Britain’s leading Black and multi-ethnic community-focused publication
ISSUE 99
supporting unity, faith and family values
GOD
AND OUR TURBULENT TIMES
ESCAPE THE BUSYNESS OF LIFE
and gain a new perspective
He came... Regardless
A NARNIAN
WINTER GARDEN
CHRISTIAN BUSINESSES A model for community transformation
The Birth of a Nation
Interview:
Bishop Paul S Morton
REV DR CALVIN SAMUEL
NEW PRINCIPAL OF LONDON SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
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Dear Readers Welcome to the 99th issue of Keep The Faith magazine. I hope you enjoy this issue, which is packed with the usual interesting and inspirational articles. Do you know of anyone that we should consider featuring? If so, please get in touch . . . It’s Christmas! A very special time of the year that is celebrated by all, and a time for loving and giving. This season is also always a good time to pause and reflect, and there has certainly been a lot of reasons to reflect in 2016, with Brexit; US police killings of Black people; issues of racial profiling, police brutality and racial inequality in the United States; #BlackLivesMatterUK; a new UK Prime Minister and the US presidential elections. With all the unrest and intolerance in the world right now, I hope the spirit of Christmas enables you and yours to find acceptance and peace. Stay safe, healthy and happy - however you choose to celebrate the season. 2017 welcomes our 100th issue! Whoop, whoop! We are soooo excited about this issue, which will be very special. This is such a milestone for our publication! Although it has been a struggle to continue publishing our much-loved magazine - because of continued rising costs of printing and distribution - we could not have done so without the continued support of our valued readers, clients and, of course, our very valued contributors. As we end 2016 and enter into the New Year, we will face a new set of challenges and opportunities. My prayer for you all is that these challenges and opportunities will be positive, prosperous and particularly providential.
ISSUE 99 NEWS
04 In the news
GOSPEL NEWS
06 Keeping it ‘juicy’ with Vinejuice 10 Prophesying gospel goodwill: 2017, the year of Uncommon Achievements by Juliet Fletcher 12 Lurine Cato: Chosen to Serve 14 Church girl gone jazz by Tiffany McCaskill
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INTERVIEW
16 Bishop Paul S Morton: Legacy by Milton B Allen 18 An interview with Rev Dr Calvin Samuel by Matt Adcock
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
21
Enjoy.
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Keep The Faith Ltd keepthefaithteam Suite 48 @keepthefaithmag 88-90 Hatton Garden keepthefaithmagazine London EC1N 8PN www.keepthefaith.co.uk T: 0845 193 4433 www.blackchristiandirectory.com
26 God and our turbulent times by Rev Canon J John 27 Racism only sleeps and snores, it never dies by Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts 28 Christian businesses - A model for community transformation by Rev Stephen Brooks 30 Food 4 Thought by Marcia Dixon 31 Watch your mouth, and let your words work for you by Esther Kuku
LIFESTYLE
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FEATURE
COMMENT
Shirley McGreal Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
KEEP THE FAITH MAGAZINE
20 Paul Lawrence 21 Sonia Meggie
22 He came... regardless by Pastor Bryon Jones 23 The birth of the Gospel message by Dionne Gravesande 24 The Birth of a Nation by Priscilla Igwe
Blessings
CONTENTS
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Shirley McGreal FCMI Sub-Editor: Jackie Raymond Design: Becky Wybrow Advertising: Anna Davis Josie McFarlane Admin & Accounts: Nicola Hammond All enquiries: admin@keepthefaith.co.uk
32 Escape the busyness of life and gain a new perspective by Emilia Barnett 34 Upgrade your life! You already have the software to succeed by Grace Gladys Famoriyo 35 My fight against depression by Lisa McClendon 36 Writing non-fiction by Vanessa Grossett 38 Book reviews 40 Universal credits: What's wrong? by Joy Roxborough 42 Is bread really bad for you? by Joy Roxborough 44 A Narnian winter garden by Jason Loh
The Publisher would like to thank Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts, Rev Stephen Brooks, Dionne Gravesande, Marcia Dixon, Esther Kuku, Grace Gladys Famoriyo, Milton B Allen, Vanessa Grossett, Joy Roxborough, Jason Loh, Pastor Bryon Jones, Rev Canon J. John, Lavinia Goddard, Adaeze Chiwoko, Juliet Fletcher, Marlene Cato, Tiffany McCaskill, Priscilla Igwe, Lisa McClendon, Ella Dickinson and our supporters and advertisers. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Publisher.
www.keepthefaith.co.uk
04 NEWS
UK concert dates announced for 100 Voices of Gospel
Do you know a Christian woman who is making an impact? Why not nominate her for a Wise Women Award?
Prepare to be wowed by Britain’s Got Talent finalists, international choir 100 Voices of Gospel, who will be in the UK as part of their World Tour in 2017. The renowned gospel choir secured an immediate place in the live finals, when they brought the house down with their rendition of ‘Stayed on You’, impressing the audience and judge Alesha Dixon, who declared them as her ‘Golden Buzzer’ act. The 100 Voices of Gospel choir was founded in 1998, and travel the world sharing their faith and love for gospel. Members of the choir represent more than 20 different countries including: Cameroon, Comoros, England, Guinea, Haiti, Jamaica, Laos, Morocco, Republic of the Congo, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana) and the USA. The three UK concert dates are: Blackburn - King George’s Hall on Sunday April 23; London - Lyceum Theatre on Monday April 24, and Newcastle - Theatre Royal on Tuesday April 25. The UK dates are presented by music and event promoters Cuffe & Taylor. Director Peter Taylor said: “100 Voices of Gospel are an incredibly exciting choir, so we are delighted to be able to work with them on their World Tour. These performances will be a magical experience for audiences and will be enjoyed by young and old alike.” Tickets to the UK concerts are available from www.seetickets.com
Nominations are open for the 13th Wise Women Awards (WWA), which is taking place on Saturday 25th March 2017 at The Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in London. The WWA UK and Europe celebrates the achievements of everyday Christian women who are making a positive impact within the Church and wider society. There are a total of ten categories that are open for nominations by the public: • Woman in Business • Woman in Missions • Exceptional Young Christian Woman (for women aged 18-30) • Christian Woman Serving in Media • Woman in Christian Leadership • Woman in Music • Turnaround Award • Woman in the Community • Naomi Award (for women aged 60+) The Wise Women Awards is the brainchild of Reverend Marjorie Esomowei, an ordained minister and co-pastor of Triumphant Church International London. Pastor Marjorie and her husband of almost thirty years, Reverend Clem Esomowei, minister together having apostolic oversight of churches and outreaches in the United Kingdom, Europe, South Africa and Nigeria. She is the president and founder of the dynamic Wisdom For Women International, the founder of the prolific Wise Women Awards and the founder of the Comfort Home Orphanage. The Wise Women Awards is jointly organised by Wisdom for Women International (W4WI) and Keep The Faith magazine. Full details of all categories and how to nominate can be found by visiting www.wisewomenawards.org
Free ‘Let’s Talk About Money’ workshops Churches across the UK are being invited to help their young people to become moneywise by hosting free ‘Let’s Talk About About Money’ workshops, being run by the Pentecostal Credit Union (PCU), a financial institution founded by a Black church leader in 1980. The ‘Let’s Talk About Money’ workshops are interactive and will cover a range of topics, including: The attributes of a moneywise person; Why young people should budget and save; Understanding interest; The importance of being generous, and Developing a plan to financially support future plans. The launch of the moneywise workshops coincides with the recent release of Gimme Dat, a video created by PCU-Money, the Pentecostal Credit Union’s youth arm, which features Tneek, a young female Christian rapper. The video has been released to inspire a much-needed conversation amongst young people on how they use their money. Shane Bowes, CEO of the PCU, stated: “We don’t want young people to fall into the trap of not being financially aware. We have to help our youth plan for their financial future.” If you would like to book a ‘Let’s Talk About Money’ workshop, email info@pcuuk.com. Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
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06 GOSPEL NEWS
Keeping it ‘Juicy’ with Vinejuice!
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ounded by Adaeze Chiwoko and Lavinia Goddard, aka the ‘Juicy Ladies’, Vinejuice is a media company based in Manchester, the home of the JUICIEST urban/contemporary Christian entertainment news, events and music. Connect with Vinejuice via our website, vinejuice. co.uk, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube), the weekly ‘Juicy Ladies Show’, broadcast live via Facebook Live and Periscope, and Vinejuice Radio for 24/7 of the best urban/contemporary Christian music online.
“Does the Bible say it’s a sin to drink and smoke?” KevOnStage answers
Triple O drops soulful niceness - ‘Times Change’ Man! Do we love this track or do we love this track! They say that good things come to those who wait, and UK rap artist, Triple O, has confirmed that to be a very true statement as he dropped his new release, ‘Times Change’, in mid-October. ‘Times Change’ comes as a follow-up to the grime track, ‘Godzilla’, which he dropped just a few days prior. From grime to a more soulful sound we go with ‘Times Change’, produced by R Kay. Triple O describes it as an “introspective and realistic look at the beauty and fleetingness of time”. Clever, eh? With his sophomore album close on the horizon, Triple O is continuing to tease us all with what is looking to be a very dynamic yet well-constructed body of work set for release in the first quarter of 2017! But for now, visit vinejuice.co.uk/music to enjoy the new single from Mr KeepBreathing.
Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
The hugely popular - and sometimes controversial - Christian comedian, KevOnStage, has teamed up with his good, self-professed ‘ratchet’ friend for a new series of videos that attempt to discuss topics most of us often wonder about - from a righteous and ratchet point of view. In the first episode that came out October 16, the pair ask the question: “Is it a sin to drink alcohol and smoke weed?”! Some of us would already have our answer to that straight off the back, but Kev and his buddy do have a couple of interesting points….a couple… Oh, and if you weren’t sure about the meaning of the term ‘ratchet’, the video should give you a very good understanding. Head on over to www.vinejuice.co.uk/juicy to watch the discussion between Kev and his ‘ratchet’ friend. Then pop on over to Facebook or Twitter @Vinejuice and let us know your views on the topic. Do you agree with the ratchet or righteous point of view?
GOSPEL NEWS 07
for KING & COUNTRY brothers release new movie - ‘Priceless’ Christian pop duo, Joel and Luke Smallbone, aka ‘for KING & COUNTRY’, released their first feature-length movie this October to the US Box Office, entitled ‘Priceless’. The movie is a drama/thriller story of redemption inspired by true events. The central character is James Stevens, who is played by Joel Smallbone. After devastating circumstances of life lead James to a dark place, he finds himself at a crossroads where he has to make a life-changing choice and discover the life he was meant to live. The film is a natural extension for the Smallbone Brothers brand. “Part of the DNA of for KING & COUNTRY is this idea of respect and honour in relationships, and of women being priceless,” Joel Smallbone says. “What we’ve found in our beliefs as men is that people are made equal. The film continues the idea that no one is a commodity, and everyone deserves to be loved and loved well. And we are fortunate to have our family on board for this journey – our brother Ben directed the film, while our father David and brother Luke produced.” ‘Priceless’ opens in movie theatres across the US on Friday, October 14. UK release dates are not yet confirmed.
David B drops new visuals for love song ‘Iwo Nikan’ New visuals are out for the track ‘Iwo Nikan’ by David B, and features the YouTube beauty, Jennie Jenkins. The video for the afrobeats love song dropped on 16th October, and is the first in a two-part love story. David B, from Manchester but now pushing his music career to the next level in Nigeria, said this about his new vid: “Love is a beautiful thing, and this video tells the story of two people who have fallen in love, but there are some levels of doubt on both sides as to whether their love is real. The next video, for song ‘Titi Lai Lai’, sees the story through between the lovebirds. As an artist who is a Christian, I want my videos to not just reflect ideals but reality.” Visit www.vinejuice.co.uk/music to watch the singer display some surprisingly good acting skills, and discover this “reality” that he is talking about.
Bizzle describes incident with police on his way to a Christian festival US rapper, Bizzle - leader of Christian ‘no-holds-barred’ hip-hop collective, ‘God Over Money’, shared his heart in an interview with No.1 Christian DJ Wade-O on police brutality, the realities of racism in America, and his own negative personal experiences with the police. Bizzle shares his story of a time when he was followed and stopped by police, and taking his first breathalyser on his way to a Christian festival. Harking back to his past ‘roadman’ lifestyle, Bizzle says he’s had more guns pointed at him by police than by gangsters. He also said: “It hurts when people brush off my pain” in response to Christians who say that the level of racism and brutality toward African Americans reported to take place by the media is a myth. He also says “Bruh” a lot! Watch the video of the full interview at www.vinejuice.co.uk/news.
www.keepthefaith.co.uk
08 GOSPEL NEWS
Bobby Bovell cleans up at Jump Music Video Awards with ‘Love Love’ Bobby Bovell was the man of the hour at the Jump Music Video Awards 2016, which took place in London at the beginning of October. The gospel artist and Pastor went home with the most awards after winning three times, with only MOBO-nominated r&b gospel singer, Sarah Téibo, coming close as she went home with two awards. Bobby didn’t struggle too much to carry his awards for Best Reggae/Caribbean, Best Inspirational and Music Video of the Year, but he did take to Facebook to say this: “Wow… this is so surreal 3 AWARDS on 1 night! We won BEST Caribbean/Reggae, BEST Inspirational Video AND Jump Music VIDEO of the YEAR! Madness. I was honestly just honoured to be nominated. Never expected this!” The video in question was for the ‘Love Love’ remix, released in July. The track was produced by Danish beatmaker Kriswontwo, and features Bobby’s father, acclaimed musician, producer and recording artist, Dennis Bovell. The video is fun, colourful, creative, and really has that ‘feel-good-on-a-summer’s-day’ factor. Having earned a MOBO nomination for his debut album, ‘The Emergent EcleKtic’, Bobby is now working on his second album… We can’t wait to hear it. Watch the video at vinejuice.co.uk/music and fall in ‘Love, Love’.
