A Charge To Keep | Pastor Stephen A. Green | September 28, 2026

Main message: The congregation is called to be the "light of the world" (Matt. 5:14), speaking up against injustice and expanding Allen Cathedral's mission from a single church into a transformative "City of Allen" that serves its neighborhood and the nations. This requires renewed commitment—worship, witness, practical community development, and financial pledges to seed the vision.

Key points:

• Jesus’ charge to be light means raising voices, acting against darkness, and letting good works point people to God.
• The church’s long history of witness (founded 1834) and examples like Benjamin Banneker and contemporary injustices underscore the call to justice and advocacy.
• Allen Cathedral’s identity is to serve the vulnerable: feeding, teaching, consoling, and protecting the community across crises.
• Vision shift: move from “cathedral” to a broader “City of Allen” including school expansion (Eagle Academy), a 24/7 community chapel/center, arts/performance spaces, affordable housing for workers, a hotel, and cultural initiatives.
• Practical call to action: pick up commitment cards, pray about sacrificial pledges (examples given), with a one-year campaign target of $3 million seed funding and plans toward projects by 2027.
• Expectation of spiritual renewal and global impact—local transformation leading to revival in the Caribbean, Africa, India, Europe, and beyond.

Scriptures mentioned: Matthew 5:14, Matthew 28:19