GOD’S LOVE ON DISPLAY HIS PLAN TO RESTORE ANY SITUATION IN YOUR LIFE
LOVE . SERVE . CHANGE .
S p r i n g 2 0 1 5 - I ss u e 1
www.changinglivesmagazine.com
MaximumIMPACT A Letter From our Pastors LOVING GOD, SERVING PEOPLE, AND CHANGING LIVES
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e are excited to release our first magazine publication to you! We have had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Hampton Roads community for over eight years. Impact Church of Norfolk is a friendly,
Bible teaching, multi-cultural, non-denominational family church that is passionate about impacting Hampton Roads for Jesus Christ. The Vision Statement for Impact Church of Norfolk is Loving God, Serving People and Changing Lives. Hence, the name of our publication is Changing Lives Magazine. We trust that the information shared in this and future publications will reflect our ultimate goal – to help the people of the Hampton Roads region win – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically through the practical application of God’s Word to their everyday lives.
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s believers we are called to “reign in life through Jesus Christ.” The word “reign” here means to “exercise influence.” As John Maxwell states, “leadership is influence.” We believe that everyone has the ability to be a
difference maker. hat four areas are most important for us to demonstrate maximum influence in the lives of people? First, we have to give people a sense of identity. This answers the question of value. People need to know
who they are in Christ. Secondly, we have to give people a sense of community. This answers the question of acceptance. People need to sense genuine love and acceptance before they will allow you to lead them. Thirdly, we have to give people a sense of meaning. This answers the question of purpose. And finally, we have to
Pastors of IMPACT CHURCH located at 1066 Norview Ave. in Norfolk, VA. Impact Church is a group of friendly, love-filled, happy people who have discovered the joy of the Christian lifestyle. We are a Family of Friends who Passionatly Love God, and seek to Share His Love with those who know Him and those who don’t, as we Grow Together to be like Christ
give people a sense of hope. This answers the question of our future. Our faithful God, will bring us through every circumstance and every situation as we put our hope in Him.
We love you,
Nathaniel & Karen Perkins
Growth Track Get Connected! Are you looking for a church family where you can connect with others and grow in your relationship with God? If so, then start attending our Membership Classes. These four classes will acquaint you with our God-given vision and purpose, connect you with Impact Church as a member, and provide you with the tools needed for a successful Christian lifestyle.
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CHANGING LIVES MAGAZINE
ISSUE 01 - SPRING 2015
Loving God, Serving people, changing lives!
Table of Contents Restoration
God’s Love on Display Jesus came to restore fallen man to a loving God. Each individual need not only to receive God’s restoring power but to understand the purpose of God’s love is for the restoration of man (Jeremiah 31:3)
PASTOR NATHANIEL PERKINS Love in Action: Through Friendships
PUBLISHERS Pastor Nathaniel & Minister Karen Perkins
Showing Unconditional Love to our Children
EDITORIAL DIRECTIOR Ravinn Barton MANAGING EDITORS / LAYOUT DESIGN Rufus Sims & Daleela Sims ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Monica Goldsborough ASSOCIATE EDITORS Stephanie Adams, Catherine Martinez
9 MIN.
KAREN PERKINS
How God uses our relationships to put His Love on Display (John 15:9-15)
Demonstration of God’s Love
14 MIN.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Pastor Nathaniel Perkins Minister Karen Perkins Pastor Charles Birdsong Minister Pamela Birdsong Minister Charles Echols Jr
PAMELA BIRDSONG
How to show and teach our children unconditional love (Colossians 3:14)
PHOTOGRAPHERS / GRAPHICS DESIGN Rufus Sims Charles Echols III PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Andrew & Michelle Sims, For information about sponsorship, please call 757.857.1336
Arrows in our Hands
PERMISSIONS
8 PASTOR
CHARLES BIRDSONG
How to Demonstrate, Display and Place God’s Love into Action (Deuteronomy 6:5)
