Informed Magazine Introduction Issue by Informed Magazine Introduction Issue 2015

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eeks to promote unity among African-American churches, denominations, and Para-church ministries and, to empower the ecumenical Body of Christ to reach the lost through a collective effort, “One Great Day of World Evangelism.” In addition, ecumenically; its aim is to establish or work with local businesses to establish entrepreneurial academies that train the unemployed to hire or start businesses, creating communal wealth. Informed Magazine’s aim is to create a platform for the prophetic voice which speaks to injustice in our communities and the sin of peoples.

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Briefly, for your consideration, this is how we can fulfill the above. One Great Day of World Evangelism, the Body of Christ unites together on the day before Easter and shares the gospel with a lost person or invites a lost or un-churched person to church. Churches can elect to have a block-party, evangelize door-to-door, or anything they choose, as long as the objective is to win the lost during that day. Read more in the section entitled, “One Great Day of World Evangelism.” Secondly, with so much unemployment in our communities, Christian business owners can lead the way and inspire local business owners to train the unemployed a skill. When training is complete, hire them, or give them a certificate of training so they can seek employment elsewhere, or out of a general fund, we all contribute money to help them start their own business.

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Table of Contents Featured Church or Ministry Brother to Brother Youth Ministry By Milton and Shelia Arnum

Politics and the Church Social Gospel By D’juan Hopewell

Community Development: Building the Waste Places By Dr. Betty Palmer

Leadership: How God Develops Leaders (Isolation) By Dr. David W. Hopewell Sr.

Healthy Life, Healthy Eating Gwen’s Recipes Gwenn Glass

Life-Style and Health Maintaining a Healthy Body By Dr. Beverly Taylor

Healthy Finances How-to Manage Your Money By Michael Edwards

Winning the Lost through Communal Wealth A Moment in African America Church History Tribute to Hampton Ministers’ Conference, and an article featuring By Dr. Fred Luter African American Denominations Arts and Music in the African American Church If the Preacher’s Jumping, I Should Be Too By D’Lisa M. Robinson

68 69 77

79 80 84

African American Church and Youth How –to Reach Our Youth? By Minister Tommy Conley

Youth Platform African American Youth in the Spotlight

African American Youth and Business How –to Reach Our Youth? By Sir. Markadoo

Understanding Health Care By Isaiah Jeremiah

Women in Ministry By Dr. Patricia Pace

Healthy Families: How-to Raise a Godly Inheritance Principles for Successfully Raising Children By Dr. and Sis. Edie Hopewell

Christian and Business Features African American Christian Business By Dr. Betty Dillon

African American Poetry

98 99

Christian Business Principles By Charles du Plessis

FEATURE ARTICLE Divine Shifting By Dr. David W. Hopewell Sr. Evangelism, African American Church Unity, The Highest Form of Evangelism By Dr. David W. Hopewell Sr.

One Great Day of World Evangelism

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57 61

Healthy Marriage and Relationships Principles for a Successful Marriage By David Hopewell Jr. African American Church and Missions Featuring Rev. Sidney Holston

103

Church and Community News

107 108

Testimonials

Magazine

Introduction

nformed Magazine is a new quarterly magazine that targets the AfricanAmerican Faith Community. Each article builds on the previous article by informing, educating, and empowering the reader. Informed Magazine seeks to promote unity among African-American churches, denominations, and Para-church ministries and, to empower the ecumenical Body of Christ to reach the lost through a collective effort, “One Great Day of World Evangelism.” In addition, ecumenically; its aim is to establish or work with local businesses to establish entrepreneurial academies that train the unemployed to hire or start businesses, creating communal wealth. Informed Magazine’s aim is to create a platform for the prophetic voice which speaks to injustice in our communities and the sin of peoples. Briefly, for your consideration, this is how we can fulfill the above. One Great Day of World Evangelism, the Body of Christ unites together on the day before Easter and shares the gospel with a lost person or invites a lost or un-churched person to church. Churches can elect to have a block-party, evangelize door-to-door, or anything they choose, as long as the objective is to win the lost during that day. Read more in the section entitled, “One Great Day of World Evangelism.” Secondly, with so much unemployment in our communities, Christian business owners can lead the way and inspire local business owners to train the unemployed a skill. When training is complete, hire them, or give them a certificate of training so they can seek employment elsewhere, or out of a general fund, we all contribute money to help them start their own business. Lastly, we would also like to suggest, for your consideration, that this publication

encourages and inspires dialog between leaders from across denominational lines to meet, exchange ideas, teaching initiatives, programs, and strategies that strengthen churches and our communities. Perhaps, we can all benefit by our willingness to cross-pollination. In addition, when crises or significant events occur within our communities, the ecumenical team of leaders should be the prophetic voice to the church and community. Leaders can meet or conference call to pray, support local community leaders, develop strategies, and recommend solutions to assist the community and promote unity within the community affected. We would serve as the prophetic voice within our communities. The principles in Acts 15 would serve as our model and guide for this to be successful. I am only talking about things that affect the church universal and our communities; things that govern or affect the denomination would remain within those governing bodies. I am a part of the African-American community. The statistics are alarming relative to crime, poverty, homelessness, and all other ills in our community. With so much going on that needs healing, how can we bring healing to others, if we are in need of healing ourselves? I only come along side the local church, as one of the gifts that foster unity and help develop others until we come into the “unity of the faith.” Read more in the “Unity” article that follows. The magazine is just one of many other voices that loves and desires healing within our community. The AfricanAmerican Community of Faith is part of a much bigger picture, the Body of Christ, which makes up all peoples of the earth

I am a part of the AfricanAmerican community. The statistics are alarming relative to crime, poverty, homelessness, and all other ills in our community. With so much going on that needs healing, how can we bring healing to others, if we are in need of healing ourselves? I only come along side the local church, as one of the gifts that foster unity and help develop others until we come into the “unity of the faith.” Read more in the “Unity” article that follows. who have accepted Him through salvation. Perhaps this magazine, along with the efforts of others, through writing, teaching and preaching the gospel will help, in some small way, foster unity and help our community cross-pollinate our gifts and callings. In other words, bring our gifts and talents to the table for His purpose so others may see and know Him. Isn’t that what it’s all about? As we work together to heal our scars and wounds, we will become unified and whatever part of the body we are, will function at its maximum level to help make the Body complete. I strongly suggest all leaders read the magazine, but especially the following three articles: Divine Shifting; Unity: The Highest Form of Evangelism; and the article on Leadership.

Dr. David W. Hopewell, Sr. informedmagazine@gmail.com.

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ho are you? Why another magazine? Are you being Afro centric, excluding other Christians?

teaching and preaching the gospel, in some small way, will help foster unity and help our community cross pollinate our gifts and callings. In other words, bring our gifts and talents to the table for His purpose so others may see and know him. Isn’t that what it’s all about? As we work together to heal our scars and wounds, we will become unified and whatever part of the body we are, will function at its maximum level helping to making it complete.

Well, I consider myself as just other clergy who is a voice crying in a wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. I’m a husband, father, author, seminary professor and a businessman. Why the magazine? In short, I am under a mandate by The Spirit of The Lord to do so. For those who understand what I just said, let those who sit in spiritual authority discern. However, for those who want to prove, investigate, make light of, foster division between those who are legitimate and are consumed with a passion to fulfill their assignment before they stand before God, I love you and am praying for you, but, I have no time to neither explain myself nor stand in your judgment. I’m not about nor desire to be part of confusion, drama, or pitted against my brothers and sisters in the Body. I strongly suggest all leaders to read the magazine but especially the following three articles, Divine Shifting, Unity, The Highest Form of Evangelism, and Leadership. Secondly, sometimes we are territorial and only will read or hear others within our own denominations. Perhaps this format will invite all Believers to be unified or at least consider we’re family and can work together. I do not seek to steal, kill, or destroy, that’s the work of the enemy. I only come along side the local church as one of the gifts that foster unity and help develop others until we come into the “unity of the faith.” Why the African American community and not the entire Body? While teaching 6

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Our intentions are clear and our objectives for the magazine are as follows: evangelism seminars and leadership seminars across the country, and students at Beulah Heights University in Atlanta Georgia, where I am an adjunct professor, I have always stated that Jesus died for all, and if we only reach those of your own race or culture, we segregate the gospel! Yet, as others are call to specific ministries, cultures or peoples group, in addition to being called into the entire Body of Christ, I’m called to my own people. The African American community is my community. The statistics are alarming relative to crime, poverty, homelessness, and all other ills in our community. With so much going on that needs healing, how can we bring healing to others if we are in need of healing ourselves. The magazine is a vehicle that can be used by myself and others to help promote healing and foster unity in the African American Community of Faith. The African American Community of Faith is part of a much bigger picture, the Body of Christ that makes up all peoples of the earth that have accepted him through salvation. Perhaps this magazine, along with others efforts through writing,

1. Help foster unify within the African American Community of Faith 2. Help develop healthy leaders 3. Develop healthy communities and families 4. Connect with and develop our youth 5. Empower and inspire our readers through information and current events 6. Foster generational continuity 7. Empower underemployed and unemployed to start businesses 8. Develop strong Great Commission Churches Each article builds on the previous article, thus educating, informing, and empowering the reader. I trust God and ask your prayers and support in this effort. If you have ideas, suggestions or ministry models that our community can benefit from, and that will contribute to God’s call on our community, the Body of Christ, and will bring glory to His name, we welcome them and ask you to submit them at: informedmagazine@gmail.com.

Dr. David W. Hopewell Sr.

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Featured Church or Ministry Brother to Brother Youth Ministry pg. Milton and Shelia Arnum

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and voicelessness made them easy prey. While God has allowed many to escape, many still remain inside this glass room that allows them to steal an occasional glimpse of the American Dream.

antonio is a little boy that God placed in my life to bless me and to teach me about criminal law and justice for all. I now know that God allowed me to witness his journey so that I could use my voice to advocate for him and others similarly situated. Ironically, I was trained at an early age to use my voice to recite bible verses and Easter speeches. Throughout my junior and senior high school career, I was trained to speak and to enunciate. During this same time, my high school English teacher assigned the class a book to read and to write about in the form of a term paper. The book was entitled to “Kill a Mockingbird” and it had a profound impact on me. From it, I learned a theme that I would later incorporate into my practice of law. I learned that you never really know a person until you have walked around in their shoes. I also learned that it is nearly a sin to silence the mockingbird because their only goal is to provide sweet music to ease our troubled souls and that God has appointed certain people to protect His mockingbirds so that they may sing and not be silenced. This is a formidable and unenviable task because the mockingbirds are often societal rejects that are despised, ostracized, and criticized. However, they are easy to recognize because they have been marked and labeled as the project people, ghetto, sinner- in- need- of- aSavior, or simply the “hood.” The truth is that they are poor people with powerful testimonies but their circumstances have rendered them voiceless. I practiced as a defense attorney for 10 years and in my own arrogance, I thought that I could speak for them because I knew them and even understood them, as many of them were African Americans. Years later, I began

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prosecuting them with this same kind of thinking. Apparently, God recognized my smugness and decided to knock me off of my high-horse by taking me out of my plush office to actually walk in the shoes of the people I claimed to represent and later prosecuted in the name of justice for all. Although I was defending and prosecuting adults, God placed children in my life so that I might witness the root of problems that I saw manifested in the lives of my adult clients. My journey to advocacy began. I had already spent 12 years in high school, 4 years in college, and 3 years in law school. I had been practicing criminal law for nearly 16 years as a federal defense attorney as well as a federal prosecutor. Although we were not perfect, my family and I were living in a very nice home in the suburbs with our two car garage and all of the worldly trappings of success. Yet, Santonio’s world was much different. In his world, children need not worry about an afterlife of hell because they are born smack dab in the middle of hell with its full orchestra of police and ambulance sirens, cussing, beatings, colorlessness, hopelessness, and despair. It was as if they had invisible signs over their heads that said “Children of a lesser god” and they were completely vulnerable and unprotected. At a young age, they were forced to learn street survival skills rather than math and science. They appeared to live in an inescapable bubble that would confine them to a life of poverty and crime. I also learned that this inescapable bubble of poverty

Many of the people that I had been defending and prosecuting were misunderstood victims, who were left without a forum to explain and voice their pain. Contrary to popular belief, many of them are hardworking people who appear to be on a cruel treadmill that doesn’t care how hard they run or work. Many of them are single moms and grandma’s who work menial jobs and rarely earn enough to make ends meet or to escape the hell that their confinement offered. Many of them depended on public transportation to take them to rich neighborhoods so that they could clean toilets and raise the children of others at the expense of their own children. They cleaned homes, school cafeterias, and airports while their own home environment remained roach infested with rodents feeding on the content of commercial trashcans that seemed to never be emptied. Many of these single moms also cooked great meals for others to eat while their own children suffered from malnutrition and asthma. The most heartbreaking part of my journey was watching the faces of these women as they appeared in court to witness the slow and brutal spiritual death of their own children. These hard working women cried silent tears that fell on the inside and out of society’s sight. Many of them attempted to escape the realities of their situation by drowning their sorrows in drugs and alcohol. I had no idea how anyone, especially children, could survive this harsh and brutal world and, despite my own “worldly success,” I was often haunted by those invisible signs that simply read “children of a lesser god.” But with much joy, I am proud to announce that that is not how the story ends! In His infinite Wisdom, Love, Mercy, Grace, and Faithfulness, God commanded his Angels to teach them, guard them and to protect them from harm and danger and even spiritual death.

While reading Dr. Hopewell’s book, “The Joshua Ministry, God’s Witnessing Army,” he describes our youth as Generation X that society had X’ed off. Yet, they’re part of God’s army, His gang, His witnessing army. I saw America’s Dream team take action as we started, Brother-to-Brother. We would monthly bring boys from rival gangs and different apartment complexes to the campus of Greenforest Community Baptist Church. There was never any conflict between them. Only God could do this. The holistic approach the Lord gave me was three-fold. Teachers taught problem-solving and critical thinking during the day, and local police officers taught leadership, team buildings, physical stamina and discipline after school. And on the weekend, God placed them at the feet of his best soldiers and used the Word of God to teach them that they were children of the Most High God!!! Once a month on Saturday, the boys would arrive at Greenforest where men would meet them as they exited busses. We would greet them, love them, and build relationships with them. We were creating an atmosphere of acceptance. After thirty minutes of Bible, the boys would go outside for an afternoon of fun, basketball, go-carts, horseback riding, all kinds of outdoor events. God used his Dream team to transform the minds, hearts, and souls of His children so that they may experience and carry

out His dream for them. Although they have been grossly underpaid and even persecuted, America’s Dream team has served as surrogate parents for children of others while raising and providing for their own children. They have demonstrated their trustworthiness, while often doing the impossible for the ungrateful. They are the only ones that can transform the weeds that are choking the life out of our communities and turn them into seeds that may be assigned to that same community. God used children to renew my mind and to transform me into an Advocate rather than an attorney. After this transformation, it became impossible for me to do business, church, or school as usual. As hard as I tried, I could not “unring” the bell and ignore the lessons that I learned. Despite my many years of formal education, law practice, and degrees, Santonio and the other children became my teachers and I was once again the student. My sincere prayer is that God will allow these children to give hope to other children who are similarly situated, so that they too may experience the joy and blessings that these young men and their parents are currently experiencing. They are now advocates who are absolutely capable of persuading their peers that they too are children of the Most High God and that the American Dream is actually God’s dream for them too.

Santonio was literally the worse student in the school. He had even physically assaulted a teacher. God used this ministry model to turn Santonio around. By the end of the year, he received an award for being the most improved student. It was the first time he heard people cheer for him. Darius won the Nick Cannon Halo award and has just finished his first book. He graduated Magna Cum Laude, and is the first in his entire family to graduate from high school. He has also authored a book entitled, “Breaking the Cycle.” Brandin is about to graduate from Alabama State university. Brandin nearly died of cancer at the age of 4. However, God had other plans. He is currently studying medicine. Mckie is currently a youth pastor. The list goes on and on. God has allowed me to walk in the shoes of a defense attorney, prosecutor, wife, sister, friend, and others but the most challenging, yet rewarding ones, have been the shoes of a mother. As mom, I am prosecutor, defense, judge, jury, doctor, and psychiatrist. My prayer is to continue the work that I started so that other mothers may cry tears of joy rather than tears of sorrow. In his Word, God promises that, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” I’m looking for many opportunities to simply say “good morning” to my sisters.

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Politics and the Church The Church and the Whole Gospel By D’Juan Hopewell “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” - Isaiah 58:6 “I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.

True Religion: Political Action What if our church services are meaningless? What if God is utterly unconcerned with our religion? I absolutely believe both of the preceding is true. Ultimately, unless we undo what is wrong and oppressive in our world, it isn’t possible that people of faith will live out that faith in any meaningful way; nor is our faith that valuable to an oppressed world.

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But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” -Amos 5:21-24 The prophets are quite clear. God is concerned about releasing oppressed people from their oppression and injustice. Religious form and ritual have no substance. The challenge for people of faith moving forward is to identify oppression in the modern day and to discern where justice is lacking.

