2017 President’s Prayer Breakfast
AME Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, a native son of Delaware State University, returned to his alma mater for the annual President’s Prayer Breakfast on Sept. 15 and made biblical sense of the current state of affairs in the country.
The audience – Prayer Breakfast attendees representing many different churches and religious organizations from throughout the First State – received the African Methodist Episcopal bishop and gave him their full attention against the backdrop of the current controversial U.S. administration and the recent displays of bigotry and white supremacy exhibited in the country.
Bishop Jackson, who was also born and raised in Dover, noted that such problems are not caused by God, because the Creator noted that when He made man, He gave him authority and dominion over everything He created.
“It is because we are in charge,” Bishop Jackson said. He added that God does not force Himself on people, but if his help is wanted, folks have to ask for His divine intervention.
To get that help, people have to pray, he said, and he added that is part of the problem – some people don’t practice prayer enough. “We don’t have time to pray, but we better make time,” he said. “We make time for what is important to us.”
Bishop Jackson said prayer should be done with faith that God is able to do “exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or think.” He added that prayer also should always be done with thanksgiving for what God has done and what He is going to do.
“Don’t be anxious, don’t worry about anything,” said Bishop Jackson. “Take it to God in prayer and he will work it out.”
For images from the event, click on the below photo slideshow link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48216028@N03/sets/72157686672981193/show
Bishop Jackson is the presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the AME Church, which encompasses over 500 churches in Georgia. Prior to his Bishop tenure, he was a pastor at several churches, most notably a 31-year pastorship at St. Matthews AME Church in Orange, N.J., where his congregation grew from 75 to 2,800 members. He was elected as an AME Bishop in 2012.
The President’s Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Dr. Harry L. Williams, filled up the entire expanse of the MLK Jr. Student Center parlors area. In addition to University members, pastors, ministers and others from throughout the state, Gov. John Carney, the entire Congressional Delegation – U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester – and other elected officials also attended.
Dr. Williams and Dr. Vita Pickrum, DSU vice president of Institutional Advancement, presented President’s Faith Partner Awards to: Dr. Rebecca Batson, retired DSU dean of libraries and a long-time member of the President’s Prayer Breakfast Committee; and Carlos Holmes, DSU director of News Services, current resident DSU historian and a local church pianist/flutist who shares his musical gift at DSU events when called upon.
The event also featured musical selections by the DSU Concert Choir and Dr. Marsha Horton, dean of the College of Education, Health and Public Policy. Specific prayers (for government, community, the DSU family and the DSU student body) were given by Apostle Frank Burton, pastor of Perfect Will Ministries in New Castle; Rev. Dr. Geraldine Jones of Transformative AME Zion Church of Dover; Rev. Dr. John Moore of Calvary Baptist Church of Dover; and Brandon Gray, DSU student and president of Ministries Focusing on Renewing Christ-like Existence (FORCE).
Chaplain Pamela Adams served as the worship leader, and other participants included DAFB Chaplain Kevin Pugh, DSU Army ROTC, Rev. Rita Mishoe Paige, pastor of Star Hill AME Church near Camden, as well as Rev. Dr. Frances Rogers, co-pastor of Central Baptist Church of Dover.