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Got Life A newsletter about spiritual enrichment for the Body of Christ
A Monthly Newsletter The Great Harvest An address from the senior pastor. Page 2
Build On A Foundation of Faith Page 2
What’s Going On The monthly calendar, birthdays and anniversaries, and fall activities in the city and surrounding area. Page 3
Church Information NLTC ministry staff, service information and statement of faith. Page 6 Mission’s Trip A brief look at the trip to Cape Town and Durban, South Africa. Page 5
of sunlight? Did we value the moments when the church was the moral conscience of society?
Work While It Is Day
If the church did its job, should our world be in such a state of wickedness? Would our parents live in submission to their children? Would our society be so anti-Christian faith and pro-individual spiritualist?
John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh , when no man can work.” One of the things that happens during this time of the year is the sun seems to go down so fast...before the work day comes to an end. For those who depend on the daylight to do their job will find that once October rolls around there are not “enough hours in the day.”
I know the Word of God speaks of the wickedness that would befall us, even within the church, but I can’t help but wonder how much of it is due to “wasting the daylight”?
”I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4
While the sun does go down early, a person who values the sunlight realizes that this seasonal change happens ever year. So they plan for the shorter days. To them each minuet counts, and non are wasted.
Sunday morning. But as I listened, I came to understand that they were speaking of the time that Christ’s laborers had to work the field, and the coming of the Lord.
I can remember as a child hearing everyone in the church, and I mean everyone, saying it is almost midnight. Of course at first I didn’t know what they meant, especially when the preacher said it on a
Now as I reflect on those words from the saints and the messages, I look at our current world and wonder did we work wisely, valuing the moments
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Since I’m not an expert in prophesy or the endtime, I can’t measure the amount of sunlight we have left, but because the Bible is true, the signs tell us the hour is growing late. If we are going to make any kind of impact on this world, our community, we must value the time we have left. The idea of who is “important” in the Kingdom is played out. Every second souls are leaving this world unprepared for eternity. And what are we doing about it? Reaching souls has to become not only our mission, but our passion! -Mel A. Perry 1
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IN OTHER WORDS
The Great Harvest
In the aspect of weather, we in America have entered into a new season, fall. The changing color of the leaves will tell if enough rain, or to much, has fallen during the proceeding months.
By Bishop Brenda K. Perry
The perfect transition from green to the autumn colors of orange, yellow and red are determined by the right amount of rainfall. Not only is the beautiful sight of autumn foliage determined by the rain, but also the abundance of the new harvest that is to come.
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Matthew 9:35-36 reads “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
“Autumn” is the place where the wisdom of a man is revealed. If one has been wise in their I love the scripture in planting or sowing, they must also be wise in Psalms 145:8, “The Lord is their reaping because winter will soon follow. gracious and full of compassion, slow to
anger and great in mercy.” Here I see Christ exemplifying His Father in being compassionate and merciful to the hurting and scattered people. Maybe, just maybe, this is a missing link for the Church body today, compassion for the lost and hurting. What is being seen now in the This lesson from the farmer can be applied to both our natural and spiritual life. Whether it world, even in the Church body, is self preservation of me, myself and I. Our is our finances, relationships, ministry disposition for helping others has become outreach etc, we have to be wise in how we distorted so much so that the next plant, harvest and store away. generation has succeeded in desiring So as we go into this new season, let us think world success and prosperity gain for of how we can be wise in enjoying the benefits themselves. Our message today is not of life, and the remainder of this year. And how we can have a great encounter with where we fell short in our planting, let us seek God, but how we can gain more material God so that He can assist us in the transitions wealth for ourselves. Therefore, there is and teach us how to be wise in planting our no great joy in restoring lost and investments for future harvest. wounded souls to Christ. Even though the farmer will celebrate the harvest with many festivals, he must be wise and prepare for the possible long brutal winter that is to come. So while he celebrates, he must also put away some of the fruit of his labor.
Blessings!
Mel A. Perry
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Even with much self motivational and inspirational teaching and preaching, along with prosperity and better living, yet you still see in the Church weariness, fatigue, anxiety, fear and much more. Yes, we cover it up with good jobs, material goods and fake smiles just like the world. But we must stop and go back to our first love, and that is Jesus Christ, our Savior. Jesus shed His precious blood to free us from the power of sin and death; we are to walk in the power of His love and grace.
