"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) It is with this scripture that I, Lamonica J. Sykes, greet you as your 2012-2016 CYAM Assistant Secretary. I am a proud, lifelong member of the village that helped raise me - Lane Chapel CME Church of Shreveport, Louisiana, where Rev. Dr. Earl Griffin Sr. is my pastor, and am also a member of the "Mighty" Forth Episcopal District, in the Louisiana Regional Annual Conference of the CME Church where Bishop Thomas L. Brown is my Presiding Prelate.
While I have served the CME Church in many ways, I currently serve as a Steward, Church Treasurer, Children's Choir Director, Children's Church Teacher, and Annual Conference Assistant Secretary. As the daughter of Priscilla and Eddie Sykes, Jr., sister to three brothers, aunt and great aunt of four, Godmother of one, and the proud mother of one daughter, I realize the most important thing to know about me is that I love God, my family and "my" CME church.
The future of the CME church is very personal to me as I pray to one day see my children become active members in this great church. It is with great honor and gratitude that I whole heartedly accept this opportunity to serve in the Kingdom of God.
While each of my pastors have had a profound influence on me, I first became active in young adult ministry under the great leadership of Rev. A. B. Caesar who expressed his belief in me and encouraged me to present my talents unto the Lord. It was later under the outstanding leadership and guidance of my Elder and Pastor, Rev. Curtis L. West, Jr. that God was able to take me out of my comfort zone in order to prepare me for such an opportunity as this one. I now look forward with faith and excitement, under the newly appointed leadership of Rev. Dr. Earl Griffin, Sr., that God has more service for me to do in His Kingdom. As your Assistant Secretary, I believe that although we serve individually as young adults in our local churches, we too, are connectional because we are truly meant to be "one" church. Therefore, I encourage you to learn all you can in your local church with the goal to operate as "one" connectional church so that we may provide God's ministry to the entire nation. Please know that I am here to serve and love you as God commanded me to. To God be the glory and may His perfect peace be with you always.
Lamonica Sykes
CYAM Asst. Secretary