Bishop George D. Crenshaw, Presiding Prelate, Board of Bishops, A.M.E. Zion Church and immediate past Presiding Bishop of the Alabama-Florida Episcopal District and the Great Lakes Region, along with Missionary Supervisor Laurenna Crenshaw, humbly led a team of 27 persons from the United States to Kigali, Rwanda, from June 6 – June 15, 2024.
The Great Lakes Region encompasses Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, North Kivu, South Kivu, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia were welcomed into the region as Provisional Conferences.
The Great Lakes Region, under the leadership of Presiding Elder Felix Uwamahoro, Lady Uwamahoro, their family, and the entire Mount Carmel A.M.E. Zion Church family, welcomed the team from the United States and treated us with the utmost hospitality. The trip to Rwanda was organized and implemented under the leadership of Dr. Iyabode (Yabo) Beysolow, Reverend Andrea Afolabi-Jallah, RN, co-founders of Life's Mission, Inc., and Rev. Dr. Sondra Coleman of the Alabama-Florida Episcopal District.
The purpose of the trip was multi-fold:
Several hundred men, women, and children were served daily over the course of 4 (four) days.
Over 300 children and youth were served dinner as they participated in Bread, Books, and Bible on one night of the Conference.
The team from the United States led by Bishop George D. Crenshaw included ministerial staff, laypersons, physicians, and nurses. Members of the team from the United States included:
Under the leadership of Bishop George D. Crenshaw, several similar mission trips have occurred: to Liberia (four trips between 2008 and 2013) and Angola (one trip in 2019).
Please enjoy the first of two articles submitted by our Mission team members (Rev. Dr. Thaddeus Steele), who share his perspective and experience.
The 2nd Annual Conference of The A.M.E. Zion Church Great Lakes Region of Africa, under the leadership of Bishop George D. Crenshaw and Missionary Supervisor Ms. Laurenna Crenshaw, was a resounding success. The conference convened from June 10-12 at the Mt. Carmel A.M.E. Zion Church in Kigali, Rwanda, hosted by the Rev. Felix Uwamahoro.
The event saw an impressive turnout, with over 300 delegates from the combined Annual Conferences of Rwanda, Burundi, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Uganda, as well as the Provisional Conferences of Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. Adding to the international presence, more than 25 individuals traveled from the United States with Bishop Crenshaw to Kigali, aiming to serve the people of the region through various initiatives.
A significant highlight of the conference was the Health Education and Supplies Initiatives, spearheaded by Iyabode Beysolow, MD, MPH, Director of the Health Ministry of the A.M.E. Zion Church. This initiative focused on addressing the health needs of the local communities, and providing much-needed supplies, which included over 2,000 pairs of eyeglasses, hundreds of other give-ways, such as clothing items, suitcases, and medical supplies.
In tandem with the health initiatives, the Bishop George D. Crenshaw Theological Institute offered a series of educational sessions. Directed by Rev. Dr. Thaddeus Steele, the Institute featured a cadre of esteemed educators whom Bishop Crenshaw lauded as “among the best and the brightest minds in all Zion.”
Key sessions and their instructors included:
| Dr. Sondra Coleman | The Do's & Don'ts of Pastoral Council |
| Dr. Kathy McFadden | Effective Listening in Pastoral Care |
| Dr. Titus Thorn | Life After Death |
| Rev. Milton Stubbs | The Ministry of Presence |
| Rev. Melvin Mungin | Addressing Common Traumas |
| Rev. Renee Adams | The Essence of Wellbeing |
| Rev. David Knight | Dealing with Your Terminal Illness |
These sessions provided invaluable insights and practical guidance for pastoral care, reinforcing The A.M.E. Zion Church’s commitment to spiritual and community well-being.
Powerful sermons were preached each day of the Conference by the following: Rev. Julius Walls, Chief Operating Officer of The A.M.E. Zion Church; Rev. Dr. Thaddeus Steele, Pastor of Hunter Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Tuscaloosa, AL; Rev. Melvin Mungin, Pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Spring Valley, NY; Rev. Dr. Kathy McFadden, Presiding Elder of the East Montgomery District in Montgomery, AL; and Rev. Andrea Jallah, Associate Pastor of Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Atlanta, GA.
Bishop Crenshaw expressed profound gratitude to all who attended and contributed to the success of the conference, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective effort in advancing the mission of the church. The conference not only strengthened the bonds among the delegates and the Zion Church stateside but also left a lasting impact on the communities served.
As the conference concluded, the delegates returned to their respective regions, inspired and equipped to continue their vital work. The success of the 2nd Annual Conference has set a high benchmark for future gatherings, ensuring that The A.M.E. Zion Church remains a beacon of hope and support in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
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