Congratulatory Announcements August 2025
*Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine, Judicial Council Vice President and Senior Pastor of Big Bethel, Honored for Civic Activism
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On August 16, 2025, the Reverend Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine, vice president of the Judicial Council of the AME Church and senior pastor of Big Bethel AME Church, in Atlanta, GA, was honored at the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People 90th Anniversary Banquet, as the inaugural chairman's award recipient. The award was given in recognition for Dr. Augustine's civic activism and outstanding clergy leadership, from 2019 to 2025, the six years he served as the senior pastor of St. Joseph AME Church in Durham, North Carolina.
During Dr. Augustine's pastoral tenure, he led St. Joseph in being featured on the front page of USA Today, and multiple times in The Washington Post, as a model for congregation and campus collaboration, in get out the vote efforts and "Souls to the Polls" community rallies, with North Carolina Central University. Dr. Augustine also wrote two books during his years in Durham, Called to Reconciliation: How the Church Can Model Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion (Baker Academic, 2022) and When Prophets Preach: Leadership and the Politics of the Pulpit (Fortress Press, 2023), while also writing academic articles published in the Howard Law Journal, University of Richmond Law Review, and Theology Today. He also taught at his alma mater, Duke University Divinity School, and North Carolina Central University Law School, and was invited to deliver academic lectures in Heidelberg, Germany and Accra, Ghana.
On May 23rd, 2025, Bishop Michael Leon Mitchell appointed Dr. Augustine to lead Big Bethel AME Church.
Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine
Senior Pastor, Big Bethel AME Church
www.jayaugustine.com
jayaugustine9@gmail.com
*Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. Received an Appointment to Teach at Honors College Spring 2026
Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. Pastor of Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Amite, Louisiana and Adjunct Instructor at Louisiana State University received an Appointment to The Rodger Hadfield Ogden Honors College at Louisiana State University for Spring Semester 2026. Dr. Kelly will be teaching Introduction to The Civil Rights Movement. He is also an Affiliated Faculty in The African and African American Studies Department where Dr. Kelly teaches Introduction To African American Studies. He is a graduate of Morehouse College, BA, Springfield College, MEd, Boston University School of Theology, MDiv, and Memphis Theological Seminary, D.Min. Dr. Kelly is recent recipient of The George Deer Distinguished Teaching Award, given yearly to one Faculty member on Campus. He is a life member Kappa Alpha Psi and former 3-time Senior Olympian in Swimming.
Email Contact: spidermh7@yahoo.com
*68th Wedding Anniversary Announcement of Reverend Charles Singleton and Sister Jeanette Pinckney Singleton
Reverend Charles Singleton and Sister Jeanette Pinckney Singleton of Awendaw, SC, again say “We Thank You Jesus, We Thank You Lord” as they celebrate their 68th Wedding Anniversary (September 7, 1957 – September 7, 2025). Reverend Charles, a third grader, and Sister Jeanette, a second grader, met at Gregorie Elementary School. They have been together ever since. They are the parents of Charnette E. Singleton, Charles P. Singleton (Gwendolyn), and Charlton P. Singleton (MaryJo). They also enjoy their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “To God Be the Glory”.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
Sister Charnette Singleton (daughter of Rev. Charles and Jeanette P. Singleton)
or to: gmabelbrown@aol.com
On behalf of Social Action Commission Chair, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, and Director-Consultant Dr. Jacquelyn DuPont Walker, we extend congratulations to you as you praise God for this significant milestone.
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley
