An enormous year ahead for Jake Which will = A huge Change South Londoner Jake Issac has taken the gospel industry by storm and has become one of the brightest Gospel artist’s this country has to offer. He has recently explored newer depths within his ministry and has spent the last year gigging around London, Birmingham, Bristol and Brighton. Jake is part of the colossal gospel group I=Change and is the group’s lead singer. MOBO nominee Jake is destined for greatness and has so much talent and potential. He has previously performed at the world famous Jazz Café and Ronnie Scotts. Impressively, this year his group headlined the Praisefest concert at the 51st annual New Testament Church of God National Youth Convention.
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Jake has had a really big year so far and due to the fact that his ministry has expanded and reached another level we wonder how he gets time to relax. Jake told the Arise team that one of his favourite ways to just un-wind and take a break from his ministerial work is to whack on the TV and watch Justice League. He stated “after watching Justice League your life will never be the same again”. He even went on to say that he thinks even Jesus would have watched the TV show because he thinks it’s that great and enjoyable to watch. He also finds it easier to have some alone time with his phone being switched off. “As a part of me just chilling out, I might just read a newspaper” Jake went on to state, however; in terms of relaxing, nothing beats spending time and going on walks with his wife.
After recently coming back from tour, Jake has to juggle family life and work life very carefully due to significant restrictions. The whole touring life is new to him and at times it feels so surreal to him. Nonetheless, throughout the tour life Jake makes it imperative to spend time with God. Jake explained that he tends to find a café and enjoys fellowshipping with God there because he likes to meditate on God’s word. He opens his bible and reads a few scriptures and at times goes on walks to connect with God and spend time with him on a more personal level.
As mentioned before this year is a monumental year for the young singer. In June, Jake released his first ever EP titled “Warchild”. The songs on the EP concentrate on real life issues like, love, relationships and life journeys. The EP predominately focuses on Jake’s walk in life and the constant battle between the flesh and the spirit. The EP also concentrates on the different scenarios of life that a young Christian would go through when growing up in a Pentecostal church but also provides meaningful messages and tells unique stories.
Being brought up in church as a Pastor’s child, Jake knew from the onset that God had something in store for him, but explained that the road to where he is now hasn’t been so straight forward or tranquil. He gave his life to the Lord at the age of 18 and was also filled with the Holy Spirit by receiving the gift of speaking in tongues on that same very day. He then went on to learn how to play the guitar in his days at University and it was then when he realised that God had blessed him with a gift in which he should take further in order to exalt God and spread his word in more depth. Since then Jake took his musical gifts and moulded himself with the love of God surrounding his talents. Interestingly some may question Jake’s approach in terms of who his music cater for. Despite his music spreading the word of God and spreading the good news some still are unsure of where he may fall in the genre bracket of music. Nevertheless, Jake conceitedly confirmed that he is a gospel artist and that he is proud to be representing the gospel genre.
As well as a singer and musician Jake is also on the Pastoral team of his local church, (The Christian life Fellowship in Greenwich, South London) and is one of the Pastors of the leadership team. Although he is the youngest Pastor on the team Jake said “it’s an absolute privilege to be on the team” and he enjoys working alongside fellow men and women of God. He loves his place of worship and strongly believes that his church has helped him grow in the Lord and has enabled him to blossom bountifully. Jake is at a place in his life where he believes he has found his calling, he’s found Jesus and identified what he has given him to use. He’s extremely excited to see what God has in store for him next and has prepared himself for the unexpected. His career and life has taken off and he is equipped to go with the flow as long as he is fulfilling 3 God’s purpose.
Poetry Experience
A Spirit of Psalms 150 Everything that has breathe Praise the Lord!! Your musical note from your voice is special to God. You birth out a melody, harmonising with a Praise, raising a sound to the Heavens. Paradise! Hymns floating on the clouds Angels singing with the wind Oh! His indescribable sweetness tastes the song you sing Accepting your tone,
Inspired by Psalm 18
Taking you on a new level Your pitch is so unique Worshiping The King Of Kings
As for God his way is perfect, the word of the Lord
Your heart is like an instrument beating with Gods love.
proves true
Let your voice Dance! Let your Voice Skip!
He is the shield, to all who take refuge in you
Shout out with a Praise opening the Heavens above Worship until your sunlight warms your sprit
In my distress He heard my cry
Erupt the earth with the notes of Victory
From His temple, the Lord the Most High
Shake the mountain with a song! YES BE FREE!