In a very real sense, the two go hand in hand. What is just and right must not be oppressive and vice versa. To offer a practical shortcut, frankly, merely listening to the daily struggles of the poor and vulnerable will not lead us to many of the most urgent priorities which will bring solutions. It must be said that we often struggle to identify oppression, because it often embeds itself in and camouflages with our daily surroundings. It is often subtle and indeed accepted as the norm. At one time, many attended church on Sunday and beat their slaves on Monday. Many understand the evil in that and yet seem unable to comprehend that if slavery were never abolished in this country,(suggestion –Many understand that form of evil, yet fail to comprehend that if slavery had not been abolished in this country…. it would still exist in a very different form. Surely technology would render manual cotton picking useless and perhaps it would look very similar to the employment practices of WalMart. Whatever the oppression, and regardless of where injustice surfaces, it is clear that our “religious duty” is to undo the condition.

The reality is that physical chains must be physically unlocked. It would not have been sufficient to free African slaves spiritually, and then send them back to the cotton fields and subject the women to rape and torture. They had to be freed physically which required a shift in the nation’s public policy: a shift from policy that undergirded the injustice of slavery to one that moved people from oppression to freedom. I would submit that in today’s world, oppression and injustice are still upheld by public policy. To fight oppression now, to seek justice in the present context, require fighting existing policy constructs and replacing them with new ones. We do not often hear this sort of language in our churches. One must wonder why. As we examine our world, undoubtedly, oppression exists. It is beyond debate that vulnerable, hurting people are all around us. We must ask ourselves whether our personal and collective religious experience has made any impact on

The prophets are quite clear. God is concerned about releasing oppressed people from their oppression and injustice. Religious form and ritual have no substance. The challenge for people of faith moving forward is to identify oppression in the modern day and to discern where justice is lacking. In a very real sense, the two go hand in hand. What is just and right must not be oppressive and vice versa.

their oppression and if not, what is the point of our religious faith and practice? If the Prophet Amos could alert Israel of the insignificance of their temple worship, we must not think that our church services are any more valuable. I would like you to join me to continue this discussion. We must learn to discern where and how oppression and injustice manifests today. We will discover how public policy undergirds those evils and what a proper response from the church might look like. This is the journey I’d like for you to join me on. After all, Dr. King said that “A religion true to its nature must also be concerned about man’s social conditions....Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion. Such a religion is the kind the Marxists like to see---an opiate of the people.”

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Community Development Building the Waste Places By Dr. Betty Palmer

ommunity Development is God’s big move! God called me into this movement more than twenty years ago and it has become my passion. What is faith-based community economic development? It is the involvement of faith-based institutions in projects designed to revitalize low-income communities, establish sustainable economic development initiatives, attract investments, build wealth and encourage entrepreneurship. In 1985, while living in Philadelphia, PA, as a member of the National Association of Market Developers, I attended its Annual Conference in Los Angeles, California. While the conference’s focus was around marketing strategies and particularly creating supplier diversity in the market place; there was an economic development piece. A group of trailblazers from Texas gave an awe inspiring presentation on the economic impact of the Black Church and its collective potential to create wealth across the nation (the creation of banks, businesses, insurance companies, etc). To think that the Black Church had such potential economic power was a

spiritual setting, gave me hope for my vision to work with churches in developing more relevant programs, particularly community economic development. In 1986, I received my Associate of Arts degree in Urban Ministry.

remarkable awakening. I was amazed and moved to action. Upon returning home to Philadelphia, I began to think about how I could help make a difference in the Church’s outlook on economic development initiatives. I enrolled in a church management course at the Center for Urban Theological Studies. My course of study in Urban Ministry also included developing in ministry and theological courses. Being able to place church and community in the context of a

In 1986, I began to pursue a graduate degree at Eastern College (now Eastern University), located in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. I enrolled in Eastern’s innovative program in Urban and International Economic Development. The business/economic development and theology courses, along with a field practicum, helped me to develop a theology of development. Throughout Biblical history, the Scriptures have articulated God’s provision for caring for the poor. And the church would be the forerunner in carrying out this mandate. In the summer of 1987, I had a special enlightening experience that exposed community development and missions on a more practical level. I was a volunteer for the National Black Evangelical Association Conference and in attendance were two urban ministry thought leaders from Atlanta, Rev.

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Crawford Lorits and Rev. Elward Ellis. They were promoting their Destiny â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;87 Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Attending the conference was a lifechanging experience for me as I met people from around the world who were excited about local urban and international mission work. During this visit I met a local pastor, Rev. George O. McCalep, Jr. whose church, Greenforest Baptist Church in Decatur, GA, was experiencing exponential growth as a result of its innovative programming. Sharing with Rev. McCalep my vision to work with churches in creating economic development programs was refreshing. He encouraged me. Something felt so right about that visit. Months later I reconnected with Pastor McCalep and discussed the possibility of an internship with his church. After a few conversations, we created a plan for me to establish an employment service and conduct a feasibility study to determine if the Church should start a Christian academic school. Subsequently, I served as founding administrator, as I organized the school. In the summer of 1991, I had an opportunity to again meet with Dr. Robert (Bob) Lupton, founder of Family Consultation Services (FCS) Urban Ministries. I had briefly met him at Eastern University while studying there. FCS Urban Ministries enjoyed a national reputation as one of Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading community economic development organizations. Located in the Grant Park and Ormewood communities, it operated as an umbrella organization for several small ministries with similar visions Also, Bob was chairing the planning committee for the Christian Community Development Association Conference (CCDA), to be held in Atlanta. During that conference, I met Dr. John Perkins, Chairman of CCDA and founder of the CCDA movement from Jackson, Mississippi, who by many is called the Father of Christian Community Development. Dr. Perkins led many

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community development initiatives in Jackson and Mendenhall, Mississippi. The following year, I was offered a position as executive director of Creative Interchange (now known as FCS Community Economic Development) under FCS Urban Ministries. I was responsible for leading and reorganizing the businesses that would provide resources and services to communities In 1997, I ceased an opportunity to enhance my community development skills and knowledge. I attended Harvard University School of Divinityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Summer Leadership Institute in Faith-Based Community Economic Development. My continued work in the community uncovered awareness that there was a missing link. Churches, small ministries and nonprofits were in need of technical assistance in nonprofit development and business start-up. Thus, I created Resources for Community Development. I have provided technical assistance to many leaders in the area of nonprofit startup, business plan development, fundraising development and community development strategies. Higher Plains Community Development was a ministry of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta, pastored by Rev. William Flippin, Sr. I began working with in helping to strengthen their youth programs. A Youth Empowerment recognition initiative that recognized community youth for leadership qualities was created. Also, a youth empowerment program was added. This was a program that partnered with the public schools to provide intervention services to students who either dropped out of school or was interfacing with the Juvenile Justice System. Providence Community Development Corporation operated under the umbrella of Providence Baptist Church, pastored by Dr. Gerald Durley. I was hired to develop a job readiness and placement

program which was funded in partnership with Turner Broadcasting. Adding the Job Training Program provided another empowerment opportunity for the community. It equipped many of the young mothers, whose children were in the Providence Head Start Preschool Program, with employment training and jobs. My next opportunity in 2002, would be a bit different; it involved training leaders for community economic development at Beulah Heights Bible College, (now Beulah Heights University). This would involve creating a new curriculum and the Institute for Urban and Global Economic Development. On July 30, 2003, we held the historical opening of the Institute for Urban and Global Community Economic Development which provided technical assistance in community development. Simultaneously, the Bachelor Degree in Urban and Global Community Economic Development rolled out along with the Institute for Urban and Global Economic Development. It was the only one of its kind in the nation, in a Bible College. We had a unique opportunity to impact the faith community. I was appointed Chair for the Department of Urban Studies and Associate Professor. Students captured the vision and were excited about opportunities to transform poor and underserved communities. Today, students are continuing to impact their communities through their own community development initiatives. In conclusion, this passionate community developer remains excited about how God has used me to perpetuate the community development movement. I remain hopeful that more churches and faith-based organizations will be inspired to join the movement.

Coming in the next edition: A Theological Foundation for Churchbased Community Development

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Leadership How God Develops Leaders Dr. David W. Hopewell Sr.

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wasn’t until I began to prepare to teach a leadership class at Beulah Heights University, that God allowed me to put handles on my wilderness experience. In fact, the wilderness experience is only one component used in the process of God to prepare leaders. In addition, my wife can affirm my usage of three words that she has heard repeatedly over the years, pattern, process, and principles. While preparing for my class, one of the books for the class was entitled, “The Making of a Leader,” by Robert Clinton. For the first-time, I was able to put handles on the process of God. In his book, he produces a time-line of the stages God takes a leader through to develop them. In upcoming articles, I will share information from the timeline as we broaden our understanding relative to how God develops leaders. In addition, beyond the time-line, I will share my own personal experience and development, as God pushed me through the birth canal.

Some leaders aspire to head positions with little or no training. At the same time, there are those who have received academia training and place high level and dependency upon what they have learned to spiritually lead congregants. However, beyond the cognitive and functions of ministry we learn in our matriculation through academia, there is an additional process God takes leaders through to prepare them spiritually for their assignment. The academia is only one part of the preparation process. To miss or opt out of the other components of preparation, will leave a leader in a spiritual arrested development state. Arrested development is the behavior disorder whereby the individual has not grown beyond a certain point in their life. The individual has never progressed beyond a certain age level, and, functions as a child within an adult’s body. Some leaders fit into this restrictive disorder, spiritually speaking. Some leaders possess compassion and inspiration to lead others, but cannot lead people where they have not been, spiritually speaking. The academia

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process, the University of Man, while necessary, cannot break chains, and undo heavy burdens of congregants who are held in bondage by a cruel taskmaster and a devastating past. The “process of God,” prepares the leader for their assignment, and shapes the heart of the leader. While the seminary experience basically prepares the leader for function of ministry. The process of God, holistically speaking, focuses on every event and circumstance of life. While we revere harsh situations and circumstances in life, we should never discard them. God uses them to prepare the leader for their assignment and to shape the heart of the leader. We are all in the process of God, or University of God. Duration depends on the assignment and graduation to the next level only comes when we submit! God has been taking me through a process that for years, I referred to as “the wilderness.” In fact, my mother and other family members have told me that I always talk about the wilderness. It

The process of God is not embraced by all leaders; this is evident by childish behavior and character deficiency displayed in leaders. The process of God will either draw you or drive you. In subsequent articles, we will discuss the following. - The difference between calling and assignment. - Types of leaders - How God uses circumstance - Foundation gifts - How God guides - The different tests God uses and His expected outcome - How and why God shapes the heart of the leader - Spiritual authority and warfare will be viewed differently - Time Test - Wilderness Test - Servant Test - Test of Opportunity - Warfare Test - Misunderstanding and Conflict - Authority Test- (Luke 4) - Submission Test - Isolation Test - Convergence The previous statement will not be

embraced by all leaders. However, leaders that have experienced and embraced the process, conclude the following. • You will be able to ascertain where other leaders and churches are, relative to spiritual growth. • You will be able to ascertain where you are in the process. • You will be able to ascertain your foundation and spiritual gifts. • You will most likely find out that you are not as far along spiritually as you thought; however, you might be where God wants you. Some of you are experiencing isolation presently. I feel I don’t need to wait but talk about isolation now. Isolation is one of the elements we experience during the process of God. In the leadership section of this magazine, isolation would have been addressed during the, “ministering maturing phase.” However, because of the current isolation some are currently experiencing in ministry, I feel The Lord wants me to start with where many of us are, in isolation. Isolation is used by God to mature a leader, deeper relationship with God, shape one’s heart, reveal new ministry assignment, make an adjustment in current assignment, or shift one geographically. There are two forms of isolation, self isolation and isolation ordered by God. If you are feeling alone, burnt out, overwhelmed, withdrawing from people and ministry, agitated, wrestling with God, feeling extreme periods of frustration, depressed, numb, just going through the motions, extreme anguished relative to where God is, Heaven has become silent, afraid to live and afraid to die, you’re in or are at some point of isolation. For some, God is using isolation to correct character. Some, God is shaping the heart. Some, God is giving a new ministry assignment or trying to get you to make an adjustment where you

are currently serving. Others, God is shifting you geographically. Usually strong emphasis and character development occur early on in the spiritual developmental process of God. However, if we refuse to learn the early lessons, opt out of the process, or leadership becomes a position of dominance, glamour, and attempt to build our own kingdom; God may have you in some form of isolation. Some leaders have learned how-to function in ministry, absent of the Spirit of God. It’s evident they have opted out of the “process of God,” because they’ve not developed in character by their misuse of people, commanding attention, tantrums when they don’t get their way, and wanting to be served instead of serving others. I’ll address this relative to the process later. However, the leader’s character suggests he or she is someone other than God desires them to be. So, God uses isolation to change character. The story of Jacob illustrates this principle. Jacob was alone (isolation), and wrestled with an angel. During the struggle, his joint was dislodged (broken). Isolation breeds brokenness and brokenness is when we come to the end of ourselves and cry out for God’s intervention. During this time, Jacob’s character was changed. His name changed from deceiver to prince

of Israel. Joseph, another example, heart shaping occurred in his life through isolation. Joseph is the one character in which the complete development process can be seen. However, if we fast forward, we can see Joseph in sever isolation in chapter’s forty and forty one of Genesis. Chapter forty one opens with these words, “At the end of two full years”. A pattern in Joseph’s life might suggest problems in relationships. Two years earlier, he had told the butler to tell Pharaoh, he was placed in prison unjustly. Two years later, he stands before Pharaoh without opening his mouth. He is now broken; the fullness of time has come. Before I continue, let me interject this comment. Some are in isolation because, like Joseph, Heaven has become silent. The vision seems dead, and you feel like God has forgotten you. Yet, it’s not your fullness of time. Time is clock time, but fullness of time is when God steps into your time and things begin to move, and doors begin to open. Some leaders need to repent because you have something on your heart against God. Like Jeremiah, we want to accuse God falsely. However, before God can move us out of our deepest periods of isolation, INFORMED Magazine 23

our hearts must clear of anything against him for the adverse circumstances we experienced during the process. God told Jeremiah in chapter fifteen, “If you repent, I’ll restore you. The greatest period of isolation in Jesus’ life was on the cross. He said, “my God, my God” why has Thou forsaken me?” God allowed isolation to accomplish a bigger plan. Jesus exchanged isolation for the power of God! Back to Joseph, he could have withheld or even killed his brothers. He could have even pronounced judgment toward them. God used the time of isolation to shape his heart. If God had not shaped his heart, he possibly would have destroyed the nation God desired to preserve. Isolation also occurs when God is giving us a new ministry assignment or shifting us in a geographic direction. The story of Elijah reveals these two points. I Kings 19 is the story of Elijah running from Jezebel. He is in a cave alone, (isolation), and desired to die. A strong wind came, which speaks of our circumstances,

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

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then the earthquake, this is what shakes our foundation. Everything is tested. Every word you have given. Every promise you have held to is brought before you. Will you stand as you have told others? You stood when circumstances came, but will you stand when you’re very foundation is being shaken? The fire, when every dream becomes a smoldering heap of chard ashes. It’s during this time, when God, doesn’t address why we are where we are, or what events lead us here, but he shifts us geographically or gives us an assignment, verse 15, “Go by the way of the desert, and anoint Hazael king of Syria, assignment. Sometimes we can be doing the right thing, but need to make an adjustment. In Luke 5, the disciples were fishing all night but caught nothing. The disciples had given up. Have you given up? Jesus’ word to them was, “launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought.” In other words, you’re doing the right thing, just make an adjustment.

THE JOSHUA MINISTRY The Joshua Ministry provides the following venues to share your training needs On Site: Greenforest Community Baptist Church Decatur, Georgia Online Classes or Weekend Modules Available at your Church. Evangelism Training Book

School of Evangelism Register Online When it comes to impacting you community: 1. Would your church be interested in a simple yet effective outreach plan for reaching men? 2. Would you be interested in learning practical strategies for reaching youth? 3. Would your church be open to connecting with other congregations to saturate your entire community with the gospel? 4. Would members of your church be interested in learning how to pray and share the gospel with lost family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors? 5. Would you like to learn how to mobilize all members of your church for sharing Jesus? 6. Good news-all of the above can happen because it is happening in churches of all sizes ministering in all types communities across the country. If you would like more information about ministry training opportunities or resources visit www.joshuaministry.com or contact David Hopewell at email: dhopewellsr@joshuaministry.net or call 404 759-3649

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THE JOSHUA MINISTRY

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Gwen’s Recipes GWEN’S GRILLED SALMON SALAD

3-4 lbs. Salmon Fillet 3 - 8 ounce cans Mandarin Oranges (drained) 3 Granny Smith Apples (diced and soaked in Lemon juice) 1 Cup Walnuts 3 pounds Baby Spinach or Organic Spring Mix 16 ounce bottle of Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing •

Portion the Salmon into 3 inch pieces and marinade for at least 1 hour with fresh minced garlic and Lawry’s Lemon Herb Marinade.

• • • • • • • •

Grill until done, browning well on each side. Let cool. Rinse Spinach or Spring Mix to wake it up with cool running water. Drain and then pour in a large salad bowl. Break Salmon into bite size pieces and place on greens. Garnish with Apples, Mandarin Oranges and Walnuts. Pour bottle of salad dressing over salad 15 minutes before serving. ENJOY!!!

Secret Ingredient ala Gwen secretingred@gmail.com 678-886-3334 INFORMED Magazine 29

Life-Style and Health Maintaining a Healthy Body

By Dr. Beverly Taylor MD, FAAFP

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Caring for the Temple 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Christians have long recited this scripture or other versions like this one that speaks of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glorious gift of our bodies as temples. We know that we are to take care of our spiritual health through prayer, meditation and seeking His word. The plan for how to take care of our physical health is often not as clear to us. Of course you can go to your health care provider for ideas for preventive care or for the treatment of illnesses or diseases that you may encounter. However, more and more we are being asked to become more involved in our healthcare; to take responsibility for our health; or for the purpose of this article, to take care of our temples.

