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Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
Inside: Siddiya Swift: Guardian angel to the needy
Local pastors react to Ferguson and more
Jamie Grace: On tour and unstoppable
DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May: God and politics
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We, at the Panola Road Bojangles’, would like to thank the community for all of its support 2695 Panola Road Lithonia, GA 30058
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Dr. Kevin B. Lee
Pastor Jesse Curney, III
Pastor James C. Ward
Berean Christian Church-Gwinnett
New Mercies Christian Church
Antioch Lithonia Baptist Church
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contents
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Guardian Angel To The Needy
Solidarity Sunday
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Superstar Jamie Grace hits the road
Lee May: My God, My Politics A Publication of On Common Ground News - Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
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Phoebe’s Boutique
Phoebe’s Ladies Clothing
7331 Stonecrest Concourse Lithonia, GA 30038 Between T-Mobile & This Is It
770-484-3737 Phoebe’s…Personal Shopper
Size 8-18
www.phoebesboutique.com CHURCHES NOW | 1
The History of Berean The name Berean comes from the word Berea. Berea was a city in Macedonia where the Apostle Paul established a church on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:10-14). The Berean Church was known for their daily delight, desire and dedication to discover what God has said in His Word. The vision of God to have a 21st century church like the one in Berean of Macedonia was placed in Pastor Kerwin B. Lee’s spirit. Pastor Lee was then led of God to start and cultivate a local church, of born again believers in Christ, whose final rule of authority would be the Holy Bible, God’s written Word. The organizational meeting was held on Sunday, November 26, 1995 at the Oakhurst Elementary School in Decatur, Georgia. Berean’s first official meeting was held on Sunday, December 3, 1995 at the Carl G. Renfroe Middle School in Decatur, Georgia. Berean Gwinnett – One Church in Two Counties Berean Christian Church Gwinnett was organized under the leadership of Pastor Kerwin B. Lee. One of the purposes was to be an extension of Berean Christian Church DeKalb County. Thus the phrase was adopted “One Church in Two Counties”. 6 | WWW.CHURCHESNOW.COM • WINTER 2014
Service Times Thursday’s 12:00N 7:30 p.m.
Bible Study Bible Study
Sunday’s 7:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 12:00N
Worship Service Worship Service Worship Service
1465 Highpoint Road • Snellville, GA (678) 240-2213• www.bereangwinnett.org
The following is a chronological timeline of the history of Berean Christian Church Gwinnett County: November 2005 January 2006 April 2006 May 2006 December 2008 April 2009 December 2009 2010 2012 2012 2013 2015 2017
50 member core team selected to start the church First bible study is held at Centerville Elementary School Group relocates to a church facility First Saturday night worship service takes place Secured a lease with purchase option with Highpoint Community Church Held Grand Opening for Sunday Worship Service Added Early Morning Worship Service Dr. Kevin B. Lee appointed as Senior Pastor of Berean Gwinnett Purchased 10+ acres of land and the church building Purchased Hewatt Road property Added a third worship service to accommodate growth 1st quarter adding more than 400 parking spaces Breaking ground on a new 1500 seat sanctuary
Important dates in 2015 March 27 & 28 - Building a Solid Youth Ministry Conference May 3 - 9th Church Anniversary
Dr. Kevin B. Lee Dr. Kevin B. Lee is the Senior Pastor of Berean Christian Church-Gwinnett. Pastor Kevin, as he is affectionately known, served as the Associate Pastor at Berean Christian Church in Stone Mountain, GA for 3 years and as the Youth Pastor for 9 years. Prior to accepting a position at Berean Christian Church, he served in youth ministry for over 16 years in churches located in Fort Worth, Texas; Greensboro, North Carolina and Stone Mountain, GA. Dr. Lee earned a Doctorate of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His dissertation was on empowering and training adult leaders to effectively work with children and youth. He received a Master’s of Religious Education and a Master’s of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Additionally, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. He has authored four books: Putting the Pieces Together, Making the Pieces Fit, Teaching Pieces to the Puzzle and Practical Pieces to the Puzzle, all geared towards youth ministry. Dr. Kevin B. Lee is the Founder of KBL Ministries. The purpose of KBL Ministries is three-fold: • To ENHANCE parents with effective parenting skills • To EMPOWER adult leaders with creative teaching skills • To EQUIP young people to live victorious spirit-filled lives He is truly gifted in preaching and teaching to children, youth and adults alike. Many have been challenged and changed because of the inspirational words of Pastor Kevin. He is married to Karen Foushee-Lee and they have two children, Kellie and Jamarr. CHURCHES NOW | 7
