Community Journal 40

Community Journal

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December 2014

INSIDE

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Faith-Based Initiatives

The Benefits of Hiring a Design Professional

By Linda Lindsay Hiring a Designer is sort of like selecting the right psychologist…

PAGE 6

First Metropolitan Church

In the Community…

Ms. Sugarmama Wings, Waffle and Bakery Grand Opening PAGE 11

page 4

Offers a Place of Belonging for the Community

In the Community…

State Representative Ron Reynolds Hosts Town Hall Meeting Addressing Police Brutality PAGE 12

page 6

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How to Prepare for Holiday Guests

page 8

When the Church Becomes THE Church

When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.

– Joel Osteen

December 2014 3

Journal Behind The

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Valerie Jones

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

Executing an idea or plan that is “faith-based” means that it will be driven by religious beliefs. This issue of our Community Journal focuses on initiatives in our Houston community that are driven by Christian beliefs. From our cover story on First Metropolitan Church in northwest Houston to local holiday toy drives, this community has a definite focus on using Christian principles to guide them through life.

As always again, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

Contents First Metropolitan Church Offers a Place of Belonging for the Community.................................................................................... 4 The Benefits of Hiring a Design Professional............................................................................................................................................ 6

PHOTOGRAPHY

How to Prepare for Holiday Guests.............................................................................................................................................................. 6

L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

When the Church Becomes THE Church...................................................................................................................................................... 8

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

online support specialist

Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation’s Christmas Party..................................................................................................................10 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Hosts Holiday Soiree..........................................................................................................................10 Black Professionals Organizations Host Holiday Toy Drive.................................................................................................................10 Across The Track PAC Christmas Party........................................................................................................................................................ 11

Anthony Torregosa

Ms. Sugarmama Wings, Waffle and Bakery Grand Opening.................................................................................................................. 11

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

TSU President Dr. John Rudley Presented with $25,000 Check for TSU Excellence Fund........................................................... 12

Angel Rosa

State Representative Ron Reynolds Hosts Town Hall Meeting Addressing Police Brutality..................................................... 12

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee 20th Annual Toys for Kids....................................................................................................... 13

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Valerie Jones Linda Lindsay Clarease Yates Charlotte Jackson

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4 December 2014

First

Metropolitan Church

“The greatest challenge for the Black church is to counteract the postmodern culture which is devoid of a commitment to the church. We have a generation that has been raised without a Biblical foundation.”

– Pastor John D. Ogletree, Jr.

Offers a Place of Belonging for the Community

By Valerie Jones

H Associate Editor

istorically in the United States, the Black Church has represented a source of hope for African Americans. Dating back to the days of slavery in America, many Whites were threatened by Blacks and their worship, fearing the slaves’ congregating and fellowship would lead to insurrection and escape. This, among other reasons, is why many Whites opposed Blacks in Christianity.

But that didn’t stop African Americans from worshipping and fellowshipping with one another. The church gave them strength…something to believe in.

It allowed slaves to teach and be taught religious principles as well as provided a refuge from the atrocities they were exposed to daily. And today, the church is often the center of Black communities.

First Metropolitan Church, located on Beltway 8 in northwest Houston, has carried on the tradition of the Black Church being a fundamental part of the community for almost three decades.

Commonly referred to as “First Met,” First Metropolitan Church, under the leadership of Pastor John D. Ogletree, Jr., has edified the community through its ministries, leadership and outreach.

“In 1986, while serving at the historic Antioch Bap-

tist Church downtown, I received the call from God to start a church in northwest Houston,” said Pastor Ogletree, affectionately known throughout the congregation as ‘Pastor O.’ “The congregation was to be one that glorified God, was not too bound by tradition and one that welcomed people of all ages and stages and ministered to the family.”

During First Met’s early, formative years, services were held at Frank’s ABC Academy. The congregation then moved to a leased space in a shopping center.

There were other acquisitions along the way, two acres

of land purchased near Hollister Road and Highway 290 and a temporary location on Bringle Road before First Met finally found its present home on Beltway 8.

Pastor Ogletree named First Met’s crowning achievement as being the purchase of, move to and construction of an edifice on 25.2 acres of land on the Beltway.

“This move was a strategic one that gave us not only a home, but also visibility and accessibility to better serve our community,” he said.

While the church is the cornerstone of the Black community, black churches are faced with more challenges these days, partly due to shift in mindset of a younger generation.

“The greatest challenge for the Black church is to counteract the postmodern culture which is devoid of a commitment to the church,” he said. “We have a generation that has been raised without a Biblical foundation.”

Pastor Ogletree mentioned several options – including television – that compete with the church for families and individuals’ attention.

