Holland Chapel Celebrates the “Notable Nine”

There are some moments in the life of a church that deserve more than an announcement—they deserve a celebration. Holland Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church recently experienced one of those moments as nine remarkable young people completed the church’s inaugural eight-week Salvation and Confirmation Class and were affectionately named the “Notable Nine.”

This milestone was supported by the church’s commitment to the Christian formation of its young people, under the leadership of Pastor Rev. Daquan Bimbo, Christian Education Director Ms. Jenell Powell, and Director of Youth Ms. Comfort Yeboah.

Their journey began on Sunday, April 19, when the students gathered for their first class and sat intently as they learned about the importance of salvation, what it means to receive Jesus Christ into their lives, and the significance of making a personal commitment to Him. During that opening session, Pastor Rev. Daquan Bimbo led the students to Christ, marking the beginning of what would become an unforgettable spiritual journey.

That same evening, the students began meeting virtually and continued gathering each week for the next seven weeks. The curriculum, designed and facilitated by Rev. Dr. Brodwynn Charles Roberts, was created to help the students understand not only what Christians believe, but also what it means to live out their faith every day.

Over the eight-week journey, the Notable Nine explored foundational lessons designed to deepen both their knowledge and their relationship with God:

• Week 1 – God, Sin, and Salvation: Understanding who God is, the reality of sin, and God’s gift of salvation.
• Week 2 – How Does Jesus Save Us?: Exploring the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and why He is central to salvation.
• Week 3 – Following Jesus: Discovering what it means to be a disciple and to make daily choices that reflect Christ.
• Week 4 – Spiritual Practices: Learning the importance of prayer, Bible study, worship, and other practices that strengthen a believer’s relationship with God.
• Week 5 – Living Your Faith in Everyday Life: Discussing how faith should influence relationships, decisions, behavior, school, home, and everyday experiences.
• Week 6 – A.M.E. Zion and Holland Chapel History: Learning the history, heritage, and mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church as well as the rich history of Holland Chapel.
• Weeks 7 and 8 – Service Project Planning and Execution: Putting discipleship into action by designing, preparing, and presenting a service project for the congregation.

Each week brought new conversations, questions, discoveries, and opportunities for spiritual growth. The virtual format allowed the students to talk openly, ask questions, share their thoughts, and grow together as a cohort.

But confirmation was never intended to be only about what the students could learn. It was also about what they could do with what they learned.

During Weeks Seven and Eight, the students were challenged to put their discipleship into action by planning and completing a service project for the congregation. Rather than simply being given an assignment, the students worked together to create something of their own.

The result was an interactive church game show designed for members of all ages. The game incorporated information the students had learned throughout the confirmation class, allowing them to teach others while demonstrating just how much they had learned themselves. Their game show made its debut during Holland Chapel’s Vacation Bible School and proved that discipleship can be meaningful, engaging, creative—and fun!

After eight weeks of learning, questioning, serving, creating, and growing, the journey reached its most sacred moment: the baptism of all nine students.

The waters of baptism represented far more than the completion of a class. They represented nine young people publicly affirming their faith and taking another step in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

And Holland Chapel made sure they knew they were not walking that journey alone.

The church celebrated the Notable Nine with a special luncheon honoring their accomplishment. Each student also received a personalized baptism box filled with tools to encourage their continued spiritual growth, including a Bible, devotional materials, a journal, and pens.

But the celebration did not stop there.

Members of the congregation enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to bless the students. Individual gift tables were prepared for each member of the Notable Nine, and by the end of the celebration, those tables were overflowing. The students needed extra hands just to carry all of their gifts to their cars!

It was a beautiful reminder that confirmation is not simply about young people making a commitment to the church. It is also about the church making a commitment to its young people.

The Notable Nine completed eight weeks of study, demonstrated what they learned through service, publicly professed their faith, and entered the waters of baptism surrounded by a congregation cheering them forward.

Their class may have ended, but their discipleship journey is only beginning.

Holland Chapel celebrates these nine students for their commitment, courage, curiosity, creativity, and faith. Their accomplishment also reflects what is possible when pastoral leadership, Christian Education, Youth Ministry, families, and an entire congregation intentionally invest in the spiritual development of the next generation.

They have shown that young people are not merely the church of tomorrow—they are an important and active part of the church right now.

They studied together.

They served together.

They grew together.

They were baptized together.

And Holland Chapel will proudly remember them as the inaugural class that started something special—

The Notable Nine.