New Mercies Christian Church
– Come Experience God’s New Mercies
A
Pastor Jesse Curney, III
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name says a lot about a place of worship. When Pastor Jesse Curney, III prayed and asked God what to call His temple of dwelling, God reminded him that “Everyday you arise, I provide you with new mercies.” It was through this revelation that Pastor Curney birthed New Mercies Christian Church, in Lilburn, Georgia. That was more than 12 years ago. Today, New Mercies continues to “experience God’s new mercies” through worship, classes and other activities. The congregation remains a solid rock-- “a growing church for growing Christians”-- and Pastor Curney gives God the glory for it all. Approximately 3,500 to 4,000 people regularly attend the two worship services that are held every Sunday at New Mercies. “It is an amazing intergenerational church. Both, the young and the mature, can feel at home here. The highlight of our worship service is not Jesse Curney -- it’s not about me. Here, God is the illuminated -- it’s all about Him,” said Pastor Curney. “The message is Bible-centered, totally focused on God. You can expect to grow and have a deeper relationship with Him,” Pastor Curney said. “And you can expect a beautiful blend of music. We have a wonderful mixture of traditional and contemporary sound.” Recently, New Mercies brought on board recording artist Byron Cage. Minister Cage is the new Senior Executive Director of Worship and Arts. For the Christmas holidays, Minister Cage produced the church’s “Winter Wonderland” musical, which was staged Dec. 16 and Dec. 17. Cornelius Williams is another newcomer to New Mercies. As Executive Director of Ministries, he is responsible for overseeing all of New Mercies’ outreach, educational and training programs. Minister Williams is the former regional director of Young Life, a worldwide multicultural outreach ministry aimed at
New Mercies Calendar Noble Warriors Men’s Ministry - For more information email us at noblewarriors@newmerciescc.org Bible Study – Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 7:00pm Breakfast – Every 4th Saturday, 8:30a
Minister Cornelius Williams
Minister Byron Cage
helping adolescents meet and follow Jesus Christ. “We feel very blessed to have both, Minister Cage and Minister Williams. They are both dynamic leaders in their own right,” added Pastor Curney. “New leadership is only a portion of the church’s many blessings,” stated Pastor Curney. “I’m just happy. We are so blessed. We continue to grow numerically and financially, despite an inconsistent and challenging economy,” he said. Pastor Curney also noted that the church is fulfilling its vision of leasing out some of the front parcels of the plaza where the church is located on Five Forks Trickum Road, in Gwinnett County. “There is a butcher’s shop, a nail shop and a hair salon, and we’re looking to add more businesses,” stated Pastor Curney. New Mercies is beginning to build out the middle section of the plaza. On the horizon, is a youth center, an adult education center, and a fitness center. With the development of these centers, the church places itself in alignment with its mission to “serve the community.” This year, New Mercies church held a job fair and job readiness program to help people who were searching for employment. The church also provided 7,000 pounds of food to more than over 500 families during Thanksgiving. Its members are helping over 200 needy children celebrate the holidays with donated gifts through the church’s Angel Tree initiative. New Mercies continues to serve the community through Mercy Seed a community food pantry which is open 10:00am – 1:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday. “Our goal is to holistically serve the Body of Christ. We want to feed them spiritually, assist them financially by providing opportunities for job placement and most importantly, help them develop a stronger relationship with God” said Pastor Curney.
