The Sons of Allen Men’s Fellowship at Bethel AME Church in Moorestown invites the community to attend a special morning service that will feature guest preacher Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr. It will start at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25.
“It’s a positive thing for the community to have everybody come out and see what Bethel AME in Moorestown is about,” said church member Wayne Thompson. “We enjoy having these events to get the township involved.”
From 2016 to 2024, Green led the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church (South Carolina) with dynamic leadership, affectionately known as “The Green Effect,” according to the First Episcopal District. He founded the Vision Center, a 218-acre conference and retreat center, fulfilling a long-held dream of providing a comprehensive meeting facility for the AME Church.
Green’s ministry is also marked by his innovative and record-breaking conferences and events, designed to reach members of all ages and to support local churches in expanding their ministries. His legacy is highlighted by his passion for expanding supporting pastors and local churches and advocating for justice and equality. He established the Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary, the first and only ATS (Association of Theological Schools) accredited African American seminary in South Carolina.
Elected as the 125th bishop in the history of the AME Church, Bishop Green has served faithfully across several districts. He is also the founder of God First Ministries, a platform designed to promote evangelism, discipleship and church growth. Green was chosen to speak at Bethel AME in Moorestown by the church’s Pastor Rev. Howard Jenkins. Jr.
Last month, the church kicked off a 10-week webinar series exploring the historical background, spiritual significance and lasting legacy of early Christian female martyrs. Facilitated by Rev. Teresa Jenkins, “Women of Faith, Warriors of Christ” is designed to enlighten the historical background and the significance of the role warrior women played in the early Christian church who were martyred because they refused to renounce their faith. The webinar is open to all, and information on how to register is available on the church website.
This summer, classic cars lit up the parking lot for the church’s second annual Cars and Worship Car Show, an event that originated from Thompson, and the church’s bowling night fundraiser brought people out to Laurel Lanes in July. Brother Vincent Squire came up with the concept for members of the congregation and the neighborhood to come together for the first annual all-you-can-eat Crab Boil fundraiser on Sept. 12 that featured delicious food from blue crabs to corn, sausage, potatoes, karaoke and more. With all these different happenings the church isn’t focused on just one thing, but it goes back to showing people what Bethel AME is all about, Thompson said.
Thompson lives in Pennsauken, but he’s been attending services at Bethel AME for four years. He’s typically there three or four days a week and this year he’s the chair of the Oct. 25 service. Putting together such an event has been a full plate for him, but it’s nothing that he can’t handle and he’s excited to see familiar and new friends in the months ahead.
“It’s always great to see different faces and it’s always great for our church family to network and bring everybody in,” Thompson said. “Everybody has a part to play and it’s not that everything is just on you. Everybody has a little piece, and everybody is going to make it happen. There is no ‘I’ in (the word) team.”
All Bethel AME worship services are held every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. both in person at 512 North Church St. and via Zoom. All are welcome to join.
Pastor Rev. Howard Jenkins. Jr. of Bethel AME Church in Moorestown (left) is joined by friends for the church’s first annual Men’s Day Crab Boil fundraiser on Sept. 12.
The Men’s Day Crab Boil made for a fun evening of conversation, laughs, karaoke and more.
