By Ashleigh Fields,
AFRO Assistant Editor
Members of Kingdom Fellowship AME Church welcomed leaders from the National Council of Churches (NCC) during their impact week for “A Call to Action” reception on June 15. Amidst shape shifting conversations with narratives that furthered the faith perspective in politics, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie was duly recognized for being selected as the first African American woman to serve as both president and general secretary of the NCC organization.
“The time now has passed that we [NCC] become echoes of what has been said. We need to become the moral prophetic voice in a very divisive society,” said Bishop McKenzie.
Her efforts to engage the organization in service and state affairs through a solution oriented path was ever present in her speech to the audience.
“People don’t mind us feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, for they believe that is our only responsibility. But our responsibility is also to tackle the policies and practices that cause people to be hungry,” Bishop McKenzie shared. “I believe that God has uniquely positioned us so that we can bring competing voices to the table that we may reason together for social change. This is the moment and the hour where we have to talk about the uncomfortable and then find creative solutions for the uncomfortable.”
Bishop McKenzie has served in the position as interim since April of last year and has charged forward without delay. She created the “Voter Empowerment 2022: A Church-Based Action Plan” campaign, to testify on Capitol Hill on behalf of low wage earners and poor children and reinstituted the NCC’s Health and Wellness Taskforce to dive deeper into healthcare priorities that impact all people.
Bishop McKenzie has spearheaded a number of successful projects while serving as the national chaplain of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She also formerly served as the first elected female bishop in the history of the AME Church.
“You show us by your example how to trust God, how to take risks, how to be in the conversation, how to use our voice, how to listen and to learn, to labor and to lead,” said Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd who served as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 22nd national president. “We thank you Bishop for showing us how to walk in our authority in every situation that we find ourselves.”
This praise was amplified as attendees rejoiced at the NCC’s selection.
“I’m proud that the National Council of Churches has made this historic move; she’s the right person at the right time and I look forward to the work they will do on behalf of justice in the name of faith,” said Senator Raphael Warnock, who was in attendance at the event. “There’s a crisis in character and truth telling, we need voices of faith now more than ever.”
In 2009, President Barack Obama selected Bishop McKenzie to serve on the inaugural White House Commission of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Her striking influence there left a long lasting legacy which the former president acknowledged in his letter congratulating Bishop McKenzie on the new role.
“At every stage of your career you have shattered barriers and opened doors for future generations going back to your election as the first female bishop of the African Methodist,” wrote Barack Obama. “We saw this impact first hand … where your guidance helped us address some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation. Under your exceptional leadership we are confident that the NCC will continue to lead the way in advancing interfaith cooperation and social justice.”
Current Vice President Kamala Harris joined in commending Bishop Mckenzie for her global influence by writing a letter as well.
“Throughout your life and career you have exemplified an unwavering commitment to serving and uplifting your community as a trailblazing leader you have built a legacy of combining faith with action to ensure every person has the opportunity to reach their God-given potential,” wrote Vice President Kamala Harris. “While you may be the first I know that you will certainly not be the last.”