Descended from heaven, he sent arrows to scatter my
Cry out! Make your giants scurry
enemy
Press Play on God’s heart, listen to His voice, and listen to Him
God, the great deliverer saved me from calamity
Pause and observe his radiant loyalty, His master plan
My fear was great and foes were too strong for me
STOP! Rewind back and dwell in his presence to drink at his fountain
His statues I have not set aside You repay righteousness and those who are pure in your sight You save the humble and those that bless your name Who else but God that surrounds me with strength And makes my way without blame
Move forward and let your footsteps be quenched in His overflowing Grace Rise and lean on the word that melts your heart But most importantly As you breathe on this earth As you inhale and exhale give God praise! You are alive! Sing because you’re precious in the eyes of God Live like tomorrow is your last
Lord our lives are never out of Your gaze Your love has no limits and it delivers us from shame You are our Father God worthy of all praise By: Kirstin Lewis
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Everything you have in you and that has breathe PRAISE THE LORD! By: Shantel Cherebin
The Future looks bright for Rap star Hype -O Lincoln based, up and coming rap artist and producer Hype-O has set his eye on huge things in the nearer future The young and talented rapper Hype is clearly one of Lincoln’s biggest prospects for the future. He’s currently working on his debut EP which is set to launch later this year. It’s going to have 9 of his new songs, with a snippet of his debut single, “This is life” which he is currently shooting the video for. The 23 year old rapper believes that now is his time to shine and break through the music industry, he feels that he has a lot of exciting things lined up and is fully representing Lincoln. He wants others to recognise the minute genre and for gospel music lovers to embrace the underground scene. “I won’t exactly call myself a mainstream artist but more of an up and coming star. My flows and style suit this genre perfectly and I feel that my music represents what young people go through on a day to day basis. Hype-O feels that various artists have contributed towards the passion and desire he has for music. He has listened to hip-hop music all his life and feels that there hasn’t been enough rappers from around his area that have made it globally and now he is ready to set a trend. He’s been rapping for about four years. “When I first started listening to gospel rappers, I knew that music was what I wanted to do” said Hype-O. Intriguingly, Hype-O is still unsigned but feels that this isn’t of great hindrance to his career. Nonetheless he constantly plays on gigs and various open mic sessions across the country. “I enjoy playing in small gigs because I am able to interact with the crowd and embrace their warmth” Hype explained. There are many projects Hype wants to do and has also discussed about doing a midlands tour. He also performed at this year’s Future festival in the West Midlands; which is a yearly event that includes big artists. 5
Music, Milestones and Memories
Music can take you back to a better time and put you in a better space, says writer and career coach Frances Mensah Williams. Music has the power and the ability both to bring back old memories and to motivate new behaviour. Songs and music take us back. Who can ever forget the first song they danced to on their wedding day? Or the hymn that had them sobbing by the graveside of a departed loved one? Music – like scents – evokes the most powerful memories, dragging half-forgotten events and incidents out of the storeroom of our minds. Nothing captures the essence of a time or the mood of an era better than music. I remember as a child being awestruck by the stridently confident lyrics of ‘Young, Gifted and Black’. Instead of the lacklustre and patronising word ‘coloured’ that others used about us, we could, at last, say the word ‘Black’; shout it out loud, claim the colour with pride and make it ‘our thing’! As a child growing up in independent Ghana, although far away from the struggles of apartheid South Africa, I still felt the pain of our oppressed black brothers and sisters when my father played Miriam Makeba’s heartbreaking record ‘Khawuleza’. I remember how the sadness and loss in her voice filled me with outrage at what was being perpetrated elsewhere in Africa against our own. And few in my generation can forget the sense of power and optimism that we felt as we hit the dance floor to ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now!’. We could do anything because we had the funk!
