September 2015 - SWGA Praise

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2 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com

Someone to Look Up To Who are the worst role models for teens right now?

One website recently asked around 2,500 parents that exact question. For girls, moms and dads claimed that Miley Cyrus was the worst role model for teen girls, followed closely by Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian, Amanda Bynes, and Rihanna. On the boy’s side, parents shared that Chris Brown was the worst role model for their young men. The list also included Kayne West, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, and Charlie Sheen.

But these celebrities might not be as influential as you think.

As parents, I think that we often believe that the rich and the famous are the primary role models our children respect.

That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to read a study by The Barna Group. Barna asked a wide range of teenagers who they see as their primary role models. Guess what?

It wasn’t celebrities.

And it wasn’t athletes. It wasn’t even youth ministers or friends. It was you!

Overwhelmingly, 13-to17-year-olds identified their parents as the people they look up to the most! Though it might be daunting to be in that position, aren’t you glad to hear that you’re the main role model, rather than some random, and not-too-

upright, celebrity?

Teens need healthy role models, and they’re looking to mom and dad to fill that role in their

faces. They can see what these people do, but teens don’t really know what these people are like. Unfortunately,

by Mark Gregston

gathered through observation, reflection, and experience. In that sense, as we strive to be good role models for our kids, there are three questions we must ask: • What do my teens see me doing on a daily basis? (observation) • What am I asking my kids to think about regularly? (reflection) • What am I exposing to my kids consistently? (experience)

lives. Here are some tips on how to be a good role model for your kids: Consistent Relationship In that same Barna Group study, the large majority of teens polled indicated that the people they most admire are those with whom they maintain a personal connection to, or have a relationship with. Sure, our kids may envy people with the talent to hit a baseball out of the park, or act in a blockbuster movie, but the people dominating the headlines are really just strangers. For the most part, teens realize that the stars of stage, screen, and stadium are simply names and

when the curtain is pulled back, and we get an inside peek into the private lives of stars, we often don’t like what we see. That’s why teens are looking to imitate people they interact with on a daily basis. They are searching for models that can show them how to have a good marriage relationship, how to handle finances, ways to deal with stress and difficult circumstances, and how to talk with other people. They need models of faith and good character.

Here’s the truth; you may have a lot of qualities your teen can respect, but they cannot see those qualities play out in your life if you don’t have a solid relationship with them.

For teens, wisdom is

It’s only within the boundaries of a secure and healthy relationship that your kids can look up to you as a model to follow.

So if there is distance between you and your teen, dedicate some time right now to closing that gap.

Ask Questions and Discover Answers A good role model is someone that your teen is comfortable with – someone he can ask any question that’s on his mind. Now, if you’re like most parents, a question free-for-all scares you!

We may be nervous about answering questions from our teens about delicate issues like drugs, sex, or suicide.

The topics and subjects that we See LOOK, page 4

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder and director of Heartlight, a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. He has been married to his wife, Jan, for 40 years, has two kids, and 4 grandkids. He lives in Longview, Texas with the Heartlight staff, 60 high school kids, 25 horses, his dog, Stitch, 2 llamas, and a prized donkey named Toy. His past involvement as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and living with over 2,700 teens, has prepared Mark to share his insights and wisdom about parenting pre-teens and adolescents.

You can find out more about Heartlight at www.HeartlightMinistri es.org. You can also call Heartlight directly at (903) 668-2173.

For more information and helpful resources for moms and dads, check out our Parenting Today’s Teens website at www.ParentingTodays Teens.org. It’s filled with ideas and tools to help you become a more effective parent.

Here you will also find a station near you where you can listen to the Parenting Today’s Teens radio broadcast, or download the podcast of the most recent programs.

A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 3

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Speaking to Christians: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Submitted by Pastor Jay Barcus Forrester Community Church, Leesburg

4 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com

LOOK

Continued from page 2 whispered about in dark corners when we were growing up are no longer taboo conversation pieces. The questions we wouldn’t dream of bringing up to our parents are now being openly asked by our teens. And they deserve an honest responses from us.

But maybe it’s not the awkwardness of the questions that bothers you.

Maybe it’s the fear of not having the answers your teens are looking for. If your son or daughter asks you a probing question about God, or morality, or the world around us, you’re afraid that you’ll

just stand there looking like a deer in the headlights!

Look, being a role model is not about having all the answers. Because you won’t. You can’t! However, your kids will respect you for not shying away from those tough questions. Work on finding an answer with them. Don’t worry about always having the perfect response. If your teen stumps you, say, “You know, that’s a really good question.

