Members of One of the Original African-American Megachurches Thrilled to Take Pilgrimage to Ethiopia
Members have rich history that extends to ancient Christian group in Africa. "We definitely can?t teach them about Jesus," says pastor. "They?ve known him longer than we have."
(New York)—Quick! What's the ancient name of Ethiopia? If you guessed, Abyssinia, you're one smart cookie. Now, if you know the tie between Abyssinia and New York, you qualify for the grand prize of really smart cookie. Give up? According to a report in the New York Times, one of the original African-American megachurches, the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, traces its founding back to 1808 when free blacks and Ethiopian merchant seamen refused to worship in churches where blacks and whites were segregated. ( Ozier Muhammad/New York Times)
This week the church?s pastor, Rev. Calvin O. Butts, and 150 church members, are making their first pilgrimage to Ethiopia. Said the pastor, "Perhaps they have some things that they can teach us as well, because we definitely can?t teach them about Jesus; they?ve known him longer than we have."
To read about some of the things the group will be doing on their pilgrimage, such as touring the Queen of Sheba's palace and Chapel of the Tablet in Axum, where members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church say the biblical Ark of the Covenant resides, check out the link provided.
