District of the Namibia Annual Conference. She has served in various capacities in the Women's Missionary Society at the local, area, and conference levels.  She was married to the late Rev. Adam Witbooi and has three children. Her father-in-law, the late Rev. Hendrick Witbooi, was the former deputy prime minister and an AME pastor.   This is a photo of Bishop Henry A. Belin III greeting Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia, at the swearing-in ceremony at the State House in Windhoek, Namibia.

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The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright ©  2025 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.

Join us as celebrate Black History Month on our TCR Book Dialogue with Dr. Christina Davidson

Click here to watch the discussion Click here to learn more about the book Dominican Crossroads.

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Share Tweet Forward The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright © 2025 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.

Celebrate Rev. Jarena Lee with the Connectional AME Women in Ministry!

Yesterday, February 11, the Connectional AME Women in Ministry, under the leadership of President Joy Gallmon, held a virtual service, "Commemorating the Legacy of Jarena Lee," to celebrate the birthday of the first AME woman licensed to preach.  Click here for more information about AME Women in Ministry. Click here to watch the video

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Share Tweet Forward The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright © 2025 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.