Featured photo: Adonis Jamieson of GWT Mime in Pontiac did an emotionally moving mime performance.
Written by L. M. Land, with photos by L. M. Land
On Sunday, June 9, the red carpet rolled out to welcome all for a special Juneteenth program at Metropolitan Baptist Church. Dr. Tiffany Quinn was the emcee for this powerful evening of prayer, song and sermon, coordinated by Beverly Lewis.
Jowanne Carrigan began the program by singing the Black National Anthem. Metropolitian’s Silent Inspiration Praise Dancers youth program also performed, as well as singers the JOY Quartet and Judy Manning.
A powerful mime performance was given by Adonis Jamieson of Pontiac’s GWT Mime Ministry.
Metropolitan’s Pastor Stephen L. Murphy, Sr. concluded the evening with a message about powerful churches.
Understand that the following is a very brief summary of Murphy’s message; the whole message can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/MetroBTFlint/videos/worship-we-dont-own-the-rights-to-this-music/854725790020832) It is definitely worth your time to watch it.
Murphy asked, why are Black churches attacked, and others are not?
“Because if the powerful can be defeated, those who are protected by its power can be discouraged.”
According to Murphy, you need to understand the source of power in the Black Church and the dangers faced by a powerful church as well.
Churches that are not being attacked “are not doing anything or liberating anyone,” according to Murphy.
Murphy added these churches are not a threat.
Using Martin Luther King’s church, 16th Street Baptist Church, as an example, he explained that their activism made them strong, as well as a target. They did not break while threatened by the “European American Terrorists” because they were strong, working together and working in faith with Jesus.
The goals of the “colonized Christian church” have a theology that promotes weakness, according to Murphy.
He added: “They are powerless by design, because they chose the status quo over justice, white over right, exploitation and oppression over liberation and opportunity.”
This way of thinking is not in keeping with Jesus’ message.
Murphy also pointed out that Christianity was not given to the slave for purpose of liberation. It was imposed upon them to create submission to racism and slavery.
Yet the slaves understood the stories of slavery and liberation in the Bible, of Moses and Jesus. They found a friend in the Bible who was vital to plantation survival.
This is the same Jesus followed today by powerful Black churches.
Stephen L. Murphy, Sr. is the Pastor at Metropolitan Baptist Church at 930 E Myrtle Ave, Flint, MI 48505, (810) 787-9731.
