I Have a Dream
Healing In Releasing
Dream Love in the Spirit
March 2012
Abuse is real, It happens every day, In many different ways, But your not alone!
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Dream Editor in Chief Steven C. Semones II Publisher New Direction Media Associate Editors Kimberly Jock Art Director / Design Steven C. Semones II Assistant Graphic Designer
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The heart of the Dream March 2012 Vol. 2, No. 1
Editorial Writers Steven C. Semones II Sharon L. Washington David Evans Donnie Lord Nabeel Shahzad
Features
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Healing in Releasing
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By: Steven Semones II
In each life in this vast world we each face pain, abuse, hurt, and much more. The only true healing is releasing your past and receiving Christ into your life for a life changing future.
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Sojourner By: Sharon L Washington
A truth and open stories of her real life experiences through molestation, rape, and domestic violence. Real hurts, pains, but in Christ found true love and healing.
www.launchageneration.com
Columns
Cover Story:
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New Steez Skateboards
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Dream Central Get Connected
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Never Alone By: Sharon L Washington
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By: David Evans A passionate young man sharing his heart on what skate ministry is all about. He talks about his journey into finding his passion and his ministry all in one. It took him overcoming some questions of how, when, and where. In obedience questions answered!
Nabeel Shahzad Being a Christian in Pakistan Vs USA
Dream Dream Unite Not This Year 2012 Info
29 I Have A Dream A word from the heart of the editor.
Healing in Releasing By: Steven Craig Semones II
ou look around today, and you see everyone trying to find their way. I was driving thru downtown Myrtle Beach, SC the other day and I it seemed like my world stopped at that intersection waiting for the red light to turn green. I was sitting in my truck, and looked around me to see so much going on, a ambulance passing by, the teens next to me laughing, many cars flooding the parking lot of the shopping center right at us, other cars had people starring off into space with what looked like heavy things on their minds and hearts. Then I could see people walking all around, some getting gas impatiently waiting, why the gas price kept rising and they had the look of, ‘will it ever be full,’ and already on their minds was the thought, “where to next.” A school bus passed by, with kids going home from school, and tour bus in the other lane with a group from out of town waiting to go to their next destination. I just looked and was overwhelmed by all that I could see going on, and to think each individual is facing things that is unknown to everyone around them. But they all down deep where trying to find something to fulfill the longing deep down inside that has never been fulfilled in anything whether money or things. Always left with an empty longing, and on top of all the things that has happened in their past that they never truly released, and are pulling on them to this day.
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The power of finding release, peace, happiness, belonging, and fulfillment is by releasing and letting go. You may think well it is easy for you to say because you haven’t carried what I have deep inside.
“We all have or do carry many things that we should release but even though healing comes in letting go, there is a change that takes place that we all are scared of because it is the unknown.” What’s funny is if you had a hot pan in your hand full of water, and it leaked out on your hand, you would not have to say to drop it or put it down. Because it is a natural reaction. It’s kind of like a discovery show that I have watched in the past called “fatal attraction”. About animal lovers that tried to take animals in and because they connected so well with these animals they felt like they could come immune to their poisons, change the animals instincts by living with them, taking risks that in reality the dangers where there and they still
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DREAM / March 2012
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against all common sense and natural instinct they didn’t listen and did it anyways. It might have went on for a long time, and others where a shorter time, but the worst outcome happened because they couldn’t let go of doing something they knew that wasn’t right because to them the risk was worth the fulfillment they got for the time. Don’t get me wrong animals are beautiful, and I think God for animal lovers but even to the best experts of nature they all would never do the things that these people did.
Release what is holding you back, don’t let that abuse, that hurt, and those past things hold you back from your healing and from your freedom.
What I am trying to say is you never know what the next day holds, but you have to know what you are holding on to and what is holding you. I have always heard if you do not own it than it owns you. Even with God our father he has created us to love him and serve him, but he doesn’t make us. He doesn’t force us and he has never been a man that was about what he could get from others. He has always given everything he had for me and you. He lived his life free inwardly even though there were many things trying to come against him outwardly. He is our armor and our shield, and that is one thing that the military always examines because it is key to the safety of the troops. Release what is holding you back, don’t let that abuse, that hurt, and those past things hold you back from your healing and from your freedom. I pray for you, I know you have many heavy things weighing on your mind and heart. Let them go because than you don’t have anything weighing you down from getting what you deserve “Freedom” that is only found in the loving hands of Jesus Christ. Do you know him because he wants to have a relationship with you. All you have to do is say his name, accept him into your heart and life as your personal Lord and savior, and then he can help bring healing in your whole life if you are willing to release it to him and receive the healing only found in him! Stop holding on, but let go in Jesus name! Love You! Dream!
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Sojourner By: Sharon L. Washington
Molestation/Rape When coming into the knowledge that the man who raped my mother was also the person to molest me three times that my memory allows me to remember; at the age of 5; I remember him putting me on his knee and touching my private part, At the age of 7, I remember slamming my thumb in the bathroom stall door in grade school and I remember him snatching the dead nail off and putting his hands inside of my underwear. And at 12 years old, I remember him hiding his car behind the bushes in the yard. I remember him making excuses to get into the house. And once he got in I remember him touching me, stroking my hair and trying to force his weight on me but before he could penetrate me I hit him in his private and ran. I locked myself into the bathroom until I heard him leave. I ran to a neighbor’s and stayed until my mother came home from shopping. Several weeks later I remember 2 friends of my brothers attempting to assault me and these attempts was only days apart. The first one I ran and locked myself into the bedroom hiding underneath the bed. The second offence was more dangerous and violent. I remember jumping out of the bedroom, window escaping the clutches of the
assailant. His grip was so tight that when I pulled from him to fall out of the window his nails stripped the flesh from my arm. Then we get to the penetrating rapes. Both of these perpetrators I knew. Thinking about it now I still cry. I can go into to the gory details, name names and draw attention to him but it won’t change what happened. In fact it will only hurt someone I love with all of my life. I could never sacrifice it. What pains me most when I remember is that I was helpless and not strong enough to get him away from me, me away from him and him off of me. I would not have imagined him being so brutal to me. What I remember him saying before his attack is; “you was once my girlfriend so I can have you when I want!” And then there was Jim. Someone I thought I knew until he slipped me a date rape drug and did what he wanted with me. With him it is like a dream. I see myself struggling and tussling with him but I could not move a muscle. When I wake up the next morning my underwear was on inside out and my head hurt so bad that when I made it home from his place I couldn’t do anything else but to lye back down. Still unsure of what had happened to me but knowing that something did happen something so vile that I did not agree to. I was disappointed in him because he did this to me while calling me a friend and disappointed at myself for thinking that he was truly my friend. To this day I still have not confronted him and the few times I had the opportunity to confront him all that ever came from my mouth to his ears is, “I know what you think of me...”
