Rebranding Christmas from Presents to Presence

By Eric Stradford, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

AMWS, December 21, 2025, Washington, DC – The U.S. Presidency may have forfeited America’s last chance to stand for Christ at Christmas.  The U.S. president, satirized across the African Diaspora as “The Grinch who stole Christmas,” is certain to face daunting truths in the phrase "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

As 2.4 billion followers of Jesus The Christ celebrated Advent through demonstrations of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, free Africans are waking up to their reality as an endowed community. Little children throughout the global village will find their stockings stuffed with more than their little hearts could stand. 

In this year, dubbed the "Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,"  The traditional Christmas narrative, translated by King James of England, has taken its last queue from wanna-be kings. 

Seven aspirations coming out of the African Union to its recently constitutionalized State of African Diaspora  “are rebranding the Triple-Evils of racism, poverty and war with renewed hope for “shared prosperity and well-being, for unity and integration, for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the full potential of women and youth are realized, and with freedom from fear, disease and want.”

In 2025, Free Africans in the United States engaged in internal reparations by reclaiming stolen peoples equity.  They learned KA TUMELO RE LELAPA (By FAITH we are FAMILY).  The name Africa replaced #Alkebulan largely due to historical processes involving Roman conquest, European colonization, and the spread of Latin-based terminology.   Before European influences, As-salam alaikum!  is a blessing by #BlackJesus and the Islamic greeting meaning “Peace be upon you”, and the response means “And peace be upon you too.”

​​"Partnership produces progress, and nothing else does. Marylanders are coming together across all levels of society to end child poverty in our state," said Maryland Governor Wes Moore.  To amplify the impact of Maryland’s ENOUGH Act, philanthropic and private sector institutions are coming together with an initial commitment of more than $100 million calling on other institutions to join their efforts.

For two or three Black preachers, your seven-minute Christmas tidings of comfort and joy may prove to be less comfortable to some than others. Choose your text in “carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society.”

Luke 24:36: "Peace be unto you."

Luke 10:5: "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house."

John 20:19: "Peace be unto you."

John 20:21: "Again Jesus said, Peace be with you!"

John 20:26: "Peace be with you."

 

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Atonement for 2.4 billion #Heirs of Salvation

#JoyToTheWorld -- Lord Jesus, as we rejoice in Your coming, let our joy overflow into acts of love. Teach us that true atonement transforms hearts and societies. May we, as Your people, rise together to end poverty and bring Your kingdom of justice and peace to earth. Amen. 

By Eric Stradford, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

Fiduciary Trustee, FAS2 Free African Society for the 21^st Century

AMWS-FAS2, Sunday, December 13, 2026, Alkebulan – The #BlackJesus Family Trust Fund supports a one-year demonstration for financing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1.  The African Development Bank has been invited to partner with 2.4 billion #HeirsofSalvation to model a multi-donor thematic trust fund focused on resilience and youth entrepreneurship. It aligns with AfDB’s strategic priorities and UN SDGs 1 and 17, aiming to empower Generation Z and Alpha across Africa and the diaspora.

A $100 million crowdfunding campaign supports multi-year engagement culminating June 9, 2030, the Day of Pentecost.  #ThePentecostProject anticipates signs, wonders and miracles through cheerful giving by the planet’s youngest beneficiaries.

On this Third Sunday of Advent, the candle of joy signals #JoyToTheWorld —not a fleeting happiness, but a deep, abiding joy rooted in the promise of reconciliation. Advent values hope, peace, joy and love as community assets for #KingdomFellowship. A fifth candle, lit The Night Before Christmas, anticipates a supernatural atonement to restore what was broken between humanity and God. This gift of grace is not passive; it calls intentional engagement as agents of restoration in the world.

Atonement is not only vertical—between 2.4 billion #HeirsofSalvation and God—but also horizontal—between you and 8.2 billion neighbors you are supposed to love.  The miracle of #NoPoverty2030 #MissionPossible with #BlackJesus is neither ambiguous nor esoteric.

FACT 1: Christ’s coming reconciles humanity to God.

