In this Issue
Rev Richburg For Bishop Page 20
Page 18
Judge McDuffie Page 28 Hall Johnson Camp Page 5
Sam Dennis Page 10
Curtis Young Page 13
Senior Usher Anniversary - Page 7
A Panther In Church Page 13
Page 14
Page 23
Panorama Newspaper Page 16
“O” Page 17
Preaching is his Mistress Page 21
Kizer Walker Page 22
Katherine Burton / Violinist Page 24
The Carpenters Shop Page 33
Page 32
From the Publisher
Still Here A Christian View Magazine was born in 2009, and the Lord has been blessing it every year since. I saw a need in the Christian Community for spiritual communication between the believers of Jesus Christ and their work in Jesus’ footsteps. This has been a rough road to travel and to this day, I am trying to fill that need. I would like to thank each and every one of you for sticking with me and my staff as we try to print a publication that I pray uplifts and encourages you the reader in some way or at least leads you to a church home. A Christian View Magazine has truly grown over the last five years; so much, so that we now have readers all over the world, on line and in print. Even though A Christian View has had great success, it still needs your help to continue blessing you, our readers. Each month just like any other business, we must meet financial obligations. It’s expensive and very time demanding to produce this type of magazine with no financial backer or sponsor. A Christian View Magazine is produced by you, our advertisers, subscribers, and those that purchase ACVM. Thank all of you.
Contact us
Min. Joe Johnson, Publisher Rev. Eva W. Summers, Editor Fredrick Gale, Sales Manager Frederick.gale.7@gmail.com Angela S. Johnson, Support , SC Arthur Rogers, Graphic Support, NC Angela Newsome, Web Support, VA Email any above at: achristianviewmag@yahoo.com or Leave a
message at 301-744-7132
A Christian View Magazine is published monthly by Min. Joe Johnson in Columbia, South Carolina. The P.O. Box address is P.O. Box 9911 Columbia SC, 29209 SUBSCRIPTION price $35 per year for on-line Magazine $58 per year Postal Delivery Please mail to address above or use Pay Pal at achristianview.ning.com Circulation now includes: All 50 States And 167 countries.
I, Minister Joe Johnson, am always on the road to visit churches and ministries where ever the Lord leads me. I have done this for the past five years and pray to continue another five years. I truly believe that this is my ministry, and it is growing but it has not been easy; for example when I travel five hours to a location only to find out that the financial promise is not going to be kept or when someone expects to get free copies to give to family and friends not thinking about the cost it took to print, or when an error has been made in an article, etc. Only God gives me strength to persevere and push We would love to have your church in a past the moment realizing that there is a plan for ACVM. future issue of ACVM. Send all A Christian View Magazine will one day be published in five cities across the counrequests for try and employ people from those areas. I want to be a blessing to those that can’t coverage of your event or find employment, or to those that are retired and looking for something to fill their program to days. This all can be possible with your help, the reader of this publication.
achristianviewmag@yahoo.com
Be a part of the future of ACVM by calling us and letting us know what's going on in your city or your church or in your life with your personal testimony. We can’t write about you or your service if no one contacts us. If you have a business or know someone with a business please email me and I will gladly contact them in hopes of acquiring an advertisement in an upcoming issue. A Christian View Magazine and I will be available for you, just give us a heads up a few weeks in advance and I or someone from my staff will be in touch. This article is not to complain but to enlighten you the reader that even though we produce a professional publication and is being read by a lot of people I still need your help to sustain and if you can’t at this moment please pray for me and ACVM that we continue to be a blessing to so many. Minister Joe Johnson
achristianviewmag @ yahoo.com Achristianview.ning.com 301-744-7132
The 2014 Hall Johnson Summer Camp and Concert were held at Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina in July. The festival conductor was Maestro Roland Carter, who has spent many years as the choral director at Hampton University and music administrator at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Many hours during the week were spent preparing the students for a most enjoyable concert performance. Under his leadership, the music came alive and the students sang with confidence that could only come from the teaching of a skilled and professional conductor. The camp consisted of twenty students from different parts of the state. A few of them plan to return next year. The staff was comprised of Bobra Bright McAdams, Founder & General Advisor; Charlene Spearmen, Resident Poet; Kenneth Green, Camp Director; Roland Carter, Festival Conductor; Ginger Jones-Robinson, Vocal Instructor; Carolyn Cleveland, Piano Accompanist; Peter Felder, II, Instructor; Herbert Johnson, Head Counselor; Jason Singleton and Camry Marsh, Camp counselors. The students were welcomed by Dr. Lady June Cole, Interim President. She said, “this is a wonderful opportunity for each of you to contribute your gifts and talents to help make the camp a success and to have a meaningful learning experience.” The Hall Johnson Negro Choir was formed in 1925 by Dr. Francis Hall Johnson (1888-1970). He was an American composers and arranger that elevated the African-American spiritual to an art form. He conducted his choir in more than thirty feature length Hollywood films. His arrangements of the spirituals have been recorded by some of the world’s finest artist. After his death he was elected to the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. This camp at Allen University is name for this extraordinary musician. Musical selections performed during the concert were: “Lift Every Voice and Sing; Listen to the Lambs; I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin; Let us Break Bread Together; At the Feet of Jesus; Steal Away; Give Me Jesus; I’ve Been Buked; I’ll Never Turn Back No More; and Ain’t Got Time to Die.” Mrs. Bobra McAdams received substantial assistance from Dr. Eugene T. Simpson, author and curator of the extensive collection and memorabilia of Hall Johnson’s legacy and endowment. Because of the close friendship between Dr. Simpson and Dr. Johnson, Mrs. McAdams and Dr. Simpson developed summer camp activities that were very interesting to the students and a performance that was enjoyable by the community.
