History: The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) grew out of the Free African Society (FAS) which Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and others started in Philadelphia in 1787. Separating from a segregated church in 1794, Bethel AME was born with Allen as pastor. At the time, black Methodists in other communities faced tremendous racism within the church and desired religious freedom, so Allen organized a meeting in Philadelphia to form a new denomination for blacks, the AME.
Today, the AME church has membership in 39 countries over five continents. The work of the Church is administered by 21 bishops, and nine officers.
Motto: "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family"
Beliefs: The AME denomination is Methodist in terms of its basic doctrine and order of worship. The Methodist Church follows general Wesleyan theology. Belief in the sinfulness of man, the holiness of God, the deity of Jesus Christ, and the literal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of man are held in common with other Christian churches.
Sources: www.gotquestions.org, www.ame-church.com
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