Domestic Violence Remembering the first time seeing my family abused is something so surreal. I am almost unable to discuss it but the reality in it is magnanimous. My mother was married five times and the only one to never verbally, emotionally, or physically harm her was her last husband. I remember the first time I witnessed my brother being abused. The first time he was beaten with my stepfather’s crutch and the second time he was beaten with a rose switch. And I cried for him because I knew that if I had warned him when Mr. Man approached I’d get the
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same. Of course I felt his wrath but not as much and not as often as did my brother. I remember seeing one of my Aunts’ cut up her husband with a huge butcher’s knife. I remember another Aunt being in a violent marriage that ended up with her going to prison. While thinking of this I remember the day I witnessed my mother shooting her fourth husband for helping his ex-wife beat on her when she caught him at her house doing chores that he stopped doing at ours. He was the same man who threatened and tried to beat me when I was eight months pregnant. The only thing that stopped him was the fact that I had a hot iron in my hand and he knew that I had always carried a box cutter in my pocket. The first time I was in a domestic violent relationship was by the first guy I ever lived with. Not only did he cheat on me with other women but he’d make me stay in the house to control me. He’d get angry if I talked about working. Remembering when I got my job as a Correctional Officer after graduating from the course I got the position that very day. I got home to him and he argued with me and when I wouldn’t say I would not take the job he punched me in the face. After months of working he noticed that I had got used to a little freedom and independence. He then tried to put a stop to it even with the arguments I would not quit. The second beating was worse than the first. It was not because I was working but because I was with my sister and did not return in the house when I said I would. This was also the first time that I started smoking pot and drinking whiskey; he gave it to me. It was something I know he regretted after the day I was chasing him around his house with a knife and contemplating and threatening to pull out his shotgun he left and went to his ex-girlfriend. He stayed with her for several weeks. When he did return I was pleasant and courteous. I had his supper ready, his house clean and kissed him
passionately before I moved to South Carolina. I stepped out of the fire into hell’s flames. I then ran into the arms of a drug addicted womanizing abuser, but this one I married. After leaving him several times within the first eight months of our marriage I knew we wouldn’t work. The final move was during the tenth month of marriage when I decided to go to the store for food. Now, almost eighteen years later, I haven’t completed my shopping yet. So, I moved again. This time I moved closer into the grips of a stranger. A person who not only stalked me but he was but an half of a second away from strangling life from me. The difference in this situation was that I informed him upon our first meeting that we were not ever going to be a couple and that I had no interest in pursuing any form of a relationship with him physical or otherwise. He was my neighbor’s friend. This new revelation pushed him over the edge. In truth the extent of our meeting was in the fact that I knew he liked me but I liked his free cocaine better. I knew that my so called friends were pimping me out to get them and I let them use my name. So I moved again and again and again… The difference in me now is that before I can form a relationship I sabotage it myself therefore leaving myself alone to mistrust everyone and to love no one. Loneliness is another topic all together… I’ve been trying to sit and to write this article on living a life in absolute denial, abandonment and anger. I want to share how abuse whether mental, verbal or physical can alter all that you are. How it can destroy dreams that you know are meant and destined to be. It is the redundancy and the repetition of how it destroys and takes one completely away and to the bottom of its final destination. Leaving one to hope for that mustard seed of faith and believing that they still possess the power of it and the favoritism of GOD. When we think about hitting rock bottom most times, we assume that it means materialistically and forget mentally and
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spiritually. I am speaking actuality and realistically of its reality not the surrealism like it is but a dream. For me the bottom is when you’ve come to the end and knows that life and death are the only options and praying for death and to die but hoping it is as peaceful as going in your sleep. Because you think you have already had the worst that life can offer. But when you awake from the beating and stare into the mirror and literally vomit at the sight of you the person who is there looking back at you with judgmental eyes can hardly see. You remember that he not only beat you unconsciously but he whipped you and stripped you of everything that you are. If you are fortunate enough to get up or awake from such a brutal beat-down you grab whatever you can store into your car and ride out with that or you just go with what you have; life… I can recall the three times I was near destitute and in the reality of it I was clearly homeless. The first time was in the early 1990’s close to the time when the House approved King’s Holiday. A storm came through and the house I lived in got flooded out and the roof barely kept the rain from pouring in on top of me and my boys. I had to go to the shelter with my three boys. I was scared and alone but I still had faith in GOD. Secondly, was when I was on the brink of a nervous breakdown and contemplated suicide for the umpteenth time. I moved to Philadelphia and spent most of my days living out of my car. Then I was approved for an apartment and moved to King of Prussia; my Ex took back the car he leant me and left me to walk to work. My car I had in South Carolina was parked; my Camry (needed repairs). My son took the keys I left by accident and drove the car; it thru a rod. I had to walk five plus miles to work daily because the driver of the public transit system bus route was mean and deliberately passed me by one day. So, I boycotted and refused to ride it again. This one particular day things were different. Instead of a nice chilly walk, I trotted down the middle of the highway to keep a motorcycle predator from grabbing me and making me his victim. That was the last time I walked to work there and I left everything I had with Greyhound and moved back down south.
