IMPACT
the magazine
Tamera Mowry Talks! Faith, Family Rumors & Reality TV
e thYoung, Fabulous & SAVED Plus: One-On-One with Pastor Michael Fisher & Ti ps to Get Fit for the New Year!
Janua Issue
ry 201
1 Vol.
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FEATURE
IMPACT is a trendy monthly publication for Christian Youth and Young Adults. IMPACT is not about religion but about building and strengthening a personal covenant relationship with Christ. The magazine and its staff are committed to encouraging and inspiring Believers to be ALL that God has called them to be while living life to the fullest. Our mission is simple; to IMPACT and influence the World for God’s Kingdom. But our principle purpose is winning Souls for Christ.
Thank you to EVERYONE who contributed to making this issue possible. For every Idea and Encouraging word I thank you. To my fellow Writers and Editors I can’t say thank you enough for your support. I pray God will Bless you tremendously for your sacrifice. -Nikki
The magazine features thought-provoking, entertaining and engaging articles and interviews with some of the an biggest singers, musicians, actors, pastors and positive bi popular artists who profess Jesus Christ as Lord. This is po our ministry and our goal is to make IMPACT the #1 meou dia destination for Inspired Young Adults. Publisher Daniel & Nikki Ferguson Daniel Speakes LLC. Editors Nikki Reddix Ferguson- Editor-In-Chief Daniel Ferguson-Managing Editor Guest Editors Aziza Taylor Brandee Reddix Contributors Lori Crawford Sam Johnson Twilla Tanyi & Erin Davis
Find us on:
Special Thanks West Angeles YAM Ministries Elder Benjamin Stephens III
IMPACTtheMAGAZINE • 2
Tamera Mowry Talks!
Contents Jan 2011 4 Letter From the Editor 5 Your Letters 6 Fitness Feature: Tips to Get Fit for the New Year 7 Tips to Grow in God
8-11
Cover Story
12-14
One-On-One with Pastor Michael Fisher
20-21 Sassy Savers 22-23 Inspirational Feature: God Called Me 24-27 He Said/She Said: Single Pastors & Dating 27 Creative Corner
16-19
The Young Fabulous & Saved On the Cover: Tamera Mowry
Cover Photograph and Above Art (Above) provided by : Tamera Mowry and Creative PR
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Letter From the Editor Men and Women don’t always see the world the same way in an ar cle en tled HE SAID/SHE SAID: A Single Pastors & Da ng we talked with two Young Adult Pastors about their rela onship experiences from a male and female perspec ve.
Happy New Year! With almost 5,000 views of the Preview Issue of the magazine in December I’m excited and hopeful that this issue will be just as well received. The sta and I have worked hard and I’m very proud of what we’ve put together for you this month. We graciously listened to and read every comment, le er and sugges on and have taken them ALL into considera on as we posi on the magazine for success in 2011.
We have a lot of great ideas for the New Year and as a New Magazine we hope that you will con nue to support us on this journey. So please help us make an IMPACT...spread the word! Email me Nikki@IMPACTtheMagazine.com. Be Blessed!
Nikki Reddix Ferguson Editor-In-Chief
“We graciously listened to and read every comment, le er and sugges on.”
I must say I was so excited when the beau ful and talented Tamera Mowry agreed to be on the cover of our January Issue. Like many of you I’ve been a fan of her work since her days on the sitcom Sister, Sister. She’s a young, talented, Bible Believer who is using her talent to inspire and encourage others. During our interview she opened up about her faith, family and why she was a acked on twitter. She talks about her struggles growing up in the church and the tempta ons of Hollywood. In my opinion she’s an all around cool person who keeps it 100!
We also have great ar cles that we pray touch your heart and minister to your soul. This issue introduces the YOUNG, FABULOUS and SAVED diaries a monthly lifestyle column wri en by two beau ful Ladies who speak the truth without reserva on, trust me you will be Blessed! As young Believers it’s important to be mindful of what’s going on in the world and our wallets. Author Lori Crawford shares ps to help make us rich in her monthly column SASSY SAVERS & GOOD STEWARDS. This month she’s sharing sassy ps to save money using coupons. Yes, couponing can be cool!
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IMPACT Your Letters Men of Soul! & Comments Fitness Feature: 10 Tips for a Guilt Free Holiday!
the magazine
The Soul Seekers Music Ministry!
T magazine is The vvery well done! I particularly liked p tthe “She Said/ Plus: One on One with Actor Mike Moss He Said” article H in the December Preview Issue about “For Colored Girls...” I saw the movie and was so moved. I tend to mostly line up with She Said, however, He Said made a good point when he said that women all over the world share these experiences. Also He Said might want to know the book was first published in 1975. I first heard of it and bought it just a few years later. I am not you demographic for the magazine but have passed it on to a few women who will love it!
Thank You! IMPACT the Magazine is the Movement! -Michael Moss Great Magazine! Congrats! -Latrice Jordan Look at God! -Brandee Reddix Congrats...Well Done! -Tommy Riles This is Kewl! I love turning the pages! -Raquell Rosser
In Joy, -Tish Draggonette
-Unique Robinson
“What a Wonderful Witty Idea God has Given.”
This is freaking insane!!!! This magazine is beyond on point!!! Wow, I am still speechless!!!:)...Many blessings and much success!!!
This is awesome and then some. What a wonderful “witty idea” The Lord has given you. I will be subscribing. -Seraiah Carol Wonderful...Very Well Put Together. -Jeremy Bennington
Talk to Us and Let us Know what’s on your mind! Email your letters and comments to: INFO@IMPACTtheMagazine.com or Find us on: Facebook and Twitter! IMPACTtheMAGAZINE • 5
FITNESS • FEATURE
5
Tips to GET FIT for the NEW YEAR!
The New Year is a great time to make fitness goals and commitments. This year ditch the resolutions and make small changes you can stick to all year round. Getting Fit can be simple and fun.
Start Small.
If you haven’t worked out in a while it is best to start slow. Incorporating a brisk 15-30 minute walk 4-5 days a week is a very good start. But remember you must challenge your body to see changes. So don’t get comfortable push yourself to go faster and/or farther every week.
Workout with Friends.
Workout with a buddy. It’s important to be around people of like minds and spirits not only in church but in every aspect of our lives. Friends can help keep us accountable and make working out fun.
Consult a Physician.
It is important before starting any serious workout plan to get a check-up and make sure you are healthy enough for activity.
Workout in the AM.
Finding time to workout is the number one “excuse” we use to avoid hitting the gym. With work, school, homework, relationships, family and friends we have lots of important things we have to do. Make working out a priority and get it done in the morning. If you wait until the end of the day its much easier to say “I’m just too tired...I’ll go tomorrow!”
Eat Breakfast.
To jumpstart your metabolism eat a healthy breakfast every morning. One of the worst things you can do is skip breakfast and over eat later in the day. Breakfast will give you the fuel you need to make it through the day. Maximize your time and prepare healthy meals and snacks for the rest of the day to avoid a trip to the drive-thru.
Bonus Tip: Lacking Motivation?
AJ tells clients to hang a piece of clothing they want to wear such as a bathing suit or skinny jeans a size or two smaller than their current size to help them overcome those “lazy days” and remind them of their goal (s).