If you think about it, this really makes sense for us to be more involved in our health because your healthcare provider is only with you for 15-20 minutes for an average office visit but you are with you, your temple all of the time! So what is the best way to do this? Prevention is the best way to prevent illnesses or injury to our bodies. This includes the childhood immunizations that our children receive during the early years of their lives; to safety precautions such as seat belt usage or head gear for bicycle or motor cycle usage; to the immunizations and health screenings we receive as adults. There are three levels of prevention: Primary Prevention: methods used before the person gets the disease. Encouraging people to get annual flu shots is an example of the primary prevention of influenza. Secondary prevention: used after the person gets a disease but before the person realizes that anything is wrong. Screening mammograms would be an example of this level of prevention. Finding and treating breast cancer early can lead to a cure in many cases.

Tertiary prevention: targets the person who already has symptoms of the disease. The goals at this level are to prevent damage and pain from the disease; to slow down the disease process and prevent any complications; and to restore health and the ability for the person to be able to engage in their normal activities. Currently most health care in the US occurs at the secondary and tertiary prevention levels. Once a disease is identified efforts are made to prevent the progression of the disease. Increasingly patients are becoming more involved with their own care. The concept of self-care has encouraged patients to read more about illnesses, to ask questions about treatment options and seek alternatives to traditional treatment plans. It is important to become involved at this level but we must do so with the correct information in order to engage in our own care. Self-care is different from just receiving information about a disease process in that it takes into consideration your ability to manage all of the ways that the disease or condition may affect you. This includes dealing with the symptoms, treatment, the fears, myths, lifestyle changes and the cultural impact you may experience once receiving a diagnosis. Martha M. Funnell, MS, RN, a noted diabetes self-care advocate has identified four of the most important lessons patients need to understand about diabetes: 1. The illness is serious 2. The condition is essentially self-managed 3. They have options 4. They can change your behavior These are important lessons for anyone dealing with a disease. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s explore these four points with emphasis on your role as a patient.

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The illness is serious: Some patients will convince themselves that the illness is not the serious form of the disease.

You’ve heard people say, “I have a touch of diabetes.” OR “I don’t really have COPD, its just asthma! If you don’t believe that you have a problem, you won’t make the necessary changes to improve your health.

The condition is essentially self-managed: You are the most important person involved in the management of your disease. All of your day-to-day choices will have an impact on your illness. Changes in physical activity and in dietary practices will impact the disease process.

You have options: There are many effective ways to treat a condition. You should seek information from your provider and other qualified sources to assist you in making a decision about treatment. It is of no benefit to you to have a treatment plan that is too expensive for you or one that you have no intention of following. You can change your behavior: Behavior change is not automatic! It takes time for patients to process the diagnosis and the treatment recommendations. It is best to make changes in a stepwise approach. Lifestyle changes are usually the first step with changes in you level of physical activity and choices for nutrition.

We have explored the importance of caring for the temple that God has entrusted us with. We can do this best through preventive measures and through active partnership with our health care provider to manage the disease and improve our overall health status. Knowledge is power! Becoming educated about the disease is the best investment of your time. However, you should be cautious about where you obtain this information. Everything that appears in the internet or even in written word is not necessarily accurate. Secure information through disease specific sources such as the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society or others. There are numerous choices and most of these organizations devote considerable time and resources to educating the community. Remember, it is up to you to take care of your temple and in the process enjoy the greatest gift of all!

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Healthy Finances How-to Manage Your Money By Michael Edwards

y name is Michael Edwards and it is a humbling opportunity to be called by God, through Reverend David Hopewell, to share some things with you about financial stewardship. I was born and lived in Cleveland, Ohio until the age of 12 when my grandmother, on my mom’s side of the family, died. This eventually led to my family moving to a farm in Virginia to be with and care for our grandfather. I often refer to that farm as “Old McDonald’s Farm” because it had cats, dogs, chickens, pigs and cows. I even had the pleasure of milking “Old Sukey”

twice a day during most of my years in high school. We grew corn, hay and tobacco along with having several acres of garden for our own personal food. On that farm, God taught me a lot about how to work smart instead of hard. He also showed me how much people need each other regardless of age, level of education, race or position in life to survive and thrive. It was many years after leaving the farm that I realized how much I had learned about the love and sacrifice that a loving family makes for each other. Then, after completing a two year degree in electrical engineering INFORMED Magazine 35

technology, I was employed by IBM for 33 years. My last 12 years with IBM were in sales. As a Client Representative, assigned to sell into financial institutions in South Florida, I consistently achieved my quotas and received multiple achievement awards. As a manager I received and successfully met quotas exceeding $100 million dollars. Currently, I am blessed to be retired and able to serve as the Stewardship Chairman of our church. My journey in the Stewardship Ministry began 15 years ago. I served as one of many counters who were responsible to open the offering envelopes and separate the cash contributions from the checks. Additionally, I served in stewardship education where we focused on helping members of our church and community come to a better understanding of what stewardship means from a biblical perspective. We used practical ideas as a basis of applying proven fundamental methods to achieve financial stewardship. How often has someone told you to be a better Christian or steward but never helped you understand how? Our educational focus was on “the how” with an understanding that no matter how much or how little we have, all of us can become better stewards. Our main text book was the Bible. We also used material from Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsey, Deacon Charles Buffington and other sources. In 2010, I attended financial counselor training where I was taught to gather information and understanding in an effort to give suggestions that inspire hope and action. My main reason for attending the training, was to be able to help my mother make good decisions on what to do with money she was starting to receive from her Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA’s), expiring Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) and the Social Security Department. The training also helped with the stewardship education classes at church. Let’s move from my testimony to the reason Reverend Hopewell contacted me. With God’s help, these articles on

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financial stewardship will be presented in a building block fashion. My intent is to present clear, definable and repeatable steps that will result in a greater quality of life through reduced debt and increased savings. Scriptures will be used to support what is being presented to you because the Bible continues to be our source. As you read the Scriptures, I strongly encourage you to read the entire chapter and beyond to gain a better understanding of the verses being referenced (2 Timothy 2:15 - KJV). All of the scriptures being referenced are the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise stated. Our starting point will be what stewardship is and why we should even bother to be good stewards. Dictionary.com defines stewardship as “the position and duties of a steward, a person who acts as the surrogate of another or others, especially by managing property, financial affairs, an estate, etc. The responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.” While this definition is accurate it is secular and can be expanded. If we consult Holman’s Bible Dictionary we find that stewardship is “utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation. Stewardship permeates the pages of the Bible, because how we respond to God is at the heart of the Book. Often stewardship is thought of only in terms of finances, but the Bible teaches that stewardship is a far greater concept, involving how we respond with all our life to Him who is the giver and sustainer of life.” From these definitions we can see that we have a great responsibility to God and His possessions, which includes ourselves and our relationships (Luke 12:47, 48). God desires for us to have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10), but that is not limited to our finances and that takes it well beyond prosperity gospel. God is creator and owner of everything (Psalm 24:1), but allow us dominion over what is His (Genesis 1:26). He gives to each of

us according to our ability to handle (Matthew 25:15), but so many of us are convinced that we are a “self made” success. The true basis for financial success or any other success is our faith in God (Matthew 25:21 & 23). My financial journey has paralleled my spiritual journey in many ways. As I have grown in my personal, intimate relationship with God, I have also grown in my understanding of what He requires of me. I have never been rich by the world’s standards, but God has blessed me to be successful (in the world) in many ways. And now in my retirement, He has blessed me to be living a life of significance (in His service). Hopefully, it is very clear that God has made us stewards over everything, but for the purposes of this series of articles I will be focusing on the financial aspect of stewardship. You may be interested to know that Jesus spoke about money more than any other topic. If you go to biblegateway.com and do key word searches on Money, Gold, Silver, Finances, Borrow, Debt, Lend, Buy, Sell, Tithe, Wage, Wealth, Riches, Greed, Poor, Talent you will discover that money is talked about over 2,000 times in the bible. God in all His wisdom knew where we would need the most help. How we relate to money has an impact beyond what a lot of us may want to acknowledge. Here are some current financial statistics: 1. Marital Problems - 37 percent (the highest rate) of marital problems come from financial situations (Relationships). 2. Cash Flow - 70 percent of all consumers live paycheck to paycheck, meaning they run out of money before the end of the month or the end of their bills (Quality of Life). 3. Savings - The average family would have to use a credit card to pay a $1,500 unexpected expense (ex: home or car repair) because they have no emergency savings (Provision). 4. Retirement - Nearly half of all

much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12)

Americans (46%) have less than $10,000 saved for their retirement (Inheritance). As I come to a close, there are several scriptures about money I would like for you to read and pray over. Remember, money is not the root of all evil; it is the “love” of money that allows evil to come into play. •

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,

faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:6-12) •

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

•

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

•

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with

•

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” (Proverbs 21: NLT)

•

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 3:6-12)

I pray what has been shared today serves as an inspiration and encouragement for you to look forward to the next article which will talk about savings. INFORMED Magazine 37

Join us for praise and worship at Overcomers Christian Fellowship 7373 Covington Hwy Lithonia, Georgia, 30058 Phone (770) 465-8687 Website ocfinternational.org

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40 INFORMED Magazine

Healthcare Final Expense Life Insurance Myths & Truths About What It Is & Why We Need It

ISAIAH JEREMIAH Final Expense Advisor

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BURIAL AND LIFE INSURANCE: What is the difference?

Also, they would get a loan to pay for and sponsor their shipments. In turn, the merchants would pay cithe lender an additional amount of money in exchange for the lender’s guarantee to cancel the loan/ the debt if the shipment was stolen or lost at sea.

When insurance is the topic of the conversation, typically most people know something about what it does or know someone who does. Whether the dialogue rings of truth or a mix truth and fiction; the topic of insurance seems to inspire more myth truth in some contexts. So for the sake of communication, let’s start settling on a definition of what the word “insurance” alludes to. Basically, insurance is a method of transferring risk to a company (an insurance carrier) who in turns provides a guarantee of compensation (payment) for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a premium.

* Also, the GREEKS and ROMANS introduced the concept of health and life insurance about 600 BC when they created GUILDS called “benevolent societies.”

The Historical Context of Insurance The first methods of transferring or distributing risk were practiced by Chinese and Babylonian traders about 2-300 years before the birth of Christ. The concept of insurance was used by Chinese merchants travelling very dangerous rivers such as the Euphrates River. They would REDISTRIBUTE their cargo across several ships to limit the loss from any single vessel if it were shipwrecked in the stormy rivers or oceans waters. 42

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These societies cared for the families of deceased members, as well as paying FUNERAL EXPENSES of members. That’s where the idea of a “beneficiary” to an insurance policy originates from. So, in modern terms: Final Expense is a specialized form of life insurance designed to reduce or eliminate 100% of the costs and expenses that’s passed on to our loved ones (beneficiaries) which is created by a loss from death. It’s also called “BURIAL INSURANCE” because it designated specifically to help our loved ones and family members pay for the expenses of funeral and burial costs....BUT NOT necessarily to leave an estate or money to them. That’s another topic. The advantage to you is: burial insurance, cost associated with the “RISK” of dying is guaranteed to be paid by an insurance carrier to YOUR beneficiary at your time of death as long as the premiums have been paid and the policy is currently in FORCE. With the aforementioned backdrop in mind; let’s attempt to separate fact from fiction as relates to Final Expense Life Insurance.

Myth 1

All Final Insurance Plans Have the Same Underwriting/Approval Guidelines In the last three years the phrase “final expense” life insurance has become household phraseology popularized by endless “no obligation” commercials. This is probably the most consistent incorrect “assumption” about final expense most consumers innocently believe. Unfortunately, the abundance of these mini movies seemed to have sanctioned the average viewer into believing a one size fits all fallacy. Truth Is: The type of coverage and benefits offered per carrier does matter in relationship to the consumer such as: specific Limitations of Coverage & Benefits, the number of Uninsurable (“knock out questions”), Significant Health Questions (type of health questions asked and the “look back” period regarding the underlying condition) Third Party Phone Verification (TPPV) requirements. Here’s why. Final Expense applications nowadays are typically evaluated for approval or disapproval by the carriers what’s referred to in the industry as “simplified underwriting”. In other words, standard underwriting procedures such as medical exams are waived as part of the application process for these type of policies. In most cases, even the health questions are not very invasive either. As a result, clients who may have or had a history with medical challenges such as heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes, COPD and even liver transplant may apply for and get approved for immediate coverage. In fact, about 95% of my clients get approved for immediate coverage even with some of the health conditions referenced above. As a 50 year old African American man with hypertension, I can definitely appreciate the benefit of relaxed underwriting guidelines.

Myth 2

All Final Insurance Policies Pay Out The Same Regardless of The Carrier. Due to these relaxed guidelines referenced above, I have been able to assist clients with obtaining Final Expense Life Insurance with severe health challenges such as COPD, recent Heart Surgery and even a Diabetic amputation. Truth is: The average consumer may not understand that Final Expense is still life insurance and the carrier is taking on a risk by relaxing the standard industry underwriting guidelines to provide a higher chance for the client to get approved. So, here’s where the cookie cutter myth turns to bread. To offset the “risk” of losing money a result of a large number of death claims being filed from clients early, DO NOT offer the option for IMMEDIATE coverage upon approval, even if the client is in perfect health. They offer what’s called “Guaranteed Approval” or “Guaranteed Issued”

policies. The term “Guaranteed” in this context means the applicant cannot be turned down or denied for approval of coverage when he/she applies. However, these types of policies DO NOT/WILL NOT pay the face amount as a claim to your Beneficiary(s) if you die of natural causes including terminal illness or disease during the first 2-3 years that you are paying the policy premiums. In this scenario, your policy would only return the premiums plus interest to your beneficiary(s). Conversely, these types of polices will only pay the full face amount if your death is due to a covered accident.

Myth 3

It Doesn’t Make a Difference If You Use a Term Policy or a Whole Life Policy to Fund a Final Expense/ Burial Coverage Most of the time I hear this from one of two sources: (1) An agent who sells only Term Insurance (2) A client of an agent who sells only Term Insurance. I’m just kidding, mostly. Truth is: It depends. That’s one of the reasons why one of my favorite Scriptures Proverbs 4:7 – “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” This timeless wisdom is just as relevant as the quasi deductive reasoning required to apprehend the most beneficiary insurance coverage for your particular financial needs at THE TIME you apply for insurance. IN other words; the answer to this question for you should be derived from the coupling of timing, intent and purpose. So, let’s start with purpose. As to insurance; TERM is an abbreviation for “terminate” (to stop, cease). True to my abridged definition - it does just that. Term policies contractually end or “terminate” at a specific time in the future, i.e. 5 years, 10 years, 20 years or 30 years. When a term policy ends or terminate; that’s it. No more insurance coverage. That’s because the original intent and purpose of Term insurance adheres to functioning as a funding source for: spousal income replacement, children’s college funding, and debt cancellation, during a person’s early adulthood until his/her early 40’s. And that’s because it’s very inexpensive for a lot of coverage. That’s the upside. Now of course, most term policies allow the policy holder to “renew” the coverage for another designated amount of time. However, you guessed it; the premiums are to going to increase substantially - anywhere in the range of 100-400%. As an example: a 20 Year $150,000 Term Policy for $45/ month could jump up to a range of $90-$225/month at the time of renewal depending upon your age and your health. Further, if a term policy is used for Final Expense (ages 4575) a BIG downside is that you are at risk of not being able to afford to keep (renew) the term policy in 20-30 years after it expires. In this scenario, in order to maintain life insurance for the purpose of paying for your funeral and other expenses

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associated with your passing; you have limited options. You could renew high term policy, purchase a “Pre-need plan from a funeral home, don’t get any life insurance and pass the financial burden onto your spouse, loved ones, family & friends or church.

Myth 4

All Final Expense Whole Life Burial Life Insurance is Way Too High. That may have been the verdict 10-15 years ago. Now there’s a lot of competition for your business and people are living longer. Truth is: as a professional agent, a Christian and an African American man; I do not know that the best option for most people between the ages of 45-75 in the scenario referenced in Myth #3 is whole life-permanent policy which will not increase in premium over the life of the policy nor can it be canceled except for non-payment of premiums. Whole life - permanent policies work to the advantage of applicants if you have a high propensity for life threatening diseases like Hypertension, Heart Attack and Stroke. The premium for most of these polices with the carriers my agency, Covenant Life Benefits Group partners with range between $15-$59/month. Furthermore, due to the relaxed underwriting guidelines and the “lock-in” rates and benefits upon approval, I believe members of African American Churches, especially, should utilize these advantages.