Finally, things changed at the end of 2011. I decided to move home to make an attempt to fulfill my mother’s dreams of having her family together. Unfortunately, I had to relocate into an Abuse Shelter. This time it wasn’t an outsider it was flesh and blood. Life and love affects you so much more differently when you witness, realize and recognize the truth that it is not a stranger that is abusing or being abused. No matter whether it is mother, father, sister, or brother we expect “unconditional,” and want nothing less than happiness but is blinded by the reality that is standing in your presence. Then you realize the control and the mental games of terror and torment hold you hostage and paralyze you into an unquenchable fear. It is the mind games that when having to do a necessity like using the restroom becomes a strategic intellectual maneuver and a waiting game of patience. If you don’t time it right it becomes the “Art of War,” of starring Satan himself into the eyes when you open the door to exit. I believe that GOD puts you in places at the right time to prove to the faithfully challenged that he will never leave you nor forsake you. When I ran this last time I didn’t run away from the truth, I ran where I was told to go. I checked into an abuse and sexual assault shelter. Under other circumstances I would not have been a candidate but the Director of this facility made an exception for me. I went through the initial counseling; I met and got to know several of the victims well. We shared life’s tragedies. While I was there at the shelter; for those couple of weeks, I met the only eyewitness (Joelee) in the “Ocala’s Serial Rapist case. She and I were alone in the dining area one afternoon. We had a chance to sit and talk. I told her why I was there and she began to tell me her story. I began to cry because I remembered all so well what it felt like to be victimized and left vulnerable. Her strength was amazing. She cared not for what had happened to her and began to counsel me of how bad she felt because she couldn’t imagine how it felt to be abused by family. We talked for about fifteen more minutes before other boarders came in. Before leaving, she offered herself
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to me when and if I needed to talk. She assured me as I did her that all would be okay. As she exited the kitchen area she spotted another victim she got friendly with and began to talk about her upcoming deposition and court date on that Tuesday. November 15, 2011; was the last time I saw her and hope to someday see her again to thank her for her words of support and kindness; again. I’d thank her for her selflessness and for unselfishly giving herself in her times of chaos and recovery. Now, I am left to sit and to think about the course of my life and how I keep repeating the mistake I thought that I had learnt a lesson from. I keep forgetting that it is the unconditional in love that causes us to forget that it is constantly changing and not the redundancy of it appearance. The repetition of “unconditional” comes with a choice and not sacrifice. It opens up for you to seek others happiness and it does not condemn them to torment or fear of any form. Selfish words and actions can harm by asking one to question all of what is and promote self destruction within the same motion it encourages denial and complacency. GODLY words will heal, provide strength and give way to hope, faith and the desire to trust again. After, reading the guide “Into the Light” A Guide for Abused Women, this made a difference in my life. I then remembered the myth of the cat with the nine lives? Well you may see its analogy one way but this is my vision… “For each life we have here on earth I believe we have eight ways to survive the physical life and eight opportunities to get thru life’s maze and eight chances to get it right and those eight decisions rests in where you will spend your final (ninth) life. What I know is that heaven will be my home in the Day of Judgment. My life will be perfected there. It is already too hot here for me and I’ve already seen Satan himself here in this life staring him in the dark pits of his eyes. I know his evil and I know my heart and so does the Holy Spirit that sits on high and resides in my soul. This also leads this article to another serious topic.
Depression
Depression
–A psychological disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, with feelings of deception. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) http://www.depressionstatistics.org/ http://www.suicide.org/suicide-statistics.html
I’ve given you the definition and the stats of both depression and suicide. Now I will share with you what I know to be true about both. I’ve shared with you in other articles I’ve written for “Dream Magazine,” concerning my drug abuse, depression and several attempts at suicide. A lot of scientists and psychologists want to believe that it is the alcohol and drug abuse that induce the depression which stimulates the act of suicide. But I beg to differ. I believe that it is the abuse, the secrecy and the deceptions of the acts of trying to keep the secrets and the suppression of that force you to abuse and then the addiction of the drugs and alcohol becomes the effect. Suppression and the pain of these memories is the gateway that induces and alters your thoughts of reason. It allows unreasonable thoughts to defeat and to direct your moral thoughts and values of life. Which are the effects of depression which leads you into the arms of suicidal thinking. When I read the stats of how some of the Prophets contemplated their life’s worth often prayed for death and then it states that there is no verse that supports whether suicide is a forgiven or unforgiving act. It is not the fact that GOD won’t forgive it is the fact that he gave us free will and a way to receive his forgiveness and if we commit a self murder then we have no life remaining to ask for that forgiveness. In 2007, after losing my mother I could not then and cannot now fathom the thought of living my life or to continue to live my life without my mother in it. And yet every day I find new ways to remain in this world. Once you’ve contemplated suicide then the thought becomes another secret of suppression and leads you into the arms of a severe psychological state of depression that leads one into the act of carrying and completing the thought. Suicidal thoughts become an abuse and an addiction not much different from any other
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abuse or addiction. Understand this and I need you to believe what I am telling you and nothing of what you have heard –once you have been introduced to the thought whether sane or insane it is always there as an option to forget the pain. It is an idea of and a cure to end the loneliness, thoughts of abandonment and pain. For me it is a necessary evil. Because every time I contemplate it I hear my mother’s voice from the first time I attempted it on her couch in 1998; “Sharon, that is the Devil talking... It is this voice and the tone in it that keeps her memory alive and this keeps me here on this side until GOD himself comes to carry me home. I know that she is patiently waiting in heaven –waiting for me her child to come home escorted by the angels of GOD into the light. I know she would be disappointed if Satan’s demons took me into the darkness and the pit of hell. So, I move on once again the Sojourner, bruised but not broken...
Emergency contact numbers: RAINN –National Sexual Assault Hotline (Rape, abuse, and Incest) Toll-free phone: (800) 656-4673 (HOPE) Website: www.rainn.org Feminist Majority Foundation – Listing of Violence Hotlines and Resources Website: www.feminist.org/911/crisis.html Remember that with any tragedy, depression or thoughts of suicide it is common. It is like a defense mechanism of sadness or pain. And with any sexual battery or assault and with depression and thoughts of suicide always seek professional help and remember that you are never alone...
You Are Not Alone
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Rediscover You Brandon Squires - lead vocals/guitar Mitch Perritt - Bass
down in your heart and find out who you really are, and what God has truly put inside of your heart. It is time to be committed and decide if we are going to serve Him with everything or nothing. We are doing the same thing as we play at each event, and open door. We want to share Gods love, Gods power, and Gods grace as we simply surrender ourselves in Worship and praise to Him. As we are looking for the next open door that God will open, we are in preparation, in prayer, in bible study, and in worship with God in private. We truly believe that Worship can not truly be done in public if it is not done in private. We love you, are praying for you, we believe in you, and we are hoping you choose to Rediscover You! Booking: rymgmt.booking@yahoo.com Press: riotmitch@yahoo.com
MISSION: Rediscover You is a name that really exemplifies this band because we always are rediscovering who we are in Christ. It is easy to loose your self when you think you truly have found yourself, but you truly have to loose your will, ambition, wants, desires, and truly rediscover and find who you are in the perfect plan and will of God. This is where we want to stay, and constantly in pursuit of a deeper walk with Christ. Challenging people everywhere we go to reevaluate who they are, there motives, and truly find there God given destiny. We believe that each person has so much more inside of them than they can even see. We understand that people doubt, criticize, and try to bring you down. It is time to dig deep
If you are looking for a great music store to find your gear, and get expert advice check out Star Music. This is where Dream shops to get all of our equipment and gear! The whole sales staff is helpful, honest, and they love what they do. Help them help you get the right stuff for any of your music needs. When you go into Star Music, tell them Dream has sent you! 801 Broadway Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 843.448.2819
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10 DREAM / March 2012
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I started skateboarding very early in life, I would say in elementary school in the fifth grade, growing up outside of Charlotte, NC, skateboarding had always been a common activity among young people, but it wasn’t until my mid-teens that skateboarding ceased to be something I did and quickly became someBy: David Evans thing that was a part of me. I loved what I did, so much so that all my days were would say that it has taken me a lifetime spent at the local skate park. Now to unof being immersed in skateboarding to derstand the context of the skate park, it even attempt to answer that question, Skate ministry is a sensitive and complex idea was tucked between a night club and a that can either build a skate community or tear bar and down the street from a strip club it down. The best way for me to convey what I on the “bad” side of town. I have more believe skate ministry to be is through my stories then I can recount from being in early experiences as a teenager when I was that environment at such a young age, first introduced to the idea.
