Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine - January 2017 Edition by Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Baton Rouge

January 2017 FREE

Magazine

INSIDE: The Truth about “Happiness” “Healing Hearts” after tragic loss The gift of adoption Marriage, family, and fathers

Believers for Baton Rouge One City, One Church, One Hope

Tony Evans brings a message of unity to the body of Christ in Baton Rouge

THIS MONTH AT BREC JOIN US IN JANUARY FOR... Make it a Movie Night: Ghostbusters II Jan. 13, 7 pm

Independence Park Theatre {225-216-0660

| theparktheatre.com}

Movie in the Park Jan. 20, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Kathy Drive Park

{225-275-9819 | brec.org}

Sunshine Social: Pokemon Go Jan. 20, 6-9 p.m. Womack Park {225-272-9200

| brec.org/therapeutics}

Run & Ride Adventure Race Jan. 21, 7:30 a.m.

Farr Park Levee {225-620-0500

| outdooradventure@brec.org}

Plant Invaders Pushback – Swamp Volunteer Day Jan. 21, 10 am-2 pm

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center {225-757-8905

| brec.org/swamp}

Fiber Art Show: “Bluebonnet Swamp 20” Jan. 17-Feb. 12

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center {225-757-8905

| brec.org/swamp}

BREC Student Horse Show Jan. 21-22 Farr Park Equestrian Center {225-769-7805

Solar Viewing Jan. 28, noon-2 p.m.

| brec.org/farr}

Highland Road Park Observatory {225-768-9948

| hrpo.lsu.edu}

To volunteer at these or other events, email volunteer@brec.org

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

LOVE IS THE GIFT OF ADOPTION SERVING:

• Couples who may consider adoption and adoptive parents • Birthparents • Children in adoptive families • Organizations providing resources and services for couples, birthparents, and children

www.upliftadoption.com • 225-270-9022 • info@upliftadoption.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR

• From the Melancon I Rimes family to yours •

Table of CONTENTS Cover

STORY

18-24

One City, One Church, One Hope

Feature Columns Faith life

6-10

Healing Hearts is Her Mission by Lisa Tramontana

Family is a Gift by Lisa Tramontana

Releasing the Stronghold of Addiction

by Lisa Tramontana

by Charles Mayo

11-15 Family life His Majestic Miracles

by Tonya Woodridge-Jarvis

Baton Rouge

Christian Magazine

issue 10, volume 2 JANUARY 2017 PUBLISHER/Editor Beth Townsend Beth@bethtownsend.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR McKenzie Moffett mckenzie@ batonrougechristianlifemagazine.com Director of Distribution Elmo Winters Elmow1@att.net contributing writers Susan Brown Tonya Woodridge-Jarvis

Broken Together

Trapper S. Kinchen

by Susan Brown

Lisa Tramontana

Inside Each Issue

5 18 28 38

Publisher’s letter reading for life

Review by Kelli M. Knight

Pastor’s perspective by Rev. Thomas Howe

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFE

lagniappe

25 26 27

Change your life counting 7 blessings a day

Learning for life

16-17

A Solid Foundation, A Better Education

Millennial life

30-33

Pursuing Your Passion in the New Year by Trapper S. Kinchen

healthy life

34-37 YMCA Celebrates its first Community Prayer Luncheon

Kelli M. Knight Thomas Howe J. E. Berry Charles Mayo LAYOUT & DESIGN BY Illuminated Designs Studio BATON ROUGE CHRISTIAN LIFE MAGAZINE 9655 Perkins Road, Suite C-133 Baton Rouge, LA 70810 225-910-7426 batonrougechristianlifemagazine.com BATON ROUGE CHRISTIAN LIFE MAGAZINE WEBSITE BY Yowza Design & McKenzie Moffett printed by RR Donnelley / Memphis, TN

The bittersweet nectaR of happy by J. E. Berry

The Mission to Help Kids Move More

Delicious Cabbage Roll Recipe

by Pennington Biomedical Research Center

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Publisher’s LETTER

Happy New Year!

Does your faith move mountains? It should. It could. The Bible is filled with stories of people who had big faith — David, Queen Esther, Abraham, Daniel, Nehemiah, Peter, Paul, Thomas, John, and so many more! In Mark chapter 5, Jesus healed a woman saying, “Your faith has healed you.” Her faith. Not her works, not her life story. Her faith. None of these mentioned had worry-free lives. They had obstacles. Many faced death. They didn’t just worship God all day. The lived lives, had families and jobs. Like us, they faced great difficulties and overcame obstacles. Matthew 17:20 says, “He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”’ Let’s move mountains in 2017. Together. As ONE. O: Overcome! In 2017, be an overcomer! The only way to overcome anything is by trusting the truth of His Word. 1 John 4:4 says, “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” When you are feeling disappointed, say this verse out loud as much as you need to in order to walk in truth. Meditate on the Word and not your problems. N: Now. Now is the time to live in freedom. Do not belabor your sins. Repent and be made new. Isaiah 1:18 says, “‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’” Your sins are forgiven. My sins are forgiven. End of story.

E: Everyone is equal! John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” We must come together as one body. Christ died for all. He loves all equally and forgives everyone the same. Our faith can move mountains. Isn’t that an incredible truth? The day to day can quickly rob us of an eternal perspective. Yet if we live by truth and focus on what God says in His Word instead of what our problems say about our lives, we begin to be transformed into children of God who live like heirs to his righteousness. ‘Because of their faith’ … let 2017 mark a new era of faith in your life. At home, at work, around the city. Be in the Word and in prayer. Do things that require faith. See that God is faithful, and by all means, move those mountains!

May 2017 draw us closer together and bring Him glory…

Beth Townsend

Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Faith LIFE

arolyn Williams will never forget that knock at the door. It was a police officer telling her that her 21-year-old son Chad had been killed. Concerned that she was alone, the officer said he would stay with her until a friend or family member could come and stay with her. “I was in a daze,” Williams said.

Healing Hearts is Her Mission but first she had to heal her own by Lisa Tramontana

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

She picked up the phone to call her sister, and only when the words left her lips … “Chad has been killed …” did the realization hit her that she’d lost her only son. “I fell apart then,” she said. “No one can imagine what it’s like to lose a child … it’s so painful. There is just no way to describe it. It feels like a part of your heart and soul … your whole being … has been taken away.” For four years, Williams continued to go to her job every day and raise her daughter Andrea. But deep in her heart, she admits she was grief-stricken, depressed, guilty and overwhelmingly sad. She had always had a strong faith, so she prayed and talked with God constantly, she said. “But I was mostly angry during those conversations. I wanted to know why this had happened.” And then one day, she came across Deuteronomy 1:6-8 (The Lord God spoke, saying, you have dwelt long enough on this mountain. Turn and set your journey and go to the hill country and to all your neighbors …”) Williams believes this was a message from God, telling her that she had dwelt in her pain long enough. It was time to move on. There was work to do and other parents were out there suffering the same pain she had endured. She was in a unique position to help them. It was then that Williams decided to start a grief support group. Healing Hearts Grief Support Ministries offers individuals and families compassion and support as they work through their grief from the death of a loved one lost to violence. As a nurse, Williams has a compassionate heart, and as a grieving mother, she can identify with the parents who seek help and understanding. She reminds them that they are at the beginning of a new journey that can bring them wisdom and spiritual growth (if they allow it). She encourages them to embrace it and be open to what God might have in store for them. Williams’ journey led her to a new life’s mission … something that changed her life, gave it purpose, and ensured that Chad’s life and death was not in vain. “It’s been almost 10 years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss him and cry about him every day. Because I do.”