Get Motivated and Get Moving! IMPACTtheMAGAZINE • 6
Achieving Fitness Goals takes discipline and hardwork. For some people a personal trainer is needed to get on the road to a healthier lifestyle. Personal Trainer AJ Adams of Outside the Box Fitness in Washington DC shares a few key tips to finding the perfect personal trainer.
Tip #1. Do your Research.
Employeeing a personal trainer is an investment. Before shelling out your hard-earned cash be sure to do your research. Prior to meeting with the trainer ask for a biography. Read the bio and compile a list of questions.
Tip #2. Set up a meeting and Ask lots of Questions.
Ask the trainer how many years they have been training and what type of certifications they’ve earned. If you have any specific health issues (bad knees, asthma, etc.) or personal goals ask how many people of your fitness level they’ve trained in the past.
Tip #3. Compatibility
Make sure you know the personality of the trainer. Gender should not matter when choosing a trainer. (Fellas its ok to work out with a woman that is in better physical condition than you. Ladies just because he has a nice body does not mean he is a good trainer). However you should feel comfortable with your trainer. Remember you want someone who will push you to make changes, but a bootcamp drill sargeant won’t work for everyone!
INSPIRATION • FEATURE
7 Steps to Growing in God! By: Daniel Ferguson
Accepting Christ is the first step to building a Covenant Relationship with Christ. But that’s just the beginning. Once you’ve made the decision its time to Grow in God. Step 6 – Pray Continually! Here are a few steps to help in the This may sound cliché but God’s word doesn’t lie and it says “Pray journey!
Step tep 1 – Accept Christ as Your Lord and Savior
“...If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Yep it’s just this simple! Step 2 - God is there beyond the warm and fuzzies Once you becomed saved you may feel as though you don’t see any changes. Remember we live by faith and not by sight (2 Cor.5:7). Regardless of feelings he’ll never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) Step 3 – Just because you are saved doesn’t mean that you will be perfect. Often when people get saved they feel like…if I make a mistake will God still love me.? If I mess up am I still a Christian.? Yep you are still a Christian and the Bible says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The goal when we mess up, is to turn to God not run away from him because “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”(Rom. 8:1).
Step 4 – Make it a goal to live for Christ daily In your walk with Christ, the challenge is going to be making sure you live for Christ daily. Your old life prior to God may seem more appeasing, but “…if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel” (Col 1:23) you will gain favor from God and you will see an anointing on your life. Life won’t always be a walk in the park, but per God’s Word, he promises the following…”for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11). Step 5 – Find a Bible Based church home Fellowship is part of God’s plan for us. In finding a church home, you provide yourself an avenue to continue learning about God. Also being in the midst of a church the scriptures say, “let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” (Heb. 10:25). Be careful not to be tricked by the enemy searching for a perfect church with perfect people we are all growing in God daily.
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continually” (1 The. 5:17), “…show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). As you pray it gives you access to an unlimited source that says “you ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:14). You will learn that this means that as you grow in Christ, you will the ability to tap into God’s unyielding power.
God’s word is alive and kicking. We pray these seven steps help you in your journey to building a personal relationship with God. Remember…it’s not about religion, it’s about relationship. Step 7 – Read your Bible Daily! The Bible has to be your cornerstone. When a building is built, the cornerstone is the key component to a firm foundation. The Bible needs to serve as your firm foundation. This foundation is “…a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Ps. 119:105). “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). It’s awesome because the Lord mandates “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes form the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
Tamera Mowry T lks! Interview By: Nikki Ferguson
Photos Provided By: Tamera Mowry & Creative PR
For six successful seasons Tamera Mowry teamed up with her twin sister, Tia Mowry in the hit sitcom Sister, Sister! Since then she’s graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Psychology, traveled the world, established her solo career, starred in and co-produced her first film Double Wedding with her sister for the LifeTime Movie Network, and found love in Fox News Correspondent Adam Housley. Correction, Love found her! Tamera opens up to Editor Nikki Ferguson for an Exclusive Interview and she keeps it real regarding rumors, a reality show, her faith, family and much more! IMPACTtheMAGAZINE • 8
COVER STORY IMPACT: First of All Congratulations on your recent engagement. How’s the wedding planning coming along? Tamera Mowry: It’s going great I’m working with Wedding planner Mindy Weiss and she’s great! I’m really excited! IMPACT: When you first got engaged a few news outlets were reporting that your family didn’t approve of your engagement, how do they feel now? TM: I know there are some rumors circulating and I’d like to set the record straight. One, we’ve never been engaged before. Never. Two, my family adores him. I don’t know where these rumors came from or where they get this stuff. My Family is really excited! He did it old school and my mother was jumping up and down when he asked for their permission. Adam and I, we’ve dated for about 5 years, we did take a break for a year though. God was working with him on certain things and God was working with me on certain things. Then God brought us back together and I couldn’t be happier. I adore that man as a person. He is so incredible.
out showing our bodies, or acting crazy in the streets, and in rehab. But, this happens to my sister and I because we’re so positive and they can’t find dirt on us so they make up stuff, because they want us to seem like everyone else. But the fact is we’re all great people and we love God, God is number one in our family and we’re really blessed. So what I did was: I had to focus on the word of God and my family has been so great and wonderful. When you know it’s not true and you’re anchored in the truth and God has your back that helps a lot. But you really have to believe in it, and my faith was tested a little bit. The word of God doesn’t say that we will not experience tribulation, it says because we know him we will experience tribulation, sometimes. I was going “Why God?” “Why are you allowing this to happen?” It hurt me, Adam and I are great people. And he does so many positive things to help his community, he’s a God-fearing man, and he loves God. He got saved at 26. So we didn’t understand why people would make things up about us or why he [God] would allow it. But now we can talk about it, about how good God is.
in the church aren’t what they preach so I went through that phase. I got saved at 8 and then I really started living a sold-out life at 16, then as you get older you have other issues that you have to tackle and it’s not as easy. You really have to make sure you’re anchored in the word of God. You have to choose to live for him and basically it says that you have to die to self and you don’t really understand that when your twelve and you don’t have urges to get drunk. But when you get older you really start to understand what it means to really lay down your life and ask God to deliver you from these bondages. What’s hard is letting go but once you get past that it’s an amazing sense of peace that you have knowing that you really are living for God.
