Cover Story: Mother’s Day & Father’s Day Tributes

from May/June Christian Outlook 2022

by The Pentecostal Assembles of The World - The Christian Outlook

Prayer Will Change Your Life

TRIBUTES MOTHER’S DAY HONOR

Lady L. Janice Brooks

The sunset years of our existence on this earth have been portrayed as being an idyllic period where because we have attained a certain numeric age, get to sit back and enjoy the fruit of our labor. We are told that this is the time to relax and appreciate all that we have been able to accomplish down through the years. In addition, we are encouraged to do so because many have not made it to this point. There are many who have not been afforded the opportunity to make it to this stage of life, so we ought to be grateful for having been able to do so. But our Mom has. Mom has reached that time in life where she is afforded the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labor. She has earned the right to not only reflect, but to also glow in her accomplishments. Lillie Janice Brooks has given birth to three sons, all of whom are ministers of the Gospel of Christ. She has enjoyed the presence of ten grandchildren, and she has gracefully entered the period of life called the Golden years. And because of these successes, and the many more that we do not have time to recite, we salute her on this day that has been set aside to commemorate our Mothers. These last few years have seen our mother encounter and conquer several challenges, both physical and emotional. Because of the onset of advancing years, Mom can’t get around like she used to. She isn’t quite as nimble as she used to be, and she isn’t quite as independent as she wants (and demands) to be. Her favorite saying to my brothers and me as we try to assist her in various activities is, “You ain’t the boss of me!” And she’s right; we aren’t. But we are her sons, and she and Pop raised us right. We grew up in a strict household where the rules were cut in stone and the phrase, “…because I said so” was meant to be a very sufficient answer to the question of why…and if it wasn’t, there was a belt nearby to convince us of its sufficiency! We grew up in a household where respect and honor for our parents were etched into the very fabric of our souls. We grew up in a household where, because the Bible was taught and preached, “honor thy mother and thy father” was one of the first Scriptures we learned as children. Consequently, we grew up in a household where my father’s singular mantra, which he repeated daily was, “Take care of your mother!” And that is what we do. At any time, Mom can call on any one of the three of us, and we will come running. At any time, a request can be made of the three of us, and we will expend every effort to accommodate our mother. Because that is how we were raised. Lillie Janice Brooks. To the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, she is the First Lady. To us, her children, she is the rock of our family. She is the Queen of our domain. She is the voice of reason and the reflection of Honor. She is our Mother, and we are grateful to have her with us. As she continues to gracefully age, we, her sons, and our wives and our children, will continue to love and care for her. We will continually salute her and all that she is… because…she is our Mother! Happy Mother’s Day! Ted, Harold, & Darrell

FATHER’S DAY HONOR Bishop Theodore L. Brooks, Sr.

One year ago, this past March, my family and I experienced an event so traumatic, it has left a lasting impression upon every single member of our clan; my father’s brush with the Death Angel. As a parent, none of us wants to see their child experience any kind of hardship; however, we understand that hardship is a process in this thing called life. But it’s a different story when the tables are reversed, and we must watch our parents physically struggle for the very essence of life! March 3, 2021 was an extraordinary experience because we witnessed the truthfulness of our father’s fragility. Yes, the Death Angel is real, and it is a concept that introduces itself early in life, but the notion of your parent’s demise, though it is understood that it will occur, takes on a whole new level of understanding when it is in your face. The one lasting impression of this event showcased itself in the servitude of my brothers and me to our Dad. After he left the hospital, he needed assistance with the most basic of needs. Without being graphic, we served him to the best of our abilities, without even a whimper of a complaint or resentment. We served because we had been trained to do so. We served because it was our responsibility to take care of our father! But we could tell, he wasn’t comfortable with being incapacitated and helpless. It was one thing to have strange people roaming in and out of the hospital room poking and probing and collecting all kinds of fluids, but it became something completely different when it was his sons. His humanistic ego kicked in and his first instinct was embarrassment and discomfort. No grown man wants to go through the process of being cared for to that level. But here’s the kicker…we watched our dad take care of his dad in the same manner. Our actions toward our dad didn’t just materialize out of thin air; we had a blueprint. Our blueprint was our father taking care of his father. How could we do anything less for him when he showed us how to “honor thy mother and father”? We could not. We would not. We did what we knew to do…not because we were told…but because we were shown! Not because we had to…but because it was our demonstration of love to the man who gave us life. Our father has always been a little rough around the edges with his sons. He was not blessed to have daughters because God knew he would spoil them rotten. If you need an example, look at his six granddaughters and three great granddaughters!!! But he has imparted to his sons all that he could, and his efforts are visible for all the world to see. No, we are not perfect, but we are all blessed to be ministers of the Gospel. We have raised our children to the best of our abilities. We will strive every day to show honor to our parents through our effort to continue the mindset of servitude and pass it on to our children, so that they may serve as well. Theodore Leonard Brooks, Sr. To the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, he is the Presiding Prelate. To us, his children, he is the foundation of who we are. He is the King and patriarch of our family. He is our beacon of reason and guiding compass. We trust him because he trusts God. We trust God because our Daddy showed us how! Happy Father’s Day Ted, Harold, & Darrell

