PPM spring cover 2016 by S V Promoting Purpose

P P

Promoting

Purpose

DR. OLIVER T. REID

THE SOLUTIONS COACH

M A G A Z I N E

3 THINGS

THAT MAY BE HOLDING YOU

BACK

DO YOU

KNOW

TARA DANAE “I FIND REST”

GOD OR OF GOD? ISSUES CHRISTIANS FACE TODAY…

PASTOR

MARCUS

GILL

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM SPRING 2016 | SPRING 2016 1 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM

JOANN ROSARIO CONDREY WOMAN OF GOD ON THE MOVE

STAY IN THE KNOW Sign up to receive updates, online features and more from Promoting Purpose Magazine. www.promotingpurpose.com PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

3 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

HAPPY

NOW IS THE TIME TO FLOURISH IN YOUR PURPOSE!

SPRING PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

CONTENTS SPRING 2016

8 THE PRAISE & WORSHIP REPORT| I Found Rest: Tara Danae

11 THE PRAISE & WORSHIP REPORT| A Conversation With Joann Rosario Condrey

14 COVER FEATURE| Pastor Marcus Gill

16 CHRISTIAN ISSUES| Do You Know God Or Of God?

21 LIFESTYLE| God Can Heal All Wounds: Dr. Oliver T. Reid

23 CHRISTIAN ISSUES| 3 Things That May Be Holding You Back From Truly Walking In Your Purpose

5 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

PROMOTING

PURPOSE EDITER IN CHIEF Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui CONTENT EDITOR Tiff’s Editing Café GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui WEBSITE ADDRESS www.promotingpurpose.com WRITERS Saviela Edwards Thorne Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui COVER PHOTO CREDIT Tylon Ross CONNECT WITH US VIA SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/promotingpurposemagazine TWITTER www.twitter.com/ppurposemag INSTAGRAM promotingpurposemagazine

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

PROMOTING PURPOSE WOMEN

GET YOUR COPY TODAY

WWW.PROMOTINGPURPOSEWOMEN.COM 7 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

THE PRAISE & WORSHIP REPORT

SHE FOUND REST TARA DANAE known as the Blue Eyed Soul says she came from a broken home and along with that a lot of her childhood and relationships with family were very broken. There had been a good eight years that she just wanted to crawl in a hole and shut everything and everyone out. But it was in that season of her life that God and music became her way of coping with it all. “I had gone to church growing up but when that foundation in my family life crumbled, it was then that my relationship with God went from knowing about Him to actually knowing Him. I had always loved singing, but early on I saw the power that music had on our lives. I knew I wanted to use the power of music for good and to glorify the One who created it all.” Tara says. For those who have never heard Tara’s music style, it can best be described as soulful, honest and powerful. You can hear all of that in her most recent song, I Find Rest. “This is one of those songs that is a simple message but is a message that we need to be reminded of on a daily basis.

Especially nowadays when we have so many things to keep us distracted, where there is so much fear in the world, and so many people just searching for something to make them feel whole. What I hope people will receive from I Find Rest is an opportunity to refocus on God and a reminder that only He can fill us up with love, joy, and peace. Only in Him can we truly find rest.” For those who want to find rest in God but having a hard time doing so Tara advice is to Pray, pray and pray! “Prayer has been the most powerful tool that God has used in my life. When I have been consistent in my prayers I have seen God move the most. It takes practice. Sometimes people struggle with prayer because they don't know what to say or think they have to pray a certain way. But I can tell you from experience that God doesn't care about all that. He cares only about the heart and he hears that more than anything. Pray alone with God, pray with your spouse, family, and pray with friends. Sometimes just getting quiet before the Lord and in a posture of prayer is all it takes to give me peace.”

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

THE PRAISE & WORSHIP REPORT

Besides music, Tara is very passionate about the relationships in her life, particularly as a wife and mother. “I have the most wonderful husband and we have a 4-year-old daughter. I can never be one of those people that have a million things going on in their life. I like to do a few things, and do them well. So for me, it is all about Jesus, people and music.”