Motivating Memories Fast forward to today. The seemingly never ending catalogue of disasters around the world is enough to depress even the most optimistic among us. Wars, disease, financial struggles, relationship problems, job and health worries seem to dominate so much of our lives. But while it won’t pay the bills or guarantee your job security, music can put you in a different space and take you to a better place. Music can help you remember a better time and recapture the mood. As Jean Cocteau wrote, “All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.” Feeling blue? Let Bill Withers remind you that today too can be a ‘Lovely Day’. Feeling discouraged? Let Labi Siffre’s ‘Something Inside So Strong’ remind you what you’re made of. Need some motivation? ‘Ain’t No Stopping Us Now’ always does it for me. Want to re-connect to the Almighty? Mary Mary’s Shackles (Praise You) is a winner. Trust me - it works. Frances Mensah Williams is the Chief Executive of Interims for Development, a Human Resources and Training consultancy and Editor of ReConnect Africa.com (www.reconnectafrica.com) an online careers and jobs publication for African professionals around the world. She is the author of ‘I Want to Work in Africa: How to Move Your Career to the World’s Most Exciting Continent’ (www.IWanttoWorkinAfrica.com) and ‘Everyday Heroes: Learning from the Careers of Successful Black Professionals’ (www.everyday-heroes.co.uk)
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ENERGY PRAISE NIGHT Energy Praise Night in Deptford New Testament Church of God, includes artists such as, Angel, Anthony Hainsely, Rochester Youth Choir (RYC), Stephanie Quirk, Rasheeda and Chantelle Rhule. Photos credit to Naomi Hunter. 7
A sPOKEN
VOICE It's only by the Grace of God! A lot of you may hear saints in church say "It’s only by Gods grace" and not fully know what that means. However after my experiences that have brought me where I am today, I can truly stand and declare it’s only by God’s grace! Tears rolled down my face as I held the knife to my thighs outlining the bits I was contemplating to chop off. But I couldn't do it, I didn't have the guts. To be fair my main worry was that I didn't know if I would be found in time if I had lost too much blood. I knew that to take my own life was a sin and knew it meant hell. I began to write in my journal; Thursday 18 Sept 2008: “Yesterday was bad; I didn't even want to write as I felt so bad. I woke up crying, felt sluggish and just wanted to sleep and cry all day. The nurse who I saw today said I shouldn't try to lose the weight quickly but I don't believe my body deserves food, I can quite clearly see that it had enough. Why did I buy these wardrobes with mirrors on them? I have to now look at my ugliness every single day.” Friday 19th September 2008: “too upset to write memories flooding back of my family members commenting on what I should and shouldn't wear. I’m sick and tired of trying on clothes that no longer fit; I’m tired of crying and tired of hating myself. I’m physically, mentally and emotionally tired, tired, tired!" Nobody knew that behind my smiles I was hurt and in pain. Self hate was brewing so much and I couldn't look at myself in the mirror anymore. I started smoking cigarettes again as I thought that would help me to be slim. I also stopped eating and tried everything to lose weight but nothing made me feel good inside. I went to church as it’s supposed to make me feel better."Look at you, you're so beautiful you know that don't you?"This is what the Pastor’s wife asked as she embraced me after service. Why was she saying this to me? I kept asking myself. Could she not see me? I'm hideous. Saying I’m beautiful seemed like a joke to me but every week she would keep complimenting my looks. When I look back on it now I know it's only God that lead her to say this to me because as the Word says “there's power in the tongue”. Its words I needed to hear, its words I needed to believe but I just couldn't see it. In my mind at the time I was far from beautiful. On a good day I didn't think about how I felt, I hid it well, but being in a non Christian abusive relationship didn't help either. I would be dragged, my clothes were thrown over my balcony and on occasions I was left in the woods. This didn't help my salvation at all and a couple of years ago I stopped telling people what God had said, I just didn't want any part of that. 8
Cont’d I was abused and bullied as a child by my own family members. I was seen as the ugly duckling and looked nothing like my siblings. I experienced years of name calling and that's what I grew up believing. One day my daughter asked "mummy why don't you eat breakfast." I knew how I felt and knew that I wanted better for her so I remembered that children mimic what they see. So my eating got better but inside I was hurting. I was praying more, involved again in church activities, but was still broken hearted. Little did I know God was about to mend my heart as I became broken for him. It was at National Youth Convention that God just reared down every barrier that I had. I was able to open my mouth and speak what he told me to because I could no longer suppress it. When He told me I was His child and beautifully and wonderfully made I heard him (Psalms 139:14) and most importantly, I believed Him. I believed that greater was coming if I trusted in Him; if I was obedient and if I walked in His ways. When God lashed me again in the evening session I was just speechless. I made a decision that I was going to walk on the narrow path and no matter what I would stay on it. I started to see a change and started to feel better. I also started looking in the mirror again. There's a Kirk Franklin song "Imagine me" I listened to it and could agree that I could imagine me being who God said I would be. So when my ex partner took me to dinner and was emotionally trying to beat me down by telling me I need him and how I've not moved on and that I’m in the same place. The Holy Spirit told me to go to the toilet and take a breather. God said to me in the toilet –“look at you my beautiful child who is wonderfully made” Is that the end? No! Is this the end for you? No! If God can bring me through that then he can do it for you. “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) So through this entire time I ask myself, how did I survive? - How did I get to a place where I could worship, where I could pray for myself and others, where I could serve the Lord? But then I remembered the Bible says we must stand (Ephesians 6:13-14). It's only by the grace of God!