IMPACT: How does your Relationship with Christ dictate the types of Roles you accept? TM: I still have this conversation with my manager. For example there was this new HBO show my manager said “Tamera they want to see you, but it requires some nudity and risqué scenes IMPACT: How do you deal with the Rumors? and we know you can totally win TM: I wouldn’t be telling the truth an Emmy from doing this.” And I if I said it didn’t affect me. To tell said, “I’m sorry I can’t do that. You you the truth I had to go to the know I’m a person of faith and I word for it because they spoke don’t feel comfortable.” [bad] about Jesus and my momma IMPACT: Did you grow up in the church! I know that my purpose is more TM: Yes my grandmother is an always said, “When you’re doing than just winning an Emmy. My something right people are going Evangelist. It’s kind of harder purpose is to be a wonderful when you grow up in church too, to talk about you.” When you’re in example in this world and to show because you realize a lot of people God to people that have never it though it hurts is all I have to say. It hurts when my sister and I have done nothing to, not to say “I g saved t 8 and then I e lly that people deserve it, but we haven’t given anybody the chance s a ed living a so d-out lif t 16.” to say its true. You don’t see us
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COVER STORY seen him before and that comes with sacrifice. So I had to remind them of that. There are times when you’re not getting a job and that job is looking really good, but you’ve got to stay true to who you are and trust in God. He always meets you on the other side. It may be hard going through
Paramount Home Video
but otherwise we wouldn’t be called conquerors, we have to go through some things. I realize God is more interested in my character and who I am as a person and how I can help change this world into a better place rather than me winning an Emmy. Sometimes we get selfish and we say “God but this is what I want, I want to win an Emmy, I want that Show,” and that’s what I’ve been learning, sometimes you have to let go and say, “No, Lord help my desires become your desires for my life. “Then as you continue to focus on God, his word and focus on the desires he has for you in your life you’ll find
that your desires and his desires match up, and that’s the hard part. Now I’m learning I just want what’s best for me in God’s eyes that’s what I want because I’m going to be happy no matter what if I just let him do it because I tend to mess it up. IMPACT: Would you say it was your faith that kept you and your siblings from becoming tragic childhood stars? TM: Of course, because we have someone to hold ourselves accountable to. We believe in a higher power and that he wants the best for us. Were we tempted? Yes! Did I dabble in drinking? Yes, I’m not afraid to say that. But I realize God knows what he’s talking about in the word. And Dating forget about it. I want to write a book. When you are dating as a Christian you are a plague, people don’t want to deal with you because you say you love God and you aren’t going to do what these other girls are freely doing. Adam was the only man that respected that! And that was the sign, every other guy was like, “Oh you go to church?” I had a guy break up with me just because I wouldn’t have sex with him. IMPACT: As a single woman did you have a “list?” TM: I sure did have a list. But you have to remind yourself that tall, dark and handsome can’t be at the top of your list and that’s not what’s most important. What matters is a man who loves God, who is family oriented, who’s going to be there for you and respect you and be there for you in tough times and challenge you to be a better person. Those are the things that I tell my girlfriends to
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look for. A lot of times God gives you somebody you were least expecting. And when you are so focusing on the perfect man you miss it. So we have to have an open heart. IMPACT: Any plans for kids? TM:Yes, I want 3 kids and I’ve always wanted to adopt a child. This is my plan for my life but God’s plan is trumping my plan, my plan is to have 3 kids. IMPACT: Would you want your children to go into entertainment? TM: No! Being in the industry is very hard, especially for a child. The coolest thing is Tia and I started when we were 11 and my brother Taj started when he was 3 and I just look at him and go “Wow you are special.” He is such a well rounded young man and that’s only because he is on fire for Christ. Which is rare. That’s why I believe I found my match later in life; it’s very hard to find that in LA. IMPACT: One of our readers would like to know if there’s any truth to the rumor that you and your sister influenced former rapper Mase to walk away from hip hop and become a preacher? TM: My sister and Mase dated for a bit actually, but they obviously realized they weren’t meant for each other. But through that courtship, her walk inspired him to be a preacher. But I must say I love my Brother-In-law Now, Cory! IMPACT: You were attacked on Twitter for being a Christian and liking Harry Potter how do you deal with issues like that? TM: God knows my heart and he knows my journey. God looks at your motives. The heart has to be right. So the people who attacked
COVER STORY “My purpose is to be a w nderful exam le in this w d and to h w God to le th have eve s en him b f e .”
All Photos Provided by Mike Moss. & JL Brown.
me and those who were judging me it just goes to show how they live their lives. So the people who are judging me because I said I like Harry Potter obviously don’t understand why I watch harry Potter but God does and it’s not really my place to sit there and explain. IMPACT: Why do you like Harry Potter? TM: I like to see the Good and Evil in it and I learn things and I like fantasy things, it’s not like I’m going to Harry Potter conventions, carrying my wand and saying we should all be witches. I’m not doing that. So people who understand my heart and know where I’m coming from they know what I boast about and they know what I stand for. And God knows that and I know I’m not going to hell for that. God knows my heart. IMPACT: Talk to me about your Reality Show Tia and Tamera Take Two on the Style Network. Is it going to happen? TM: We are in the very early stages. We are so excited because this was, Tia and I, our first experience with “reality tv” people have always wondered who we are as people. They always have because we’ve been so private. We want to let people in on what makes us work, we really are the yin and the yang we’re two different people but we love each other so much. Who people think Tia is, is not really her. Who people think I am, is not really me. So it’s a great way to get out there and just let people
know who we really are. IMPACT: You said in an interview that you are generally very private were you nervous to let cameras into your life? TM: I don’t share a lot and I am very private. Doing the show I was very nervous but we didn’t talk about our private, private life. My mom and brothers were not on it and they won’t be, because that’s family. Tia and Tamera Take 2 is about our relationship. That’s something that’s shown in our movies and we were fine with showing that we are opposites. And of course the dating we actually shot the special a while ago when Adam and I were on a break for a year. Adam will be in some of the upcoming episodes of course. IMPACT: What do you love most about your Fiancé? TM: He is always reliable. What he says is what he does. And he just has the biggest heart in the world. This is the thing I love about him, he’s a Christian, but he lives by that moral code cause a lot of people who are Christians don’t live by that moral code and they are just mean. It breaks his heart when someone is hurting. He would give the shirt off of his back even if it’s cold out for someone else. . He is handsome. But to me I think about the things that will matter when we’re 70. I want a man who will be loyal, a leader in our family. His character is con-
IMPACTtheMAGAZINE • 11
crete. You fall in love with personality and you live with character. So many times when I was younger I fell in love with their personality because they made me laugh, they gave me Goosebumps but I didn’t want to live with them and I didn’t even like them after a while as a person. But honestly love found me in the case of Adam because I wasn’t looking for it. We’re somewhat opposites but our foundations are the same. We love family, we love God and we are very considerate of people’s feelings. I would never ever have put us together. Adam will be on the show and people will see who I fell in love with. People will see that we love each other and we’re best friends. IMPACT : Will you talk about God and your faith in the reality show? TM: One time I started talking about God in the reality show and the producer said “Oh no don’t go that route!” (Laughter) See this is what we deal with but I’m sure we’ll add that whether they want to or not. We’ll have to do it in a way that’s not preachy. The thing about Tia and I, we’ve always wanted to preach Inspiration with an undertone of Christianity. We bring people in first with love and kindness then we tell them what we’re all about. Our gift is outside the pews and we believe that is the gift that God has given us!