Crowned Jewels Women’s Ministry - For more information email us at crownedjewels@newmerciescc.org WOW Bible Study – Every 2nd & 4th Monday, 7:00pm Breakfast – January 10, 2014, 8:30a Pearls Of Wisdom Mother’s Ministry Breakfast – Every 1st Saturday, 10a - All ladies 55 years or more young are welcome Contoured GEMS Bible Study – January 10, 2014, 8:30a All ladies 22- 29 years are welcome Student Ministries - For more information email us at crownedjewels@newmerciescc.org Elementary School Worship – Every 1st & 2nd Sunday (both services) Middle School Worship – Every 1st & 2nd Sunday (both services) High School Worship – Every 3rd & 4th Sunday (both services) AWANA Mid-Week Worship – Every Wednesday, 7pm Pre K through elementary school age students iStudy Mid-Week Worship – Every Wednesday, 7pm Middle School through College age students Congregational Care & Support - For more information email us at congregatonalcare@newmerciescc.org Mercy Seed – 4037 Darling Ct, Lilburn GA 30047 - Hours: 10:00a – 1:00pm, Wednesday & Saturday - For more information email us at mercyseed@newmerciescc.org
New Mercies Christian Church
Sunday Services: 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study: Noon and 7 p.m. Saturday Prayer Service: 7:30 a.m. 4000 Five Forks Trickum Rd., SW, Lilburn, GA 30047 • 770-925-8600
www.newmerciescc.org
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Celebrating a Ministry of Years
Antioch Lithonia Baptist Church 2152 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia, GA 30058 First Lady Idell Ward
Pastor James C. Ward
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770-482-1277
Save The Date! March 15, 2015
Performances by James C. Ward Chorale
Worship Technology Ministry
Composer Festival featuring the world premier of a new choral work by Mark Hayes honoring Pastor James Ward
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SIDDIYA SWIFT
Photos by Joshua Smith
Guardian Angel To The Needy By Joshua Smith
Siddiya Swift isn’t a pastor or even a church leader, although many think of her Rockdale County non-profit, Resource Center for Community Action, as a ministry.
Three days a week, Swift runs a food pantry for the needy, but it is her monthly mobile food initiative that draws the masses. People who pull up in their vehicles are given a free box of food and even some household products. Some come from
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as far away as Atlanta and Oxford to get a helping hand from the RCCA. Lines of cars often snake around the parking lot. Swift says she relies on an army of volunteers and on the contributions of others to do the community outreach.
“I know we are blessed to do this work for the people. I have to buy most of the pantry items at reduced prices with monetary donations given to us. You never know who will bless us, but that’s what keeps us going,” Swift said. Home Depot and local grocery stores donate much of the food and other items that are given away. U-Haul donates a truck to deliver the goods to the Rockdale government annex at 1400 Parker Road in Conyers, where the drive-up is held. Swift founded the RCCA in 2006. Along with the food pantry and a clothes closet, the RCCA also provides emergency financial assistance, life skills training, as well as referrals for employment, education and
Photo by Joshua Smith
housing. It’s like a one-stop community outreach for those in need. “The main reason I do this is that I always wanted to help people,” said Swift, who thought that she would give back as a nurse. “I worked at St. Luke Presbyterian Hospital in my native city of Chicago
and when I moved to Atlanta in 1993, I worked at Crawford Long and Emory Hospital for several years, but I never finished nursing school. I guess that wasn’t the path I was supposed to take.” Trading in her nursing Continues on page 14
Our vision is to connect men and women like you to GOD and your life’s purpose! Overcomers Christian Fellowship (OCF) is a teaching and training ministry. We are focused on equipping the people of God to increase their faith by applying the Word which will assist them in building successful families, prosperous careers and effective ministries to the glory of God.
O
ur Mission Our key purpose is to reach the unsaved, unchurched, untaught and uncommitted with the gospel, thereby, transforming them into disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is our goal to make an impact locally, nationally and internationally for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. OCF exists to edify, encourage and evangelize our cities and the world. God called Pastor Benny to shepherd
a multi-cultural, multi-racial group of believers whose identity would be taken directly from 1 John 5:4. The Lord has been so faithful to us and has added immensely to our numbers. We are constantly growing by leaps and bounds. You are invited to come worship with us. You will be richly blessed. We look forward to seeing you.
• Sundays Worship Celebration Service - 10 a.m. • Wednesday Night Mid-Week Celebration - 7 p.m. • Friday Night Prayer - 7-8 p.m.