Faith LIFE

“Every day that I wake up --- every morning that I open my eyes – to me, that means that God has a job for me to do that day. So I ask him, ‘What do you want from me this day, Lord? What can I do?’” – Carolyn Williams Chad’s death was especially tragic because he was looking for a fresh start in his life, Williams said. In fact, he had just moved back in with his mother and was looking for a new job. His grandmother had recently died and he had a hard time dealing with the loss. “Looking back, I see that Chad had some depression,” she said, “and could have used some help. But being a mother doesn’t come with a manual. You can’t keep looking back and feeling guilty. We all do the best we can with what we know at the time.” Williams says helping other parents has been a blessing, and she feels a new calling to become a minister. “I could never have gotten through this without my faith,” she said. “God put all of this on my heart, and I have to believe there is a reason. Every day that I wake up – every morning that I open my eyes – to me, that means that God has a job for me to do that day. So I ask him, “What do you want from me this day, Lord? What can I do?” In accepting a new purpose in life, Williams found many ways to serve. She has become a motivational speaker and often speaks at workshops, seminars and churches. She also wrote a book titled “It Was Me.” “Years ago, when my kids were young, I used to sit on the edge of my bed at night and think about all the violence going on in the world and the number of young people dying. And I remember thinking, ‘Somewhere out there is a mother who is hurting tonight.’ A few years ago, it occurred to me that I had become one of those mothers. It was me.”

The Café Yo u’r e in

Healing Hearts offers many resources and services, including child counseling, individual counseling, family counseling, coping and adjustment skills, and group therapy. The group also provides education on the signs and symptoms of depression, the stages of grief, finding life after death, and forming a network of support. Williams has also helped raise funds for families with no means to bury their loved ones. Williams is looking forward to 2017, as the organization will be moving to a new office in January, and she will be able to host weekly meetings and expand her services. For more information on Healing Hearts, call (225) 505-0015 or send an email to zenocwz@yahoo. com. You can also visit the group’s page on Facebook, or the website at healinghearts24.net. Donations of any kind are greatly appreciated, she said, especially office supplies or furniture for Healing Hearts’ new offices.

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Healing Hearts Grief Support Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and is actively seeking sponsors. Call (225) 505 0015. Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

X Faith LIFE

Family is a Gift by Lisa Tramontana

Amy and Victor Canada with their children, Wynter and Josh.

early four years ago, Victor and Amy Canada learned about a single father with terminal cancer looking for a couple to adopt his two children. Twelve-year-old Josh and 11-year-old Wynter’s father could think of little else but finding parents who would make sure his children continued their education, pursued music and art, and grew up in a Christian home. That’s a pretty specific wish list, but the Canadas fit the bill. “We said yes to other children who needed a home over the years, but it had not been the right match,” said Amy. “We believe it’s because these were our children all along. God was bringing about his plan.” Amy remembers first meeting the children, who were friendly and had a lot to talk about. They also brought some of their artwork to share with Amy and Victor. In the months that

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

followed as their father became more ill, the children formed a bond with their new adoptive parents. Victor remembers sitting at the dinner table one night and marveling at how quickly and completely they had formed a loving family. “We would sit together for hours talking and laughing. They both have such personalities! Such a sense of humor! And over time, they’ve even picked up some of our mannerisms and ways of doing things. We were comfortable together from early on.” Amy home schools Josh and Wynter, now 16 and 15, and they are both involved in a number of activities. Josh loves to fish. Wynter loves to sing and act. They both play soccer, guitar, and enjoy sketching and painting. They are also skilled at making jewelry, something their father taught them, but it holds bittersweet memories, Amy said.

Faith LIFE “There have been struggles,” said Amy, “but when I need an answer from God, it always comes to me. I also lost my father when I was very young, so I know what that feels like. I understand what they’ve been through. I have that special connection with Josh and Wynter.” “God sometimes calls us to do things that are bigger than we are,” said Victor, “and I think being a parent is one of them. I’ve learned that it’s one of the most important endeavors anyone can embark on.” Creating a family brings the Canadas great joy, but it has also stirred a longing to do even more. Their adoption was handled by Todd Gaudin of On Point Legal, who is also an adoptive parent himself, and has a passion for helping families through the process. A year ago, the Canadas joined Gaudin and his wife Hope to form Uplift Adoption Network, which encourages adoptions, helps to remove obstacles and offers a network of ongoing support. In November, the group hosted the Adoption Perspectives Conference, which drew an audience of adoptive parents, adoptees, birth mothers, and

professionals who work with the adoption process. A resounding success, the event included presentations and panel discussions from a wide variety of organizations and ministries. It was held in conjunction with World Adoption Day. One of the goals of Uplift Adoption is to combat the myths that surround adoption, including fears about the expense, legal rights and the approval process. “We want to educate couples about all of the resources and support that are available to them,” said Victor. “And most of all, we want couples to realize that adoption is a true calling, not a last resort.” Amy says Uplift also works to improve understanding and attitudes toward birth mothers. “It’s hard enough to place your child for adoption,” she said. “But imagine how much harder it is when people judge you or treat you badly because of it. We think it’s an honorable decision to do what’s best for your child, and birth mothers should be treated with dignity.”

If you would like to know more about the adoption process, call (225) 270-9022 or send an email to info@upliftadoption.com.

Group photo from Uplift Adoption Network’s Adoption Perspectives Conference. Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Releasing the Stronghold of Addiction

Family LIFE

by Charles Mayo, MACP, PLPC,LAC, CSAT -candidate

hen I was asked to write an article related to our national position in the war on addiction, I had to take some time to really ponder what that meant as both a mental health professional, as well as a recovering alcoholic working to live his life by the spiritual principles inherent in 12-step programs.

The statistics on alcoholism and drug addiction are staggeringly disheartening. The number of drug overdoses in the U.S. have more than quadrupled in the last 10 years. Drug addicts are no longer the typical “junkies” you see portrayed in the movies. They are the popular cheerleader with the 4.0 GPA, the 30-year-old businessman who started taking pain pills in college, a stay-at-home mother, the high school running back, the nurse, the chef and many other American workers driven to perform in high-stress environments during long hours at work. It’s likely there is an addict or alcoholic somewhere in your life; a friend’s child, your own child, a distant cousin, a co-worker – it is widely accepted that every person struggling with addiction touches 27 people. They are struggling to hang on to their secret but ashamed to ask for help. Addiction does not discriminate, and the first place we can start to fight this war is by doing away with the judgment and stigma that goes along with addiction. This is a tall order for many people who are convinced that it is as simple as making a decision to stop. They just can’t buy into the idea that addiction is a disease. However, it really is much more complicated. The good news is addiction is a disease people can recover from. Most addicts are overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and shame, and the only way to escape those feelings is to use more of the drug that has trapped them in a place where there seems to be no way out. With all that, addicts are people that have value and worth, but they are no longer in touch with that feeling. The state of addiction today is much like the country in general. Increasingly God and Christ are being pushed out and made to seem no longer relevant. The AA Big Book (p. 59) says, “May you find him now,” and that is the solution. But there are more and more treatments and programs springing up that don’t have the spiritual foundation of the steps, nor do they even acknowledge the need for spirituality, despite the understanding that a relationship with a power greater than ourselves is the answer. Though Bill Wilson is credited with these steps, it was a humble Jesus who, in the Sermon on the Mount, said “Blessed 10

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

are the poor in spirit.” And as John Piper put it, “Blessed are those who feel keenly their helplessness and their unworthiness and their emptiness and are driven by them to the grace of God.” For the addict, what started out as the solution to a variety of issues has now become the greatest lifelong problem. The state of addiction today is definitely disturbing, and the numbers are overwhelming. Even behavioral issues such as sex, video games, porn, gambling and something as essential as food consumption has been affected by the interaction of addiction. I often think of the ways the plight of the addict and the Christian is so similar. The Christian can be saved and yet still struggle with sin. As Paul said, “The things I don’t want to do, I do, and the things I want to do, I don’t.” Addiction science around the brain and new therapy approaches from the counseling world have really made a lot of inroads, and rarely will any disease have so many dedicated to helping those afflicted. What does the Christian in Baton Rouge do? They pray for those in my family and yours who struggle with addiction. Secondly, one central theme in almost all addicts is that they no longer feel lovable – we as Christians are known for our love for one another and must continue loving those struggling with addiction. Do not get in the way of God and end up instead enabling your loved one. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call us at The Grove today 225-300-4850.