12 MIN.
CHARLES ECHOLS JR. We
must ensure that our focus in on training our youth for the future (Matthew 18:14)
CHANGING LIVES MAGAZINE
Changing Lives Magazine, d/b/a CLM is published quarterly by Impact Church, a non-profit corporation, Editorial offices: 1066 Norview Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23513. (P) 757.857.1336 (F) 757.857-1366 Email: connect@impactnorfolk.com (C) 2015 Impact Church, Inc. CLM has no subscription or distribution price and is supported through ads and/or unsolicited contribution from worldwide readers. All contributions to this ministry in the United States of America are tax deductible allowed by the IRS. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Because all issues of CLM are preplanned, we are unable to accept unsolicited material
ISSUE 01 - SPRING 2015
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RESTORATION PASTOR NATHANIEL PERKINS
GOD’S LOVE ON DISPLAY
Who is the person responsible for the need for mankind to be restored? What does restoration mean? It means to bring back, to refresh, to repair, to turn around; to be brought back, movement back to the point of departure. Adam disregarded and violated the command that he was given by God, “…But you must not eat from the tree that gives knowledge about good and evil. If you eat fruit from that tree, on that day you will certainly die” Genesis 2:17. Another word for die is spiritual death. Please understand that spiritual death opened the door to physical death. Spiritual death involves two things, separation from God and living with a sin-nature. Adam’s high treason brought separation between God and man. The tempter known as Satan deceived Eve into eating from the tree of good and evil and she in turn gave to Adam to eat. The Bible says in I Timothy 2:14, “… it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result.” Mankind was in need of restoration.
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is love in action. Restoration has been made available for mankind; it is man’s responsibility to receive it. God gave man the power to choose. It is not automatic for a person to access all the benefits of the restoration of man. John 1:12 says, “…some people did accept him. They believed in Him, and He gave them the right to become children of God.” In other words, every person who receives and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord becomes a child of God. The key component of restoration is love. Our text scripture tells us that God loves with an everlasting love. Everlasting is the Hebrew word “owlam” and it means long duration, perpetual, forever, always, and indefinite or unending. This is how God loves you. His love for you is forever. Even if a person chooses to reject God, His love for him does not change.
The church is meant to be a place of restoration; a safe place.
What are the components of restoration? The initial component of the restoration of man is salvation. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”. We understand that “…God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). God demonstrated His love for man by making provision for the restoration of man. “For God so
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Love in Action A great biblical example of love in action is found in Luke chapter 15. In the account of the prodigal son, Jesus tells a story of how a young man was given an earlier inheritance. He left his father’s house and the Bible says in verse thirteen that “…he wasted all his money in wild living.” The only job he could find was working for a pig farmer. It is recorded in scripture that “he came to himself…and said “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ISSUE 01 - SPRING 2015
When we sin against God we need to repent. We need to have a change of heart. Repentance opens the door for restoration. Would the father restore his son? In verse 22 it says, “the father said to his servants, ‘Bring[b] out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” The father restored the prodigal son, not as a servant, but as a son. This is an example of God’s love for you and me.
Even in his failure, even in his mistake, the father still loved the son.
counting people’s sin against them. Man’s sins have been forgiven in the person of Jesus Christ, because “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14)
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Read more at www.changingelivesmagazine.com
Love heals. astor Nathaniel D. Perkins is a native of Detroit, MI, where he attended Love the Detroit forgives. Public School system and graduated from Cass Technical High School where he met his wife, Karen. After graduating from Love Cass Tech, as a three-year letterman, restores. football captain and member of the Na-
What is God’s plan of restoration for you? Maybe you feel like you have made too many mistakes to receive any type of restoration. I believe it is so important that we define our lives by our pursuit of God and not define our lives by our struggles. Galatians chapter 6 says, “Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.”
The church is meant to be a place of restoration: a safe place. The Body of Christ is meant to provide restoration to people through their relationship with Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ should set the standard, because temptation comes to everyone; no one is immune from it. Scripture states that, “This High Priest of ours (Jesus Christ) understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testing’s we do, yet He did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Jesus understands our struggles and our areas of weakness. In other words, although Jesus understands these things we may experience in life, He did not sin.
tional Honor Society, Pastor Perkins was offered a scholarship to attend Hillsdale College, in Hillsdale, MI where he would receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and play on the nationally recognized Charger football team. Pastor Perkins assisted at Impact Church (IC), Jacksonville, Florida under the excellent and dynamic leadership of Bishop George and Pastor April Davis. When the vision of IC expanded beyond impacting the state of Florida, the Perkins were installed as the Senior Pastors of Impact Church, Norfolk, VA. He and his beautiful wife have been married since 1990, and are the proud parents of three wonderful children, Sydni, Kelli and Nathaniel Seth.
