God indeed moves in mysterious ways. Out of all the dreams I've dreamed and goals I've achieved, I can honestly confess this move of God was nowhere on my radar. I am excited and delighted to be the new Senior Pastor of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Newark, NJ. Words will never be able to express my sincere gratitude to Bishop and Mrs. Richard Franklin Norris for appointing me to this awesome and dynamic ministry.
I wish to also thank Dr. William D. Watley, my mentor for many years, for investing so much of his time preparing, promoting, and nurturing what he called "The Joshua Generation." Dr. Watley is absolutely correct when he says that "God has a vision for our lives that is far greater than any vision we can have for ourselves or others can have for us." Because of his investment in my generation and through God's guiding hand, I am equipped and better prepared to lead St. James to the next level of what God has in store for us.
As we move forward into our new season together, I sincerely request your prayers, your patience and most importantly your love. I am thrilled about what God is about to do through St. James AME Church and its ministries. In the words of one of my favorite professors in seminary, Dr. Jacquelyn Grant Collier, "far too many of us have placed limitations on ourselves simply because we keep God in our mailbox, which is too small for God." I am thoroughly convinced at this stage of my spiritual journey that we all must strive to sync our lives with the "Rhythm of God."
My wife and daughters join me in expressing our heartfelt thanks for all the encouraging e-mails and words of welcome that have been sent to us thus far. We also extend a special note of thanks to Dr. Raquel St. Clair, for her leadership and support, as well as thanking every minister, officer, staff person and member of St. James who has remained faithful during this transition. We, the Slaughter family, praise God for allowing us to come to St. James. Our lives will never be the same. I can't wait to see you of all on June 12, 2011. It's an exciting time to be a member of St. James AME Church in Newark, NJ.
As always, I remain,
God's Humble Servant,
Pastor Ronald L. Slaughter