After my own battle with addiction for 35 years, God used the 12 steps to set me free and begin a journey to totally change every aspect of my life. I received a master’s degree from Troy University in Clinical Mental Health, as well as a bachelor’s in Christian Ministry from Leavel College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Since earning my LAC in September of 2014, I have led group and family sessions, as well as individual sessions in order to create complete care planning programs for my clients. In July of 2015 I began the journey toward the LPC as a PLPC with a supervisor. As that goal of the LPC draws closer I have gone to IITAP school and completed the 4 modules of Certified Sexual Addiction Therapy (CSAT) training. Outside of my professional career, I have also worked as a spiritual counselor for many years. I have operated as the recovery pastor for a church in Alabama for nearly three years completing my master’s, and previously led a Celebrate Recovery session at Celebration Church in New Orleans. Outside of my work life, I enjoy the peace of living on the Amite River despite the losses of the flood.

His Majestic Miracles

Family LIFE

by Tonya Woodridge-Jarvis

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’” – Mark 10:27

hings that should have killed you, didn’t. Situations that should have made you lose your mind, didn’t. Do you believe in miracles? They happen every day. Have you had a near death experience, but something saved you in the nick of time? That something was God. What about the lady in front of you at the grocery store in the checkout line with the screaming kid – someone allows her to go before them and she’s out of the store and in the car quickly – that’s a miracle! Or what about when the doctor gave your family member six months to live, and they lived for 30+ years – another miracle! The most miraculous miracle of them all is the fact that God allowed you to wake up for one more day. The way I see it is that you can change anything you want to change in your life from day to day, so long as God keeps granting you the miracle of breath in your body. There was an article in the New York Daily News detailing an incident where four police officers helped rescue a baby from an overturned car in the Spanish Fork River in March 2015. The officers claimed to have heard an unexplained voice calling from the car. The driver of the car was the 18-month-old infant’s

mother who ran off the road into the river and was killed on impact. The child was upside down in her car seat for at least 12 hours according to sources. The officers stated that they heard someone say “help me!” All first responders on the scene heard it as well. The child was in freezing temperatures with no food or water and skimpy clothing for 12 hours, but has since made a full recovery and is now with family. My guess is that it was the voice of God directing them to save the child.

our sins so that we may have everlasting life, who was buried in a tomb and rose on the third day — he is the man we now know to be our Savior, Jesus Christ. See folks, that’s the miracle that changed my life. So as you go out and be great, remember it is Jesus who is the greatest miracle, the ultimate gift and is worthy to be praised.

Do you believe yet?

Tara, on her way to college, had a blowout and was headed straight off a 33-story cliff when her car miraculously swerved across traffic, then careened back into the median, and she walked away without a scratch. What about the total stranger that walks up to you with the vital information that you needed, or the man who was declared dead for 45 minutes and miraculously started breathing on his own again.

Still not a believer?

Here’s is the most wondrous miracle of them all — the man who was beaten and hanged, the man that bled out and died for

Tonya Woodridge-Jarvis, affectionately known as “The Refresher,” is an American author, empowerment speaker and a life catalyst. She launched The Refresher Course to educate and empower others to dramatically shift the quality and direction of their lives by using spiritual principles as well as the Life Catalyst curriculum. By using lessons from her life, Tonya writes and teaches through one’s obstacles to transform people into achieving their goals. She currently writes for the Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine and released her fourth book entitled “A Refreshing Moment.” Her debut single, “I Choose Life” is available at www. therefreshercourse.com. She truly believes in the principle of refreshing lives one by one.

Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Family LIFE

Broken Together

Bishop Ronald Hardy and wife, Robbin, draw on personal experiences to take marriages from self-centered to a shared, love-filled life by Susan Brown

• photos by Beth Townsend

“To be honest with you, we were heading for divorce court: we were saved, loved the Lord, it just wasn’t working.” He was the goal- oriented, organization- driven provider. She was the creative genius with a dream of “happily- ever- after.” The clash of priorities and personalities had sent them slowly drifting apart. They realized their marriage was in deep trouble.

Robbin and Ronald Hardy

“The Lord stepped in and healed our relationship. From there he told us to go and heal other marriages,” said Bishop Ronald E. Hardy, pastor of Faith, Hope & Love Worship Center. Decades later, he and his wife, Robbin Eames Hardy, continue to provide a pathway for couples to take marriage from co-existence to compatibility, from survival mode to mutual enjoyment. Their 12

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

books, “A Love Like This” and “Where is Daddy?” address a culture that idolizes self-sufficiency and self-fulfillment while robbing couples of intimate friendship and shared life goals. The dramatic success of their seminars, retreats and publications is mirrored in a marriage that recognizes the uniqueness of the individual while embracing togetherness.

Family LIFE It didn’t start out that way. After casually dating during their years at Robert E. Lee High School, Ronald and Robbin reconnected at the funeral of a friend. Robbin remembered him as “Party Hardy” and laughed when she heard he had given his life to Christ and had shared the gospel with a mutual friend. “He told her, ‘When I see Robbin, I’m going to witness to her, too’. At the funeral I saw him. I was kind of daring, ‘Well, witness to me’. So, I waited outside. And when he came out and said he was living his life for Christ, I saw a difference in him. This was not the same man,” Robbin said. After reading her Bible all day and talking with another friend, she became a Christian. “In my prayer time God actually showed me a vision of my wedding and he was the groom. And I was like OMG. At that time, we weren’t dating,” Robbin said. “And one day God spoke to him and told him that’s your wife.” They were 18 and 20 years old with a lot to learn. “We thought we knew what marriage was all about, but after four years we realized we were a long way from what marriage was about,” Bishop Hardy said. “We were struggling real bad. And God stepped in.” “When couples come in, that’s one of the big things: ‘My needs are not being met,” said Bishop Hardy. “I was the

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biggest problem, I believe, in the beginning because I was so caught up in my own accomplishments – in providing – and shortly after that I was called into the ministry. So, I was leaving work, getting off late, focusing on my time with the Lord and never really paying enough attention to her.” “In Ephesians 5:25, the scriptures say, ‘Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it.’ So, there are two basic things: love and giving,” Bishop Hardy said. “A woman needs time and they’re more relationship oriented; they need attention and affection. A woman may put on a new outfit, change her hair. You have to notice those things. That says you just set value on who I am, you value me enough to notice this about me.” “A woman needs to feel secure,” Robbin said. “Men need to be honored. They need to be respected. They need their recreation and fun time, so they need a playmate too.” “I can say there was selfishness here because we were still doing our own thing,” Robbin said. “He plays sports. He was on a basketball team. During the games, I’m dropping him off and I’m going shopping. I didn’t like sports.” They had to learn togetherness. “We raised four children. When it was their time, we would get into their world and do things they like to do, but

