“Unleashed!”: Ten Days That Built Community — Black Ministries of the Central California Conference

FRESNO, Calif. — When the Central California Conference Black Ministries team began planning for 2026, one question rose to the surface: How do we build lasting community beyond a single annual gathering? For Alonzo S. Wagner III, Black Ministries director, the answer was clear—create intentional spaces where churches can pray, worship, and connect throughout the year.

“Convocation cannot be the only time we come together,” Wagner shared in a recent conversation. “If Camp Meeting is the only time members of our conference gather, it’s difficult to build real community in just a few days. Strong churches and strong conferences are built on strong community, a clear sense of vision and God’s leading.”

Out of that conviction, “Unleashed!” Ten Days of Prayer was born.

Held January 7–16, the virtual gathering united Black congregations across the conference for ten consecutive evenings of prayer, worship, and Christ-centered messages. Following the theme adopted by the General Conference and the North American Division, each evening emphasized repentance, alignment with God’s kingdom, unity, compassion, and radical generosity.

The series opened with Pastor David Dean, followed by Dr. Shelton Kilby and other anointed speakers from across the conference. Yet what made the experience especially powerful was not only the preaching—it was the participation. “People were able to interact, pray together, sing together, and fellowship together,” Wagner explained. “It wasn’t just watching a program. It was worship.”

Hosted on Zoom, the meetings reflected a cultural shift that has taken place since the pandemic. Once considered unfamiliar and even uncomfortable virtual gatherings have now become a practical and effective tool for connection. Though not a substitute for face-to-face fellowship, Zoom proved to be the “next best thing” for churches separated by distance.

Attendance quickly exceeded expectations. Organizers initially planned for fewer than 100 participants, but nightly attendance surpassed that number, requiring an expansion of the online platform. Leaders were encouraged not only by the turnout, but by the spiritual hunger expressed by members. “The most exciting part,” Wagner noted, “was when members said, ‘We don’t want this to stop. We want this to continue.’”

That desire has already sparked the next initiative. From March 21–28, Black Ministries will host a Youth Week of Prayer—also via Zoom. In a significant shift, this upcoming week will be lay-driven and youth-led. “Our young people will not only be speaking,” Wagner said. “They are organizing and leading. It’s not pastor-driven. It’s lay-driven. For anything to be sustainable, it must involve the members.”

The theme “Unleashed” captured more than a title—it described a movement. It represented members stepping out of spectator roles and into active participation, using their spiritual gifts to build the church. A church “unleashed” is a church engaged, empowered, and united in mission.

As Black congregations continue building on the foundation laid during the Ten Days of Prayer, leaders are confident that God is cultivating something deeper than a program—He is cultivating community. “We are not islands,” Wagner reflected. “Each time we come together, we understand each other better. We grow stronger together.”

With prayer as its foundation and participation as its driving force, CCC Black Ministries looks forward to what God will continue to unleash in 2026.

Written by Bryan Bong