Let’s see if we can find the answer together.” A role model hears and responds to the tough questions in a way that engages teens.

Encouragement When asked one of the reasons why they choose a particular person as a role model, many teens in the Barna Group study said, “because they help me be a better person” and “they are really interested in my future.” Makes

sense, doesn’t it? That’s because encouragement plays a key part in being a role model. It starts with supporting your son and daughter when they try new things, or explore new areas of life. It continues as you help and guide your teen towards maturity and solid character qualities. Being a model of encouragement also means praising your teen when she gets it right, and not shaming her when she makes a mistake. You see the potential in your son and daughter, and you verbalize and act on that potential in your interactions with them.

A good role model would never say, “I’m not surprised you messed up in this area. I could see that coming before

you even started.” Or “I don’t think you could handle this or that.” Nor would they ignore a child’s achievements.

Instead, a role model intentionally points out a teen’s gifts and abilities; “This dinner is excellent! You really know what you’re doing in the kitchen.” Or “You really care about people, and I love that about you.” Encourage your child, and they will, in turn, look up to you.

I think we could all look back on our lives and point to those people who have made a positive impact on our lives. Whether it was a teacher, a coach, a relative, or a parent, these role models made us who we are today.

Now we have the opportunity to be those people in the lives of our teens.

But to do so, we need to commit to living out the characteristics and convictions that will qualify us to be role models our kids desperately need. Are you up for the job?

Bishop Frederick Williams Sr., Th.D. Senior Pastor Gethsemane Worship Center 1730 North Madison St Albany, GA (229) 438-0388 Where were you born and raised?

Born and raised in EAST Albany, Georgia. I am a lifelong resident of my beloved Dougherty County Tell us about your family?

I am married to Felicia and I am the father of six children. I am also the youngest of seven children born to Roosevelt and Katie Williams How long have you been a pastor?

I have been pastoring Gethsemane Worship Center for 23 ½ years What is the most challenging aspect of your position?

The most challenging aspect of being a Senior Pastor is assuring the people of God that they are loved of God regardless of their current situations or circumstances. Also, making sure that God’s people are secure in their salvation and stand with Him. What is the most gratifying aspect?

The most gratifying aspect of being a senior pastor is seeing God work in the lives of the believers. To see men and women give their lives to Christ and watch Christ transform them into his image.

Do you have any advice for

someone who feels called to the ministry?

We are all called to live a righteous life and that is the first calling that we must all answer.

The best advice I have is the advice from 1Peter 2:10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election.

For if you do these things, you will never stumble,... I believe that as Peter has stated, we need to be very sure that the Lord has called us and that calling is confirmed so that we, the called, will not stumble.

Leave us with a meaningful message or scripture.

I leave you with a message.

God gave me a message to minister to my congregation a few Sundays ago. That message was “Sometimes You Have To Lose In Order To Win.” God’s calling on all of our lives is not a choice but a command. We may lose some friends and worldly status in order to win Christ. In order to win we ABSOLUTELY deny ourselves.

We must represent Christ and His will that His glory be revealed. We must deny ourselves from ourselves. Lastly, whatever you do for the Lord let it be a deliberate choice.

Praise People

A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 5

F re e Wi l l B a p t i s t C h u rc h a t A l l - A m e r i c a n F u n P a rk , A l b a ny

Set Communion and Confirmation ceremony invitations apart COURTESY OF METRO CONNECTION

Christian children and young adults continue their religious journeys by participating in the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. Celebrations are sure to accompany such pivotal moments in their lives. When inviting family members and friends to join in such celebrations, parents can create specialized invitations that set the tone of the ceremonies to come.

Families have many options at their disposal when making invitations/ Whether the idea is to design your own invitation or rely on the bevy of designs at the ready, consider these suggestions for making invitations your own. · Photos make it personal. One of the ways to set your son or daughter's invitation apart is to include a photograph or silhouette of your child on the invitation. If you will be working with a professional photographer, ask him or her to schedule the session well in advance so that you can take a number of portraits and poses. A photo invitation can serve as a long-lasting momento of the occasion. · Use a personal thought or quote. Add some sentimentality to invitations by including a special quote in the wording. For religious events, finding an appropriate Biblical passage can be fitting.

Otherwise, use special words of hope and faith that align with the deeper meaning behind the particular sacrament your child will be receiving. · Include a takeaway. In addition to the invitation, give invited guests a token of the special nature of the event to come. Purchase small crucifixes, dove pins or Eucharistic charms from a religious supply center, and place them into the envelope or affix them to the invitation. A small set of rosary beads also can be a nice touch. · Don't be afraid to keep it simple. If you prefer something less ornate, a simple white linen invitation with an engraved cross is appropriate for such a special occasion.

