Civil Rights Pioneer
Dr. C.T. Vivian
gosp e l today | Aug 18 , 2 0 0 9
Passes the Torch...
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Rev. C.T. Vivian was a close friend and lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
renowned minister, author, educator, community activist, and humanitarian Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, was celebrated at his 85th birthday on July 31, 2009 by 700 of his friends, community leaders, and admirers. The C. T. Vivian Leadership Institute hosted the 85th Birthday Celebration for Dr. Vivian who was a close friend and
lieutenant of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the American Civil Rights Movement. His birthday commemoration, themed Leadership Now: Passing the Torch, included a full day of activities including a Discussion Summit ; a Networking Mixer; and the main attraction, Narratives of my Life: A Spiritual Journey , which
Passing the Torch...(l-r) Rev. Gerald Durley, Dr. Vivian, Warren Ballentine and Dr. Teresa Hairston
Entertainment for the event was provided by Sinfo-Nia Youth Orchestra and the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta. “Narratives” of Dr. Vivian’s life were written and published in a journal that is offered for sale by the C. T. Vivian Leadership Institute, the non-profit organization founded by Dr. Vivian. The Institute is committed to developing minority communities and organizational leaders through relevant issues and meaningful programs. With his family surrounding him, the evening closed with Dr. Vivian giving his own narrative and recalling stories about his life and the people who influenced him. Commenting on the program, the exuberant Dr. Vivian said, “I really like this (the format). I never thought about doing this before; but it’s very effective. It’s more personal and allows people a close-up view of my life in the movement.” For additional information about the C. T. Vivian Leadership Institute, please contact ctvivianleadership@yahoo.com or visit the website at www.ctvivian.org. gt
Aug 18 , 2 0 0 9 | gosp el today
featured passing the torch to a new generation of leadership. The Discussion Summit -- Leadership Now: Passing the Torch, hosted by Angela Yvonne Robinson, Derrick Boazman, and Alisha Thomas Morgan, offered an occasion to recall some of Dr. Vivian’s history-making moments in time; such as the confrontation at the Edmund Pettus Bridge with Sheriff Jim Clark in Selma, AL and the historic Freedom Riders. Featured speakers and presenters at this event included Warren Ballentine, Elizabeth Omilami, Dick Gregory, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney and Isaiah Washington. Alisha Thomas Morgan, Jovita Moore and Isaiah Washington hosted the evening dinner party Narratives of my Life: A Spiritual Journey. Presentations were made by Monica Pearson, George Andrews, Henrietta Antoinin, Derrick Boazman, and others. Leadership Torches were passed by Reverend Dr. Teresa Hairston and Reverend Dr. Gerald Durley to those individuals who participated in the “passing the torch” discussions earlier in the day.
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Make a Difference at the Movies! Dr. Ted Baehr, founder and publisher of Movieguide, a Christian watchdog agency in Hollywood, announced today that Movieguide is asking Americans to sign a petition urging the MPAA to end the ratings system and adopt a Code of Decency. “The MPAA’s ratings system never worked really well, but it has gotten much worse since it added the ambiguous PG-13 rating,” Baehr said. “Parents, especially mothers, can no longer trust the ratings for movies, especially in light of the PG-13 ratings for movies like ‘The Love Guru’ and ‘Land of the Lost,’ and the R ratings for pornographic movies
like ‘Brüno.’” Baehr said the problem with the MPAA ratings is that they are not based on standards. “This is not true of the Code of Decency,” he added, “so it is clear that the entertainment industry must return to the kind of system it had during the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ and the ‘Golden Age of Television,’ when it was a wonderful life in America because Mr. Smith went to Washington, Ricky still loved Lucy, and the Bells of St. Mary’s rang across the land.”
To sign the petition, go http://www.movieguide.org/mpaapetition. gt
Congratulations to Pastor Juandolyn Stokes!
gos p e l today |
Aug 18 , 2 0 0 9
Friends and family came together on Sunday, August 9, 2009, to celebrate the pastoral anniversary of Pastor Juandolyn Stokes, at the Deeper Life Church in Atlanta, GA. The theme was “The Unveiling of a Diamond.” Among the celebrants was Dr. Stokes’ father in the Gospel, Bishop Larry D. Trotter.
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to
PULPIT VACANCY Full Time Pastor NEEDED Springfield Missionary Baptist Church P O BOX 91110 Washington, DC 20090 202.234.0648 www.sbconline.org Order your subscription TODAY! gospeltoday.com
The Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. is currently accepting applications for the position of Pastor. Interested persons should submit all info contained in this announcement by mail postmarked no later than August 31, 2009.
Order copies for your church bookstore: 770.719.4825 for more info: gospeltodaymag@aol.com
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This Week
doing unto others...
gos p e l today | Aug 18 , 2 0 0 9
The Skaggs Family, a group of Grammy nominated musicians and a local church came together to help a business in a small town in Alabama. Maytown, Alabama, recently suffered a tragedy. The Tri-Cities Convenience Store, the town's only business, burned down recently. This was particularly upsetting because the store was literally the only business in the entire town, and, as such was the sole source of tax income, and support for the city’s fire truck. Four-term mayor Ann Goolsby recently told a local news reporter: "We all believe out here in less government and being very frugal with our money
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and doing the best we can and make every dollar stretch," Goolsby said, "and the best way to do that is to go to the community and ask for help, just let 'em know what your problems are and they'll come through in the end for you." This past Monday (August 17th), the Skaggs Family, a four-time Grammy nominee played a benefit for the town at the Maytown Baptist Church. Pastor John Killian commented, "People are hurting, Christians should be front in line to help." For more information, or to help, contact: Shore Fire Media, 718.522.7171.
Aug 18 , 2 0 0 9 | gos p e l today
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