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He goes on to tell His disciples that the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. When you look at the entire chapter you see Jesus is focused on the entire body, soul and spirit. At the beginning Jesus forgives the sin of a man before he healed him; He called Matthew to follow Him, even thou he was not qualified by man’s standards. The Pharisees wanted men to come to God from the law’s perspective, but Jesus, being grace, could not put the two continue on page 4
Building On A Foundation of Faith By Minister Isaac Bazile Hebrews 11:1-39 What is faith? There are many errors born out of a misunderstanding of true biblical faith and since faith in Christ is the foundation of the Christian life, we will attempt to grow in our understanding of faith. Hebrews chapter 11 tells us what faith is and what it is not, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). To build faith, the first thing we do is understand the importance of building the Christian life on a proper foundation. The foundation to which (or to whom) I’m referring to is Christ. The building is the Church, the Body of Christ, comprised of individual believers. It is evident today that the foundation of the Christian life is faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Faith is the absolute foundation of the Christian life! A life
built on this foundation can not be destroyed through rough times, facing what seems like impossible odds Continue on page 4
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Looking Ahead Please mark your calendars for the upcoming events for October
October 3rd Sterling High Homecoming Parade 3rd Bishop speaking at 1st Shiloh Baptist Church th 4 Youth Morning Worship 8th Gathering Place 11th Sunday School Breakfast @ 8:15am 13th Leadership Prayer @ 7:00pm 18th Bishop’s Anniversary 4:00pm 25th 6pm Service 28th Individual Ministry Bible Class (Women, Men, Children, Youth) th 30 Gathering Place Outing 31st Leadership Prayer & Leader Director Breakout Meeting November 5th – 7th Annual Staff Meeting 8th 6pm Service 10th Leadership Prayer 12th Gathering Place 22nd National Family Volunteer Day Fellowship Dinner (spon. Deacons) 6pm Service 24th - 25th Thanksgiving Baskets 26th – 27th Thanksgiving Holiday
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Birthdays & Anniversaries Monthly birthdays and anniversary of NLTC members. If your birthday is not listed please email the church office.
October 03!
Crystal Wallace
October 05!
Elisha Christian
October 05!
Latricia Dalcoe
October 07!
Agnes Williams
October 11!
Nancy Atkins
October 17!
Beverly Comeaux
October 17!
Jordan Thomas
October 19!
Paul Dalcoe
October 22!
Nickolett Daniels
October 22!
Christina Rector
October 22!
Brittany Bazile
October 25!
Paula Bowden
October 28!
Jaden Scott
October 29!
Donald Walters
October 29!
Rodney Wright
Brian & Deidra Conner October 6
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Fall Activities In the Surrounding Area With fall comes many great activities for families, friends and college students to do. In a city like Houston there are so many things to do that are rather inexpensive. Whether you are looking for something within the city or want to take a short road trip, there is plenty for you.
