$1.99 MAY / JUNE 2016
Life, Vision and Ministry
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE MAY/JUNE 2016
FEATURES
08 Pastor Arlene Hall 10 Pearls From Heaven 17 Political Bias Regarding Opiate Addictions
Story Pastor Roland Cooper 20 Cover Life, Vision and Ministry
23 Bishop James Peters 29 Harriet Tubman to Be the New Face of $20 Bill 31 How I Got My Character Back!
SECTIONS 04 12 14 16 24 28 27 30 33 34
Editor’s Note RHEMA Health RHEMA Family Matters RHEMA Teen Focus RHEMA Senior Center RHEMA Business RHEMA Spotlight RHEMA Puzzle RHEMA Showcase RHEMA Word
Disclaimer Rhema is published every other month. No part of this publication is to be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The Magazine can not be held liable for any error in any advertisement and any liability is limited to the total cost of the advertisement in error. The publisher however reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed offensive or inappropriate. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are strictly those
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of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rhema Magazine. Rhema Magazine takes reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of the information. However we will not assume liability for the opinions or statements nor the accuracy of the authors. We also reserve the right to edit information we deem inappropriate for this magazine.
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s parents, we all have one simple goal: to raise honorable children who will make us proud. We become selfless, making sacrifices and deferring our own needs for those of our children. Through our actions and words, we become the ultimate role models. It’s through us that they learn love, tolerance and good manners. The depths of love a parent has for a child is immeasurable. It’s unconditional. It transcends the disappointments and pain that raising a child sometimes brings.
down the wrong path. It’s then that we rely on God for their protection and have faith that all will turn out well. Our children are our biggest blessing, and we only hope that they bring us unending pride and joy. God has entrusted them to us and it’s our duty to do our due diligence in raising them. We are greater than the outside influences which they face.
Our children are our biggest blessings...
We give advice, we nurture, we reprimand, we encourage, we punish and we pray. We do all this with the hope that we will raise our children to be lovers of God and upstanding citizens who respect others. We do the best we can and trust that God will handle the rest. All parents hope their children will make sound decisions and be responsible. However, life doesn’t always happen that way. Not all parents are proud of the paths or friends their children choose, and it is very painful to watch them going RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAy/June 2016
Our influence is far reaching. Parenting has its challenges. It requires just as much or more commitment as any of the other jobs we have. However, it can be extremely rewarding.
To our readers: Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Father’s Day. We are grateful for your hard work and dedication as you continue to raise Godly children. And remember the power of the tongue: use it to speak blessings into your children’s lives.
Valerie Brown rhemamagazine.com 4
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RHEMA MAGAZINE: CONTRIBUTORS Rhema: "A Greek word meaning "what is said." In Christianity it is used in reference to the sayings of Jesus Christ." Matthew 4:4 states"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every (Rhema) word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
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hen you talk about leadership in Boston, especially within its Black Church Community, a name that consistently surfaces is Pastor Arlene O. Hall. It is no surprise, therefore, that she has been chosen as the vice president for the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, Inc. Along with her husband, Bishop Raymond Hall, Pastor Hall founded the Deliverance Temple Worship Center in 1999. Built on the pillars of consistent prayer and Spirit-filled worship, Pastor Hall has innovated new ministry strategies that keep the church on the cutting edge. Her church leaders are well-versed in logic models and measurement tools for ministry. “Outcomes,” she says, “are simply the fruit of the ministry. It’s not a “corporate” thing; it is what Jesus requires. Every ministry should know whether it is producing fruit for the Kingdom. If it is not, we know what area we have to address.” Pastor Hall has served on the board of the BMA since 2004 and has represented the organization in many areas, including at the State House on behalf of BMA’s Girls Initiative, providing guidance and support for Clergy Women United -a BMA initiative to support and strengthen women in ministry- and meeting with key leaders of the City of Boston. An Ordained Minister of the Church of God (COG) and one of God’s prophetic voices to the nations, Pastor Hall is often called upon to speak nationally and internationally. In 2012, Pastor Hall was the commencement student speaker for the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Commencement Service. This was the first time the commencement student speaker was chosen from the Boston campus. RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAy/June 2016
Most recently in February of this year, Pastor Hall was the first woman to preach at the Church of God Black Ministries Awareness Celebration at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee. Academically, Pastor Hall is a powerhouse. In 1992, Pastor Hall graduated from the Church of God Ministerial Internship Program and received her Ministerial License. She has a Masters of Divinity Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, MA and is currently pursuing her Doctor in Ministry Degree at Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee. “It’s no mystery why Pastor Hall was chosen to be the current vice president of the BMA,” says the executive director, Rev. David Wright. “Pastor Hall has all the qualifications of a great Christian leader. She loves the Lord with all her heart; she loves God’s people; she continues to equip herself to serve God’s people; and she is willing to go beyond traditions to find new and better ways to fulfill God’s commands. And, to be frank, people just love her and her servant’s heart. Who better to be in line to lead the BMA?” Under current plans, Pastor Hall will serve two years as vice president under the current president, The Reverend Arthur T. Gerald. Thereafter, she will be elected and serve as the BMA’s first woman president.
