![]() Actually, I converted to Orthodox Christianity earlier than I thought I would. It was the sermon that I knew I had to preach sooner or later. Moses the Black in its efforts to introduce Orthodoxy to African-Americans and all who seek this ancient Christian faith.įrom the sermon, Stepping Out of the Boat ( ) I will also work with the Brotherhood of St. Basil the Great Antiochian Orthodox Church in Poquoson. I will also resign my Certificate of Ordination in the Baptist Denomination. On Christmas Day, Wednesday December 25th, 2013 I will preach my last sermon at Trinity Baptist Church. I guess I am going to die to something so that I can live to something greater. And among those who taught Neokorus (who was a witness to the death and resurrection of our Lord) may have been the Apostle Thomas who told the disciples as Jesus was to lead them back across the Jordan to see the dead Lazarus, “Let us go with him and die” (John 11:16). And before them were Neokorus (a Carthaginian who served in the Roman army in Judea) and his grandson Callistratus, the later was martyred as he was discovered praying ceaselessly to Jesus and refused to worship any pagan god. Before him, were Perpetua and Felicity who were martyred in that great city. Cyprian of Carthage (whom we “new calendars” honor today) let God lead him in hiding during persecution to keep the Church encouraged and to his martyrdom as he encouraged his executor to behead him. When I was still at Trinity Baptist Church, someone who was concerned about my talking about Orthodoxy from the pulpit asked, “Where is all of this leading?” I didn’t know then. If I can help instill a love for learning and living the ancient faith, that will be a blessing. Orthodoxy has a precious depth of 2,000 years of history, prayer, saints, spirituality, and wisdom that no other expression of Christianity can give. Besides leading them to knowledge and spiritual maturity, I want to encourage them not to take the faith for granted. Being a convert and former Baptist pastor, I hope to give these kids a perspective about Orthodoxy that they may not get from someone who was brought up in the Church. ![]() I have accepted the opportunity to teach the teen seminar at our Church for Sunday School. But, at least, I will have the tools needed to be effective wherever the Church needs me. Earning a Masters of Applied Orthodox Theology will not guarantee me ordination into anything. Last week, I received an acceptance letter from the Antiochian House of Studies. I have been blessed with a financial gift to further my education. While the thought has been in the back of my mind, I have preferred to keep it there for now. Basil have been asking me if I want to become a deacon or priest. Starting a prayer group in my home in West Point is not completely out of the question. I also want to use a couple of contacts with the Orthodox Christian Fellowship to share the ancient faith on college campuses. I want to visit 8 to 12 different parishes in 2016 to encourage evangelism and have quarterly events in different parts of the state. Moses Conference.įirstly, I have an ambitious vision for the VA Brotherhood. Hanging with my good brothers John Norman and Orlando Greenhill at the 2013 St.
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