7373 Covington Highway • Lithonia, Georgia, 30058
770-465-8687
www.ocfinternational.org CHURCHES NOW | 13
From page 13
dreams, Swift prepared for a new career. She studied to be a life coach from 2003 to 2005. Every weekend for two years, she drove from Georgia to Maryland and back to attend the Inner Vision Institute. The school is led by founder and famed motivational speaker Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, who has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show on several occasions. “I felt like it was my calling and I would do whatever it took to get there,” said Swift. It was in 2003, the year she began attending Vision Institute, that Swift penned “The Mirror is You.” The inspirational self-help book tells Swift’s story of surviving being sexually assaulted while living in Chicago. “At the age of 19, I was raped. My mother and I were sleep when the attacker broke in, came to my room and put a knife to my neck,” said Swift. “This past Thanksgiving, I went back to that room because my mom still lives in that house on the Southside of Chicago. So many memories from that room, but it made me the strong-spirited and strong-willed person I am today.” That determination has been the driving force for Swift’s passion for the RCCA. Swift said with several programs in place at the RCCA, she plans to launch
a Women of Worth support group, which will focus on the principles of work, joy, abundance and caring. If anyone is committed to a cause, it is Swift. Her first name, Siddiya, is Arabic and means “one who keeps her word.” “I work at that everyday. I do a lot of meditation and I think I attract like-minded people,” said Swift. Josie Dean is one of those like-minded people. Dean volunteers with the RCCA every month, helping to distribute food through the mobile food initiative because she, too, has a passion for helping others. “I grew up with 10 brothers and sisters. I know what it’s like to be in those lines waiting on government food. The mobile food pantry is survival for a lot of people,” said Dean, one of 20 to 30 volunteers who pitch in to help Swift every month. Dean says the mobile food initiative is not only outreach
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Photo by Joshua Smith
but a way to show the spirit of Christ. “How do you see Christ? As giving back through others? As Jesus? As fulfilling the importance of giving back? Christ is here. We are blessed to bless others,” said Dean. Covington resident Ronaldo Mathis says so many people have fallen on hard economic times and count on the RCCA for help each month. “The need is great. The resource center is all that some of us have,” Mathis said. For more information on RCCA, visit www.rccaction.org or call 770-760-1346.
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Strait Gate Church
Sunday Service Hours Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Church 11 a.m. Tuesday Bible Study Noon & 7 p.m. Children Ministry Men & Women Ministry Outreach Ministry 1299 Milstead Ave. Conyers, GA 30012
Pastor George Levett, Jr. & First Lady Takela Levett
Our 5th Annual in The Spirit Awards
Black
&White
Gala
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DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR NEXT 2015 GALA IN OCT. OF 2015
Join us as we pay tribute to some of our dynamic worship leaders who consistently reach out and impact the lives of others. Come: Meet & Greet / some of our great worship leaders / Walk the red carpet
For more information contact: Co-Founder / Creator Chuck Johnson (770) 912-7677 Elgintine Dudley (404) 725-8922 www.inthespiritawards.org
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Solidarity Sunday Atlanta Pastors’ Rally:
“I Can’t Breathe”
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By Joshua Smith
W
hile protests continue across the country and hashtags such as #livingwhileblack and #crimingwhilewhite have set social media ablaze, Atlantaarea clergy are condemning the deaths of unarmed African Americans who are being killed at the hands of white police officers. Pastor Raphael Warnock of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta preached a sermon entitled, “I Can’t Breathe,” dedicated to Eric Garner, the 43-yearold New York father of six who died after a Staten Island police officer put Garner in a chokehold, killing him. Police confronted Garner over selling “loosies” (single cigarettes), which is illegal, and used the chokehold to take him down. Garner, who had a history of selling loosies but told police he was not selling them that day, said 11 times “I can’t breathe” as officers held him down and one of them placed him in a chokehold. “I can’t breathe! That ought to be our rallying cry for justice and fairness and righteousness and goodness in the land. Everybody ought to be able to breathe,” Warnock said during his Dec. 7 message to his congregation. “As Christians, we serve a savior who was born in a barrio called Bethlehem, lived in a ghetto called Nazareth, and who stands in solidarity with
Mike Brown
Eric Garner
Tamir Rice
Photos by Joshua Smith
Students in Atlanta protest after the police shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO.
people like Eric Garner who are living in an economy that has been cruel to poor people. Think about it, Eric Garner lost his life in a confrontation that began over a discussion about the sell of
cigarettes. He lost his life.” The grand jury’s decision not to indict Officer Daniel Pantelo for killing Garner has sparked demonstrations Continues on page 22 CHURCHES NOW | 21
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
Members of Springfield Baptist Church in Conyers staged a “die in” to represent the seven minutes that Eric Garner lay on the ground in a chokehold by Staten Island, NY Police Officer Daniel Pantelo.