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X Family LIFE

Ronald and Robbin in the Faith, Healing, Love Worship Center

we also had our day. And that was every week, no matter what was going on,” Bishop Hardy said. “We would joke about – what day is it? Mommy and Daddy’s Day. So, what do you [kids] have to do? Go find something to do,” Bishop Hardy said. “They knew that was our time together.” Finances and communication are also common issues. “There may be three different ways to interpret what I just said. Sometimes you have to ask questions – are you saying this? Do you mean this?” Robbin explained. “And just flat out not meeting one another’s needs. If I try to meet his needs based upon my needs, the needs are not being met,” she said. “You’re different.” “I believe that they can live happily ever after because the Bible says we can have everlasting joy. So, I believe we can have it in the marriage,” she said. Marriages often reflect the experiences of the past, including baggage from relationships with parents. “In the early 90s, 14

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

God began to visit me from Proverbs 17:6: ‘And the glory of children is their father,’” Bishop Hardy said. “Fathers normally look at their relationship with their children more as a provider – as long as I’ve provided for my children, then I’ve accomplished my goal. But there’s so much more wrapped up in a father.” As he began to address the issue of physically or emotionally absent fathers, Bishop Hardy realized he had touched an unhealed wound in a surprising number of adults. “Grown men and women were walking to the altar weeping and crying – never been healed of the relationship or the absence of a father in their lives,” he said. One night, he was surprised to see the keynote speaker at a Christian conference walk into his workshop. “And when I began to teach on the subject, he was at the altar. From that point, God began to inspire me to put it in a book.”

Family LIFE Many see themselves in the story of Esau whose blessing was stolen while he was away. “When Esau got back, his world had ended because the father releases the blessing upon the seed. And that is defined in expressed approval,” Bishop Hardy said. “You already know that Mama loves you. You already know that Mama is going to be there. But when it comes to a father, it has to be released upon them. They have to feel that sense of expressed approval. That’s why when Jesus arose after being baptized, came out of the water, God said, ‘This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased’ (Matthew 3:17). So, children want to hear that from dad.” “People who have never been healed, never heard the words, ‘I love you, I’m proud of you, I’m glad that you’re my son’ - it messes with their esteem/self-worth.” “Then they start walking around with the sense that ‘I don’t need him anyway,’ a false pride. And that begins to flood our society. They begin to have an attitude – nobody else is going to cross them like that. You’re seeing such a rise in it.” But Hardy sees hope for healing, even in the Monroe, La. prison system where a majority of inmates come from fatherless homes. After witnessing the effect of their book, “Where is Daddy?” the warden made it part of the early release curriculum. His book addresses new beginnings. “God says he will be a father to the fatherless because he understands the value, the identity, the glory, the expressed approval and the foundation that come from the father,” he said. “God knows how to establish himself in a fatherly relationship in their lives, and it’s very important.” There is even healing for those whose fathers are no longer living. “The book helps answer questions – this is why I feel this way or this is why I’ve gone through this, Lord,” Robbin said. In some situations, adults have mailed their book to estranged fathers and experienced either personal healing or restored relationships. “In a lot of cases the dads did not know they were this significant in their child’s life.” “The more they study and hear the word of God throughout the scriptures, the more they witness God’s relationship to us as sons and daughters,” Bishop Hardy explained. “It will open a better understanding of how to embrace him not just as God, but as your father.” The Hardys have plans to continue annual retreats on marriage in partnership with Pastor Milton Coats and Rose Coats of Magnolia Full Gospel Baptist Church in St. Francisville. “We believe God can heal any marriage,” Robbin said.

Ronald and Robbin’s book discusses healing relationships through the guidance of God’s Word.

“We definitely believe in miracles. We’ve seen it. He’s a God of restoration,” she said. “He also said, ‘I will restore to you the years’” (Joel 2:25). You have to have that willing heart to allow him to come in and intervene.” “We look at so much that God has for us. What if we had given up on it? We have four children and six grandchildren and a seventh on the way – all of what God has done over the span of time,” she said. The Hardys celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary this month. Editor’s Note: For more information, see www.facebook.com/Faith-Hope-and-Love-Worship-Center Susan Brown began her career in radio news. She was news director for WJBO/WFMF radio and a journalism instructor at LSU. She holds Master’s Degrees from LSU and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and served as a chaplain at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Learning for LIFE

A Solid Foundation, a Better Education

All parents want the best for their children, and that includes a quality education. But while most of us take that right for granted, those with a special needs child have a real challenge on their hands.

Jeannean Dixon 16

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Lacey and Trey Prats felt that way as they tried to advocate for their son, Oliver, who was born with spina bifida and epilepsy. “He needed a lot of physical accommodations at school,” said Lacey. “He needed medications, a seizure protocol, a special desk, an aide for bathroom issues. It’s overwhelming to be an advocate for your child when you’re not aware of certain laws and regulations.” Most schools identify a special needs student as one who has difficulty learning or functioning in a traditional school setting. Help is available through a federal law that mandates a special learning plan be created for students with special needs. The IEP (individualized educational program) addresses a child’s unique learning issues, which might require special modifications to class work, support services, assistive technology, therapy services and other considerations. Parents work with schools to develop an IEP, but the process can be complicated and frustrating. That’s where Jannean Dixon comes in. Through her business, Cornerstone Educational Consulting, she helps families work with schools to create an IEP and learn how to navigate the system to assure the best education possible for their child. Dixon retired last May after 10 years as a teacher. Her career change, she says, was a calling from God. Two years ago, she was working with a special needs student who was about to move into a mainstream classroom. “I loved this student and really wanted him to succeed,” she said. “I told his mother that I didn’t want to overstep my bounds, but to please make sure he had an IEP before switching schools. She didn’t know anything about it, so I went to her home, met with the family, and created an example IEP for their son, which his new school used. Later, she called me and said God told her to tell me that this is what I should be doing with my life.” Dixon wasn’t completely surprised. Her career had provided her with knowledge about every aspect of the IEP

Learning for LIFE issue, from the people involved to the paperwork required, and she enjoyed educating parents about the process. She had also been praying about the possibility of starting her own business. “It had been on my heart,” she said, “and when I started to mention it to others, people came out of the woodwork offering to help me. Financial advice, a graphic designer, clients … so now I’m consulting full-time.” Oliver Prats, now 9 and a first-grade student at St. Luke’s Episcopal Day School, is one of many students who has been helped by Dixon. “Jannean is such a breath of fresh air,” said Lacey Prats. “She held our hand through the entire (IEP) process and took a daunting task and turned it into something pleasant. What she has done for Oliver and our family is invaluable.” First and foremost, Cornerstone provides family advocacy and education. As Dixon’s website states, the IEP meeting can be a challenging experience, and parents need to be prepared.

Cornerstone helps parents identify their child’s specific needs, discuss solutions, and have a list of questions ready for the principal or school officer involved. The company also provides transition assistance for children moving to a new classroom or new school. And Dixon conducts special teacher workshops to train educators about the IEP process. In a short time, Cornerstone has helped many families who are grateful for Dixon’s expertise. Her website includes several testimonials from parents who praise her knowledge, experience and confidence. You can learn more by visiting cornerstoneeducationalconsulting.com, or by calling (225) 931-8560. You can also email Dixon at jannean.cornerstone@ gmail.com. The website includes articles of interest to parents, including how principals impact school culture, how to choose between a public or private school, and what to do if you suspect your child has a learning disability.

