African American Fellowship plans ‘Witness’ events in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–“Witness For My Lord” will be the theme for the opening night of the June 19-20 meeting of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention, preceding the SBC’s June 21-22 annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

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Several hundred people are expected to participate in the fellowship’s gatherings, in part because of efforts to build participation in the pre-SBC Crossover Nashville evangelistic outreach.

The fellowship’s opening session, at 5 p.m. June 19, will be a worship service at Simeon Baptist Church in Nashville, where Elgia (Jay) Wells is pastor. Simeon Baptist is located about 18 miles southeast of downtown Nashville, at 3808 Parks Retreat Drive in Antioch, Tenn.

The Simeon Baptist Choir, under the direction of minister of music Jonathan Hamby, will lead in praise and worship during the service.

The name “National African American Fellowship” will be voted on for a second time, as per its constitution, at NAAF’s 2005 business session, scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at the downtown Hilton Inn and Suites.

A 6 p.m. banquet June 20 at the Hilton Inn and Suites will open the Monday evening celebration, with the theme of “Honoring the Faithful Witness.” Sid Smith, executive director of the African American Denominational Servants Network and longtime director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s African American ministries division, will be honored, Anderson said. Smith has announced his retirement for later this year.