“Synergizing Strength: There’s Power In The Pews!”

Historically, The A.M.E. Zion Church has mobilized impactful movements fostering equity and initiating change. Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth worshipped at ‘The Freedom Church.’ Improving the posture of our people passionately drove these dedicated abolitionists to tirelessly toil, to teach, and to tell, overturning tides of inequality.

Racial inequality (imbalances in the distribution of power, economic resources, and opportunities) causes disparities in wealth, poverty rates, incarceration rates, bankruptcy, housing, education, and employment. Discrimination can be cultural, economic, physical, legal, and/or political. Today’s disparities, reminiscent of the 19^th-century anti-slavery struggle, should provoke us to action like those who strove before us.

Although yesterday’s abolitionists did not have the resources we have today, they were consistently consistent with making their voices heard. Today, Zion calls to every eligible voter: “Make Your Voice Heard!”

Mr. Bobby Clawson (Charlotte District Chair, Voter Registration/Education) shares, “There are far too many reasons to cast your ballot than not to vote. It took a vote to give each one of us the right to vote. We cannot let a few take that vote, OUR VOTE, away. Voting is like drinking water: We need it to survive.”

The A.M.E. Zion Church launched ‘Project 100’. This unified effort promotes engaging, educating, and empowering voters across Zion. Bishop George Crenshaw declared, “‘Project 100’ is committed to ensuring the voice of every member of The A.M.E. Zion Church is heard and respected!” Rev. Dr. Anthony Gibson agrees. “This is the most consequential election in US history. ‘Project 100’ is the catalyst that empowers every voter to exercise their divine right to participate in selecting leaders that serve God’s people.” Rev. Dr. Hanna Broome concurs, affirming, “Through ‘Project 100,’  The A.M.E. Zion Church stands firm in our commitment to equity and justice, helping to ensure that all communities, where our churches are anchor institutions, are informed and engaged in the democratic process of voting. YOUR VOTE MATTERS!” 

“Voting is a right!” shared Connie Bell-Wright, Charlotte District Lay Council President. “We must stand up for this afforded privilege with a clear understanding and purpose in mind. VOTE-VOTE-VOTE!” Linda Sutton (Conference Voter Registration/Education Chair) warns, “When we fail to vote, we fail as a people to make lives better for future generations.”

“This is probably the most consequential election of our times, and it’s not just about the presidency. It’s about the senators, states and their representatives, governors – it’s about everyone up and down the ballot! I encourage all pastors and laity to reach out to everyone of voting age, encouraging all to register to vote and to vote early.” Bishop Darryl Starnes.

Genesis 11:6 (NIV) details God’s view of unification. “The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.’” God declared nothing is impossible for a unified us! Our voices are vital: Register to vote; be an educated voter; go to the polls; cast your vote! There IS power in the pews!