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X Reading for Life A Review of

Breaking Barriers

How to knock out adversity and live life as a champion Written by John Couret Reviewed by Kelli M. Knight

hen the odds seem insurmountable and it seems only a miracle can bring about a meaningful life, it may be time to fight. Fighting is easier said than done. John Couret has seen adversity in his life from growing up in a challenging neighborhood to being in an accident that left him legally blind. But he found a way to push for a life that he knew God wanted for him. His book begins with the definition of a barrier: an object that prevents movement and denies access, yet on the same page he includes a Mother Teresa quote encouraging us to love, forgive, be kind, and be your best regardless of how others treat you, which is profound to get beyond barriers. John writes the book using boxing metaphors because life can throw punches, quite similar to a boxing match. His premise is he became a champion in life employing what he refers to as “the 5 C’s.” “The 5 C’s” - Conflict resolution; Centering yourself; Confidence; Change; Communication - are the foundation to breaking barriers.

H I G H L A N D

The book is very well written, thorough, and each point and method is very well explained. The tone is personable, and because of the boxing metaphors men especially will relate to the presentation of each chapter explaining how to overcome issues. This read is highly motivational, and whether one’s impediment is small or large, “Breaking Barriers” is an excellent instructional guide for moving ahead. Raised in Brooklyn, John lived his childhood as a troubled youth, making poor choices and traveling down a self-destructive path. He left New York in his early twenties and moved to Florida. During one of the lowest moments in his life, he spent a year living homeless on the streets, and eating out of garbage cans. He eventually created a successful career in the auto industry. In 2015, he had an accident that left him legally blind. Through the healing process, John learned that although he lost his sight, he never lost his vision and his writing reflects this philosophy. John currently resides in New Orleans, La. and makes himself easily accessible to supporters. You can find information about his book at johncouret.com or purchase it on amazon.com.

R O A D

Kelli is the owner of Illuminated Designs Studio, specializing in graphic design services. She received her Liberal Arts degree from LSU and has lived in Baton Rouge for the majority of her life. Kelli loves great stories, so reading and writing have always been passions of hers. Over the course of her career she has written for several publications throughout Southeast Lousiana. Find her on facebook: facebook.com/kellissimeaux

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JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

COVER Story

One City, One Church, One Hope by Lisa Tramontana

Dr. Tony Evans has a vision for Baton Rouge - to transform the community from a Christian perspective to bring about healing and hope. He will share that vision on January 26 when he leads a citywide gathering, along with local pastors and church leaders who are also committed to creating unity in the capital city.

photo provided by Tony Evans Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Cover Story

The event, “One City, One Church, One Hope,” is spearheaded by Pastor Rene Brown of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church and Pastor Kevin McKee of The Chapel on the Campus. The two worked hard to organize Dr. Evans’ visit. As the pastor at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Evans is a nationally recognized author, teacher and speaker known for a philosophy that mixes biblical spirituality with social responsibility.

Residents in our community gather under the Baton Rouge flag at an event during the summer of 2016 in an exposition of unity.

One City Creating unity is a lofty goal. Baton Rouge has experienced a lot of hurt in the past few months, and healing won’t come quickly or easily. For the past four months, residents have suffered indescribable loss and devastation due to the “Thousand Year Flood” which ravaged southeast Louisiana in August. The holidays were bittersweet for many local families who still haven’t been able to return to their homes. And just weeks before the flood, an undeniable racial divide was polarizing area residents. In July, the city gained national attention after Baton Rouge Police’s fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man. The incident sparked local protests and widespread criticism, especially after a graphic phone video was shared on social media. Just days later, Gavin Long of Missouri 20

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

ambushed and killed three law officers and wounded three more in another Baton Rouge shooting. Long, who was African-American, was killed by police shortly afterward. No place is exempt from violence, but Baton Rouge seemed to suffer more than its share in 2016. It has been a heartbreaking year in many respects. Local pastors have called for peace and many churches have worked hard to reach across the chasm of mistrust and misunderstanding in the hopes of creating some kind of togetherness. “The racial divide is one of the key reasons for social collapse,” Dr. Evans said. “When we become illegitimately divided along race, class, cultural and denominational lines, we have uninvited God into the scenario. And God will not work in the context of illegitimate disunity.”

Cover Story

One Church Dr. Evans doesn’t just preach about the challenge of creating unity. He has solid ideas for making it happen, and has seen positive results in his own church in Dallas. He promotes the idea of an “urban alternative” which states that churches, not government, are best positioned to bring about social change. “We go across the country to communities like Baton Rouge where there are churches that want to make a difference,” he said. “They (churches) are the epicenter of transformation. We offer a simple plan. First of all, we bring churches together around a common vision — to bring healing and help to their communities. We tell churches, ‘you must identify a common thread and let the community see how your presence is for the community’s benefit.’ The thread we promote most is the adoption of public schools.” That’s because schools are often at the heart of America’s communities. It’s where children are educated, supported, protected and encouraged. It’s often the most integral part of a family’s social network, a place where not just students, but parents and teachers establish friendships and build relationships.

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Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Cover Story

We offer a simple plan. First of all, we bring churches together around a common vision - to bring healing and help to their communities. “We start with the adoption of public schools because this deals with children, with education, with families,” Dr. Evans said. “We don’t have to create anything new. If every school gets adopted by a church or group of churches, then you’re touching the whole community and you’re becoming the social services provider for the whole community.” Eventually, Dr. Evans said, school/ church partnerships (pastors and principals) are able to speak with one voice on major issues. The process, he added, includes mentoring, tutoring and family support. The mentoring model he supports is based on one male volunteer to four boys, one female volunteer to four girls. “We walk them through character development,” he said. “So many kids don’t have strong parental influences, so the church becomes their surrogate family.” Tutoring consists of academic help, of course, and family support comes from offering social services — for example, helping students by providing food, clothing, shelter, job placement (advice), GED counseling, etc. “Social services are critical,” Dr. Evans said, “especially due to the breakdown of the family.” 22

One Hope Every community has people with hearts that hope for and work toward change. Imagine how hope can grow and triumph when a community is unified toward a common goal. This is what Dr. Evans hopes to find on January 26 when he steps before his Baton Rouge audience. He encourages Baton Rouge residents to work toward building peace by focusing on community outreach — volunteering, mentoring, getting involved in church ministries. It’s something that sustains his own faith, he said, and strengthens his relationship with God.

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Cover Story

“By being engaged directly and practically with my local church … that’s what keeps me grounded,” he said. “It’s not theory, but practice. I’m energized by gatherings like this (in Baton Rouge). They fire me up. I can just see the hope God brings out in them.” Dr. Evans’ visit is just the beginning of an important movement. Coming together is just the first step. Staying together is the ultimate goal, and it will require constant focus, prayer and communication. For more information on how you can become involved, visit the Believers for Baton Rouge website at believersforbatonrouge.com.