Myth 5

If the claim was never filed; after 5 years, you can’t file a claim nor collect proceeds on a life insurance policy. I don’t know how this myth got started. But it’s NOT TRUE. Truth is: Unlike claims that are handled by a civil court, there is no time limit (statute of limitations) on filing a LIFE INSURANCE claim. However, according to law; the person or persons filing the claim must have the right to file the claim in the first place. Typically, being named --- in writing-- as a [primary] beneficiary or “contingent” beneficiary as stated by POLICY OWNER(S) on the insurance application or the insurance application must be in writing. Also, a change in beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary as stated by the Policy Owner(s) on the insurance application must be in writing. Also, a change in beneficiary usually must be in writing on a Change of Beneficiary Designation Form. This point regarding the Policy Owner(s) is very important because Aunt Mabelene -- the Applicant on a $25,000 policy, may have 44 INFORMED Magazine

appointed Tommy Lee (her favorite nephew) as The Owner of her policy. However, at the time the application was taken --Aunt Mabelene wrote your name down as her PRIMARY Beneficiary. You know this because she gave you a copy of the policy for safe keeping. However, four years later (about 9 months before Aunt Mabelene died from cancer); Tommy Lee requested a Change of Beneficiary Designation Form and wrote in his name as the Primary Beneficiary and sent it back to ABC Insurance Company. I’m not trying to make light of a serious matter. Just pointing out one of the reasons life insurance proceeds do not get paid out to people who may have been listed as a Primary Beneficiary. One of the other reasons is: the policy is lost and no one can find it. More about lost policies in future articles. And by the way, the person filing the claim can be one of a list of beneficiaries or an institution like a church.

Myth 6

Whole Life Final Expense Policies automatically “terminate” when the policy holder (insured) reaches age 85. This is a little confusing. I have had several clients, friends and relatives ask me about this. Truth is: Not true though. Age 85 is typically the industry standard “cut off” age at which a person can apply for a whole life - permanent life insurance policy. However, once approved, the coverage remains in force until one of the following ages (a) 100 (a) 121 depending upon the carrier, etc. Thereafter, and upon either of those ages, the policy will “endow”. In essence, this means that the amount of cash value in the policy is equal to the face amount of policy. At this point, you do not pay any more premiums and the insurance company sends you or your Beneficiary a check equal to the Face Amount of the policy minus any outstanding fees owed. For Term insurance the cut off is typically age 65. They do not endow.

Myth7

If you buy a funeral plan from a Funeral Home in advance; you can’t use your insurance policy to fund it --- you HAVE to use the Funeral’s Home’s “Pre-Need” plan. Not true at all, and...Illegal for the Funeral Home to request that you must use a specific funding source (including their own) to purchase funeral services in advance.

Truth is: Totality of your rights as a funeral services consumer are delineated and protected under the 1984 Funeral Rule Act as legislated by the Federal Trade Commission, more about that in future articles. Meanwhile, you have to right purchase funeral services from a licensed funeral director at any time in advance. Typically, the savings can be as high as 60% and the cost is “locked in” by purchasing “packaged” plans. However, over the last 10-15 years, most African American disproportionately tends not to buy funeral services in advance. Typically, you have various funding options by which to purchase funeral services in advance including: an insurance policy, insurance policy assignment, cash, cash value allocation, stocks, fixed annuities or a Trust. If you choose any of these options to fund your funeral in advance; YOU control whom you want to designate as the Beneficiary(s). Conversely, a true “Pre-Need” plan is a legal contractual agreement between you and the funeral home for advanced funeral services at a set price. In this case, whatever funeral home you choose and is contracted with is typically the ONLY Beneficiary.

Looking Forward... Upcoming Articles Of All Thy Getting: Why It’s IMPORTANT to Get THE RIGHT Expense Insurance for you Choosing the wrong Final Expense Burial Coverage could cost you time, money and unknowingly result in your waiving your incontestability rights. In future articles, I will walk you through some proven steps that will ensure that you obtain the best burial coverage that will take care of family’s need just as you planned. The Malachi Principle: Why YOUR Final Expense Life Insurance Should Matter To Your Pastor There are over 100,000 churches in the United States. Most are small to medium in size with about 25-500

members. Some even host over 20,000 members. Look at this. The average cost of a funeral/burial cost in 1970 was $983. Today the average cost of “good” funeral is $7,000. However, if just 3-7 members of their congregation or extended family die uninsured during a time period of 3-7 years - the final burden oftentimes shifts to the local church and the Pastor. In this scenario, the Church and Pastor could end up staring in the face of a funeral cost bill of $21,000-$49,000. The Malachi Principle shows Pastors, and church leaders how to use the concepts of members final expense insurance as gifting assignments to further the Kingdom. About The Author Jeremiah Israel is a licensed producer in the state of Georgia and President of Covenant Life Benefits Group, a Christian based insurance agency. He specializes in providing affordable Final Expense and Burial Insurance Plans to the senior market ages 45-75. He conducts workshops and seminars churches, pastors and senior living facilities regarding the importance of preserving individual, family and community legacy by utilizing insurance products. Prior to starting his own senior market Final Expense agency; Mr. Israel worked in various capacities in the legal and insurance industry approximately 15 years. His past business law insurance experience includes Litigation Analyst at a major law firm in

Los Angeles, CA. His consumer insurance experience includes Financial Advisor with MetLife Resources and Primerica. Mr. Israel studied Organizational Communication at the University of Texas (Arlington) and Business Law at Los Angeles City College. Mr. Israel’s advice and insight as to how neglecting to obtain appropriate life insurance for burial coverage impacts the Church (specifically African American Pastors and congregations) can be heard on the PrayLive.com education channel beginning in the month of September 2014. He can be contacted at (404) 937-4052; email: covenantlife.benefits@gmail.com

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2. THE NEED FOR FINAL EXPENSE / BURIAL INSURANCE 9 mins (A) Death is one thing you cannot PREDICT, PREVENT, EVADE or AVOID QUESTION: If one of your loved ones passed away...what would you be doing today? ---ANSWERS---(i) In addition to grieving from the emotional loss: Most people will be faced with making some poor decisions due to the emotional burden of losing a spouse, family member, friend or loved one. (ii) Most people have little or no experience in dealing with the details of handling a funeral; nor do they know what’s needed. (iii) Most people actually end up OVERSPENDING on funeral burial costs because they are pressured to make immediate decisions. (B) STATISTICS (i) The Problem Chart 2 mins (ii) The Facts on Funeral Planning [Green Trifold] 2 mins (iii) Funeral Cost Estimate Chart 2 mins (iv) QUESTIONS/ANSWER: 3 mins What are YOUR choices? Rely on family member, friends ---- THE CHRUCH, YOUR PASTORS? In THIS economy... are they REALLY in a financial position today to pay for your funeral out of pocket BORROW money, mortgage your house? $7,000, $9,000, $10,000? Deplete personal assets, ruin your savings and retirement funds? Simply put... IT HAS TO BE DONE or YOUR LOVED ONE WILL BE FORCED TO DO IT LATER SOLUTION: You can get PEACE OF MIND in about 10 minutes that LASTS A LIFETIME by simply transferring the cost of 46

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your burial, funeral and final expense to a Top rated, reputable insurance carrier and let THEM pay IT. It’s AFFORDABLE with monthly premiums customized around YOUR budget and... it saves your family $1,000 of dollars in the future. Let’s take a look at one of the carriers my agency partners with...Lincoln Heritage! The Patient Protection and Affordable Care act, which was signed into law in 2010, has been called PPACA, ACA, death panels, affordable care act, “throw mama from a train” and others names, but is most commonly called OBAMACARE. The intend of the law was to help with the enrollment of a greater percentage of the population into health plans, without pre-exiting condition clauses, without limits of coverage, without rates based upon sex of individual being offered insurance, plans with minimum essential benefits and plans with affordable rates compared to current market rates. With all of the good benefits one would assume that everyone would be on board, since the only way to control cost is to effectively control consumption. This can be done by controlling chronic diseases: high blood pressure, diabetes, COPD, Asthma, cholesterol many of which are lifestyle related and can be controlled by follow-up, education and disease management, all of these programs are part of the OBAMACARE plans. It is estimated that there are 46,000,000 citizens less that age 65 who don’t have insurance, in the first open enrollment over 8 million obtained coverage through the Affordable Care Act or OBAMACARE. In the coming weeks and months, we intend to expand your knowledge of this law and its positive effects upon the lives of those who seek to obtain coverage. We will also discuss facets of the law such as subsidies, copayment versus co-insurance, formularies and other parts of insurance that you will benefit from the knowledge of.

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THE WAY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 1760 Snapfinger Rd. Decatur, GA. 30032 Dr. Prince Williams, Pastor

PLESE COME WORSHIP WITH THE WAY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES!!!

ANOINTED SERVICES Sunday Morning:

Wednesday Evening:

Discipleship Class (all ages) 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.

Intercessory Prayer 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Bible Study

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7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Women in Ministry BY DR. PATRICIA PACE

reetings, reading audience, I am delighted to begin our relationship in Christian communication. I will be discussing real issues that relate to women, but could be used by all readers. There are many topics to come such as: The Born Again Experience

•Gifts in ministry •Overcoming Rejection •Women in the Ministry •Women Ministers and Family •Women Facing a Financial Flood •Women Set Free

understanding, so they can walk with straight backs, heads in the clouds, communing with you, arms unfolded releasing fear and doubt, and standing tall as they stand with assurance that they are born again and ready to go out in the vineyard or go higher in ministry. Bind us in Christian love to know you in the free pardon of our sin. Amen, Amen, and Amen. Have you gone to church, given your name for the roll, and started to work with all your might and found yourself angry with the church, the preacher, and everybody else and now ready to leave? Have you worked hard as a woman to be and stay married but everyday there is an argument and beyond? You go to work and you feel as if you have caused all your troubles and you are ready to throw in the towel?

We want our time together to start with prayer, discussion, questions/suggestions, and /or “How to….”

Have you been in more than one marriage and you think something is wrong with you? Does it seem you can never get anything right and some preacher or man tells you, “It’s all right?” Yet, you don’t know what to do or have a clue?

Let’s start with prayer: Father, God, in the name of Jesus, I come this day to shed light on The “Born again” experience. Allow my words of discussion and encouragement to move on the hearts of my sisters and bring deliverance and

Have you really wondered whether you were saved because of the challenges, the storms, the pain, the disappointments, and the shame of life coupled with the pressure of trying to help other while trying to help yourself?

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Well, I believe a talk about Salvation is appropriate here. What does it mean to be born again when you are still cussing, lying, wearing a church mask, going to clubs, drinking socially and overly slipping out on your mate with someone else’s mate or maybe with the preacher, the deacon, or your neighbor. You further go to church dressed as a Barbie doll with stiletto shoes, weaved hair, nails sparkling, and make up ever so smooth, late for worship but wearing $500., but giving a George Washington. You can’t fool church folk. They have all done it and can’t be judgmental, but we have a testimony and are ready to tell you that God loves you. There are sisters who are unashamed of the Gospel and want to tell you, like me, “DROP YOUR LOAD, cast your eyes upon Jesus for He cares about you.” Now, you, too, have a testimony. Somebody told me one day that all I just wrote about is forgiven and His blood paid the price and now is

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the time to give your life to Jesus. They said it would not be easy but rewarding. It takes place in a moment but it is ongoing. It’s not overnight, but lasting, strange at first but you will be enlightened, and praise God something happens that you can’t explain because as the song goes, “There is something within me that holdest the reins, something within me that banishes pain, something with me I cannot explain, All I know is that there is something within.” That something within is the Holy Spirit. He has been there all the time wanting you to surrender, stop putting up barriers, building walls, and running from His call or His work. Now then, how do you get and know you are born again and can stop your drama? I am glad you asked. I saved the best for last. Let’s go to The Word. It was Jesus Himself who first used the words ‘born again” in John 3:1-10. We see Jesus talking to a ruler of the Jews, a leader who like many of us, despite our religious training or educational

background, still have some spiritual matters we don’t understand. To get a better understanding, you can look at II Corinthians 5:17. Paul tells us that, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things pass away; all things become new.” Read Paul’s conversion experience (Acts 9:1-9) on the road to Damascus. He literally became a new person on the inside. He was born again by the supernatural power of God into His own image (this is another hot topic for our learning). His life was not the same. Believe it or not, many churchgoing people and leaders have never had that experience. They know like Satan knows, Jesus is the Son of God. What Paul did and you must do is let your nature, the inner woman change where you can receive Jesus in a personal way as Savior and as Lord of your life. That means in control of your life. If that has not happened yet, today can be the beginning of a new life for you.

Remember: Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” That means that God has a plan for you and in John 3:16, God says he loves you. You are sinful and separated from God. We have all done, thought, said bad things and “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. The result of sin is death, spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23). God sent His Son to die for your sins, Christ passed a very real test! He overcame the world, His flesh, and

the devil, and thus qualified to pay for the sins of the world. Jesus died in our place so we could have a relationship with God and be with Him forever. It doesn’t end with His death on the cross. He rose again and still lives! We can’t earn salvation; we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith in Jesus His Son. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, which Christ died for you sins, and ask His forgiveness. Then turn from your sins, that is called REPENTANCE. What matters to Him is the attitude of your heart, your

honesty. Say this short sinner’s prayer aloud and mean it from your heart: Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I will trust you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life, help me to overcome and do your will. Let me know if this article was helpful. See you next time when I will discuss Gifts in the ministry. Rev. Dr. Patricia P. Pace, Pastor Redan United Methodist Church Email: revmrspace@yahoo.com

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Christian Business DENTAL FAMILY DENTIST DR. BETTY DILLON, DDS

God Uses Setbacks, Disappointments and Even Traumatic Events to Change the Course of Our Lives Have you ever found yourself in a state where you felt defeated, disappointed, and confused? Have you ever felt that you have reached that invisible ceiling and found yourself saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is as good as it gets!â&#x20AC;? Have you ever felt that you will never regain anything better than what it was you just lost? If so, let me share with you how God uses these setbacks, disappointments, and even traumatic events to change the course of our lives.

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am from Magnolia, Mississippi. My parents, Monroe and Luvarn Dillon, raised 14 children (7 boys, and 7 girls) with little education and very hard work. My father had little more than a sixth grade education and my mom did not receive her GED until 1978; yet they both knew the value of education and made sure that we all went to high school and most of us went to college. After graduating with a chemistry degree from Southern University, my first job was as a polymer chemist for Ciba Vision. We made new products by putting raw materials together, some of which were hazardous. Sometimes they reacted in an unpredictable way. One morning I came to work and found there had been an overnight explosion in my lab. After investigating the cause of the explosion, the chemical manufacturer told us that we literally made a bomb. At this point, God got my attention, and I reevaluated my dedication to the chemistry field.

to open my dental office and signed the lease. However, when I signed the lease, I did not expect to be turned down by every bank to which I applied for a loan. The banks could only see a single parent with a lot of debt and no business experience. By adding the lease to my obligations, I was in a worse predicament than before. Now, I felt defeated! Nevertheless, when you are at your weakest, God’s strength is revealed. I did not give up. I used my savings that I earmarked for my taxes and purchased

me rather than another doctor who also wanted the space. He responded, “You didn’t have much money, but you had the largest vision!” He reminded me that when I signed the lease with my then 8-year-old son, I made the statement that I wanted to expand to have the entire floor with other doctors working for me. I also wanted to provide a place for my son if he wanted to become a dentist. My son is now 22 and a senior at ClarkAtlanta University. He plans to become a dentist. I not only expanded to acquire the entire floor, I now own the entire building and have other doctors working for me. I have always had a desire to give back. I work in a constantly growing and diverse community with many economically challenged people. I have traveled with Greenforest’s Women on Mission IV missionary trips to Haiti and Jamaica, organizing the dental care. In 2008, I hosted a health fair project at my office called Dentistry from the Heart whereby dentists and hygienists gave a day of their time performing free dental services. This year we added medical doctors to donate their services and our project is now called Healing from the Heart.

With much prayer, I decided to change my career path and pursue dentistry. I

equipment from a doctor who had gone out of business. There was not enough

had two brothers who were dentists, so I applied to dental school; and in 1991, I

money left to buy supplies. I started on a wing and a prayer.

attended Meharry Medical College. I was newly divorced, older than most of my classmates, and the mother of a 4-year old son. In 1995, I graduated,

One day, while in Office Depot, I saw the president of First Southern Bank. I

In conclusion, God is the orchestrator of our lives. He uses setbacks, disappointments, and even traumatic events to push us outside of our comfort

approached him and said, “Hello. Your bank rejected my loan application, but I

zone and change the direction of our lives. In our weakest moments, God’s

will be successful with or without you guys!” He looked amazed and asked, “Who are you?” I told him who I was and about my leased space. He said , “You know, I remember your loan package and I know that building….I tell you what, I will give this my undivided attention and I will call you next week.” The next week I received a very small loan after using everything I owned, except my child, as collateral. I was off and running. I was happy!

strength is revealed. Through his love for us, he empowers us to walk in his divine timing. Just know that God will not place any more on us than we can bear and that when he closes one door he will open others. He will not leave you or forsake you! So be ready to move to the next level.

I returned to Atlanta and worked with two doctors as an associate for 1 ½ years. My intentions were to work with them until I gained the experience and confidence to open my own practice, maybe 4 to 5 years. However, after a misunderstanding, my contract was not renewed. In other words, I was fired. I felt disappointed and vulnerable. I was an unemployed single parent with a mortgage and school loans. I did not know what I was going to do. I decided to step out on faith. I found a building

Now, 13 years later, I am still going strong! I give God the glory! I once asked the previous owner of my building what made him lease the property to

Be Blessed!!!!! Dr. Betty Dillon, DDS 900 North Hairston Rd. Ste B Stone Mountain, GA 30083 404-294-8500 INFORMED Magazine 53

Christian Business

Principles

Featured Business BY CHARL DU PLESSIS 54

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o know if you have arrived at your destination, you need to know where you were heading. Goal setting has become somewhat of a science within the business and management community today. But are the morals and ethics we are fed, the same as what God has in mind for you and your business? Paul says, “The world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” But how do you apply separateness from the world as a businessman? Nice guys come second, don’t they? When Nehemiah takes on the massive task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem he says, “The joy of the Lord, is my strength”. The source of his joy was returning to the Law of the Lord. No material wealth or human suffering was able to rob Nehemiah of his newfound joy. The question that we need to ask is, “What makes me content?” Jesus said it best, when He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but lay for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The Bible tells us that success can only be

measured against one standard – Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith. Let us first endeavor to know the living, exalted Jesus Christ and the rest will follow. Our only goal in life, business, friendship, and family should be to know Jesus. There is much to be said when you start to introduce a discussion such as this one. A lot has been written about Christian Business Principles. So, the first question that needs to be answered is probably “Why another set of Biblical business principles?” The best way to answer this question is to tell the story of our journey. God blessed South Africa with an evangelist – Angus Buchan. A few years ago, after addressing a crowd in Cape Town, he made an altar call. All the new believers who came forward that night were given a book to work through and were prayed for individually. Quite a few men in our community made a first time commitment to the Lord and the question was birthed in my heart, “What will happen to these new believers now?’’