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President Myers
Senior Ushers’ Ministry Canaan Missionary Baptist Church Deacon Vinson
Rev Dr. Alfred Williams
Canaan Missionary Baptist Church
on Mosstree Rd North Charleston South Carolina and their Senior Ushers’ Ministry held their 76th Anniversary Celebration, it was a week long event saw a host of speakers representing: New Francis Brown United Methodist Church; Royal Baptist church; Mt. Olive Baptist Church; Jerusalem Baptist Church and the host pastor Rev. Dr. Alfred Williams. President Brother Jacob Myers, Jr remarked “I am truly overwhelmed with what I have seen today, the sight of these ushers is truly a sight to see.” The theme for the week was “Jesus Christ, the oly foundation,” the scripture : “if any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” 1 Corinthians 3:14
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Radio Personality
Sam Dennis, a video announcer and local minister at Canaan AME Church in Andrews, SC (little area called Trial) has been in radio for 33 years. He remembers at six years old working on a reel to reel, and taking the reel to reel to the local radio station every week for two years. Bishop David Joyner was the radio announcer at that time. He remembers working for his father on his TV show which was the Southern Gates, which was his job until high school. While in high school he started hanging out in the band room and playing the piano. He remembers the first song he learned to play was “O Happy Day.” This song was played in his first contest and he won. As a result he started playing the piano regular. He became so good that he received eight scholarships to Historical Black Colleges and Universities. Livingston offered him a full ride so that’s where he went. Even though he had been playing gospel music with his mom and dad growing up, a man named Jimmy Thomas formally introduced him to gospel music at Livingston. He auditioned for the prayer meeting choir that performed at prayer meetings on Wednesday nights and that’s how he met John P Kee, traveling from Charlotte to Salisbury and the rest is history. He still plays and sings after receiving a degree in music from Livingston and later a Masters in Music Education from Wake forest. When he returned home he met Jessie Williams, who introduced him to the radio business. He wasn’t just being a radio announcer, but had to learn production, sales, management and more. He has met many artists, such as Edwin Hawkins and performed with them as well. He has always wanted to be involved in the gospel music part of radio, which is number one in his life because of the fear of God, to put something back into the community, to give hope and to help people reach out and grab something. In the early days, gospel radio and the business of radio were like poison to each other; those two could not mix together; people didn’t accept the business side of gospel radio. And that’s one of the reasons why gospel radio is so far behind secular radio. The refusal to accept the business side, allow individuals to come and prophesied; and then end up with a thirty minute program and eventually taking over the whole radio station. Gospel radio today has more staying power than any secular power because the churches that broadcast on the gospel radio stations and the length of time they have been on the station consistently. The gospel ministry being sponsored by the secular business is more important on the radio than the secular business itself, because it is temporary. Everything that he does is for the people it’s not for him; he doesn’t want any credit. There are individuals in the listening population that are home bound, blind, health failing, family gone and all they have are their radios. That’s it; they are not buying cds, they will never go out to see a recording artist, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s good to talk about it when the announcer returns on the air. People that are homebound or in the hospital they can visualize what took place at the event and hear the remarks. Recently some friends came together to honor Mr. Dennis for his time in broadcasting. Although they called his name and they put a number by it that had nothing to do with him. That was for all those guys and all those ladies who have never been celebrated. That was for all those radio announcers that have moved on and been forgotten about such as Brother Isaac Haywood. Folks that were there when there was no syndication, when there were no computers, these folks still played the gospel and they took the gospel everySam and where. James Fortune
Sam Dennis
Sam and Beverly Crawford
Sam and H.E. Dixon
Continued next page
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Sam Dennis Continued
My New Address
That’s what it was about; it had nothing to do with him. Yeah, they called his name, but how about those announcers that have gone on that couldn’t even pay their bills, health failed, no insurance, couldn’t even buy medicine; but week after week they would climb up in that radio station whether it was cold or squirrels coming through the ceiling they would climb up in that radio station just to give somebody else hope. And that’s not just here in Charleston, he hopes that every market and city do something for those that came before, it’s something to think about. Mr. Dennis sees in his future, owning another station. “I would love to do that and I’m depending on God to do that for me. I would love to acquire three FM stations.” If someone reading this would like to talk to him he can be reached at samdennis1955@gmail.com or stop by his church at 2365 Seaboard Rd. in Andrews, SC He has worked with a lot of quartet artists; he has presented a host of artist to the city of Charleston. He sees a lot of musicians going Caribbean today and this music growing in our churches. The key point in this business is to do right and be right. His advice to anyone coming into the radio business is “radio broadcasting is not a glamorous business, know your region, and know where you are; New York is different than South Carolina. And you have to study the market, if you don’t do it right you will have a problem. Talk to the people to see what they like and don’t like. He has four children all girls, two from birth, and two adopted. And on my tombstone just put FATHER and nothing else.
Recently the writer of this article attended a home going service in Maryland, in which he heard this letter entitled “My New Address” read and felt it would be interesting to share with the readers. The service was for Thelma T. Griffin. “My dear family and friends, Please be advised that I have moved. I received a call from God, Chief Architect the other day, and he informed me that my new home was complete. You all know that I had been working on my building, sending up my timbers, packing up, and getting ready to go. I knew that my mansion needed some finishing touches and that the Chief Carpenter, Jesus Christ had to inspect it and give the final approval. On the morning of last Thursday, he let me know that my mansion was complete and that I could move in. So he told me to go ahead and change my address. Well, my new home is finished and what a sight it is to behold!! It is located on an exclusive estate behind a beautiful pearly gate. It is just over on the other side of a serene celestial shore. Of course, you know the streets are paved with gold and everyday is Sunday, just like you’ve been told. Trees with twelve manners of fruit grace my garden and I can walk and talk with my master with not a worry or a care… I have lived many places, but my new home is so much better than any other place I’ve ever lived. There is piece, joy, happiness, no pain or heartache, no more pills or doctors, no strife, or discontent, only sweet serenity. I can dine at the Master’s bountiful table and listen to a heavenly choir! And best of all my Heavenly Father is here in all His Glory!! And oh yes, I have my own designer here who has fitted me with my very own white robe and wings. I could go on and on about my new home, but instead I’m going to pray that you get to move here yourself one day… Before I go though, let me give you my new address: Thelma T. Griffin 72 Heavenly Circles Godstown, Heaven 123135 I don’t have a telephone, but you can always call on God. If you don’t know his number, read your bible, it’s listed on every page.”