Dr. Tony Evans is a nationally known pastor, author, teacher and speaker. He is the first African American to graduate with a doctoral degree from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS). He promotes a Kingdom agenda philosophy that teaches God’s comprehensive rule over every sphere of life as demonstrated through the individual, family, church and society. He believes in the power of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change, and he trains churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy. Dr. Evans is senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. The church has grown from 10 congregants in 1976 to more than 10,000 members today with more than 100 ministries. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on nearly 1,000 radio stations in the US, and more than 130 countries. He has also authored more than 10 books, booklets and Bible studies. He and his wife Lois have been married for more than 40 years. They have four children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

X Cover Story January 26th 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. Believers for Baton Rouge bring you

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A Little lagniappe

, r a e y T his o t p e t s e v i t i s o p a make e f i L r u o Y e g n Cha g n i t n u o c by

y a D a s g n i s s 7 Ble

Gratitude Questions to Help You Count Your Blessings 1. Who was kind to you today? 2. What did you enjoy doing today? 3. Who helped you today? 4. Who did you help today? 5. What is the best thing that happened today? 6. What simple thing made today a good day? 7. What did you learn today? 8. Who made you smile today? What did they do? 9. What did you learn from a bad experience? 10. What made your life easier? 11. Who made you feel important? 12. Who or what made you happy? 13. What do you like about your house and neighborhood? 14. Were you forgiven? Did you forgive someone? 15. What did you do that you couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do yesterday? 16. Who thanked you? Did you thank someone? 17. Who loves you? Who do you love? 18. Where did you see God at work today? 19. What are you most thankful for today?

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Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

A Little LAGNIAPPE

The Bittersweet Nectar of Happy

by J.E. Berry

hose little droplets of sunshine that touch our skin just right. Those moments or even seasons that bring about the subtlest, most tasty morsels of happiness, that always seem to melt a little too fast, fading slowly back to searching.

We chase happiness like a child running after a ball rolling out into the street. What are we chasing really? A moment? A feeling? An experience? An opportunity? An expectation? All that chasing and we may be bordering on danger without knowing because we are so enthralled with the idea of “happy.” However, our pursuit of happiness is more accurately a need in us crying out to be satisfied, usually having nothing to do with what we are trying to attain for fulfillment. Somehow, we have been reduced to pursing the gift and not the gift giver, leaving us partially satisfied and hungry for more of what may or may not fill the void. The bittersweet nectar of happy that we experience pales in comparison to what has been purchased for us through the cross. The lasting happiness we are all searching for is a byproduct of a much more sustainable gift that we already possess — JOY. Though happiness is awesome in all its momentary glory, joy has lasting power. Offering a fountain of life-giving “happy” that comes not from circumstantial positioning but is a result of a relational positioning with Christ and an indwelling of His Spirit. His Spirit produces the fruit of joy (Galatians 5:22) within us without any workings of our own (as hard as it is to swallow that truth), and the nectar of that fruit is much sweeter. If we have Christ, we have joy. However just like any good gift, if we never unwrap it, it cannot be enjoyed. But first we must take ourselves out of the producer’s seat and take an honest look at our relationship status. The Apostle Paul writes, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” (Philippians 4:11) Why? Because he knows that “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) Regardless of his circumstances, he knew that he could rejoice because of who had him rather than what he had. His choice to abide in Christ sustained him in every way. Our happiness starts with trust, acknowledgement, and the choice to abide – not with purchases and lifestyle changes. To acknowledge that our God will supply ALL of our needs, spiritually, emotionally, physically,etc., means we understand that He knows our needs in order to supply them. Then we must trust Him to do so and rest in Him. 26

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

The fact is, we tend to assume that we know what’s best for us. Unfortunately, we are oblivious to what it takes to make us authentically happy, which is why we are always looking for it, and contentment trails. We have commissioned ourselves to be the “make me happy” commander, leading to our discontentment in the long and short run due to our unqualified position to be such. Our human makeup is created to be sustained and satisfied by one source – our creator. And in all the time we spend searching and grasping for satisfaction in counterfeit gratifications, we miss the satisfier standing right in front of us waiting to lavishly give us His love, His joy, and His provision. The happiness that we long for is as far off as we determine in hearts it to be. When we tap into the security and inheritance that we have in Christ and unwrap the gifts that He has given us, we can stop chasing and start living in what is already ours. Happy is not a goal to be met but rather a bloom from an already planted tree. Abide and be rooted in Christ Jesus and the blooming fruit of joy will become ever more tangible as we rest in His lordship.

J.E. Berry is a speaker and the author of “The Truth About Happiness: Exchanging the Falsehood of Happiness for Christ’s Lasting Joy.” She is a wife and mother of five children. J.E. has a heart for outreach and seeing people come to know freedom through a relationship with Christ Jesus, specifically women who have yet to see their God-given destiny because of lingering bondage. As an author and speaker, she explores things that hinder us from moving forward in our walk with Christ – such as people pleasing, unhappiness, un-forgiveness and much more – to try and lend a hand in unveiling the culprits so that we can move forward in victory. She carries this same passion into each area of ministry she is active in.

A Little lagniappe

Delicious Cabbage Rolls New Year’s Day isn’t the only time to eat cabbage. Here is an easy recipe that is good any time of year. recipe by allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

Directions:

2/3 cup water

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and

1/3 cup uncooked white rice

simmer for 20 minutes. Bring a large, wide saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add

8 cabbage leaves

cabbage leaves and cook for 2 to 4 minutes or until softened; drain. In a medium mixing bowl,

1 pound lean ground beef

combine the ground beef, 1 cup cooked rice, onion, egg, salt and pepper, along with

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 tablespoons of tomato soup. Mix thoroughly. Divide the beef mixture evenly among the

1 egg, slightly beaten

cabbage leaves. Roll and secure them with toothpicks or string. In a large skillet over medium

1 teaspoon salt

heat, place the cabbage rolls and pour the remaining tomato soup over the top. Cover and

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring and basting with

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup

the liquid often.

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■ Come early and join us before the class for coffee & cookies ■ Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

X Pastor’s Perspective

Miracles:

God is Always at Work by Rev. Thomas Howe

few years ago a member of my church asked me if I believed in miracles. Smiling, I replied, “Yes, I see them every day.” Puzzled, the member pushed the issue. “And just what type of miracles are they?” At that moment I was simply referring to the miracle of creation, how God created the universe and the universes beyond ours. It was a simple reply meant to say God is God and as such is constantly at work in creation. Each time the sun rises, the rain falls, or we take a breath, that is creation in action and thus has a miraculous nature about it. Clearly that was not what my member was asking. He was asking what many people think about and that is, is God still active in our lives today? Do miracles still happen? The answer to the heartfelt question will differ depending on where you are on the theological spectrum. For some, it goes without saying that God is still in the miracle making business and performs miracles on a regular basis. These people of faith will pray ardently for God’s action in theirs or someone else’s life. Many hours will be spent on their knees petitioning God to act in a way that defies natural law. It is their prayer that God will hear their humble cry and act to change the direction that something is going. Others will simply say miracles belong to a time long past. They no longer see God as a hands-on active agent in our world who is willing to set aside natural laws to work his will. In my early years of ministry, I was clearly part of the latter group as my science background had left me somewhat devoid of miraculous belief. Then one day on a hospital call I was visiting a man whom the doctors and nurses were scrambling to prepare for emergency surgery on his lung. The hole that had developed in it was increasing and they needed to act. I held Mr. Grey’s hand and prayed. I prayed for healing of his lung while having some personal doubts that my prayer would have any impact. About thirty minutes later a doctor walked in and put his stethoscope to Mr. Grey’s chest and 28

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Pastor’s perspective began to mutter. Others came in and listened, then they did an x-ray. In the end they looked at Mr. Grey and said, “Someone must have been praying for you.” He pointed at me. The doctor smiled and said, “The hole seems to be healing.” I walked out of the hospital and looked heavenward and said, “Don’t you ever do that to me again.” Smiling, I went home. It was a new revelation in my life - God was still at work. God can do things when we least expect it. Since that day I have allowed God to become bigger in my life. I took him out of the box I had so carefully crafted for him to stay in. Now God roams freely in my life and whatever happens, happens. I’ve learned that we have no control over God and what God will or will not do. My counsel to those who ask about miracles is this: not everything is a miracle and perhaps miracles are few and far between. But there are many things that happen in our lives that we are too quick to dismiss or explain away. Sometimes what we need to do is simply accept something on its face value. Instead of searching hard for an explanation, just let God be God. When we open our lives up to the possibility that God can act, we might just find ourselves surprised where we see God. If we spend all our time searching for an explanation we may just be overlooking the real explanation, God is at work!