9 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS…

IT’S THE LORDS

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

THE PRAISE & WORSHIP REPORT

Joann Rosario Condrey Joann Rosario Condrey is known to most because of her career in Gospel Music. From 1997-2008, Joann traveled extensively with Apostle Nahum Rosario, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond and on her own. During that time she also recorded 3 albums (More, More, More; Now More Than Ever…Worship and Joyous Salvation) and is known as a worship leader. In 2008, Joann was ordained as an evangelist through Maranatha Worldwide Ministries in Chicago IL and continues to travel, singing and preaching the Gospel of Jesus. Upon her marriage in December 2008 to Cory “Coco Brother” Condrey, she relocated to Atlanta Georgia with her husband.

11 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

Cory and Joann have been actively hitting the streets with their evangelistic ministry (The Condrey Evangelistic Association). In February 2010, Arianna Condrey arrived and is The Condrey’s first child. Arianna’s baby sister, Hadara Virtue, arrived on July 3, 2012. As a wife and mother, Joann feels the need to reach out to women in the effort to encourage and strengthen them in their walk with Christ. In 2014, Joann started Rainfire Church in Douglassville, GA.

THE PRAISE & WORSHIP REPORT

Learn to delegate and it will help you not to go crazy. There are times when you may feel like you’re going to lose it and it’s in those times that I do slow down. Interesting enough when I travel to minister and perform it allows me time to slow down and just focus on spending time with God. I am able to bring the word or lead worship wherever I am and I don’t have to worry about the other things I have to do on daily basis. Most people know you by your amazing hit worship song, “More, More, More”. What was your motivation for this song? Actually Fred Hammond wrote that song. I wish I had written it. But I didn’t realize as we were recording that it was going to connect with people the way it did. Even the Spanish part of the song where I go into Quiero mas, mas, mas, it was just an idea that we had there in that moment and I didn’t realize what it was going to do. It was a song supernaturally orchestrated by God. God gave Fred the vision to push that song forward. For me it was something unexpected and I am thankful for it. What does Praise and Worship mean to you? How has it changed your life?

How do you juggle being a wife, mother, pastor and artist? Do you ever get to the point where you feel as if you have to take a break or slow down? ABSOLUTELY! When I first got married, my husband Corey, and I were doing so many things in the ministry. I wasn’t just traveling as an artist and worship, but I was also involved with the back end of administrative side of the ministry along with having my first child. It was very overwhelming I believe one of the first things I learned, but not right away, was that you cannot do it all and it’s ok not to be able to do it all. I’m working more on how to prioritize what I must do and what I am able to do and/or what I can delegate to others. In the beginning I used to feel like a failure because I thought I had to do it all but the truth of the matter is there is nothing wrong with asking for help. As women we learn how to delegate the things that we necessary don’t have to do. There are things I can’t delegate like spending time with my children but I can ask for assistance with the office work for the church or washing the clothes. PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

At one point in my life Praise and Worship was a style of music. It was just singing worship songs but through the miscarriages and through losing my voice many years ago (I lost my voice for a year and a half almost 2 years) through the trials and tribulations of life, Praise and Worship had become my personal connection with God. My life of worship is really embodied in my obedience to God and my willingness to do what He tells me to do and go where He tells me to go. When I sing the songs, it’s that love that comes through praise and worship that is what makes its powerful. It goes beyond what I sing; it goes into the fiber of my life and for anyone who wants to live a life of worship that’s really where it is at. I preached a message that can be found on YouTube called, “What is this Thing Called Worship” that message fully addresses this question. Worship is not a style of music but has everything to do with our relationship through submission and obedience and love for God.

Interviewed by Saviela Edwards Thorne

And Believe God Will Answer You! Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV

13 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

PASTOR MARCUS GILL Photo Credit: Tylon Ross PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