From page 21
across the nation, including pastors uniting for “Solidarity Sunday.” The grand jury also decided in the Michael Brown case not to indict Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, MO police officer who shot the unarmed, 18-year-old Brown to death. In Rockdale County, pastors in a network known as P.A.C.T. (Pastoral Accountability for Covenant Truth) wore black T-shirts with the words “I Can’t Breathe” and preached on the subject at their Dec. 14 worship services. “We stand in solidarity with churches across this nation and the Eric Garner family. We’ve been called upon to be a part of that effort,” said Pastor Eric Lee of Springfield Baptist Church in Conyers, where congregation members staged a “die in”
Pastor Raphael Warnock
Pastor Eric Lee
in the sanctuary for those seeking justice for the loss of their unarmed loved ones. They laid down for the seven minutes that Garner was in a chokehold. Pastor Aldren Sadler, Sr. of Church of New Beginnings in Conyers said he asked his congregation to wear black in solidarity. “I had asked prepared them the week before Solidarity
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Pastor Aldren Sadler, Sr.
Sunday and asked them to wear black. I felt it was very important to let them know that all lives matter, which is what I preached on,” Sadler said. Pastor Warnock told CNN’s Wolf Blizter that his sermon was a reminder that society needs a shift in values in this country and he thinks that time has come now. Continues on page 24
L
e v e
a r l Home e n u F t ,I t Serving you since 1950~ ~
Still serving you at: 1041 Bryant Street, Conyers, GA 30012
(770) 483-9885 “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted�
Coming in March 2015 our new location at:
1299 Milstead Ave. Conyers, GA 30012
nc .
From page 22
“Dr. King used to say there comes a time when the cup of human endurance runs over and the human spirit cries. That time is now,” Warnock told Blitzer in the interview. “I was encouraged by some of the reforms laid out the other night but we saw with the return of the grand jury decision that body cameras alone won’t solve this. We feed real reform in the process. This idea that police can police themselves is fool-hearty. The citizens of this nation deserve to know that there is transparency and accountability in the process.” Protestors have demanded justice not only for Garner and Michael Brown, the unarmed
Recently, Ebenezer hosted Attorney General Eric Holder for a town hall to discuss race relations in the wake of Michael Brown’s death, the grand jury’s decision not to indict the Ferguson, MO police officer who killed Brown and the greater issues of racial profiling and police brutality.
18-year-old who was shot by a police officer in Ferguson, MO but also for Tamir Rice, 12, who was killed by a police officer on Nov. 22 in a Cleveland, Ohio park after playing with a BB gun. Officer Timothy Loehmann
said Rice reached toward the B.B. gun in his waistband. Loehmann fired two shots within two seconds of arriving on the scene, hitting Rice once in the torso. Rice died a day after the shooting.
Flippin Legacy Ministries Raising Leaders Around the World
William E. Flippin, Sr., B.A., M.Div., D.Min.
Are you a pastor, servant leader or church with a calling and commission to serve this present age?