Pastor Perkins is known for his humorous and downto-earth preaching and teaching style which focuses on presenting the Word of God in a way that it can be applied to everyday life. He has a special ministry to men Temptation only leads to sin, unless it is acted upon. of all ages. Many individuals and families have As new creatures in Christ and as Ambassadors for Christ been impacted and come to a relationship with Jesus we are called to be agents of restoration. Christ through his minis2 Corinthians 5 says, “For God was in Christ, reconciltry gift. ing the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” God is no longer CHANGING LIVES MAGAZINE
ISSUE 01 - SPRING 2015
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Upcoming Events Free Gift The Gift of Eternal Life knowing Jesus as Lord
If you were the only person on earth, God still would have sent Jesus to die for you ! If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior, then I want to introduce you to the best friend you will ever have. Simply accept the gift that God has given you and pray this prayer : “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that He died for me, bearing my sins for me. I believe that He arose and is alive today. I now take Jesus as my Savior. Dear Lord Jesus, come into my life now, come into my heart and save me now. I believe in my heart and therefore confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is, right now, my personal Lord and Savior. I am, right now, born again.”
CONGRATULATIONS ! If you have prayed this prayer and receieve this free gift, you are right now born again and made brand new ! 6
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April
3 Good Friday Night Of Worship (N.O.W.) 4 OUTREACH: Food Bank 5 Resurrection Sunday (1 Service @ 10 am) 10 Men of Valor Event 12 Youth Camp Deposit Due 12 Growth Track Classes (101-401) 24 Friday Night Prayer 25 Youth Outing
May
2 OUTREACH: Random Acts Event 9 Women of Virtue Luncheon 10 Mother’s Day 15 Friday Night Prayer 16 Covenant Partners Dinner 23 Singles (30+) Event 25 Memorial Day 30 Singles (18-29) Outing
June 5 7 10-12 13 20 21 24-26 27
CHANGING LIVES MAGAZINE
Men of Valor Event Leadership Training Center Application Process Open Word of Faith Convention OUTREACH : Car Wash Men of Valor Breakfast Father’s Day Vacation Bible School One Day Encounter
ISSUE 01 - SPRING 2015
RESURRECTION
WEEKEND
Good Friday
April 3rd @ 6pm
Night of Worship
Join us as we welcome special musical guest and recording artist Angela Young for a Night of Worship to our God.
Sunday Service April 5th @ 10am HE IS RISEN! Jesus will be lifted up on Sunday April 5th as Pastor Nathaniel Perkins delivers a powerful message geared towards the lost!
1066 Norview Ave, Norfolk, VA 23513
757.857.1336
The Demonstration of God's Love Through our actions in 2015 By Pastor Charles Birdsong, III
The Word of God tells us in Deuteronomy 6:5, “to love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul and all our might”. In other words, we are to love God in total devotion, with all of our hearts and souls and with every ounce of strength and force we can muster. This passage in the Old Testament sets the conditions or manner in which we in the Body of Christ are to love. So why should we love God in this way? If we examine 1 John 3:1 (Amplified Version), we are provided insight into the “why” of loving God: “See what an incredible quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should be permitted to be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.” You see, we have been given a tremendous honor, privilege and gift to be called the children of God! He had you and me on His mind in eternities past; so much so, that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to become an atoning (substitute) sacrifice for our sins. This is God’s Love in action and on display, manifested through His children. So the real question at the heart of the matter is “Do we love God and is His quality of love on display and manifested in our lives?” To answer this question more accurately, we must understand what love is. The Word of God talks about three types of love denoted by the following Greek words: Agape, Storge, and Phileo.
In John 21:15-17, the Lord Jesus asked the disciple Peter two times if he loved (Agape) Him. Peter answered Jesus twice saying that he loved (Phileo) Jesus. Finally, Jesus asked Peter if he loved (Phileo) Him to which Peter responded yes. Why was there a vast difference in the words used for love in their conversation? Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him with a love that would require sacrifice, commitment and obedience. Peter, on the other hand, was still hurting from his betrayal of Jesus and wanted to ensure that their friendship was still intact. Full of love and grace, Jesus came to Peter’s level and asked Peter if he was a true friend (Phileo). As we are met by the Lord, we must in turn meet others where they are. We need to demonstrate Agape because some assignments that God has called us to are not fun or easy, but must be done. We need Storge because we need that deep family affection that connects us with one another. Lastly, we need Phileo because we need true friends to stand with us and with whom we can share our deepest thoughts and feelings. So let us put God on display in 2015 as we humbly walk in Phileo, Storge and the manifestation of His Agape love! Read more at www.changingelivesmagazine.com
The first type known as Agape, refers to the God kind of love which is unconditional. This kind of love is not based upon feelings, but is related to obedience and commitment. Secondly, Storge, which describes the love that occurs between parents and children, husbands and wives, and lastly siblings. Lastly, Phileo, which is to have a special interest in someone or something, or to have affections toward someone you consider a friend.