FACT 2: #MissionPossible is the heir’s endowed capacity to reinvest in those who suffer under the weight of poverty and injustice. #JoyToTheWorld becomes complete when it is shared, when the hungry are fed, the oppressed are lifted, and communities are sustained.

FACT 3: “The assistant director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, Hyman Bookbinder, in a frank statement on December 29, 1966, declared that the long-range costs of adequately implementing programs to fight poverty, ignorance and slums will reach one trillion dollars. He was not awed or dismayed by this prospect but instead pointed out that the growth of the gross national product during the same period makes this expenditure comfortably possible. It is, he said, as simple as this: “The poor can stop being poor if the rich are willing to become even richer at a slower rate.” Furthermore, he predicted that unless a “substantial sacrifice is made by the American people,” the nation can expect further deterioration of the cities, increased antagonisms between races and continued disorders in the streets. He asserted that people are not informed enough to give adequate support to antipoverty programs, and he leveled a share of the blame at the government because it “must do more to get people to understand the size of the problem.”

― Martin Luther King, Jr., from Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?

How can 2.4 billion followers of #BlackJesus end poverty?

#PrayerChangesThings

Social Action: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” — Philippians 4:4

Imagine 2.4 billion people of faith united under a shared vision of ending poverty, potential impact could be enormous. Here is one practical, boots-on-the-ground that such a movement could adopt:

1. Collective Resource Mobilization

The $100 m capital campaign is replicable.  It establishes AfDB Trust account for 100 Generation Alpha Reparations Trusts at $1 million each to include operating expenses for a Generation Z Trustee (See Diasbank 10-year 1 million SME Vision of the future).

The AfDB issues a $10k #BlackJesus credit card to the certified Gen X, Y CAM (adult grantee) and Gen Z Trustee advisory team. (See 7 Money-n-the-Bank advisors The Annual Youth Achievement Awards).

These funds could be directed toward youth-led SMEs supporting any of seven Whole of Government Economic Security sectors:

2. Global Advocacy and Policy Influence

2.4 billion people represent nearly 30% of the world’s population—a massive voting and lobbying power.

They could push governments and corporations to:

Implement fair trade policies.

Increase social safety nets.

Support universal education and healthcare.

3. Community-Based Action

Organize sustainable local initiatives:

Food security programs (community farms, food banks).

Skill-building workshops for sustainable employment.

Empower communities to become self-sufficient rather than dependent on aid.

4. Technology and Innovation

Use digital platforms to:

Connect donors directly with beneficiaries.

Share knowledge and resources globally.

Promote open-source solutions for education, agriculture, and healthcare.

5. Cultural Shift

Encourage values of generosity, stewardship, and equity.

Combat consumerism and redirect wealth toward impact-driven projects.

If this movement were well-organized, it could realistically eradicate extreme poverty within a generation. The challenge isn’t resources—it’s coordination, transparency, and accountability. 

There has never been a shortage of resources…JUST RESOURCEFULNESS!

Selemeng Molupe’s Tshepo

By Selemeng Molupe

THE STORY OF JESUS – Ka TUMELO re lelapa Signs, Wonders and Miracles

Tshepo is the Sesotho word for “hope.”  Sesotho is one of some 2000 different languages spoken in Alkebulan, now known as Africa.  Each of these languages also has different dialects peculiar to certain people. The word “Alkebulan” has a long history and indigenous roots. This word does not appear in Hebrew versions of the Bible, though it was widely used throughout Alkebulan, especially by the Ethiopians, Nubians, Moors, and Numidians. Translations of this name include “mother of mankind” and “the garden of Eden,” respectively.

FAS2, July 25, 2025 Maseru, Lesotho – I am Selemeng Molupe.  At Age 13, I am one of 100 Generation Alpha believers applying for #EconomicInclusion in a replicable $100 million USD reparations trust.  I follow Jesus The Christ, through whom all things are possible. I am bi-lingual.  I speak English as a second language to my mother-tongue, which is Sesotho.  KEA LUMELA is Sesotho for I believe.   I believe #NoPoverty2030 is #MissionPossible. 

The name Selemeng has different meanings. According to some sources, it means "stars."  It is of African Alkebulan origin and can also mean "To plough or plant." Other interpretations suggest that Selemeng is associated with love and emotional intelligence.