What is skate ministry? I
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only now here in college do I look back and I see what was normal for me as a youth growing up, was actually rare and dangerous occurrences. Drug deals and at times even shootings would occur in the parking lot, but for me, this was where I found community and found identity in the skateboarding community, I was a Christian in a context that was very unchristian and in fact hostile to anything that resembled Christ, but the commonality of skateboarding brought us together despite the polar opposite worldviews of me and my friends. Eventually I started working at this park and my time there increased, I can remember praying for the people daily as I would skate and work there. I don’t think I could capture in words how unreceptive of the gospel this community was, small attempts here and there at sharing Christ would meet either mocking laughter or an angry retort. I remember coming into the skate park one particular day and the manager pulling me aside and telling me she wanted to start a bible study at the skate park. I was floored, this lady would flip out on me if I brought a bible in the place and now she was approaching me in regards to a bible study. Being 18 at the time I did not know how to respond, I agreed with her. But inside of me I did not even know where to begin. How was I going to get the attention of these skaters who had no respect for anything? As it is I leave the skate park for a little bit to get something to eat and upon my return I notice an old friend who I met in the streets and befriended six months prior to this moment, he would later become a valuable part of my life as a mentor, shocked to see him I asked him what he was doing here on this side of town to which he responds that the lord had laid on his heart to have bible study at the skate park, I informed him of what the manager told me and he responds as if it were of no surprise.
“If you have it, I’ll come”
During this time I learned from him and he became a valuable part of my life whose influences are still very prevalent to this day. He taught me much about how to convey the gospel to this demographic of people and how to do it effectively. As time went on he could not afford the time it took to carry on this nature of ministry so I became to the one to carry it on. There was one night that I decided not to do it, because we had no food to offer the attendees, we connected with Chick-fil-a and they gave us free chicken sandwiches to give to the skaters, well as I go into the park and skate one of the older guys approach me and ask why we were For about 4 to 5 months we would hold not having bible study, I respond by asking weekly bible studies in an extra room in him if he genuinely wanted to have one. I’ll the skate park, we would often host 20 or more skaters and many heard the gos- never forget his response. “If you have it, I’ll come”. I had not even prepared a lesson, but pel and some came to Christ. I went into the room and waited. About 8 to 9 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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people showed up and what happened mentalize or categorize the movement of next was all the Lord. I spoke and I knew skateboarding, we must simply accept it for the words I was speaking were not my what it is. A way of life, a culture. own, the Lords, and in that moment I saw them thinking deeply about these words that were not my own. In that moment I felt like I was home. I feeling I had never felt. I had searched for it my whole life, the feeling of belonging and being a part of something. I had found it, or better yet it found me, in a skate park, in the middle of the ghetto. Where shoot outs and drug deals were not oddities, but expected happenings, my calling had found me. I knew then that I was made for skate ministry.
There is no set system that will always work in life and neither is there a set system that works in skateboarding because to skaters that is exactly what skateboarding is, life. Life and culture are the avenues by which people understand Christ, not in cookie cutter systems of operation. That is what skateboarding is, it is a practical mediation of culture and life in such a way that the name of Jesus Christ is heard and received. Now living in East Tennessee, my experience in skate ministry has only reinforced my views of the nature of this ministry. So what is skate ministry? Skate ministry is a flow of dynamic change that cannot be given a once and for all definition this is simply because the definition would constantly be changing and the systems we would set as responses to those definitions would become irrelevant and inapplicable. Skateboarding is a movement and in order for skate ministry to be effective it must move with it. Not be boxed in by systems and definitions. Albeit it is human nature for us to label and compartmentalize things in life that we don’t understand, in this case skateboarding, however in ministry at times we must relinquish our “right� to understand in order that we may be more effective in that particular ministry. Because the truth of the matter is that one cannot define, compart_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Being a Christian in Pakistan Vs USA By: Nabeel Shahzad Christian minister name Shahbaz Bhatti who was shot in the capital of Pakistan because he wanted to review this law and also tried to save a Christian woman name Asia bibi who was in jail because of this law. Christians are being persecuted every single day in many ways. If any Muslim accepted JESUS and to proclaim it in front of his family then he would be called bigot and most likely be killed. As a Christian we can’t hold the Prime Minister or Presidential office. They discriminate against us in every field of life. We as Christians are living under fear in such countries like Pakistan. We don’t have any freedom of speech. I had a personal experience in my life which I am going to share here, I got a BSC in Math, Physics and Chemistry, then I was a teacher in a High School. One time a student asked me the difference beI was born in a small village called Gujrantween Muhammad and JESUS. I told them all wala, Pakistan in 1988. At the age of 10, I about JESUS and when I started to talk moved to Karachi, the biggest city in Pakiabout Muhammad I said it is written in your stan. I grew up in a Muslim culture. For book called Bhukari sharif that Muhammad those who don’t know the Muslim religion, I married a 6year old girl named Ayesha and am going to explain that Muslims are a peo- that is child abuse. Even though it’s true this one student went to his home and got his ple who believe on their prophet Muhamolder brother and lots of other friends who mad who was born in 571 A.D in Mecca. His came to threaten me. Right then I asked whole family was pagan which is menGod to help me. Nobody even touched me tioned in the Quran. and I left from their safely. In Pakistan 96% are Muslims and 4% are of other religions like Hindus, Buddhist and also Christian. Because Pakistan is a Muslim country they have a Law called “295C”. According to this law if anyone uses any abusive word for their Prophet Muhammad in front of any Muslim, he would have the right to kill them on the spot or take the person to jail where only punishment is the death penalty. This law is misused especially against Christians and takes personal revenge. Recently we had the only federal
There are a lot of things I can write about going on in my country, but I don’t want trouble and give chance to the devil to try to work against me.
