BALTIMORE, MD — From December 27–30, 2025, nearly 2,500 participants gathered at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor for Elevate 2025: Flourish and Thrive, the winter meeting of The A.M.E. Zion Church’s Department of Christian Education. The four-day gathering brought together children, youth, young adults, adults, seniors, clergy, and Christian education leaders for a powerful experience of worship, learning, and faith-filled fellowship.
Grounded in Jeremiah 29:4–7, Elevate 2025 centered on God’s enduring call for people of faith to build, multiply, increase, flourish, and thrive even amid social, cultural, and political uncertainty. During the opening night worship service, Rev. Patrick Barrett, General Secretary of Christian Education, encouraged attendees to “pay attention” to what God was preparing to do. That call set the tone for a meeting many described as deeply transformative.
The conference was hosted in the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District; Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Presiding Prelate. The host committee set the tone for the gathering with outstanding hospitality. Guests were greeted with warm smiles, welcoming snacks after long travels, and creatively designed selfie stations that invited attendees to capture memories while learning more about the city of Baltimore. The host committee also sponsored a community outreach initiative inviting attendees to donate “H.U.G.S.S.” (hats, underwear, gloves, scarves, and socks) to support unhoused residents in the city.
A Truly Intergenerational Experience
Elevate 2025 demonstrated the Department’s strong commitment to intergenerational ministry. Nearly 275 children ages 3–12 participated in Elevate Kids Camp, formerly Varick’s Children Winter Camp, where they engaged faith lessons through music, science, and the arts.
The Elevate Youth Zone welcomed close to 700 youth, offering worship, arts engagement, leadership development, and challenging conversations focused on personal and communal flourishing. The VICYC Executive Committee also convened its annual business sessions and hosted VICYC Real Talk, empowering youth delegates and young people across Zion.
Young adults ages 18–25 were served through the new Adulting Bootcamp, coordinated by YACM, which provided practical tools and faith-based guidance for navigating the transition into adulthood. Senior adults were likewise affirmed through the Just for Seniors program, which offered sessions designed to nurture spiritual vitality and honor lifelong wisdom.
Equipping the Church to Thrive
The plenary sessions of Elevate 2025 took a new direction, featuring dynamic panel discussions that addressed barriers to flourishing and provided tools for attendees to thrive in their mental, spiritual, economic, and communal well-being. These conversations challenged ministry leaders to respond intentionally to the needs of their communities. Each panel was followed by standing-room-only breakout sessions that provided deeper biblical grounding and practical application aligned with the Jeremiah 29 theme. The meeting also featured sessions and events hosted by Livingstone College and The A.M.E. Zion Church Compelling Preaching Initiative, which served as a Learning Experience Sponsor for the meeting. Lastly, the Zion Women Rock women’s ministry held uplifting sessions and experiences for women in attendance, including a riveting lunch gathering with host Missionary Supervisor, Rev. Felica Thompson, as the speaker.
Technology, Excellence, and Care
The Department of Christian Education continued to model excellence through innovative use of technology and thoughtful graphic and audiovisual design. A streamlined registration process ensured an efficient and welcoming start to the conference. The conference app provided access to the full program, the newly released Elevate Devotional, and information about local attractions and discounts in Baltimore, keeping participants connected and informed throughout the event.
The Department’s commitment to holistic flourishing was further reflected in the creation of several sacred and wellness-centered spaces. Attendees were invited to pause and recharge in the Decompression Room, access wellness resources in the Health Suite, and seek spiritual renewal in the Prayer Chapel. Together, these spaces affirmed that thriving in faith involves care for the mind, body, and spirit.
Worship and Music at the Center
Worship is a defining feature of the CED Winter Meeting, and Elevate 2025 did not disappoint. The outstanding Elevate Music Ministry team led worship with excellence and spiritual depth, creating a powerful atmosphere of praise and spiritual connection. In addition to the treasured C.R. Thompson and YACM Mass Choirs, the conference also featured the music ministry of the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District Mass Choir and the Liberated Worship Team from Liberation A.M.E. Zion Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Dynamic dance ministry offerings were presented by Ms. Brianna Peters of the Louisiana Conference and the Judah Temple A.M.E. Zion Church of the Philadelphia–Baltimore Conference. Elevate also highlighted Zion’s young people, who lifted praise through expressive dance, step, spoken word, rap, and song.
Civic leaders also extended their welcome, including Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, who greeted attendees in person, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who shared video remarks welcoming Zion to the state.
Powerful preaching marked each major service with Rev. Brittany White of St. Matthew A.M.E. Zion Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, preaching the opening night; Rev. Dr. Jonathan Counts of Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church in New Britain, Connecticut, delivering the Sunday morning message during worship led by YACM; and Rev. Dr. John Adolph of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, who “set it off”, closing the meeting with a stirring Victory Night sermon. Many attendees responded to calls for Christian discipleship, bearing witness to renewed commitments and transformed lives.
Celebrating Black Excellence and Global Impact
A highlight of the meeting was the Kathryn G. Brown Celebration of Black Excellence, which honored the denomination’s educational legacy and highlighted Christian education efforts across a sample of the denomination’s overseas conferences. Attendees wore African heritage attire as Black excellence was celebrated across the global church. The Department awarded approximately $20,000 in scholarships through VICYC, ACE, and YACM. The evening concluded with an exhilarating praise party that featured recording artist Tim Bowman and Faith City.
Looking Ahead with Purpose
Reflecting on the gathering, Bishop Brian R. Thompson, President of the Board of Bishops and Chair of the Board of Christian Education – Home and Church, described Elevate 2025 as “truly transformative,” noting that seeing so many young people united in worship and learning was a powerful sign of how God is moving through this generation. Rev. Patrick Barrett echoed that sentiment, affirming that the conference reflected the very heart of Christian education by equipping children, youth, and adult leaders to flourish in faith and thrive in purpose.
Special thanks and congratulations are due to the entire Christian Education Department staff, officers, Episcopal Directors, site committee, and the CED Convention Management Team, whose dedication and coordination made Elevate 2025 a resounding success. The Convention Management Team is led by Rev. Xavier Hunter, Chief of Staff; Rev. Cathy Henderson, Director of Leadership Education; Rev. Dr. David Scott Cunningham, Director of Worship and Music; and Mr. Dominique “Domo” Turner, Convention Liaison and Logistics Team Lead. Special thanks are extended to the Mid-Atlantic host committee, Rev. Dr. Toni Draper, chair, and Ms. Stefani Perry and Mr. Deoleous Parker, co-chairs. The Christian Education Department operates under the authority of the Board of Christian Education – Home and Church, which is chaired by Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Bishop Daran H. Mitchell, Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett, and Mrs. Ava Swinton. The Schools and Colleges Division is overseen by the Board of Schools and Colleges, chaired by Bishop Hilliard Dogbe, Bishop Melanie Miller, Bishop Kenneth Monroe, and Mrs. Delores Cowherd.
As Elevate 2025 concluded, participants left Baltimore renewed, equipped, and inspired. The Department now looks ahead to the Quadrennial Convention on Christian Education, July 18–22 in Greenville, South Carolina, and Elevate 2026, scheduled for December 27–30 in Phoenix, AZ. All are invited to join CED in their mission to foster the development of credible, committed, Christian disciples and to advance faithful living across generations.
