Alfred Street Baptist Church Severs Ties with Kennedy Center Post Trump’s Appointment
In an unexpected development, Alfred Street Baptist Church, a prominent historically black megachurch located in Alexandria, Virginia, has decided to end its longstanding tradition of hosting annual Christmas performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This decision follows the appointment of President Donald Trump as the new chair of the Kennedy Center.
Alfred Street Baptist Church announced their decision in a statement made public on Sunday. The church emphasized that the leadership changes at the Kennedy Center conflicted with its mission to spread the transformative love of Jesus Christ and advocate for justice, equality, diversity, and environmental stewardship.
In support of their decision, Senior Pastor Howard-John Wesley addressed the congregation during a worship service, expressing concerns over the Trump administration’s employment policies that have resulted in federal job cuts affecting their church members. “We will not take hard-earned black money and invest it in any way,” Wesley asserted, emphasizing the church’s stand against supporting leadership that impacts their community adversely.
Pastor Wesley voiced his concerns about the broader socio-political climate in the U.S., criticizing what he perceives as efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across various sectors. He associated such movements with an “attempt to shape America to look a lot like 1955” and described them as indicative of a resurgence in racism and white supremacy.
Reports of federal agencies reconsidering events such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth celebrations prompted Wesley to label such actions as “an attack on my blackness,” calling them “evil and ungodly.”
The Kennedy Center, established under legislation signed by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958, operates as a national cultural institution, partially funded by the Federal Government. The center’s direction recently shifted with Donald Trump’s election as chair, following the removal of 18 board members appointed by former President Joe Biden.
Previous Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, whose departure was recently announced, shared with National Public Radio her pride in the institution’s achievements during her tenure. She emphasized the importance of nurturing and prioritizing artistic expression as a vital component of American democracy.
Alfred Street Baptist Church’s history dates back to 1803, during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. It was initially part of the Alexandria Baptist Society before establishing the first black Baptist church north of Richmond in 1806. Over the years, the congregation has been a leader in education, missions, and advancing women’s roles in the church.
Since 2008, Pastor Howard-John Wesley has led Alfred Street Baptist, overseeing significant growth in membership and ministry initiatives. The Hartford Institute for Religion Research notes that the church currently has approximately 2,800 members.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