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So in 2010 I came to the USA to Cathedral Bible College. I have seen that here one fantastic freedom is that everyone has a freedom of speech. Every person has the right to choose whatever religion they want to have. Nobody is going to kill them for their faith. Everyone can achieve anything by hard work. I don’t fear in this country, like I feared in my country. I love America, it is a wonderful country.
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15 DREAM / March 2012
www.Launchageneration.com
www.facebook.com/dreamcentrallive Our Mission is to help connect the body of Christ Through businesses, churches, ministries, etc‌ If you are looking for a place to connect with Other ministries, to help grow in a deeper walk with Christ, and you would like a place to help find your calling, you want to be apart of a ministry organization that is about serving, disciplining, and being the hands and feet of Christ we would love to see you at Dream Central or at a Tuesday night Dream Launch night!
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16 DREAM / March 2012
www.Launchageneration.com
I am not alone By: Sharon L. Washington “my” fault and then walk on faith which can be very hard if you believe that GOD has abandon you. Isaiah 41: 10 –Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Loneliness is a subject and a topic that we as people, individuals, and as a society overlook, or underestimate its power in the realm of life and love. Also like love it is taken for granted. According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Lonely – being without company’ unfrequented; Lonesome –sad from lack of companionship. Loneliness is marked by mistrust and the suppression of facts. If you’ve been hurt before it is like denial you use it to bring separation between you and the pain. It is a protection mechanism that causes you to remove yourself from the situation that brought about your pain. As individuals we place ourselves in solitude to keep others from looking in or learning the truth about our life and the things that have occurred in our life. Especially those things that we feel others may judge us by. It is self seclusion that keeps us away from having others potentially judgmental thoughts from burying the truth you know are real in life. An example of this is when a person is being abused; we all think, why is she staying in that situation, I’d just leave? But for a person being abused it is not that simple. There is a process for leaving but first that person has to step out of fear, overcome the denial, know that it is not
For me when I think about loneliness and the idea of being alone, I think about my mother and how sometimes she would cry from feelings and thoughts of feeling and being alone in this world. Then I look at myself and I see our resemblance. I look like her in more ways than one and not in appearance alone. I harbored secrets. I secluded myself from family and friends by becoming a workaholic to avoid the past and the truth. The difference now is that she died still holding on to her secrets except for the few that she shared with me. I know now that she was trying to help me to overcome and to save me from the past and to help me to learn to trust again before it is too late. She wanted me to forget the past and to stop letting those painful memories direct my future. I know that she wanted me to stop holding on to the things that would keep me and kept me from connecting with others. Matthew 28:20 –Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world Amen GOD does things to help and to heal. Sometimes we may never know why or understand the madness in the method or the message trapped in the mayhem but the point and the path becomes very clear.
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17 DREAM / March 2012
www.Launchageneration.com
I know that she wanted me to bring her family together in peace and in joy. I knew because I was so different from them all including her. Unfortunately, it took a near fatal tragedy before a joyous celebration of life could happen. I’ll share this anecdote to prove to the weary hearted and doubtful of God’s goodness. I’m going to share a story about my feelings and the reality of loneliness and being alone...
February 12, 2012 I came in from work with feeling of sadness and thoughts of loneliness. With my heartache I went to the restroom and for the first time in this new place I was renting I closed the door behind me. After I handled my business, I washed my hands and wiped the tears from my face. I stared into the mirror for a moment. For a moment I almost questioned God and had doubts in faith. Thinking out loud, “I’m not a mean person. I try hard not to hurt others feelings. I try hard not to lie or give false witness to others and yet I am alone I have no companionship and my friends are 300 miles or more away. I and my siblings are farther apart than ever. My entire family and I are even farther apart and it seems we will never come together.” Then I tried opening up the bathroom door; “Holy Jesus!” Psalm 23: -THE LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 –He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 –He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 –yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 –Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 –Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. A Psalm of David. The door knob did not work. I pulled. I snatched. I panicked. There was nothing that I could use or see to pry the door open. There was nothing flat or sharp to get the
door open with. Now the sad tears of hopelessness turned into alligator tears of panic and desperation. I was unable to think clearly. Then I looked up and focused on the towel hanging hook that was at the top of the door. I jumped up to grab it. With my light weight I bobbled and bounced hanging on to it with one hand and used the other one to grab at the door knob. After about 10 to 15 minutes of this, everything I was thinking was coming to light. “LORD, I’ve got no one. No one knows where I live. I don’t have my cell phone. My cell phone is off anyway. I have no friends. I have no one to visit. God, who will know I am here, who will come to let me out?” I panicked more. I pulled harder and finally with enough force the hook came free. I flew backwards into the tub. When I did get free, I went to sleep on the sofa and I woke up in enough time for work on Monday afternoon. When I got to work I was dizzy and didn’t feel good at all. In fact I felt bad for the remaining week but kept making excuses of how not to go to the Emergency Room. By Thursday I felt so bad that I told my manager; Diane, that I was going to go to the ER after work. But I didn’t. Friday morning when I got up I felt so bad but I did my errands and paid bills still avoiding the doctor. I got dizzier and my eyes got blurry and then I had no choice but to go to the ER. I got to the hospital at noon and by 5:30pm I was being counseled and having a blood transfusion and admitted into the hospital. I felt more alone and even lonelier because still no one knew where I was or what was going on with me. The reality was; there was no one there to comfort me.
Psalm 91:11 –For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
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18 DREAM / March 2012
www.Launchageneration.com
I had time to sit and to think so I began to call and to text everyone I could to let them know where I was. But before I could receive or retrieve any of the messages, the phone went dead. Talking out loud and the nurse overheard me said that I could use the hospital’s phone. Immediately, I called my aunt Martha after that the ball got to rolling.
He will send his angels to counsel and speak to you until he can rescue you from yourself. At Munroe Regional I was surrounded by angels. I became the witness to the dream that my mother dreamt. I created this article and a play to honor my mother’s dream; “One Perfect Day.”