Invitations will set the tone for the special occasions set to come. Customize invitations to add a unique touch to the festivities.

6 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com

Leigh Ann Raynor

The Pr Praise aise

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Senior Pastor

Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church 2200 Dawson Rd Albany, GA (229) 436-6336

Where were you born and raised?

Apex, North Carolina. It was a very small town when I was growing up there, but recently was named by Money Magazine as the best town in the country in which to live.

Tell us about your family I have two older brothers, both of whom live in North Carolina. One is an ophthalmologist and the other is medically retired. My mother is living and is in a nursing home. My father is deceased. I have never been married.

How long have you been a pastor?

I was ordained as a Deacon in 1979, and as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1982.

What is the most challenging aspect of your position?

Porterfield is a large church and it is a challenge to find a balance between the administrative responsibilities and the pastoral duties. I don’t think I ever go to bed at night knowing that I’ve done everything that I needed to have done. Also, even after this many years of serving churches I find writing sermons to be a challenge.

I never take for granted the notion that I am telling people what I believe is a message from God. Such a responsibility should always remain challenging.

What is the most gratifying aspect?

The most gratifying part of ministry is the honor of being allowed into people’s lives during their holiest moments – births, deaths, baptisms, conversions, weddings, funerals, hospitalizations, etc… It truly is humbling to be allowed to both celebrate and grieve with individuals and families.

Do you have advice for someone who feels called into ministry?

Don’t rush into a decision, and don’t make major life choices based solely on the emotion of a moment in time. Test your call through your spiritual elders.

Submit yourself to the spiritual authority of your denomination.

Remember that ordained ministry is only one avenue of ministry.

Work with spiritually mature people to determine which ministry path is right for you. Not everyone who is called into ministry is called to preach.

Leave us with a meaningful message or scripture.

Someone once told me that it isn’t possible for fear and faith to co-exist. Jesus often said, “Fear not”, or “Be not afraid”, even in circumstances in which fear would have been the appropriate response. I think that he was saying that even when fear would be expected and appropriate, his presence should nonetheless disperse the fear.

A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 7

Reasons Why YOU Should Lead a Faith-Based Trip •Train your church leaders the way Jesus did — by teaching and traveling with His disciples.

•Empower your sermons with firsthand knowledge gained from your travels.

•Shepherd your church members through a tremendous time of renewal.

•Become immersed in the values and traditions of the world Jesus knew.

•Give your church members a new appreciation for your church roots and heritage.

•Offer Bible and Sunday school teachers the ultimate hands-on learning adventure!

•Help restore struggling marriages and parent/child relationships through a shared journey.

•Discover how recent archaeological discoveries continue to reaffirm the truth of the Bible.

•Develop a more Christ-like understanding of other cultures and religions.

•See your church develop a hunger and thirst for God’s Word as never before.

•Most Tours only involve one Sunday Away!

How Can Pastor Travel for Free*

When pastor has 10 full-paying passengers in group, agent can award TC •(i.e. 11th passenger is the Pastor) •Pastor will travel at no cost but *must pay Tips and Taxes •No pro-rating allowed Are there different itineraries for different denominations and are there extensions?

•Denominational itineraries •Various Protestant We like to keep just one or two denominations on a bus.

•Ideally, Church of Christ will travel with Church of Christ, Baptist with Baptist, Nazarene with Nazarene, Methodist with Methodist, etc.

Catholic have a separate bus unless agents requested mixed bus •Spanish Language passengers •Extensions: (NOTE: Currently our Egypt extensions are on hold) 1) Egypt - Cairo, the pyramids, King Tut’s Treasure in museum 2) Cairo and Luxor - Valley of Kings, King Tut’s Tomb 3) Nile Cruise - Egypt at its most authentic 4) Jordan and Petra - magical lost city carved in cliffs, Mt Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land, Madaba Map and the Roman

city of Jerash Is it safe to travel in Israel?

• No one can guarantee safety • Tourists are not the targets in Israel • Israel is most security conscience nation around!

Leave a bag unattended for a short time - even a paper bag - and it will be whisked away by security people.

Much better security than the US! US State Department estimates your chance of being involved in an act of terrorism is just 1 in 4,775,210.

That means you are more likely to die of a bee sting or be killed by lightening IS IT SAFE? You’ll be more safe as a tourist in Israel than in most US cities!

FIT TO TRAVEL STATEMENT: Passengers registering for the tour accept the responsibility for being in good health and able to walk and

travel on the tour.