“We have to do a better job of showing the relevancy of the church and establishing ministry to individuals, families and the community,” he said. “The church has the answer to every ill of society; therefore, it is the hope of our fractured troubled world. Our message must never change, but we must use contemporary methods to reach, teach and keep people for Jesus Christ.”

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December 2014 5

First Met believes in moving beyond the traditional.

The church has a separate worship for teenagers three Sundays out of every month, in which teens are taught sound biblical principles through interactive lessons.

“We host speakers on various subjects that are relevant to teens and take them to conferences and retreats,” Pastor Ogletree said. “No subject is off limits.

We also focus on college and careers for their future.”

First Met offers numerous ministries to its congregation and each ministry falls under one of four leading principles: Belonging, Growing, Connecting and Serving. The goal is to truly have something for everyone, no matter what their desire. Anybody can serve Christ.

Pastor Ogletree, a native of Dallas, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. He accepted the call into the gospel ministry in 1982. As his church expands and evolves, he is constantly evolving as a pastor.

He led the church in the purchase of 25 acres of land in Magnolia, Texas, which was completed in 1999, and named it “Redemption Ranch.” It was used for conferences, workshops, camps, retreats and family outings.

An active community member, Pastor Ogletree is also an advocate for education and is extremely wellknown in the Cy-Fair Community.

He is currently in his fourth term as a trustee on the Cy-Fair Independent School District Board of Trustees. He has served on the Board as President, Vice President and Secretary.

“The congregation was to be one that glorified God, was not too bound by tradition and one that welcomed people of all ages and stages and ministered to the family.”

– Pastor John D. Ogletree, Jr.

“Serving as a trustee allows me to serve the community on a larger scale. I see it as an extension of my ministry to children and parents, beyond my own family and church,” Pastor Ogletree said. “It gives me a platform to be an advocate for quality education for all children. This assignment challenged me to lead my church to adopt and partner with our public schools for academic achievement. Each summer, we open our campus to children in the community to provide an academic enrichment camp as well as a performing arts camp.”

Looking ahead to the next 10 years, Pastor Ogletree is planning for expansion and growth of First Met, which will be a model church for developing a sound healthy Christian family.

“Our church will enhance its focus on holistically shaping the lives of men, women and children spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially,” Pastor Ogletree said. “We plan to do this from multi-site locations, which will include developing marketplace ministries that offer employment and bring additional revenue streams into the ministry. Our vision is to position ourselves to reach the hundreds of families who will move in the Cypress community along Highway 290 and the Grand Parkway.”

Pastor Ogletree has been married to his wife Evelyn for 41 years and they are the proud parents of four children; they have 11 grandchildren.

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6 December 2014

The Benefits of Hiring a Design Professional

By Linda Lindsay Contributing Writer

H

iring a Designer is sort of like selecting the right psychologist…

The professional of choice should provide professional design services from initial concept planning and budgeting to executing all phases of

construction.

The Design team should be able to oversee each and every detail so you don’t have to, saving you time, worry and money. This way, your project will be executed in a timely manner and with the utmost integrity and respect for your privacy.

Designer professional services should include, but are not limited to, the following: • Interior Design • Space Planning • Project Management • Color Theory • LEED Awareness and Advanced Knowledge of Green/Sustainable Design • Renderings & 3D Perspectives • Custom Furniture, Fixture, Textile & Carpet Design • Arts & Accessories Curating • Tableware/Amenity Design & Selection • Home Additions • Staging • Identifying the proper products to enhance your personality and lifestyle Please remember: • Design is such an intriguing profession. Not only do we need to be creative, but we need to be able to spend large amounts of time with many different kinds of people.

• We are not Social Workers or Psychologists by trade, yet we do need to redirect our fearful clients to make positive decisions.

• When we give the clients confidence in their decision making process and gently direct them to good choices, we can be assured of a satisfied customer.

• Events can occur through the process of designing a space which a designer has little control of when working with outside contractors, such as back orders or items coming in wrong. If your designer can put the client in a position of reassurance that all will be completed based on his/her prior references with a little laughter, you know you are in good hands.

• What I have learned is that anything can be fixed with time and money, if planned properly.

• Design terms should be versatile to each project – anything from hourly to renovation construction management fees.

• The Designer is someone you work with who can refine key elements to scale, color and texture, allowing for a warm comfortable space.

• A Designer can help to determine balance clean lines...they can also use big scale in regard to the architectural elements of a space.

• Designers should be able to use furniture and textile patterns to create drama in a space.

• Your Designer will introduce sophisticated color pallets on walls and fabrics to add richness to a room.

• Make sure your Designer learns in the beginning of the project the details on how the space is used – commercial or residential

• He or she should ask the questions of what will be the level of formalities and what is the practical use of space.

At the end of this year, if you are thinking of upgrading or downgrading your lifestyle, I highly recommend you hire a professional who is a perfect match for you.