Lecrae’s Anomaly album goes gold Leading CHH rapper, Lecrae, has gone clear after hit album, ‘Anomaly’, received Gold Certification this September. The Grammy award-winning artist is currently celebrating after receiving RIAA Gold Certification for ‘Anomaly’ That means he has sold over 500,000 units of the album….WHAT!!! ‘Anomaly’ was released in September 2014 and debuted at number 1 on the coveted Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. The album received universal acclaim and made Lecrae an undeniable force in rap music. The Atlanta-based artist, community leader, activist and entrepreneur has helped to revive the genre’s conscious sensibility with his message of inspiration and love of God. Nominated for multiple awards throughout his career, Lecrae has blazed an unchartered path, winning two Grammy Awards. His hit single, ‘All I Need Is You’, from Anomaly garnered across-the-board acclaim, earning a 2015 Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Anomaly – Lecrae’s seventh album to date – at number 12 on their list of the Best 40 Albums of the Year. This summer, Lecrae celebrated the release of his memoir, Unashamed, which immediately debuted as a New York Times Best Seller, landing in the Top 10 of the Non-Fiction category. It was also announced that the groundbreaking rap artist had signed a deal with Columbia Records and his own label, Reach Records. Lecrae has shared the stage with Kendrick Lamar and J Cole, as well as hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim and Common, and he has co-headlined some of the best-selling tours in the US, according to Pollstar. Say what you will about Lecrae, but you can’t deny that he has been able to take Christ-inspired music to urban heights like none other thus far. Hats off to him. Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
GOSPEL NEWS 09
Guvna B scoops his second MOBO The east London lad does it again! Grime/hip-hop artist, Guvna B, won the Best Gospel Act MOBO 2016 Award, and makes history in the process. This is the Guvna’s second MOBO win, making him the only gospel act to receive two MOBOs. He also gave a winning speech as he received his Award, by giving some insider music industry tips to other up-and-coming artists – such a good guy. He said, “I won my last MOBO six years ago, and in that time I’ve learnt a lot. After that, I just realised that once you win, you’re kind of like the man of the moment and everyone loves you and that kind of stuff. But, if you go a couple of years without substantial success, people start to forget about you and not really care. It made me realise that the industry we’re in is very fickle. So the most important thing I learnt is to look at the people who have been there in your greatest moments and in your not-so-great moments as well. God has been there for me. I’ve felt His presence every single step of the way. I love God…” His mum suddenly joined him on stage and embraced her strapping, winning son…very sweet. He went on to give a word of encouragement to fellow artists: “Just keep on going, keep on going, because even if it’s not mainstream it’s doing something special. It’s touching hearts, touching souls - and you can’t put a price on that.” Guvna B beat off stiff competition in the Best Gospel Act category from S.O., Sarah Téibo, Volney Morgan & New-Ye and Andrew Bello – with many people saying that the 2016 list of nominees has been the strongest collective for many years - an indication that the gospel music industry in on its way back up? We hope so. Congratulations to Guvna B for his win and to all the nominees.
Andy Mineo drops the swaggiest music video - EVER! Late September, hip-hop artist, Andy Mineo, dropped a new music video for ‘Hear My Heart’. Honestly, it’s got to be one of the swaggiest we’ve seen for 2016. The styling of the video is really quite simple, giving full focus to Mineo as he signs (that’s right: SIGNS, as in Sign Language) his way through the entire track, with some serious swag moves. What’s great about it is that it not only looks cool, but is also accessible to the Deaf and hard of hearing community, making it really quite innovative for the CHH genre. ‘Hear My Heart’ is the second single off his latest album, ‘Uncomfortable’, which topped the US Billboard Independent Chart when it dropped in September ’15. The track is very personal for Mineo, a tribute to his big sister Grace, who is deaf – hence the sign language. “It’s just an honest record of me essentially apologising to her for having never learned sign language growing up,” he explains during an interview with hip-hop icon, Sway Calloway of Sirius XM’s ‘Sway In The Morning’. “We’re putting together a music video,” he continued. “I want to see sounds. So we’re really working on something creative and special for her, because I really just want her to know that I love her and I’m sorry.” Bless him! Fans have been waiting the longest time for this video, but Mineo released it to coincide with International Week of the Deaf 2016 to raise awareness for #IWD2016. Smart move. Visit vinejuice.co.uk/music to watch the video. www.blackchristiandirectory.com
10 GOSPEL NEWS
Prophesying gospel goodwill: 2017, the year of Uncommon Achievements
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or those who read my column regularly, you know I often write about issues or practical matters in Gospel Music. As I write, I aim at accurate solutions and to inspire godly practice. In this season of change, I want to lead with the spiritual before proceeding to practical matters, by making a declaration: “2017 is the year - your year - of UNCOMMON ACHIEVEMENTS: succeeding beyond your own and anybody else’s expectations.” This is not wishful thinking or resolution. It’s a declaration in prayerful consideration and commitment for those of us of faith - who are involved in the Media, music, entertainment, arts and culture - to aspire and work towards. SURE OF YOUR CALLING - CLEAR ON YOUR FOCUS I’m writing this to encourage myself, too. Throughout 2015-16, there were those of us who experienced lots of disappointments, setbacks and what may have been considered as failures. In fact, some of us were on the verge of giving up. You may have struggled to this point: mentally, physically, emotionally feeling like you’re running on empty. Even if you are - don’t despair! The foundation for Uncommon Achievements is first to be sure of - and then remaining in -your calling. Worship leader and pastor, Madeleine Kerzner, stated it to me like this: “Stay in your lane.” Secondly, be clear on your focus. The season we are in demands this! If you’re someone who is confused on your calling or unclear of your focus, consider this step on how you can rectify both: DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT This is NUMBER ONE, because it is the first step towards Uncommon Achievements. Very often in our scene, we separate whatever we do to progress our career or business from our spiritual relationship with God. And it’s often only at the point of trouble that we focus on prayer. Too often, prayer is telling God about the problem and asking Him to make certain things work this or that way. But, here is a better way: LISTEN. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Remember, Jesus said: “He (Holy Spirit) leads and guides into ALL truth.” Listening is hard when your mind is crowded with the challenges that face you. The reality is He already knows. Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
Trust Him. It takes effort, but use your spiritual weapon: private, intense prayer. Jesus said to pray in secret, and Father will reward you openly. In the same chapter of Matthew 6, He encourages fasting. We know there are many types of fasting that can work for us - even if we are taking medication. Thirdly, praying in the spirit or speaking in a language not known to you. I can appreciate that not all of us are from this Christian spiritual persuasion. The Apostle Paul tells us, in Romans 8:26, that in prayer the Holy Spirit will talk to God through us with groans or sounds that are unintelligible (meaning not being understood, or incomprehensible) words. But He is interceding, talking on our behalf, in the perfect will of God. Isn’t that good news? It makes sense that the Holy Spirit generates the answers within our spirit, and we leave the place of prayer and LIVE IT OUT - just like Jesus did! Remember, God is SPIRIT. He understands and sees the intangible things: the heart of man and the future.
JULIET FLETCHER
is a former BBC Producer and funding Executive of the GMIA
GOSPEL NEWS 11
WRITING DOWN THE VISION OF YOUR CALLING We are individuals, who have experienced the reality of God through JESUS CHRIST by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. We’ve dedicated our lives to His cause and purpose. We’ve answered The Call. Great! God’s calling is not stagnant; it’s organic, it’s step by step. It develops as our relationship with Him develops. Look at the life of Abraham and those found in Hebrews Chapter 11 (the ‘Hall Of Faith Achievers’) and you can see this clearly. Nothing was just straight; it was based on their response to Him, and they had to learn, based on what God said to them. As our motives are purified, demonstrated by lifestyle and practice - BOOM! – we’re on a trajectory of reaching heights that give glory due to God, that bless others and that satisfy us. Regularly record your progress - in writing or audio - with dates and times. Gather these up and make time to THANK GOD. As priests offering up prayers of thanksgiving, this is a critical responsibility. I call this ‘Completing the Full Circle of Glory’. As men are applauding or honouring you - you have given it back to God. He knows when you (truly) have. This means only you can complete this circle, which ensures the glory does not stay with you. He is the One to give you back your portion of glory. Marcia Walder-Thomas
A COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT There is substantive evidence that we have got the foundation set to experience Uncommon Achievements. If you can’t see it, allow me to point out a few key factors: RECORDINGS RELEASES: I believe there will be a new level of successful albums and EPs that will resound not only in the UK, but also in the US, Africa and across the nations of Europe. Great releases are becoming more consistent. This has been building for some time, with albums like Seth & A.N.T.’s ‘Midnight Oil: Live In Worship’ and, more recently, Lurine Cato’s ‘Chosen To Serve’. Pray for: Music producers, like Ian Green, Marcus Johnson, Paul Watson, Evans Ogboi, Eddie Martin, Goz-I-Am. SONGS & SONGWRITING: A new prominence of songs from the UK, sung across the world. Our writers have had some success, like Duke Kerr’s ‘It Is To You’, Roger & Sam Grandison’s ‘Awesome Wonder’ and Mark Beswick’s ‘Sing Unto The Lord’. But, for various reasons, they experience less recognition and receive even less for their labours. There are some very strong female writers, like Donna Akodu, who co-wrote ‘Rain’ with Noel Robinson - an anthemic song that still leads the way. Pray for: Songwriters, like Madeleine Kerzner, Marcia Walder-Thomas and Isabella Ogo-Uzodike. LIVE EVENTS & TOURS: Exciting live performances in and out of the gospel /church scene, with choirs and various artists, are set to become more prevalent. The BBC’s Religion and Ethics Department has maintained the excellent Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year (recently won by Wayne Ellington and Manchester Inspirational Voices). Also, the return of Gospel Proms during the BBC Proms Season; the University Gospel Choir Of The Year and WeSingUSing are other major initiatives. We need to build up touring and festival events that draw large audiences to experience gospel at its best and undergird our economy! Pray for: Organisers and churches, like the promoter ‘T’ of Black Grape Global and RCCG’s Festival Of Life.
The Reapers Choir
MEDIA & MEDIA PERSONALITIES: Our media platforms can achieve greater connectivity to one another, and help create a wider impact upon the public awareness of our music, arts and culture. I believe this collective drive could prove to be one of the tipping points for propelling our scene forward. And, at the forefront, we must have
even more articulate artists, like GuvnaB, Muyiwa, Bazil Meade, Karen Gibson and Ken Burton certain personalities to arise and drive a new understanding of the positive contribution of gospel. Pray for: Media sources, like Keep The Faith, Testify, Premier Gospel, aStepFwd, Vinejuice, UGN Radio, Soulcure Radio, UCB, TBN, ABN.
Isabelle Ogo-Uzodike
Adetokunbo ‘T’ Oyelola of Black Grape Global
INDUSTRY INITIATIVES: Great things don’t happen by accident; it takes determination and strategic working. More than ever before, we need to have systems in place that work and enable/empower Uncommon Achievements. There are systems that exist to do that, and we need to be educated into knowing and practising how to use these systems. Pray for: The GMIA, in its unique industry ambitions. I’ll take the liberty here to ask specifically for prayer in my new role as Chairperson of the GMIA Board, focused on vision and legacy. And equally, pray for Anu Omideyi, our newly appointed Chief Executive, who leads the delivery of our overall activities. Both our time and effort are currently offered on an unpaid voluntarily basis. Anu is the leader of the award-winning The Reapers Choir. She has given up her lucrative profession as a barrister for a season, to focus on her call into gospel music - truly an uncommon step, however she is proving her calling and is set for achieving. Days following her appointment, Anu wrote an open letter, which stated: “Firstly, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for the hard work you put into writing, creating, producing, promoting, distributing, broadcasting, listening to, buying and championing gospel music week in, week out in the United Kingdom and abroad. Many of you work tirelessly, simply for the sheer love of the Gospel and without much public recognition at all. Without you, there would be no need for my new role as the Chief Executive of the Gospel Music Industry Alliance. We, at the GMIA, appreciate, recognise and thank you. Please let me assure you immediately that you are crucially important to the future of our industry going forward.” Yes. Uncommon Achievements in 2017. We have to make it happen. You may not feel you can say “YES, WE CAN!” because Obama is out of office (LOL) but think this way: the spirit of Uncommon Achievement has brought us Trump. Let’s use that same attitude to bring us what we need to transform and do good! And let the people say - AMEN! www.keepthefaith.co.uk
12 GOSPEL NEWS
Lurine Cato: Chosen to Serve
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urine Cato’s pre-album launch at West End club, 100 Wardour St, ignited a fire that continues to burn. With only 48-hour marketing, the place was filled with her family, friends, media and music industry people; people who just turned up, and those who just love her music. Her live performance included an acoustic version of her hit, ‘Power’, and a funky soul version of ‘Release’, with female rapper Tneek, followed by her moving gospel version of ‘Running’ (Naughty Boy & Beyoncé). Lurine was joined by Patrick Alan (host of Music Box Live) and they testified and ministered to a largely secular audience, who cheered, sang along and danced to ‘Wave it Away’. ‘Chosen To Serve’ entered the UK Christian & Gospel Chart at number 6 on Friday 21 October - thirteen tracks, each song with its
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own message. ‘Shemotion’ is about recognising the Lion within us is God, and that in spite of the pain, we are still standing. ‘Pressure’ - a collaboration track featuring Isaiah Raymond, the sultry-voiced Faye Simpson, and rapper Triple O - speaks to everyone who realises that when the pressure of life has overtaken them, God will kill the pressure! These are just two amazing tracks on the album. Other featured tracks include: Lurine singing ‘Never Alone’ with artiste Philippa Hanna, and ‘Release’ with Tneek. The title track, ‘Chosen To Serve’, has been already been highlighted as an all-time great! With four producers - Ian Copeland Green, Shaun Stewart, Marcus Johnson and Mark Qura Rankin (USA) - the strength of the writing and production makes it not only a top Christian album, but a top album, regardless of genre. Rankin states: “Listening to Lurine’s album
was very inspiring. The project is cohesive and it’s not just what UK Gospel needs right now, but gospel music globally needs this project. I am honoured and privileged to be a part of this process. I’m looking forward to seeing Lurine’s music ministry blossom. It’s her time now!” ‘Chosen To Serve’ is available to download at iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify and is available worldwide. For more information: www.lurinecatomusic. com or contact fresh.manna@rocketmail.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @LurineCato.