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Happy Anniversary
Pastor Curtis Young
A Panther in Church
Rev Norman, Renoldo, Josh, and Rev Derrick Scott
St. Paul A.M.E Church in Irmo,
Pastor Curtis Young Celebrated his tenth anniversary in June as the under shepherd of Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Cameron, South Carolina with First Lady Lois Young at his side. The theme was “Recognizing the leader that watches over our souls.” There were musicians and soloist from all over SC that rendered selections at the service. Rev. Young is a gospel singer also. The Master of Ceremony was Rev. Dr. Frank Thomson, Jr. The Cedar Grove Male Chorus sung the first selection, followed by Minister Algeron Wright, Cedar Grove Combined Choir and many others. The church was full and individuals arriving late found seating only in the choir section. Rev. Dr. Anthony McCallum, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist church in Columbia SC, gave a spirit filled message that was filled with encouraging words for Rev. Young. The church was excited about what God had in store for Cedar Grove and their pastor. Gifts and praises were given to Pastor Young and First Lady Young. A very delicious dinner was served and enjoyed by all. The evening ended with Rev. and Mrs. Young giving remarks to everyone in ap p r eci at io n for their support.
SC, where Rev. Derrick Scott is the pastor, recently had a couple of sports stars as visitors. They were Josh Norman, corner back of the Carolina Panthers for the past three years and his brother, Ranoldo Norman, The Jacksonville Giants basketball team. These brothers were invited as part of St. Paul’s Athletic day in which the church honors athletes in their congregation. Members of the church wore jerseys and sports Mother & son clothes to represent their favorite professional sports or college team. In his introduction, Pastor Scott said “This is a family of athletes and one is going to speak to us from an athletic perspective and the other is going to speak to us from a spiritual perspective. They each have different gifts even though they are from the same tree. There are five boys that came up in this God fearing home where the father is the Rev. Norman and the mother, Sis Sandra Norman, who is a vocalist and a pianist. Josh Norman is from Greenwood, SC and played with the Greenwood Eagles at Greenwood High School. Pastor Scott was his little League coach and is very proud of him. Josh Norman is number 24 on the Carolina Panthers and was there to encourage the young people in the church. Ranoldo Norman is the other brother that spoke to the congregation that day, but this brother is following his father in the ministry as well as being a professional athlete. His other brothers focused on football but Ranoldo focused on basketball, he’s played professional basketball for seven years all over the world, and now in Jacksonville Florida playing forward for the Jacksonville Giants ABA Basketball League. He preached from Matthew 25 and was titled “Whose team are you on?” Youth and athletes of St. Paul A.M.E
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2346 Two Notch Rd Columbia SC / 803-256-4015
Recently, SC State University’s School Of Business held their 2014 Business week, and the theme was “Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Turning Ideas into Opportunities.” The speakers for the opening session were the owners of Carolina Panorama Newspaper, Nathaniel Abraham Jr and Nathaniel Abraham, Sr. Nathaniel Abraham Jr is owner of MBD Media, which publishes the Carolina Panorama and it has served the area’s African American community since 1986. This father and son team has been working together for over 26 years. The newspaper got its start from his father Nathaniel Abraham Sr. It was first named the Palmetto Post. Abraham Jr took over the newspaper in 2004. It is circulated in Winnsboro, Irmo, Lexington, Richland and Orangeburg Counties. Their office is run by their right hand person Mrs. Patricia Abraham, who is married to Nathaniel Jr and they have three children. They attend Zion Baptist Church where Nathaniel Jr is a trustee and the pastor is Dr. Kevin Donaldson Sr. In 2009, inspired by the Empowerment Experiment, a Chicago family’s project to patronize only African American owned businesses for one year, he started a weekly column listing which minority owned businesses he had visited that week and how much he had spent. That year, Abraham also launched the newspaper’s front-page “Community Business of the Week” column, highlighting a different minority owned company each week. Abraham’s efforts to promote minority businesses extend beyond the newspaper. He is co-founder of the Midlands Business Referral Network, which connects local minority business owners with free resources and advice, and a co-founder of the Professional Minority Photographers of the Midlands. He has also received the SBA 2013 Minority Business Advocate of the year award. Nathaniel Abraham, Sr. has also devoted his life to making a positive impact on the Black community. His message has been clean and consistent: “The minority community needs a voice- A strong and resonant voice that’s not afraid to right that which is wrong, fight injustices and champion the causes of the underprivileged. Remember, if we are afraid to tell the truth, we don’t even deserve freedom.” He has used the voice of the print media to promote the Black community politically, educationally and economically. He has also worked with and trained the majority of the state’s Black newspaper publishers. Nathaniel Sr. has won many awards during his career, including the Columbia Urban League’s Whitney Young Award, The Key to the city of Columbia and Region, and National Minority Media Cornerstone Award from the U.S. department of Commerce. The Panorama recognized black businesses that have been in business for over 40 years and pasted down for more than two generations. Those in the community have grown to look for the panorama newspaper every week; they know that it will be filled with news and info that relate to their issues and concerns. The motto of The Panorama is “Positive News for a Positive Experience.” Both of these men confirm that the only reason they are still in business is because of the man upstairs, because he has their back. They must be doing something right, because to be able to give a free publication these days is something that is not done too often anymore. They would like to have the continued support of the community in the future.