Beverly Pressley Because many of the sites are not accessible to the physically challenged, those needing wheelchairs, oxygen, or other ambulatory assistance will find the tour extremely limiting in their experiences.

Do I need a passport?

A valid passport is required to leave the USA. It should be valid for a minimum of six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport apply for one immediately; it normally takes four to six weeks to be issued. Your passport information must be submitted to our office no later than 90 days prior to departure.

You should make a copy of your passport and keep it with you while traveling.

8 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com

ALBANY/LEE St. Paul Episcopal Church 212 N Jefferson St 229-436-0196 www.stpaulsalbany.org Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church 1010 Old Pretoria Road 229-439-0334 www.secondmtzion.com First Free Will Baptist Church 420 Westover Blvd 229-436-4021 www.ffwbcalbany.org Shiloh Baptist Church 325 Whitney Ave 229-435-8413 First Baptist Church - Leesburg 135 Main St (229) 759-6576 firstbaptistleesburg.org Leesburg United Methodist Church 117 Starksville Ave N

(229) 759-2096 umcleesburg.com Greenbriar Church 1344 US 19 (229) 446-4642 greenbriarchurch.net

(229) 438-8062 Albany Community SDA Church 381 Fussell Rd (229) 436-3631 AMERICUS

Leesburg Church of Christ 106 Callaway St (229) 759-2030 leesburgchurchofchrist.org

Central Baptist Church 190 Upper River Rd (229) 924-4092 cbcamericus.org

Pointe UMC 238 Cedric St (229) 435-5551 thepointega.com

Cornerstone Church 245 Southland Rd (229) 924-7409

Philema Road Baptist Church 114 Stocks Dairy Rd (229) 435-3135 New Hope Baptist Church 1209 Graves Springs Rd (229) 439-9997 newhopebaptist.net Greater United Pleasant Green 1512 Philema Rd S

Restoration Church of Americus 1213 Douglas Cir (229) 931-6244 restorationchurchamericus.com First United Methodist Church 200 S Lee St (229) 924-3169 fumcamericus.com First Presbyterian Church

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125 S Jackson St (229) 924-2162 americuspresbyterian.org St. Mary’s Catholic Church 332 S Lee St (229) 924-3495 First Baptist Church Americus 221 South Lee St (229) 924-9035 www.fbcamericus.org Faith Baptist Church 947 Felder st (229) 924-5890 Union Tabernacle Baptist Church 900 Adderton St (229) 924-0421 Americus Pentecostal Church 820 Magnolia St (229) 928-3178 TIFTON Northside Baptist Church 4605 Murray Ave (229) 382-6855 nbctifton.org St Anne’s Episcopal Church 2411 Central Ave (229) 382-7505 stannestifton.com Our Divine Saviour Catholic 1205 Love Ave (229) 382-4600

odsparish.org Journey Church 304 20th St W (229) 238-3749 Eastside Baptist Church 1490 Kennedy Rd (229) 382-0730 New River Church 17 Old Brookfield Rd (229) 386-2693 newriverbaptist.org Carpenter Road Church of God 40 Carpenter Rd N (229) 382-4880 crdcog.com First Presbyterian Church 217 Park Ave N (229) 382-6730 firstpresbyteriantifton.com Beulah Hill Baptist Church 321 Tifton-Eldorado Rd (229) 472-1505

(229) 891-3421 heritagelife.org

VALDOSTA

Trinity Church 201 12th Ave SE (229) 985-3660 trinityofmoultrie.org

CrossPointe Church 110 Northside Dr (229) 242-7702 crosspointechurch.cc

Lifespring Community Church 2010 GA 133 (229) 985-2233 lifespringcc.net

Southland Church 2206 E Hill Ave (229) 245-8188 southlandchurch.net

Mother Easter Baptist Church 1400 W Central Ave (229) 985-5191 Lakeside Assembly of God 146 Washington St (229) 985-5424 lakesideassembly.org Friendship Alliance Church 835 26th Ave (229) 985-4908 friendshipalliancemoultrie.com

New Life Presbyterian Church 3500 Fulwood Rd (229) 382-7238 newlifetifton.org

Moultrie First Church or Nazarene 410 12th Ave SE (229) 873-6265 www.moultriefirst.org

MOULTRIE

Calvary Baptist Church 830 26th Ave SE (229) 985-3237 www.calvarybcmoultrie.com

First Baptist Church 400 S Main St (229) 985-2103 firstmoultrie.org Heritage Church 844 GA 33

