Black Pentecostal congregations to meet

BY ALLISON KENNEDY - akennedy@ledger-enquirer.com --

Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Presiding Bishop of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America, Inc., a network of black Pentecostal churches, will be a keynote speaker at a church event next week in Columbus. The 16th Annual Holy Convocation will be at Bread of Life Christian Church, which leads a group of 11 congregations in a Mt. Calvary sub-group called Explosion Ministries Fellowship of Churches.

"This is kind of a revival, but we are also having workshops," said Bishop L.D. Skinner of Bread of Life and Explosion Ministries. "We're saying we're repositioning for the next wave of God."

Owens will preach Thursday night. He leads Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Susie Carol Thomas Owens.

Owens was named Presiding Bishop of Mt. Calvary Holy Church of America in mid-August after Bishop Harold Ivory Williams resigned.

In 2006, Owens faced controversy when Mayor Anthony Williams of D.C. called on Owens to apologize for a Palm Sunday message in which he said: "It takes a real man to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. I'm not talking about no (derogatory term for gay) or no sissy."

"It was not my purpose to wound anyone or discriminate against any group, and I apologize for any offense. However, I will not submit my sermons through political filters for fear of recrimination by political or social groups. On any given Sunday, I preach about love, faith and holiness, and, yes, about hell and sin. For that, I offer no apology," Owens countered. Part of the controversy surrounded Owens' seat on an interfaith council that the mayor oversees.

Owens' church Web site says he has about 7,000 members.

In addition to Owens, the other speakers for the convocation are:

• Bishop Rosa Williams of Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church in Augusta, who in 2005 became the first female bishop to serve the east Georgia city (preaching Wednesday)

• Apostle Robert Smith of Center of Hope Ministries in Champaign, Ill. (Friday); and

• L.D. Skinner (Sept. 13).

Skinner founded Bread of Life in 1984.

Since Easter, Bread of Life has operated two locations in Columbus: On Oates Avenue, and its eastside location at 1137 Floyd Road. The newest location has Sunday worship and also classes for the community, including courses on health and finances.

IF YOU GO

What: 16th Annual Holy Convocation

When: Wednesday-Saturday. Workshops begin at 9:30 a.m. each day; evening sessions at 7 p.m. A communion service is 9:30 a.m. Sept. 13 followed by a sermon by Bishop L.D. Skinner at 11:45 a.m.

Where: Bread of Life Christian Church, 4510 Oates Ave.

Cost: Free. For more information: 706-571-0111