I prayed about this with a few friends, particularly Johann Lubbe and Francois Cronje, and we decided to start a Bible study for men. We invited the new believers as well as many of our friends. At the first session we were sitting with a number of Christian men who were ready and roaring to know more about God and grow in their relationship with Christ. First we worked through the Alpha course, but in time we realized that all of the men in the group either had their own businesses or were in senior positions at their places of employment. The obvious next step was to start a study on Biblical business principles and we went to the internet in search of a study guide or workbook. As I typed in the words “Bible, God, business, money” Google responded with 60 million (and I don’t mean it figuratively) links to various sites claiming to teach sound Biblical ways to become wealthy – God’s way. Now, on the face of it, that seemed fine, but the question remained – “Do I follow God and live a Christian life in order to become wealthy and successful in worldly terms, or do I want to follow God because He is God – for no other reason and for no other

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There was nothing on the market that conveyed this type of theology pertaining to running a business. One night, at our church’s evening worship, it was as if God downloaded data to me and started to unfold a picture in my mind. This ended up as the framework for this site.

motive?” I realized that us Christians get bombarded with the message of wealth and prosperity by the Word of Faith-movement. And yes, there are many Scriptural references and bases for arguing that God wants the best for all His children. However, the problem comes with our definition of what the best is. I believe that we so often decide for ourselves what this ‘best’ is or should be. And then we go to God and we try to force His hand in giving us that which we want. I know, because I was there. Today, I believe that it should work the other way around. God decides what is best for each one of us, and then it is up to us to hear God speak to us and have the courage to be obedient to His call. This is true success, because the truth is that it is only in His will that we are free. God is more interested in my character than in my comfort. 56

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Christian success is not in prosperity, not in wealth, not even in survival and provision. Christian success is achieved when we manage – through the grace of God – to be obedient to His call. It is only here that we achieve success and this is also the focus of this publication. We have chosen the word Shalom to try and convey the exact meaning of Christian success. Shalom means “safe, well, happy, friendly, health, prosperity, peace. To paraphrase Leonard Sweet, “safety in business (or life in general) involves playing it safe and taking risks simultaneously. We can know that we are in God’s hands (safe) and that he will give us the strength to do what we need to do (take risks) while He keeps us in perfect peace (shalom) because we are in His will.” It is that “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) that Paul talks about.

Many people have asked me why we do not teach technical skills in a Christian Business Course. The answer is one that I take from the example God gave us. The Bible is a set of principles by which we can govern the way we live our lives and practice our faith. The Old Testament consisted of many rules concerning sacrifices, ways to treat slaves, wives, children, family and neighbors. However, when reading the prophets, it becomes abundantly clear that God is more interested in obedience than in sacrifice. He looks at our heart-attitude. This can be seen in the life of King David. When his sins are compared to that of Saul, one would have thought that Saul was the better of the two. However, God saw David’s heart. It is the same with business principles or truths versus rules. We all face different circumstances. None of us is the same, and no two businesses are the same. Our callings differ and our passions differ. If we gave rules, it would remain just that – a few good ideas. However, if we focus on principles it can be applied by individuals in their very individual businesses, because God’s truths stay the same no matter what the circumstances are. This is probably a good place to state what this is not. This is not expert advice on any specific technical matter. And we do not focus on profits, but rather on Christian values — first and foremost recognizing what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross. Compared to that, everything else just fades into the background. Next time we’ll answer the question, “How do you measure success?”

Featured Article

Divine Shifting What is going on in our world and what is God doing? BY DR. DAVID W. HOPEWELL SR.

eople around the world are perplexed with an eerie, yet cautious posture, relative to what is happening in our world today. People are wondering, “what’s going on,” or, they feel like something is going to happen. The turn of events in our world and our immediate access to disseminate the information, keeps us updated with current information but doesn’t quench our inner thirst to know what’s looming on the horizon.

the residents of the planet, particularly Christians.

Men have spent years and years trying to understand and discern what’s currently going on and what’s looming. As I approach this article, I do so with caution, and at the same time feel that I am under a mandate to communicate its content. I welcome those who can spiritually discern to weigh its accuracy.

The magnitude and severity of this event suggests something far greater and we should at least ask the question, “Lord, what are you saying to us?” When something affects everyone, God is speaking to everyone. What has occurred immediately reminded me of the Exodus of the Children of Israel. While in bondage, catastrophes and phenomenon occurred and then there was one big event, the death of the first-born that demanded everyone’s attention. The financial hit that was felt around the world was that event. I believe God used it to get everyone’s attention, and that there is currently a “divine shifting” taking place.

Since 2008, there have been both catastrophes and phenomenon that have occurred across our world. There have been earthquakes, tsunamis, weather phenomenon, Gulf oil spill nuclear meltdown and more. While the events have occurred before, it wasn’t until 2008 that I took particular note. The reason, when something occurs that has a global impact, it’s far reaching effect globally suggests more scrutiny from

In 2008, as the financial markets crashed, economic hardship was felt around the world. Unlike regional catastrophes and phenomenon, the financial meltdown reached every resident on the planet. Yes, some more severely than others, but it’s grasp left all scrambling to sure-up and secure their holdings with little loss as possible.

Diving shifting is a decree from God to bring us unto his purposes. Within

this “Divine Shifting,” there are several things that will occur. Before I list them, we need to understand the “Divine Shifting” is not new but occurred in Exodus 13 when the Children of Israel departed Egypt. God was not just shifting them geographically, but under another system! In addition, He was leading them from their current geographic location to the “promised land.” The Promised Land is two-fold: after-life and now. He is doing the same today. He is shifting his children under his system and geographically shifting us to what he has promised or divinely inspired, and ultimately Heaven.

2008, as the financial markets crashed, economic hardship was felt around the world. Unlike regional catastrophes and phenomenon, the financial meltdown reached every resident on the planet. Yes, some more severely than others, but it’s grasp left all scrambling to sureup and secure their holdings with little loss as possible

I now want to list the areas of “Divine

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Text Text There are eight areas that are shifting. These areas did not come at once, but over a period of Shifting.â&#x20AC;? There eight areasinthat are shifting. These areas did not come In at once, but over aorder, periodhere of years yearsarebeginning 2008, after the financial meltdown. no particular theybeginning are: in 2008, after the financial meltdown. In no particular order, here they are:

1 God is drawing the lost through the circumstances of life. 2. God is bringing the believer to a posture of dependence upon Him. He is teaching us how to live by daily bread. The current system is failing. God is shifting the Believer to his system. 3 Leadership is shifting in the Body of Christ from Moses who maintains to Joshua that possesses. 4 Wealth is being transferred. The intense pain of circumstances and loss of jobs push the believer through the birth canal. In other words, we should peruse the dreams and inspired business ideas we have. As we prosper, the world will begin to look at Christians and it will open a door to witness. 5 Authentic worship in our personal devotion and corporate worship. This is where, as demonstrated in the Old Testament, 58

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we, not physically, but through confession, wash what our hands have done and where our feet have been. We confess all sin before we enter worship. The worship is so pure and authentic, and the presence and visitation of God so overwhelms us that the priest canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t minister. The atmosphere has to be set for the manifestation of miracles, signs and wonders. 6 Evangelism to the youth. The hearts of the Fathers will be turned back to the children Malachi 4:6. 7 Holiness as a lifestyle. 8 (Unity) At times our denominational mode of thinking causes more division and paramount problems within Christendom. How can we attribute this mode of thinking as something from God when it has divided us so and has kept us from fulfilling the Great Commission? If we are fragmented,

divided, and beating up on each other, how can we bring healing to others when we need healing ourselves? Yet, in our diversity, when we embraced the Great Commission, displays a greater glory of God. Could it be that our fragmentation prevents a greater display of his glory being shown to the world?

My invitation to all: Last year, we began linking Houses of Faith around the world to purposely witness or invite a lost person to service. All Houses of Worship or individual Christians that committed invited or witnessed to a lost person on the day before Easter. It is called, One Great Day of World Evangelism. This event started out at Greenforest Community Baptist Church and was given to Minister Jeanette Cody by inspiration, and is known as One Great Day of Evangelism. We just added the word ‘world’ and opened it to the entire Body of Christ. As she would say, “what if The Lord chose that day to return? We invite all Christians and churches to join us, in your own community, and intentionally invite or witness to a lost person, One Great Day of World

Evangelism. You can register by going to http://www.joshuaministry.com/ and click on OGDWE. Things to help you during “Divine Shifting.” Please understand, the journey to the “Promised Land” doesn’t mean a journey without adverse circumstances. Yet, within the biblical text of Israel’s journey, God provided a formula for deliverance. There are four things that we must remember and two things that are going to come against us to impede our journey or manifestation to whatever that ‘Promised Land” is in your life. Remember, “Promised Land” is Heaven or now, the promises of God now in this life. The biblical principles found for Israel’s success and ours, to make it through the wilderness to the “Promised Land,” are found in Exodus 13, and were given prior to their leaving. The first principle is “remember this day,” (vs. 1). If the Children of Israel could only remember the deliverance power and hand of God that released them from chains of bondage, nothing that they would face even equate, thus, faith in God

alone would produce the same against a far less opposition. Second principle is found in verse 5; “remember the promise I gave to yours to give you.” What has God promised you? Hold to that promise! The third principle is found in verse nine, “that the Lord’s Law may be in thy mouth.” In the midst of your adverse circumstances, continue to speak and visualize a positive outcome. The last principle is found in verse twenty-one, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud; and by night a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day or night.” This verse along with Numbers 10:33, suggests His presence is always with us, and according to the Numbers’ passage, if God’s presence is going before us, wherever He is leading, regardless of how adverse, it’s a place of rest! Since 2008, my wife and I have stood on this Word and have over 200 testimonies. We have lost over $70,000 of income and have experienced severe circumstances and loss in every area of life, but God! The greatest and most treasured blessing of all is that it has produced intimacy and revealed principles in His Word.

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Where I believe we are currently in biblical prophecy. According to 2 Timothy 3:1-4: “This know also, that perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedience to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that do good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of a God.” This certainly describes the actions of our society. The second Scripture describes events that will occur during times and seasons as we come to the end of the age.

in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilence so and earthquakes in divers places.” The above verse describes the events occurring now on our planet. However, verse eight describes where we are currently entering, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” We are entering into a period that is the beginning of sorrows. It’s not going to get better, but things are going to get worse in our world.

Mathew 24: 4-8: “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come

The third Scripture reference comes from Exodus 32nd chapter. This passage describes what occurs when Moses, the

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authority of God, the presence, respect and reverence for the things of God go lacking in the Body. Something that is occurring in some churches today. In this passage, the authority and presence is gone to the mountain top to receive God’s Law. While he is gone, Aaron is at the helm. However, Aaron doesn’t have a backbone nor does he seem to revere God. In Moses’ absent, he allows any and everything to go on. If I can say it this way, the people are allowed to do anything without accountability and restraint. The term, “syncretism,” or mixing God’s is what some are doing. It’s when we don’t make a difference between holy and unholy things. Coming in the next edition: When Christianity Collides with Culture

Evangelism in the African American Church Unity, The Highest Form of Evangelism BY DR. DAVID HOPEWELL SR.

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I am convinced “unity” is the highest form of evangelism. As we move forward, I am going to spend more time on this strategy than others. I feel very strongly about unity in the body of Christ and about those things that hinder unity. We probably all can agree that much can be achieved when people work together in unity for the same cause. When I think of people working together for one cause, two select passages of Scripture come to mind. The first is found in Genesis chapter 11, the Tower of Babel. The second is found in Nehemiah 4:6: “and the people had a mind to work.” Both passages demonstrate what can be achieved when people intentionally come together, in unity, with the same purpose and a mind to work. These Scriptures indicate their willingness to work together, and their ability to achieve the task. Actually, if God had not intervened in the Genesis passage, perhaps they would have achieved their task and built a tower that

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reached heaven. What was it about their efforts that aroused God and got His attention? I believe it was the oneness they displayed. There was no division in their purpose or effort. The Scripture says, “Behold, the people are one” (Genesis 11:6). I would like to believe this oneness, or unity, caught God’s attention, and resulted in a personal visitation from Him. Before this visitation from heaven, the only other visitation from God to man was with Adam (Gen. 1-2). God had appeared to Adam in the cool of the evening and had fellowship with him. However, there is no suggestion of fellowship or relationship between God and those in the Genesis 11 account. The mere fact they worked together and would have achieved their task, got God’s attention, and He responded from heaven. I would like to strongly suggest that before this time, God had paid little attention to those in the Genesis 11 text. I would like to suppose the unity they displayed got His attention because it displayed the same unity that was displayed in heaven between the Godhead, and the

unity He expressly desired to be proven to a dying world before the return of Christ. I believe unity is what God desires for His body and is the highest form of evangelism. The five-fold ministry gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers, according to Ephesians 4:1113, are to equip or teach the “body” until she walks and lives in unity. The five-fold ministry gifts are to teach us, until we all come into the unity of faith, and into the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a mature man. The unity or oneness Paul spoke about would bring us to a place that we are persuaded and rely upon Christ for salvation. Unity would mean that we are fully mature. Aside from this, I do not know what that entails. Will it mean we agree on all points of doctrine, procedure, or policy? Probably not; however, it does mean we are to unify in what the Ephesians passage calls, “the unity of the faith.” The “unity of the faith” could mean different things to different believers,

however, I would like to suggest for your consideration, what I believe the “unity of the faith” could be. I believe the “unity of the faith” is not the name of any denomination, church, or parachurch ministry. Rather, the “unity of the faith” is the common “faith,” we share in Jesus, and what He provided through His sacrificial death at Calvary. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the exclusive occurrence that unites us as one. The resurrection unites all orthodox churches, catholic churches, and protestant churches. The cross is the single event that should unite us and our work in God’s kingdom. The unity that we display should have such an affect that it draws the unbeliever beneath the Savior’s cross. The result of our prayer is directly related to the prayer Jesus prayed before his death, and what He expected to occur. In John 17, Jesus prayed an interesting prayer. What is the significance of this prayer? More than anything, this was His request before His death. The prayer was for unity. How can we effectively fulfill the Great Commission if we are not one with each other and with Jesus and the Father?

The first request Jesus made was that He be glorified. He expressly desired to be restored with the glory He laid aside when He robed himself in humanity. According to Philippians 2:6-7, He laid aside His divinity and came in the likeness as man. Second, He prayed that the disciples be sanctified or set apart for the use of God. Jesus prayed that God would keep them from the world. They were to be in the world but not part of the world. He wanted them to be kept from the evil of the world (John 17:6-19). Thirdly, He prayed for those who would, down through history, believe on the message of the gospel. His prayer was that those who believed, received the message and became His disciples would come to a place of unity. This unity would have such an impact on the world that the lost would know that God had sent Him. The direct result would be that the world would know without a doubt whom He was! The effect would be that unity between the members of His body, would witness to the world that Christ is the answer. The church has yet to manifest such unity. This unity is displayed between Jesus and the Father, and based on His prayer, should be in

us. The world should see in us, in visible form, the unity that exists between Jesus and the Father. This unity should bring us together in thought, purpose, and action relative to the Great Commission. I believe the church, the body of Christ, at this point is fragmented and this form of unity eludes us. If this statement is true, that we are fragmented and, we are in need of healing, how then can we bring healing to others if we need healing ourselves? The church will fulfill God’s intent; Jesus guaranteed it! Jesus said “the gates of Hell will not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). This Scripture assures the success of the church and its unity. Paul wrote about unity in 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul addresses those things which hinder us from operating in unity. In the twelfth chapter, he describes how a fractional body should operate when all components are in their proper place, doing what they were made to do. It seems that Paul understood unity, and its effect relative to its function. When members of the body function apart from each other, the body can never function as it was

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designed, nor produce the results it should. Paul gives an example of that in 1 Corinthians 12 where the placement is given, which should produce maximum results. The prayer of Jesus found in John 17, reflects Jesus’ heartfelt desire to see His church demonstrate and exemplify what He, the Holy Spirit, and the Father epitomize daily in heaven, unity. The unity Christ prayed for is of the highest importance, for without unity our witness is hindered. In the book of Acts, the church seems to understand and live out His desired prayer for unity. Without hesitation, I believe the church in the book of Acts lived out Jesus’ prayer, and the results were compelling. What made the early Church so successful in reaching the lost? Some suggest obedience; I agree, to some extent. Yet, beyond their obedience I point to their unity. The question I raise is: Would the same results have occurred if all 120 disciples had gone back to Jerusalem and to their separate homes? Jesus’ command was that they go back to Jerusalem and wait. He never told them to wait together at the same location, in unity. He did pray that they come together in unity (John 17:11). Perhaps this was a fulfillment of his prayer in John 17. I believe the greater results of Pentecost were not their obedience alone, but their unity. They could have been obedient, but still not together in one place, all seeking the same results. No doubt, every Christian, every church and denomination would probably say, or at least think they are obedient to God and His purpose for their church. Yet, the “body” is not unified. The question I raise is: Are our results equivalent to those of the Acts church? I am not saying we as a “body” are not doing great things, but are we doing supernatural things – are we manifesting the same results the Acts church did as an infant? Three thousand souls were added at one time, 5,000 on another occasion shortly thereafter (Acts 3 and 4). Some may argue, the church is producing the same results. To defend this, some would point to

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the fact that thousands of decisions are made for Christ at crusade services during modern times, especially in third world countries. I agree. However, results of this proportion, as much as I can ascertain, have not been produced by the post-modern day church, but by individuals or single ministries.

saying one word. The world will know by our unity that God sent Jesus and He is the one and only way of salvation (John 17: 21-23). The results will be the same as it was in Acts 2: 43-47, with the greatest result being the addition of souls that will enter the Kingdom of God.