Church of Christ 1915 GA 37 (229) 985-3596 www.church-of-christ.org

New Covenant Church 3531 Bemiss Rd (229) 247-7777 nccvaldosta.org Christ Episcopal Church 1521 N Patterson St (229) 242-5115 christchurchvaldosta.org Vision Church 2711 Bemiss Rd (229) 333-7702 thevisiononline.org Perimeter Road Baptist Church 4091 Inner Perimeter Rd (229) 333-0746 perimeterroad.com Morningside Baptist Church 2604 Bemiss Rd (229) 242-1426 morningside.ws Azalea City Church of God 247 St. Augustine Rd (229) 244-1855 myazaleacity.com

10 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com

Get a Leadership Strategy . . . Stop Whining and Backbiting Today I attended my first meeting for a company I’m consulting with. The meeting lacked organization, facilitation, and a clear outcome plan.

I watched the employees turn to one another in the meeting with snide comments, rolling eyes, and nudging of the elbows. As if this wasn’t enough, they made negative comments and openly name-called the executive director of the company. One gentleman choked and coughed as the director spoke as if to say, I’m spitting up the garbage you are purporting.

Many employees chuckled to one another as he did this. As if this wasn’t enough, they continued a minibackbiting meeting once they returned to the office.

When my manager returned, I thanked her for being a leader within the organization and posing her questions openly. I then turned to the rest of our group and said, “This place is rich with leadership opportunities, when are you going to take the lead without title or permission?”

This inspired me to write this article to ask you the same question and give you some strategies to navigate the corporate world more successfully. So I ask you, “When are you going to take the lead without title or permission?”

Now the strategies…

Strategy #1: Get Clear About It As you begin to whine, complain, and talk about all that it is wrong with your company and the leadership team, stop, and get clear about what you want. Do you want another job? Do you want a different course of action?

What is the resolution you would like to see in the future? Write it out and ask for it versus going around the same block you’ve been around a dozen times this week. Have you noticed your whining, complaining, and backbiting isn’t changing anything in the organization but you? So, something is changing, and it is most likely not what you want to change. You are changing.

So let me ask you, “What is it making out of you?”

Strategy #2: Seize the Opportunity

This was an opportunity to ask the executive director any and all questions. I watched to see who would bring the issues they gossip and gripe about to the table. There was complete silence for a couple of seconds. Finally, one lady asked a very potent question.

Then silence. After another couple of seconds, my manager asked a cogent question. Simultaneously, I noticed all

the sidebar comments amongst a department over here and another group over there. Someone right next to me asked me their question and I responded, “It’s a very good question that someone else is thinking but afraid to ask so go ahead and ask it.” She replied, “I’m not good at that kind of stuff.” Get over it and get good at it.

Good at it or not, seize all opportunities to ask management questions directly.

How often do you get a front row seat in the director’s office to ask what is on your heart and mind? So, seize the opportunity now. I also want to acknowledge the female versus male leaders in the organization by saying, “Women, it is your time to lead!”

Strategy #3: Stop Looking For Permission This meeting lacked facilitation and had no agenda. This opened the door for lots of chaos and disorder. At the same time, not one person would stand up and openly say anything about it.

This went on for well over 1.5 hours.

Here’s what you and they are looking for: You have permission to lead.

Wherever you are working, they placed you there to lead. Trust me on this one.

If you can’t trust me, look to the circumstances in your workplace. They

are screaming out, “Organize me, facilitate it, do something for God’s sake, lead.”

Strategy #4: With or Without A Title You can lead with or without a title. If those with titles are not leading, you lead. If those with titles are leading, you can still lead. If you don’t have a title, lead. Get the picture. The world we live in is so rich with opportunities to lead. What about the pay? You will reap the rich rewards of the changes you’ll make in the organization, as well as how much you’ll grow as you lead.

Who knows…the pay may follow. If it doesn’t, lead anyway and make an impact right where you are. Implement a new process, make a new rule, get rid of the invisible boundaries that exist.

Corporate America is waiting on you.

Strategy #5: Be the Change You may have heard this expression before, “be the change you want to see.” Notice I said, ‘you may have heard it.’ What I didn’t say is that you put it into practice. So, I’m challenging you to change you and see what type of influence you’ll make. You may not be able to change the years of political and management bureaucracy in your company. But there is one thing you can change. You can truly change how you respond to things in your day to day life, which in and of itself can be miraculous.

