About a year ago I started to form a list of 100 life goals to accomplish before I die. Some of them are so outrageously lofty that only God himself can make them happen! Haha! Others are not too far away from my grasp, but are still going to take a lot of work.
I was going to publish the list (and still might), but didn’t want to have to waste time defending it and arguing over it with people that didn’t understand some of them. I also didn’t want to have to tame the list for public consumption.
Well – I am very proud to say that God opened a door that I was not even knocking on to help me achieve one of my 100 goals. Yesterday I was invited to speak for 2 nights @ Abyssinian Baptist Church in the heart of Harlem, NY!
I am guessing that most of my blog readers don’t know a lot about Abyssinian and why preaching there is such a big honor to me and I want to share a little bit of why this is such a big deal. First off, I wanted to share two bits of information about how this dream came true.
- Someone that I unknowingly had a positive impact on nearly 10 years is now on the staff of the church and spoke highly of me coming there to speak. Images of a gardener planting seeds for an apple tree that would not grow for years immediately came to my mind. It is very gratifying to reap today the benefits of seeds sown 10 years ago
- My efforts to really have a presence online with social networking technologies like Facebook & Twitter really helped to open the door for this opportunity as well. I have invested a lot of time to being an active member of these online communities and am glad to see other churches embracing the value as well.
As a student at Morehouse College, I dreamed of one day being the pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church (as I think most preachers at Morehouse do). Beyond the fact that the current pastor, Rev. Calvin Butts, is a Morehouse grad, Abyssinian was always lifted up for students as an example of a church that transforms its community in major ways. Here are a few other things that make Abyssinian amazing:
- 3 of my top 10 heroes of all-time have been there.
- Abyssinian was founded in 1808 (Thomas Jefferson was President) by free Ethiopians & African Americans that wanted a higher standard of freedom of worship and Christian practice.
- After over 200 years of faithful service, the church is still growing and impacting Harlem (and the world) in amazing ways.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Like I mentioned yesterday man… AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! You so deserve this honor man and I know God is going to favor you in it. :-)
Thanks a ton bro. Your support & encouragement mean a lot to me!
Dude! That is fantastic! I am former member of Abyssinain, but now attend church in Brooklyn where my pastor is also a Morehouse man. I am so looking forward to hearing you LIVE and trust that I will encourage my friends in Brooklyn and at Abyssinian to come out and support you. Please let us know the dates as soon as possible.
Shaun…That IS very very cool! Way to go!
Wow look at God! Opening up a door for me to meet and introduce my friend to some of my other friends right in my own backyard!! I will be praying that God's spirit transcend any barriers (real or imagined) and that the courage of one young man (you Shaun) open up hearts and minds to the truth: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!
Way to go Shaun, it will be a great experience for you. Billy
What an awesome opportunity. Abyssinian is an amazing church, full of so much history. I try and visit whenever I'm in NYC. Very cool!
I'm so freakin' proud of you dude. But so very nervous too. Can't wait to pick out my new outfit for Harlem World!! You better bring your "A" game so you don't embarrass me!
I'm so freakin' proud of you dude. But so very nervous too. Can't wait to pick out my new outfit for Harlem World!! You better bring your "A" game so you don't embarrass me!
Hey Buck! Pretty sure it's May 27-28! I will let you and everyone else know soon bro!
We look forward to meeting you! Will shoot you the details soon!
Thanks Billy! I'll represent ARC the best I can man!
Uhhhh – thanks wifey. Way to not put any pressure on me!
That's awesome Shaun, great to hear this news about this dream coming true. I didn't know it was a dream of yours and had I of known, I would have worked to try and make it happen sooner!! Really, I am VERY good friends with the Minister of Music at that church, (Jim,) and I assume he is the one who spoke highly of you to get you there or had something to do with it at the least. Either way, God has worked it out once again and I am very proud of you. Represent in the unique way that only you can and although I can't be there physically, I will be in spirit.
Go Jesus!!
Alfred
That is AWESOME Shaun! This is a great reminder to us all: We have the ability to impact the lives of everyone we meet. We need to remember that something as simple as a smile, a kind word, an act, etc.. can pay dividends in the future, even though we are unaware of what God has sewn for us.
Keep working on that goal list, Brother. God is doing amazing work through you, and we're all thankful for that!
if there was a shaun in the city shirt, i would wear it everywhere. you are doing what everyone else just talks about
This is quite an honor and a great opportunity. Your gift will continue to make room for you.
Very Cool Man! Maybe now you can work out the Potter's House! :-)
Haha! Don't give me any ideas man!
I'll get on it! If you can send me some cd's of your speaking or preaching, that would be a great help to get that ball rolling. Let me know when you need the address to send them to.
i said tshirt, not sandwich board!
That's awesome. Sometimes God blesses us by pulling back the blinders and allowing us to see the fruit. Go give 'em Jesus.
IM SO STOKED!!!!! I can def make it to NEW YORK to see you live!
BRING C.C. T-SHIRTS!!!!!!!
Shaun, you are AWESOME! I've included a link to your site (and your church) on my blog. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about you today! And I really believe God has marked you to do Great Things in his kingdom!