The Word
By: Reverend Nathaniel Gadsden Imani African Christian Church (Harrisburg, PA)
Speak Up/Speak Out
Recently, the cities of Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have been rocked with a string of senseless shootings. Almost all of the victims were African Americans, and the shooters were also African Americans. Unfortunately, this is not shocking news to most people living in Harrisburg, the United States, or the planet earth. The sad reality is, African Americans are killing one another, in what I call, a Self-imposed Holocaust and we don't know what to do about it. We have marched, held town meetings, supported tougher sentencing guidelines, called on God and cried. Every step we take forward against the Holocaust it appears that we lose a step. We are a resilient people, strong and vibrant at our best, but even the strongest foundation can begin to crack, over time, if the steady drip of destruction is not repaired.
I want to purpose something to all Ministers, Pastors, and Christian church members of the African American Community. Let's refocus our energy, time, and talent toward the total destruction of the African Holocaust in America, Africa, and anywhere it prevails. Let's put aside our fixation on relationships, church membership, and religious showmanship and gather together under one God directed path for the complete and total destruction of the African Holocaust. We will only preach, teach, and create ministries and missions that eliminates self-murder in our communities. We will not adopt the language of the division and pretend that our brand of worship is the only way. We will not allow our voices, through preaching or teaching to fill our churches with gossip, put-downs, and sinful language. As a community of Christians we should demand that all Ministries be held to this standard or we will simply stop supporting them. Our Christian Churches must take responsibility for their role as moral leaders. And we must take this stand not to destroy our Churches, but to say no to the misuse of our God-giftedness any longer. We must take this stand, because we know that the Christian Church leadership has major influence over the minds of our community. Much of the negative energy and negative life choices that are being made in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, can be found in most towns and cities where our people reside. The common thread that connects us is too often the movies, television programs, plays, radio shows, magazines, and sporting events. What is said through these outlets carry an enormous amount of influence in the African American community. The Gospel song says My Soul Looks Back and Wonder How I Got Over! The Christian Church was and must continue to be the ever-present help of the Lord. This is how our people got over slavery and Jim Crow laws. The Christian Church is the way we will over-come our present-day Holocaust.
I would like to hear from you. Let's start a movement of Christians Without Division, dedicated to saving the lives of our people.
Rev. Gadsden can be reached at 717-233-7611 or by email at pgadsden@aol.com or by Web nathanielgadsden.com
Description of Pastor
Reverend Nathaniel Gadsden wears many hats
Life Skills Coach, Poet, Poet Therapist, Minister, and Motivational Speaker. While Nathaniel Gadsden is accomplished in many areas, his foundation remains spiritual and his door is always open. With a wealth of knowledge and experience to call his own, Nate is ever prepared to share his wealth while remaining a perpetual student of life.
Nate's educational background includes degrees in Social Studies, Management, Human Relations, and Bible Studies. He also has an extensive background in Counseling and Clinical Pastoral Education.
Some of Nate's current professional responsibilies include: Counselor - Harrisburg University of Science and Technology High School
Director - Nathaniel Gadsden's Writers Wordshop Foundation - Pastor - Imani African Christian Church - President - Imani Ministerial Fellowship
Since 1990, Nate has held a private practice as a Life Skills Coach. He works with individuals and small groups to help them to create life maps, set goals, and to find their passion. Since 1969, Nate has been a published poet. He has three CD's and three booklets of poetry, and named Poet Laureate for the City of Harrisburg, PA.
As a Poet Therapist, Nate is the Author of "Learning Self Therapy Through Writing." He also works with individuals and groups, using poetry as a counseling tool.
Nate has been an ordained Minister since 1989. He is currently Founder and Pastor of Imani African Christian Church, Harrisburg, PA. He has also served as an Elder at Capital Presbyterian Church, and the assistant Pastor of Christ Community Church of God In Christ.
Nate has also been a sought after Motivational Speaker since 1985, including speaking engagements as: the Commencement speaker for Penn State University, Robert Lynch Student Leadership Conference, Higher Education Equal Opportunity Programs (Act 101) of Pennsylvania, and many more.
Nate is married to Patricia Gadsden, founder and director of Life Esteem, Inc. They have a blended family of six children and five grandchildren. Both Nate and Pat love to travel, read, and a good movie.