The Rev. Tom Howe was born in Galveston, Texas, and grew up in Corpus Christi. He attended Texas A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He also attended St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., where he earned his Master of Divinity with a specialization in Christian Education. In 1982, Rev. Howe transferred to the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Since then he has served churches in Slidell, Thibodaux, Minden, Shreveport and now in Baton Rouge where he is the pastor at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. Rev. Howe has three sons, Travis, Austin and Dustin, and two grandchildren. He is active in the outdoors as a sportsman enjoying hunting, fishing, camping and hiking.

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Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Millennial life

Pursuing Your Passion in the New Year by Trapper S. Kinchen

•

photos by Keli Hayden

Alexander believes that dressing well is a smart way to present yourself.

s 2016 dissolves into the past and 2017 thrusts us ever closer toward a new decade, we owe it to ourselves to be bold. The start of a new year is the perfect time to shed insecurities, flex creative muscles and start chasing dreams. The missed opportunities and blunders of the old year become history, and – at 12:01 a.m. January 1 – our lives reopen to the limitless possibilities and excitement of the future. 30

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Millennials are notorious for their confidence. We have learned through life experience, observation and intuition that purposefulness outweighs mediocrity. As a result, many millennials have chosen to pursue their passion instead of settling for stability. This self-assurance has led to a generation of people that are redefining words like “success” and “ambition.” For example, Kimani Alexander is a busy guy. He’s a 17-year-old student at Scotlandville Magnet High, where he serves as the junior class president. He is heavily involved in a host of extracurricular activities, serves as the chairman/ president of the junior deacon board at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist

Faith LIFE

Church, helps his family around the house, and – despite that amazingly full schedule – finds time to run a small business. Alexander comes from an industrious family. His grandfather is an engineer as well as a dentist, and his grandmother runs a lucrative sewing business. She designs and produces ladies’ formal wear, and she taught her grandson how to convert his creativity into something tangible. She taught him how to sew, and he fell in love with making gentlemen’s trimmings — bowties, handkerchiefs, etc. “I picked it up from her, and I’ve been doing it for a year. I’ve been doing pretty good with it, too,” he said. He has done so well that, in the course of 2016, he made nearly $1,000 in profit. Alexander designs, constructs, and sells his handmade accessories in a workspace he and his grandmother share. His bowties in particular show a serious talent for fusing whimsy and style. Throughout the past year, he has taken the basic constructional elements of bowtie-making and very subtly revolutionized them. Anyone who has ever worn a bowtie is surely familiar with the sweaty aggravation of getting them to fit properly. You must either fight with complicated metal tabs or study YouTube clips on proper tying methods. Either way, it winds up being more of a hassle than it is worth. Alexander has taken all of that into consideration and developed a technique that helps avoid any bowtie related stress. His design modification is so practical and clever that it is nothing short of genius. He stitches one of his wellcrafted bows onto a thin elastic band, just wide enough to comfortably fit around the average neck. All the wearer has to do is slip the elastic band over his head, situate it under his collar, and fold the collar down. Voila! An instant and perfectly tied bowtie. If it sounds like one of the simplest and most remarkable innovations to formalwear that you’ve ever heard, then you are correct.

Millennial life

But bowties are not just a part of his moneymaking venture. For Alexander, they are a way of life. You won’t likely catch him without a suit and tie, because he believes in the power of dressing well. He said, when you put forth an effort in your appearance, “You look more intelligent, it highlights your character, and it brings your personality out in how you carry yourself.” Alexander and his business are examples of the ways in which millennials are reshaping the global economic landscape. It is more important now than ever before to demonstrate a can-do attitude in the workplace. Forbes.com highlighted a 2014 study conducted by Bentley University, which “suggests that Millennials sense that career success will require them to be more nimble, independent and entrepreneurial than past generations.” As the American and global workforces begin to shift with the influx of millennial laborers, the way in which employees interact with their workspace is also transforming. The same Bentley University study indicated, “Millennials are less interested in managing others than in having their autonomous, creative work lives.” Like Alexander, more and more young workers are more concerned with pursuing careers that suit their personality/creativity, than with working at a job that provides little beyond stability. Even though he is only 17, Alexander represents the national trend of increasing numbers of millennials starting and building small enterprises. Fortune.com says, “While the older generation launched their first businesses at roughly 35 years old, so-called “millennipreneurs” are setting out around 27.” So, although the risks may be high, many of our peers are working hard to transform their occupational fantasies into reality. If you would like to support Kimani and purchase one of his bowties or handkerchiefs, simply direct message him on Instagram or reach out to him on Facebook. Search “K. Alexander Bow Tie,”

SPECIALIZING IN BUSINESS ADVERTISING AND FAMILY HISTORY VIDEOS Contact Taylor Frey Productions at 225-240-3376 or by email Taylorfreyproductions@gmail.com. 10

October 2016 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Millennial life Even though he is only 17, Alexander represents the national trend of increasing numbers of millennials starting and building small enterprises. and his information will present itself. Whether you need something for prom, a wedding, or just want a slick tie for your wardrobe, he has a great selection of readymade merchandise and is willing to take commissions, too. Long term, he plans to graduate high school and pursue a business degree at Southern University. Alexander hopes to delve deeper into entrepreneurship and continue to learn the ins and outs of economics, as he matures. His favorite quote is, “Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.” The hard work he is putting forth at 17 will ultimately have a great and lasting impact on his future abilities as a businessman. Despite everything that occupies his time, Alexander says his ultimate goal is to “teach and motivate others to do their best.” His drive and work ethic are built on passion,

ABOVE: Graph showing the difference between millennial and Baby Boomer entrepreneurs. RIGHT: By dressing sharply, Alexander is showing the world that he means business.

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Millennial LIFE

determination, and faith. “I thank God every morning for waking me up and for his many blessings. I’m grateful for the motivated spirit he has given me,” Alexander said. He is such a fine example of how, with a little resolve and a great deal of perseverance, one can achieve anything one sets out to accomplish. Venturing into entrepreneurship is just one of countless ways to be bold in 2017. The Lord is calling each of us toward a vitalizing and enriching purpose. Now is an excellent time to take notice of your passion, trust yourself and wholeheartedly chase your goals. Fresh starts, bold moves and leaps of faith are possible year round, but January reminds us that our futures are crisp and limitless. New Year’s Day is symbolic of renewal, a day when we can bravely stare into the eyes of opportunity and see our lives as we would like them to be. Just remember, all things are possible with a bit of courage, the willingness to work hard and a healthy dose of faith.

Alexander describes the process by which he makes his ties.

Trapper was born on the lip of Lake Pontchartrain. He was raised there, reading in the salt-flecked breeze on a splintered wharf that jutted into South Pass. Never bored, he divides his time between trying to raise organic chickens in the Livingston Parish piney woods, traveling to different time zones, and exercising his mind by steadily learning as much as he can. He graduated from LSU in 2013 and Wayne State University in 2015. He is a busy fiction writer and contemplative naturalist. He has a great time living life.

