Why Faith?

Centenary AME Church stands gracefully in the serene landscape of Miccosukee, FL, embodying generations of family faith and tradition.

As I look at Faith, Family, Fitness, Finance and Fun; Faith to me is the most important.  You must have a belief in something greater than yourself.  Faith is the key to a strong foundation.  Without faith in a better life, those people who were enslaved generationally would not have been able to survive the horrors of their situation. 

I am not a preacher, prophet or evangelist and I don't pretend to be one on TV, but I did spend a lot of time growing up with people who instilled a sense of strong faith within me.  All the grandparents I knew were firm believers of Jesus the Christ and were members of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.  In fact, my Great Grandfather Mathew Henderson was a minister of an AME Church in Plant City, Florida.  My Mother and Aunt attended Edward Waters College which is supported by the AME Church. 

I was a member of St. James AME Church in Bartow, FL.  Some of my greatest experience in life came out of my time there:  friendships, public speaking and money management - all while a child.  The adults were so giving of their time and talents, we had no choice but to thrive.  We even had annual Walt Disney World trips funded by the Sunday School.  It was such a blessing to grow up in this nurturing faith-full environment.  So, of course I have always searched out AME churches in every city - Greater Bethel in Miami, Greater Bethel in Gainesville, Mt. Zion in Ocala, Mt. Olive in Orlando and Hurst Chapel in Rivera Beach.  I know the importance to be truly plugged in to a faith organization. 

Centenary AME Church in Miccosukee, FL (Maternal generational memberships) and Union Hill AME Church in Wacissa, FL (Paternal Generational memberships) can trace their beginnings to the time of chattel slavery.  It was a place of community which provided a sense of dignity for those forced into demeaning roles.  It was needed to help my family navigate the world of slavery and the Jim Crow south.  They were places of refuge and joy.  Many of my relatives are buried in the cemetery at Centenary AME Church including my Great Grandparents.   

We do know Christianity in the south (Southern Baptist) was used to justify slavery and keep enslaved people subservient.  It supported the myth Jesus was blond haired European even though it is clear he was born in an area outside of Europe.  So, I struggle with the Christian faith at times.  One of the coolest things I am learning is the mixture of West African traditions mixed in with the Black Church.  Our way of singing, praising and responding to the minister. Spirit filled services are the norm. 

Why do we need faith?  I can go into the biblical conversations around faith and use supporting scripture.   However, there are non-biblical reasons why we must have faith in our lives:  Relationships with others, personal growth, and structure.

If you want to discuss how Faith can help you have a strong foundation to sustain you in any phase of your life, let's talk.