I do not believe it is God’s intent for the world to be won to Christ by one person, one church, one ministry, or Para-church ministry, or by one organization or denomination, but by His body coming together in unity as one.

I believe the Acts church knew this and acted it out daily. Somewhere we have gotten away from unity. As the church progressed through the ages, especially when denominations came about, the body has become more divided.

There were four results which were byproducts of what occurred in Acts chapter two. These results for the most affected non-believers. First, fear came upon every soul (Acts 2:43). Second, wonders and signs were done by the apostles (vs. 43). Thirdly, God gave the believers favor (vs. 47). Lastly, God added to the church daily such as should be saved (vs. 47). Unity preceded these results. There are repeated places in Acts chapters one and two where unity is displayed. It is interesting that the words “all” and “they” appear several times in the first two chapters. In fact, “all” appears twenty-one times and the word “they” appears twenty-two times. Let’s examine the times unity was displayed. Surely with so many references to unity, we must consider its importance and without fail consider that God couched it within these two chapters for a reason. This is the birth of the church! This is the infant, the baby, and she produced extraordinary results as we read within this book. If this was the baby, what will the adult look like and what will she produce? As an infant, the church proclaimed the gospel, cast out devils, healed the sick, shared, prayed together, stood together against critics, conducted business, and worshiped together, all in unity. I believe as we demonstrate a whole body before the world, it will communicate the gospel without us

I believe denominationalism, or mode of thinking, has inhibited the unity that was lived out among the early church and from that which God intended for us to display. I am not saying denominations are inherently evil. Denominations have done, are doing, and will continue to do ministry, deploy missionaries, and be a safe-haven for many. Yet, they have also hindered our working together and our witness to the world. Although we have diversity within our denominations, we should do all we can not to allow it to bring division between us, especially as it relates to the Great Commission. Yet, the things that divide us have taken our focus off the main thing, the Great Commission. I am not saying they are not significant; however, in the light of someone being saved, a life changed, a person being transformed from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God, these differences are less significant. At times our denominational mode of thinking has caused more divisions, and has caused paramount problems within Christendom. How can we attribute this mode of thinking as something from God when it has divided us so? The Bible clearly teaches that God is not the author of confusion. Yet, this mind-set has left the sinner confused as to what form of religion is correct, and has kept us from the main thing, the Great Commission. The lost I come in contact with, before sharing the gospel with them, converse about denominations, not Christ. Why so many denominations

and so many different beliefs from one denomination and church to another? Churches and their members talk about other churches and ministries with no regard to weak Christians or unbelievers who may be listening. I have heard professors; preachers and seminar speakers talk about other preachers and ministers, as though they were the enemy. I am not saying that I am not without guilt. However, we are family and should pray for our brothers and sisters. We seem to demonize others who are not of the devil, but born of God. The mere fact their doctrine is more liberal or conservative than what you or I believe, does not mean they are of the devil. In fact, if they believe exclusively that Jesus died and rose from the grave for their sins and they have accepted him, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ (Rom. 3:23-25). It is because of His blood we are one. If there is some misinterpreted Scripture, we should be willing to come alongside our brothers and sisters and expound to them the more excellent way, not disown them as a brother or sister. I believe this common belief in Christ is the key to the unity of the faith and should propel us to work together as Christian brothers and sisters, yet, our corporate witness will be hindered as long as we remain fragmented. There are both obvious and subtle things that prevent unity in the body of Christ. No doubt race plays a big factor, and race is not limited to one ethnic group alone. The lines of race and the spirit of prejudice are among all peoples and groups to some degree. Great strides have been made to overcome racial barriers, yet the struggle continues both outward and inward. The most obvious struggle is demonstrated during our Sunday morning services, which suggest segregation within our congregations is a part of the gospel; at least this is what some may ascertain by our display of division. Are we communicating a separate God for each ethnic group? When we witness only to those who look like we do, we segregate the gospel. The command

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of Jesus to go to Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria (Acts 1:8), and to the highways and hedges (Luke14:23), to share the gospel, suggest we go to all ethnic groups, not just our own. If we only concern ourselves with those of our own persuasion, our witness is only a Jerusalem witness. The world is not going to be won by one church or one denomination, but by one body who may have different names, but unify around Christ, His message, and the Great Commission, not allowing doctrinal differences to separate us. These differences communicate a message of division and disunity. God is neither divided nor confused; therefore, if the results are confusing, can we truly say this is of God?

However, each part of the body was a gift, placed in the body as God desired. What would be the reaction of the world if they saw, not a display of denominationalism, but a display of different denominations, (gifts), all functioning for the good of the body – functions to fulfill the Great Commission.

Paul seemed to understand unity and how the body should react as different gifts function in one body. Paul spoke of a body of gifts not denominations. However, perhaps each denomination could represent a part of the Body.

Just think of how much could be accomplished if we worked together. When natural disasters occur we work with groups of all races, vocations, social, economical, and financial statuses. Could it be that catastrophic

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The body should represent members who function in their gifts, and support the entire body. These gifts could also be replaced by denominations that bring to the table their giftedness, or their area of specialization, all making up a complete functioning body, the Body of Christ, a ministering body to a dying world.

events unify us but kingdom work does not? These hindrances directly affect our witness, our working together, and the harvest that awaits us. When we conquer these hindrances, the dying world will witness a living savior. I propose “unity” as the highest form of evangelism. Perhaps the question raised is: Why did Jesus give us the Great Commission if unity would produce a greater harvest of souls, and reveal a higher form of evangelism? Valid question; I can only say, maybe, I am not saying this is truth, but maybe God knew the body of Christ would be divided, hindering the harvest. Rather than wait for the body to come into unity, He established the Great Commission until the body unified. Unity is a great force seen in Scripture, examples of good and evil both exist as stated earlier. Unity produced great results as people worked together. Although I propose “unity” is the

highest form of evangelism, I am not discounting our current efforts, nor am I suggesting we discontinue our current efforts to reach those held by the bondage of sin. However, I am suggesting we unify so we may witness the greatest harvest of souls ever known. The current disunity within the body of Christ indicates a working power among us, but not from God. Jesus prayed for unity in John 17, and I believe he will get His prayer answered. I hope that God does not have to use something catastrophic to bring us into a place of unity. In our next article, I want to explore those things that hinder our witness. I want to suggest some things that would promote unity among the body.

Pray for Unity I think that if Jesus can pray for unity, we should too. We need to add this request in our daily and corporate prayer times. Along with praying for the lost, confession of Christ for salvation, is there any prayer more important?

Teach Unity We need to follow Paul’s example and teach unity. It is important that we teach members the purpose of the five-fold ministry gifts that are in the “body.” Along with teaching (Eph. 4) we should teach the importance of the gifts and how they function and comprise one body, the body of Christ. According to the Ephesians passage, we are to teach members of the body until unity occurs. I believe it is important that we begin to communicate the message of unity to our congregations.

Intentionally Work Together for Kingdom Building, We must begin to purpose to work together. We are to build God’s

kingdom, not our own. In our quest to work for “the praise of His glory,” we must first seek to embrace our differing gifts and expertise. These are not merely for our own gratification, but must be employed for the sake of the Great Commission. In other words, whatever various gifts or insights we have within the body are to be used toward fulfilling the Great Commission. Could it be that the differing gifts and grace given to all of our churches and traditions are all needed to fulfill the Great Commission? Could it be that our fragmentation prevents a greater display of his glory from being shown to the world? There exists far too much bickering about the legitimacy of our gifts and areas of knowledge. I propose that our differences should not be debated. Rather, if any church or tradition feels that they have gifts, they should be brought to the table in fulfilling the Great Commission. If another tradition feels that they have been entrusted with guarding sound doctrine, this should be brought to the table to help keep us focused on fulfilling the mandate of our Lord. If another tradition feels that they have a greater understanding of the parish and how to care for their community, this knowledge should be shared in helping to fulfill the Great Commission. Our differences held in debate and segregated do nothing in fulfilling the Great Commission. It is only when we bring our various flowers together for cross pollination that we see new life birthed. On the other hand, those things that in truth hold no legitimacy in God’s kingdom and cannot be substantiated by Scripture, will undoubtedly fall away in complete impotence as we engage the world. There will be no need for one tradition to critique another when we bring what we have to the table. Whatever is of no consequence will simply be exposed for what it is, as we move out unified in the Lord’s work. This requires humility and openness. It could very well be that certain practices we find theologically discomforting are

in fact of great use in fulfilling the Great Commission. On the other hand, there may be certain things we hold dear that are exposed as completely ineffective and illegitimate as we move together in fulfilling the Lord’s work. The greater point here is that we need not argue over what we have or what we practice. What is needed is to bring all these things to the table together in fulfilling the Great Commission. When we do this, we will be surprised to find that certain areas of lack in our churches can be filled by our brothers and sisters from other traditions. When we do this, we will also find ourselves corrected by each other. Whether we experience correction or enhancement, we will find ourselves better and actively involved as one in the service of our Lord. As I write this, I am reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy in regards to the Scriptures in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Paul said, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” In the same way we, the body, are given to each other for purposes of doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction so that we might move toward perfection. This will only happen, however, as we come together and bring what talents, gifts, expertise, and experience to the table in seeking to fulfill the Great Commission. We have to get to the place that the only praise and glory go to God and not ourselves. This appeared to be the problem at the Tower of Babel and our problem today. Everyone can not be in charge. We are all on the same team, playing for the same coach, building the same kingdom, against one foe. We must examine the reason we don’t work together and begin to work past those things that hinder us. The world waits for the manifestation of the sons of God (Rom. 8:19), but we continue to demonstrate a fragmented body and hinder the harvest. The following strategies can be used to work together to fulfill the Great Commission.

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ONE GREAT DAY OF

World Evangelism F

or the past several years, we have hosted, “One Great Day of Evangelism,” which is properly known as “One Great Day of World Evangelism.” The vision is that of Minister Jeanette Cody, a member of Greenforest Community Baptist Church. As Minister of Evangelism, she shared the vision with me. The Lord has given her a strategy that the Body of Christ unites together on the day before Easter and shares the gospel with a lost person or invites a lost or unchurched person to church. Churches can elect to have a block-party, evangelize door-to-door, or anything they chose as long as the objective is to win the lost. The very first time we implemented the strategy, we had a total of nine churches that participated with a total of eighty participants, and nineteen received Christ. Last year we extended and invited churches all over the world to participate. We had a total of over fifty churches that we know of that participated. We are going to do the same the day before Easter 2015 and every 68

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year until Jesus returns. We provide training prior to Easter in the area of intercessory prayer for the lost, and a soul winning workshop. Churches can come together in your community, town or city, and train and help each other possess their land, evangelize. Perhaps this display of “unity” is what the Lord is waiting for before he returns. Could our unified efforts on the day before He historically resurrected launch his return. Churches and individuals can contact Minister Jeanette Cody or the Joshua Ministry.

Jeanettetcodyaol.com dhopewellsr@joshuaministry.net

Evangelize Through Communal Wealth

ur magazine exists to benefit our community of faith and the communities we live. While our society looks for the government to have the answer to our current economic situation, the answer lies within God’s people. Based on the article “Dive Shifting’” I stated when something affects everyone, God is speaking to everyone. Before God delivered Israel and guided them to the “Promised

Land,” he allowed phenomenons and catastrophe events to occur. These events got everyone’s attention. For the Believer, it was being used by God to deliver them from Egypt, but in addition, it was used to shift them to another system, his system. Read more in the article, “Divine Shifting.” Secondly, the Egyptians, or those who did not know him, saw his wonders and were drawn to the God that made a

difference between those in Egypt and Goshen. Those who did left out with Israel to the “Promise Land.” The current economic condition has everyone’s attention. Many have been affected and many have lost employment. Yet, where is the difference between the church and the world in this crisis? While God is using these events to shift us to his system,

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and create a dependency on him, we should also begin to move out on inspired ideas, or business we have within. While the current system fails, the world will look to the church and their success as there is a demonstration between those who operate within the current system and God’s system, Goshen and Egypt. It will create a means for world evangelism. While the world fails in its attempt to provide jobs, the church can rise to create jobs through what we proposal below. Based on God’s Word, there are two sides to any solution. Like the prophet Nehemiah, we have to pray and discern which we’re doing. That’s the spiritual part. However, in addition, we also need to pick up a hammer and do some work! I propose the following for your consideration. 1. Churches pull together within their communities, or towns, or cities, or states, or conventions. 2. Partner with Christian or local businesses to donate, or for minimal cost, train those within our communities that are unemployed or homeless. 3. After the training period: •

If your business can afford to do so, hire the trainee. If you cannot do so

•

Give them a certificate of completion so they can seek employment elsewhere

•

Use monies collected from the churches within your designated group above to give the trainee start up monies to start their own business

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Monies donated to Informed Magazine at http:// informedmagazine.net , will be used to assist trainees with business start up or a small stiffen for those who do not donate their time for training. There are also those in our communities that have been incarcerated as a felon and cannot work on a regular job. This only lures them back to crime. Without a job, the likely hood of returning to prison is at alarming rates. However, they can learn a skill such as carpentry, plumbing, painting, lawn care, construction, carpet cleaning or some other service. The general fund created by churches, community groups, or donated to Informed Magazine, can assist them by helping them start their own business. Christians and non Christians can contributed any amount as a one time or month donation.

What would be the results? The natural side would be stronger families, self worth restored, stronger communities, less violence, just to name a few. The spiritual side, Isaiah 32, their eyes will be open and their ears will hear. But the proceeding verse tells us that we must become something first. We must become a hiding place from the wind, and a covering from the tempest; and a shadow in a weary land. When we have become those things to the lost and wounded Christians, they will see a visible image of Christ working through His body, and their ears will be open to hear the gospel. Yes, working together to bring solutions. Jesus always met the natural need first. How much more powerful our presentation of the gospel would be if we provided a solution. People arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looking for Jesus right now; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a job!

In addition, the magazine is supported by contributions from the African Community of Faith and is used for communication, invest in historical institutions, training the unemployed, helping our elderly and providing scholarships for students. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and yr gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Matthew 25:35-36

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HAMPTON UNIVERSITY We celebrate a Historical Moment in African American Church History

Hampton University Ministers’ Conference celebrated 100 years in June 2014. Hampton University’s annual Ministers’ Conference celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2014. The conference has grown from its humble beginnings of forty to over 7,000 in attendance. The conference is interdenominational and provides the highest level of teaching and preaching from the most gifted and anointed. We celebrate and congratulate the conference.

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A MOMENT IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH HISTORY

Dr. Fred Luter First African American President of the Southern Baptist Convention

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n the year 2012, Dr. Luter was elected the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is historic, because the Southern Baptist Convention’s history supported slavery and segregation. It is also historic because it demonstrates a trend, supported by most in their convention to rise above their past too demonstrate true Christianity and unify to fulfill the Great Commission to globally spread the gospel of Christ. Many in the African American faith community don’t know of this historical moment in our history nor celebrate it. It’s unfortunate, that while, we as a community should celebrate and support the man, women and mission of God, some in our community chose to demonize the man or mission of God through his servant. Once again, can we lay aside our proclivity to label, proclivity to assume the purpose in ones heart, or our quick dismiss of what we think is of God or not, and just celebrate another in our history that God has raised up. Can we consider that God positioned one of us to plant a seed of acceptance and unification, among a prominently Anglo organization? Perhaps God used him to witness to those who refuse to denounce predigest and allow others to truly embrace a fully divers body, the body of Christ. Dr. Luter’s church experiences begin in the city of New Orleans where he was born and raised. As a boy, his mother took him to church. In the year 1977, he gave his life to Christ and began to preach on the streets of the lower Ninth Ward. Since 1986, Dr. Luter has been senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. Under his leadership, the church has grown from 65 members to over 7,000. During Hurricane Katrina’s destruction in the city, he and his church took an active role. As a man with a “true heart” of a pastor, he begin to travel to other states to care for his disburse members. For three years, Pastor Luter preached and ministered to his members at three locations, Baton Rouge Louisiana, Houston Texas, and a 7 a.m. service at First Baptist Church in New Orleans, while his church, which suffered significant damage, was under repair.