PROMOTING PURPOSE

efore being a sought after Pastor, Marcus Gill was a

minister of music in church. He enjoyed playing the organ, playing the piano in a few jazz bands and groups, charting music and writing music. The college grad with a degree in music would tell you he’s pretty much always been a church guy that enjoyed following and supporting pastors and helping to enhance their music ministry. The humble, down to earth Pastor who’s on a mission to see people live a victorious life also has a sense of humor. When I asked him to share something about himself that no one really knows about him he laughed. “Oh wow, I wonder if I really want to reveal that in your magazine,” he says jokingly. “What's something that most people don't know, hmm. A lot of people don't know that I'm a clown. I love to laugh, I can be almost overly ridiculous at times.” He said. We both laughed and I told him that he was cheating on the question because I had already picked that up about him. I wanted him to share something that wasn’t obvious. “I’m giving you a little bit, huh? He asked with a laugh. “Okay. A lot of people think I'm this millionaire rich guy, I’m not. That I got it all together and I don’t. I've never been on a real vacation and I need one. A lot of people don't know that I actually used to be a father and my one and only child passed away. Some people know that, but I also think that a lot of people don't know I have been divorced before. But I'm definitely looking to be married again.” He said. Lately, the Pastor has been promoting two of his books that came out in 2015: Single God Life and Ten Ways to Stay Free. “I’ve been promoting both of my books and traveling doing single conferences up and down the east coast and all across the northern part of the country, and then of course, I've been devoting so much of my time in pasturing my church, The RUSH Church United, so I've been quite busy lately.” Marcus has over 800,000+ followers on Facebook alone and that’s not including the followers who are following him on the other social media networks. Followers look for his relevant words of wisdom and encouraging quotes on a daily basis. With thousands of “shares” and “likes” if you’re on social media you may have seen some of his quotes floating around in your news feed shared in groups, from friends or family member.

Pastor Marcus best describes his leadership style as a leader who coaches on the field. “I always teach my church that I'm not a leader who coaches from the sidelines, but I'm a leader who coaches on the field. In fact I'm not like the press box owner, I'm the quarterback owner.

I like to get on the field and be in charge, give direction, give insight. I enjoy managing what's happening on the field, but be on the field with those I'm managing. This way I can pass the ball, I can run the ball, I can give the ball up to somebody else, but whenever anybody scores I lead with the concept that we all score. When I score, we all score. I might lead and be the MVP, but at the end of the day when we win a championship we all get a ring. I'm an on-field leader, not a side-line leader”.

Although I’m one of those girls who find it hard to keep up with what’s going on, on the field during a football game. I was actual able to follow and keep up with what he was talking about. I asked the leader of The RUSH Church United to go a little in-depth about his church that’s considered to be Radical, Unspeakable, Spiritual and Holy, which is the acronym for the church name RUSH. “We're radical people which means we are willing and ready to step out of the box and do things that are outside of the ordinary, all for the cause of Christ. We're unbreakable, which simply means that there's nothing in this world that can break us. We have declared that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. Our testimony of being unbreakable comes because we really know who we are, we're standing firm on the word of God and we can't be broken or destroyed. We're spiritual, because we have relationship with God. We're not a religious church, we're not a churchy church, we're not a church of form or fashion, but for us to be spiritual simply means we have a connection with God like none other. We have people who worship in different ways. People who flow in different ways. Everybody doesn't dance to the same beat of the same drummer. Everybody doesn’t shout the same, everybody doesn’t teach the same. We're spiritual beings, so we pride ourselves on being connected to God 100%. Of course we have to add holy, because through our radicalism, through our ability to be unbreakable and through our love for being spiritually connected to God, we do believe that it's our reasonable service that we live holy. Holiness is like living a life that is pleasing to God. Living and doing life God's way is our lifestyle. We are radical, unbreakable, spiritual and holy.” He says. Pastor Marcus is expecting 2016 to be a year of expansion for both himself and The RUSH United Church. “You can expect another book from me. In 2016 you'll see me traveling in parts of the world and the country that I've never been before and in 2016 you can see The RUSH Church begin to grow and become elevated even more. Also, you can expect to see me on a couple of television stations, a few television interviews and of course you can expect to see me celebrate more souls being saved.” He said in excitement. Interview by Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui

15 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

ISSUES

Do You Know God Or Of God? Signs You’re Feeding Your Spirit Second-Hand Biblical Knowledge About God A few weeks ago I had asked a friend if they believed in God. Without hesitation they replied, “Yes.” I then continued and asked them why do they believe in God and why do they believe He exists? A puzzled look came on their face and I could see from the wrinkles on their forehead that they were really searching for an answer. Finally to end the 1 minute and 30 seconds silence they responded, “That’s a good question.” As I found myself in deep thought after asking this question I realized that my friend didn’t believe in God because they personally knew God. But they believed in God because this

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with getting spiritually fed from those who are truly led by God. But God has so much more to share and to show you, things that would be a spiritual added value to your assignment and purpose. Luke 11:9 So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

knowledge of God second-hand knowledge. One of the definitions for second hand is not directly known or experienced.

heart, etc. Second-hand knowledge concerning something or anyone will only get you but so far.