2016 , R E B M E V 1ST NO , 2016 R E B M E C E D H T 9 1
14 FEATURE
By Tiffany McCaskill
E N O G L R I CHURCH G
I
t may or may not surprise those familiar with the name and sound of Lisa McClendon when they hear the statement, “Lisa McClendon has gone jazz”. Lisa McClendon, while associated with gospel music over the last decade, her sound has always resonated with a soulful yet jazzy undertone. And, while she may have “gone jazz”, she hasn’t quite left gospel either. Ms McClendon refers to it as an “expansion”. Great news for those of us that love her for gospel. Lisa McClendon, a small town preacher’s daughter, had the very best of all music worlds: being raised in a Christian home, with a Baptist mum and a Pentecostal dad. She describes her musical home life as free. “My mom just let me be me,” McClendon recalls. McClendon shares how her mother would bring home cassette tapes of music, like European songstress Mica Paris, bluesy singer/musician Bonnie Raitt, and even the likes of the Spanish crooner, Jon Secada. And while her mother encouraged her well rounded musical experience, Lisa was also heavily baptised in the sound of gospel greats, like The Hawkins Family, The Clark Sisters, and even quartet greats like The Soul Stirrers, The Williams Brothers and Willie Neal and The Gospel Keynotes. With such a big appetite for music there was clearly evidence that she also had a huge love for jazz. Lisa McClendon’s love for jazz was apparent, as she recalled times of often bypassing the opportunity to play outside with neighbourhood friends as a teen. Lisa remained nestled in the warm covers of her mother’s bed to enjoy old black and white movie classics and vibrant musicals. “I was just very fascinated with the bright colours, the intricate dance moves and the big music. It felt like it was an area I was meant to be born in.”
With the guidance of her mother, Lisa McClendon continued to cultivate her love for music - and jazz in particular - by spending hours singing in her bedroom into a hairbrush she used a microphone. McClendon laughs at the memories of sitting on her window sill on rainy days, pretending to be the ‘It girl’ in musical videos. “I had also convinced myself that I could dance like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers,” McClendon laughs. The more McClendon shares, it’s clear that her jazz influence stretches far beyond the sound of smooth jazz. Her stories of jazz seem to paint a bigger picture of American music meets traditional jazz. When inquired about her biggest jazz vocalist influence, without hesitation Lisa McClendon responds with a confident “Ella Fitzgerald”. “Her voice control and her stage presence are impeccable,” McClendon exclaims. One of McClendon’s first Fitzgerald covers was the classic, ‘Angel Eyes’. “While it’s not actually Lady Ella’s song, for me it’s the best rendition to date of that song. It’s always fascinating to me to hear different vocalists interpret the same song in their own way. It’s a great way to give songs and lyrics longevity.” McClendon believes this is one of the reasons that she took to writing as well. Writing, for Lisa
McClendon, was the door that opened her to the world of a professional recording artist. “I’d actually been writing for an independent label when I was signed to my first record deal.” Lisa states that one of her goals in writing is to write songs that will outlive her life span on earth. “Any time your work can outlast you, you’ve done something remarkable,” says McClendon. Now deep into her transitional expansion onto the jazz scene, Lisa McClendon is both excited and admittedly a little nervous, as she realises that expanding into the jazz world feels like her introduction into gospel some 15 years ago all over again. “You have to work hard to be heard and taken seriously. Everyone can sing. So you must figure out how to stand out and be heard,” McClendon shares. Even in the midst of the sometime uncertainty, McClendon says she is grateful for people who have come into her life, like ‘Sister Act 2’ actress Tanya Blount (Trotter) and her husband Michael Trotter Jr. Mr Trotter is responsible for penning McClendon’s new song, ‘I’ll Fall In Love Again’. McClendon attributes part of her confidence to them helping her find her voice and believing in her again. She also attributes her continuing rise to her mentor, Sonia Jackson Myles, former corporate purchasing executive and one of Essence Magazine’s 25 Women of Power in 2008. “She helped me identify the roadblocks of my past, and showed me how to ‘DreamWalk’ again through her DreamWalker’s Academy.” McClendon says it is very important to her that she publicly recognises the people who have helped her get where she’s at. McClendon also has come to realise, like the beautiful structure of jazz, you can’t succeed in life alone.
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16 INTERVIEW
BISHOP PAUL S MORTON
y c a g Le Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
INTERVIEW 17
"I want my legacy to be that you can survive after 65. I’m still going to mentor people and pastors. I am still going to write books. I still have purpose."
BY MILTON B ALLEN, GLOBAL MUSIC LINK
A
t the intersection of ministry and music sits Bishop Paul S Morton, esteemed worship leader, author and award-winning recording artist. With his final solo album, LEGACY: Live in New Orleans, on Tehillah Music Group/Entertainment One, the co-founder of the Greater St Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church in New Orleans and senior pastor of the Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church in Atlanta, desires to “reach everybody, in every area, with my gospel music.” Bishop Paul S Morton recorded LEGACY: Live in New Orleans at his home church - Greater St Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church - to a sold-out, overflow crowd of 2,500, a choir with more than 100 singers and a procession of guest luminaries, including Shirley Caesar, Rance Allen, Tasha Cobbs, Zacardi Cortez, William Murphy III and Lisa Knowles. Bishop Paul S Morton is preparing for the next phase of his journey, and making room for others by passing on the mantle with his mélange of purposeful, praise experiences. The 15-track offering was designed to uplift and serve, as the passionate leader acknowledges: “If God gives you gifts, I believe you maximise those gifts, because you can meet the needs of people in many ways. God has ways of drawing people and, in the Bible, Jesus says: ‘If you lift Me up, I will draw.’ In my music, when I give Him the glory, He will draw.” The recording of LEGACY: Live in New Orleans is far more than just a final recording. It represents a transition for Bishop Morton in faith, spirit, mind and body. “In 2006, my body was attacked with colon cancer. That was a difficult time in my life; I had just come out of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I believe in spirituality, that’s number 1. There has to be the Spirit over the mind, the Spirit over the body,” says Bishop Morton. “How is Paul Morton going to respond to cancer? Well, I’ been preaching about it, I’ve been singing about it: if God can heal, God can deliver. So now it’s going to be important for my testimony to be real. Well, I believe God’s Word. In fact, it’s come out in many of my songs, coming through Hurricane Katrina, coming through cancer… I’m still standing.” Bishop Paul S Morton is retiring from recording to devote more time and energy to producing and mentoring younger artists. Glorifying the Lord has always been one of Bishop’s greatest gifts. Raised in the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) and as the son of a Bishop and Evangelist, music was his special talent. When the Ontario-Canada native transitioned to ministry and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, it was here where his worlds blossomed in every way – ministry, music and marriage. Now approaching his 40th year with wife Pastor Debra Morton, their family expanded to include three children and seven grandchildren, plus an international spiritual and expanded musical family. In creating LEGACY, Bishop Morton collaborated with longtime friend, producer Trent Phillips. Trent not only orchestrated the musical arrangements, along with co-producer AyRon Lewis, but he is also responsible for the vocal arrangements of the 100-person Greater Change
Mass Choir, comprised of the Greater St Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir (New Orleans, LA) and the Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir (Atlanta, GA). The live setting added to the audacious sounds, synergy and motivation that comprised the album, sonically capturing the spirit of resilience, faith and lively worship from Bishop Morton’s sold-out live recording in New Orleans. The culmination of Bishop Paul S Morton’s final recording is an extension of how he lives his daily life: balance. To accomplish all that his schedule requires with music, ministering across two states, and meeting the needs of his family, Bishop is very clear on his process. “Balance is something we have to learn, because I am so focused on our success. I’m not on an ego trip. I surround myself with people who can help take the load off. And I trust people to help me to do that.” Striking that equilibrium is also what keeps the 66-year-old running five miles a day to honour his temple. Bishop Morton is a self-described “agent of change”. With this LEGACY album and with his personal legacy, Bishop acknowledges: “I want people to feel my love, seriousness and integrity for God. I want to be an example of what retirement looks like, and be known as a Kingdom representative at every step. I want my legacy to be that you can survive after 65. I’m still going to mentor people and pastors. I am still going to write books. I still have purpose.” And, if his past is any indication of his future, it continues to be an exciting time to be Bishop Paul S Morton. “I want to be one, that whenever I sing I want to be able to minister to people. You know what ministry is? Ministry is about meeting a need. Thank God, the Word comes through song and that’s why I love singing. I love to help people through song, and that’s why I know on this project, whatever need you have… there will be a song on there for you.” For more information about Bishop Paul S Morton Ministries, visit www.paulsmorton.org www.blackchristiandirectory.com
AN INTERVIEW WITH
REVD DR
C A LV I N SAMUEL
“LST needs to be a place of holy ground...”
P R I N C I PA L O F L O N D O N SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
D R S A M U E L , W E ’ R E D E L I G H T E D T H AT Y O U ’ V E G I V E N U S S O M E T I M E T O TA L K A B O U T Y O U R S E L F A N D Y O U R H O P E S F O R L S T. T E L L U S A L I T T L E A B O U T Y O U R B A C KG R O U N D. I grew up in Antigua in the Caribbean to Christian parents, within a big church-going family. My family have been attending the Wesleyan Church in the village of Swetes for over 100 years! I loved going to church as a child because it was a place where I encountered aunts and uncles from both sides of the family and hordes of cousins. I experienced saving faith as a 16 year old and was baptised at that stage, but there was never really a time that I didn’t believe in God. WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF ANTIGUA THEY OFTEN T H I N K O F C R I C K E T A N D B E A C H E S . I S T H AT ABOUT RIGHT? That’s not an unreasonable way to think. Antigua’s major industry is tourism and we have produced some of the greatest West Indian cricketers. Best known is undoubtedly Viv Richards, but there’s also Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson and Curtley Ambrose. Ambrose actually comes from the village of Swetes, which is where my family is from. However, Antigua is about much more than cricket and beaches. It has a strong sailing heritage, dating back to Horatio Nelson, it hosts one of the best carnival festivals in the Caribbean and has world class expertise in international banking. Best of all we produce some of the best mangoes and pineapples in the world. So it’s an interesting place to visit. You should go at once. Tell them I sent you! S P E A K I N G O F B A N K I N G , I G AT H E R Y O U H AV E SOME BACKGROUND DEALING IN ‘FILTHY LUCRE...’ That’s correct. I didn’t go to university after A-Levels because I didn’t think I was bright enough. So I went straight to work at 18 and a large part of my early career was spent in banking. I learned a great deal about banking but more importantly about leadership and the way organisations work.
SO YOU DIDN’T THINK YOU WERE BRIGHT E N O U G H T O G O T O U N I V E R S I T Y ? S E R I O U S LY ? ? YET YOU SEEM TO HAVE A CLUTCH OF UNIVERSIT Y D E G R E E S ! H O W D I D T H AT C O M E A B O U T ? I was happy as a banker and was happy seeing my career develop. However, I was first and foremost a committed Christian willing to serve God wherever he called me. So when I felt called to ministry it wasn’t a difficult decision to say ‘yes’. What was difficult was the recognition that saying ‘yes’ to ministry also meant saying ‘yes’ to some form of study. I had not enjoyed A-Levels so I was not expecting to enjoy a university degree. Even more significantly, I wasn’t expecting to be any good at it. So I approached ministerial training with some trepidation. WA S T H AT F E A R A N D T R E P I D AT I O N WA R R A N T E D ? Turns out I was wrong on both counts. Not only did I love studying theology, to my surprise it turned out that I was also good at it. Before the end of my first year, I felt a sense of call to theological education. So having said to God I was willing to offer - as a sacrifice of praise - 4 years of study in preparation for future ministry, I ended up undertaking 14 years of study, 4 years full time as an undergraduate followed by 10 years part time as a postgraduate, completing an MBA and a PhD. Sometimes God can be a bit sneaky…. SO TELL US SOME MORE OF YOUR VISION FOR L S T I N T H E N E X T 5-10 Y E A R S My vision for LST can be expressed in a single statement: To consolidate LST’s position as the leading evangelical theological college in Europe. Given LST’s strong faculty, rich history, location in a global city, ecumenical breadth and research capacity this is not an unreasonable goal.
W H AT D O E S ‘ L E A D I N G E VA N G E L I C A L C O L L E G E ’ IN EUROPE MEAN? This still needs working out with greater precision in ways that resonate with both LST’s governors and faculty. However, I venture to make a couple of suggestions: • It’s not as simple a matrix as number of students, or size of turnover. But these things are not irrelevant. • In addition to students and turnover it is also about, impact, reputation, and trust within the evangelical community. These are much more difficult things to measure. Perhaps developing ways of measuring these things is something that LST could pioneer. We’ve already pioneered Sermon of the Year; perhaps next we need Theological College of the Year? I’m certainly looking forward to meeting the next intake of students, and would be happy to chat to those who feel that God might be calling them to come and study at LST at one of our ‘Discovery Days’ where you can come and experience a free lecture, worship with us, ask questions and get a feel for the place. In my mind, LST offers a unique opportunity for those looking to get to know both God and His Word better. E X C I T I N G S T U F F, C A N Y O U G O I N T O S O M E M O R E D E TA I L A B O U T Y O U R V I S I O N A N D P L A N S ? I think that there are 5 areas for immediate attention. 1. Making sure the London School of Theology can serve all those it should. LST has ambitions to increase the influence of the evangelical constituency both nationally and internationally. It is great that LST can reach and educate people world-wide now as our degrees are available online. We certainly won’t lose sight of the fact that LST has a solid tradition of making the best possible Biblical studies and theological training as widely accessible as possible. We are committed to maintain LST’s traditional courses and delivery modes alongside our new online initiatives. You can even mix and match the two which gives the best of both worlds. 2. Develop closer links with partner churches, nationally & internationally I want to know who is praying for LST, and who we can pray for? Alongside whom should we be partnering in mission? We need close links with partner churches, in which LST faculty and staff preach, lead study days, advise in mission and teach in Sunday school. Local churches are not only places to which LST offers its gifts, they are also places from which LST learns and are potential partners in research. Most academics write for other academics but I want LST
to speak to the church directly, after all if do not, we should not be surprised if they lose interest in speaking to us. 3. Financial strength for the future Finance is always a tough area and no Theological College in the UK can survive on fee income alone. An endowment fund enables us to smooth out bumpy periods in our operation and provides the additional income we inevitably need. I would ask that those who want to see this nation equipped with strong, biblically-astute and spirit-filled leaders consider helping support the work of LST. 4. Be more interested in spiritual formation than academic achievement We are an academic institution so we are rightly interested in academic achievement. We need not be apologetic about that. Part of LST’s job has to be to articulate why theology matters, to frame theology as nothing less than seeking to know God more deeply. We need to contend for theology as the capacity to articulate that deepening knowledge of God attractively, for the life of the church and the sake of the world. Nonetheless, as much as we are interested in theology as an academic discipline, we must be more interested in it as a spiritual discipline. Make no mistake, if our students leave LST, theologically educated but not spiritually energised, if they leave better informed but not more deeply rooted in Christ, we will not only have failed in our task, we will also have sown seeds of the ultimate demise of LST. 5. Locate LST as a Worshipping and Holy Community LST is first and foremost a community of disciples. Spiritual formation is not something for students to learn, rather it is part of our identity, and is therefore the framework within which our academic pursuits find their proper orientation. LST needs to be a place of holy ground, a place where the Spirit moves, where hearts are convicted, where mission takes place, where the Kingdom is experienced, and where grace is not merely a theological and theoretical construct. Theological education rooted in worship and infused by holiness, I think is a winning combination DR SAMUEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE OUR READERS TO PRAY FOR LST IN THE COMING YEARS? Thank you. I would be most grateful if your readers would pray that at LST we continue both to seek and to experience God’s direction and presence among us. Obviously, I want LST to flourish but most of all I want it to be a place constantly being transformed by God’s grace and conformed in his holiness so that we truly live out his call to be a community of disciples in the global city that is London.