Contact us! 770-655-0217
Pastor, Teacher, Author & Certified Life Coach
Flippin Legacy Ministries has a passion for serving churches where ministry effectiveness is thought to be minimal. We provide programs that will help to unlock the jewels for personal development and church growth through leadership training, individual mentoring, resource materials, motivational workshops, and inspirational messages. 24 | WWW.CHURCHESNOW.COM • WINTER 2014
Visit us online! www.flippinlegacy.com Flippin Legacy Ministries 4920 Flat Shoals Parkway Suite 102-103 Decatur, Georgia 30034
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Contemporary Christian Music’s
Next Big Thing 26 | WWW.CHURCHESNOW.COM • WINTER 2014
Superstar Jamie Grace hits the road By Mackenzie N. Morgan
J
ust days after Thanksgiving, 23-yearold Jamie Grace hit the road. She kicked off her tour in Georgia on Nov. 30 in Marietta. The superstar will be on tour until March 29. With stops in places such as Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, Arizona, California, and Alabama, the self-taught talent is clearly a veteran in music. But the Lithonia resident doesn’t think so. “I still really don’t know exactly what I’m doing. I’m just going to trust the Lord
and play my guitar, play my banjo and play my organ and see what happens,” said Grace, who said her next album will showcase her instrument playing abilities. “I just want to remind young
girls especially that it’s OK to feel hurt. It’s OK to feel scared. It’s OK to feel different. It’s OK to feel left out or to feel like everything’s not perfect.” Just in time for Christmas, Grace has teamed up with her older sister, Morgan Harper Nichols, to release an EP, “Family Christmas: Jamie Grace & Morgan Harper Nichols.” The duo will join forces several times on the road to promote the Christmas work. The Christmas project features both of the sisters’ Continues on page 28
Life Abundantly Christian Church 1879 Smyrna Road Conyers, GA 30094 Sunday Worship 9:30 & 11:45 a.m. Bible Study Tuesdays @ 7:30 p.m.
www.lifeabundantlychurch.com Pastor Kendrick L. Meredith Sr. CHURCHES NOW | 27
From page 27
writing and vocal skills. Grace said she and Morgan are very close and grew up singing in the church choir together. “She’s an incredible writer and artist and it was really cool to have her talent on this album. Morgan and I are best friends and we work really well together,” said Grace. “The only issue that we have working together is that we both love pizza. Sometimes, when we get together to write, we end up ordering pizza and watching a movie.” Grace is also on the road to minister through her current single, “Do Life Big.” The inspirational song follows Grace’s highly successful album, “Ready to Fly,” which was released January 2014, and her debut album, “One Song at a Time,” which earned her the 2012 Dove Award for New Artist of the Year. In addition to her music, Grace is an advocate for foster children and anyone living with Tourette syndrome. She was diagnosed with TS when she was 11. At age 14, Grace founded “Teens With TS” for youth living with the special condition. Grace recently launched the Jamie Grace Foundation, geared toward helping kids in foster care. Foster children have a special place in her heart. Grace and her sister were raised with foster siblings by her parents who are both pastors. Grace says it’s critical to
encourage youths through her music to find an outlet through her songs, as she has done over the years since the age of 9. “When I started playing music is when I kind of found hope because I was discovering the plan that God has for my life,” she says on her web site. “I thought I was just having fun but I was finding out that God has a purpose for me. He showed me, “Hey kid, like I need you to take this message of hope and I need you to share it with other kids. So I decided I was going to be a singer, an actress, and a motivational speaker and try to get the message of God’s hope out to anyone that I could.” Grace was discovered by Grammy winner and Billboard
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200 No. 1 artist TobyMac in 2010 via her YouTube channel. Grace earned the 2012 Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year” and the hit single, “Hold Me,” earned her both Grammy and Dove nominations. Grace has appeared on high profile television shows such as “The View” and her YouTube channel has surpassed 16 million views. While on tour, the selftaught drummer spends most of her days writing and rehearsing with her band, but she still makes time to FaceTime with friends and said she had a great Thanksgiving holiday with the family, away from the tour. For tickets and Jamie Grace’s full tour schedule, visit www.jamiegrace.com.
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Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
Lee May is married to his college sweetheart Robin. They have three daughters: Ryann, 7, Reagan, 5, and Riley, who is 7 months old. As part of his “Daddy” duties, May prepares lunch every evening for school the next day, wakes the girls and drops them off at school. He’s a pro, according to his wife, at pulling his children’s loosened teeth.
DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May:
My God, My Politics By Valerie J. Morgan DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May calls faith the “fabric of his life.” It’s what guides him, he says, in every aspect of his life. “My faith guides me in everything that I do—whether it’s in my marriage, things related to my family, finances, and definitely in terms of how I make political decisions as far as DeKalb County government is concerned,” said May, who is an
ordained elder and the son of a pastor. A graduate of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and the historic Clark Atlanta University, May talks about his experiences as a Christian and as a politician in My God, My Politics: A Discussion on Faith and Politics,” a book he penned to help bring clarity to the layperson on how to bridge faith with political viewpoints.