Partners
Charles Edward Birdsong III currently resides in Hampton, Virginia. After twenty-two and a half years of honorable service in the United States Army, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Pastor Chuck, as he is affectionately known, currently serves as the Assistant Pastor of Impact Church in Norfolk, VA. He is a loving husband, devoted father, educator, friend and Minister of the Gospel. He has been faithfully married to the former Pamela Lynn Jackson of Washington, D.C. for over eighteen years and has three beautiful children: Charles, Camille, and Cristina.
COVENANT
Our desire is to see all married couples walk in the fullness of their marriage covenant. To that end, married couples at Impact Church are taught the true meaning of “covenant,” and how their union can be everything God intends for it to be. Our Covenant Partners attend scheduled group fellowships where they receive instruction from the Word of God. Learn more at www.impactnorfolk.com
Love in Action
through friendship with God and others
By: Minister Karen Perkins
What great love has God, our Father given to us! As the Father loved Jesus, so has He loved us! Jesus DEMONSTRATED His love so greatly that He laid down His life for HIS FRIENDS. Now that’s LOVE in ACTION! But, the Good News is that He is alive right now! He knew that He would make safety, soundness, preservation, deliverance and healing available to us by laying down His life. In John 15:9-15, we see Jesus telling His friends what was coming in advance, so that His joy would remain in them. Just like His Heavenly Father, He knew the end from the beginning. However, He didn’t leave His friends guessing about what was going to happen. He esteemed them valuable and precious enough to let them know that they were more than His followers. He called them His friends.
Ultimately, our best friend is Jesus! Friendships are God’s plan. He created us for friendship and fellowship with Him and with each other. Genesis chapters 1 and 2 describe how God created man and spent time with Him BEFORE the woman was created. It’s a great gift to just spend time with the Father, cultivating and nurturing our friendship with God before ANY friendship! 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 When we begin to enjoy our relationship with God, we can then begin to enjoy our friendships more and more. There are varying levels of friendship with specific freedoms and responsibilities on each level. Realizing that we all need each other is paramount in capitalizing on our relationships with others.
I, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 1 Corinthians 1:1-4 Godly friendships and relationships encourage us; they cheer us on to live a full life of love and worship. Experiencing God’s presence and receiving the encouragement of our friends, creates an environment that produces more LOVE in ACTION. The result is serving others and being examples of God’s love- at church, at home and everywhere we go.
A “divine appointment” involves two individuals that potentially provide a God-ordained benefit to one another. We can follow the commandment of Jesus to love one another and practice LOVE in ACTION, by viewing everyone as a divine appointment. We can pray to be good listeners and become more sensitive to our purpose in connecting with others, including those nearest and dearest to us. Know that the Holy Spirit will lead us as to whether we should pray for them, share an encouraging word, or share a smile. Sometimes a smile can be a demonstration of God’s love when someone needs it the most. What a simple way to allow God to be on display!!!
NEED
Prayer? If you are in need of prayer for yourself, family, etc, please visit our church website at www.impactnorfolk.com. From there, you will see a link that says “PRAYER”, fill out our prayer request form in detail and we will be happy to take your prayer request to the throne of God.
