Pastors On Trial

PASTORS ON TRIAL

Clerics accused of loving God too much

By EMMA L. JACKSON

NEWS SPECIAL WRITER

Seven men of the Bible will be put on trial today, and all will be found guilty of the charges: Loving God too much.

In an unusual format, seven area pastors will defend apostles, patriarchs and prophets in an all-day preaching marathon at Community Church of God in Ypsilanti.

The event is an effort by the Minister’s Alliance of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Vicinity to familiarize the community with area pastors. Rev. Albert Lightfoot, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Ann Arbor and president of the alliance, explains:

“This is an opportunity to put the light on the ministers of the alliance, to introduce them to the city. Because of people attending their respective churches, they may not know the various pastors in the area. This series will expose the ministers to the community,” Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot says the pastors of the alliance can relate to the men of the Bible who were, at times, accused of sacrificing all to serve God.

“Many of us (pastors) feel a kindred spirit with the forefathers of the Bible because we are...seen as forsaking those near us. We are often branded as loving God too much,” Lightfoot said.

Each preaching segment will begin with a “judge” introducing the “lawyer.” Acting as judges are: Revs. Garther Roberson Jr., Jeffery Harrold, Anthony Robinson, Jerry Hatter, T.C. Duckworth and Lightfoot. Taking the role of lawyers are: Rev. B.T. Hopkins, defending the prophet Isaiah; Rev. Fred Davis, defending the apostle Paul; Rev. Harvey Leggett, defending David; Rev. S.L. Roberson, defending Job; Rev. Archie Criglar, defending Peter; Rev. Steven Riley, defending Abraham; and Rev. Levon Yuille, defending Jeremiah. Each pastor will have one hour to present his case.

The preaching, along with selections by area choirs, will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m. People are welcome for all or a portion of the program. Lightfoot says the series is a forerunner to the alliance’s annual revival April 26-30.

Lightfoot says he anticipates “Men of the Bible on Trial” will be a moving experience.

“We expect this program will be informative, inspirational and give a sense of knowing there’s a deep abiding love of God in us that is not always visible with the natural eye,” Lightfoot said.