“THE FRUIT OF ACADEMIA SHOULD REFLECT THE SUBJECT OF STUDY. LST IS AN ACADEMIC THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. A RIGOROUS ONE AT THAT. HOWEVER, HAVING STUDIED HERE, WHAT I HAVE LEARNT ABOVE ALL IS HOW TO LOVE.” SIMEON BURNETT, LST STUDENT
STUDY AT LST. FIND OUT MORE: www.lst.ac.uk facebook.com/LondonSchoolofTheology
@LSTheology
20 IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Paul Lawrence Paul Lawrence grew up in Jamaica and came to the UK in 1989. Having completed both secondary and tertiary schooling in Jamaica, upon arrival I went straight into the world of work as a Telecommunications Engineer for Mercury Communications. By 1996 I was working as a freelance Project Manager with companies UK- and EU-wide. In 2001, I was among a group of Black men, who founded the London chapter of The 100 Black Men. Here I met like-minded Black men and thus developed my first true taste for individual personal development. Soon after, I opened my first business, Mentoring Solutions, which became The Life Skills Training Consultancy and is now called Engage Training. Engage Training provides a variety of training solutions to individuals, community organisations and businesses. We believe that knowledge and skills are only two sides of the achievement triangle - the third being attitude. Our courses include: Executive Coaching, Public Speaking, Business Mentoring, Mentor Training, Goal Setting, and we will even create within your organisation a full blown mentoring scheme.
How did you decide what you wanted to do with your life? How do you feel about that choice? Perhaps, like many people, I came to my current role by chance. After a long bout of unemployment, I vowed to never be broke again, and began seeking paid opportunities to speak to anyone who would listen about personal development. It turned out I had a knack - not just for public speaking, but also for connecting with young people. I guess that from that point I knew personal development with the young and not-so-young was where I wanted to focus my efforts. I love what I do. Helping people find breakthroughs in their lives is extremely satisfying. No amount of money can replace the feeling I get when I meet someone I hardly remember and they attribute their success in some way to words that I have spoken. Who are you trying to reach? I’m trying to reach the ‘forgotten middle’. Our society is full of people who are not wealthy enough to control power, nor poor enough to obtain help. Socially they are forgotten and simply try to get by. I want to teach them that ‘getting by’ is not enough, and certainly not why their Creator put them here. We can all soar like eagles. What is the biggest challenge facing community leaders today? Without doubt, the biggest challenge facing Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
community leaders is the question of trust and support. Our community leaders lack our trust and, as such, we do not support them; leaders in such times need to be supported. Our leaders need to know that, when they step forward to represent our needs and the system pushes back, we will provide a cushion for them. Unfortunately too many so-called leaders have been self-serving and thus our trust has been eroded. Single-parent households If we all agree that parenting is one of the most difficult roles in life, then parenting alone must be even more difficult. Personally, I do not believe God or nature designed us to parent alone. However, we must face the fact that many relationships do not work and the result is single-parent households… typically led by women. As a society, we need to support these households. The heads of such households need to seek out support groups, like The 100 and Urban Synergy, where they can find professional, dedicated and well-trained individuals ready and willing to work with the children and to ensure that they are offered the same balance as though they had two good parents. If you had the power to solve one and only one problem in the world, what would it be and why? It would have to be education. And I don’t just mean academic education. Ignorance prevails large around the world and manifests itself in
so many ways. Educated, awake people do not make the self-defeating choices we see day to day worldwide. Where do you see yourself five years from now? In five years, I will be a multiple-published author. My first book, ‘Lessons I Taught My Son’, will be completed by the end of 2016. What do you do for fun? What do I do for fun? I travel. I haven’t travelled the world yet, but I’m getting there. Nothing beats waking up in a new place with days to explore and dip into new and exciting cultures. Our website is www.engagetraining.org.uk Twitter: @idleyaride or @xthoughtleader Email: paul.lstc@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/idleyardie
IN THE SPOTLIGHT 21
Sonia Meggie
S
onia Meggie is a multi award-winning business and diversity leader from south London. She has been named as one of the Top 30 most inspirational women in the City by Brummell (Diversity Champion category) in 2015. She was the winner of the BE Mogul Award for being one of the most influential and successful Black business people in Britain. She completed a Masters in Digital Media (2015) and is passionate about technology. Sonia is a qualified football coach; former board advisor for Police Now; vice-chair of the Black Cultural Archives (BCA) Friends Committee; patron for Revolutionary Underground in Ghana; trustee for Lewisham Young Women’s Resource Project, and supports the GUBA Expo in London. She is the founder of Inspirational YOU, a UK-based social enterprise that specialises in delivering empowering masterclasses and workshops for women, students and start-ups. She has engaged with thousands of attendees via Inspirational YOU, and has a proven track record of successful partnerships with the corporate, statutory and third-sector organisations. These include: Viacom International, BBC, UK Supreme Court, Lewisham Homes, PwC, Pearson, ITV News, Channel 4, Go Think Big, Impact Hub, Punch Records, London Youth, Birkbeck University of London, Lambeth Council and Metropolitan Housing. Sonia also launched an accessories company called FunkyNChunky in 2015, which is a fashion brand that sells jewellery and clothing that are handmade in Ghana. Proceeds go towards her new youth project, Inspire YOUth, which will be based in Lambeth. Tell us about your community project and its aims “Inspirational YOU seeks to empower women, young people and Black and Asian professionals with their career choices and aspirations. Sonia is in the process of setting up a Saturday School in Clapham, south London. It will educate young people aged 8 to 16, and focus on English, maths, coding, public speaking and martial arts. Everyone will get a mentor and meet a senior professional every week.” As a mother of a teenage daughter, Sonia understands the challenges that parents face in securing a good school, college or university place. She wants to ensure that no doors are closed, and that every student has the confidence and skills to get ahead. Inspirational YOU utilises their professional
contacts to facilitate employment opportunities, mentors and inroads into competitive industries. Sonia is aware that many students struggle due to a lack of awareness or contacts in their chosen field. What have been the most influential experiences in your life? “I am driven by knowing that I can impact those around me positively. Key moments include: being awarded a National Diversity Award ‘Positive Role Model for race, faith and religion’ in September 2014, and a ‘Back to Black’ Inspirational Award at BAFTA in October 2014. It was humbling to be listed on Blackenterprise.com as one of London’s most powerful Black women, as well as being featured in the Powerlist 2013. In September 2016, I won the Word 4 Weapons’ Inspirational Leader Award for Inspirational YOU at London’s City Hall. I was selected as one of the 2014 RSA Diaspora ChangeMakers, which is a leadership programme that identifies the UK’s most promising individuals of African origin, who have a desire to support African communities in the UK and Africa, and am a Fellow of the RSA.” What kinds of things bring you the most pleasure now? “I enjoy ‘me days’. These are moments where I just switch off my phone, go to the theatre, travel, read, do something different and enjoy time with my daughter, family and friends. I am learning to ensure that I stop and don’t get lost in being busy. Time out and days off are so important
for my wellbeing. I also enjoy working out, or an evening out catching up with friends. I enjoy connecting with different women at my church, and the warmth shared by complete strangers who will often approach me and pray. Finally, hearing from previous attendees of Inspirational YOU workshops or events, who have taken a leap of faith and changed jobs or careers. I get so much fulfilment from my new brand, FunkyNChunky, as I love African fashion and travelling to the continent.” What are you most passionate about in life and in your work? “I am passionate about seeing young people progress and access every opportunity available to them. I have met so many incredible entrepreneurs and senior professionals, who have all come on board to empower and motivate others because they see and share my vision. I am determined to see the dial shifted within the workplace around race, and for more of us to progress and remain visible. I have met thousands of people over the last seven years, and want to ensure that those who want to get ahead are introduced to the right people to make this happen. I also want to see girls in Africa educated, and travel to Ghana to support a girls’ project that I support.” For more information about Sonia, visit www.inspirationalyou.co.uk Find us on Facebook: Inspirational-YOU Follow Sonia on Twitter: @Inspirational_U www.blackchristiandirectory.com
22 FEATURE
BRYON JONES
is the Senior Pastor of Eden Christian Centre in Ilford (edencc.co.uk). He is also a worship leader.
He came… regardless
T
his year has flown by. The UK is in shock, because Brexit has actually happened; war is raging across the world and lives are being lost; anything goes, and murder stalks the streets in broad daylight, and the US has just – against all odds - elected Donald J Trump as its new President. All around us there is change, and seemingly not for the better. The season has also changed: winter is upon us; the evenings are darker; it’s getting colder, and we are beginning to retrieve our woolly hats, warm coats and gloves. At this time of the year, however, there is always an air of expectancy and excitement. Millions of people are eagerly looking forward to the latter part of December - that period of time called Christmas. As a pastor, one of the many questions I am asked every year is: “What do you think of Christmas?” Over the years, we have seen, heard and possibly got involved in the countless arguments pertaining to the origin of Christmas. We argue whether it’s a pagan festival or whether we should give each other gifts. There are opinions as to the actual date - Was Christ actually born on 25th December? - or whether Christ even existed!
As a Christian, it is first and foremost more important for me to know that Christ came to earth as a Baby and that, as a Man, He showed us many examples as to how we should live our lives, before He died in order that you and I can have eternal life. He may well have been born at any other time of the year - spring, summer or autumn - however, the important thing to know and be sure of is that He came. I take this time to reflect on how He came and why He came; His birth is very important to me, the date is not. My remembrance of Him, my worship to Him… they are a continual part of my life. My service to Him does not depend on the date or day He was born into this world. Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
Have you ever thought to yourself, what an amazing event? Whether you are a Christian or not, almost everyone has heard or is aware of the story of the birth of Jesus - and that’s a great thing. The Christmas period is also a time where we are more mindful, and think of others less fortunate than ourselves: those who have lost everything and are without homes and loved ones; the many abandoned children, who have never experienced the love of a parent; the elderly person alone with their memories, and the sick and infirm. If you have never done so, why not take a moment out of your time to not only think of someone in need, but to actively get up out of your comfort zone and help? I can tell you, it’s such a reward. Many people enjoy Christmas because it’s a time for families; we have our memories of childhood past; we create new memories for our children and grandchildren. We make an effort to put aside disagreements, to laugh and enjoy each other’s company. I am no different. Every year, without fail, I get together with my family, my parents, siblings and extended family to do just that. However, as we are all Christians, we especially never forget why we are gathered together. We reflect on what we have - we have fun and laughter, give each other gifts - but we never forget to thank Jesus, or forget that He is the Reason for the season and the Centre of who we are and everything we do. At Eden Christian Centre, we ensure that we celebrate by reminding ourselves of the birth of Christ, by bringing our worship in songs and reading the stories in the Bible relating to His birth. We make hampers for the needy, and look out for people in the community. We reiterate the fact that God loves everyone and He is our greatest example. Let us make this a season of peace and goodwill. Let us love our fellow brother - regardless of race or creed – and, if you find that difficult, I’m sure our heavenly Father will help you. And, when you start questioning whether December 25th is the date Christ actually came, remember the reason you are here is because He came - regardless.
Bryon Jones is a worship leader, and his album, ‘Forever’, is available to buy at bryonjones.co.uk or iTunes.
FEATURE 23
The birth of the Gospel message
T
his is the season when many of us will be singing the usual assortment of Christmas carols, ‘O come, let us adore Him’ being one of my favourites. The song speaks of an adoration of a Child in a manger, and I find myself reflecting on the birth of Jesus and the bold messages He came to proclaim and live out. It seems to me the central theme of Christ’s message was the coming of the Kingdom of God, and I find myself anchored to the question: ‘What and where is this Kingdom, and why does there seem to be so much confusion about it?’ The word ‘kingdom’ is found fifty-five times in Matthew; twenty times in Mark; forty-six times in Luke, and five times in John – that’s a lot of referencing! Clearly these statistics show the great importance of the concept in the teachings of Jesus. So, digging a little deeper, I learn many respected biblical scholars articulate that central to the Kingdom concept is a ‘Good News to the poor’ message. The Gospel means ‘good news’, but to whom and why? This message is over 2,000 years old, so what makes it significant today? Particularly when today’s headlines signal a crisis of leadership, broken families and communities, devastating hurricanes, earthquakes, war and conflict, and a displacement of people. At times the problem feels bigger than the solution, but pause for a moment, because the optimist in me screams solutions are possible if there is a will to change things. I stand on a Gospel message filled with hope and faith and, by God at work within, I stand with a vision that all things are possible with and through Him. So, could it be that we need to again discover a clear and thoughtful analysis of what the Good News is, and how we can apply it to our lives today, such that the power to transform is revealed? To see Christ revealed is not only to hear His message, but to do likewise - even if means
acting in faith. Christ spoke to and advocated for the stranger, the woman, the refugee, the prisoner, the poor and the voiceless – all the people society has left behind. The Kingdom Christ proclaims assigns rights to every single being, because each one has value, worth and dignity. So celebrating Jesus this Christmas is to celebrate a new Light that came into the world and, although many homes will be filled with joy, family and friends, for millions who are fleeing from conflict, a joyful home will be a distant memory at best. We are called, as people of God, to be a beacon of hope and to show that a decent life is possible. The refugee story resonates with Mary and Joseph’s story, who together set off on a journey 2,000 years ago, only to find that there was no safe place to make a home. Their journey had been a long one, and Bethlehem was full.