*Friday Story Time @ Borders - every Friday @ 11am, Borders in Market Street the Woodlands. Ideal for small children. *Dewberry Farm - Brookshire, TX, www.dewberryfarm.com. Ideal for families, hayrides, corn maizes, pumpkin patch, rides and food. *Harvest Festival - Oct. 1 - Oct. 31 www.mattfamilyorchard.com *Cajun Catfish Festival - Oct. 9 - Oct. 11 www.conroecajunfestival.com *Texas Renaissance Festival - Oct. 10 Nov. 29 www.texrenfest.com *Bayou City Art Festival Downtown Oct. 10 - Oct. 11 www.bayoucityartfestival.com *19th Annual Turkish Festival - Oct. 10 Oct. 11 http://turkishfest.atahouston.org *Columbus Day Free Day - Oct. 12, Houston Zoo *Festa Italiana - Oct. 16 - Oct. 18 www.houstonitalianfestival.com *Mary Poppins - Oct. 22 - Nov. 8 www.broadwayacrossamerica.com *Wings Over Houston Airshow - Oct. 31 Nov. 1 www.wingsoverhouston.com
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Harvest from page 2
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Building Faith from page 2
together because grace exceeds the law of or obstacles, we can withstand what ever God. Jesus came to bring life, and that may come because we know that Jesus more abundantly through His death, Christ is with us. Faith is exciting! Faith burial and resurrection. is finding your potential in God! God didn’t plan failures. But your last failure Jesus did not call us out of darkness into His marvelous light for us to say “ I don’t could be the foundation of your success. know my purpose or what God wants me Success never happens without failures! to do.” Jesus demonstrated what was A life without faith is a life that is wasted needed in verse 35, teaching, preaching, and healing which involved the spirit and and lost. The Christian faith is a soul of man, and every disease; as well as challenging faith. It is not passive; it is aggressive. We can not sit around like a bringing the scattered flock of God together with direction and purpose. We, bump on a log, but we as Christians must be active like the Apostle Paul. We must as Pastors and teachers and leaders, are accept the task God has assigned us and commanded to bring knowledge and determine in our hearts and minds never understanding to the body of Christ so they can labor in our God’s harvest field. to give up. We can never give up until we If we are not busy laboring in the Father’s die, or are taken to glory. The person who determines to sell out for God is vineyard, then we are laboring in the certain to be met with opposition. The world, or Satan’s vineyard. devil will see to it that you have plenty of sour things to occupy your life: The Apostle Paul broke it down in this persecution, heartache--aggravation...you fashion. The body has many members. name it, it will happen. Although the members are not the same, they all are ordained to have their part in Three things about faith: helping fulfill God’s divine will in His harvest. Read 1 Corinthian 12 to see that I. A Faith Worth Living For – A each part of the body is valuable, and Christian life is abundant life. each member having its own style and method to reach the mass. II. A Faith worth fighting for – Faith is not easily established. It The harvest is not in the physical building must be fought for. we call the church. The harvest is in our workplace; the malls where we shop; in III. A Faith worth dying for- The our homes, and even in our favorite enemy will try to take our life places for vacations. As each member is to stop our faith. trained, and instructed in God’s word, we So what does this all mean? I believe must then take that “Word” through our that understanding God's preordained words and lifestyle back to the harvest. path for us and the works God prepared My intent is not to work to populate a mega church, but my intent is to work for for us, beforehand (Ephesians 2:10), is vital in our quest to understand faith. Our the population of the Kingdom. perspective determines how we view I am challenging each member of New faith. Rather than looking at faith and Life Temple to re-commit to working in prayer as a method to persuade and the field. There is a harvest to be manipulate God, understanding that God gathered, and it is up to each of us to already has a perfect plan, reveals to us bring that harvest into the Kingdom. that we pray to seek God's ways and we
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have faith to believe what God has already established. Can you describe faith to an unbeliever? 1. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (v.1) This is not a definition of faith, it is a description of faith. In the Greek language whenever someone wanted to emphasize a word, they would put it first in the sentence. Well, the first word in this sentence in Greek is the word “is.” Before you can tell someone what faith does, you must tell them what faith is. We are told here exactly what faith is. A. Substance That Is Real 1. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.” (v.1a) The word substance comes from the Latin sub, which means under, and the verb staré meaning to stand. So it literally means, “something under you upon which you stand,” or “something to stand on.” A good term for it is foundation. Faith is something solid. When you live by faith, you are not walking on shifting sand. You are standing on solid rock. 2. Our faith is the foundation of the future because it is the substance of “things hoped for”. Now you are ready to build on your foundation of Faith. God bless and keep you….
Minister Isaac J. Bazile is the Director of Men of The Tower Ministry at New Life Temple Church
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A View of The Mission A brief report of the mission trip of Mel A. Perry and Sis. Trinetia Boyd to South Africa. By Mel A. Perry
Rebuilding relationships
The gift that lives on
Splendid beauty
Sed fermentum
Lessons of history
One of the main objectives of our trip was to re-establish NLTC relationship with our ministry partners in South Africa.
During our visit in Durban, we were repeatedly told of the financial contributions from NLTC that has allowed that ministry to go forth and purchase land after their church had been taking from them.
One of the magnificent things about the continent of Africa is rich unspoiled land. Even it’s major cities are usually outlined by the raw natural handy work of God.
