ASE carries two meanings for us. It stands for Angela Snead Empowerment, & it echoes Àṣẹ (pronounced ah-SHAY), a word from the Yoruba people of West Africa that speaks of the power to make things happen. Across the African diaspora, Àṣẹ is spoken as an affirmation, much like "Amen" or "So it is," declaring that what has been spoken will come to pass.
Our faith shares that African heritage. In Acts 8, an Ethiopian official, a man of great authority in the court of Queen Candace, was traveling home reading the prophet Isaiah. When Philip explained the Scripture to him, he received the gospel, asked, "What hinders me from being baptized?" & went on his way rejoicing. Church tradition holds that he carried that good news home to Africa. He heard the Word, believed it, & acted on it without delay.
That is the heart of this community. We move what we believe into action. Empowerment is not only something we receive; it is something we carry and release. Welcome, You belong here. Àṣẹ.💞