‘The Church of God is what humanity is meant to look like.’ There was no place for them at the inn. They could have had no idea how the events at the end of their journey would unfold: singing angels, wandering shepherds and travelling wise men came to visit their newborn Child. And the world was forever changed, because God had been born, as a human, to live among us. I want to introduce to you a man named Celestin. He heard God’s call upon his life; he was to be a priest. Living in Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he served faithfully, and was soon to be ordained a bishop, when his life journey changed dramatically. His bishop was killed by an armed group, and Celestin had to flee to another part of the country, walking for three weeks to reach safety. Now he lives in another area, where his
DIONNE GRAVESANDE
is Head of Church Advocacy at Christian Aid
ministry brings the light of Christ to others who have been forced to escape from horrific violence. The community in which he works as a priest is relatively safe compared to the areas around it, so it has become a sanctuary to many traumatised survivors of violence. Local host families show extraordinary generosity and kindness to newcomers, but their few resources are often already stretched. Working with Celestin and others in the community, Christian Aid is helping those fleeing violence to rebuild their lives. Its work ranges from providing agricultural training and food, plates and bowls to those that need them, to offering counselling and support to people who have witnessed and survived traumatic violence. The experiences of Celestin and his community might seem worlds away from the life we’ve known ourselves. We may never be touched by the same fear of violence, but the same sun warms us, the same stars guide us, and the same light can bring each of us out of darkness. This Christmas, communities like Celestin’s need a beacon of hope. The Kingdom of God has many beacons and we are part of the hope and light Jesus spoke about. With our practical action and solidarity of churches we can become part of someone else’s story of change and transformation. See http://www.christianaid. org.uk/christmas-appeal for more details. The Church is God’s Project for the human race. The Church of God is what humanity is meant to look like. The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers us not only a new and transforming account of what God is like, it also offers us, of course, a new and transforming account of what humanity is like and, more than that, it tells us how to do it and makes it possible for us to do it. This Christmas, don’t just listen to the songs and the Christmas story, but find new and different ways to respond to the Gospel mandate. Merry Christmas
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24 FEATURE
THE BIRTH OF A NATION The Birth of a Nation is the moving, incredibly powerful story of one man’s fight against injustice: Nat Turner, a slave and a man of faith, who lived his adult life preaching the Word of God surrounded by the brutal reality of slavery in Virginia. Three years ago, Nate Parker decided that it was time to devote his professional life – and a good deal of his personal life, too – to bringing The Birth of a Nation, the true story of Nat Turner and the 1831 American slave rebellion he led, to the screen. Parker intentionally gave his film the same title as DW Griffith’s 1915 silent film, The Birth of a Nation, which portrayed the Ku Klux Klan as an ‘heroic’ force. “I wanted to take that back and say ‘What you meant for hate, what you meant for propaganda and White supremacy, we are taking that back. Now it represents liberation.’” Making the film has changed him, he says, in so many ways. “I always considered myself an activist first, and I always say that my art is a function of my activism.
“For Eric Garner, who was choked to death, I marched in the streets of New York City. All these things affected me, and I said that if I could use my art to combat social injustice and economic injustice, then I will feel like, when it’s all said and done, I have created a legacy that’s worthy of my children’s respect.” It was a radical and, he admits, scary and high-risk plan: he would give up acting and invest his life savings in a bid to get his passion project into production. And at that time, it was very, very far from being a reality. It was, then, a huge gamble. How did it feel, you wonder, turning his back on a hugely successful acting career – his
of Bees, Red Tails and Non-Stop, amongst many others - at least temporarily, just as his hard work was paying off with bigger and better roles? “It was slightly irresponsible,” he laughs. “But, at some point you ask yourself: ‘What’s my purpose? What will my legacy be?’ I just thought it was time to take control of that. “I was making a film that had themes from Braveheart and Glory, so I thought it would be responsible for me to reach out to those directors. I reached out to Mel Gibson, who met me, read my script, and gave me thoughts and notes. He was very supportive.” That gamble has paid off handsomely. Parker’s film – which he wrote, directed, produced and stars in as Turner – is finished, and premiered with a rapturous standing ovation and rave reviews, at the prestigious Sundance Festival, where it won both the US Dramatic Audience Award and the US Dramatic Jury Award. Variety called it “searingly impressive”, and it is indeed a tour de force and vindication for the man who refused to give up on his dream of making it. “I always had faith that it would get made,” he says. “I just didn’t know how far I would have to go and how much I would have to sacrifice. We talked about me stepping away from the business for two years, and the reality was that it could have been four, five years. I could have had a script, but I could still have been begging for money and maybe working at Wal-Mart at night. “But I had to take those things to prayer, and I do believe in the power of prayer. I’m very much connected to my faith, now more so than ever, and I think that brought me closer to Nat, because here is a man who spent most of his time praying.”
The Birth of a Nation is out in cinemas on films include The Great Debaters, The Secret Life Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH FAIT Magazine
DECEMBER 9TH
SOUNDTRACK ON
26 COMMENT
REV CANON J. JOHN
is Director of the Philo Trust www.canonjjohn.com
Image courtesy of Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock.com
GOD AND OUR TURBULENT TIMES Many of us are still adjusting to the second great political upheaval of the year. For some it is a time of delight, and for others one of dismay. Although there will be deeper and wiser analyses of these events, one obvious common feature of the Brexit Referendum and the US Presidential Election is that they were not so much won by the winners, as lost by the losers. They were both fundamentally protest votes; an assertive, anti-establishment protest by those who feel hard done by, against those in power whom they hold responsible for their plight. A second – and troubling – feature is that they were not good, clean campaigns. There was far too little truth and honesty and far too much of the soundbite, the allegation and the subtle play on fear, hatred and greed. So what do I, as a Christian, make of it all? I am reminded of the great passage in the Gospels (Matthew 22:15–22), where Jesus is asked about paying taxes to Caesar, the seemingly all-powerful and hated head of the Roman occupying power. The well-known conclusion of the account is Jesus’ statement: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” The first and most obvious point that comes from this is the reminder that behind all the powers of this world - whether Caesar, presidents, prime ministers or political parties - lies God. You may feel disturbed or even depressed at events, but be reminded that behind and above all the turbulence of our world stands our unchangeable and eternal Almighty God. His power and authority never suffer a crisis at the ballot Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
box. These events have not surprised Him. And equally, if you feel jubilant and delighted at what you may see as your victory, allow yourself the sobering thought of the same truth. Ultimately, it is God who rules, and those in power are responsible to Him – whether they acknowledge it or not. So let that be a great truth that either comforts or challenges. A second point is worth pondering. Both events have arisen because of the perception, if not the reality, of a remote, uncaring elite managing the affairs of a nation for the benefit of themselves. Yes, there is anger and fear in these votes, but there is also genuine pain. It is widely felt that the sufferings of the economic disaster of 2008 were not borne fairly and universally; that globalisation, privatisation and any number of other forces have been allowed to crush little people under the heel of the powerful. And here, too, we must feel the impact of Jesus’ statement because, in making it, Jesus grants the political system of the world legitimate rights and duties. It is sometimes said that a nation gets the government it deserves. That may be so, but history declares loudly that unless there is a strong voice speaking out for what is good, right, just and compassionate, those virtues are all too easily pushed to one side. These events should be a great challenge: a clarion call for us to be involved in the rule of our countries in the widest, deepest and best sense. Politics is too serious a business to be left just to politicians. Let me leave you with a final concluding thought. Remind yourself of this: the Christian faith is alive and flourishing, but where are Caesar and the Empire of Rome now?
‘Ultimately, it is God who rules, and those in power are responsible to Him – whether they acknowledge it or not.’
Revd Canon J.John Twitter: @Canonjjohn Instagram: @Canonjjohn Facebook: J.John
COMMENT 27
REV WALE HUDSON-ROBERTS
is the Racial Justice Co-ordinator for the Baptist Union of Great Britain
Racism only sleeps and snores, it never dies
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he UK’s exit from the European Union has created national anxiety. Social media is awash with stories of racism, and many people of colour and Eastern Europeans have come face to face with the stark and ugly reality of overt racism - some for the first time. Only two days after the Referendum result, a Black British friend was attacked by six White men citing Enoch Powell’s River’s of Blood speech. Sadly, this is not an isolated event. Consider the Muslim schoolgirl, cornered by a group of people, who told her, “Get out, we voted Leave,” or the Eastern Europeans allegedly prevented from using the London Underground, with shouts of “Go back to your country!”, or the placard urging the country to ‘Start repatriation’. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
To pinpoint the exact origins of this racism is not that easy. Concerns about immigration – and, in particular, Muslim immigrants – have been simmering beneath the surface for some years. According to the British Social Attitudes survey (2016), almost 50 per cent of the population believe immigration has a negative impact on the British economy. The EU referendum result appears to have emboldened racists, by leading them to believe that the majority agree with their rhetoric. The results seem to have legitimised public expressions of hate. For this, the political elite must take some responsibility after stoking
a divisive referendum campaign that demonised immigrants by its embellishments and scare tactics. So what might lie behind this rising tide of racism? The reasons are many and complex. They also include the refusal of many, including the Church, to have conversations about race in the public square. As a result, opinions on how people feel and think about ‘difference’ have been reserved for conversations over a glass of wine in the privacy of the home. What the referendum campaign and its result have done is to open up Pandora’s box. It has encouraged honesty. The Leave result has given permission to the British public to speak and say what has been simmering in the recesses of their minds. It has galvanised negative voices into action. The racist abuse that friends, colleagues and even my family members are experiencing post-Referendum are, in my opinion, symptomatic of a British society that has repressed much of its angry opinions about minority groups. This has now been pushed to the surface by the Referendum outcome. I find it amazing that we went to sleep on Thursday (at least most of us), and awoke in a country imploring Black, Asian, Eastern Europeans and refugees to return home. For those of us with long memories, these experiences take us right back to the days of Enoch Powell and his Rivers of Blood speech. There has been a 60% spike in race-related incidents. This surely cannot be the fault of the Referendum result alone. I don’t think it is. ‘We are here, because we have always been here.’ The Referendum result has helped to catapult and articulate the feelings and thoughts of many into public spaces. It has confirmed that ‘Great Britain’ is not as tolerant as it thinks it is; racist graffiti, slurs and race-related violence remain a daily reality for people like me. This must surely be a wake-up call to Baptists Together. Racism is not a thing of the past; it is an insidious reality. Even in Christian spaces, racism only sleeps and snores. It never dies. Now that the genie is out of the bottle, Baptists Together should participate in appropriate levels
of introspection required to get beyond a rudimentary understanding of what it means to be a multicultural, radically hospitable Church. For Dr Martin Luther King Jr - one of our finest theologians of all time, inclusivity, well-being and right to liberty, justice and equality constitute radical hospitality - the hallmarks of a genuine multicultural community. The words of the writer of Leviticus highlight the importance of unconditional embrace and radical inclusivity. He writes: ‘The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself for you were aliens in the land of Egypt’ (Leviticus 19:34). Now that the target has changed from ‘immigrants’ as a faceless cohort to ‘immigrants’ as individuals - whether it is a Black British female celebrity being told to ‘Return home, you (bleep)’ in front of her children by a police officer, or an American college lecturer on a Manchester tram being told to ‘Go back to Africa’ - the challenge for our churches is to listen to these heartbreaking stories, embrace the wounded, love the alien (foreigner) as ourselves, and build radically hospitable congregations that identify racism as a sin. Surely this must be the way forward for both Church and society, having now admitted who we really are! www.keepthefaith.co.uk
28 COMMENT
Christian businesses A model for community transformation REV STEPHEN BROOKS
National Development Manager for Excell 3 www.excell3.com
H
istorically, many Christians have been discouraged from being entrepreneurial, having heard a preacher state: “You have to choose between God and material wealth” (Matthew 6:24). Equally, Apostle Paul warns the young Timothy: “…the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). No wonder there is an uneasy relationship between the Church and business people. It is ironic that the first mention of a rich person in the Bible is Abraham, the Father of Faith, in Genesis 13:2 - “And Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold.” There are two good reasons God wants people to go into business. Primarily, business is one of the only institutions that creates economic value, and that takes intellectual capital and commercialises them. Furthermore, God designed humans to work. We are made in His image; God is a worker, and God’s work is creative and meaningful. Business plays a key role by creating products and services that enhance one’s life. A Christian in business should ask not only what will maximise the ‘bottom line’, but also what product or service could best serve his or her community. A Christian business (a business operating on biblical principles) should serve three primary stakeholders: internally, its employees, externally, its customers and, thirdly, the Kingdom of God. A business exists for certain purposes, one being to provide meaningful work. Another is to provide meaningful goods and services. It does not exist solely to maximise a return on financial investment, but to transform communities through enterprise. Church and business partnerships can become a model for community transformation by: • helping people in the church and community to start businesses according to the biblical entrepreneurship model • assisting those who already own businesses to become more effective in operating their businesses biblically • owning and operating businesses as a church Churches promoting Kingdom businesses have answered the call not to do business as usual, but to do business differently. Businesses provide local jobs, local income and building improvements in the local neighbourhood. If those new businesses are Kingdom businesses, communities are not only improved but also transformed. Every pastor knows he (or she) is called Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
to equip God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:12). When a pastor also understands the principles of discipling and training people for Kingdom businesses, the church’s influence in the community is greatly expanded. Any church directly involved in or promoting Kingdom business encourages: • Bible-based teaching on Kingdom business principles • mentoring support • employees to take responsibility, as if they were owners of the business • life-long learning and continuous personal development • implementing community outreach programmes • other churches/entrepreneurs to successfully purchase and operate profitable businesses • access to affordable finance Once you have brought people into your church and taught them biblical entrepreneurship, a church that understands the Kingdom business-ministry model can give potential business owners the push they need to get going and provide mentoring and support. This enables businesses to be more likely to succeed, and also keeps the church involved. The three biblical principles that stand out from the many principles that define a Christian business are: Firstly, integrity. It is about doing what is right rather than what is convenient or expedient. The organisation with integrity will make its business decisions based on the standards and principles of God: righteousness, truth and honesty. This means “we are who we say we are.” Secondly, a commitment to excellence. Paul said, in Titus 3:8, that if an organisation is to be recognised as exemplary, one whose goal is to glorify God through its commitment to excellence in its service and product, it must always honour God and be thoroughly conscious of its role and mission in a secular world. God has called them to be His witnesses to the lost world in which they do business. They demonstrate God’s power to transform lives, not only through their employees but with their customers as well. Thirdly, a Christian business should have a commitment to its people. This includes the area of fair compensation, performance recognition, and providing growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. The Apostle Paul indirectly addressed relationships between employers and
employees, when he commanded, “Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1). Paul gave this command to employers because, just as their employees report to them, they themselves have someone to report to their Master in heaven. Employers could hardly expect to be treated fairly by God if they failed to treat their employees fairly. Paul’s remarks concerning the employee/ employer relationship involve the mutual submission of employees to their employers, and vice versa. Employees, too, are to treat their employers with respect and “obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart” (Ephesians 6:6). Now is the time for a paradigm shift within the Church. Pastors urgently need to recognise the necessity of holistic discipleship in the area of work. Instead of looking down on business people, and viewing their work as ‘carnal’, church leaders must tap into the many ways in which Christian businesses can affect and carry out the purposes of God. In addition to supporting the financial needs of a church, God can use businesses to affect everlasting change in the lives of people and their communities. It is time to honour and support the people whom God has called into the business world, instructing them: “If riches increase, do not set your heart on them” (Psalm 62:10).