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X Healthy life

“Living the YMCA Character Values” Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith The YMCA celebrates its first Community Prayer Luncheon November 18, 2016

Jeff Casey, Group Executive Director, “The YMCA hosting a Community Prayer Luncheon is well within our Mission to put Christian principles into practice to build healthy Spirit, Mind, and Body. I would look for the event to expand beyond the Manship YMCA and become an Association event in which all 9 of our branches participate.”

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Healthy LIFE

Do you struggle with your weight? Is your energy less than it could be? Have you repeatedly invested time, effort, money, and worry, yet remain unable to reach or maintain your goal?

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Participants enjoy assisting with the prayer luncheon and the great food that was served.

www.CornerstoneEducationalConsulting.com Jannean.Cornerstone@gmail.com 225-931-8560 Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Healthy life

The

Mission

Help Kids Move to

hree-quarters of children in the United States are not meeting physical activity recommendations, according to a recent report authored by concerned health experts from around the country and by scientists from Baton Rouge at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The report, compiled by the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance, indicates that nearly 63 percent of children are exceeding screen time guidelines, meaning that a majority of kids are sitting more and moving less. These habits put our country’s children at risk for obesity, diabetes and related chronic disease as they get older. Here in Louisiana, one out of every two children is considered overweight or obese*. That statistic is unacceptable to Dr. Amanda Staiano, an assistant professor of research in the Pediatric Obesity and Health Behavior Lab at Pennington Biomedical, who is working to find creative ways to improve children’s health.

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

“We know that if we can help children develop healthy habits such as moving more when they are younger, they are more likely to continue those habits past adolescence into adulthood,” said Staiano. According to Staiano, the first step to helping kids move more is understanding why they aren’t already moving enough. That’s why she is leading the TIGER Kids research study, which is researching ways to increase kids’ physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior to improve their overall health. During the course of the study, Staiano and her team are using state-of-the-art technology like activity trackers and global positioning systems (GPS) to follow kids’ physical activity patterns for seven days to learn more about what prevents them from being active and what motivates them to move more. Kids in the study will also use a mobile phone app to share more information with researchers about who they are with and what they

Healthy LIFE are doing — for example, spending time at the park with friends — when they are most physically active. “This is a great way for me to teach my daughter about healthy habits,” said Brandy Davis, whose daughter, Ariamarie, is participating in the TIGER Kids study. “Both my son and I have been a part of research studies at Pennington Biomedical before, and we have really gotten some great health information from participating in those studies. My daughter was so excited to be a part of the TIGER Kids study because she is fascinated by the activity trackers and all the great information she’ll get about her own activity levels.” Staiano said the TIGER Kids study is still looking for children between the ages of 10 and 16 to participate in the study. In addition to great health information they can share with their doctor, participants who complete the study will also receive compensation for their time.

45 Years!

If you’re interested in learning more about the TIGER Kids study and how your family might participate, contact Pennington Biomedical at 225-763-3000 or by visiting www.pbrc.edu/healthierLA.

Need an interpreter to communicate with your teen? Tired of being disrespected in your own home? Looking for help improving family relationships and communication?

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Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine l JANUARY 2017

Opportunities for LIFE

Calendar of Events

Do you have an event to share? To have your event included in our calendar, please email your brief ministry or service related event by the 8th of the previous month to beth@bethtownsend.com. We don’t edit, we just copy and paste so please send ready to print. (For example, send February submissions by January 8.) January 3

CYT Baton Rouge Winter Classes Auditions for Encore Tour Company will be January 6. See our website for more details: www.cytbatonrouge.org.

January 4

Gardere Day Intended to show a model of collaboration between the Gardere Initiative, Law Enforcement, the local school system and BREC. Begins at 6 a.m. with a morning show spot featuring our six local principals to highlight the grand opening of The Math Lab supplied by a Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation grant. We will have our monthly coalition meeting and tour of The Math Lab at 9 a.m. Starting at 10 a.m., we’ll have activities for young and old, as well as a community survey for the Hartley-Vey park redesign.

January 28

“Put Your Faith Where Your Fork Is” Book Signing Join local author Nettye Johnson as she shares science-based, faithempowered strategies to healthy weight management at the “Put Your Faith Where Your Fork Is” Book Signing, Saturday, Jan. 28th 2-4 p.m. at Barnes and Noble (2590 Citiplace Ct.). Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase along with free healthy food samplings, and a gift for attendees. More info at www.faithwhereforkis.com.

January 29

Songs of “Le Mis” Christ in the City will present the beautiful songs from the musical “Les Mis” speaking to love, forgiveness and redemption. Join us at Ingleside United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. Admission is $15.

January 7

Joyful REFIT Kickoff - Free Fitness Class Joyful REFIT® is kicking off 2017 with a FREE fitness class on January 7 from 9-10:00 a.m., at The Oaks Gym (9611 Siegen Lane). We’re jump starting the New Year right with a dance party, of course, and we want you and all your friends with us! REFIT® is a life-changing fitness revolution - we have a community-centered, relationship-focused approach to fitness, and everyBODY is welcome and wanted. Classes are offered throughout the week. Pick up a schedule on the 7th or follow us on Facebook at Joyful REFIT.

January 8

Perspectives Baton Rouge Perspectives Baton Rouge will begin the week of January 8. The first two weeks are FREE! Sunday afternoons from 2-5 p.m. at Community Bible Church, and Monday nights from 6-9 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Contact Danny Kennison at 225-287-1699 for more information. For class location specifics, visit: CBC: class.perspectives.org/Visitor/Public.aspx?ClassId=433280 FPC: class.perspectives.org/Visitor/Public.aspx?ClassId=433279

January 15

The Church in Baton Rouge Grand Opening Come join us at 11 a.m., as The Church International launches their BR campus. www.TheChurch.FM.

January 27-28

“Be Still and Know” Women’s Conference The Chapel’s women’s conference with Susie Larson. You are invited to enter a place of rest, reflection and renewal as we draw near to God. Hosted at The Chapel in the Oaks. Begins Friday night at 6 p.m., and continues Saturday morning. For more information, visit: thechapelbr.com/bestill.

JANUARY 2017 l Baton Rouge Christian Life Magazine

Ongoing in January

CASA Advocate Training Find out how you can be a voice for an abused or neglected child while they await a safe and permanent home by attending an informational session at 848 Louisiana Ave. Please call CASA at 379-8598 or email volunteer@ casabr.org to learn more or to let us know you are planning to attend. Upcoming January trainings include: 1/14/17 at 10 a.m., 1/18/17 at 1 p.m., 1/27/17 at noon, 1/31/17 at 5 p.m.

February 4

BR HOG Chapter and Friends We will be stuffing soldier care packages for Vincent Jone, of the US Army, currently in Iraq, at the BR Harley Davidson, (5853 Siegen Lane) at approximately 11 a.m. You can drop things off at the store and label them “for Soldier stuffing” or “Christy Smith.” Anything small and nonperishable is appreciated. For questions, contact Christy Smith at cfsharley@hotmail.com. (Accepting items for the bags all during January)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!! Come join our team and help us deliver the best Christian magazine in Baton Rouge! The Baton Rouge Christian Life magazine is looking for a few good people to assist us in getting this exciting publication out to our distributions sites. Individuals with dependable transportation, who can volunteer for a few hours, once a month should call Elmo Winters (225) 305-3006. Volunteers are especially needed in Ascension, Livingston and the Feliciana parishes.

Help us reach our city for Christ by advertising with us! Call Todd or Sharon. Todd Shupe 225-773-3015 tfshupe@gmail.com

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