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CONTENTS
S TA F F PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Diane Hannah
DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY 2014
FEATURES 6 DEDICATION Remembering the life and legacy of Bishop Sarah Frances Taylor Davis 18 IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Inside the ministries of First Lady Sheretta West and Rev. Lekesha Barnett 20 ON THE COVER
Pastors Mia Wright, Yolanda Carroll, Claudette Copeland, and Suzette Caldwell share individual experiences on purpose, emotional wellness, prayer, and the call to preach. By Diane Hannah 32 THE HEART CAMPAIGN
FAITH Features Editor, Kimberly Phillips, discusses the fight against human trafficking with Pastor Connie LeLaCheur of Troy, Michigan.
DEPARTMENTS HEALTH 12 THE POWER OF FAITH AND FOOD Cancer survivor Jeanie Traub shares how her faith and dietary changes led her to divine health.
FA I T H M a g a z i n e 16 DISCIPLESHIP
God’s intended purpose for the Church By Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale 26 FAITHBOOK
Rev. Dr. Julia McMillan exposes the enemy’s influence in the Church in an excerpt from her book Prophetic Crack…Pushers in the Pulpits Addicts in the Pews. 30 MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY How a life coach can help change your life By Rev. Dr. Toni Alvarado 34 CHURCH CLOTHES
Does your attire project a godly image? By Kimberly Small
SPIRITUAL INSIGHT 10 EXPECTATIONS Anticipate greatness in your future By Rec. Connie Jackson 14 PRAYER CHANGES THINGS A youthful perspective on having faith in God By Taylore Gills 15 FINANCIAL STRATEGIES Practical steps toward financial freedom By Dr. Bonita Vinson
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REL ATIONSHIPS 28 HELP FOR YOUR MARRIAGE Combating isolation in your marriage By Rev. Dr. Yolande Herron-Palmore 29 TIPS FROM THE MARRIAGE KEEPERS CONSTITUTION How to confront your spouse about a conflict in your marriage. From the book Marriage Keeper’s Constitution by Pastor Keith Graham
IN EVERY ISSUE 5 IN THIS ISSUE 33 FAITH to FAITH 36Poetry 38 Publisher’s Perpective
MANAGING EDITOR Nancy Gray EDITORIAL ASSISTANT DeAndrea Reese GRAPHIC DESIGN Earl Duncan Clifton Jefferson Victor Mata COVER FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY Kirby Mack CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Antoinette Alvarado, DMin. Cynthia Hale, D. Min. Connie Jackson, D. Min. Yolande Palmore, D. Min. Kimberly Small Jeanie Traub Bonita Vinson, Ph.D FOR LETTERS-TO-THE-EDITOR & SUBMISSION OF MATERIALS FOR REVIEW OR PRINT send to: editorial@faithmagazineonline.com TO ADVERTISE Call FAITH Magazine at 210.284.4624 or email advertising@ faithmagazineonline.com Published by CJT Communications, LLC 5150 Broadway #439 San Antonio, TX 78209 www.faithmagazineonline.com ©2013 FAITH magazine is published by-monthly. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Articles and letters will be edited due to space limitations when necessary. The views expressed in any story or column in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or advertisers. The publisher is not responsible for errors in advertising copy. FAITH Magazine reserves the right to reject any advertisement. FAITH Magazine will not be held liable for services or products advertised in FAITH. All product names, brand names, and trademarks may belong to their respective holders. Printed in the USA. FAITH Magazine is committed to encouraging, enlightening, and influencing our readers toward a standard of excellence in living through faith in the Gospel of Jesus the Christ.
IN THIS ISSUE
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The interruptions in your life are not permanent road blocks but simply detours which cannot prevent you from continuing on your journey.
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s we focus our attention on the contributions of women in ministry in this issue of FAITH, we honor the memory of the late Bishop Sarah Frances Taylor Davis. At the time of her transition (Nov. 9, 2013), Bishop Davis was the president of the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, presiding prelate of the church’s16th Episcopal District and vice-president of the World Methodist Council. She was the 126th bishop elected and consecrated in the AME Church and the third woman to become a bishop in the church’s 219 years of existence. Bishop Sarah Davis was undisputedly a godly woman of noble character whose life of service impacted millions worldwide. Her life has left an indelible imprint on the hearts of those who were blessed to know and love her up close and personal and on countless others who in various capacities have felt the influence of her ministry in their lives. Prior to her appointment to the bishopric, we met for the first time at a radio station I worked for in San Antonio, Texas. I had recently launched FAITH Magazine, and during a conversation after one of her live morning radio broadcasts, I extended the offer for her to be our next feature story, and she accepted. On the following pages we have reprinted the interview I had the pleasure of conducting in 2004 while she was still the pastor of Bethel AME Church in San Antonio. As you read her story, you will gain insight about the life of a great woman who settled for nothing less than exemplary service. The legacy of Bishop Sarah Davis lives on through her family and friends, her countless acts of love and kindness throughout the world, words of wisdom shared, her preaching and teaching, her faithful service to God in the AME Church and the ecumenical community, her sons and daughters in ministry, and all who were impacted by her relentless commitment to serve humanity. Bishop Davis was as a prayerful humble servant of the Most High God. She heard the voice of God and where He led, she followed. What a phenomenal woman she was! I appreciate immensely the female pastors whose ministries have had the greatest impact in my spiritual life: Claudette Copeland and Suzette Caldwell. They have been consistent examples of what it means to be a survivor and to trust God no matter what. Their stories along with Mia Wright’s and Yolanda Carroll’s will remind you that the interruptions in your life are not permanent road blocks but simply detours which cannot prevent you from continuing on your journey.
Also included in this issue is information regarding health, finances, how to improve your marriage by improving yourself, our featured book, Prophetic Crack: Pushers in the Pulpits, Addicts in the Pews, and other articles that will provide you with revelation, inspiration. and spiritual rejuvenation to help keep you moving forward. Answer “yes” to the call of God on your life and move in the direction God is sending you. Acknowledge what you have been commissioned by God to accomplish, commit to a life of prayer, be determined to move into your destiny, and make your emotional health a priority. It is my hope and prayer that the Spirit of the living God that resides on the inside of you will propel you toward the life of peace, wholeness, prosperity and purpose that God has designed especially for you. Be Blessed!
Diane Hannah Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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