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30 COMMENT
FOOD 4 THOUGHT www.marciadixonpr.co.uk
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MARCIA DIXON
A leading PR specialist and journalist
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CHRISTMAS LESSONS
N
othing marks the passing of another year like Christmas – that time of year that is supposed to be a celebration of Christ’s birth, but which has increasingly become a homage to materialism. That said, the Christmas story still provides important spiritual truths for those of us who view Christ’s birth as a pivotal and transformative moment in human history. One significant truth that speaks volumes in the tale of Jesus’ birth is the importance of being obedient to God. The Virgin Mary was a teenager when the angel Gabriel declared God had chosen her to give birth to the Saviour of the world. Although it was social suicide to have a child outside of wedlock, Mary embraced God’s divine will for her life, seemingly oblivious to the consequences. Not only was she obedient, Mary joyfully submitted herself to fulfilling God’s plan for her life. Another substantial truth that the Christmas story relays is why believers should support individuals God is using, even when we don’t fully understand His purposes. Joseph had been betrothed to Mary, as was the Jewish custom of the times. However, when he found out that his bride-to-be was pregnant, he did not want to go through with the marriage and, being a man of dignity, he had decided to discreetly break off the engagement. It took the visitation of an angel in a dream to reveal to Joseph the true circumstances of Mary’s conception, and the significance of the
Child she was carrying. Once things had been explained to Joseph, he fell in line with God’s plan, and as a result played a part in raising the Saviour of the world. The last important truth that comes to mind is that the good news of the Gospel is for everyone, no matter what his or her standing is in the earthly scheme of things. This is highlighted by the fact that, when Jesus was born, the angels didn’t go and tell the Bethlehem in-crowd or the key influencers; instead, they went and told lowly shepherds out tending their sheep. God wants the whole of humanity to benefit from Christ’s coming into the world. And there are important lessons He wants to teach in the sharing of this historic event that changed the course of human history. So, as you prepare for Christmas, remember to obey God’s directives with gladness; support others as they fulfil God’s purposes, and be mindful that the good news of Christ’s coming is for everyone. Happy Christmas.
Revive your spirit in Israel I recently returned from my first visit to Israel, after being invited by Premier Radio presenter Madeleine Kerzner, to join a small group she was leading to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. The experience of being in Israel, a country that is the backdrop to many Bible stories I have read over the years, brought my faith alive. It was with amazement and a sense of awe that I journeyed through Israel. Places I visited included: the Wailing Wall – where I left prayer requests; the Sea of Galilee, mentioned often in the Scriptures; the River Jordan, where Jesus was baptised; the Church of the Sepulchre, where it’s said Jesus’ tomb was buried, and the Garden Tomb, another place where it’s claimed Jesus was entombed. Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
Being in the Holy Land brought me closer to God, and I came back to Britain revived, hopeful and with a renewed sense of purpose. In fact, I loved it so much I’m going back. So, if you’re a Christian in need of some spiritual pep in your step, inspiration and rejuvenation, I implore you to visit the Holy Land during 2017. You’ll get all these things - and more.
The importance of speaking out Five hundred years ago, German-born monk, theologian and professor, Martin Luther, revolutionised the Church when he posted his 95 theses on a church door in Wittenberg, and heralded the start of the Reformation Movement. Luther was protesting against the unchristian practices of the Catholic Church, which included nepotism, abuse of power and the selling of indulgences. Believers were told that if they bought one they’d get into heaven. Luther’s theses put Scripture at the centre of the Christian experience, and stated that believers were saved by grace and not by works.
If Luther hadn’t done what he did, the Christian world would have remained Catholic; the Protestant Movement would not have happened, and the Church would have remained in the Dark Ages. Luther is rightly viewed as a hero, and the truth of the matter is that, every once in a while, a Christian figure comes along that shakes up the Church to bring it into alignment with God’s original intent and purpose. Believers - like John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church; William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, and William Seymour, the leader of the Azusa Street Revival (the precursor to Pentecostalism) - have all played a part in helping Christians return to the core values of our faith. I would venture to say that we need a new reformation and re-awakening in this 21st century. Living in a world dominated by consumerism, entertainment, racism, greed and injustice – issues that are negatively impacting the Church and its members – it is apparent believers need to be reminded of the core values of their faith. Not everyone can be like Martin Luther and cause a societal revolution that reverberates down the centuries, but we can all develop a willingness to challenge and speak out about the things that occur within Christendom that have nothing whatsoever to do with the Gospel.
COMMENT 31
ESTHER KUKU
is presenter of Premier Gospel’s Family Hour, which airs every Saturday from 11am-12pm
Watch your mouth, and let your words work for you The answer to many of our problems is right under our nose. I could have secured many more victories, more quickly, were it not for the fact that my mouth, at times, seems to have a mind of its own.
I
t’s very annoying. My heart always says the right thing, thinks the right thing, behaves brilliantly… however, there occasionally seems to be a disconnect. And, it is not just me. Many of us struggle to follow the simple biblical guidance to ‘let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear’ (Ephesians 4:29), or to remember that ‘death and life are in the power of the tongue’ (Proverbs 18:21). Earlier this year, I had a conversation with a friend on the phone and, without realising it, I had remarked, three or four times within that 15-minute conversation, how exhausted I was. Mid-conversation he stopped me and said: “Esther, can you hear yourself? If you keep saying you’re tired all the time, then that is the result you will get. By your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.” I knew all of this, of course. But, at that moment, it was like fresh revelation that shot right through me. Because I had a new baby and wasn’t getting much sleep, the inference was that I had a right to speak exhaustion over my life - and literally curse myself. I decided, on the spot, that I wasn’t going to wait for my feelings to line up with God’s promise that His strength is made perfect in my weakness, that His joy is my strength. I started a file of Scriptures that pertain to strength. To be clear: I moved from condemning myself, and grasped the fact that all of us have a lot more power than we think. We claim to understand the power of our words, but continue to cut corners with our communication. We curse, backbite, murmur, complain and dismiss it as ‘normal everyday behaviour’ that we all engage in. If you’re
Christian, however, it is not normal; it is abnormal and low-level living that will hinder your progress. How dare we continually speak against God’s property and expect our lives to prosper? How dare we speak negativity over our own lives, when we have been wonderfully and fearfully made, and when Jesus’ blood has purchased our salvation? We cannot move into a new year and continue to blame God and people for things that are within our domain to change. Jesus wants us to understand the importance of our words. That is why we have so many Scriptures guiding us to get this right. Matthew 12:36 warns: “I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” The best thing we can do for ourselves, as we prepare our minds for 2017, is to adopt the position that if we don’t have anything constructive to say, we should just keep our mouths shut. There is strength in saying nothing and in not always having an opinion; your silence cannot be (mis)quoted. Listening is communication, too. And we may need to end some friendships, so we don’t allow people to bring church gossip to us.
You are not a dustbin for their trash. Can you see this is something I feel very passionately about? If people feel they can come to you and murmur, it means they have concluded that you are on the same level. The minute you disallow this, you will find you are always the last to know everything... but you’ll be the first to enter into God’s rest. Join me in making a conscious decision in 2017 to take a step back and to think before we open our mouths. Let’s make our words work for us. Ask yourself: Is what I am about to say going to edify, heal, inspire? Or is it an attempt to prove my point and win an argument, secure more likes on social media, or put someone down? Wake up every day and choose someone in your world to say something encouraging to. And, when it comes to our own lives, check yourself and ask: Are my words pumping life into my dreams, or draining my dreams of power? It’s something we all have to work on - whether we are young or old, male or female. However, some of us can be more emotional. We need to daily ask God for His help to manage our emotions and keep our mouths in check: our destinies and relationships depend on it. We will get there by His grace. I pray that you have a wonderful holiday season and a powerful 2017.
www.keepthefaith.co.uk
Escape the busyness of life and gain a new perspective
W
hen God finished creating the world, He rested. When Jesus needed time to think, He withdrew to a quiet place. Taking a break from your routine and getting away from the hustle and bustle of life is not only good for you, it is practiced by God. CWR is a charity that exists to help Christians apply God’s Word to their lives and relationships every day. For more than 50 years it has been equipping and enabling people to draw closer to God, to understand His Word and put it into practice. CWR offers you, along with your church, small group or colleagues, the opportunity to take a break from daily life and visit somewhere new. Whether you are looking for a venue to escape to with friends, a place to host a church event or space for a team-building day, Pilgrim Hall and Waverley Abbey House can provide for every type of occasion. Both within easy reach of London and close to public transport links, our versatile venues are great for holidays and country breaks, as well as seminars and meetings. Function rooms range from small and intimate to spacious and grand, offering opportunities to incorporate small group sessions as well as larger group sessions into your day or break. Groups at Waverley Abbey House and Pilgrim Hall are also offered the unique opportunity to have in-house teaching from a range of popular CWR courses.
The wealth of seminars, which can be tailored to your church, ministry team, women’s event or small group, include teaching on pastoral care and counselling, leading effective Bible studies, and leadership training. So step out of your routine and take up the opportunity to spend some time away. You may even gain new perspective on an aspect of life when you come and stay at one of our beautiful venues.
P I LG R I M H A L L
Set in the heart of the East Sussex countryside, Pilgrim Hall offers elegant country house charm. The excellent facilities can accommodate up to 125 guests. Yet even with plenty of space, there is a homely and intimate atmosphere. Relax in the inviting lounges, step outside for some fresh air with a game of tennis, or enjoy the heated outdoor pool (open from May to September). Pilgrim Hall’s staff are always on hand to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
‘Staying at Pilgrim Hall benefitted our groups as it drew us together and helped us to feel like a family. It gave us the space to worship, learn, laugh and share meals together.’
WAV ER L E Y A B B E Y H O U S E
This stunning Grade II* listed Georgian house, set in the tranquil scenery of Surrey, is even more than a picturesque building that sits in the beautiful grounds of the enchanting Waverley Abbey. First the abbey was home to monks who spent their lives seeking and serving God. Today the house is home to CWR and so is used to encourage and equip Christians in their daily walk with God. Reconnect with your group, church or family in this historic and fascinating setting. The attractive and extensive grounds can be hired for larger events such as outdoor team-building exercises. The on-site catering team are fully equipped to provide delicious food, whether for a lunchtime meeting, church summer BBQ or special celebration dinner.
‘Warm and very friendly, beautiful grounds and ideal facilities for encouraging that church family feel! It was a memorable and life-changing experience.’ Whether you are looking for a cosy getaway with family, or an inspirational time away with a large group, come to Pilgrim Hall or Waverley Abbey House and be refreshed as you draw closer to God.
WAVERLEY ABBEY HOUSE
PILGRIM HALL
Farnham, Surrey • 01252 784733
Uckfield, East Sussex • 01825 840295
www.waverleyabbeyhouse.org.uk
www.pilgrimhall.com
Ideal getaways for churches and families Leadership retreats • Team away days • Ladies’ days • Seminars Weekends away • Family celebrations • Cream teas and BBQs Filming and photoshoots Advanced booking required for all events.
Both venues are owned by
34 LIFESTYLE
Upgrade your life! You already have the software to succeed
BY GRACE GLADYS FAMORIYO www.gladysf.com
I
sn’t it interesting how we often upgrade our mobile devices, apps, software, etc., but fail to do the same for our lives? We like our gadgets new, slicker, faster, lighter and even more intelligent than the previous version, but what can we say about the current version of ourselves? The reality is that many of us pay far less attention to our lives and sadly invest less than we do with our gadgets. I believe there are a few reasons for this. Firstly, it may be because we don’t receive update alerts or reminders, as we do on our smartphones. This is arguable though, because if we became more self aware, we would notice the alerts daily. Secondly, unlike an app upgrade that simply requires a few taps or swipes, when it comes to other aspects of our lives, a tad more investment is required – a price many of us would shirk from paying. Notwithstanding, every single one of us has the capability to live perpetually upgraded and successful lives. This ability lies buried within us. Pretty much the same way most new devices or computers come preloaded with an operating system, we also come with the human equivalent; our operating system is the Spirit of the living God, residing on the inside of us. He equips us to do what we are called to do, including developing resilience for the journey ahead. To get clarity of your capabilities, it is worth consulting your operating system manual, ie. the Bible. This will give you an understanding of your Manufacturer (God) and see what support is available on His ‘support’ pages (the pages of the Bible). How to upgrade your life Using the analogy of a computer, below are some typical problems that users (you and I) face, along with biblically based support/responses from
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your Manufacturer (God), based on the help pages on His user manual (the Bible): Your Problem: ‘My system is running slow’ (procrastinating, feeling weary, overwhelmed). His Solution: If your machine is running slow, drop it off at our 24-hour care centre and we will boost its performance. Alternatively, you can connect with us remotely, but you will need to grant us access to your core (heart), so that we can root out the problem. Using our 24-hour chat facility, you can tell us the symptoms and upload all your worries. You can be assured of complete peace of mind throughout the whole process. (Manual reference: Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27, 1 Peter 5:7.) Your Problem: ‘I think my system has been hacked or invaded by a virus’ (I am facing attacks/opposition/adversity/suffering). His Solution: Your system was designed to resist every form of attack, and was tested rigorously before release and ‘go live’. To date, there are no known threats or attacks that can penetrate your inbuilt firewall (divine protection) to compromise your system or its performance. Moreover, each day you connect with the ‘SCloud’ (commonly known as the Holy Spirit), we fortify your system and stand on guard – protecting your system. And, even if there were the possibility of attacks, you need do nothing. If they come close to your firewall, they self-destruct! (Manual reference: Psalm 68:19, Isaiah 54:17, 2 Chronicles 20.) Your Problem: ‘I cannot find my make and model info’ (I have lost my identity, lost track of my worth, I have no sense of direction). His Solution: You are our masterpiece! Designed by hand and wonderfully fashioned. There is none other like you, nor would there ever be. You have been set apart from all other models – the Manufacturer’s very own premium/VIP range. (Manual reference: Genesis 1:26, Psalm 138:8, Psalm 139:14, 1 Peter 2:9.) Your Problem: ‘My system is outdated/ needs an upgrade’ (feeling ineffective, out of touch, left behind, powerless and empty). His Solution: We offer free lifetime upgrades and check-ups. It is all free of charge and part of the service - our lifetime commitment to you. Keep an eye on your inbuilt core performance indicator, though. It will tell you when you need to check in. Important Manufacturer Warning: Never override the warning signs. This will cause long-term issues that may take a lifetime to resolve, and can cause serious damage to your core or your ability to connect to the SCloud. (Manual reference: Zechariah 4:6-7, Matthew 11:28–30, John 4:1–26.) Your Problem: ‘My software is missing’ (I feel incapable, not sure I have what it takes).