The truth is, you can never really know ANYONE unless

was what they were taught. So in reality this friend didn’t you have a personal encounter with him or her and truly know God really, they knew OF GOD, which made their take the time to understand his or her ways, character,

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

Signs You’re Feeding Your Spirit Second-Hand Biblical Knowledge About God For example a person who have experience God and knows what He is capable of can weather the storm easier because they know for themselves that God is able and can deliver them from their current situation. No one can tell them God isn’t going to come through because they know if He has come through before He will come through again. They were able to acknowledge when and how He came through. A person who knows OF God may have a struggle with weathering the storm because they WANT to believe that God will deliver them because of the great things they have heard that He is capable and able to do. However, doubt will for sure wiggle itself in because there is no firm or strong personal foundation backing up what they want to believe. While there are several signs you are being fed spiritually in second-hand form, these signs stands out to me the most. You can recite a scripture from the bible only because you’ve heard the Pastor repeat or talk about it several times throughout the year. There are certain scriptures or verses we hear at least once or twice or may be even more throughout the year. These scriptures become just a generated saying or a recited reflex for those who have not studied the Word for themselves. Example: Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. We hear this verse a lot. It’s short and easy to remember yet it is a powerful punch if you really know and understand who God is and what Christ has established and done for us. Sadly it has become just a quick memory verse for some and second-hand feeding. You picture who God is and how He communicates based off of what or how someone describes Him from his or her personal experience. Because God deals with us differently we describe how God reveals or communicate himself to us in different ways. One may say they heard the spirit or the voice of the Lord say… while another may say they felt an unction in their spirit, another may say God spoke to them through a dream, thought, etc. This leaves the person who knows OF God guessing as to whether God has or is talking to them based on how others say God communicate/speak.

17 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

You get the word or knowledge about God or the bible when you go on social media and someone makes a post about it. Yes, we are in the age of technology and for some the only time they may see or read a scripture is from an encouraging post on social media. The information that one shares concerning God via social media is from the eyes and heart of the person who’s posting. When you the reader receive that information if you do not know God for yourself and you accept that information in your spirit it is still second-hand biblical information. We are in a time where it is important that we seek God for ourselves. I am in no way saying that receiving spiritual feeding from others is wrong. It’s okay if it’s from someone truly being used by God. But we are in a time where we must go back behind what is being said or taught and study and experience biblical knowledge and who God really is for ourselves. It’s time that we pick up our spoons and forks and begin to dig in and eat the delicious meal God has prepared for us and feed ourselves and allow God to fill us. Article by: Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui

PURPOSE

IS IN EACH AND EVERYONE OF US… WHAT’S YOURS?

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

19 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE TODAY AND FIND OUT WHERE YOU FIT IN. www.promotingpurpose.com

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

PROMOTING PURPOSE

What is a breakthrough without the breaking? How do you really know peace devoid of experiencing restlessness days or nights? What is healing minus the incision? I would advise everyone that’s viewing this article that the process makes perfect not just practice. It is important to note that bending in the storm is an expression of weakness but shows that you’re flexible in the hands of the Potter (God).”

God Can Heal All Wounds Imagine dealing with abandonment from your father. Or, pastoring a thriving church while being married then divorced, and engaged in a custody battle. These scenario are all of which Dr. Oliver T. Reid had to deal with first hand. Some can only imagine the agony he went through during those moments in his life. But Dr. Oliver can tell you that God is an ultimate recycler and specializes in restoring damaged goods. He was able to show forgiveness to his father, which became the bridge to reconciliation. “I was able to go on to find love and remarried. Through the grace and unwavering support of God I am able to show both my scars and my victories through various platforms with the world.” Looking back at his past, Dr. Oliver says if he could have written himself a letter during his storms or write a letter to someone else who’s experiencing what he went through he would tell them don’t press fast forward in the storms in your life. “In other words, don’t attempt to avoid the process of greatness. I’ve discovered that the pitfalls in your life hold the keys to your palace.