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IT’S A BOLTING YEAR FOR MICHAEL Michael Bolt may look like an ordinary young man from The Harrow New Testament Church of God, but his voice is far from ordinary. Bolt discovered his talent when he was just six years-old but due to lack of confidence he kept it to himself, nonetheless that didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream. He is blessing people nationally with his voice and now leads praise and worship teams at various churches and this year he managed to lead the National Youth Praise and Worship team at the 51st Annual Youth Convention. Michael grew up in church as a Pastor’s kid and at the young age of 9 he gave his life to God at a district Youth Convention in the Oldbury New Testament Church of God. Growing up as a Pastor’s child, Michael found it very hard, because there were so many pressures and responsibilities. However, a huge advantage of being a Pastor’s kid was that he was able to meet new people on a regular basis. He was always travelling with his dad as he ministered all around the country and was always showing support. Michael went on to say that when growing up under the leadership of your dad you must always remember to be true to who you are by being yourself. Aside from being a worship leader, Michael is also a mentor to many young men in Christ. He helps support them on a daily basis and encourages them to continue to pursue their walk in Christ. God has really moved in Michael’s life because initially he was planning to study Sociology and Marketing at University, however due to God’s movement in his life, Michael is now studying Music and Theology at The London School of Theology. He’s currently starting his second year of study and has enjoyed his year studying and has relocated to London, where his University is based. At the age of 25 Michael is now married but feels that he isn’t too young for this commitment. Michael is certain that he is fulfilling the will that God has always had for him and encourages young people to follow their heart in all things that they do like he is in this situation. Regardless of hearing that he is too young, Michael is listening to God’s voice. Michael emphasises how privileged and honoured he is to be called to serve in this way and to be able to perform at a national level but he also describes it as a hard and heavy task. The expectancy that people have for him to usher them into the presence of God helps Michael to always take his career and the responsibilities that come with it very seriously. Michael is aware that it is easy to become blind-sided and forget what he is doing it for but he reminds us that the purpose is to minister. Balancing his studies and his ministry isn’t a difficult task for Michael because they are so closely linked. Being a praise and worship leader is beneficial for Michael as it is helpful with the practical side of his learning. His studies require him to travel and do placements for experience. Michael is very sociable so his social life is never difficult to fit into his busy schedule. Something really interesting that most are unaware of is that Michael is actually related to the very well-known athlete Usain Bolt. They’re actually cousins but still are yet to meet. When speaking about his cousin Michael feels that what Usain has achieved is completely iconic and that he aims to make the same impact through his ministry.
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Spoken WORD God’s Divine Plan & Purpose for Your Life Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. God has a divine plan for every man and woman on earth isn't that great? Wow !! God promise you that anything that He has started in you, He will see to it that His divine plan comes to pass. Remember you are His master piece and He is shaping you in the image of His son Christ Jesus. We are to be Christ like. The father wants to sharpen you up in the things of Him, preserving you for that appointed time to receive your blessings. You are important to God He wants the best for you, He doesn't wants you to perish but what He wants is for you to understand the things of Him. The word of God is food to your soul, you are to marinate yourself in the word of God: live it, speak it, act upon it. It’s all apart of God’s plan for you . Learn to put God first make Him the root of your future plans . For your future to materialise trust God with your future plans Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. By Chenell Mitchell
T im e s O f Refr e shi n g Just seen a poster saying "Tell hell I ain't coming" wow how powerful is that.? Christians know that hell is a real place. However, can we honestly say that we are living our lives to reflect what we believe? Paul made this statement "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."2 Timothy 4:7 Will we be able to say the same? Be encouraged no matter what storm clouds may come your way, declare in the name of Jesus 'He who is in me is greater that he who is in the world.' 1 John 4:4 Have we got passion stirred up inside us to walk the road of righteousness? Are we dressed in the armor of God? Walking tall with our head held high. Pray for boldness and confidence to make it through to the end. Ask and ye shall receive. Use this boldness to unleash determination and say "Tell hell I ain't coming cause I belong to The Lord!" Every soul matters!