Strategy #6: Don’t Fold Keep the faith and don’t throw in the towel. If you aren’t able to successfully implement the five strategies in this article, move on by trying them again and again. You may find that the timing is not right now, but may be a later date. If you have implemented all the strategies given here - plus some - and are still miserable, then see it for what it is. This may not be the right environment for you. So, forge ahead on to the next journey taking what you’ve learned, with hands open not folded, and re-implement the strategies again. Who knows…it may work now.

I’ve seen some great results from my tenacity, and you can too!

Karen M. Pina is the founder of Gifts Ordained by Direction. Her exclusive approach for leaders develops the character necessary to rise to greatness in business and ministry. She has written three books and created over 100 ministry, business, and personal development resources that quench leaders’ thirst and hunger for spiritual meat and marketplace wisdom. Karen has been a guest on several television and radio programs that challenged leaders to move to the next level of significance in every area of their lives. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and a Master’s of Education (M.Ed). in Higher Education Leadership and Administration. Karen will defend and obtain and a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (Ph.D.) in 2016. Her education and gift of wisdom has served her well as she has coached, consulted, and trained doctors, directors, entrepreneurs, visionaries, IT professionals, bishops, apostles, executives, coaches, prophets, teachers, pastors, and a vast array of leaders to greatness. To learn more about the books, resources, and Karen go to www.godscoach.com

A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 11

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12 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com

When is Rosh Hashanah 2015?

Information Courtesy of myjewishlearning.com

Rosh Hashanah 2015 begins at sunset on Sunday, September 13th and ends on the evening of Tuesday, September 15th.

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah, literally the “head of the year” is the Jewish New Year. It is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement.

What foods do we eat on Rosh Hashanah?

It is customary to have big feasts on both nights of Rosh Hashanah and there are thus a plethora of customary dishes, including: honey cake, brisket, tzimmes and

more Rosh Hashanah recipes.

What are some Rosh Hashanah practices?

One of the common practices of Rosh Hashanah is attending the High Holy Day services, where the shofar can be heard.

Many people go to a tashlikh service where they throw bread crumbs or lint into a naturally running body of water as a means of casting away their sins. On the second night of Rosh Hashanah it is customary to eat a new fruit, a symbol of newness.

DID YOU KNOW? COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

Known as the "Day of Atonement," Yom Kippur is a day when people who subscribe to the Jewish faith atone for sins between themselves and G-d of the past year. Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath, which means no work can be performed during the holiday. Fasting is a part of Yom Kippur, and Jews are expected to observe a 25-hour fast that begins before sunset on the evening before the holiday and ends after nightfall on Yom Kippur. The Talmud, which is the collection of Jewish laws and traditions, also lists several lesser-known restrictions regarding Yom Kippur. Washing and bathing, the use of cosmetics or deodorants, wearing leather shoes, and sexual relations also are restricted on Yom Kippur.

Restrictions may be lifted on Yom Kippur when certain special circumstances arise, and children under the age of nine as well as women who are with child are not permitted to fast on Yom Kippur. Jews spend much of Yom Kippur in the synagogue, where they pray and take part in services that may begin in earlymorning. Morning services may continue until mid-afternoon, when practitioners can briefly go home before returning in the early evening to partake in ceremonies commemorating the end of Yom Kippur.

Upcoming Events Late Night at FBC Tuesdays at 8 PM Starting September 1 College Bible Study - Free Food!

FBC Family Life Center First Baptist Tifton 4th St & Central Ave www.fbctifton.org Contact Bill Hughes bhughes@fbctifton.org

Saturday, October 10 7:00 pm Pure Freedom for Teen Girls & Their Moms Biblical Teaching on Beauty, Love, & Modesty Church at Liberty Square 2001 Liberty Square Dr. NE, Cartersville www.thejoyfm.com

First Saturday of Each Month 8:00 am - 10:00 am Dougherty Prayer Vigil 222 Pine Ave, Albany Contact Rance Pettibone, Sr.: rancepettibone@hotmail.com (229) 881-4828

Tuesday, October 13 6:30 pm 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena www.doveawards.com

September 20th at 2 PM Church Musical & Musician Appreciation Travels Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Tifton GA September 18th - 20th Prayze Factor People’s Choice Awards Power Prayze Weekend Sheraton Hotel Airport South Atlanta Reserve at 1-800-325-3535 Ask for Prayze Factor Group Rate www.prayzefactorawards.com

Friday & Saturday, November 6th & 7th 2015 10th Annual Atlanta HealthCare, Music & Gospel Festival Sheraton Gateway Hotel 1900 Sullivan Rd, Atlanta www.atlantagospelfest.com Sunday, November 8 7:00 pm Building 429 Live in Concert Unity Baptist Church 311 Smokey Rd, Newnan www.thejoyfm.com