INTERVIEW
r o t s Pa
One-on-One with
Michael Fisher
Pastor Michael Fisher answered God’s call to minister the Gospel at the age of 18. Now 31 he ‘s currently Senior Pastor of Greater Zion Church in Compton, CA. In 2010 Pastor Fisher led his young adult choir, Voices of Destiny, to Victory in Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound National search for America’s Best Church Choir. We caught up with him to find out more about the Man and his Ministry. IMPACT: Congrats on How Sweet the Sound…how has winning the competiton impacted you as well as your choir? Pastor Fisher: It’s a life changing competition.Since we won Verizon, How Sweet the Sound, it has literally put the choir and the ministry in the light. It brought us out form the back to the front. Everywhere we go we are applauded and congratulated With that comes more responsibility to make sure that we exemplify the character of great integrity, and also we are driven more now than ever, to continue to spread the message of hope and the fact that Christ saves, uplifts, then puts you on a platform to talk about Him. IMPACT: I read that you didn’t want to enter your choir into the competition, is that true? PF: I was nervous, and reluctant. When 2010 rolled around, I really believed that it was our time. I said I think we can definitely do
this and win it. IMPACT: To prepare for competition, I head you all practiced three days a week, are you all still rehearsing so for the Super Bowl and the Stellar Awards? PF: For the competition we rehearsed 15 hours a week. Three days a week, five hours each rehearsal. We’re now rehearsing 10 hours a week. Monday and Wednesday for about four to five hours. Because the sets for the Super Bowl is about 45 minutes, and we perform about three to four times throughout the weekend for the Stellar Awards Show. So we have to get in a lot of rehearsal for those. And we have performances locally. And also on Sundays when I minister at church. IMPACT: You are going to use some of your winnings to build a youth center at your church, is that still what you are doing and do you feel that is still the best way to use the winnings?
IMPACTtheMAGAZINE • 12
PF: The winnings that we received from How Sweet The Sound majority of it will be used for our youth center –about 70-80% of it. The last 20% will be used to repair an extremely leaky roof that we have at the church. Everytime it rains, we get rained on, so we are helping to repair the roof and then we are going to invest the rest of it into finalizing the builiding of the youth center. It’s important to do that in the city of Compton because Compton as we all know is infiltrated with gang activity, drugs, alcoholism, and broken families. We want to be able to cultivate the next generation so they can be positive, so that they can be mothers and fathers and know that they can achieve anything they put their mind to. So those that invest in the youth of tomorrow, are wise. IMPACT: As a pastor, you seem to have a lot going on…how do you get it all done…when you have to pastor and minister, and also
INTERVIEW sing, and you were in a play a little while ago…when do you have time to do it all? PF: I have a lot of help. I have a really great staff. I have three secretaries, two personal assistants. Two assistant pastors. And you have to have a staff of that magnitude when I’m bouncing all over the place to ensure that when I’m not there physically that things get done. I’m involved in community activism, as well as a clergy councilmember to eight project LA, on top of doing assemblies for the free highschools for the Compton region and also mentoring some of the elementary school. I schedule it in a way where I can get from one event to the next event. Since it’s my passion, and I was born to do this, it’s not taxing at all. IMPACT: You began ministering at the age of 18 right? PF: Yes I began at 18 and began pastoring when I was 25. I’m 31 now and it’s been a great journey. It’s been rough, had its ups and downs, and all the sacrifice has paid off. IMPACT: Speaking of Sacrifice, because you started ministering at such a young age, did you feel at any point that you missed out on anything? PF: For a minute I really did. I actually went through about a year of severe depression. I was 26 years old. At this point I had been pastoring for a year, and I looked back over my life, and I said man, I’ve walked away from so many friends, I gave up the whole being young., and partying, and everything like that to do the work of the Lord. And at that time in ministry, it seemed as if I wasn’t
growing and what I was teaching and preaching was not getting through. It just got really frustrating. But quickly after that, things began to turn around, and I got to see the harvest come in and the fruit of the labor. Now I can stand and say, that it was worth it. It was worth giving it all up and begin to plant these seeds at a young age. And I can also see the harvest and the joy at a young age as well. IMPACT: You’re so busy, your ministering, you’re doing all of these wonderful things in your community, as a young pastor, what do you do in your free time? To stepaway from it all. Do you have time do that? PF: Yes, those moments come. When those moments do come, believe it or not, I find peace and refuge, in becoming a child again. I have this humongous collection of Disney cartoons, and Warner Bros. cartoons. I will sit down and get me a bowl of cereal, and watch Disney cartoons for like three hours. I just chill…because as you can imagine I’m on the go all the time, I’m on the phone all
the time, I’m going here and there. So when I have the opportunity to just relax, I just take it in, and chill with some good cartoons, if a movie is out, I’ll go with some of my friends or fellow colleagues. I enjoy myself when I have free time. IMPACT: Dating & Relationships – What is your relationship status? PF: Single – waiting on God IMPACT: What do you do while waiting, how do you wait? PF: While I wait I definitely window shop. I do date…that’s the only way you’ll get to know somebody. It’s a challenge sometimes because, sometimes I have to cancel dates. True story, one day I was in the middle of a movie and one of my memebers called me and a family member had passed away. The family was falling apart and I literally had to leave the movie, in the middle of the movie and go to the hospital – and I had to bring the date with me. It’s challenging IMPACT: Is there any pressure for you to get married PF: The church, not my church particularly, but the church world.
Pastor Fisher and Voices of Destiny at Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Finale in Washington D.C. IMPACTtheMAGAZINE • 13
INTERVIEW
“The young generation is going to a ministry where they can experience God in 3D.” They feel like they can trust a married pastor, instead of a single. So it is a lot of pressure especially since I am 31 now, on the door of 32, a lot of people are like when are you going to get married and have children and have a family. So yea it’s a lot of pressure, but I have to wait until the Lord sends me the right one. I can’t go off of others opinions. Because let me say this, the divorce rate, in the church is a lot of times is phenomenally high. And I feel that one of the reasons why it is, they pressure people to get married, for the sake of getting married. They never really pressure people to find their mate. There’s a difference. I was reading this magazine, to pray and seek the Lord, for your mate. Your mate will last for 45 to 50 years. You can marry anybody and it would last six months. In Hollywood, they just marry for image…but in the kingdom we have to marry those that are our mates that have been assigned by God to help us achieve our purpose. If they get out of trying to impress people and wait on God, then they’ll find the perfect one. IMPACT: How do you deal with the naysayers / haters and people that say they don’t trust a pastor that’s not married or a lot older than you? PF: The scripture is my friend. 1) you can’t talk about marriage because you’re single, I say to them
that every scripture on marriage, in 1st Corinthians was written by Paul, a single man. Paul never got married, he was single, but yet we listen to his words of wisdom about marriage. If Paul who was single can talk about marriage, then Michael Fischer can also talk about what Paul said. Now as far as my age is concerned, Jesus was on the cross at the age of 33. If Jesus can die for us at 33, I can definitely preach the gospel at 31. The conversation stops immediately then they automatically go on to someone else. IMPACT: What challenges do you face? People say that young people aren’t going to church… PF: I don’t think that the young people are not going to church. Heres’ the challenge. You have to understand in our generation, and in the generation after us, we live in a world of reality. The movie industry has transformed the theater experience. Everything is 3D, everything is surround sound because they want to feel like they are in the movie. So with that said, we have a mentality, in this generation of “realness”, tangibleness. We want to be able to touch it, feel it, hear it and experience it. So I think this new generation isn’t tired of church, but they are tired of hearing about a God, who is way up in the heaven and he won’t touch or feel them or be close to them. The young
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generation is going to a ministry where they can experience God in 3D. They want to know that he’s with me in my living room, knows what I’m going through, he understands my issues my problems, and so the challege for me, is to convey that message, to this generation, that God is very much real even though you can’t see him physically. He’s there in your life, if you stand still and listen He’ll talk to you and if you reach out to him he’ll reach back to you through somebody else. IF you give him your dreams, he’ll make them tangible. He is very real. So the challenge is trying to relay that message. I think we are doing a good job getting it across. IMPACT: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our Readers? PF: There is nothing wrong with being sold out for God at a young age. I became sold out when I was 18 years old and now I’m 31, and reaping a harvest. The Lord tells us that young men are for war. That just simply means that he needs the young generation to fight for him, to fight on his behalf. So if you are young and you’re reading this, definiltey do not be afraid to be sold out for God!
