I Am – Jermaine Lee Clark
God has a sense of humor. In the Summer of 2019, God allows me to embrace a new summer adventure with the Center for FaithJustice’s (CJF). The summer of 2019 was a learning experience because I didn’t come from a Catholic background. All I knew was the small-town environment of the African-American Methodist Episcopal Church. The A.M.E is a predominantly African-American Methodist denomination. Richard Allen founded the A.M.E Church in Philadelphia in 1787. It’s the oldest denomination in the African-American culture.
You could imagine it was a difficult transition during the Summer of 2019. I felt like I was back at Warner University, during my freshman year of undergrad. It was like preparing for a marathon because I came the second half of the summer while everyone was there for a month.
You could imagine the journey was a rollercoaster ride.
The rollercoaster ride symbolizes all the kicking and screaming that took place.
The rollercoaster ride symbolizes the new person I meet on the journey.
The rollercoaster ride symbolizes movement where the ride was calm then it took a sharp turn.
The rollercoaster ride symbolizes the beautiful scenery along the journey.
The rollercoaster ride symbolizes that I wasn’t in control, and God was controlling the ride.
Oftentimes we don’t see all that God is doing, but the Summer of 2019 taught me to embrace the storms with the rain and the winds because it’s going to produce endurance and strength at the end of the day.
There was a movement where I want to travel back to Florida.
There was a movement where I questioned God.
There was a movement where I told the Lord I was not coming back to New Jersey.
There was a movement where I lost my Identity throughout the process.
Throughout the movement, friendship was forged.
Throughout the movement, the community was built.
Throughout the movement, I experience growth in myself and the individuals I was leading.
Throughout the movement, I experience a close relationship with our Heavenly Father.
I knew I had to come back to experience the rollercoaster again, but I didn’t know it was going to be this soon.
The reason why I mention “God has a Sense of Humor” is because I’m back where the journey started in the Summer of 2019. You may be wondering who is the person writing this blog on today. So, let me introduce myself to the Center for FaithJustice- extended family.
You are looking at a small town individual who God has called to the city.
You are looking at someone who is from the Sunshine States -Florida.
You are looking at someone whose spiritual foundations were built by his grandparents -Leroy Smith & Glen Rose Smith.
You are looking at young males who loves the Lord with all his heart, mind, and soul.
You are looking at someone willing to make faith move when it’s uncomfortable.
You are looking at someone who loves to travel, but don’t have a vehicle or my license.
You are looking at someone who has a degree in Bachelor’s Criminal Justice.
You are looking at someone who is pursuing his Master’s degree in Pastoral Care & Counseling at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fl.
You are looking at someone who has a calling to minister to youth and young adults and college-age students.
You are looking at someone who loves southern cooking, but the New Jersey restaurants would be just fine for now.
You are looking at someone’s willings to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.
You are looking at someone who lives by Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I am – Jermaine Lee Clark.