TRIBUTES HONORING MOTHER

Betty J. Roberts

Apostolic Mother, Co-Establishmentarian, Pastor Emerita Calvary Christian Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc.

t is an honor to submit this tribute with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. on behalf of Mother Betty J. Roberts, Pastor Emerita of Calvary Christian Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. Mother Roberts is the wife of the early Bishop Edward C. Roberts, our visionary pastor and establishmentarian. It is an honor to serve as the current leaders of this great assembly along with my wife, First Lady Jordan Adams, on the shoulders of these amazing giants in the Kingdom of God. I Mother Betty J. Roberts was a Pentecostal trailblazer and phenomenal woman in the Kingdom of God! Since Calvary’s inception in March 1981, Mother Roberts has been a vineyard worker, sharing her love, time, services, and more, impacting many people. She is a true Proverbs 31 Woman. She assisted her beloved husband in building the foundation of Calvary Christian Church. Mother Roberts embodied strength and dignity for many years, demonstrating with her life what holiness truly means. Truly, “strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come!”

Pastor Kameron L. Adams, Senior Pastor, and the Calvary Christian Church Family

To Mother Betty J Roberts, Pastor Emerita: We are praising God for your dedicated life in Christ. You are a woman of God and a lady of grace who has given much love and comfort to many. May God’s continued love and grace be with you always. We love you deeply.

Every wise woman builds her house! Thank you, Mother Roberts, for being the wise woman of God that you are and building the foundation for Calvary Christian Church! I love you!

Mother Roberts, meeting you has been one of the greatest things about coming to Calvary learning the Word.

Mother Roberts has been a beacon in my life. The Words of Wisdom and Love she shared has been a lifeline even too this day. I cherish the meetings we shared both personal and the Women of Influence. I’m blessed to be able to return to North Carolina and gain just by being in her environment. I Love You woman of God.

When I think of Mother Roberts, I envision a wise, selfless, servant leader who is committed to God and people. Through boldness, she inspired others by the life that she lives. Consistently investing in the lives of others and the ministry while exuding agape love. No matter who you were, where you came from, what you did or what you looked like, Mother Roberts saw a soul and embraced it with love. I thank God for the time he granted me to be under your guidance. I haven’t been at Calvary a long time, but the wisdom I received from you will continually bless me in my life here on earth!

Mother Roberts is a true jewel to me. Her life has impacted so many people. Her love for children and the people of God has been her life’s work. I honor this woman of God who has poured and given so much of herself to others for the glory of God. I am because she is.

Words are hard to describe how much Mother Betty Roberts has meant to this spiritual family! The women became better women, Mom’s became better Mothers all because of one lady that dedicated her life to the Lord while yielding to the Spirit of God. For this we Give God Praise!

HONORING LADY ELDER DISTRICT ELDER

Beverly White Dr. Helen N. Orme

Happy Mother’s Day to our beautiful first lady, Lady Elder Beverly White! You are the epitome of grace, elegance, kindness, strength, and God’s love. We honor you today and always. May God continue to bless you, and may Heaven smile upon you.

Love,

The Glorious Church of Jesus Christ

Fathers, continue to serve the Lord by setting the example and leading your family with love and gentle care. May God continue to bless you. Happy Father’s Day!

Mothers, thank you for all you have done. Thank you for all the love you have given. Happy Mother’s Day. Many blessings!