Stories of African Redemption Highlight Rites of Passage Ceremony

Oukumo, the closing ceremony for the Zion Hill Baptist Church Rites of Passage Program will graduate 51 students on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 5 pm, Zion Hill Baptist Church, 6175 Campbellton Road, SW, South Fulton, GA 30331. The public is invited. Admission is FREE and plenty of parking is available.

From the backdrop of Zion Hill’s 2017 churchwide emphasis of “Telling Our Sacred Stories” (personal narratives that can possibly segue into conversations of Christian discipleship), evolved the theme for this year’s Rites of Passage (ROP), “Stories of African Redemption” (S.O.A.R.). The 2017 ROP activities for 13-weeks have been learning experiences built upon storytelling connected to the colonization and liberation of many of the 55 nations on the African continent. The diverse stories expressed in these liberation efforts from the 1950’s and 60’s are freedom narratives - inspiring words leading to and effecting emancipation. The learning outcome for ROP students is hopefully a connection with these “Stories of African Redemption – SOAR” – that will also serve as inspiration for these youth to ultimately have their own sacred stories to tell.

Zion Hill’s First Lady, Sister Sheila Parker is the gifted leader and coordinator for the Rites of Passage Program. ZHBC’s dynamic Pastor Aaron L. Parker, said of the program that was birthed from his prophetic vision for youth ministry, “As these youth immerge from this transitional experience of the Rites of Passage Program, we hope they will consider the courageous actions and faithful dedication of history-making women and men toward the liberation and colonization of African nations, and that they too will begin to “SOAR” with their own stories of independence, triumph and achievement”.

For 22 years, Zion Hill has developed and provided programming to nurture teens (13-18), aiding them in their transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Through the ROP, participating youth gain a better understanding of the richness of their culture, the brillance of their minds, the sacredness of their bodies and the power of their faith.

The Class of 2017 joins over 700 alumni that have completed the program since its inauguration in 1995. On November 12^th, the young men (Adigun Nkosi) and the young women (Kentake) will symbolically crossover from youth to adulthood in the jubilant Oukumo ceremony amid African drums, music and spoken word. The Zion Hill Church family invites all to come and witness this formidable production with its unique blending of African heritage and present-day cultural enrichment and spiritual instruction.

For more information about the Zion Hill Baptist Church Rites of Passage Program and the Oukumo, call 404-691-8025 or go to www.zionhill.org.