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Founding Members: Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace Long-time Members: Mike Cook, Ron Staples, Johnny Valentine, Michael McCowin and Wilbert Williams The original Mighty Clouds of Joy members were made up of members from three different Los Angeles Gospel groups. Today, the current membership is made up of two of the original group, Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace, plus Johnny Valentine, Ron Staples and Michael Cook, who have all been singing together for some time. The Mighty Clouds of Joy formed in 1955, and started recording in 1960, and have been going strong ever since, through "triumphs and tragedies, successes and near failures," becoming living legends in the process of serving Jesus Christ through their unique musical gifts, which have been showcased in their years of singing Gospel music, taking the genre "to places it seldom, if ever had been." All members of The Mighty Clouds of Joy have similar backgrounds, beliefs and attitudes concerning their faith and their musical efforts. "We all had similar backgrounds -- we were all raised in the church, and we all had a like mind about the kind of music we wanted to do. And we've remained dedicated to each other and the quality of the music all these years." - Joe Ligon. Having a love for Jesus and a love for Gospel music were two important areas which Joe Ligon and the other members of The Mighty Clouds of Joy took to heart, motivating them to sing Gospel music, much to the blessing of their audience. For what they have learned about Jesus through His Word and through a life depending on Him, has inspired heartfelt performances of the wonderful collection of songs found on their albums Joe Ligon, lead singer, was born into a large family and grew up in rural Alabama. Joe shares in an interview found in the group's promotional materials about his upbringing and important moments in his childhood and youth, his church experiences being a cornerstone in his developing faith. One can find some of his early experiences expressed in several songs found on their album, IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD The album's title song, IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD catches the spirit and worship experiences that young Joe remembers in his growing up years, when his grandma took him to church. Grandparents were and are a positive spiritual influence in the lives of many children and people. Joe Ligon's Sunday experiences and his church's annual revival as well, positively effected his love for the Lord and helped him to grow spiritually through music and worship, important seeds of faith which were planted early in his life. Like the little boy in the song, Joe Ligon was taken to his grandfather's church which was a church family who encouraged Joe to grow spiritually through music and other experiences. Witnessing Christians around him expressed their faith and love of the Lord through words, songs, feeling the movement of the Holy Spirit among them. Joe's mother was a source of encouragement . Though stage-shy in nature, Joe was encouraged to sing by his family, especially his mother in church for the love of Jesus, in worship to Him. Joe shares this in a song called Mama Prayed Us Through. Prayer was an important part of everyday life in Joe Ligon's family. His mother "prayed" them through many hard times, and the Lord always came through. Joe Ligon thanked his mom. "I want to thank my mom, Bernice Ligon, for always seeing my God given talent and encouraging me to use it the way God wanted me." Joe Ligon and the other members further express their testimony about how the Lord Jesus has been a loving guiding force in their lives through their relationships with Him, through the songs they sing. .
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After 50 years of being with the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace have decided to pursue other avenues in the gospel music. Legendary singer, Joe Ligon, will continue touring all over the world and recording as Joe Ligon and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. One of the greatest gospel groups of all time, Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Inductees, Gospel Hall of Fame Inductees, Image Award winners, 11 time Grammy Nominee and 3 time Grammy award winning Mighty clouds of Joy have been singing and traveling for over 50 years. Their hits include “I been in the Storm Too Long”, “Ride the Mighty High”, Steal Away”, Bright Side”, “Heavy Load”, and “I am a Living Testimony..” They have toured with almost every gospel group and even R&B groups such as The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Earth Wind & Fire and many more. The Clouds have found a diverse audience that includes both old school and new school listeners, whether you’re a bible-totin’ believer or a I-pad totin’ believer you’ve probably heard a tune from the clouds that still gets you patting your feet and praising God. With today's gospel music going in all directions it’s great to hear a traditional gospel quartet every once in a while. The Clouds has music for every generation and they have not forgotten what has gotten them to where they are in gospel music today and that is The Lord.
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A Service of Worship & Praise For The Reverend Dr. Caesar R. Richburg, Pastor 2016 Candidate for Bishop Orangeburg SC The committee to elect Dr. Caesar R. Richburg as a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church participated in a grand worship experience on Sunday 13, 2014 at Williams chapel AME Church of Orangeburg, SC. The worship service featured greetings, commendations and salutations from the Right Rev. Frederick Calhoun James, a retired Bishop of the church, The Rev. Dr. George F. Flowers, the executive Director of Global witness and Ministry for the A.M.E. church, the Presiding Elders of the Central Conference and numerous civic and community leaders that have been imparted by the ministry of Dr. Richburg. The highlight of our worship was the skillful and scholarly preaching moment provided to us by the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris, the resident Bishop of the 7th Episcopal District. Bishop Norris preached to us from the 3rd chapter of 1st Timothy under the subject: “So, You Want to be Bishop ?� We left Williams Chapel that evening refreshed, renewed, transformed and revived.