Her family came together not to mourn life lost but to celebrate life. Although I have to I was no longer upset about my health just have surgery I was rescued from the state feeling alone and lonely. The next morning I of loneliness... still had no visitors and then I called Sharon; someone from work. She came by with a gift bag with a uplifting card, a couple of Hebrews 13:6 –So that we may magazines and this tablet that I wrote this boldly say, The Lord is my article on. Then one of my older cousins came by with a couple of her friends. I had a minute with one of them and in our conversation, I told her that no matter what, I would go to Popeye’s Chicken to get me a meal.
helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
After they left one of my younger cousins came by with some items I needed and a two piece meal from Popeye’s. The reason why I bring her up is because I had made a vow to God three years ago that if she got within arm reach I would punch her in the mouth for something she said concerning my mother. Instead, I asked her for a hug. She delivered a message of forgiveness that she did not know she was carrying. After that, the phone did not stop ringing. I even spoke to my sister and brothers. I had not spoken to them for many many months and years for my sister and oldest brother. Hebrews 13:5 –Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. I tell you this story because even when you think that you have no one or nothing. Just when you think that all is lost. Even when you think violence for words will solve the problem GOD confirms that even though you can’t see him in the physical he is always at your side refusing to let you go or lose faith in him.
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19 DREAM / March 2012
www.launchageneration.com
By: Steven Semones II he first Dream Unite was a great evening. We met for the first time at Sandy Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC and had 10 different ministries and about 20 people present to represent the ministries there. They shared their heart, connected, and really loved on one another. It was an amazing night and I am already looking forward to the next one coming up Tuesday May 29th at 7pm located back again at Sandy Beach Resort in their conference room. We have another full list of ministries that will be present with us. We hope many more will come to check out what Dream Unite is all about as well as connect with other ministries and we hope to one day soon hear your heart, and our desire is to see walls be broken and what your purpose is to be fulfilled. It will take all of us working together as the body and not against one another. Come and connect and we look forward to seeing you at the next Dream unite.
T
Line up for Tuesday May 29th @ 7pm
Gustavo Guerrero & Band Zohet (Worship)
Common Ground - Jarrett Wallace & Dell Gaillard
AB Media Productions – Amber Bennett
Unite Night @ Sandy Beach Resort Tuesday May 29th@ 7pm 201 Ocean Blvd Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-4083
Card Man Inc- Matthew Brooks
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20 DREAM / March 2012
www.launchageneration.com
Many More!!! Kyle &Karen Mitchell – Sea Palms The Sea Palms Summer Outreach is located in the Heart of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! We are seeking to lead the lost and to help make this world a better place to live. We want to glorify God through various mission opportunities for children and youth. While doing these ministries we desire to... Provide an environment that fosters Godly relationships and spiritual renewal Guide and challenge youth through discipleship by offering a summer missionary on staff Lead people to salvation or recommitment to the Lord Jesus Christ Develop leaders to affect their world at home and abroad.
Wayne Powell – South Carolina Teen Challenge To assist individuals to become mentally sound; emotionally balanced; socially adjusted; physically well and spiritually alive.
Kathy Penney – Kathy Penney Ministries Kathy’s ministry focus is on evangelism, post abortion bible studies, speaker, and author. She is looking for open doors to start speaking at churches, outreach events, and anywhere the door is opened.
Pat Stiles- Surfside United Methodist Church Staff Pastor at SUMC and the burden of her heart is for people to have a vital relationship with Christ!
Cindy Hunt- Missions
Stuart Royall- 180 Degrees Lead Pastor 180-Degrees, a Christian church, was birthed from a passion to establish a church in which effective discipleship could be realized. Stuart Royall, Lead Pastor of 180-Degrees, received practical ministry experience while leading Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a campus minister at the University of Richmond and pastoring inner city youth in Richmond's East End.
Jeff Szirmae- 180 Degrees He is a part of the praise band: Driven and has a vision for a summer blvd ministry.
Chris Tullis- First PHC Conway Assistant pastor of First PHC Conway Chris’s heart for ministry is Outreach, evangelism, tent revivals, Hispanic Ministry, jail ministry, and connecting the kingdom.
Chris Schafehen- Uncommon For students that are followers of Christ to see themselves first and foremost as members of the Body of Christ and for this new found identity, through the work of the Holy Spirit, to inspire and rejuvenate students to BE the body of Christ through their churches, through their youth groups, through the examples of their lives.
Sybil Lee- Fidelis Foundation Our Mission is to facilitate permanent emotional healing for children in crisis due to trauma, neglect or abuse, through creative equine assisted learning. We mentor both equine and personal skills, helping them to develop the ability to make and set goals, and helping them make life-long positive changes.
What is the heart of Dream Unite?
Has a heart for Missions, and missionaries. She wants to see souls come into the kingdom of God and lives changed for the better.
James& Breanna Cook- Life Line Outreach
We believe in what God has called you for, and remember the only person that can ever keep you from that is you!
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21 DREAM / March 2012
www.launchageneration.com
In your ministry right know…
Do you ever feel the burden of feeling you have to do everything by yourself?
Do you have passion that is burning deep within you or have you been close to burn out? Do you spend more time focusing on many things that you can’t really focus on the one thing that you were
called to do?
Do you have a hard time trusting others, and building relationships?
Do you feel like you are the only one that cares and nobody understands how you feel?
You try to reach out, help, serve, but sometimes you don’t feel you have anywhere to turn for encouragement, love, support, and sometimes just a trustful ear to listen? Dream Unite is to help connect you with other passionate ministries just like yours, to help join arms in your missions that God has called you for. To help you be more effective, revive you ministry to be fun and full of passionate men and women that want to make disciples. Find brothers and sisters that are there to serve, help come beside you, team up with you, and together there is nothing we can’t achieve with God. Your burnout turns into peace, and your focus gets clearer. You become more defined, you have a support staff, full of ministries that love, encourage, pray for one another, serve one another, and only one motive to make disciples. A place to meet other ministries with hearts just like you, ministries where it isn’t trying to compare
how they are better but always thinking together how we can be more effective and better to fulfill the call God has put deep inside of us all. We are a part of one body and we are not in competition. We all have a piece of the Grande puzzle that God has created but only found by each wonderful piece of the body. Our Dream is to not to be another event to put into your schedule, but to help you in all different areas of ministry. Be something that challenges, gives good info, and helps you build some of the greatest relationships that you have ever known. I want to see the body totally unite for nothing other but to see the fathers will to be done, but the only way that can happen is with your help. I am reaching, but are you willing to grab it back and let’s hold on through all the years as we grow together in Christ and do everything we can to reach generation to generation!
“One thing that I have learned is being busy is never the problem, but the problem is being effective. “
There are only so many hours in a week, and days in a year. We are none granted tomorrow, but how can we be more effective?
Together
And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. (NASB Matthew 12:25)
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. (NLV Matthew 12:25)
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22 DREAM / March 2012
www.launchageneration.com
www.launchageneration.com
Dreammaga@gmail.com 843-602-1140 Steven Craig Semones II Also be praying for another Dream Unite that is being birthed in Charleston, South Carolina we are teaming up with Karvelis Flowers to extend our mission to connect the body of Christ!