Thursday, November 12 7:00 pm Friday, October 9 Mercy Me 7:00 pm Pure Freedom for Teen Girls & Their Greater Than Tour Griffin First Assembly Moms Biblical Teaching on Beauty, Love, & 2000 W McIntosh Rd, Griffin Modesty www.thejoyfm.com Unity Baptist Church 311 Smokey Rd, Newnan www.thejoyfm.com Please submit your upcoming events to Jennifer King, jennifer.king@albanyherald.com

A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 13

Creek baptisms: Gathering at the waters A hot July Sunday takes on special meaning at a Baker County creek EDITOR’S NOTE: Wanda Hudgins of Albany and Mary Nell Hall of Baker County attended a baptism ceremony in July that was conducted at a creek in Baker County. This is their first-person accounting of the event.

PATMOS — Strains of “Shall We Gather At The River” filled the air down by the Nochaway creekbank in northwest Baker County on a recent steamy, Sunday afternoon.

We gingerly stepped around

cowpatties, swatted gnats with funeral home fans, and looked for any shade that could be found. That day, July 12, will linger in the minds of the 21 devotees living out the reality of this verse from Acts 2:38 and friends and family who came to be witnesses of their obedience to the Word.

Some experienced baptism for the very first time in response to the tug on their hearts to believe the Holy Scriptures, repent of their sins and make Jesus Christ Lord of

their lives. Others had been baptized previously but sensed the need to rededicate their lives after having received a deeper understanding of the love of Jesus Christ for them.

That morning Pastor Curtis Alligood of Patmos Free Will Baptist Church had preached on (1) the significance of baptism, (2) the observance of baptism and (3) the remembrance of baptism.

Alligood defined the significance of baptism as the washing away of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ as He experienced death for us on the cross of Calvary. The observance of baptism by immersion in water is important as an outward symbol that we are obeying God by following the example of Jesus Christ Himself when He was baptized

by John the Baptist. The remembrance of baptism gives believers an experience to look back to as a time when they obeyed Christ’s example and instructions and began life anew.

The pastor was careful to point out in his remarks at the creek site that the act of baptism does not save a person. It is an outward symbol of obedience depicting that which has taken place on the inside of a person.

For many of those baptized, it was a family affair. Chris and Maria are a young couple who wanted to be baptized together with their children, Ethan and Hayden. The same was true of Rick and Naomi and their two children, Ami and Grayson.

Alan and Shannon and their children, Dalton, Saige and Bo, chose also to make their baptism a family affair, and joining them was Dalton’s girlfriend, Sara.

Ken is a young father who gave his life to the Lord when he was a child but was never baptized. He wanted to be obedient and follow Jesus in baptism along with his son, John. John declared to his family that he was choosing baptism because he had asked Jesus Christ into his life.

Another young man named John was accompanied into the water by his father, Matt, who wanted to stand by his son’s side on this significant day in his life. Dorothy and Roger, a middle-aged couple, also wanted their baptism to be a family affair.

Some explained they had been baptized at a young age not fully understanding the meaning of what they were doing. They wanted to be baptized again as an expression of a faith in Christ that had grown and matured with the years. The young man who starred as the kicker in the Sherwood Movie “Facing the Giants” accompanied his

beautiful mother, Darlene, into the creek as she rededicated her life.

This was true also of Lynn, a recent widow raised in the Patmos community but now living in Albany. As a child, she followed friends down the aisle of the church but did not really realize the significance of what she was doing. Her first baptism was in Nochaway Creek and she feels so blessed that God gave her this opportunity to go back to this beloved creek where her grandfather had a grist mill and her father and two brothers fished all their lives.

Those of us who witnessed this day left the banks of the creek still swatting gnats and avoiding cowpatties; but we knew we had been part of something significant, something that would have powerful consequence on our world. We cannot give up hope. There is good taking place around us. There is light in the darkness. Take heart!

14 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

Matthew 18:5 As a former Associate Juvenile Court Judge and as the current federal monitor overseeing reform of GA’s child welfare system, I often ask people if they have or know young people who are over the age of 18? My follow up question is, how many of those young people were completely independent at the age of 18? This almost always elicits laughter and responses such as “Are you kidding!” or “My 30 year old child is still not financially independent!”

While we understand that our own children need support and guidance long after the age of 18, throughout GA and the nation, youth are “aging out” of the foster care system without of permanent family or safety net. Without the support of caring adults in their lives, outcomes for this population of youth can be quite tragic. According to a multi-state study conducted by Casey Family Programs, out of more than 23,000 children who age out of care: 1 in 5 will become homeless; only ½ will be employed by age 24; less than 3% will earn a college degree; and 71% of young women will be pregnant by age 21. The cost of this failure to society is enormous, but it pales in comparison to the loss of potential and hope in the lives of young people.

