WASHINGTON (HUNS) — The Rev. Dr. Brandon Thomas Crowley took the stage in Cramton Auditorium on Sunday with an empowering sermon on empowerment and self-care, bringing in love all the way from Myrtle Baptist Church in West Newton, Massachusetts, to the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.
His address, “The Gracious Gardener,” encapsulated the harms of a “cut-it-down” mentality among individuals and organizations that treat others as if they are disposable. This ranges from social media comments to President Trump’s “cruel deportation policies” and war on Iran.
Crowley, who identifies as a Black gay man, spoke inspiringly about how people should not push themselves to bloom in their barren or recovery seasons. When people repeatedly get cut, he said, God is there to “block the blade” and care for them along with gracious gardeners who fight for their survival.
Chatter among the people in attendance was that Crowley is a boisterous, passionate speaker — the kind of speaker who checked in with the congregation to make sure someone was listening.
Crowley’s message was amplified by his strong belief in his ministry. “To whom much is given, much is required,” he said. “With the gifts that God has blessed me with, it’s important I use them to empower people, to be a gardener.”
“That’s how I see myself,” he reiterated, “tending and caring for people, trying my best to ensure everyone’s flourishing.”
Crowley highlighted that these are anxious times and that young people are leading revolutionary movements.
“A group of people who, the righteous discontent, the fierce urgency of now is rising on the inside of them, and this moment is making people rise to the occasion to respond accordingly.” He also recognized students participating in Alternative Spring Break for their hard work and dedication to their communities.
He noted that the late Rev. Jesse Jackson was in his early twenties when he joined the Civil Rights Movement.
“We think about him as this older, towering figure, but he was the youngest out of all of them at that time,” Crawley said in an interview. “It’s incumbent upon us to change the world. I think we have the ability to do it.”
To preach about having the ability to change the world is one thing, but to be an active force in changing perspectives is another. Crowley has been a pastor for over 17 years and embraces his spiritual, social and mental journey.
“Especially being a queer person and being called to the Black church, it has been challenging.” Crowley said. “I have had people treat me like I didn’t even exist, like I didn’t deserve dignity. But then on the other hand, I have experienced immeasurable amounts of affirmation from the Black church’s will. I’ve had both experiences. My presence here today is a reflection of that balancing.”
Crowley affirms that he will not internalize oppressive language and that he will not allow it to define him.
“But what I’m going to do is define myself. And I define myself through my awareness of my Black history. Drawing strength from my ancestors like Bayard Rustin and so many members of the Harlem Renaissance who were also queer folks.” Rustin organized the March on Washington during the Civil Rights Movement.
Crowley encourages all to see past him as an exception and to look within themselves as exceptional.
“How will we respond in this moment is the bigger question.”
Ebunoluwa Ogunrinola is a reporter for HUNewsService.com.