Not This Year By: Donnie Lord On November 5, 2011 Dream held its first annual fundraiser to support Not This Year. It was a huge success as we accomplished our goal and were able to touch the lives of ONE HUNDRED women throughout the Grand Strand in homes for battered women. Held at The X Sports Complex in Myrtle Beach contestants paid an entry fee and then battled each other in one on one tournaments of Madden ’12 on the Xbox 360 console. The two winners squared off one week later in the inaugural
All games were played on professional gaming tournament consoles and monitors provided by East Coast Xtreme Gaming and recorded to be later displayed on the internet with help from Gamers Armada including the Dream Bowl in its entirety with colorful commentary by Brent Densford from ECX and Chris Gardiner from Gamers Armada. The success of this fundraiser would not have been possible without the help of the local business sponsors who donated various items and services for prizes. The following were sponsors and their prizes were Advance Auto Parts and the Dominator Award given to the first person to make their opponent forfeit, the Logans Roadhouse Something Meatier Award for rushing over 100 yards, and the Affordable Garage Quarter Finals where all contestants who made it to the quarter finals received free services from Affordable Garage. With this past year behind us our focus is now on to next year. November 3, 2012 will be the Madden ’13 Tournament and the Dream Bowl 2013 one week following. We ask for you help in any way possible. For some it’s a donation of time or money, for others it will be services as prizes, and others will help by participating in the tournament. Thank you for your time and for carefully considering how you might be involved.
843-467-4869
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23 DREAM / March 2012
www.launchageneration.com
Ministry is Fun no matter If it’s Serving or Loving!
ABmedia Professional Video and Graphics are a prefect affordable way for advertising your business or organization. Give your business a makeover with a new logo. Or reach thousands of people with a customized video. Create and Capture that special moment. - Weddings - Graduations - Customized Slideshows and more Your Special Event: - Dance Recital - Sport Event - School Play Get the word out for your event with a customized Graphic. Are you a Church? Testimony Videos, Baptism Videos Youth Group Videos Promote an upcoming service or sermon series. Customized Sermon Graphics, video and Powerpoint
Artist or Band? Electric Press Kits, Live Concert / Behind the scenes Logo Design Myspace page design.
Phone: 910.443.1577 Website: http://youtube.com/abmediafilm _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
24 DREAM / March 2012 www.Launchageneration.com
Featured Dream Music Artists Well Ced
is just a common guy from a little town called Georgetown, SC. His birth name is Cedric Lorenzo White and he was born on March 24, 1986. His family became a part of the church when he was approximately 8 years old. Through the process of time, he developed the most important thing a person could develop, a relationship with Jesus Christ. At a young age, he was baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38), and continues the process of dying out to himself, daily. His journey through life brought him many doubts. Especially during his years at a liberal arts university that ended up shaking his faith. This new disbelief led him on a study of the essence of God which in turn brought him undeniable and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. He developed a burden for the youth and began to work with youth ministries more closely. During this time, he discovered that the MAJORITY of young people (even in the church) listen to Hip Hop music. He has been on a quest, ever since, to change this youth killing detriment. This is the birth of Well CED music.
http:/www.facebook.comwellcedmusic
Vizion
-(Dell Gaillard) is a young man who has a passion for ministry. Whether through hip hop music, preaching or teaching the word of God. His heart is to convey the truth of God on a level that everyone can understand. Was raised in the church and because of that, he got started in ministry early. Began rapping for the Lord at age 16 and was very zealous for God but lacking a lot of knowledge. Basing his salvation on works instead of faith in Christ, and struggled a lot in his faith. This led to struggling with identity crisis. Wanting to be cool and holy at the same time sometimes caused him to compromise his faith in Jesus. At the age of 18 he learned about true faith in Christ Jesus. Went to bible college in 2006 and matched up his knowledge of God with his zeal for God. Now in his mid 20's he is the youth minister at his local church (CAYABF). He is a father and a husband who is dedicated to serving his family, church, and community. His continuous message to the youth at his church is "you can be immature physically but be mature spiritually." Now that God has reinvigorated his passion for hip hop ministry, he is focused on one task in these last days; to be a trailblazer for Jesus Christ! Vizion started rapping for Christ with the South Carolina holy hip hop group, the Cruzaiders. With the Cruzaiders he performed on the same stage with other holy hip hop artists such as: The Crossmovement, Da Truth, and Irocc. As well as contemporary Christian artists like: Big Daddy Weave, NewSong, Overflow, and Aaron Shust. With the Cruzaiders, Vizion contributed to two released group projects: "No Better Life" (2004) and "Free" (2006). Vizion has just released his long anticipated solo album “Love and Marriage� which is currently available on I tunes, CD Baby and is coming soon to Amazon. and Rhapsody. http://www.reverbnation.com/vizionakathetrailblaza
Nicole White
- is a 26 year old minister of music from the Charleston, SC area. She now lives in Myrtle Beach, SC with her husband, Cedric White (W.e.l.l. CED) and two children, Micah and Abrielle. Nicole is currently the Music Director at the Pentecostals of Georgetown under the pastorialship of Pastor Donel White. Her Influences are the Winans, CeCe Winans, Joann Rosario, Virtue, Natalie Grant, Neal Mellix, Nathan Mellix and above all JESUS CHRIST. The New album is scheduled to be released in the Winter of 2011. This album will include a mixture of gospel/Christian music styles such as jazz, gospel, contemporary Christian and praise and worship, just to name a few. The songs on the upcoming album were all influenced by Nicole's personal testimonies and battles, the testimonies of others and, of course, the goodness of JESUS CHRIST!
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25 DREAM / March 2012
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Featured Dream Ministries Go Ministries
is a non-profit organization, based out of Conway, SC, whose purpose is to produce an interactive worship experience for communities in which families know that they must seek God first. These worship experiences, called Kid’s Crusades, include dramatic performances, story-telling, puppets, a live band, and other high-energy fun! These productions have been produced in many forms and areas, including the Dominican Republic and England. They can be as elaborate or as conservative as desired. These events, beneficial to communities and churches alike, can be used as a special church event, children’s ministry during special church events, community outreaches, and Vacation Bible schools.