JOIN US FOR PRAYER 218-339-4954 Passcode 42014#
6AM M-F
Singles Ministry
As we pray and prepare for the divine appointments of our day, it’s important to consider (without being judgmental) the following in those we come in contact: WHAT ARE GOD’S PURPOSES IN THEIR LIFE? What responsibilities and opportunities has God given to them? HOW FAR HAVE THEY COME? Have they achieved what they could have? WHAT HAS HINDERED GOD? Is there bitterness, temporal values, or moral impurity? HOW CAN I COOPERATE WITH GOD? Can I visualize achievement for them and assist in removing root problems or obstacles to their success, if given the opportunity? How can I be a BENEFIT to their life, both now and eternally? WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM THEM? What would God like for me to learn from coming into contact with them? Whomever we meet, we can be confident that God created them and loves them. This is true for our most intimate relationships, our casual friendships, acquaintances, and those that we may never see again. It is possible to take for granted those nearest and dearest to us, because they are there all the time. However, spouses, children, siblings, co-workers and friends may be the ones that need and want our encouragement the most. Read more at www.changinglivesmagazine.com
2 Groups / 1 Purpose Ages 18-29 & Ages 30+
The purpose of the Singles Ministry (who’s foundation can be found in Colossians 2:10) is to teach and equip unmarried individuals, to live victorious, productive and satisfied lives. Through line upon line teaching from the Word of God they are taught that being single does not mean they are ALONE. They receive instruction on such topics as: Becoming the Best me that I can be, How to Locate Your Mate, and Living Single by Choice. Singles also have the opportunity to have good fun and fellowship through various outings and activities.
Join an Impact Group @ www.impactnorfolk.com
Minister Karen Perkins graciously serves as Senior Minister of Impact Church - Norfolk and assists her husband, Senior Pastor, Nathaniel Perkins. Minister Perkins is known for her refreshing and encouraging preaching and teaching style which focuses on presenting the Word of God in a way that it can be applied to everyday life. She has a special ministry to women of all ages. She desires to see all people know, enjoy and walk in the fullness of their God-given purpose, making the most of every opportunity and divine appointment. She and her loving husband, Nathaniel Perkins have been married since 1990 and are the proud parents of three wonderful children, Sydni, Kelli and Nathaniel Seth.
IMPACThistory
2006-2015
Arrows i n our HANDS
In order for our youth to reach their potential, they must be pointed in the right direction! Wr i tt e n by C h a r l e s E c h o l s J r
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hat makes our youth so special? That may seem like a harsh question, but I believe it is a valid one. I know that as parents, we can list numerous distinctive qualities that our youth possess ranging from the fact that they have our last names to sharing our likeness and characteristics. These are the things that we will never be able to deny, but beyond those things that are closest to us what makes them so special?
apply the same analogy to how we relate to and train our youth.
Charles E. Echols Jr., native of Blytheville, Arkansas, serves as a member
An arrow is useless unless it is of the United States Air Force. He is both properly mounted on a bow and the Music and Youth Minister at Impact shot in the direction of its target. Church in Norfolk, Virginia. Minister Purposefully aiming or training (narrowing) the way for our youth has to be a very important priority to us. Our children are our future! They will live their lives according to how we train them.
Charles is currently residing in Hampton, Virginia with his lovely wife, Minister Mavis Echols and three handsome sons Charles III, Malachi and Micah.
Psalm 127:4, records that, Want more? You can read “As arrows [are] in the hand of a more of Minister Charles’ mighty man; so [are] dynamic teaching at children of the youth.”
ign te www.changinglivesmagazine.com
It is very significant that the psalmist, David, uses this word picture to describe our youth. If we can understand the practical use and purpose of the arrow, then we can
YOUTH CAMP 2015
Payment Options : Early Bird Special $199 (May 1st) Regualr Cost $265
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ISSUE 01 - SPRING 2015
IMPACT YOU
Impact C.a.r.e.s. C.a.r.e.s. Doing the Work, Changing the World!
Impact Church believes that Changing Lives is very important to who we are and what we were called to the Hampton Roads region to do. C.A.R.E.S. which stands for Counseling, Addiction Recovery, Resource Partnership, Education Initiative, and Support Services, is empowering a community and leading people to Christ. Become a partner by giving or joining the IMPACT C.A.R.E.S. movement. Here are some of the people who have had their lives changed.
Testimonies
We have been at Impact Church for nearly four years now. This church and this church family has become one of our safe places and the people our safe people. This ministry has been a tremendous blessing. - A & T Myers
We have been at Impact Church for 7 years. It has been a wonderful season in my life. The youth ministry left a life long impact on my walk and has had a huge hand in helping develop me into the young lady I am today. - T Walker
We were at Impact Church for almost 7 years. My life has changed in many ways under the ministry of Impact Church. Through growth and development in the Word we have a deeper hunger and desire for the things of God, for myself, but more so for others. - A Walker
I have been a member since December 2014. The Impact family was welcoming the moment I stepped out my car. If God is love and the church’s agenda is to spread the love of God, I want that love to be evident. I could immediately see from how they all interacted that it was a loving family enviroment. Being in covenant with people who are genuine about doing life with me is for lack of better words exciting. I’m excited to learn and grow with my new Impact family. - T Yance
MILITARY MINISTRY A Ministry Serving Those Who Serve !