If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior Simply pray the following prayer in faith, and Jesus will be your Lord! Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom10:9). I take You at Your Word. I confess that Jesus is Lord. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. Forgive me Lord for everything that I have done wrong. Thank you for Loving me enough to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You for coming into my heart, for giving me a new life and for being Lord over my life. Amen. If you’ve just said this prayer for the 1st or 50th time I congratulate you for making the most important decision of your life. Now Tweet, Email or Facebook us we want to pray for you, encourage you and welcome you into the Kingdom of God!
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COLUMN
The Young, Fabulous & Saved Diaries Y
ou’re everywhere. We see you all the time. Churches. Malls. Work. Bible studies. Maybe even in the club. From your iPod flows gospel music, to hip hop; neo-soul to contemporary praise and worship. You weren’t even really offended that “Jesus Walks” was on BET as a gospel video. You’re young, fabulous, and saved. You haven’t always gotten it right. Sometimes you wonder if you’ll ever get it right. You wake up each day, grateful for another chance to start over; serving a God who is overwhelmingly merciful. Guess what? You’re just like us! You’re not the only one whose wardrobe is in dire need of a “Don’t trip, He ain’t through with me yet” tee. And you’re not the only one who has ever needed encouragement. As we have gone through our life- with Christ and without Him, we have needed encouragement, received encouragement and we have given encouragement.
Being young in itself is a trial. Everyday temptations, which we like to think of as motive meeting opportunity, surface testing our faith and sometimes (maybe even more often than not) win us over. Therefore, being young and saved often times feels like it should be a direct contradiction. It sometimes feels like an impossible feat or an uphill battle. If you are like us, you may find yourself asking, why is that for every step forward, it seems like I’ve made several steps backwards? It is here where grace, mercy, and friendships with other Christians keep us going. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” As young be-
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lievers, we are called to be an example, or rather a MODEL for other believers in speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Despite knowing that the ultimate model of our faith is Jesus, this verse still makes sense, and holds meaning for us. While we all can recall an older person who has been rooted in their faith, I think that we can all agree that we have been equally, if not more encouraged by a person our own age (or younger) who is a strong Christian. As we grow, we should strive to be that person for others who are watching us. So where does fabulous fit in? Fabulous is YOU. Psalm 139:13-14 says “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your
COLUMN works are wonderful, I know that full well.” God has crafted us together to be who we are, and given us a purpose that shall be fulfilled. Fulfilling that purpose isn’t easy- but we must always remember that THERE’S NOT A SINGLE PERSON ALIVE THAT WAS CREATED TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN CREATED TO DO. That’s why you’re fabulous! Now, if only it were as simple as what we’re writing. Sometimes it seems as if faith has been reduced to a simple fashion statement. How many of us rocked the WWJD bracelets when they came out or own a “Jesus is my Homeboy” tee? Remember in middle school when everyone started getting a Jesus piece for Christmas? And it seems like at award shows and sporting events everyone all of sudden finds God. With all of these surface examples of who God is, its easy to believe that to be saved nowadays all you have to do is simply acknowledge God. A really good friend of ours says that, “a lot of people rock religion but don’t even know what they are wearing.” When you rock religion, it’s more than just a fashion statement; it’s a social state-
ment that makes many assume that you maintain certain beliefs. It’s a profession of faith, that says “I am a child of the most high God.” The cross, the Jesus piece, the WWJD bracelet all expresses “I am a believer in God” and “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior; He died for me and He rose again on the third day.” Maybe you didn’t think it was that deep. But really, rocking religion should be an outward expression of a life altering belief system. It’s like baptism- an outward expression of an inward change. That inward change is produced by having an intimate and open relationship with God. It’s not enough to desire to change. You have to cultivate your relationship with God. As you grow in your relationship, you will change. It’s the same with any relationship- the more you spend time with people, you pick up on their habits. When you spend time with Jesus, your habits become like His. In all honesty, growing and maintaining your relationship with God can be difficult. It requires time, discipline, and the willingness to move from where you are so that God can shape you into the person He desires
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for you to be. Remember, God has a unique purpose for you. However, you can’t get there without fully surrendering to Him. There’s much to be said about Jesus. So much that we’ll keep coming back to the Jesus factor. After all, he is the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. But perhaps it’s said best in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
It is our sincere prayer that you, the YOUNG, FABULOUS and SAVED continue to be encouraged as we journal our thoughts: living a YFS life. Sincerely, Your Sisters in Christ,
Erin & Twilla
Melissa Marie Law Clerk
“Being YFS is a Lifestyle. It’s How you Walk, Talk, and LIVE!” Michele Gomez Actress & Host
The Young Fabulous & Saved! Jasmine Hardy Grad Student
Brandee Reddix Teacher/Fitness Editor Daniel Ferguson Manager & CEO Josh Ferguson Actor
Daniel Ferguson Tour Manager WB Studios
Erin Davis YFS Creator/ Writer
Unique Robinson Insurance Specialist
Check out these Fabne.com Young Believers!
Send your photo to INFO@IMPACTtheMagazi Twilla Tanyi YFS Creator/Writer
Nicole Banks Sam Johnson Writer
and you could be featured here too! Aziza Taylor Guest Editor
Sassy Savers Top
7
1. I Don’t Have Time to
Couponing Myths
By: Lori Crawford
Coupon If your bills are all paid in full every month, you’re never late on your rent/mortgage, and your savings acct has a minimum of six months of expenses, then couponing may not be the best option since we’re also called to be good stewards of our time as well as our money. However, if you are always wondering how your paycheck is going to stretch to cover your basic needs, couponing is a resource that you cannot afford to overlook. With the abundance of blogs, forums and entire websites devoted to teaching consumers how to get the best deals, couponing is no longer the time consuming endeavor it once was. Coupon newbies will find an abundance of help on every aspect of couponing from sample shopping scenarios to store coupon policies to sales ads weeks in advance.
2. I Tried Couponing, but
I Never Have the Coupon When I Shop This issue is a simple matter of organization. Part of the couponing learning curve is to discover the method of coupon organization that best works for you. Some people clip every coupon they get and file them in the portable coupon binder filled with trading card protectors. They carry the binder with them to the store. Other people file their uncut inserts by date. When a sale comes up, they simply go into their files, clip the coupon they need, then go to the store. Others may use a method that’s a hybrid of the two. They just clip the coupons they’re sure they’ll use and keep the rest of the insert filed by date in case a deal that’s too good to pass up comes along. Still others use a small coupon organizer in which they file clipped coupons. The methods can be as varied as couponers.