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Preaching Became His Mistress Is it hard to be a pastors wife ? We at A Christian View often ask you the reader for your testimonies, and I want to thank you for your replies. This is one that came in from a reader named Karen, she wanted to put this out there to possibly help or minister to someone else. I Joe Johnson think this is an issue that needs to be brought up because I have met several people that tell me how hard it is to be a pastors wife or even a ministers wife. I have done some research and after you read her comments please look at my findings. Karen wrote: My husband was a pastor/evangelist of various prisons in our state. He was so faithful to the sheep. God was first, the inmates were second; and I and our three girls came last. My husband preached in the prisons more than he was home or at his 40 hour a week job. He was a man of great faith, integrity, and character. No one would ever imagine that I and the children were so neglected. Whenever there was an issue that needed to be addressed; my husband would find someplace to go and preach to avoid the issue. Preaching became his mistress, even though he was doing it all in the name of The Lord. Pastors families are some of the most neglected people in the world. Wow I thought that was very deep, thanks Sister Karen. Please realize that you are not alone, there are many pastors wives that feel neglected trying to be the wife that honors her husband’s calling to the ministry because it is the work of the lord. here are some statistics. Three of the major researchers into clergy life all voiced similar statistics: The Barna Group reports 2008 that 90% of pastors report working between 55- 75 hours per week 50% of pastors report feeling unable to meet the demands of their jobs 70% constantly fight depression 50% of pastors starting out will not last 5 years 50% of pastors’ marriages end in divorce 70% of pastors do not have a close friend Ellison Research reports that according to the results of their study: 71% of pastors say that they are overweight by an average of 32.1 pounds 52% say that they experience signs of stress on a weekly basis Most ministers are so ambitious they try to build a ministry with folks that may or may not be with them a few years down the road. The wives or spouses are usually the neediest people in a typical congregation. Statistics show that most wives of senior pastors blame the ministry for the marital difficulties they have! Do we need to talk about what pictures come to mind when we think of the term “P.K.”? The children and spouse of senior pastors often become embittered because the husband’s focus is constantly on the needs and vision of the church to the emotional neglect of the ones he is most responsible for! Many pastors’ wives blame the ministry for 80 percent of their marital problems. Many pastors who allow congregants to call their homes, interrupt family time or dinner time, allowing visits at all hours of the night, thinking this is what God expects of them. This is could be one of the reasons why children of preachers hate the ministry and would never even think of imitating their parent’s faith and works. Some successful pastors have an office OUTSIDE of their home —to keep set office hours and separate church work from their family time in regards to affection and focus. Without setting proper boundaries, the pastor will inevitably sacrifice their family on the altar of ministry, alienating both spouse and children. Continued on page 26
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Call me @ 540-205-5612
Kizer Walker Kizer Walker, a native of Louisa, Virginia and minister of music at Kingdom of God Deliverance Ministries International in Brandy Station VA, has experienced a lifelong support in music from his father, James Walker, who is a pastor and musician. . Kizer is interested in traveling to various functions and engagements, as well as having a desire to work with professional musicians and performers across the country. Walker began playing with Davon Jefferson and The Children of Israel from Richmond, Virginia and continues to move forward. He plays organ, bass and sings; he is very gifted when it comes to learning new material. At five years old, Kizer began playing the drums for the Walker singers which consisted of his family members. He adhered to a daily practice routine and learned new material which enhanced his ability to play anything that he hears. God has blessed him with this gift which he had to sacrifice many long hours daily to be able to glorify God and entertain man. Therefore, he hopes to begin traveling in the near future. He has a passion for gospel music, but he can play any type, contemporary or traditional. His gift is evident when the attendants saw him play three organs at the conference that was held at Kingdom of God Deliverance Ministries International in Brandy Station. The founders of the church, Apostle Gregory and Prophetess Carol Simpson, have nothing but praise to give for this young man’s talent. “He is truly gifted,” said Apostle Carol Simpson. Kizer said, “In all things remember, it is Christ who strengthens you, and God can do anything for you if you put him first”.
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Prophetess Geraldine Simpson and her husband Apostle Gregory Simpson have been in ministry for twelve years in the Culpepper area of Virginia. Prophetess Simpson recently hosted a women’s conference, “Broken to be Made Whole,” with guest speakers, Apostle Carmen Mills, Apostle Sylvia Cunningham, and Pastor Nikita Garrison Watson. Their testimonies related directly to the theme of this conference. When God showed Pastor Simpson these women she did not questioned Him. She, immediately, invited them to be speakers at the Broken to be Made Whole Conference. Pastor Simpson said that she is taking this conference on the road; the Lord gave her a vision called “The Kingdom Daughters Movement”; and they have already lined up different Virginia cities to visit. In the month of December, Charlotte, NC will be their destination. They have a team of spiritual daughters ready to break chains everywhere. If you would like this team to come and visit your ministry where the women/men can be set free please contact them. A lot of ministries do not have women ministers in their churches so their whole assignment is to break barriers in every city they are blessed to visit. “There are so many problems in our churches because people need to be set free. All of these bad feelings like envy, hatred, bitterness, gossip and all this stuff; and I can truly say that when we started out in this ministry that’s what we dealt with. And it came from women that were so hurt and broken. But now there’s been a great turn around and great progress, and transformation; because women that have come into this ministry say they want to be free and remain free,” said Prophetess Simpson. They tell her that they want what’s on her life because she walks in freedom, of mind, will and emotions. She wants to tell women that they can be made whole and stay whole. Invite them to your city. She said “the kingdom of God suffers violence, but the violent takes it by force.” I’ m violent; I refuse to let the enemy take anybody. The decision to surrender your broken body to God is necessary in order that you will be able to minister to someone else that’s broken. Amen Kingdom of God Ministries International, 18399 Brandy Rd, Brandy Station, VA, 540-825-4580 / email –kogdm@verizon.net
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Heaven Bound Praise Dance Camp @ Sandy Grove Baptist church Join us next year for HBPDC ‘15 July 6-10, 2015 Sandy Grove Baptist Church was the location for “Mission Possible.” Presented by Heaven Bound Praise Dance Camp and by The SC Baptist Music Auxiliary. The Director Natalia “Mia” Bostic with the help of camp staff has doing this for fourteen years and with the help of her husband Nicholas Bostic who works with the young men have done a great job. Mrs. Josiellia has been a member Sandy Grove her entire life. Dr. Ralph W. Canty Sr. is the pastor. This day was their annual dance camp now in its fourteenth year, there were young people from throughout the Pee Dee area of South Carolina and as far away as North Carolina and Georgia. This is a paid camp with a cost starting at $60 a week, that includes food and clothes for the performance. From 9-5pm they will be fed and taken care of. This program started as a vision of Pastor Canty, when he wanted to have a praise dance ministry and the praise dance ministry was born around 2000, and later her daughter Mia who was in college at the time said that she wanted to do a dance camp with the praise dancers. So we started out with about fifteen girls, the first year; 25 the next year; 45 the next and now we are proud to say we have 180 young people as of this year’s camp boys and girls. There are children that started with the camp early on that are now in college, and they love it each year. The ages range from 3 to adults, sometimes we even have the parents dance with their children during the camp. This night the program started with prayer, the welcome and the purpose then the music started and it was not stop from there as children came from everywhere and started dancing together in zinc and also singing in unison. The program lasted around an hour and a half, and they were not even out of breath. Mrs. Williams can be reached at the J Williams Group 700 S Parker Dr, Suite 6 Florence SC 29501, or email at josiellia@aol.com also on face book. Heavenboundpraisedancecamp.org. She would like to thank her daughter Mia and all the staff for their help and support throughout the years and all the young adults that have been dancing here since they were children. And she wanted to thank Pastor Canty for allowing this type of ministry to exist and for letting the children be themselves. It has truly brought these young people to a new level in their walk with Christ. She wanted to thank Mrs. Green the church administrator for her support over the years, and we can’t forget the parents, and finally her husband James Williams and he knows why. Josiellia Williams
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Pastor’s Wives continued page 21
As a pastor’s wife, the stigmas and myths attached to depression can be intensified. Have you bought into the myth that clergy families must look as though they have it all together? Thoughts like these are simply untrue. Because of these lies, however, pastor’s wives often won’t acknowledge their deep despair or allow themselves to recognize it in their families. Ministry spouses often pout when times grow hectic. They hope their mates see how exhausted they are and suggest taking a breather. Yet they often don’t come right out and say, ‘That’s it. I’ve had enough, and I’m taking a break.’” Let your husband/wife know when you’ve hit a wall. Don’t expect him to read your mind. Everyone needs a break from time to time, including you. Another thing to keep in mind is that your greatest ministry may be in the home and not in the church, which is even more reason for fulfilling Proverbs 31:28 “Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her,” just a thought. There is too much stress in ministry to have stress in your marriage at the same time.
