The Churches of Christ 62nd Annual National Lectureship Hosted by Chicago, Illinois April 11-16, 2006 The Ephesian communique authored by the apostle Paul is where we find the highest spiritual truths and values concerning the Christian life and pilgrimage. According to many students of the Scripture, it is without question the most impersonal letter Paul ever wrote. The letter abounds with spiritual riches and at the same time it is intensely practical. The selected theme for the 62nd Annual National Lectureship hosted by the Chicago area African-American churches of Christ is succinctly entitled: "The Power of His Penetrating Presence" taken from Ephesians 3:20. Each message and study cell presentation afforded in this work derives from the Ephesian epistle, with the exception of several "Remembrance Messages" given by ministers at previous Lectureships. Our intended objective is not only to embrace our salvific faith as members of God's new society, but also to acknowledge many of the "great preachers who walked before us" as well.

In this scholarly presentation, Dr. Penn invites the reader of this significant research on a historical pilgrimage back to the early portion of the nineteenth century, in order to revisit the lineage and inception of the George-Kennedy-Anderson-Cathey family of African descent. According to the author, "It is incumbent upon those of us today who are surrogates of their sacrifices, to remember the toil, the tears, the long-suffering and labor which has been given on our behalf by this esteemed 'Collective' which had its early beginning in the 'slave state' of Tennessee. It is without question a legacy of fortitude and unfaltering faith that we should never forget."