I have invested a 7-part vision of my future as one whole heir of salvation.  I pray that you will join me and other Generation Alpha followers by investing your Money-n-the-Bank goals to make #NoPoverty2030 #MissionPossible.

Spiritual Goal: To know more about Jesus, read the Bible

Physical Goal: Exercise and be well

Social Goal: Be nice and polite to people

Financial Goal: Knowhow to make money for pursuing my studies

·         How Money Smart Are You?

Educational Goal: Pass well to achieve my dream career

·         LEARN-2-EARN (L2E) 

Professional Goal: To be a medical doctor

Recreational Goal: Well being of my family

My Community Asset Manager, The Reverend Maselemeng Molupe pastors the Holy Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church.  Her vision of “church” is a common vision for believers on six of seven continents worldwide.  She has asked me to account for an investment in my future valued at 878,380.00 (879,252 1800 days x 24 hours = 43,200 hours) Lesotho lotis.  She has asked Jesus The Christ to be with me for the rest of my life. 

My LEARN-2-EARN assignment is to account for $50,000 US Dollars on the way to my home in the #MountainKingdom.  By June 9, 2030, My estimated “cheerful giving” between today,  July 4, 2025 and June 9, 2030 is $1 million USD (approximately 17,567,600 Lesotho lotis).

I need more faith, more hope and plenty of love to believe I can achieve whatever I believe I can achieve. 

Faith: The name Tumelo means "faith”. It is derived from the Sesotho language and represents belief, trust, or confidence in something greater. In Sesotho culture, Tumelo reflects the importance of faith in God, oneself, or others to achieve success and overcome challenges.

Hope: The name Celeste is of Latin origin and means "heavenly" or "celestial." It is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and purity, reflecting the celestial connotations. It is also seen as a name of hope and optimism.

Love: Jesu o rata bana ba banyenyane is how we say Jesus loves little children in Sesotho.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children.”  So, for anyone who HOPES for #KingdomFellowship can do for me what Jesus does for all little children.

According to the Gospels, Jesus performed 37 miracles, with some scholars estimating the number to be between 24 and 37 documented in the gospel accounts. Each miracle served a specific purpose in God's plan of salvation for humankind.  One of the children Jesus loved was a 12 year-old he called Talitha cumi, which is said to mean, “little girl.”  Her name may as well have been Celeste based on the signs, wonders and miracles on their way to her home. 

In Selemeng’s story, Hope is on the way to Ramolefi.’  A father hoped Jesus would come heal his dying daughter.  On the way to Jairus’ house a woman, we’ll call her Veronica Haemorrhoissa, had blood issues for as long as young Celeste had lived.  Veronica is said to have pressed through the crowd of needy folks, falling down in front of the early responder for medical attention.  She had no Medicaid because her government did not value her life.  Veronica’s emergency required TUMELO, but she didn’t know because she didn’t speak Sesotho.  A bi-lingual spirit, flowed from #BlackJesus as she touched the hem of his garment. 

Veronica was made whole, but #BlackJesus was now behind schedule because of the distraction.  Little Celeste was believed to be dead.  Folks at the house needed Hope to get them out of grieving and back to believing.

The Gunny's Bride of 31 Years

 By Eric Stradford, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

AMWS July 1, 2025 Day 1803 of 1827 days for Signs, Wonders, and Miracles #ThePentecostProject

The bride of Christ is a metaphor used in Christian theology to describe the church and its relationship within the “True Family” of #BlackJesus. 

This imagery symbolizes a deep and intimate connection, akin to that of a husband and wife, emphasizing love, unity, and commitment between Christ and his followers. 

The concept is rooted in various biblical passages, particularly in the New Testament, where the church is portrayed as the beloved bride awaiting the return of Christ. This relationship signifies the church's legal standing in #KingdomFellowship with the #KingofKings and the eternal celebration of the union between Christ and the church.

The “True Family” of #BlackJesus includes, but is not limited to #HeirsOfSalvation.   #BlackJesus loves little children and values them individually and collectively as The Kingdom of God. 