An Once of Practice is Worth More Than Tons of Preaching Mahatma Gandhi
HELP WANTED: Pastor’s wife. Must sing, play music, lead youth groups, raise seraphic children, entertain church notables, minister to other wives, have ability to recite Bible backward and choreograph Christmas pageant. Must keep pastor sated, peaceful and out of trouble. Difficult colleagues, demanding customers, erratic hours. Pay: $0.
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A Christian View Magazine 27
Mrs. McDuffie shares with Min. Joe Johnson what it was like growing up in public housing smiled graciously. “Growing up in public housing, many people shared with me their experiences, and helped me to grow positively. My mother instilled in me self-pride and self – esteem. I have always felt the world was full of opportunities and I must take advantage of them.” She received her B. A. degree in education from Allen University, her Master’s degree in education from South Carolina State University, and has done further studies at South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina. She is a person with great initiative and self –motivation. In order to enhance her college education, she worked her way through college as a secretary in the Athletic Department at Allen University, and moved on to other jobs and positions to continue her higher education. “Education is a permanent asset in your life,” she added. “No one can ever take away your education, your knowledge, or your college degrees. These are the stepping stones in one’s life towards achieving goals. My goals are and have been from day one, to serve mankind, share my values, and do it quietly without seeking glory. If you do it for material reasons, its impact is reduced to one’s earthly benefits. That is interpreted as self-service.” Mrs. McDuffie is married and mother of four children, all college graduates. Because of her dedication to community service, Mrs. McDuffie has won numerous awards and honors, such as The Wall of Fame by the Columbia Housing authority, Woman of the Year by American Business Women Association, Heritage Award of Achievement by Booker T. Washington High School Foundation, Outstanding Service Award by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Living the Legacy by National Council of Negro Women, the 1990 Vanguard Award for Leadership and Community Service, and one of Columbia’s Ten Most Outstanding Women sponsored by the March of Dimes. She was also appointed as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and a Lay Leader in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church; to name a few. Her accolades are too numerous to list in this article. She is also a life member of Sigma Gamma RHO Sorority, Inc., joining in 1965; she has faithfully carried out this great organizations pledge by serving first, as an enthusiastic team member and secondly, as a leader willing to accept the challenges placed before her. She has served her chapter and southeast region as Chapter Philo Advisor, Chapter Rhoer coordinator, Southeast Rhoer coordinator, and Basileus of Beta Epsilon Sigma.
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The title of Judge is an accomplishment that she treasures. Judge Mildred McDuffie, that’s right after all those accomplishment the title of Judge can be added. Senator Daryl Jackson asked her to be a magistrate and she was later appointed as a summary court judge. She worked in bond court from 2001 – 2007. Judge McDuffie as she is called today, volunteers at several schools-- C.A. Johnson, O Claire High School, W.A. Perry and others. She is a member at Bethel A.M.E Church in Columbia, SC.
Seventh Episcopal District Leadership Congress 2014
She was baptized at three months old and has been a member in the A.M.E Church ever since. “I was saved at 12 years old and surprisingly enough it wasn’t in an A.M.E. Church; it was in a holiness church. I thank the Lord for his grace everyday and I thank him for my husband as well.” I was also recently inducted into the Hall of Fame of Women’s Missionary Society of Columbia. Judge McDuffie feeds families as part of her mission work. She, along with her husband, does not wait on families to ask for help. They will help anyone in need. “I would like to see our African American children taken better care of in the future, I don’t think there is enough being done these days. The young folks are living as if everything is just fine, and it’s not. The churches need to be more involved in teaching our history. I’m talking about African American culture, because now a day, children don’t live in a village; grandma does not live down the street; aunty does not live around the corner. They live miles away so the children don’t get a chance to be around family members to hear the stories about what has happened in the good old days. They think with this little bit of integration they have, they think everything is okie dokie and it’s not. They are still getting the menial jobs and usually the last hired first fired. We have to teach them that we have to work together in order to accomplish something. My hope is that we can get somebody that can get our children together, the Baptist, the A.M.E’s, the Catholics and other denominations need to work together. They can’t be separate entities and make this work; someone has to step up to the plate and make a village.” “I am not tired yet, my mother at 85 took a computer class and passed, so I know I’m not tired,” She said. I will keep going and doing what I can.” “Here is what I live by, do what you can for people today, tell them you love them today,
The Rt. Reverend Richard Franklin Norris Seventh Episcopal Districts Presiding Prelate and Mother Mary Ann Norris Seventh Episcopal District’s Episcopal Supervisor and hundreds of others were in Florence SC in July as part of Leadership Congress 2014. The event took place at the Florence Civic Center. Guest speakers included : Bishop John Hurst Adams, Retired Bishop; Congressman James E. Clyburn; Lt. Governor John Yancey McGill; Downtown Charlie Brown, Washington Redskins, retired and other special guest. Workshop and session’s included : Youth leadership academy plenary session; How to win others; Discipling through social media; Discipleship through decision making and budgeting; How do I fit in the discipleship puzzle; Young women of destiny, bold, confident,& courageous; Men of valor, strong, courageous, & responsible; I’m a Christian...right?; Life after salvation, how to survive and thrive as a young Christian; Me? Make disciples!; High school hook up, “he said…” “she said…”; and My face in the book, dig deeper into the bible. The theme for the three day event was “ The Evidence of Discipleship” Mark 8:34 There was also a Youth Leadership Academy Agenda that features several learning sessions; a few of the sessions included: How to win others; Discipling through social media; Young men of valor; Life after Salvation; and High school hook up. It was a very successful Leadership Congress and well attended. The AME Church celebrates 227 years of service to God the Church and the Community.
