This February, as Mosaic acknowledges Black History Month in the United States, I’d like to introduce you to a Christian leader who has made a difference in my life, and at Mosaic, although you may not have heard of him before.  His name is Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). I had the privilege of studying his life while researching my doctoral dissertation at Asbury Theological Seminary over the last few years. As with many Christian figures from his time period (1760-1831), Allen was both a tragic and inspirational figure. He was, first, tragic because of the persistent discrimination and racism he faced– not just in the United States in general, but in the church of Jesus in specific. But, his life ultimately proved to be inspirational, and one for which we should give thanks. Born a slave in Delaware, he eventually bought his freedom, after his master had become convinced by an itinerant Christian preacher to allow his slaves to buy their freedom. Allen then joined the Methodist Church, which advocated for abolition. He taught himself to read and write, and became an evangelist for the church. Allen, with his proven preaching and leadership gifts, ultimately became an official minister at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. When his ministry began attracting more black church members, the church leadership forced him, at first, to preach in a separate area of the church, to avoid creating discomfort among the white members. When that separate service grew, he was moved to an outdoor park. Understandably grieved by this segregation, Allen, along with Absalom Jones, left to create the AME. They envisioned spaces of dignity for and Christian ministry to black people, and they succeeded. Their heart was never to separate from their white Christian brothers and sisters, but were forced to after years of discrimination and segregation. Because of their faithfulness to the Gospel, countless people were converted to Christ and trained for Christian ministry. Allen’s persistence, influence, and belief in a Savior who promised freedom created those very outcomes for many others. Along with Absalom Jones and the AME churches, Richard Allen labored tirelessly to free slaves along the Underground Railroad, to care for the sick and dying in the 1793 yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia, and to see souls saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. He passed away in 1831 and was commemorated on a 2016 U.S. stamp, among many other accolades. Allen’s life prompts me to ask myself this question: how far would I go to proclaim the name of Jesus? What risks am I taking to preach Jesus in the face of adversity and even injustice, where it exists? How far will my voice carry after I’m gone? While few, or none of us may do what he did for his community and country, each of us can influence our communities and families for love, healing, service, and Christ. This February, may what Allen was famous for saying be said of you, and of us at Mosaic: “The Lord was pleased to strengthen us, and remove all fear from us, and disposed our hearts to be as useful as possible.” Morgan Stephens, DMin Lead Pastor |
