NEW BRITAIN -- For some people, carrying the legacy of 104 years on your back may seem like a heavy burden to bear, but for 42-year-oldRev. Charles Tillet Jr., presiding over a congregation of 600 members and standing at the helm of the oldest church in New Britain is more than destiny -- it was his calling.
 

Tillet said he received "the calling" to pursue preaching at the age of 13. When most children his age were hanging out on the sidewalks of his native San Diego, he was preaching in churches. And, now with 27 years of ministry under his belt, Tillet faces the challenges of meeting the expectations of a congregation built on tradition.

"When he first came to Spottswood, he was received very well. Being an established church, we have a lot of older members, some are getting on in age, and some have passed away so Rev. Tillet’s biggest challenge has been getting the younger people involved and he’s done an excellent job at that," Elder church member Alton Brooks said. "I’ve lived in New Britain for over 60 years, and we’ve had young ministers before, but I would call him seasoned beyond his years. That has been in his favor."

Tillet arrived at Spottswoods A.M.E. Zion Church four years ago after three and a half years at Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Windsor. Ready to put his years of ministry, educational experience and passion for preaching to the test, he has accepted his position at the church graciously.

"I started preaching very young. I always knew I was going to preach. Internally, I knew that this was something I wanted to do. It’s very difficult to put into words how you know..but you just know."

Renee Knight has been a member of the church since she was a young child taking Sunday school classes from her grandmother and has seen many reverends enter and exit through the doors of Spottswood. In her eyes, Tillet’s experience as a teacher helps him connect with the youth to create a stronger congregation.

"He’s very knowledgeable, and being that he’s young, I think it helps the young adults at the church -- they relate to him very well," Knight said. "I think coming into such an established church and getting to know new members may be a challenge for some people, but his personality and vision opens eyes."

For Tillet, opening the eyes of the youth in his congregation has been a goal since the day he stepped into Spottswood. And as a single father, empowering young men is a strong focus.

"There seems to be a loss of men. My greatest challenge is to get young men actively involved. We want to address men’s issues from a biblical context," Tillet said. "We are in the process of developing a mentoring ministry where the older men who serve as officers train and nurture them to prepare them to step into their roles.

"It’s also important for us to move beyond the church and into the community to engage our young men to be concerned about other people."

As a member of the Board of Education, Tillet believes that he has placed himself in a position that can create change.

"I joined the Board of Education to be an advocate for the disenfranchised -- for those students who fall between the cracks. And affecting change is challenging to do," Tillet said. "I’m new to the BOE arena, so I still need to see what is necessary to affect change, and I’m ready for the challenge."

Making transitions and facing challenges head-on is something that Tillet attributes in part to his church family.

"The church has been a great support for me, when my children’s mother passed away 2 years ago, they were there for the family, and we wouldn’t have gotten through it without them.

"And, if they need me for any and everything, I’m here for them. I am a nurturer, a teacher, a preacher, counselor, inspirer,"Tillet said. "I think it’s more important to be internally empowered and I want the members to the church to develop spiritually, not only in the church, but throughout the community."

Spottswood A.M.E. Zion began as a mission on Church Street in 1903. In 1905 it was incorporated as the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Since that time the church has had many Reverends, and renovations, eventually moving from Church Street to it’s current location on 25 Crestwood Lane in New Britain. For more information about Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church visit their Web site at www.spottswoodamezion.org.

Franchone Fraser-Ben Reuben Bey can be reached at ffraser@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, Ext. 221.