We all die The goal isn't to live forever The goal is to create Something that will. A Christian View Magazine 29
A Christian View Magazine 30
There is a new company on the move in Columbia SC and is the vision of Louise M Smith. The company is named Kingdom Builders Publications, LLC. (KBP, LLC) The name was given almost twenty years before any actions were made to start the company. Louise Smith is a published author – poet, songwriter, musician and recording artist. She has always had a creative edge. Although she suffered severely from vascular headaches and epileptic seizures, it didn’t deter her from setting and pushing through to completion on her goals. The fact that she has had developmental problems with reading and writing (dyslexia), she was always a great listener and that compensated for the lack of those communicative skills. In 2008, she wrote a memoir and tried to get it published but no one wanted to pick it up, so she went to a local publisher who advised to self-publish since she had published music in the past. Smith became a little more aggressive in search to publish. She became discouraged and thought it was not for her to put this book out. After being turned down nine times and putting it away for four years, Mrs. Smith had the unction to try once more. She got the ball moving for self-publishing. When she was about ready to seal the deal for print, she suffered an illness that left her in the hospital and rehab for almost half a year. With her tenacious drive and faith in GOD, she was able to finish her final draft with the help of an editor and send it to print. She left rehab in 2013 and had her first book signing. Then the true test of faith came when a woman saw her book and said, “I would like to do a book” and Mrs. Louise said “come on lets go”, and the rest is history. She went from two authors to a roster well over twenty in less than a year. Their roster includes, authors, ghost writers, editors, poets, storytellers, sketch artists, Graphic designers, What sets Kingdom Builders Publications LLC apart from any other publishing company is the ROYAL treatment and the quality service. We are a very personable company. That will NEVER change. From beginning to end, we will help our client achieve success without robbing you. Your experience will be fantastic. We swear by our name. We are KINGDOM! Mrs. Mary Bryant was sent to KBP LLC to teach Smith many things without her even knowing it. When Mary came to the company, others came by the testimonies. There were some who came because of online referrals. At the top of 2014, a non-profit society was formed called Pen of a Ready Writer Society. It is the bed for success through training, motivation, teaching, fellowship, networking, performance, collaboration and prosperity. They meet quarterly with illustrators, authors and poets. Pen of a Ready Writer Society has an ever-growing organization. Kingdom Builders Publications LLC is the parent company to PRWS. KBP, LLC is a Christian Publishing company.
the first person to be published with Louise Smith. Mary’s writing is seasoned mainly because she’s been writing in her journals since she was a teenager about her boyfriend. As she got older, her writings became more serious because she desired a relationship with the Lord. Her new found love became Jesus and her writings reflected Him; her prayers, poems just precious sweet moments with Him. Her book Prayers Poem & Precious Moments is geared toward those who feel like they’re the only ones that have struggles, or that God doesn’t listen to them or they’re too broken for GOD to put them back together again. This book is for them. She doesn’t claim to be a poet but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; they just flowed out of her. Some times with tears flowing, she would be writing, writing so that some reader would be blessed. Sabrina Brown, another writer started writing poetry in high school after reading material from Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and Robert Frost. All of them were very instrumental in her developing a love for poetry. She remembered a tenth grade teacher (Mrs. Paulette King) reading a poem that she had to do for college. It was so intriguing because it was a backward poem and she had to read it backward. Sabrina met Louise Smith at Agape Worship Center in Columbia. She learned that Mrs. Smith was a musician, singer and publisher. They began a relationship through music. Through their fellowship, she learned about her company and a Creative Competition for a free publishing. Sabrina along with 18 others entered the contest given by the Pen of a Ready Writer Society. Sabrina won first place in the poetry division. There were two other winners. The name of Sabrina’s book is Poetic Rhythms of My Heart. It’s a collection of poems in six categories such as faith, love, tributes, life lessons and victory and triumph. These ladies are all walking testimonies of God’s Grace. They all have something in common. In Mrs. Louise’s book Beyond the Clouds she talks about the various dreams and visions God had given her, the testimonies of triumph over tragedies, and relationship with God. One quote from her many nuggets is “You can have a great talent; however it doesn’t mean more the Creator. Talent is never a substitute for God.” Mrs. Smith attributes some of her gratitude to her husband Linton J Smith, Jr for the motivation through encouragement to pursue every endeavor. With GOD all things are possible. Life is doable. Feel free to call on Kingdom Builders Publication and Pen of a Ready Writer to visit your city. We are a full service Book publications service. If you would like to contact this wonderful society, they can be reached at www.kingdombuilderpublications.com or 844-669-7180.