21 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

After all that he has gone through Dr. Reid feels his purpose is to be a servant leader. “ I strive to serve God in both victory and in chains. This simply means to be able to follow God in the good times, challenging seasons, and periods of crushing trials. My purpose is to impact this generation and the generations to come.” The message that Dr. Reid is burning to tell the Christian community is that we are in what he calls a Thomas Generation. “Today, we live in a world where this generation demands that the church reveal our scars. The current generation isn’t concern with just our victories or success they are fixated in what wounds we have acquired and how we lived through it. The church community needs to know and see the triumphs and the trauma. It’s time for the Modern Church to get back to basics and peal back the comfortable covers of selfsufficiency. Now is the time to tell the truth. Tell the honest truth and the true testimony surrounding your battle without skipping to the good parts. Our Christian community is waiting in the front rows, to see the brokenness behind the bishops, the agony behind your apostleship, the pain behind the prophet, the exhaustion that lies inside of the evangelist, the pot holes in the pastor’s yards, and the torture that the teachers go through.” Dr. Oliver is considered the Solutions Coach, God has given him the ability to help individuals uncover solutions within. “I firmly believe without fail that God isn’t working on anything for His Beloved. Before time, God had made you and I to be Solutions. Before you and I were in our father’s loins or moved in our mother’s womb, God wired us up to solve problems in the earth. God has already fully loaded us up with benefits and solutions (Psalms 68:19) to questions that will arise in our life. With that said it’s important to highlight that we bring different solutions to the table but they all come from God. A vital key to understand is that we shouldn’t chase solutions; we embrace the source of our solutions. My assignment is helping individuals realize that they possess an ultimate solution inside of them (Jesus Christ). I encourage everyone I come into contact with to increase their reliance on the Power Source (God).”

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

ISSUES

Yet at the same time we believe it’s okay to stay where we want to be which is our current comfortable place. There are some that have considered the possibilities that there is way more to their life than what they are currently living but have not acted or sought any further because of the following reasons: 1. YOUR CURRENT LIVELIHOOD/ JUST SETTELING You’re living in the moment and feel as though changing your current schedule or dependable routine such as your job will interrupt your financial flow causing fear of lack or poverty to hinder you. Keeping your current job and working part-time on what you’re passionate about or what you might consider a hobby until it evolves and is stable may help. Seeking God and asking Him to help you with time management can be the start of a brand new life.

3 Things That May Be Holding You Back From Truly Walking In Your Purpose As the publisher/CEO of two publications that promote and discuss purpose, I’m often asked how I discovered my purpose, or what’s it like to know and walk in what God has created me to do. Truthfully it can be a bit uncomfortable at times because as you walk in your purpose it begins to evolve into bigger and greater territory, which takes you out of your comfort zone. The experience seems like as you grow it feels uncomfortable in the beginning but then you get used to it and become comfortable, only to be stretched and placed back into an uncomfortable feeling only because you’re growing and your atmosphere or level has changed. This is not at all a bad thing, its just part of evolving into someone greater. I believe that if we profess that we serve a mighty God, walking in our Purpose and allowing God to direct us and place us where He has destined for us to be would be one of the greatest witnessing we could share to the world. How great would it be to not only talk about what God can do, but showcase it by the fruit that we bare? Knowing the wonderful reality that we’re being used by God to reach heights that others would agree would be humanly impossible to reach without God. Sadly, walking in your purpose may deem intangible because most people are comfortable where they are and do not like the atmosphere of change or feeling uncomfortable. They have decided that they are going to stay where they are in life and play it safe. As Christians we enjoy telling others how awesome and great our God is.

23 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

2. BEING THE ODD BALL/ STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD You feel that everyone around you accepts being ordinary and anyone that step outside of being ordinary in your area is told they are setting the bar too high or chasing after nothing but the riches of the world. 3. FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN: You’re afraid of the unknown difficult challenges you may have to face in life if you step out of your comfort zone and feel like you may or may not be able to handle what’s ahead. John 4:4 (NIV) you, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. These are just a few of the reasons people play it safe and will never truly experience the life God intended. I truly believe it’s going to really take being tired of being tired for many to really decide and understand that truthfully they have nothing to lose, stretching to their full potential yet a lot to lose if they play it safe. You may be wondering, what do you have to lose by playing it safe? Leaving a legacy, not only for yourself but your children and their children as well as allowing the ultimate work of God to be done in your life. You won’t fully experience the ultimate work of God to be done and shown through your life. Article by Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui

STRAKER VALDEZLOQUI PUBLICATIONS HOME OF PROMOTING PURPOSE MAGAZINE AND PROMOTING PURPOSE WOMEN DIGEST

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

WHO SAYS YOU WON’T FIT IN IF YOUR DIFFERENT? Let Promoting Purpose promote your purpose to the world! www.promotingpurpose.com

25 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

27 PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016

PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM | SPRING 2016