(Kadri J. Webb, AoP ‘12, is a student at the Virginia Union University School of Theology and joined the Academy of Preachers this year in Louisville for his first National Festival of Young Preachers. This guest article comes to us courtesy of Kadri’s blog, Webb’s World.)
Dr. James H. Cone, one of the fathers of Black Liberation Theology, would suggest that the question of one’s call recurs again and again throughout the course of one’s ministry. With that being said, I believe that there are experiences that God orchestrates in the life of every one of His people to keep them reassessing that call, as well as to reaffirm it. One such providential experience for me was the 2012 National Festival of the Academy of Preachers.
I know that this was no one but the Lord ordering my steps. I literally stumbled into this opportunity, spoke with my pastor about it, and decided to go full throttle with it. I certainly was not disappointed!
This conference served to bring diverse groups of young preachers together, 125 to be exact. Representing 30 some odd denominations, as well as different ethnicities, educational backgrounds, and vocational goals, all of us shared one common call: to declare the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. The Academy of Preachers provided an opportunity for me to “get outside of my box,” which is essential for each and every one of us every now and then. With its ecumenical approach, it made me appreciate the diversity that exists in the Kingdom of God.
Did not our hearts burn? Indeed! From the opening session on Monday night with Dr. Elizabeth Myer Boulton, to the Tuesday morning preaching of a friend and comrade, Reginald Sharpe, to the Tuesday night preaching of Fr. Jeffrey Nicolas at the majestic Cathedral of the Assumption, to the Wednesday night Preachapalooza, and finally to the powerful culminating word by Dr. Safiyah Fosua, I enjoyed every aspect of our gathering! An added bonus was that I also got to hear my colleagues in ministry present the Gospel in their own distinct voices.
Such a spirit of camaraderie was felt in the Seelbach. We were not there to compete or to alter our authentic selves; instead, we were there to learn from each other and support one another. It was so reaffirming to be in an environment where you were encouraged to be yourself without it detracting from others’ evaluation of your giftedness simply because you don’t fit their mold. I learned that much of the beauty of my gift lies in the fact that it is different.
As I approached the sacred desk that fateful Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 PM, it was do or die! With fear and trembling, I took my text from Matthew 6:33 and attempted to preach “Kingdom Priorities” the best way I knew how. I was wondering if I was preaching the text “right.” I was curious as to whether or not my colleagues would be inspired. I was thinking about whether or not the leaders in the room who came to listen in would enjoy it. Then a light bulb went off! Not more than a few moments into my 16 minute exegetical discourse, I realized that I was among family. The warmth that could be felt and the receptive hearts that were open and ready to receive from their brother paved the way for a memorable preaching experience—one that I will never forget.
What was most refreshing for this young trumpeteer from Baltimore was the fact that Dr. Dwight Moody thought it not robbery to engage the minds of youth and young adults. We live in a day where the average pastor is only 49 years old and is focused squarely on his or her own vocational aspirations and success, oft times at the expense of pouring into this younger generation. So, I feel indebted to him for his impartation.
There is a Japanese proverb that says “better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” Well, I had not just one day but four tremendous days with many great teachers. Dr. Dwight Moody, Rev. Lee Huckleberry, Rev. Wyndee Holbrook, Dean Lawrence Edward Carter, Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, Dr. Safiyah Fosua, Rev. Mark Jefferson, and others gave me more than all of my days of study. They gave me their time. I walked away with a renewed sense of my call and a greater desire to be the best preacher I can possibly be!
(If you have written a blog or article about your Festival experience, the AoP welcomes your submissions for our website. Email Charissa Acree at charissa.acree@gmail.com for more information.)