His Solution: You have a lifetime, all-inclusive service with us. Simply identify what you need, and download it from the Manufacturer’s cloud. (Manual reference: Philippians 4:13 and 19.) Your Problem: System failure/crash (feel stuck after a difficult time, lost sense of purpose/vision). His Solution: In the rare event that your system crashes and seems to die on you, just say the special code ‘L.I.V.E.’ into the external microphone, and it should power up in less than ten seconds. (Manual reference: Ezekiel 37 and Psalm 118:17.) So now the ball is in your court. You have the user manual along with the help/support pages at your disposal. Father (the Manufacturer) built into you a ‘core’ (heart), which can communicate with Him 24/7 via the Holy Spirit (SCloud). All you really need to do is click through or swipe the pages of your user manual, accept the updates readily available, and discover the new, slicker, faster, lighter and even more intelligent version of you. If you need help, use your core to tap into the Cloud up above. Unlike other platforms, there are no downtimes, and Someone is always there to respond to your problem.
Written by Grace Gladys Famoriyo (Author and Speaker). Adapted from the book, Bounce Back! How To Survive, Thrive and Maximise Challenging Life Experiences by Grace Gladys Famoriyo. Other titles include: Quit Hiding, Start Living!; Healing A Discouraged Heart; and Overcoming Emotional Baggage. www.gladysf.com
LIFESTYLE 35
my f ight against depression BY LISA McCLENDON
T
hese days, the word ‘depression’ is as common as a preposition in a sentence. So why was I so shocked when, early one summer morning in 2012, I woke up to find that I couldn’t speak? I just sat there, staring at the white wall, hesitantly initiating a conversation with God in my head. “God, what’s wrong with me?” I was having a serious meltdown. The room around me seemed pitch-black, with only a speck of light above me. With the new responsibility of being pastor’s wife, assistant pastor, singer, business owner and a new mum to three additional children, something had been happening on the inside of me that I had been too busy to pay any attention to. That morning, it just would not allow me to ignore it any longer. I had been giving way too much and receiving way too little in return. I had mistaken being noble, as me giving to everyone else, even if my emotional gas tank was on empty. But we are all very aware that no vehicle can run on empty, and I had somehow convinced myself that I could. The touchy truth is that I’d been doing this my whole life: caring for others and not caring for me. At the age of seven, my whole life would be forever changed, when the babysitter’s son blemished my innocence. He had begun taking advantage of the presence of a little girl in the house, and had attempted to reenact the different box office adult movies he had no doubt witnessed, occasionally taking a front row seat as a spectator, while directing the lewd acts to be performed between myself and another little boy in the home. The fact that it took me 15 years to tell my mum what had happened prompted me to inquire from within, Why? Why did I not
tell anyone? He hadn’t threatened to hurt me if I did. Why did I wait so long to reveal this deep dark secret that had often placed me in the nucleus of sadness and loneliness? My parents were pretty fun-loving parents. I would soon discover that more than anything I just didn’t want to disappoint them. How does a vibrant 7-year-old interpret someone molesting her as ‘her fault’? I’m not really sure, but that interpretation would follow me well into my late 30s. While I learned the unhealthy art of lashing out, deep within there was a fear that resonated. There was this haunting fear of letting people down. So I attempted to carry everyone else’s needs over my own, simply to keep them happy. This eventually became too much to bear, and made me very unhappy. Now in my late 30s I couldn’t run away. I couldn’t lash out. I had to sit there and face it head on. I had to ask the hard questions. I had to do the scary but hard work. I no longer had the ability to care about everyone else. I had to learn how to care for myself. But I had yet another secret: I didn’t know the first thing about self-care. As the oldest of four siblings, I was groomed to take care of other people, sometimes even take the fall for other people. That’s just what the eldest sibling does, right? Well, apparently my mental state did not agree. That summer morning conversation with the Most High led me to change the way I was living my life. One of the very first things I knew I had to do in the mornings was to have some alone time – just me and God, before anyone else in the house woke up. That is why I started getting up at 5am - the inspiration behind the title to my new album.
Next, I had to change my diet. I’d already previously flirted with a healthy lifestyle following constant illness I had during the pregnancy of my now 11-year-old son. But this time, I couldn’t afford to flirt; I had to be totally committed to help escape depression. Lastly, I had to end the late-night TV sessions and retire to bed at a decent hour. With consistency - and my newfound ability to say “No” more often to things that I realistically couldn’t commit to - I began to feel like my old self again. In fact, I think I can honestly say I wasn’t my old self again; I was actually better. I was better for my family, better for my career, better for my community and, most importantly, better for myself. Depression is not an easy battle to fight, but I am proud to know that I am truly winning this battle and helping other people struggling with depression, along the way.
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36 LIFESTYLE
Writing non-fiction VANESSA GROSSETT
www.theauthorscare.co.uk
W
riting non-fiction is less complex than fiction, but can be more time consuming. You don’t have to continuously think about characters or a storyline, but writing non-fiction is factual, and there are many different types of non-fiction books, eg. motivational, historical, educational, etc. As with my previous article, Writing Fiction, I will address four important factors to remember when writing non-fiction - in no particular order.
Be creative: You may think that ‘being creative’ is a requirement normally associated with fiction writing. This is because ‘creative non-fiction’ has developed over the years, which means your non-fiction book now needs to be written like fiction. For example, if you are writing a scene about moving house, it wouldn’t suffice to write: ‘We moved house’; you would need to write something like: ‘We moved from our three-bedroom house to a four-bedroom Victorian one. When we arrived, the hallway was so long that you could kick a ball without damaging anything, but when I ran into my bedroom, I was disappointed; it was much smaller - more like a square box – and the walls were painted yellow. Yuck! I was wondering how I would fit all my toys and clothes.’ Publishers are looking for creative non-fiction, because they want books that grab the reader’s attention, and for readers to connect well with the book, so that they will tell others about it like network marketing. Not every non-fiction book needs to be so descriptive; authors of motivational or Bible studies tend to include their own experiences instead, so it still reads
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like fiction and draws the reader in. For a motivational book entitled ‘Don’t Settle For Less’, writing: ‘You need to get out of your comfort zone; God has bigger plans for you’ wouldn’t be enough to connect with the reader. The author would have to write about their own experiences: ‘There was a time in my life when I thought being a banker was enough. Why wouldn’t it be? I was earning £70,000 a year plus commission and bonus; I had a nice house, car… Some people would say that I was very blessed, yet inside I was unhappy and dissatisfied.’ Get the idea? Though writing non-fiction is less complex, you still need to be creative with it. Your aims: Many people tell me they want to write their memoir. The reality is, however, that unless you are a celebrity or have an inspirational story, a mainstream publisher will not be interested in publishing your memoir. This is why I ask, Why do you want to write your story? What do you hope to achieve? What can readers learn from it? Remember, you’re telling the whole world your life story. Are you prepared for that kind of exposure? Before you start your non-fiction book, it is important to clarify the reasons why. What message do you want to give to your audience? This applies to writing any type of non-fiction book, not just memoirs. Some people write non-fiction just to ‘get things off their chest’, in which case it would be better to write a fiction story. At least with fiction you can have characters and you won’t be exposing anybody per se (or yourself). Publishers and agents are not looking for authors who just want to ‘get something off their chest’. Remember, this is a business; they want serious authors - people who want to make a career from writing. So, ask yourself: Do you really want to have a career as an author?
Research, research and research: This may seem obvious, but I have read many a non-fiction manuscript where no research was carried out at all, and I am not just talking about memoirs. I am talking about motivational texts, where statistics were needed, and where certain topics were addressed that needed research. A potential client had written some facts that didn’t seem correct, and when I asked where they had obtained their data, they openly admitted to me that they had written them “off the top of their head”; they had a “busy lifestyle and didn’t have time to find out the information”. There was no way I was going to represent this person, as they were not serious about this as a career. Yes, research can be very time consuming but it is needed. Research validates your content, and it will also help improve your writing. If fiction authors can conduct research - to ensure they are telling the story correctly - then there is no excuse for non-fiction writers. Know your topic well: Unfortunately, I have also come across non-fiction manuscripts where the authors clearly didn’t know their topic, and/ or were not passionate about it either. In my experience, the best writing comes from having a passion or possessing expert knowledge on a topic. The only cases where non-fiction authors don’t require expertise is when they are writing a memoir or Bible study. I mention the latter, because one of my clients wrote an inspirational Bible study, without having a theology degree. It was mainly through personal experiences, some research and passion that she was able to produce a bestselling, inspirational book. Happy non-fiction writing! With love Vanessa
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SEC MUSIC & NUMBER SEVEN PROMOTIONS
... presents a ...
SATURDAY
DEC 3 RD 2016
DOORS: 6:30PM SHOW: 7:30PM
THE GAUMONT STATE THEATRE 197-199 KILBURN HIGH ROAD LONDON NW6 7HY
Margie Richardson
GOSPEL
CONCERT
Janice Chandler-Eteme
Marquita Richardson
Accompanied by:
OSP (the Orchestra of St Paul’s) Ben Palmer (conductor)
Tickets:
Standard £10 Premium £20 Book online at www.galagospel.com or see your agent Contact Mike Johnson: 07757 816 316 Email: music@secadventist.org.uk
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38 LIFESTYLE
BOOK
REVIEWS
The Foot of the Volcano by Deiana Denise Sutherland
Romance, adventure and tragedy, as a young girl comes of age in the Caribbean sun. ‘I was only eighteen years old and just at the beginning of my career. I was not ready for a baby … Sadness overpowered me as I thought about what I was about to do. I was about to destroy our unborn child, the child of the man I loved …’ Written by a native of St Vincent and the Grenadines, this is a heartbreaking story of love and loss. With fascinating observations on the contrasting lifestyles of St Vincent and England, and lyrical descriptions of the culture and people of the Caribbean, this book explores the transition from innocent youthfulness to the realities of adulthood. The Foot of the Volcano will appeal to readers of romantic fiction and those with an interest in the writings of Black women authors today.
“The author gives us an interesting insight into the culture and the people of the Caribbean.” (Dori.P) Available to buy now from: Mereo Books, Google Books, Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smiths and Barnes & Noble. • Paperback: 176 pages • Publisher: Mereo Books (3 Oct. 2016) • ISBN-10: 1861516207 • ISBN-13: 978-1861516206 To request a review copy, or to be put in touch with the author, please contact: Elly Donovan PR: elly@ellydonovan.co.uk www.ellydonovan.co.uk Tel: 0790 508 7779 / 01273 205 246
You Are Not Normal - Dare To Be Different by Shaun Campbell Do you know who you are? Do you know how special you are? Why have you survived what was meant to destroy you? You have something inside you that makes you different from everyone else. You have a divine purpose that must be accomplished. Faith Filled Family Magazine calls Shaun Campbell’s new book, You Are Not Normal – Dare To Be Different, “nothing short of a huddle break for the Christian who is looking for a strategic win against the opposing team.” The book explores normal Christianity versus true discipleship, the call to go beyond the typical 6 hours per week of “church stuff” and live as a chosen, royal generation. He explains with great biblical clarity that we are called to be different and the tragedies of trying to fit in. Readers will be encouraged to Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
embrace what makes them different from everyone else – and to discover the divine purpose that God created them to have. This book challenges all to embrace their unique identity in Christ and to discover why … “You Are Not Normal.” Author Shaun Campbell was born and raised in the UK as a member of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) UK. He served his local church in Birmingham as a teacher in the Sunday School Department and also the New Converts Class. He has also served the Youth Department on a local, district and national level. He currently resides in Calgary, Alberta with his wife, Sheryl. He prays that what you read in this book will encourage and challenge you, and he asks for your continued prayers that God will be glorified in his life. You Are Not Normal – Dare To Be Different can be purchased from Amazon. • Paperback: 100 pages • Publisher: Xulon Press • ISBN-10: 1498469590 • ISBN-13: 978-1498469593
Rebecca and the Strangest Garden by V V Thomas
Rebecca and the Strangest Garden by V V Thomas tells of the adventure of a young African Caribbean schoolgirl, Rebecca, who goes to stay with her auntie for what she thought would be a quiet and peaceful half-term break. This break, however, was to be interrupted by new mystery friends, disasters averted and much more... Rebecca soon learns the true meaning of ‘hearing it on the grapevine’ and ‘gossips over the garden fence’. Before long, she too recognises the importance of having ‘green fingers’. This is an excellent tale of supernatural friendships, survival and hope. “This is a really fun story for older children and young adults. I read this with my niece on my Kindle and she and I both enjoyed it so much. The writing is fun and the story is really quite interesting. It has a good mix of fantasy as well, which my niece especially loved. The content was clean with nothing that I found objectionable for an 11 year old to be reading. Overall it was a great story by a wonderful new author. Highly recommended.” J Foster “The story of Rebecca is enjoyable, exciting and once you have started the book, you cannot put it down. The strontium is full of imagination, taking me back to being a young girl. A lovely book for a child to read or be read to.” S Jestice The book is available for £3.99 in paperback. The hardback version includes beautiful, colourful illustrations and retails for £9.99. Both versions have a special colouring corner at the back. The book is available in different formats at www.rebeccaandthestrangestgarden. com and will make a great Christmas stocking filler – so order now!!! Also available in Kindle version from Amazon, and can be purchased from Waterstones. Hardback: 112 pages Publisher: ThomasV Publishing ISBN-13: 978-1911050032
40 LIFESTYLE
Universal credits: What’s wrong? JOY ROXBOROUGH
is a creative industries professional, writer and entrepreneur. Email joyroxborough@yahoo.com
I
n a city of zero-hour and temporary contracts, redundancies and a generally cut-throat economic environment, I guess I’m blessed to have survived for so long without having to resort to claiming government benefits. I say ‘resort’ because it is stigmatised, despite the fact that we all pay into the system and are therefore entitled to benefit from it if we genuinely find ourselves in need of it. Having come out of a particularly stressful fixed-term contract, my sights set on establishing my own business, I came to a place where I needed to ask for some help for a while. I can say that the experience was nothing short of traumatic and belittling. First of all, I got off to a bad start with my ‘supervisor/work coach/advisor’. I was affronted by the military approach and the communication document that was given to me – it was littered with the word ‘sanctions’. In those few moments, I understood perfectly what my business advisor meant, when she said I needed to get the business going as quickly as possible, and not apply for any benefits because they were a trap. Of course, getting a business off to a booming start immediately is often easier said than done. Now, here I was, being told that in order to receive any assistance I had to prove, going forward, that I had spent 35 hours each week looking for work - any work, and not a dream job. Luckily for me, I have no illusions of the existence of anything of the sort. I laboured the following week, under the fear of knowing that I needed some money to tide me over quite soon; and even when the law of diminishing returns set in - there are only so many pointless applications you can make online or elsewhere to prove that you’ve kept to your ‘claimant commitment’ I soldiered on, realising that I was playing a game and that my immediate survival was the odds at stake. I felt like a slave!