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Voters first chose Lee May in July 2006 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by then Commissioner Hank Johnson (now Congressman Hank Johnson). May has since been re-elected twice by an overwhelming majority. May serves on various national and local associations including the National Association of Counties and the Large Urban County Caucus. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He and his family are members of Berean Christian Church in Stone Mountain under the leadership of Pastor Kerwin B. Lee. Said May: “While my faith personally keeps me grounded, I don’t try to impose my beliefs on anyone else. But just as anyone has a political viewpoint, there are some kind of core values behind those positions that allow them to advance. That’s all that I’m doing in expressing my faith. My faith says to love God and love thy neighbor and it’s about how I engage my neighbor and deliver county services to my neighbor. My neighbor isn’t just people who look like me… It’s anyone in DeKalb County, the metro area and the state of Georgia.” At 39, May is the youngest person to sit in the highest executive seat of Georgia’s third-largest and most populous county, which has about 700,000 residents. Gov. Nathan Deal appointed May interim CEO on July 17, 2013 to oversee the county’s $1.2 billion annual
budget and 6,000 employees. May took the reigns after Burrell Ellis was suspended last summer amidst charges of bribery and corruption. Ellis, whose first case ended in a hung jury in October, is scheduled for a retrial next June. Ellis has pleaded innocent to the charges. The Ellis case, however, hasn’t been the only bruise concerning an elected official in DeKalb. Former DeKalb Commissioner Elaine Boyer pleaded guilty in a federal case of bilking taxpayers of more than $90,000. Boyer is awaiting sentencing. Corruption charges involving school construction contracts and top officials also have marred the county’s image. May called the chapters “a difficult period in the life of DeKalb,” but adds that his faith has grown stronger and subsequently, his relationship
with God, as he works to restore the public’s trust. “I really want to make our county proud and confident in the leadership. That’s one of the things I have worked hard to do in turning our county around. I want to make the residents really proud to be a part of DeKalb County,” said May. Recently, May announced that DeKalb had earned an A+ for government, according to Ballotpedia.org, an online encyclopedia that provides information about American politics and elections at the local, state and federal level. May credits Chief Operating Officer Zachary Williams, the county’s IT department, the Board of Commissioners and his office in working together to improve the score, which was previously a C-. Continues on page 32 CHURCHES NOW | 31
From page 31
“Seeing the efforts of this administration’s hard work rewarded is gratifying,” said May. “It means a lot that we have accomplished the highest level of government transparency and it is recognized by an objective entity outside of DeKalb County.” In addition to making government transparency one of his top goals, May said he has worked to promote economic development by establishing a strategic plan for the county, enhanced public safety and launched community beautification initiatives. May said he is proud of the fact that DeKalb has graduated four police academies and started three fire academies this past year.
May said one of his accomplishments in his spiritual walk has been reading the Bible in its entirety in 16 months. He said the book of Nehemiah is a source of encouragement. “I read the whole book of Nehemiah and the story of him rebuilding the walls in Jerusalem is what I use as a guide for wisdom. He said he also has made sure that the county’s employees have received raises despite tough economic times. May pushed for 3 percent across-the-board adjustments for employees. “Our employees had really been going through a tough time and they hadn’t received any kind of increase in the past
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six years,” said May. May said as the New Year approaches, government efficiency will remain a top priority. “My focus going into 2015 will be on government efficiency. We’ve got to be leaner, smarter and more responsive to its taxpayers,” May said.
Mission: Teaching the Word, Touching the Soul, Transforming the Life
Scriptural Foundation: Luke 4:18-19 and John 5:6b
Worship Times on Sunday: 8:00 a.m. The Bridge 9:00 a.m. Discovery 10:00 a.m. Corporate Worship Dr. Mark W. Thompson, Pastor Redemptive Life
Internet Broadcast: www.New.Livestream.com Contact us at Email: info@theredemptivelife.org Phone: 770-922-1234 Address: 406 Pleasant Hill Road, Conyers, GA 30012 CHURCHES NOW | 33
34 | WWW.CHURCHESNOW.COM • WINTER 2014
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