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By Jessica Johnson ccording to a Port Saint Lucie, Florida jeweler’s website, pearls are highly valuable: “The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries. Because of this, pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable and valuable.” Mothers are a reflection of pearls for they are handpicked by God. They are admired for all they that do and for who they are. They are valuable because you can’t put a price on motherhood.
pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Mothers are all such things. God built mothers strong because they wear many hats. A mother doesn’t have time to panic or worry. They just do what they have to do. Often, they go above and beyond to make sure that their kids are happy. They always want the best for their children and encourage them to dream big.
A mother’s job is never done. They are mothers 24 hours a day; seven days a week and 365 days a year. Even as adults, we still need our mothers. A mother is a child’s everything to her. She is a provider and a comforter.
Motherhood is not to be taken lightly for it doesn’t come with a manual, but God guides mothers along the way. God made mothers nurturers, so their children will have a shoulder to cry on, a mom who will lend a listening ear, who will be able to take care for their sick child and whisper in their ear that everything is going to be OK.
A mother is loving, kind, trustworthy, honest and loyal. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
A mother will stand by her child’s side through the good and the bad. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not
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turn from it.” A mother teaches her children right from wrong. She teaches them the importance of education. Most importantly, she teaches her children to treat others the way that they would like to be treated. It says in Exodus 20:12, “Honor your mother and father, so that you may live long in the land of the Lord your God is giving you.” This Mother’s Day, we want to honor every Mother around the world for all you do and continue to do for your families. We appreciate and love our mothers. You are: Marvelous Outstanding Trustworthy Honorable Extraordinary and Respected. You are honored not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. We thank God for blessing us with Mothers. You are the glue that keeps the family together. Just as you are proud of your children we are proud of our Moms. You are truly pearls from Heaven! rhemamagazine.com 10
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The Rise of the Opioid Addiction ver the past year, local media has been flooded with coverage of the rise in individuals dying from drug overdoses, specifically opioids. Due to the media’s spotlight on this epidemic, a variety of attention has been brought to this issue from lawmakers and policy holders to even movie directors. Below are facts and current events surrounding this issue. Facts Opioids are certain class of drugs, including heroin as well as prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone, codeine and morphine.1 These drugs tend to produce a pleasurable experience and pain relief. Drugs like oxycodone and morphine are generally prescribed in order to relieve pain, each given for different reasons. For example, morphine is given after surgery while codeine is used for much milder pain.2 These drugs are relatively harmless when taken in their prescribed doses. Individuals should monitor their intake and not take over the prescribed amount. Taking a larger amount of an opioid could result in severe respiratory depression and even death. A consistent use of these medications over time could result in physical dependence, where an individual experiences symptoms of withdrawal when the medicine is not administered or given in lower doses.3 Physical dependence is a natural occurrence to taking long-term exposure to a medication. Doctors should be notified if an individual begins to have withdrawal symptoms including muscle pain, insomnia, vomiting and cold sweats.4 Addiction is also possible if these drugs are not taken RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
in an appropriate manner. Research shows that in 2014, 1.9 million Americans had a substance abuse addiction involving prescription pain relievers. 5 Addiction to these medications leads to death in many cases. Also in 2014, there were 18,893 deaths caused by accidental overdose of prescription drugs nationwide. As the death toll of individuals dying due to prescription drug overdoses has risen, so has the sale of these drugs. As stated by the American Society for Addictive Medicine, “the drug overdose death rate in 2008 was nearly four times the rate in 1999.” It continues: “prescription drug sale rate in 2010 is four times the rate in 1999.” 6 This shows that as the sales of these drugs have risen so has the death rate caused by them. As previously noted, this crisis has gained a substantial amount of attention in the past year. Policy makers are pushing for reform in the treatment of opioid addictions while doctors are looking for alternative methods for treating pain other than through the use of opioids. Many organizers are seeking ways to educate the public on the effects of taking opioids and the importance of seeking help with addiction. Be sure to remain vigilant with yourself and your loved ones who are taking these drugs for the appropriate reasons. As these situations evolve, look out for the changes that are coming to your community as a result. 1 American Society of Addictive Medicine. http://www.asam.org/docs/ default-source/advocacy/opioid-addiction-disease-facts-figures.pdf
2 National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publica tions/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/what-are-opioids 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 American Society of Addictive Medicine. 6 Ibid.
