Christian Education
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
– Proverbs 18:15
The Christian Education Department of the African American Episcopal Zion Church was created for the promotion and supervision of the Christian training and development of the entire membership of the denomination.
Founded in 1887, the Christian Education Department of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church provides supervision, guidance, direction and programmatic support of the Christian training and nurture of children, youth, young adults and adults throughout the A.M.E. Zion Church. Often described as the “cradle to the grave” ministry. Christian Education supports Christian development in homes, churches, camps as well as church relate schools, colleges, and seminaries.
The Christian Education Department offers workshops, seminars, conferences, and conventions that help develop effective skills in Christion Educators and those striving for a closer walk with the Lord. It also establishes curriculum and other standards to support Christian Education program at every level of the church.
The department is organized into two divisions the School and College Divisions and the Home and Church Division.
The Home and Church Division includes Varick’s Children, Youth Ministries, Young Adult Ministries, Adult Ministries, and Church School Literature. The Church School Editorial Section includes Church School Literature and operates under the auspices of the Home of Church Division of the Christion Education Department.
Leadership of Mt. Olivet A.M.E. Zion Christian Education Department
- Rosa Purcell, Christian Education District President
- Sharon Williams, Christian Education President for Mt. Olivet
Departments
- Buds of Promise – Geneva Lewis, President
- Sunday School – Sarah Evans, Superintendent
- Bible Study – Rev. Willie Funderburk, Pastor
Young Adult in Christian Ministries (Y.A.C.M.)
The Young Adult in Christian Ministries was accepted as the third division of the Christian Education Department at the 1986 Convention on Christian Education (Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina). In 1990, history records YACM as officially organized at the Convention on Christian Education at Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina.
Functions
The Young Adult in Christian Ministries shall:
- Serve as a policy making body for the young adults of the AME Zion Church
- Cultivate Young Adult membership in the AME Zion Church
- Promote ecumenical involvement on all levels
- Make recommendations in those areas which are Young Adult concerns to the Connectional Steering Committee
- Aid Local, District, Conference and Episcopal units of the Young Adults in Christian Ministries and other Young Adult organizations
- Develop workshops and/or seminars that promote the sharing of information on the problems and concerns that face young adults in today’s society
- Provide for the development of leadership skills and abilities among the Young Adults of the denomination. Also, to challenge their involvement in the total ministry of the church