The AME Church: The Church to Believe & Belong
Today, as we prayerfully discern how God is calling us to grow, strengthen, and renew our Zion, the Department of Church Growth & Development is proud to introduce a connectional initiative that captures the heart of who we are and where God is leading us: The Believe & Belong Campaign.
Why Believe & Belong—Why Now
We are living in a season when many people are searching—not just for a church to attend, but for a church to call home. They are seeking a place where faith is authentic, justice is lived, love is extended, and community is real. The AME Church is uniquely positioned to meet this moment.
Believe & Belong is not simply a slogan. It is a spiritual invitation and a missional strategy. It proclaims that in the AME Church:
• You can believe in the transforming power of Jesus Christ
• You can belong to a community that values your presence, your story, and your gifts
This campaign reminds us that growth begins when people feel both grounded in faith and connected in fellowship. The Believe & Belong Campaign calls every local church to recommit itself to radical hospitality, meaningful connection, and intentional inclusion—so that no one remains on the margins.
We are living in a season when many people are searching—not just for a church to attend, but for a church to call home. They are seeking a place where faith is authentic, justice is lived, love is extended, and community is real. The AME Church is uniquely positioned to meet this moment.
Believe & Belong is not simply a slogan. It is a spiritual invitation and a missional strategy. It proclaims that in the AME Church:
• You can believe in the transforming power of Jesus Christ
• You can belong to a community that values your presence, your story, and your gifts
This campaign reminds us that growth begins when people feel both grounded in faith and connected in fellowship. The Believe & Belong Campaign calls every local church to recommit itself to radical hospitality, meaningful connection, and intentional inclusion—so that no one remains on the margins.
| The Believe & Belong Manual: A Tool for Every Church To support this campaign, the Department of Church Growth & Development has developed the Believe & Belong Manual, now available for purchase for $10. This manual is a practical, ministry-ready resource designed to help churches: • Implement the Believe & Belong vision locally • Strengthen evangelism and discipleship efforts • Create pathways for new members to connect and grow • Reinforce the AME Church’s identity, mission, and witness Whether used by pastors, evangelism teams, leadership boards, or membership committees, this manual equips churches to move from intention to action. A Connectional Call to Action Beloved, this campaign belongs to all of us. From the First Episcopal District to the Twentieth, from the smallest congregation to the largest cathedral, Believe & Belong invites us to tell our story boldly and live our mission faithfully. We invite every pastor, presiding elder, ministry leader, and lay servant to join us in this connectional effort. Let us open our doors wider, deepen our faith stronger, and extend our love farther. The AME Church is the church to believe and belong—and now is the time to proclaim it. |
BELIEVE: Our Foundation in Faith
At the core of the AME Church is a steadfast commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through biblically rooted preaching, vibrant worship, and intentional discipleship, we nurture faith that shapes lives and transforms communities.
To believe in the AME Church is to believe that God is still saving, still calling, still empowering, and still sending. It is to believe that faith is not passive—it is lived out in compassion, integrity, and service.
At the core of the AME Church is a steadfast commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through biblically rooted preaching, vibrant worship, and intentional discipleship, we nurture faith that shapes lives and transforms communities.
To believe in the AME Church is to believe that God is still saving, still calling, still empowering, and still sending. It is to believe that faith is not passive—it is lived out in compassion, integrity, and service.
BELONG: Our Community of Compassion
Belonging is not an afterthought in the AME Church—it is part of our DNA. From Richard Allen’s vision to our present witness, we have created spaces where people are welcomed, affirmed, and embraced.
To belong in the AME Church means:
• You are seen
• You are valued
• You are connected
• You are empowered to serve
Belonging is not an afterthought in the AME Church—it is part of our DNA. From Richard Allen’s vision to our present witness, we have created spaces where people are welcomed, affirmed, and embraced.
To belong in the AME Church means:
• You are seen
• You are valued
• You are connected
• You are empowered to serve