Book Go at your church today! Website: http://gothewebsite.blogspot.com/
Uncommon
is Uncommon Life is a nonprofit organization providing men-
toring programs and events for middle and high school youth in the greater Myrtle Beach area. The program will form partnerships with local churches, schools and outreach organizations. Uncommon Life's goal is to encourage a commitment to young people that will promote Christ driven pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills, and reassert a sense of hope in their future. Only through personal relationships with the Holy Spirit can a sense of individual responsibility be reestablished that will give youth the commitment to follow through on a path to adulthood with a sense of pride and accomplishment for God. This summer we will be gathering middle school + high school students every Thursday 6:30-8:30pm Valor Park @ Market Common (in front of Tommy Bahamas) in Myrtle Beach, SC For an uncommon evening.. Where Vibrant Relationships Happen
http://www.facebook.com/UnCommonLife
Common Ground
is people from all walks of life coming together to enjoy worshipping Jesus Christ through music, the arts, and fellowship. We value genuine Christian community and understand the need for “comprehensive Christianity” Which offers an example of how it looks to walk in a relationship with Christ outside the 4 walls of the sanctuary. Thus, we hope to provide a place to engage and invite younger believers to enjoy Christ in a new way. Location: 1221 HWY 501 BUSINESS (across the street from Red Hill Motel) Conway, SC 29526
Affiliation: Come As You Are Bible Fellowship Email: commonground@cayabf.org Phone: 843-503-1711 or 843-267-5103 Website: http://Cayabf.org _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
26 DREAM / March 2012 www.Launchageneration.com
The Mordecai Project is a Christian ministry founded by J. Lee Grady, a journalist, ordained minister and author of the groundbreaking book 10 Lies the
Church Tells Women. The purpose of this ministry is to (1) confront the global oppression of women; (2) empower women to discover their God-given spiritual gifts and ministries; and (3) equip Christian men, including church leaders, to recognize, value, protect and train the women in their lives. This mission is accomplished through books, preaching, mentoring, leadership conferences, ministerial retreats and television programs in various languages. Lee is confronting all forms of abuse including domestic violence, female infanticide, denial of education to girls, forced prostitution and sex trafficking, female genital mutilation, mistreatment of widows and honor killings. He also calls for the full participation of trained women in church leadership, and he challenges the global church to reject unbiblical religious traditions that encourage gender discrimination. _____________________________________________________________
Our mission statement is summarized in this way: EMPOWERING WOMEN * CONFRONTING ABUSE * TRANSFORMING NATIONS
www.themordecaiproject.org “Both books are a must read they speak to your soul, into your life and right from the humble heart of Lee Grady!� -Steven C Semones II _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
27 DREAM / March 2012
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Featured Dream Businesses www.maximizedliving.com
NTM Music and Production Neal Melix Engineer/Producer http://www.ntmprod.com/ From our home in the Charleston, SC area, NTM music and productions is a project studio based environment dedicated to the production of Christian music projects in all stages of development. Unlike a typical recording studio environment (where you come in with complete song arrangements, well rehearsed and ready to track), here you can develop your project from concept to polished music production. In addition we also offer services such as: song writing, arranging, demo recording, remixing, and wave editing. NTM music & productions collaborates with a network of qualified and talented Christian musicians, singers and engineers to provide the resources needed to compliment your project. To the independent client we offer services from simple editing to complete music productions. Should an artist be signed to the NTM label, the production can then be independently marketed and distributed. As a gospel singer and electronics technician trained in the communications field, gospel music has been my passion and hobby for many years. Now retired, I devote more of my time and energy to audio and the gospel music I love. We seek anointed, talented, inspired and dedicated Christian artists to be affiliated with our record label that we may fulfill our vision for the glory of God. "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5.20 Our project studio provides forty-eight tracks of pristine world-class audio in a Pro Tools format. We also provide midi recording, with state of the art virtual instruments and great audio plug-ins for processing and editing digital audio and midi. Some of the names include Digidesign, Sony, IK Multimedia, E-MU, Autria, Propellorhead, Celemony, Bomb Factory, and fxpansion to name a few. At the heart of our studio is a Sweetwater Creation station with two bootable drives and removable data storage drives. Drive #1 runs Pro Tools and Digidesign hardware, drive #2 controls the thirty-two in thirty-two out Tascam interface card of the Tascam DM-3200 digital mixing console, (which also provides automation and remote control for Pro Tools and a host of other music software). Our Lucid master clock syncs all digital audio thru the ART voice channel, digital console and computer audio interfaces. We also have a Sony DAT and monitor system by Adam, KRK, AKG and PreSonus. We have condenser microphones by audio-technica, CAD and more. The professional power center is by Monster Power. We have synth action and piano action keyboard controllers and our computers are packed with the tools you need to get the job done. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
28 DREAM / March 2012 www.Launchageneration.com
I hope you where inspired and challenged in the first issue of Dream Magazine. I am twenty-six years old and I have grown up in Myrtle Beach, SC all of my life. I have a Dream to see people that have lost hope to find hope, that have lost their desire to dream to dream, and for broken hearts to be mended. Life is about choices and outcomes to our choices. I don’t care what someone has told you, what they have said you can’t achieve, but I believe that you can do whatever is deep down in your heart. It will take hard work, some sweat, and tears. Nothing worth achieving is easy, but if you are willing to put the time into achieving it I believe you will do it. I have thought many times even if you never achieve the dream that was put inside of your heart, you die knowing that you never gave up on what was put inside of you. Nothing or no one can ever stop you from reaching your dreams, but only you. We all have things in our lives, we all have felt heartbreak, dealt with loss, had some highs and some lows, but we still must persevere as long as air is in our lungs. Life is short and that is reason enough to ask yourself the question what are you waiting for? As you look around this world you see nothing but negativity and people that are tired of just going through a robot kind of life. We have no choice than to dream because what else do we have without that in our hearts and minds. We not only must dream but we have to believe that it will and can be done!
I HAVE A DREAM... In Dream magazine you find powerful stories of people that have dreams whether it is in there personal life, there ministries, and there businesses. I love to hear the heart of a person and there dreams because you find there passion that seems to flow out of their innermost being. I am a minister that wants to cause people to dream, to find there purpose in life, to lead with encouragement, and to share the freedom I have found in Christ which is the one that will not allow me to drop this dream to be a catalyst of change that is inspired in dreams and is followed by action . I know we live in a world that is tired of hearing words so I want to lead, dream, encourage, and live it with my life. I once read a young boys quote he wrote before he died that simply said , “you don’t know what you would live for unless you know what you would die for. I would die for you.” I live my life and give it so that you can also find the peace and freedom that I know because I know you are worth it! I have a dream that my words will not go void but be something that impacts this world my lifetime and beyond!
Acts 2:17; Proverbs 29:18; 2 Chronicles 7:14 Ecclesiastes 5:3
- Dream Magazine Editor in Chief
http://www.facebook.com/Dreammagazinelive