President of the SBC convention. In his words, Dr. Luter’s biggest challenge after being elected was, “not to mess up.” During his tenure as president, he focused on biblical principles that will bring spiritual revival among the entire body of Christ. He said, “if true change is going to occur in America, it will only happen as we are obedient to the Word of God.” Dr. Luter went on to say, that as believers, according to On June 19, 2012, Dr. Luter became the first African American 2 Chronicles 7:14, God requires us to do four things. First, we must humble ourselves. Second, we must pray. Third, we must to be elected and serve as president of the SBC convention. seek God’s face, and lastly, repent from our sins.” He also was the first African American to be elected Vice

He said, “if true change is going

to occur in America, it will only happen as we are obedient to the Word of God.”

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Dr. Luter also emphasized the need and focus on evangelism and missions. Among many issues that could have command his attention and time, he was able to keep evangelism and missions as his main objectives. For the past two years, God has used our brother to lead the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant organization in the US, towards renewal and revival. His twoyear term as president ended in June, however, we wanted to congratulate and celebrate what God has done, and a moment in African American Church History.

2015

Denomination and Conference and Convention Schedules We were unable to provide specific dates for all conferences and conventions for our Community of Faith. Please go to the provide website to obtain this information. Please read the â&#x20AC;&#x153;unityâ&#x20AC;? article.

Hamptons Ministers Conference 2015

Bible Way Church Conference 2015

Greenforest Community Baptist Decatur Georgia, 30034 For details: www.joshuaministry.com

Biblewaychurch.org

One Great Day of World Evangelism (OGDWE) Conference March 6-7, 2015

Cogic.org

Greenforest Community Baptist Decatur Georgia, 30034 For details: www.joshuaministry.com

The Making of a Leader Conference July 2015 Greenforest Community Baptist Decatur Georgia, 30034 For details: www.joshuaministry.com

Perfecting Your Worship Conference 2015

Church of God in Christ 2015 Full Gospel Baptist 2015 Fullgospelbaptist.org

Black Church Week SBC 2015 sbc.net

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Pawinc.org

African-American Presbyterian Pcusa.org

National Baptist Convention 2015 nationalbaptist.com

Progressive National Baptist Convention 2015 pnbc.org

African Methodist Episcopal Church 2015 ame-church.com INFORMED Magazine 79

Arts and Music in the African American Church Liturgical Dancing

Edie Hopewell

ARTICLE BY DR. DAVID HOPEWELL SR.

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Before an Audience of One Watching her dance commands everyone’s attention. Yes, at first, one is drawn to the garments, not customs, and those wearing them, whose movement is as delicate as a polished ballerina. The excellence with which they present themselves, before a waiting congregation, is not one that draws one into secular movements of expression to a “god” that has no power to deliver nor any reverence due, but with every movement of expression, and with garments flowing as if the cloth itself is expressing a concentrated force towards the direction of Heaven and towards Him that sits on the throne, an “Audience on One.” As long as she can remember, Edie has always danced before the Lord. Her mere beginning was standing in front of a window as a young girl singing songs and dancing before The Lord. Later, she went off to college. While at college, she desired to enter ballet but was discouraged to do so. So, she entered a Modern Dance Class. Some of the students wanted her to enter a dance contest. While dancing, she was convicted and realized within, that the music was different and that she had changed partners. She now belongs to the Lord and will forever dance before an “Audience of One.” Liturgical dance is dancing before the Lord, and as Edie would say, “before The “Audience of One.” Director over the Ministry of Dance at her local church (The George O. McCalep Jr. Dance Ministry) Edie is very adamant and all her dancers or worshipers will tell you, from the Wee Praisers to the Men & Women of Wisdom – that they are dancing (worshiping or praising to The Audience of One).The Wee= Worship in Excellence & Excitement The Dance Ministry divisions children: The Wee Parsers and Wee PraiZe2 (,5-12) teens:14-19 We God’s Crew,(male & female) WE God’s Mighty Men of Valor, (men of all ages ) Step Team, We Stepping (Young men & women), Women of Worship, older women, WE Men and Women of Wisdom, and Tambourine Choir that they are dancing (worshiping to The An Audience of One). She would go on to say, “We are not on a program but part of a worship experience. You see, The Lord Jesus himself has captured her heart and saved her from eternal damnation. He is due all the praise and worship.” Her foundation and origin in worship is based in the many examples of God’s desire for His people to praise Him and those who did. Yet, she is deeply disturbed by those in some churches that have turned God’s expression of worship into a page out of the Biblical text, as the Children of Israel expressed themselves before an Idol calf. In many churches today, sacred has been replaced with secular. In additional articles, Edie will give step by step set-by-set instructions on how to form a dance ministry in your church, which will lead the congregation into authentic worship before an Audience of One. Picture, as she danced before the robe.

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If the Preacher’s Jumping, I Should be Too

Article by

D’Lisa M. Robinson

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n email came across my inbox: “I have a question for experienced interpreters who work in Black church settings. While working with one of my mentors recently, the issue of repetition in church songs arose. We all know that a verse or chorus can be repeated 77 times before the song ends. So, the issue is, in order to break the monotony, is it appropriate to change up how you first interpret the song, or stay with the original interpretation to maintain the song writer’s meaning of the song, and to accurately put out to the Deaf recipient exactly what hearing people are receiving? If the line is, for example, “I’ll never forget” is “I’ll always remember” an appropriate substitute? All input is welcome. Thank you.” To this question, I replied: “In order to give “the hearing experience” to individuals who are deaf, you have to truly interpret. Sometimes that means divorcing form and marring the meaning. The actual word(s) are not always as important as the meaning or

concepts that the word(s) represent. Now, there are other times that the form is more important or highly needed, such as in a haiku poem. But I personally feel it gets boring to keep signing the same word over and over and over and over again! Sign it, spell it literally, sign it with expansion, employ gestures, and find different ways to make it come alive. I’m not even sure I like the idea of having a hearing experience, but I understand what is meant by the concept. If you think about it, the hearing experience is so grand at times. We have the beat, different tones, rhythm of the music, the instruments and the singer(s). Why would you even want to sign the same thing 77 times in a row? That is NOT what the hearing audience heard. They heard a singer say the same words yes, but he or she carried that note high, and then went low. He or she held the note out; they sang it loud, then soft, added some vibrato and so forth. Signing the same thing over and over does not get it.” My response continued with: “Now, with

all that being said, you have to know your audience. Some service users prefer that and want that - give me the same words the audience is getting and nothing more. Some audiences are conservative and some are not. Know how to deliver what your audience needs. What I think is most important in all of this is “ignoring” the audience (in a church setting). I know that sounds weird, but when I’m in church, I’m thinking about my one-on-one time with God. I’m in my prayer closet, so to speak, having time with God and those in the audience just happen to be watching. Like an actress getting ready for a role, I let my emotions free and I pray that through me God is shown and someone in the audience “feels” THAT just as the singer with the microphone does for us when they belt out praise and worship songs. That emotional rise helps us focus on Him. Interpreters should be focused more on that, than all these words. Just like any other assignment, we have a toolbox full of stuff that can help us deliver a message. Sticking so close to words is not always effective. Sometimes you have to open that toolbox.”

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I know what it’s like to say; “Lord I love you” (it’s in my tool box). I know what that means and how that feels. Show it, do it, say it!! Why just sign it 77 times? That response is still essential here and now among the body of interpreters that we have working in religious settings. Our roles as interpreters are more crucial than many of us recognize. Throughout my career, I have interpreted in a myriad and diverse amount of settings, from mental health to the White House. Each setting requires a different skill set, different vocabulary, and a different mission depending on the audience I have. I have found that all these settings are unique and equally have challenges - respectively. Every time I am granted permission to be involved personally with a service user, at a doctor’s appointment, the birth of their child, a work meeting, conversation with a colleague or loved one, I count it as an honor. First of all, I do not have to be there, as it is none of my business, not to mention there are other interpreters that could have received the work at hand. It also speaks to the incredible trust that one places in me and personally, I could never find that notion to be futile. Trust requires me to study my craft and stay 86

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close to the community with which I work. How could I make a computer and the working parts become visual through American Sign Language if I had never experienced a computer or at a minimum researched the device? I would not walk into a doctor’s appointment unaware of medical terminology. I could literally kill someone. 10 mg versus 100 mg or Prednisone versus Percocet - not the same thing by far! The same concept is true in the religious setting. For an audience member that receives the Word or praise and worship, through an interpreter, as my email question discussed, I become the pastor, minister, soloist, or choir for them. Sunday morning is not the time to begin practicing my skill. At the same time, like any believer, hearing or deaf, we are required to study to show ourselves approved and to try it by the Word. Interpreters: know your stuff!!! Do not believe everything just because it came through the pulpit. It has always been a belief of mine that an interpreter with a real relationship with Christ has a way of interpreting, the skill cannot produce. When you’re one on one, time becomes privy to others, lives are touched.

You cannot teach or train someone to love God. My very first mentor, Mrs. Edwards, clued me in on this concept of “ignoring” the audience. Go to that place where it is you and Him and sign. And when I opened my eyes after spending some time with my Father, I realized the impact of my personal time on my delivery. I have since learned not to sign with my eyes closed in entirety. There is much significance in checking in with my service users. This lesson is still key. If the preacher has tone, I need tone. If the preacher is doing vocal gymnastics then I should be as well. If the preacher says I love the Lord, well, that’s easy for me to interpret. It is not just a series of signs for me. It’s a lifestyle, it is emotional, and it is personal. You, in the audience watching, just happen to see how much and how sincere those words are to me. Hopefully, they identify with you and when the hearing audience is jumping up and down...you will be as well.

D’Lisa M. Robinson Certified Sign Language Interpreter Owner of Eyeth Consultants, LLC dlisa.robinson@ eyethconsultantsllc.com

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH AND YOUTH Have we Lost our Youth? BY SIR. MINISTER TOMMY CONLEY INFORMED Magazine 87

Youth Pastor at Berean Christian Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia

2. What causes them to be in their current state?

I grew up in Detroit Michigan and never attended church. While in prison serving a twenty year sentence, the Lord saved me. I was blessed to only have to serve three years of my twenty year sentence. While in prison, The Lord told me, “you will be a teacher of my Word, be a living example, do great things, and marry my current wife Ronda. I didn’t understand it, but prayed about it and began looking for a church home. I began to serve and remained faithful and was called into ministry. During that time, real estate market changed in the Midwest and I received an invitation to come to Georgia to run a finance company. God used real estate to get me to Georgia. He told me that if He had told me that he was bringing me to Georgia for ministry, I would not have come.

In my opinion, we don’t hold them accountable. They don’t have to go to church, read their Bibles or pray. In addition, parents have focused on outside activities more so than godly activities. It builds a double standard. Then, there’s the issue with a one parent

While working one day, I was asked by a co-worker to visit my current church where my wife and I eventually joined. In 2010, a position was created to minister to young adults. After about six months, the children’s pastor left and I held both positions. Eventually, I became the youth pastor, my current position. While being interviewed, Dr. Hopewell asked me the following questions. 1. What is the current state of the church relative to youth? Fragile! I say that because there are a lot of youth hurting today. When I became youth pastor, I didn’t change things that I thought needed to be changed, I just built relationships. I needed to get them on my side. They have dealt with so many disappointments, hurts, and inconsistencies; they are hardened to what is going on. Therefore, anything that comes at them makes them fragile. They don’t have a foundation and have to be handled like a fragile package, with care.

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home and mommies working. With no foundation and emphases on God, youth are not interested in church and are leaving church. When I say, not emphasized, I believe they just don’t know. No one has really shared the gospel with them. No one has shared the message of hope. So, it becomes normalcy to them. I do so

because my parents make me do so, appose of having a personal experience with God. As a result, they don’t know they need God. Why do they need God when their mommy can buy them a $300 pair of shoes? Why do I need God if all I have to do is pick up the phone and call my dad? So, we are creating a culture of giving all this stuff but not giving them Christ.

3. What do you suggest the church do to turn this around? First, we need to give youth a voice. I listen to what they want to do. So, on Sundays, the youth do the call to worship, prayer, Scripture, testimonies, meet and greet ice-breakers, worship and praise. We have spotlight on dancing, stepping and mime. They use

their gifts until I get up and bring a Word. Once a month, one of the youth gives a Word. The message has to be on the current topic I am ministering during the month. In addition, they have to submit it to me before they can present it during service. They are fantastic and are growing in God. Second, we need to holistically meet their needs. How do I do that as a youth pastor in Stone Mountain, Georgia? Base everything around education. We don’t just perish because of a lack of knowledge but exposure. We can have knowledge but if we’re not exposed to something to see if we can accomplish it, it hinders us too. So, education has to be centered in two areas. First, we have to educate them spiritually. We do this by having small groups, bible study and discipleship training. Second, physically, exercise and healthy eating are part of the educational process. How do we remain healthy? They are educated that their bodies are the temple of God. We say stop where no one has ever told them to stop. Put the food down, you’re just eating to be eating. Thirdly, we focus on the emotional side of our youth. Lastly, financially, we help pull out the great dreams and ideas they have. So, we partner with different corporations. We educate them how to become entrepreneurs and how to start businesses and not have to work for other people. Once you have met the needs youth have, show that you care, and take an active role in developing them, you don’t have to look for them, and they will come looking for you. Our churches are dying because we are not emphasizing our efforts towards our youth. How can you have a church with two-hundred members, and your youth start at the age of sixty? We think they can’t do it, but given the chance, they can run circles around us. Some may lack common sense, but we can bring that balance to them.

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Youth Platform Evan Daniel ARTICLE BY DR. DAVID HOPEWELL SR.

hen I first met Evan, he was a little fellow. A few years later, I was at a book signing at my church. As I completed signing my signature, and handed the book to the recipient, Evan stepped up to the table. With his eyes barely above the table, he asked, “Rev. Hopewell, can I have a copy of your book,” and lay about 38 cents on the table. “Sure Evan”. As I reached for a copy of the Joshua Ministry, God’s Witnessing Army, and signed it, my comment was future tense, about how God would use Evan in the future. As a young boy, Evan would even attend Saturday morning Evangelism Blitz, where we provide training for our

congregation, and then go into a neighborhood and share Christ. I remember his mother calling me as I sat in my office and said, “Evan has something to tell you Rev. Hopewell.” As he got on the line, with excitement in his voice, he said, “Rev. Hopewell, I saved my classmate today!” Today, Evan is a sophomore at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette studying Industrial Design. He is a church intern at the Bayou Church and will be leading the mission team this summer on the Youngsville Campus. He will also be a Generation Send Missions Mobilizer, for the North American Mission Board for the Southern Baptist Convention. Evan will be leading a mission team this summer.

They’re not too young. The Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t think so! 90 INFORMED Magazine

African American Youth and Business

Church, Have we Lost our Youth? BY SIR. MARKADOO

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y name is, Markadoo Haggins, better known as “Sir.” I am the owner of Heavenly Body Products. In this role, Sir leads a team providing great marketing strategies on all aspects of selling in any economy, including products, fundraising methods, and even promotes health, wealth, and fitness. A big believer in “Helping God’s People Prosper,” Sir supports entrepreneurship and helping the youth with their journey to succeed. Sir is a motivational speaker and fitness trainer and holds plenty of certifications and award for sales, management, and team building from A.L. Williams Financial Services and

other firms. My life’s mission is to enlighten the religious community with How-To articles regarding the positives and negatives of what’s been going on in their communities and churches, regarding our children and youth, how they feel, and why some attend and some don’t attend church. I can

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remember growing up as a youngster and realized how much I was missing from my spiritual life. I noticed it from my observations over the years that it’s the same trends happening from generation to generation and the results are still the same. We’re not motivating the majority of the youth currently attending church to invite their friends and family to participate. It’s more of a chore than inspiration to attend every Sunday. It’s up to me and all of us to help stop the cycle of The Mis-Education of our religious communities. As a religious community, we should be turning out more positive results with our youth and members than we currently are, and resulting

and also listen to what they have to say because their voices are just as important as ours. They are our most valuable and most natural resource.

in leaders within our communities. The usual quote is “Each one teaches one”; however, when each one teaches three, the chances are much greater for success! Once we reach the misinformed and strengthen their knowledge base, then we can create a stronger, more diverse, young adult. Let’s take the time needed to teach the youth useful and positive information

this was not right. I wanted a different life from what I saw with my older brothers, cousins, and their friends. I remember how my mother would force me to play basketball and other sports just to get me out of the house to see what “normal” people do. My brothers were notorious and were considered the biggest gang in the community. I grew up watching them use drugs

As our greatest asset, they are the future - right now. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. In fact, there was barely any silverware in my mother’s household growing up. I was the fourth of five children growing up in a single parent household. But, there were men around to teach me how to hustle. You see, my environment was not one of encouragement for young kids. There were plenty of drugs, prostitution, and negative hustlers all around him. However, I knew that

and they would even steal from him. I even sold drugs at one time out of the lack of knowledge; however, I now use those lessons from selling on the street illegally to selling products legally around the world. I used the knowledge I gained from selling drugs and started off selling insurance. I earned a lot of money at that time but he wanted more. Sir is no stranger to selling, having spent 41 years as an entrepreneur, which taught him the importance of helping the community with start-up businesses with $100 or more. Prior to starting his wholesale distribution business, Sir spent years determined to succeed in life and after having a few hard hitting life changing experiences, he can proudly stand before you as the successful man he is today.

to help the economy grow, we need more entrepreneurs. We help youth by teaching them, not to look for a handout, but “take matters into your own hands.” My varied background in branding, marketing, and identity provides the perfect foundation for creating new business owners every day, which helps the youth and people just like you, see God as a God of resource. The youth of our day don’t want the God of lack their parents serve, but believe God wants all his people to live abundant lives, most preachers do! I am on a mission to leave a positive legacy by saving the youth and enhancing our family and community’s values.

especially within their community. Churches will be able to make better decisions regarding their youth ministry after reading this and future articles. I want the youth to become happier and healthier tithers (offering at least 10% of their tithes from money earned responsibly or learn to give 5% of their tithes and 5% community service). Once the youth comprehend the concept of being responsible, being spiritually connected, and giving back to their community, then God can say, “Job well done!”