In June, 2004, a pastor from Cape Town, South Africa flew to Houston, Texas for one purpose. He wanted to be baptized in Jesus’ name at NLTC.
I prefer to travel through a country via bus because it allows me to see fast untouched heavenly artwork. It may not always be the most comfortable means of travel, but it is often the most rewarding.
Dr. Bishop Frederick Thys, after being witnessed to by the late Apostle Derick Hubbard, accepted the scriptures and wrote to NLTC that he would be coming that June so that he could be baptized. Even though the church he pastored did not support Acts 2:38, he had no choice but to obey.
Cape Town is home to one of the greatest historical moments. Not only is the famous Robben Island, nearly 5 miles from the main land, there, but also the place where Mr. Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after being released from prison.
A few of the Bishops from South Africa came to NLTC in 2004. However, it has been several years since there has been any fellowship or communication with our brothers and sisters in South Africa. Although our time would not allow us to visit all of the pastors, we were able to visit with 3, as well as fellowshipping with a new ministry, New Birth.
Tabernacle of Hope, pastored by Bishop Nelson Haynes, is a ministry that has survived even when they didn’t have a physical place to worship. The message that they asked us to bring back to NLTC was “thank you! Look what you helped us to buy!” Not only do they have land, but a new building to worship in, too.
While our travel was mainly limited to the cape and eastern coast, the land was a wonderful sight to behold. You could see God’s hand.
We were able to visit with him the Monday before we left.
This speech was heard, not only in South Africa, but all around the world. Though the building’s architectural work speak of colonial time, it can also be seen as the birth place of the now united Republic of South Africa.
Photos above: an arial view of Cape Town, me with Bishop and First Lady Nelson Haynes, Tabernacle of Hope Fellowship Church in Durban, Camps Bay Beach, Bishop Frederick Thys, Cape Town City Library. All photos were taken during the September 2009 mission trip to South Africa. If you would like to see the complete photo album from the trip, please email melanne@me.com October
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The purpose of New Life Temple Church is to instill the faith of Jesus Christ into the lives of all people, bringing them into spiritual perfection with a spirit of excellence.
Weekly Service Schedule
NLTC Ministry Leaders
Bishop Brenda K. Perry, Senior Pastor pastor@newlifetemplechurch.com
Sunday Sunday School! !
Pastor Steve Stephens, Associate Pastor Sunday Worship ! sstep72508@sbcglobal.net
Pastor Elmer Powell, Associate Pastor elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net
Donna Ross-Powell, Administrator
Statement of Faith
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9:00am
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10:00am
Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study!
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7:30pm
Young People On Fire! !
7:30pm
donna.ross@newlifetemplechurch.com
Lela Chambers, Financial Manager office@newlifetemplechurch.com
Thursday Music Ministry! !
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7:30pm
Mel A. Perry, Global Relations Director global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.com
Saturday!
Roy & Veronica Seivwright, Head Deacons rs5587@att.com
Intercessory Prayer!
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9:00am
Pastor Elmer & Cathy Powell, Marriage Min. elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net Isaac Bazile, Men of the Tower lawfalcon@aol.com
raymondwright24@yahoo.com
dwbates@msn.com 6
We believe in being born again of waterby immersion in the name of the Lord “Jesus� Christ for the remission of sins, and in Spirit baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
We believe in presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.
Pastor Raymond & Capricious Wright, Young People On Fire
David Bates, Outreach
We believe that - in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.
We believe in divine healing, communion and foot washing.
Donna Stephens & Mary Colemon, Ladies of the Light dmstep2003@yahoo.com
Towanna Thompson, Perfecting Light Ministry towanna10@sbcglobal.net
We believe this one true God, who revealed Himself as Father in Creation, as Son in redemption, and as Holy Ghost in regeneration.
We believe in the death, burial and resurrection.
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We believe in one eternal God; infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, as well as, omniscient and omnipresent.
New Life Temple Church 4828 Almeda Genoa Houston, TX 77048
We believe in expressions of praise with lifted hands, hand clapping, playing of musical instruments, voice of praise and dancing.
713.991.5972 www.newlifetemplechurch.com
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