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For the past several years, the economy has been a hot topic of discussion. The news is filled with unemployment statistics, failing businesses and house foreclosures. The good news is; God promises believers that we’ll always have what we need. That may be hard to see when you have past due notices piling up and paychecks are few and far between. However, a little reality check and a whole lot of resourcefulness will go a long way toward alleviating the strain in your personal economy. Coupons are one such oft overlooked resource. In general, coupons are dismissed as a viable savings option due to one or more of the following myths:
The only wrong method is the one that has you forgetting your coupons at home while you’re shopping. If the problem persists even though you’re organized, try keeping your coupon files in your car. This way, they’ll at least make it to the store with you.
3. There Are Never Any
Coupons for the Things I Use The only way this myth can even creep up on true is if you never bathe, never brush your teeth, never wear clothes, never use toilet paper, never need a flashlight, never watch movies…The list can go on and on. This myth may have been true 20 years ago, but it’s not even close now. Manufacturers are putting out coupons for more varied items all the time. Especially when they are trying to launch a new product. Even if you need an item that doesn’t have a specific cou-
COLUMN pon out, you still have an ace in the hole. It’s a little coupon called a Catalina. These are the coupons that print out at the register after you pay for your items. Lots of these are coupons good on anything in the store, including organic products.
4. Coupons Make People
Buy Things They Don’t Need Coupons can’t make anyone do anything they don’t want to do. This all boils down to discipline. If you have no use for the product, there’s no reason to buy it. Simple as that. In fact, a better use of that coupon is to go on the forums and trade it for a coupon you can use. That said, there are legitimate times when you will want to buy an item that you won’t use. These are the times that you can get overage from the coupon. This means that the item is priced lower than the coupon value creating an overage. You use that overage to lessen the price of the rest of your transaction creating additional savings. This is what’s also known as a moneymaker. Buying items that are free after manufacturer coupons are especially valuable when you have a store coupon that is for a certain dollar amount off a total dollar amount. You use the free after coupon items to reach the total dollar amount threshold and add in the more expensive item that you need to get a free store discount.
5.I Won’t Save Enough
with Coupons to Make Buying a Newspaper Worthwhile
So don’t buy one. There are many places to get coupons from the inserts. You can find tons of coupon sellers on Ebay which will also allow you to be more selective in the coupons you get if you’re truly worried about spending money on things you don’t need. There are also independent sellers who make uncut or cut inserts available. If you don’t want to spend money upfront, check out websites like Cellfire and Shortcuts. They offer electronic coupons that you simply load to your shopper’s card. The savings will automatically deduct at checkout. Websites like Smartsource. com and RedPlum.com offer printable coupons. Coupons.com offers both loadable and printable coupons. While you’re shopping look for little boxes hanging off the shelves that offer coupons called blinkies. You can also find peelies on the products themselves. Look Safeway offers coupon booklets monthly. In general, they’re manufacturer coupons that can be used anywhere so grab a stack.
6. Store Brands are
Cheaper Than Brand Names Even with a Coupon Only at first glance. By combining a coupon with a sale on a brand name item, you’re almost always guaranteed to get it for cheaper than the store brand. The key is to buy the item when it’s on sale. Or better yet, when the manufacturer is offering a Catalina deal on the item. There are also times when the store will offer a coupon on the brand name item that can be
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stacked with the manufacturer coupon. Use both of these together when the item goes on sale and you can bet that brand name will be cheaper than the store brand if not free.
7. It’s Cheaper to Buy in
Bulk at Warehouse Stores This is true only if you are not using a coupon stacked with sales. Consider this true scenario: a 24 pack of flour tortillas costs $3.99 at Smart and Final. You have 4 coupons for $0.55 off 1 pack. Now you’re down to $3.49. Not bad, right? Wrong. You still overpaid because Safeway that doubles to $1 has 10 packs of the same flour tortillas on sale for $0.99. You can now use all four of your coupons to get 40 tortillas and you’ve earned 4 cents instead of paying $3.49. Now that’s a good deal. ***A Sassy Bonus Myth*** I Save More Money at the Dollar Store This is the flip side of buying in bulk. Dollar stores can save you money, but you have to be vigilant about checking packaging sizes. It has been my observation that the package sizes can be smaller in these kinds of stores. Even though you are paying less cash out of pocket, you’re also getting less product. Always, check the per unit price. You just might find that you are actually paying more instead of less. Newbie-friendly coupon sites: Afullcup.com Couponmom.com Howtoshopforfree.net
FEATURE
. . . e M d e God Call ! n o t t u B e r o n g I e h t d e s But I Pres nson Joh By : Sam
What is your purpose? What have you been called to do? These two questions are simply complex because they affect everyone regardless of race, religion, or economic social class. From a worldly standpoint, one can be led to believe that it’s not possible to do what one loves to do, be successful, have a family and not struggle financially. However, the bible says God will do exceedingly abundantly, above all that we can ask, or think according to the power that worketh in me. (Ephesians 3:20) In other words, there’s no limit to the abundance of blessings one can receive; of course that is when operating in the will of God. Discovering one’s calling can be an easy task for some but is often a struggle for others. A general observation in life is that there are two types of people: those who make things happen (faith) and those who want or wait for things to happen (fear). The simple step of finding the sole purpose of one’s existence is often overlooked. Many times people find themselves doing things they wouldn’t have ever imagined doing. For every engineer in the world, there’s a guy working at Best Buy who should have been an engineer. In some cases the person who became the engineer is doing it soley for the money but does not have a genuine desire or interest in what he does. Fear quickly becomes the catalyst for individuals to step out on faith to fulfill the assignment God instructed them to do. Fear is then followed by rebellion in which the person denies and disregards what God has told them to do but instead decides to design their own
route. But like a dog chasing its tail, into your life, and if it appears this method leads beneficial apply their methods to to confusion, your life. frustration and deprives one’s Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, energy. you shall eat the good of the land. So what are some ways to know Whatever God tells that one is ignoring God’s calling and t you to do, just do n die Be Obe how does one discover the purpose it. It doesn’t matter for their life? Here is a list of things what friends, family, co-workthat have been instrumental in getting ers or anybody else thinks. If God individuals on accord with the calling for gave you a dream or a vision he’s their life. not going to allow you to have these thoughts and ideas without Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a equipping you with the necessary parable to show them that they should tools needed to make the vision a always pray and not give up. It is manreality. The problem most people datory to pray and converse with have is God gave them the vision God on a daily babut they decided not to do it. sis in order to hear y Pra from him to receive Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is direction and insight on our life’s impossible to please God, because anyone journey. It’s during intercessory who comes to him must believe he exist prayer time in which God can and he rewards those who earnestly seek speak and give ideas, thoughts, him. You have to see the vision visions and guidance that will before you see the Have Fa change one’s life. All it takes is one vision. It might ith word from God and a life that was require you to get once a tragedy can transform into away from certain people, a triumphant victory. relocate to a new city, or even act out on an idea that’s been occupyProverbs 15:22 Where there is no couning a lot of time and space in your sel, purposes are frustrated, but with mind. many counselors they are accomplished. If you’re not James 2:26 For as the body without the Seek sp ir it sure what ual spirit is dead, so faith without works counse l/guida your calling nce is dead also. Act out on what you is in life or what believe. Do whatever it is you love you should be doing seek counsel to do and are naturally gifted and or guidance. Find somebody who talented in (No matknows you well, is successful in r ter what it is) Even if u o y Act out their career, has a strong Christhere isn’t a major faith tian foundation and ask their job/career market for advice. Sometimes the word you your gift God may been waiting need may not come to you, but for you to create the career or God may bring it to you through atmosphere/environment. But if someone else. Listen to their adyou don’t put actions behind your vice, pray about what they spoke faith you will never walk into the
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FEATURE destiny God has prepared for you or receive his blessings. Luke 8:15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep t n ie t a it and bear Be P oming C is e fruit with Your Tim patience. Yes this is the microwave generation but some things still have to be cooked in the oven. In other words no matter how bad you want it, you have to wait on God’s timing and not do things in your own timing. When things are done in our time, our way we interfere with God’s plan and can end up on the wrong path or taking an extended detour which prolongs us reaching our destination. Patience is definitely a virtue. God elevates everybody at different times for different reasons so don’t become impatient or anxious about anything instead trust in the lord and wait your turn. Work w hile you Until the “big wait break” or “breakthrough” comes continue to work on projects/assignments in line with what God has called you to do. Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. God places small assignments before you to see how faithful you are to them while the task is not astronomical. Once he sees that you are faithful to small tasks then he will trust you with larger task and open the windows of heaven with overflowing blessings.