Over the years, I have met thousands of youth in foster care. They are brilliant and funny, insightful and mature, traumatized and resilient. They enter care from through no fault of their own from families who have abused or

neglected them. We bring them into care to protect them and if/when the system works, we work toward reuniting them with their parents or family members as quickly and safely as possible. Unfortunately, annually, hundreds of children throughout GA still “age” out of care unprepared and uncertain about the future. However, through education, we have the opportunity to change these dismal statistics. Nelson Mandela once wrote that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

In Southwest Georgia, we have the entire continuum of educational options for young adults. From Turner Job Corps, to Albany Technical College, to Darton State College, to Albany State University, young people have the chance to further their education and set the stage for bright and prosperous futures. Working together, the three institutes for higher education have formed Embark Albany, a collaborative to increase access, retention and graduation rates for youth who have experienced foster care. While selected

staff and faculty have received training from Embark Georgia, operated by the Fanning Institute at UGA, the next phase will involve recruiting volunteers from the community to serve as mentors and host families for these students while there are living and studying in southwest GA. As a community of believers, we have an extraordinary opportunity and responsibility to care for all of God’s children. Let’s “embark” on this journey together so that we can truly say that our children thrive because of us and not in spite of us.

Source: Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com 15

Three religions converge on one story

Many of the major religions of the world have a lot in common. The similarities between Christians, Jews and Muslims, for instance, can be seen in the story of Abraham and Sarah.

The history of the Jewish people begins in the Middle East during the Bronze Age. God spoke to a nomadic leader called Abram (later called Abraham) and promised him that he would be the father of a great people.

Abraham simply had to do exactly what he was told with unyielding faith.

At this time and in this area of the world (what would be present-day Iraq) people believed in and worshipped many gods. But Abraham's acceptance of the call of the one true God gave birth to monotheism.

According to the book of Genesis, in the Christian Bible, God promises Abraham three things: 1. a relationship with God;

2. a son, and consequently numerous descendants; 3. land.

Sarah and Abraham were past childbearing age and did not know how it would be possible to have a child.

Over time, Sarah grew weary with waiting and wanted to speed the process along so she told Abraham to sire a child with her handmaiden, Hagar. He did and the boy was named Ishmael. But Ishmael wasn't the true son. Sarah grew jealous from the relationship between Abraham, Ishmael and Hagar.

Eventually, Sarah gave birth to her own son, the one promised to her and Abraham by God. He was named Isaac, as angels had instructed. Isaac means "laughter" in Hebrew.

Sarah eventually asks Abraham to choose between her and Isaac and Ishmael, seeing as Isaac is the true descendant promised by God.

COURTESY OF METRO CONNECTION

Abraham complies and asks Hagar to leave with Ishmael. They wander away to find a new home.

God gives Abraham another test, instructing him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Though he struggles with this test, Abraham complies and takes Isaac to a mountain to complete the sacrifice. However, God intervenes at the last minute and provides a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead.

To Muslims, Abraham was known as Ibrahim and is an important prophet. In the Quran, Abraham is neither Jewish, Christian nor Muslim.

Rather, he is a hernif, or someone who intrinsically knows that there is really only one God. Abraham's son, Ishmael, goes on to sire his own line of descendants and is regarded as the father of the Arab people.

The story of Abraham and Sarah helped to establish a set of values and extreme trust in faith. It also illustrates some similarities between three seemingly different faiths.

If It’s Not Happening Now,

It’s Not Happening COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

While it may be natural to worry about the future, we lose a lot of sleep and we worry unnecessarily about things which never come to pass and over which we have little or no control. The phrase “if it’s not happening now, it’s not happening” is meant to convey the idea that we should be more attuned to the present moment and less concerned about what is going to happen tomorrow. This isn’t meant to suggest that we shouldn't plan for the future or complete our work ahead of time. If you have a paper due at

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.

R.S.V. Matthew 6:34

school tomorrow or a project at work that must be completed on deadline, then you should be working on it. But, too much of our waking life is made anxious by vague fears which never come to pass, not to mention how these fears disturb our dreams. So, we should do what we can to prepare for tomorrow, but then enjoy the present and remember that if the dreaded thing isn’t happening now, it isn’t happening and may never happen, so don’t worry.

16 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • September 2015 • www.albanyherald.com

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