A Watch Night Experience at Greater Allen
 Truth be told, I was in the room because of relationship. Just two days earlier, my fellow Bethune-Cookman University Wildcat, Rod Z Zeigler, posted on Facebook that he would be part of the Watch Night Service. I picked up the phone, let him know I was already in New York, and without hesitation committed to being there. That simple post, followed by a quick call, became the doorway into a night I did not know I needed. For those who may not know him, Rod-Z is an Orlando native and proud Bethune-Cookman University graduate whose work spans stand-up comedy, deejaying, and hosting. Known for his clean, culture-rooted humor and deep connection to faith and community, he has built a career bringing laughter into churches, campuses, and community spaces across the country, using joy to uplift, connect, and remind people that laughter truly is good medicine. Before the message was preached, Rod took the stage as the featured guest comedian, traveling in from Orlando, Florida. From the moment he stepped to the mic, it was clear he understood both the sacredness of the space and the people gathered in it. Declaring himself “a church guy,” he blended laughter, call-and-response, and lived wisdom in a way that felt both disarming and intentional. His humor leaned into familiar church culture and everyday truths about aging, growth, discipline, and maturity. Beneath the laughter was wisdom, reminders to keep what is working, change what is not, let go of negativity, and recognize that no matter how put together life may seem, there will be moments when we must call on the name of Jesus. It was not entertainment for entertainment’s sake. It was joy as ministry, joy that softened hearts and prepared the room for the Word.  The service was anchored in Jeremiah 33:3, with the timely and soul-stirring theme, “Have You Heard?” The Word was powerfully delivered by The Reverend Stephen A. Green, Senior Pastor of the Cathedral. Pastor Green preached with clarity, conviction, and compassion, making it clear that this was a message for dreamers. Drawing from scripture, history, and collective memory, he reminded us that dreams are not wishful thinking. Dreams are how God communicates. Dreams are divine assignments placed inside people called to carry something forward. He walked the congregation through the long arc of Black history, from emancipation to migration, from broken promises to deferred dreams, naming the weight our ancestors carried and the faith that kept them moving. Pastor Green reframed the struggle. The enemy was never just after our finances, our health, or our relationships. He was after the dream. Because if the dream dies, the assignment dies with it. Yet despite loss, betrayal, illness, and disappointment, we were still standing, still believing, still dreaming. The fact that we made it to the end of the year was evidence that God would not let the dream die.
 And for those reading who may be thinking, I’ve heard of this church before, you are absolutely right. Greater Allen has long stood as a cornerstone of faith, civic leadership, and community transformation in Queens. Under the nearly 41-year pastorate of Floyd Flake and the partnership of Margarett Elaine McCollins Flake, the church grew from a local congregation into one of the largest African Methodist Episcopal churches in the nation, with membership exceeding 23,000. Their leadership extended far beyond the sanctuary, encompassing private education, affordable housing, senior services, and community development initiatives that helped revitalize Southeast Queens. A former U.S. Congressman and president of Wilberforce University, America’s first privately owned and established HBCU and a proud UNCF member institution, Rev. Flake’s legacy continues to shape the church’s social, educational, and spiritual impact long after his retirement. In 2024, Rev. Green was appointed Senior Pastor, continuing this tradition of transformative, community-centered ministry. On a personal note, I had the opportunity to exchange pleasantries and support several initiatives during Rev. Flake’s tenure as president of Wilberforce University. During that time, he made multiple visits to the Cleveland, Ohio area to engage the HBCU alumni community, reinforcing the enduring connection between HBCUs, the Black church, and purpose-driven leadership. Those experiences underscored how spaces like Greater Allen are shaped not only by sermons preached, but by relationships built, institutions strengthened, and communities uplifted over generations.  Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Green leads a global faith movement grounded in courage, faith, and hope. He is the creator and host of The Pastor’s Pod, where he engages thought leaders on issues shaping our communities and our future. A fellow HBCU and UNCF graduate, having earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College, his presence carries yet another layer of shared legacy. Knowing the deep ties between HBCU leadership, faith, and service, I cannot help but imagine that Walter Dogan, another Morehouse Man, played a role in his selection as this year’s MLK Breakfast keynote speaker. That kind of alignment feels intentional. Faith. Fellowship. Culture. Laughter. Legacy. Sometimes the message is not just in the sermon. Sometimes it is in a social media post, a phone call you make, or the room you decide to walk into. Once again, this night reminded me that these moments are rarely random. HBCU connections, faith leadership, and purpose-driven relationships have a way of finding each other right on time.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
A Character is BornA. Harris Brown's story begins as a child growing up to the temptations of the urban streets. However, due to a mother and grandmother’s prayers, their sacrifices kept him grounded. When so many youth that could have fallen victim to society’s woes; Anthony, and like the phoenix from the fire, he rose above life's challenges to walk bold in greatness. Read More... Archives
January 2026
Categories |
| A. Harris Brown |
RSS Feed