Matthew 21: If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Whatever goals, dreams, Receive It ideas or visions you have receive them in the spirit first and they will manifest into reality. The word says whatever a man thinketh in his heart so is he. Imagine yourself successful, picture yourself fulfilling the purpose God has for your life. If he’s placed something in your spirit to accomplish, he wouldn’t give you the idea without equipping you with the necessary tools to complete the assignment. Receive success. Receive the miracle. Receive the breakthrough. Receive the anointing. Receive prosperity. But most of all receive the purpose and receive your calling and you will be established.
it in the church. (i.e. if you play the piano and your church is in need of a pianist take advantage—you never know how much of a blessing you can be and how much God can bless you by serving him in this capacity).
A person’s success or failure in life will be a result of their obedience or disobedience to the word of God. When we get out of the will of God it takes us longer to get to our destination and God has to reroute us to get us back on the path. It is similar to a GPS. When we decide we are smarter than the GPS and go the way we think is best we get lost and sometimes blame the GPS because we didn’t listen. The times of frustration and confusion are not always coincidences but rather God’s way of trying to get the attention of the ones he loves. The bible is a book that clearly shows anyone who reads it that God wants the best for his children but it’s up to them to receive the things he has in store 2 Corinithians 9:6 Whoever sows sparingly for them. God’s will is just like the will a will also reap sparingly, and whoever person leaves in the event of their death. sows generously e n The only people who can inherit the things o will reap o some t in w o S generously. left in the will are the one’s whose name ream else’s d are in the will. The only way one can We cannot expect for people to receive the blessings and benefits of God is by being in his will. Without being in the invest in our dreams if we don’t will of God one can still have some success invest into somebody el but won’t be able to receive the overflow of se’s dream. Help somebody else make their dreams come true and what God has in store. He says the blessing of the Lord maketh rich and addeth no it would come back to you. sorrow. Everybody has an assignment and The gifts and talents God has placed on the we all have a specific race to run in this inside of you give them back to him so that journey called life. So the next time God calls don’t press the ignore button, answer you may be blessed. G ive you him because what he has to say to you God doesn’t r Gifts B ack to G could change your life or it could change just want you od the world. to tithe your money. He wants you to fully tithe of your time, gifts and talents. Whatever you do well, or as a hobby find a way to implement
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aid S e H
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FEATURE
Single Pastors & Dating
Romantic relationships and dating are a Huge part of youth and young adult social life. Guest Editor Aziza Taylor had the great idea to host a Conference Call with Single Pastors to discuss “dating.” Young Adult Ministers Miracle Reed and Justin Cox joined us to candidly discuss “dating” from a male and female perspective. Q: Are you dating? She Said: No, I’m in an interesting situation. I’ve been seeing someone for about 4 years, but we’re seeking God to see what God has called us to do. We’re both seeking the Lord concerning marriage. He Said: No I’m not dating, not taken. Dating is a serious commitment so I want to make sure its right. I have a lot of checks and balances that I go through to get to that level to open up to date someone. I don’t want to walk down that road and play with Miracle Reedheart and emotions and get their expecsomeone’s tations up . But right now there’s no one I’m interested in.
Q: Is there any familial or church pressure for you to get married? He Said: Yeah from Grandma, and Auntie, saying “baby you getting older.” I was at a Christian concert the other night and all my friends that are married always gather around me saying, “ what’s wrong with you man…when you gonna do it. “ But it’s like you don’t just walk into a room and pick your wife out at random. So, they tend to think that I’m holding out for Esther or Ruth or some kind of woman...I should hold out for the possible best, she’s going to be my life partner right?
Evangelist Miracle Reed Evangelist Reed is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and has been serving the Lord for over a decade. The hand of the Lord has been upon her life from the very beginning. She was born 3 months premature, weighing 1.6lbs at birth and was said to be stillborn; that is until the doctors realized that this stillborn child was indeed alive. The doctors said it would be a miracle if she made it through the night. However, the Great Physician would take over from that point and miraculously save her life. In 1994, Evangelist Reed ministered her first sermon. As a result of her testimony which you will clearly hear throughout her messages she refuses to compromise or lower the standard of “Kingdom Living” but challenges all who hear to live a lifestyle that is daily submitted to God’s will. She is a graduate of the Marilyn J Davis School of the Bible where she received her licensed for ministry as well as diploma in the Bible. She is also a graduate of Geneva College where she completed her undergrad studies receiving Bachelor degrees in both Biblical Studies and Human Services. Recently returning from a 2 year assignment as Youth Pastor in the Virgin Islands at Victorious Believers Ministries under Senior Pastor Reginald Perry, Evangelist Reed is excited about what the Lord is going to do next.
FEATURE Pastor Justin Cox In 1998 a series of events led Justin Cox to believe he was the biggest hypocrite alive, and had absolutely no idea what it meant to be a real Christian. His favorite rapper was 2Pac, and he spent most of his free time playing video games & developing pick-up lines to get girls’ phone numbers. However, this all changed when he began to be confronted with truth of God’s word and with the gospel of Jesus Christ did for Him on the cross. Since then, Justin has been burning with a fire to raise up a generation of people that will do more than talk about their passion for Christ; that will actually be crazy enough to live it out. In 2006 Justin was ordained, licensed and that same year planted a church called The Passion for Christ Movement (P4CM). Three short years later P4CM has been featured on HBO, KJLH, ABC Nightline, VH1, and the Los Angeles Times, and has touched hundreds of thousands of lives across the world. (P4CM’s website has been viewed from over 190 countries worldwide.) But Yeah you do think about it as you get older and there is pressure people put on you and you put on yourself. I am getting older I want to settle down, you think about things like that. Your friends that are older (25 and up) are married with kids. So when you kick it with the homboys, you obviously think about it.
So I would have to say a similar answer to Pastor Cox – there is some pressure - but I’m in no rush!
