African American Fellowship hosts conference, elects officers

FORT WORTH -- Powerful worship, thought-provoking sermons, and enlightening workshops made this year's African American Fellowship Conference on July 8-10 one to be remembered.

Over 200 guests representing 35 churches received a challenge at each of the three worship services held at Great Commission Baptist Church in Fort Worth to be armed and ready for spiritual warfare. Even children were taught to be ready for battle through daily games and lessons at "Camp Battlefield."

At the Culp Banquet, Dr. Howard E. Anderson, pastor of The Exciting Singing Hills Baptist Church in Dallas, presented a sermon on Ephesians 6 about putting on the armor of God to be prepared when trials come.

"You've got to be armed and ready for when you get into the devil's territory," he told the congregation. "You've got to tell him that Jesus said, 'My Word will never fail.'"

During the day, adults attended workshops facilitated by various African American church leaders and Texas Baptists faculty. From sessions about church planting to music ministry to special needs ministry, guests had the opportunity to choose which topics best fit their interests.

During Wednesday night's service, keynote speak Rev. Tolan J. Morgan, pastor of New St. Paul Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, presented a sermon on Christians being willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the gospel that brought the audience to their feet.

"If you're ready for God to do something new in your life, in your ministry, in your church, in your walk with God, something about you has to die," Morgan said. "Something about you has to be sacrificed."

After the sermon, the fellowship announced its officers for 2015. They re-elected the following officers: President Oscar Epps, pastor of Community Missionary Baptist Church in DeSoto; Vice President Ponce Brown, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in El Paso; Secretary Gleen Samuels, pastor of New Millennium Baptist Church in Lubbock; and Treasurer Elmo Johnson, pastor of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church in Houston.

During his second term as president, Oscar Epps envisions a year of growth for the African American Fellowship.