Mary Bryant is considered the “Daughter of KBP, LLC” as she was
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K
atherine Burton
Christian Violinist
Katherine Burton (Testimony) My musical journey started in the ninth grade, I began violin lessons in the public school system and was immediately placed in orchestra. The orchestra rehearsals would begin at 7:30A.M. in the morning. It was an experience that shaped my musical journey. During high school, I started private lessons with Mrs. Kerner, who was an excellent teacher. With her training, I was able to get a scholarship to Temple University for music education with a concentration on violin. I grew up in Abyssinian Baptist Church in Philadelphia. My involvement with the different organizations was numerous ;Usher Board, Sunday School, Young Adult Choir, Baptist Training Union. The church played an important part in my musical development. Listening to hymns and gospel music each Sunday was a prerequisite for playing gospel music on the violin. When I was in college, there was an invitation to a Christian retreat. I attended the retreat and received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I learned the importance of the gift of salvation. It changed my life forever. It was interesting, even though I had been in church my entire life; I was offered a church membership but never the gift of salvation. My focus changed, it was not about performance but allowing the Holy Sprit to speak through my instrument. People often would tell me, I hear the words when you play....they would tell me that my playing was anointed. I grew up in a Baptist Church.....It was difficult to wrap my mind around the word “anointing”. My purpose was to be a consecrated vessel dedicated to ministry. One time, I was playing a classical piece at a church with a string quartet when the choir director switched to a gospel piece. As the rest of the string quartet rested, I started playing along and began to improvise. It was a surprising revelation: God had given me an extra special gift, a natural ability to improvise.
Then, I started playing Gospel Selections and improvising with my husband’s choir. My first selections were God Is, I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired, I’m Looking for a Miracle, Call Him Up, Jesus is Mine, For God So Loved The World, His Eye is on The Sparrow, Sovereign. During this time period, I remember participating in one competition and the judge scornfully said “Gospel Music on the violin? The comment did not discourage me because I realized that praising God on the violin was a ministry. I did win the Wen Sun Music Award for instrumental music in Philadelphia which encouraged me. In the 80’s, I performed as a soloist at the Thomas Dorsey Convention ,Gospel Music Workshop of America and Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar. It was a difficult process trying to find a place for my musical gift. The choirs had their own musicians and the recording personnel were not always receptive to a violinist. One of my first performances as a soloist at the GMWA convention was Call Him Up, the audience were very receptive; they had never heard gospel music on a violin. I also performed I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired with James Cleveland in the audience. When he approached the podium after my performance, He said” It would be good if we stick with traditional instruments in Gospel Music”. Some of the audience members gave me a disapproving look. I was not surprised at the response, It takes time to embrace something different in gospel music that is not traditional. In my heart, soul and spirit: I knew that God had called me to a ministry of music on the violin. My confidence rested in the joy and fulfillment of proclaiming the name of Jesus through my instrument. My first debut CD “I’ll Fly Away” was a compilation of hymns and contemporary gospel music. Two selections “Jesus, You’re the Center of my Joy” by Grammy-Award winning gospel star, Richard Smallwood and “Order My Steps” by Glen Bernie proved to be enduring favorites from this CD project. At this time, I am working on a CD which will be released in October 2014. The title of this CD project is “The Lord Is On My Side”. It is titled after a composition written by me which will be featured on the CD. This CD will be the first nationally released CD to have voice and violin. This gospel selection summarizes my journey with the Lord: If it had not been for the Lord on my Side, I would be tossed by the storms of life against the sea of time If it had not been for the Lord on my side Broken dreams, foolish things, I would have no hope in side. For the Lord is on my Side, that’s why I praise him, The Lord is on my side. I am grateful that the Lord has given me an instrument to praise him. God is truly worthy of all praise. Blessings, Katherine Burton
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The Carpenter Shop Ministry,
founded by Pastors Melvin & Tracinia Rascoe in Baltimore, Maryland, was named for Jesus’ job title, carpenter. Jesus was a carpenter and He was always shaping and transforming people; therefore, he asked the Lord what should the name be and He said The Carpenter Shop to help transform the lives of His people. Their foundation scripture is Hebrews 3:4 “for every house is built by some man; but he that build all things is God.” Their services are Sundays at 8:30am-10am. They offer several services to the community and one of the things that make them unique is they offer help to those looking for work, by helping with resumes and by having classes on the subject and coaching classes as well. They also have guest speakers for those with criminal records in hopes of giving them assistance in getting back on the right track. Pastor Melvin is employed with Job corps as a career transitional counselor and this makes him uniquely qualified to assist people and it’s a great addition to their ministry as part of kingdom building. Pastor Tracinia Rascoe has a personal ministry vision and it is to reach out to women, especially single women, because there are a lot of them that are broken and they need healing within. They try to be father and mother and a lot of them stumble and fall without a clear direction to go. God has placed that situation on her to bring them into the ministry and show them who God is and to bring them to healing and deliverance. She is also blessed to do intercessory prayer. Every fifth Sunday they have “Word on The Street” where they get from behind the four walls and put on their street clothes to let people know that the church is not just a place where they come and preach, sing and shout. It’s also a community resource. Anyone can get in touch with them for help or prayer at 443-486-8964 or email at pastorrascoe@gmail.com, or Lady Rascoe can be reached at divarascoe@hotmail.com. “Come out and be a part of our mime ministry or our poetry ministry, church people can have fun too,” said Pastor Melvin. People appear to be running toward the mega church or mega ministry today and there’s nothing wrong with that. It seems they are looking for something that they think they can’t get in a smaller church. People should not count the smaller church out because they are about the work of God as well and great people have been birthed out of small ministries. Pastor Melvin stated that we shouldn’t get so caught up on “New Births” new ministries that are growing seemingly overnight, because he has come to learn that just because someone is growing fast that doesn’t mean that the Lord’s hand is really in it. There is a difference between growing and selling and swelling is usually an indication that something is wrong. We’re in what he calls a slow cooker at this time, and sometimes great things take time. Amen A Christian View Magazine 33
cbjministries.org to order, or on
Amazon.com “21 Questions I Want to Ask God� A Christian View Magazine 34