She Said: My answer is pretty similar and I’m an only grand child. I have people who say “Miracle, when are you going to get married? “ In ministry for a long time now the common question is “is there a copastor in the mix?” It has been challenging because I’ve got a lot of friends as well who are married and have children – so me hanging around friends doesn’t necessarily help. There are some nights where I do desire that aspect of life because I do believe as Pastor Cox has said that marriage is a very sacred union. Dating is a sacred union as well and I feel that it is very important that you don’t just treat it as “I’m just trying to see how he is, and see how this feels.” When dating you have to be commited to what your doing and you shouldn’t settle.
She Said: I really can’t tell you how many men have come to me after church service saying “I feel that God has called you to be my wife.” People see the person in the pulpit and that attracts people. It’s kind of comical to me when people say that because after hearing it a few times I say “ok, well God could not have called all of you, I’m not supposed to be a wife to all of you,” theres something wrong with that. I find it comical everytime and I just say “ok.” As Christians we use that often – God telling us and God speaking to us and really its just self !
Q: Does your position as a pastor and /or minister attract guys/girls?
He Said: I’d like to comment on that for a second all my girlfriends that are evangelist or ministers have all of these crazy marriage proposals from guys.
“As Christians we’re defined by who we date and how we date.” IMPACTtheMAGAZINE • 25
FEATURE She Said: That’s crazy right! He Said: They do, especially if they are the kind of woman minister that takes care of themselves or if there is some kind of physical attraction there as well, if she does her hair, puts make up on...If a guy sees a girl that is sophisticated, attractive, and talking about Jesus, a lot of times guys will say, “well that must be my wife.” Often times too the guys that gravitate to people like that aren’t very strong men. So what I’ve seen in my experiences the stronger the girl is the weaker the husband is. But my situation, I don’t really get girls saying they are my wife, I think girls think more internally, A guy would say it, but a girl would think it and start acting like that. They’ll offer to make you something, girls will start operating like she is your wife, because in her mind she feels that way. In my position, I don’t want to say groupies, they like the title and the fact that you are in the front. I had one girl tell me when she see’s a man in a leadership position it is ynonomous with a man who’s like an NFL player. Like if he’s a leader, it’s almost like he’s a ballplayer, a pastor leader, he could be a leader of the boyscout regimint, he could lead kids on to the yellow school bus, a leader with authority is very attractive to women.
Q: How do you deal with the pastoral groupies?
if she is Kim Kardashian, saved, born again, I’m not going to really trip about it. But if I’m open and lonely, then any girl that comes on to me and ask a question that seems spritual, I’ll be like “oh, maybe we can talk about it at Starbucks and get together, and we can pray...” So I find to protect myself, I have to be full , I need like accountability of other guys that’s been through it like Elder Ben Stephens and he can kinda tell me what to look out for and not to be thirsty and not to be anticipating a relationship myself. She Said: For me, I don’t give contact information anymore. I started doing this new thing where I just do an email address, a general email address to contact me or Facebook. Most of the churches that I minister at, I’ve been there before, the church scene is really small, so if I speak at one church and then at another, you become pretty familiar with the church circle and the scene. So as far as groupies go most people know my stance. They know that I’m very serious about dating, very serious about the person that God has for me. I always have people with me like Pastor Cox said about accountability partners. I’m an only child and my grandmother travels with me everywhere I go. You know grandmas, are constantly observing everything, so I definitely have her as accountability partner as well!
Q: How would you define Dating and How is Christian Dating different then secular He Said: That’s prolly why I’m single. When a girl is inDating? terested in you as a pastor, she doesn’t say “oh you’re fine,” but she’ll say “oh you’re so anointed, can we talk about the bible.” So you don’t even know what you are getting in to. It’s difficult to weed out who is actually sincere. Someone could have a genuine question and are not trying to push up on you while others are just trying to get close to you. In general guys are a little more straightforward, but girls, they may want you to be their personal minister. They want you to be a leader, they say “If you were married, how would you pray with your family?” “Like what would you say to them?” , and I’m like man what kind of question is that, but that’s her way of flirting. It’s harder to detect, but I try to stay in prayer and not be open myself, if God is filling me up it doesn’t matter
She Said: I don’t know how I would define it exactly, but I’d like to focus on the purpose of dating. I don’t really believe in seeing if I like this person or that person. For me the concept of dating is because you have some intention or desire to want to get to know this person on a different level that will ultimately lead to marriage. But not in the wordly way where you don’t have any real sense of commitment. In Christianity there should be a difference. The level of intimacy and time spent should depend on the level of commitment. If I’m giving you my time it should mean something. We automatically assume dating is being
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FEATURE committed to each other but that’s not always the case. The worldly view is more of a casual situation.
Q: Now that we’ve defined dating, is it different dating as a pastor? If it is , how so?
He Said: I’d say dating is a period of critical examination of a person’s character and the likelihood that you will pursue a courtship or marriage. An examination process to see if you are compatible spiritually, does this person have the qualities that I look for. Dating is a commitment to test each other and engage in a one on one research project. It’s NOT a time for the romance stage of commitment. Its hey I see something in you let’s get to know each other while guarding our hearts. It’s the first entry point into courtship and courtship being I want to pursue you with the goal that this ends in marriage. Dating should be a small window to decide whether or not I want to marry you and pursue a courtship. Dating shouldn’t be two people hanging out alone but should involve a community, friends and social gatherings.
He Said: When I wasn’t a pastor I still had a strong Christian foundation and I’d hang out and kick it but now I can’t even hang out with girls because it may be taken the wrong way. Being associated with the wrong person can damage your whole ministry. So as a pastor I don’t date! Before I was a pastor if I got involved in a bad relationship no one would care, but now if I got involved in the wrong relationship it could jeopardize my ministry and my calling. As Christians we’re defined by who we date and how we date. What pastor’s go through is just what every other Christian goes through its just on a magnified scale. She Said: When you’re in leadership people are watching so I have to be careful of my associations and it presents a challenge so I don’t date or hang out too much.
CREATIVE CORNER Gospel under the stars By: Paulzel A great ball of fire Rises in the east as Mother Earth cries. The nature of humans can feel her pain. Her tears kiss me as soft sprinkles of joy amerce my skin.
if you listen closely you can hear the spirits. A man on the moon has learned to walk in a galaxy where there are Star Wars over who’s the bigges Star Trek.
As the steamy Sunkist prepares to set to lavender skies with orange graffiti out west The heavens are spirits the earth is physics Nights ages from youth Day makes senior its Africa is in a sauna. Alaska is free, chilly in the citizen. When the Creator is form of degrees. The Statue of liberty has pleased with days end a tattoo of the American and the night is out the song he plays is Flag across her heart. Gospel under the stars. Sweet St. Louis has a magical golden arch
Extinguishing a Flame (Excerpt) By Deartra Poulson I don’t want to feel this pain That echos my past This agony that overshadows my love I would rather you embrace me Take me Shield me From all bad things From the lightening strikes I feel From the rain that floods my thoughts From the hail that beats upon my chest I’m so heavy
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Heavy with guilt Heavy with shame This resentement follows me wherever I go Keeps me running from it Denying it But yet multiplying it’s intensity to keep making the same Mistakes.
Sp e d th Word!
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