I was born not long before Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. Despite the riots in Detroit and Watts, there seemed to be a hope that human brotherhood and the beloved society would end racism and racial injustice. Somewhere between April 4th, 1968 and the mass incarceration of low level black drug offenders in the Regan, … More Seeking a Greater Restoration
There is no shortage of people who use white images of Jesus Christ to support the idea that blacks should turn away from the Christian faith in favor of some form of Islam, Hebrew Israelitism, or some other faith based on a traditional African religion. It is not hard to find the presence of brown … More Living an Orthodox African-American Christian Life: Ancient Iconography for Evangelism
And now, things begin in earnest. I was ordained into the Holy Diaconate of the Orthodox Church by His Grace Bishop Thomas of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Charleston, Oakland, & the Mid Atlantic. This took place at my home parish, St. Basil Orthodox Church in Hampton, on December 9th. All praised due to God. About … More Ordained for Evangelism
Fr. Moses Berry, the president of the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black, has often been asked for advice about sharing the Orthodox faith with African-Americans. He frequently responds, “You evangelize to blacks the same way you would to whites or anyone else. You make them feel welcome in your parish.” In this divisive and … More Evangelism Across Boundaries: A Welcoming Heart
In his autobiography, Malcolm X stated that the Desert Fathers were the founders of Christian Church structure (1). He also briefly mentioned St. Augustine as a defender of Church doctrine against heresy (2). While Malcolm said these things specifically in is critique of white racism in Christianity, he does make an incidental point that should … More The Desert Fathers: A Beacon for Evangelism
Dear Family & Friends, By now, the initial shock of my departure from the Baptist pulpit and Protestant Christianity has worn off. Many of you are still satisfied that I am still a devout Christian and haven’t forgotten that I am still “John-John.” If anything, my faith has been deepened since I first inquired into … More A Letter Of Invitation
I recently attended the Pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers Service at St. Constantine & Helen in Newport News, VA. It was a blessing to see the clergy of our various jurisdictions from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach gather together to commemorate and worship one of the great high points of our faith. That we affirm the … More Orthodox Evangelism & the African-American Community: A Two Way Street
Desert Fathers Dispatch 