The youth are our greatest asset. They are the future - right now.

Family is very crucial. We need to become more responsible and respect marriages and heads of households on how to educate them on their importance regarding their family and their community. Also, due to the

They are smart and ready to become entrepreneurs and spiritually connected. My youngest distributor is 6 years old. Together with his grandmother, they make an awesome pair creating project ideas to keep his products moving. Some adults are so consumed in the day-to-day responsibilities and stressors of everyday living that they sometimes forget about their youth and the impact they’re leaving as an example on how to handle life religiously. In the articles to come, I’m going to give you up-todate information and statistics on what the youth need for the 21st Century to become more responsible for themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually,

struggles of everyday life and the lack of strong family support with some families, we should be able to rely on extended family for support, such as the churches, teachers, coaches, neighbors, mentors, etc., throughout the community. Remember, it takes more than a village; it takes a nation to raise a child. I believe the youth will learn and grow into holistic adults and give back by offering to help their future leaders to come. My wife, Steffanie, and I have created the strong family foundation for our children and happily give back to our community and nation as a whole. Together as a unit, we can make this a better world.

After moving to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1993, I started hustling on the streets in 1994, after quitting a job and starting my own business, selling religious T-shirts. Today, I’m in a warehouse that’s over 10,000 square feet and ships products all over the world. The Lord has allowed me to create my legacy by spiritually directing, and teaching two of my sons to manage, and run their own-your-own business, and to become independent and self-reliant business leaders. During my leisure, I help the youth to gain financial freedom. This is a God given strategy to get them spiritually connected to God. I offer free grassroot economics classes every Saturday morning 9:00am-10:00am to anyone interested in learning how to become entrepreneurs and teach high school students from a private school every weekday from 9:00pm to 11:45pm in his conference room in Decatur, Georgia. I uses social media, like YouTube (search HeavenlyBodyProducts-with no spaces), Facebook (Sir Markadoo), Livestream (Sir Media Group), Instagram (Sir Markadoo), etc., to help increase awareness of my products and to educate them more about the market. After a successful career in sales, I now advises other people how to achieve the same success. “In order

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Raising a Godly PRINCIPLES FOR REARING CHILDREN BY DR. DAVID & EDIE HOPEWELL

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his article is not your typical article on how-to-rear children; or theory. I pray you will not read its content as a theologian preparing for a debate, but as an open vessel before the Lord. The content is how God inspired us to rear our children. We would love to say we were model parents; however, the truth is we had no clue, nor what God was doing as we were raising our children. I just know that as a wife, I prayed; show me how to be a mother. The same prayer I prayed as I became a new bride, show me Lord! Show me how to be a wife and mother. So, the content of this article and those that follow, will focus on our journey, “How to Raise a Godly Inheritance.” Raising future citizens, to black the Devil in the eye! Nurturing kings are told from birth who they are and whose they are. We were raising kings and queens for the King of Kings! So, shouldn’t they know who they are and to whose kingdom they belong? Shouldn’t we prepare kings and queens to reign in this life and with God? As father, I have to give glory to God and credit to my wife. While I provided spiritual guidance, discipline and natural substance for our family, my wife, in no particular ordernurtured, enforced, and reinforced to our children, that they were fearfully and wonderfully made by God, the importance of being a good discipline student, continuing their education beyond high school and college, becoming good citizens, following the dreams in their heart, and the importance of family. In short, by focusing on the above, they would become good citizens, educated, spiritually connected and find their purpose in life. Today, we can only thank God for the way our children and family have turned out. All of our children have a relationship with Jesus Christ, are good citizens, have finished college or

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gone beyond, and either know or are seeking their purpose in life. Our oldest son and wife are both seminary trained and are ordained ministers. Our daughter is married and has a master’s degree in sign language. Our middle son is a powerhouse of knowledge relative to political and African- American History, and has run for public office. Our youngest son has worked for major companies. We thank God for their accomplishments and know if He had not showed us what and how to raise our children, they would be statistics. However, as rewarding as that might seem for any parent, accomplishments come with struggles, setbacks, disappointment, and failures. Yet, as we have always instructed our children, a failure, setback, or struggle doesn’t benefit you if you don’t learn from it. Failure is experienced if you don’t learn from it or don’t get up and try again. We’re not the perfect family. In fact, we have more failures then victories, but for the grace of God! The formula is simple, God first, family, hard work and perseverance. Beyond the failures and disappointments, God has blessed us to be where we are today. We are not rich in material things but are rich in God and family. Beyond the Biblical content of this article, we want to tell our story. We want you the reader, to experience our family as we have failed and succeeded. Regardless of what we experience in life, we lived out Biblical principles. We have experienced the highs and lows of life. We know what it feels like to struggle with our faith, and have experienced being down to our last dime. What we have done in rearing our family is real and we have outstanding children. We are not the heroes, but a real family who cried out to God to give us wisdom to rear our children, and He did so. “Raising a Godly Inheritance,” will be in book form in the future.

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African American Poetry

When Black Men Praise The Lord When Black Men begin to praise God, there will be such a move of God that it will first, change the man himself, then his family, neighborhood, city, state, county, and the world. When Black Men begin to praise God, the power of God will be released to do great exploits. It will cause men who were once influenced by demonic forces to become a fore of righteousness. When Black Men begin to praise God, men will not ask am I my brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keeper, but will be their keeper, and no more will our brothers blood cry from the ground. When Black Men begin to praise God, men will be lifted from the gutter to the pew. When Black Men begin to praise God, Heaven will rejoice, and God will be glorified. When Black Men begin to praise God, what a time, what a time, what a time. - David Hopewell Sr.

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HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Building Strong Marriages BY DAVID HOPEWELL JR.

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s I began to walk to the kitchen, I realized that this marriage thing was not what I thought it was or how I dreamed it would be. My wife and I had just had a major fight, and of course I was right because I had done nothing wrong! The only thing that was going to help take my mind off things was to wash the dishes. I mean, how hard is it for someone to consider the other person’s feelings? I had come home after working twelve hours! One would think that she could at least have dinner ready since she had been home for five hours! It seemed to me that all God had to do was fix her, and we would get along. I never thought that that day would mark the beginning of a new marriage. While washing the dishes, I began to express my frustration verbally to God as I threw, banged, and tapped the dishes in and out of the sink. It seemed clear that God was truly on my side because He was listening to me and not defending her. However, I hadn’t kept my mouth closed long enough for Him to respond. As soon as I finished with the last bit of the prayer that ended with “if you would just show her herself,” I knew that all would be okay after that. When I stopped talking, I immediately heard God say, “You need to go to her and apologize for the way you spoke and behaved.” I was sure at this moment that I was dreaming

because I knew God had seen the whole fight, and there was no way I had done anything wrong. I was sure I misheard God. However, the next statements were so convicting that I could not ignore them. God pointed out that if my relationship had changed from being one where issues could be discussed civilly to being one where my wife and I could not talk at all, I had to take ownership for the things that I had done to make it so. In other words, I had to admit my part in changing the dynamics in the relationship. It takes two to fight, and no one has ever seen Mike Tyson in the ring by himself! Standing there in the midst of the suds and bubbles, I could not do anything but question God about the way He viewed the quarrel with my wife. I felt that God was taking her side and had totally dismissed me. I realize now that I should have just kept my mouth shut because the next thing that I heard God say was that she was the first member of my church. This confused me because 100 INFORMED Magazine

I didn’t pastor a church. At that time, I wasn’t even ordained! My perspective now and the one that I had at the time of the argument are totally different. I have grown in wisdom as a result of life experiences and earning a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Oral Roberts University. While in school, I realized that the text books only confirmed what God had told me the day I stood at that sink frustrated with my wife…amazing! When God said that she was the first member of my church, He was pointing to the call on my life as well as hers. How could I get along with everyone at work, school, and church, but not get along with her? She is designed to be everything I need and vice versa. However, she is also equipped to push every button I have. It dawned on me one morning (after another argument) that she was my agitator. An agitator is a device or mechanism that puts

Agitator

something into motion by shaking or stirring. The agitators in your life are not people who try to annoy or harm you. They are people who help you to become the best you can be. Have you ever noticed that your spouse always seems to bring you to a level no one else can? For example, you have always been a patient person. However, you discovered there is another level of it when you got married! Your spouse is designed to bring out the Fruit of the Spirit by pushing, shaking, and stirring you to another level. A comparison can be made to an agitator in a washing machine. If it were not there, how clean would the clothes be? Your spouse has a similar function. He or she is going to get the things out of you that you could not produce on your own. This is necessary because greater dimensions of ministry require greater demonstrations of spiritual fruits like love and patience. Therefore, your spouse is a tool that is being used to enhance and refine the ministry God has given you.

Marriage is the first ministry team God established. From the beginning, Adam and Eve were called and empowered by God to complete a Divine mission. Most people believe that the first ministry teams were the disciples when Jesus sent them out two by two, but Jesus was following the model of Genesis. God told Adam and Eve to go out and subdue the land and be fruitful and multiply. Christians often interpret this directive as a command to produce offspring. As a result, you may be asking, “What does making babies have to do with ministry? “ Being fruitful and multiplying was not just a command to have children. When He gave this charge to Adam and Eve, God was telling them to take the land, protect it, and multiply the atmosphere of Eden across the Earth. God’s initial purpose has always been to bring the Kingdom to Earth just as it was declared in the Lord’s Prayer (“on Earth as it is in Heaven”). The quickest way to develop a team is to join a man and a woman who can help each other in their weaknesses and learn from each other’s strengths. It is a partnership designed to last” till death do us part.” This means that couples cannot quit on each other or the common mission that God has assigned to them. The institution of marriage is under attack in our world. An increasing number of single people are choosing to live together before making vows. Homosexuals are demanding the “right” to get married, and the sacredness of this God-

ordained institution has lost its value to those of us who are married. The rising divorce rate among Christians is reflective of the fact that the church not remembering its promises to keep the things of God holy and sacred. We have given the world no example of what marriage as God intended it to be looks like. I challenge all of us who are married to find the common mission that God has given you and your spouse. I also challenge you to identify the lessons that God is trying to teach you as individuals and as a couple. You can never change your spouse, but you can always change you. It’s hard to dance the same dance over and over again with someone who keeps stepping on your toes. The solution is either to get them to dance like you or find a way to dance like them. The Bible asks, “How can two walk together unless they agree?” I like to phrase that question in the following way: “How can two grow or progress forward unless they can learn to agree on the turns?” We have been charged to change the world, but we can’t change the world until we change our own world. There is a reason you have a spouse, and it’s more than sex and companionship. You have a ministry together. God did not promise that life will be easy, but He did promise that He would be there. He also promised to mold you to the image of Himself if you allowed it. Hopefully others can see Him in you, but more importantly can your spouse?

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AFRICAN AMERICAN Church and Missions ‘Twinning today and winning tomorrow’ Church Twinning – A Unique Way for Congregations to Link with an Overseas Church

BY DAN WOODING Founder of ASSIST Ministries

Dan and Norma Wooding (left) meeting with believers in Cuba

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(ANS) -- When my wife Norma and I began ASSIST Ministries more than 24 years ago, one of our first projects was what we called a “Sister Church Program,” which was a way that a Western church could link-hands with an overseas church so they would learn from each other.

DECATUR, GA

Constitution wrote an article about the program called: “‘Twin’ churches joining hands around world to share a faith.”

We started in Cuba and Norma and I traveled to the communist island to profile churches there and when we got back to the States, we began to seek out American churches to link with them.

“For example, if each church in the United States had acquired a twin church in Africa a decade ago, the crisis facing that part of the world might not exist today, Holston said.”

One of our first linkings was with Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, which we twinned with a church in Cuba and soon a team from the church traveled there, not only to bring moral and spiritual support, but also to be blessed by the wonderful Cuban believers.

He was quoted as saying, “We would have been aware of the hunger and the political problems. And perhaps we could have done something to help the people before all this reached extreme proportions.”

Shortly afterwards, several other Calvary Chapels signed up and sent teams to Cuba and one of them even started Calvary Chapel of Havana. Soon, Cuban pastors were also visiting their sister churches in Southern California, and long-standing friendships were begun. Our sister organization, ASSIST Canada, also joined in and they concentrated on Nicaragua and were regularly sending teams of Canadian Christians to that Central American country, and some of them helped build churches there as well as providing support for indigenous ministries. Unfortunately, eventually the US side of the work began to peter out when, in some cases, pastors changed and the new leader decided to not continue with the linking. So I was delighted to discover that Church Twinning International, Inc. (USA) based in Decatur, Georgia, has been co-founded by the Rev. Dr. Sidney R. Holston, who described the project as “twinning today and winning tomorrow.” He says, “The purpose of Church Twinning is to encourage congregations though separate by culture and distance, to ‘assist’ each Rev. Dr. Sidney R. Holston other with the building of the church as a whole. He says he bases this on the commission by Jesus when he sent the disciples out two by two, according to Mark 6: 7 which says, ‘And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.’” (King James Bible.) Some time ago, Billie Cheney Speed of the Atlanta Journal

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In it, Speed wrote, “The Rev. Sidney R. Holston of Decatur, Georgia, believes that the concept of ‘twinning’ in which an American church joins with a church of another country to exchange ideas and resources, could help solve some of the world’s problems.”

The story continued, “Holston is president of Church Twinning International as of the early 1980’s.... If he had his way, he would twin every church in the United States with a church in the Third World. “While he is convinced that twinning promotes a link between churches through confession of a common faith in Jesus Christ, he also sees it as an opportunity for two groups of people with entirely different cultural backgrounds to get to know each other better. ‘And one could even say that such unity could aid in fostering better international relations,’ he said. “The church twinning concept was introduced to Holston by Andrew Crakye Denteh Ghana in September 1981 and then to Dr. G. Murray Branch, pastor of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama in October 1981.” The story went on to say that Holston, and Branch “accepted the idea and decided to help the minister from Ghana, visiting the United States at the time, implement it.” “While the focus now seems to be on Africa, Holston stressed that church twinning is needed in other parts of the world.” “He noted that while the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church is a twin to the Feden Church of Ghana, the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Decatur is in a twinning ministry with three churches in Jamaica.” In July 1988, Dexter Church Family twinned with Calvary Methodist Church family in Accra, Ghana West Africa. “The Reverend John E. Talford, pastor of the Trinity Presbyterian Church for 17-20 years, said his congregations of 750 members are working with two churches in the Montego Bay area and another in the Sommerton community. “Last summer, he and a team of his members went to their twin churches in Jamaica and conducted a week of evangelism services.

“‘During that time we had an opportunity to meet with the people, spend time in their homes and observe their needs’, he said.”

gives us an opportunity to participate their culture, share their beliefs, look at their strengths and accept their participation,’ Talford said.”

Georgia and a member of the ITC New Study Course Program and Committee, and Rev. Dr. Sidney Holston co-founder Church Twinning International, Inc.

“‘It is a beautiful island but it is poverty-stricken,’ he said. ‘And we returned with a desire to do something to help the people there.”

Sadly, since the story was written, Dr. Branch and Rev. Talford are deceased.

This course was incorporated into the “Introduction to Missiology” which is a required course, and additionally the class was introduced to increase cultural awareness and spiritual growth.

“It was decided that members of the Presbyterian Trinity Church, along with others who might want to lend their skills, would return to Jamaica to participate in one to two week workshops.” “Talford said cosmetologists, nurses, clerical workers, child care, storytellers; people who can conduct Bible schools and others who want to help may join the team. “‘It is an exciting ministry because it

Now Holston would like to introduce courses in American and Canadian seminaries so that students can learn about church twinning and the first course began at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The summer of 2010 saw the Interdenominational Theological Center present this new study course titled “The Introduction and Principles of Church Twinning” by ITC Professor Dr. Marsha Snulligan Haney, Rev. Dr. Arthur Carson, Jr., pastor at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta,

“It combines economic interest and creates innovative programs and projects that further exchange cooperation and fellowship,” says Dr. Holston. Holston says that his motto is: “Twin 2 Win 4 Ever God’s People Around the World.” I couldn’t say it better! For more information on “Church Twinning”, you can contact the Rev. Dr. Sidney R. Holston at ctiusa@webtv.net

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APOLOGY As Christians, we have not always practiced what we preach. Our actions have hindered many from accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. For this we apologize. At the same time, understand that just as you fall short and sin, we are not perfect and sin. Being a Christian does not mean youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re perfect, but gives you the power to turn from and be free from the bondage of sin. In addition, the penalty of eternal damnation and separation from God are no longer your eternal destination because of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sacrificial death on the cross. He took your place and mine dyeing for every sin ever committed from the first sin in the garden to every sin you and I have done or will commit. If you have not ever accepted Christ, consider it now and ask Him to change your life and give you eternal life. Please forgive Christians for their actions and find a church that can assist you in this process.

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“ The Function of Education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King Jr. Let’s All Remember and Celebrate the Birth of One Man that Change the World Forever. January 19, 1929 www.informedmagazine.net 110 INFORMED Magazine