For the purpose of demonstration, today, Stephanie Antoinette Walker is celebrated as  “The Gunny’s Bride” of 31 years.  She awakens to celebrate either her first anniversary or “OOOH HAPPY DAY” for retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Eric Stradford.  

The Gunny is vetting Estate Planning Professionals for contract employment.  ENGAGED professionals will execute the donors’ intent for a replicable reparations trust.  THE ANNUAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS provides an established process for ensuring DIVERSITY, EQUITY and INCLUSION.

The Gunny’s First Call is for attorneys and accountants with an interest in a $50,000 contract to restore trust in #OneNationUnderGod.  The successful candidate must respond correctly to the question, “When does a U.S. Marine bugler sound FIRST CALL?”

 

#NoPoverty2030 #MissionPossible Alkebulan

 By Eric Stradford, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

AMWS June 12, 2025, 1827 – 3 = 1824 days Alkebulan -- The National Council of Churches marks the third of a 3-day action with the enduring question, “Where do we go from here?”   

At the same time, members of the World Council of Churches are banking on the power of Pentecost for a miraculous global shift from CHAOS to COMMUNITY.  WCC’s gathering in Alkebulan empowers some 2.4 billion believers to make United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 of 17 #MissionPossible with #BlackJesus.   

The WCC mission of peace and justice aligns with the African Union’s 2025 theme: “2025 Year of Reparations—Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”

The African Union’s 2025 Reparations Agenda aims to address transatlantic slavery, colonial exploitation, and structural underdevelopment.  Faith and government leaders have called for reparatory justice through global governance reform, debt relief, climate action, and the return of looted heritage in partnership with CARICOM and the recent focus of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.

Fiduciary Trustees for the Free African Society (FAS2) have called on the African Development Bank to assist historically disadvantaged  #HeirsOfSalvation in developing Reparations Trusts for the benefit of qualifying youth.  The call is not only for reflection but for clarity, courage, and a strategic reframing of the reparations discourse and reparatory justice vision.  FAS2 FAITH FAMILY TRUSTS is a replicable model to engage stakeholders in the African Youth Charter.

Generation  Z  Stakeholders are encouraged to explore the AUC Internship program.

1827 Days - 1 #ThePentecostProject

By Eric Stradford, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired 

AMWS June 9, 2025, 1827 – 1 = 1826 days Maseru, Lesotho --  If you missed Pentecost Sunday 2025, the anointing of the Holy Spirit may have descended on somebody else’s familytrust.  If you are a leader in the Historic Black Church, you may have influenced two or three followers of #BlackJesus to deny their inherited value as #HeirsofSalvation in Christ.

Today, Generation Alpha accountants are calculating the time you wasted as lost money.  For them, #NoPoverty2030 is #MissionPossible with #BlackJesus.

 The Creator Spirit, whom we invoked in the motherland – Tlo, Moya wa Mmopi – is the Spirit of the Free African who descended upon Jesus as the quiet driving force of his mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Lk 4:18).

“When we ask the Spirit to enlighten our minds, to multiply our languages, to awaken our senses, to instill love, to strengthen our bodies and to grant us peace, we become open to God’s Kingdom,” said Pope Leo XIV.

The historic Black Church in the United States has been called upon to pair meaningful social action within an emerging reality of #KingdomFellowship. 

The Kingdom of indigenous Free Africans predates the introduction of Christianity to the Basotho peoples also known as "San" which comes from the Khoekhoe language. Sans means "foragers" and is used in a derogatory manner to describe people too poor to have cattle.

Imagine being a rightful heir to “cattle on a thousand hills,” and growing up too poor to have cattle.  The church in Lesotho began with the establishment of the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa (LECSA) in 1833 by the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society. The church received support from the local king and developed under its protection. The first mission station was established in Morija, and the church gained independence in 1964.

On Pentecost Sunday, 2025, Holy Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church declared independence from poverty.  The first of 100 Generation Alpha #HeirsOfSalvation is a named beneficiary of a replicable FAITH FAMILY TRUST to be maintained at the African Development Bank.