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Can you share for us how you came to Christ? I received Jesus as my personal Saviour at the age of 13, having been brought up in a Christian home. At that time I don’t think I realised the dramatic change that would take place in my life, but it impacted my home life, school life and social life for the better. What was your first role in church? My first leadership role was being appointed as the Young Men's Fellowship President in my early 20s by Revd S.U. Thompson. We used to meet regularly for prayer, discussions, film nights, go out visiting & witnessing, fundraising, etc. It was an important foundational period of my Christian journey. At the age of 24 I was elected as a member of the Church and Pastors' Council at NTCG Handsworth; initially I found the experience very daunting. This year you would have served a decade as our National Youth Director firstly congratulations it's the most years anybody had served how has it been? God willing, my tenure as National Youth & CE Director will reach 10 years at the start of August 2014. The time has flown by and yes I have served for the longest period in this role. It has been a very fulfilling experience and I have learnt and grown much. God is faithful and has continually provided grace and some great people to support and mentor me. We hear you're very talented in playing the guitar when did you start that and can you play anything else? My father taught me to play the guitar from an early age, so I have played in church since being in infant school. Not long after my family joined NTCG Handsworth in 1979 I was privileged to play guitar for The Majestic Singers and in 1982 went on a six week tour of the USA, where we ministered at the COG General Assembly. I have also played for a number of other Gospel groups and artistes. I mainly play the bass guitar now and in the past have tinkled on the piano. Does serving as National Youth Director take you away from your music? Oh yes! My priorities have changed over the past decade, which means although I still love playing live music, my schedule no longer enables me to regularly attend rehearsals, etc. My skills then get rusty and it takes a bit of an effort to get up to speed when I pick up a bass/guitar, so I only do the occasional event now and then. 12
Can you tell us a bit about your music studio and how you came about that? The formation of Kingship was not intentional, but was something that Sonia (my wife), Noval Smith (friend) and myself were drawn into. I see the studio ministry as a professional hobby (that I fit into my spare time) that helps me to relax and is a vehicle through which I can express creativity. Kingship has been blessed to have served a number of upcoming artistes since 1998 and have received some remarkable testimonies from across the globe. It has been amazing where some of the music we have produced has reached (not always where we would have envisaged). To find out more about recent projects your readers can visit www.kingship.co.uk. What else do you do in the community? Since March 2012 I have been the Assistant Senior Pastor of NTCG Handsworth and have undertaken all the roles and responsibilities commensurate with that role. I am also a Trustee for a local charity called the Lozells Project who is involved in a number of church and community initiatives, which span cultural, religious and ethnic groups. What advice would you give to a young person struggling to hear what direction God wants them to go in? The Bible says, “... the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day,” Proverbs 4:18. Don’t be overly concerned about receiving a 3 or 7 Step Plan for your life, or something of the sort, I would simply say. “Give your life whole heartedly to God and pursue Him.” Get involved with the things that immediately confront you, or in some cases frustrate you. Make a difference! As you then serve and live in obedience to God’s word, your calling and vocation will become clearer and clearer. Do you think you've found your calling? I have discovered my calling and found it to be the culmination of my work, family and church life experiences. My current roles require me to apply much of what I have learnt in the past to the present context. God is amazing, trust Him! What are your words of wisdom for the youth? Young People you are valuable, have incredible skills and abilities and the opportunity to make an amazing contribution to the lives of others. “... Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.
39 And
the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Matthew
22: 37-39. What can we expect in the coming year from National Youth Board? The Board will meet shortly to review the recent convention, then we will be gearing up for our 10 th Youth Academy (www.youthacademy.org.uk) that will take place the 17th - 19th October at Whitemoor Lakes in Staffordshire. We already have some ideas for 2015 and will be discussing them. And finally can you tell us something that nobody else would know? I was caught speeding the other day and went on a speed awareness course. Although I didn’t want to go on it, I found it very useful and one of my friends was on it too! You will be pleased to know that I have amended my driving habits.
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The Arise Magazine team began initial plans on the magazine prior to National Youth Convention 2014. Work continued during NYC with a series of video interviews with the individuals featured in the first issue.
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DESIGNER Spotlight
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Credits for AYAO EditorialFASHION DESIGNMERS & STYLIST: Elizabeth Akingbade of Yemzi www.yemzi.com FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: Cara May www.cara-mayphotography.com MAKEUP ARTIST: Chantelle Phillips HAIRSTYLIST: Bathan Thomas JEWELLRY STYLIST: Nin Elegba at Magpie On The Run www.magpieontherun.com Model 1: Jalicia Nightengale, Model 2: Amy Woodman, Model 3: Sarah Sheppard
Events
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