YOUTH
ARMYNAVYAIRFORCEMARINECORPCOASTGUARD
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Showing
Unconditional Love
to Our Children is Love in Action
Minister Pamela Birdsong
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e as parents, grandparents, godparents, and other extended family members, love our children. Each child has a purpose, plan, and gifting that was given to them before they were even born. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” It is our responsibility to continuously and steadfastly pray over, love, and teach them the ways of the Lord as they grow and develop their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In Gary Chapman’s book entitled, The Five Love Languages of Children, the five primary ways that children experience love, is discussed. They are listed as follows: Physical Touch Physical touch is the easiest way to express unconditional love because parents need no special occasion or excuse to make appropriate physical contact.Try giving your child a hug, a pat on the back or hold hands during prayer time. Words of Affirmation In communicating love, words are powerful. Affirmation can be spoken, written, or nonverbal. Try saying "I love you" anytime, or place an encouraging note at the dinner table or in their lunch bag. Quality Time Quality time is a parent's gift of presence. Your child must feel your undivided attention. Listen actively to your child without interruption. Try sitting with your child at breakfast or try to maintain a conversation while driving in the car. Gifts
A true gift is not payment for services rendered; rather, it is an expression of love. Gifts may be bought, found, or made. Celebrate the ordinary! Try purchasing a new shampoo, soap, or even toothpaste and give it as a surprise, even the gift of a new Bible is special for the child that speaks this language. Acts of Service The primary motivation is not to please your child but to do what is best for them. Do not use acts of service to manipulate your child. Try packing your child's lunch or help your child clean up a mess he or she has made. Proverbs 3:11-12 says, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. God loves your children unconditionally. Unconditional love is the key to cooperating with God’s work in your kid’s lives. As we continue to trust God to teach us how to love our children as He does – no matter what may happen – we can maintain healthy relationships with them in any circumstances and support the work God is doing in their lives. In May of 2009, Pamela Lynn Birdsong graduated with honors from Faith Christian Center’s School of Ministry under the leadership of Pastor Andre and Minister Tiffany Butler. She was licensed as a minister by Bishop Keith Butler in June 2009 and was then ordained as a minister by Bishop George Davis in February 2014. Pamela is an intercessor and is passionate about people’s lives being impacted and changed by the awesome power and grace of God through His Word. As the Impact Kidz Minister, she enjoys seeing children learn about the Word of God, and is humbled to be used by God to make a difference in the lives of children.
Childcare is available during regular Impact Church Services
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IMPACT Connection Bishop George & Pastor April Davis (seen below) became the pastor of Faith Christian Center-Jacksonville, now Impact Church Jacksonville and knew that part of the vision was to start seven other ministries across the state of Florida. However, once the vision began to unfold, God began to reveal other locations along the East Coast that were also to be impacted.
Pastor Nathaniel & Minster Karen Perkins Impact Church Norfolk Pastors
Daytona, FL
Valdosta, GA
Tampa, FL
Baltimore, MD
Tallahassee, FL
Among those locations was Norfolk, VA where Impact Church is now located at 1066 Norview Ave. From day one, the vision of Impact Church was to change the lives of those living in the Hampton Roads area.
Orlando, FL
Welcoming Savannah, GA
Houston, TX
Miami, FL
Bishop George & April Davis
Founders & Pastors of IC Jacksonville
CHANGING LIVES MAGAZINE
Impact 7 & Beyond
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Connection Men of Valor Group Lead by Pastor Nathaniel Perkins
Women of Virtue
Group Lead by Minister Karen Perkins
Minister Gregory & Minister Donesia Peoples
Our Impact Groups meet monthly in a variety of venues across Hampton Roads and are a safe place for you to grow, change, get answers and become more like Jesus Christ.
IMPACTGROUPS www.impactnorfolk.com
MILITARY IMPACT GROUPS Good Solider (Chesapeake) - Kentrell & Davina Hall On Duty (V. Beach) - Tony & Ravinn Barton