Rev. Browning, Bishop McKenzie and County Faith Leaders Provide Angela Alsobrooks With ‘Spiritual Armor’ In Preparation For Official Term As County Executive

Inaugural Prayer Service 2018: Fulfilling the Promise and Celebrating History for County Executive-Elect Angela Alsobrooks

December 2, 2018, 5:00 p.m., Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Fort Washington, Maryland

Story By Aisha Brantley // Photography By Raoul Dennis and Amir Stoudamire

At Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, where County Executive-Elect Angela Alsobrooks’ Christian journey began at age 13, the Inaugural Prayer Service was hosted by her former pastors, the Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning Jr., Senior Pastor, and the Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning, Co-Pastor, with keynote speaker, Bishop Vashti McKenzie.

Liturgical dance, praise, and moments of inspiration filled the sanctuary as the faith community spiritually prepared Ms. Alsobrooks—the first woman to be elected as Prince George’s County Executive—for the role.

“I’m so glad in this situation in time when so many elected leaders lean away from their spiritually, that you’re leaning into it,” said the Rev. Tony Lee, Pastor of Community of Hope A.M.E. Church in Hillcrest Heights, during an inspirational moment.

“You don’t have to prove anymore that you are a woman of integrity,” said the Rev. Anthony Maclin, Pastor of The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square in Capitol Heights. “You are a woman of tremendous intellect. You are a woman of great intestinal fortitude.”

After The Judah Gathering Choir raised spirits even higher, a special inspirational word, delivered by the Rev. Matthew L. Watley, Executive Minister at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glendale, spoke directly to Ms. Alsobrooks’ new office.

“In 1 Chronicles 7:24, we hear of a woman named Sheerah, the builder of three cities,” he said. “She creates markets for business owners and entrepreneurship and is supported with infrastructure. We have our own ‘she-ro’ in the person of Sister Angela Alsobrooks, who ascends to the highest pinnacle of the richest Black county in America. Not only are we going to be better because of her leadership, but we’re going to be blessed.”

After recognizing county leadership and clergy present, as well as acknowledging members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in attendance of support for their Soror and County Executive-Elect, the liturgical dancers rendered a soul-stirring presentation before Ms. Alsobrooks, which caused her to leap onto her feet with upraised hands.

As the video highlights of the Alsobrooks campaign trail played with the theme, “The Best Is Yet To Come,” Co-Pastor Jo Ann Browning formally introduced Ms. Alsobrooks, including her upbringing in Camp Springs, political studies at Duke University and the University of Maryland Law School, and career start as the Prince George’s County Assistant State’s Attorney in 1997.

In taking her place in the pulpit amidst a standing ovation, the County Executive-Elect and current First Baptist Church of Glenarden member addressed the church, proud of her Christian roots.

“I have to tell you the most important title I have ever gotten is to be a follower of Jesus Christ,” she said, met with more applause. “If you only knew how many prayers I have prayed right here on this altar, how many times I have worshiped in this sanctuary. These pastors are some of the best anywhere in the whole wide world. I was so fortunate at 13 to become a member at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church. This has been my family. I’m not only here as a daughter of this church, but of my parents as well. I have lived in a household with two praying parents who are a part of this ministry. My daughter Alex was christened here. It really has shaped who I hope you have seen. I’m going to be working hard but I hope you don’t mind if you also have a County Executive who is praying. I know that God will be with us every step of the way.”

Then, as a message divinely delivered from one trailblazer to another, keynote speaker Bishop Vashti McKenzie, who became the first female bishop within the African Methodist Episcopal Church, gave County Executive-Elect the charge to “Seize the Day.”

“Every day, we must remind ourselves of the potential and the possibility that we are the ones called to change the world,” Bishop McKenzie said. “Not just anybody, but somebody who has grace, guts, and gumption to get things done. I’m glad that Angela Alsobrooks has answered the call to be a working watchwoman on the wall.”

“What often escapes us is that ‘why’ that has called us to change the world, that ‘why’ that draws you to the bottom of the pit to help people get back up on their feet, that helps you interface with powerbrokers and change agents, that joy you feel when the work gets done. The ‘why’ is the versatile tool that will help you focus your energy with laser-light precision so you won’t burn out, you won’t drop out, you won’t opt out.”

After delivering more edifying words, and before County Executive-Elect’s special anointing into office, Bishop McKenzie concluded her message, saying, “No matter the crisis, big or small, get back to your ‘why.’ Whether the resources are large or minimal, or the opposition is overt or covert, get back to your ‘why’ and work faithfully. You are super bad, all day, every day.”

With Ms. Alsobrooks’ historic ascent to the highest County office as its first woman in leadership, the Inaugural Prayer Service was also the opportunity for her to be anointed with blessed oil and touched by the hands of spiritual leaders—a biblical rite of passage when a person is divinely called to leadership service. With the choir gently singing “Anointing Fall On Me,” and as Bishop McKenzie applied the oil to Ms. Alsobrooks, kneeling at the altar, Rev. Watley led the prayer.

“Lord, grant her strength in her appointed office. We pledge as a community of faith to lift Your servant before the altar every day that she serves.”