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On my second appointment to the job centre, I dressed in business attire and received a totally different reception; it was actually bordering on human. And, placing my inner rebellion and turmoil at the foot of the cross, I was actually able to see that the personnel who work in the job centres, administering such austere regimes, are themselves only one pay cheque away from sitting on the benefits side of the table, and that they had their jobs and their own welfare to protect. The relationship with my ‘supervisor/work coach/advisor’ improved somewhat. I think she was genuinely trying to be decent, and so was I. She ‘helped’ me by sending me on a four-week course that was geared towards improving my prospects of gaining employment. Elements of the course included basic IT (cutting and pasting in Word, setting up an email account, identifying the parts of a computer). It was costing the government £450 per week to send me on this course. It took some amount of willpower to sit through that, when there is a course that I would actually like to do in relation to improving my craft for my business that costs just over £1,000.
In a sane world, money could be saved by diverting that £450 per week away from teaching a graduate basic Maths, English and IT, and towards something that he/she has actually identified as relevant and beneficial. But, as we know, it’s all about ticking boxes and boosting the favourable statistics. No experience is wasted, however, no matter how bad it is, and I have to say that I have met some interesting and lovely people on the course. Have you ever watched those movies, where a class of disruptive kids are transformed over the course of a year of being together, or where they develop from an underachieving sports team into one that leads in the championships? I’m not likening myself or the people on the course to kids, but a kind of transformation took place over the course of a week as a result of some of us being together all day - everyone from different backgrounds, nationalities, educational levels and personalities; and with different attitudes to their current situation - all different and yet the same: human, despite being currently out of employment. I will not be in this system for long, but I feel it incumbent on me to speak up for the rights of others who may be inadvertently trapped indefinitely. We are paying the government to run this country. Why should we be paying to have such abuse meted out? I remember walking into the job centre on one visit and seeing a girl sitting in front of an ‘advisor’. She was crouched forward, all but doubled over in her seat, and I remember making a mental note to myself that that was actually a psychological thing: she was being emotionally bludgeoned into a position of submission to the system. Not everyone has the willpower to hold themselves upright, regardless of what is happening in their world. In my humble opinion, the powers that be need to learn that no economy can be built on infringing people’s freedom. It’s a lesson that ought to have been learnt post-1833. And they need to recognise that the system isn’t just a system, but that it is dealing with real human beings, and those human beings are not responsible for the malfunctions of the economy.
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42 LIFESTYLE
JOY ROXBOROUGH
is a creative industries professional, writer and entrepreneur. Email joyroxborough@yahoo.com
Is Bread Really Bad For You? C
hances are, you are one of the many people who have found it necessary to cut back on the consumption of bread due to concerns including weight gain, bloating, gluten intolerance, flatulence and constipation. Or perhaps you have been forced to eliminate bread totally, due to more serious digestive disorders, such as coeliac disease. Yes, bread, that wonderful commodity that has nourished nations for centuries, going back as far as biblical times, and that still appears on many of our comfort food and movie night menus - who doesn’t love an
indulgent hamburger, a succulent pizza or a three-tier peanut butter and jam sandwich? - has been getting a bad rap and is increasingly being crossed off many a grocery list. But is bread really bad for you? And, if it is responsible for so many of our health issues, why hasn’t it disappeared altogether from mainstream human diet? Surely our ancestors, who were so astute about food and survival, would have relegated bread to the backwaters of history, and our food celebrations today would include something other than rolls with soup or toast for breakfast. Luckily for them, our ancestors did not eat bread as we
Sourdough Starter: Yeast and bacteria will reproduce in a mixture of flour and water over several days to produce a fruity smelling colony of organisms that are capable of producing beautiful, wholesome and delicious loaves. A small portion of starter is kept back after each bake to be used the next time.
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commonly know it today. In fact, what we commonly eat as bread today is anything but real bread. The main difference between bread of antiquity and modern bread lies in the fermentation process used. Whereas our ancestors allowed bread to ferment (rise) for several hours before baking, the advent of commercial yeast has drastically shortened this process, in order to produce more loaves in less time. The result is that a typical commercially produced loaf today is devoid of the benefits associated with proper fermentation. This means that the nutrients naturally present in the flour remain locked in and unavailable for absorption into the body, in much the same way as the life-giving properties in a dried seed remain dormant until that seed is exposed to favourable conditions. Moreover, since the wheat proteins (including gluten) have not been given enough time to get broken down during a lengthy fermentation cycle, those proteins are introduced into the body in a hard-to-digest form; this is what often triggers the bloating and other undesirable symptoms that many people are familiar with. Inadequately fermented flour is also known to block the absorption of minerals from other foods within the body, and can actually leach some minerals, such as calcium,
from the bones. The science behind this is semi-intuitive: it is linked to the reasons that we soak dried beans before cooking. Soaking beans not only softens them, but also reduces the level of phytic acid present in the beans, and benefits our consumption of beans in the same way that proper fermentation benefits bread. A good starting place for more in-depth information on this topic is the Weston A Price Foundation (westonaprice.org); search for the article, ‘Living with Phytic Acid’. Thankfully, the bread industry in the UK - and worldwide, in fact - is gradually returning to the age-old practice of lengthy fermentation in bread preparation. So onto the bread stage we are witnessing a rise in the appearance of sourdough loaves in all shapes, sizes and varieties. Sourdough is basically a mixture of flour and water that is allowed to ferment at room temperature over several days. During this process, naturally occurring yeasts and beneficial bacteria in the flour reproduce many times over, and it is this mixture that is used in place of commercial yeast to cause the bread to rise. The yeasts produce carbon dioxide, which traps air and creates the rise, and the bacteria add flavour, as well as chemical reactions that make the bread more nutritious and easier to digest.
LIFESTYLE 43
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People are beginning to enjoy bread again - without the nasty side effects that came into play with the advent of commercially yeasted loaves. And, although it is not recommended that people diagnosed with coeliac disease should go out and tuck into sourdough bread, there have been studies that indicate that some coeliacs can eat proper sourdough bread without any ill effects. The sourdough revolution is not without its drawbacks, as is always the case when profit is involved. Smaller scale artisan bakers, dedicated to their craft, will provide you with authentic sourdough bread: adequately fermented and using primarily organic ingredients, without the use of artificial dough improvers and other additives. Larger supermarket chains, recognising the rising interest in sourdough, are putting out what some in artisan bread circles refer to as ‘pseudo-sourdough’, i.e. bread with sourdough powder added, but certainly lacking the finer details inherent in proper, authentic sourdough bread. If a person samples a pseudosourdough loaf as their first introduction to sourdough, they will almost certainly be put off for life, as I almost was. And, whereas sourdough may in fact call for an
acquired taste, a real sourdough loaf is far superior in quality, taste, texture and nutritional profile to anything that has been produced in the quick, profit-first fashion that drives such a large part of our society today.
ARE YOU READY FORMISSION?
Sourdough Simply Satisfies: Sour Flour Jamaica is a small artisan bakery, specialising in the production of sourdough bread. To find out about having a bread delivery in your area, contact Sour Flour Jamaica at Venue 28, 28 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, BR3 4LS. Tel: 07448 531 949.
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44 LIFESTYLE
How does your garden grow?
JASON LOH
worked as a property solicitor before training in landscape and garden design www.jasonloh.co.uk
A Narnian winter garden ‘It was almost quite dark in there, and she kept her arms stretched out in front of her so as not to bump her face into the back of the wardrobe… And then she saw that there was a light ahead of her. Something cold and soft was falling on her. A moment later, she found that she was standing in the middle of a wood at night-time with snow under her feet and snowflakes falling through the air…’ Most people will have either recognised those words from CS Lewis’ ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ or have, themselves, felt the magical exuberance of walking in the fresh crisp air of a winter wonderland. Each falling flake of snow unique in its own right, together they create a stunning canvas that covers the landscape in robes of white. Everything looks clean and pristine; there is a sense of peace and rest. Winter is a very special time of the year. It is a season of respite, when the natural world takes a well-deserved break from a year of productivity and busy-ness. But there is still great beauty to be found, even during the coldest months of the year.
Hidden Majesty The problem with most ‘DIY’ domestic gardens is that they are far too dependent on flowers for interest. The result is that one tends to end up with large groups of amorphous shrubs that blend into one another, with patches of colourful flowers visible for a brief season, and everything is cut down before the winter. What remains is a garden of lawn and bare soil. Not pretty. Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
It is important to have a level of visual interest in the garden throughout the year, not just during the growing season. This is where conifers, evergreen planting and stone really stand out. Japanese landscape artists have long understood that a garden needs to have a good ‘foundation’, and not just one that is below ground level.
When foliage fades away, your attention is drawn to elements of the landscape that you have taken for granted before, but which have always been there. Aged trees become more noticeable; the strength and character of stone take on a different perspective in the cold of winter. If you stop to consider them, you might see that some of the trees or stone have been weathered through seasons of trials and tribulation… and yet they remain. I remember visiting my sister-in-law on the
Isle of Man, and observing trees battered by the winds, leaning to one side with broken branches and beautifully asymmetrical. Large boulders dotted the landscape, characterised by deep textures and colours that come with age. The form and structure of the garden become apparent in winter. Low-growing plants like Phlomis russeliana and Eryngium giganteum look simply beguiling, their strong forms holding well when touched by ice and snow. Morning frosts create beautiful crystalline veils on the tall grasses of Miscanthus sinensis silberlicht, and spider webs give an eerie yet fascinating quality to the garden. The pure white of snow rests in soft clouds on the dark evergreen foliage of conifers. Do get in touch if you would like us to help you create your very own garden with a heavenly perspective.
LIFESTYLE 45
THE COLOUR OF MAGIC
A closing thought For Narnia, the White Witch had changed the landscape so that ‘her spell made it always winter but never Christmas’. There is something melancholic about the denial of hope, when there is nothing to look forward to. I have always taken the winter season as an opportunity for thought, reflection and anticipation… rather than just slumber! Let’s be more deliberate than making rash New Year’s resolutions.
• Better than the wands available in Diagon Alley, there are spectacular twigs to be found in nature. Some shrubs shed their foliage in winter to reveal their gorgeous stems. • Most people will recognise the crimson red of Dogwood (eg. Cornus sanguinea, C. alba) that can be found growing along woodland edges and in hedgerows. The red tones emerge only when they are in lots of sunshine, otherwise they tend to be on the plainer side of green. A really interesting one is Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), whose stems change from bright red to purplish-red in winter. The stems of Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’ are yellow.
Till next year, I leave you with another quote from CS Lewis: “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
• Trees with coloured bark are a fantastic feature, especially where careful thought has been given to the planning of the garden and landscape. Imagine the dazzling-white columns of silver birches against a backdrop of pure snow, their silhouette just barely camouflaged. If you have the space for it, I recommend the Himalayan Birch Betula utilis var. jacquemontii ‘Grayswood Ghost’.
Why choose East Sussex Country Council’s Adoption Service?
• Another great introduction is the increasingly popular Chinese red birch (Betula albosinesis ‘Fascination’ or ‘China Ruby’), which is not as tall as our natives, but has a lovely coppery-orange satin peeling bark.
“From the original caseworkers through to our final social worker, adopting with East Sussex was a really positive experience.” Kes and Lee, Eastbourne • • • • • •
East Sussex offers a welcoming, supportive, efficient service, which is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. We welcome all would be adopters within 30 minutes of our border We always consider East Sussex approved adopters first when finding families for our children. We help our approved adopters to match with children from anywhere in the country. East Sussex has built up strong links with other Adoption Agencies across the region so that we can link our children and adopters more quickly. We offer an excellent range of post adoption support services.
“By adopting, you are giving a child hope of a fantastic future – a better future maybe than they could have expected.” Barrie, Uckfield Visit our website eastsussex.gov.uk/adoption Email registertoadopt@eastsussex.gov.uk call 0300 330 9470
Tel: 01202 764776 www.the-greenhouse.org
Beautiful coastal location between Poole and Bournemouth. Perfect for holidays, retreats and time with God.
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