Therefore, you should interview more than one professional to make sure you two are compatible and that they will be a member of your lifestyle, depending on the scope of work. This will determine your union.

Remember, it’s not only about making a space beautiful, it’s also about function, so choose wisely. It is a big investment no matter how large or small.

Make it a smooth transition from old to new.

Happy Holiday Season.

Enjoy!

Linda Lindsay Flip Flop Designer

How to Prepare for Holiday Guests

I

By Clarease Yates Contributing Writer

t’s here already, one of the biggest holidays of the year – the Christmas holiday. If you are like us, you have guests flying in, driving in, sailing in and skating in….

Last year, our list grew to 29 with 15 sleeping over (consisting of nieces, nephews, grandkids, children, their friends, in-laws and neighbors). Whew! So here are a few tips to ensure that you all have a happy memorable time.

• Be sure to have a special area or

room for the children with toys, games, puzzles, coloring books and crayons, and make sure children know it is there especially for them • Have a nice selection of books and current magazines for adults. Be sure to

give guests your Wi-Fi password • Be aware of who is allergic to what, i.e. no nuts for someone who is deathly allergic to nuts • For overnight guests, make sure to create a sleeping environment that is

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comfortable and clean. Provide fresh toiletries and linens. I love it when we visit my brother Gary and he always has fresh liquid body wash, miniature toothpaste and other personal items that I know he got for us. (Secret: you can pick up name brand items from the dollar store) • Decide in advance who will sleep where to avoid having your grown kids bickering over who gets which room.

We had to resort to a “luxury” air mattress for nephew Gary, who is 6’4”, but we made sure he had all the comforts.

• Avoid controversial topics (i.e. politics, religion and leave the family drama in the past) If guests are extending their stay, it is a good idea to provide them with local maps and information on area attractions.

Enjoy your guests and remember: “success is based upon indestructible beginnings.”

December 2014  7

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8 December 2014

When the Church Becomes THE Church

By Charlotte Jackson Contributing Writer

W

hen we learn to take our hands off of any situation and truly turn it over to God, isn’t it amazing how wonderful life can be?

Back in 2002, President George W. Bush proposed that faith-based organizations should assume a greater role in providing social-service programs without breaching the separation of church and state. Since then, we have seen thousands fed, clothed and housed as a result of people working together to get the end result without worrying about who is getting credit.

Looking over my own calendar for

the past year, I see where several groups that I work with met, prayed and moved forward to hold a special day of prayer on February 7, 2014. Anything special about those numbers? 2-7-14?

How about II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Yes, back on February 7, 2014, several hundred community members in far east Harris County gathered at Channelview ISD’s Athletic Center and intentionally prayed for their community.

Has it had an effect? In spite of the fact that the only shelter for domestic violence victims in the community has been shut down since March 2013, more than 25 women have been lifted in prayer not only to find shelter and other resources, but to allow God to work in their lives to provide healing so that they and their children can adjust to life after abuse. Countless homeless neighbors have found a hot meal five days a week at a soup kitchen run by volunteers. Several hundred children enjoyed their second fun run while their

parents found community resources to help them become better parents.

That night, we prayed for elected leaders who would understand the needs of the community and for those who would seek office to be Believers. Since that night, not only has a young man who played basketball at North Shore

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as well as professionally stepped up to the plate to announce his candidacy for Justice of the Peace, but God has raised up another man who knows all too well the damage of domestic abuse, the nightmare of dropping out of high school and the unjust mass incarceration of men of color in what is often touted as an age of colorblindness. This man has prayerfully sought out a team of prayer warriors to inform voters that once elected, he will not just show up when it is time for photo opportunities, but will be there to hear their concerns and to make a difference as he serves to protect community members too often overlooked.

In the middle of that sports complex, we prayed for families to spend time together making a difference in the community. Again, we’ve seen multiple generations gather to assist with food and clothing distribution. In the next few weeks, students from 25 schools will be blessed with toys and food gathered from the community.

All it takes is a little faith and a community that prays, as we already know God wants to bless us as we move into a new year.

December 2014  9

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10 December 2014

In the Community…

To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photos.’

Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation’s Christmas Party

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Hosts Holiday Soiree

Black Professionals Organizations Host Holiday Toy Drive

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In the Community…

December 2014 11

To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photos.’

Across The Track PAC Holiday Party

Ms. Sugarmama Wings, Waffle and Bakery Grand Opening

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12 December 2014

In the Community…

To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photos.’

TSU President Dr. John Rudley Presented with $25,000 Check for TSU Excellence Fund

State Representative Ron Reynolds Hosts Town Hall Meeting Addressing Police Brutality

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In the Community…

December 2014 13

To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photos.’

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee 20th Annual Toys for Kids

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14  December 2014

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