ACCOUNTABILITY

1 Generation Alpha beneficiary with Money-n-the-Bank.

20 Caring Adult stakeholders

1.     TheEnterpriZe, LLC is the contracted corporate co-trustee for FAS2 Faith Family Trusts. The U.S. Veteran-Owned trust administration company develops and manages succession plans for a replicable Faith Family Trust enterprise.

2.     Youth Achievers USA Institute is a U.S. Delaware incorporated 501c3 public charity. It develops and fund economic inclusion programs for the “whole village” raising the 21^st Century #HeirsOfSalvation.

3.     The African Development Bank – The #BlackJesus card is a secured credit card, funded from select AFDB Multi-Donor Trusts.  #ThePentecostProject immediately establishes AFDB accounts for the Tumelo Family, Soulafilai Family Trust and replicable FAITH FAMILY TRUSTS of the Free African Society.

4.      The Association of Black Estate Planning Professionals is a 501c3 partner with Youth Achievers USA Institute. The GrandMentors Trust partnership establishes a program for certification of trustees by estate planning professionals.

5.     The World Council of Churches - "We believe that the challenge of fighting poverty does not lie solely with governments, but that faith-based organisations are ideally positioned to address it, with their human and financial resources. Loving God, challenge us to see ways in which we can work against poverty."

a.     The World Council of Churches receives Free African Society (FAS2) as a youth-led enterprise in the family of Reformed Institutions.  Five-year development of FAS2 supports inclusion in #ThePentecostProject  as an advocate for #BlackJesus.

6.     The Family Church Serving The Family of God in “in 10 days”

a.     Penelope Vails Williams - Vails Gospel Music Fellowship

b.    Celeste Jonson - Voices of Hope

c.     Donna Davis - Veterans Whole of Government Security

 

#NoPoverty2030 #MissionPossible in 1827 days

By Stephanie A. Walker Stradford and Eric Stradford, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired.

AMWS, June 8, 2025, Maseru, Lesotho -  The first of 100 Generation Alpha secret millionaires is celebrating the promise of Pentecost today as the 27-member Holy Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church here declared United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1, #NoPoverty2030 #MissionPossible with #BlackJesus.

Yesterday, Generation Alpha needed heat.  In case you didn’t know, it’s cold in Lesotho.  Poverty in Lesotho affects a significant portion of the population. 28% of the population live on less than US$1.90 a day, while 50% live below the national poverty line. People living in rural areas, women, and children are disproportionately affected. Despite efforts to reduce poverty, it remains a challenge in the country.  

Two or more #heirsofsalvation believed #PrayerChangesThings.  Fiduciary trustees for the Free African Society (FAS2) are rising from bended knees, believing their 1827 day social action could inspire meaningful reform  for any of 2.4 billion followers of Jesus The Christ.   

#ThePentecostProject promotes capacity building to support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 of 17, #NoPoverty2030.  Multinational engagement promotes outcomes from an historic event described at Acts 2. FAS2 has called on the World Bank, African Development Bank, World Council of Churches and The Vatican to partner for the beginning of an end to poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Who  : The Free African Society for the 21st Century (FAS2) is a youth-led venture with a mission to engage young social entrepreneurs in supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1, #NoPoverty2030.

What: #ThePentecostProject is an interfaith partnership committed to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.  The declaration identifies a shared global vision calling for increased engagement toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

When: Today (June 8, 2025) through Pentecost Sunday, June 9, 2030.  Each year since 2016, as many as 2.4 billion Christians seek to develop a “whole of government” response to the United Nations commitment to human rights.   

Miracle of More Time

There are 1827 days from June 8, 2025 to June 9, 2030. A 1827 day timeline for engagement, based on the aphorism “Time is Money,”  promotes an extended timeline for achieving global goals by simply starting earlier #2gether.  

Where: The least developed countries (LDCs) are developing countries listed by the United Nations that exhibit the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development.  32 of the 44 LDCs are on the African continent.  They include: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia.

Why: To counter security threats where our families live, learn, work and or worship.

How: LIVE EVERY DAY for 1827 days (June 8, 2025 to June 9, 2030).  

START NOW! BELIEVE #NoPoverty2030 is #MissionPossible with #BlackJesus.

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