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By Dr. Daniel Vassell arriage is a risk worth taking! Marriage is not the problem in today’s society. The problem is not having the right person with the right love, knowledge, skills and commitment that is needed to enter it. You might ask, “Yes, I love him and I know he loves me too. But, how can I risk leaving the safety of my home – a place where I have learned to trust and to love, where I know that I am protected to go start a new life with someone that I know loves me but cannot guarantee a successful marriage?” Or someone else might say, “How can I leave the home where I lacked the kind of love and care that I should have received to go and start a new life that might not be able to provide me the kind of life that I am looking forward to?” How can you enter into a successful marriage? Check the Storge love thermometer of your prospective spouse. Storge love will guarantee the success of your marriage. Once both persons who are committing their lives to the union are assured that they have followed God’s word and that they have received the blessings of their family, church and friends, then Storge love, when it is practiced, will help sustain their new lives until death. What is Storge love? Storge love is the feeling of belonging and security that exist in the marriage and family. It is the glue that builds a stable home away from your primary home. This love is realized by the “leaving and cleaving,” as mentioned in Genesis 2:24 and the marriage vows. This is the love that couples feel for each other after they pledge their vows, “I plight thee my troth.” It also is the love couples feel RHEMAMAGAZINE: MAGAZINE:NOV/DEC MAY/JUNE2015 2016 RHEMA
toward their children. One of a marriage’s first love tests or challenges comes with Storge love. How? Here are some examples: “Will I still be a Mama’s boy after I get married? Will I follow the advice of my dad and ignore that of my husband? Will I put my parents’ and my siblings’ wants and needs above my new spouse and family?” How couples answer these questions will reveal how well they are doing with Storge love. Why? Many couples are still psychologically dependent upon their parents. They were not weaned and counseled about the leaving and cleaving process. Other couples are experiencing marital conflicts because of triangulations cause by family traditions and culture. If Storge love is going to flourish, parents must learn how to release their children so that they can build healthy families. On the other hand, couples must learn how to love and respect their parents without having conflict over their own family’s needs. If your Storge love is suffering in your marriage, make a choice today to be the mature person you are called to be and man up or woman up. If you cannot fix it by yourself, see your pastor or get professional help. When Storge love is growing in marriage you will feel a sense of belonging and emotional bond that is impregnable. Dr. Daniel and Jenny Vassell are the authors of “The Love Factor in Marriage for Couples and Pre-Marriage.” Email: lovefactorinmarriage@gmail.com rhemamagazine.com rhemamagazine.com1414
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THE YA DEBATERS HAVE WRAPPED UP AN AMAZING and INTENSE SEASON! By Omega Roberts
t is sometimes said that urban youth with great talent, creativity and potential often go unchallenged and unrecognized in Boston Public Schools, but not so with the Young Achievers, Golden Knight Debaters. The Kindergarten through grade eight Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School is located in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Its debate team is funded by the Boston Debate League, a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) to support academic debate teams in local middle and high schools. The BDL presents debate in a variety of ways so as to reach a broad spectrum of students, from those already highly achieving to those who are off-track academically and at risk of dropping out. The YA debaters have had an intense and amazing season! They have competed in a total of seven tournaments throughout Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts. Moreover, the team has ended its season with six students as their top speakers: Naesoj Ware; Josiah Bufford-Paul; Kaylah Kerr; Tristan Guity; Loraime Presinal and Nayely Monge. In addition to earning the top speaker award, each of these debaters has also placed first, second and third in the overall Novice Division. The YA debaters have discussed and contested topics such as immigration and Drone surveillance. As members of the RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
affirmative team, they’ve argued to end the surveillance of millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States. On the other hand, for the Drone surveillance case, the YA debaters have argued both the affirmative and the negative. While the affirmative seeks to limit drone surveillance by ruling it a “search” under the Fourth Amendment because it’s an invasion of privacy, the negative explains that the public has never had a broad right to privacy. Furthermore, the negative case also argues that government and law enforcement use many other types of unmanned surveillance, such as dashboard cameras, body cameras, and public surveillance cameras to track people’s information. Therefore, requiring warrants to use drones will be ineffective. During these tournaments, the YA debaters have had the opportunity to intellectually connect with their peers and to have their ideas about important issues be considered by adults. “Although being a part of the debate team has required hard work and dedication, it was well worth it,” shared Axly Nolasco, a member of the team. With its emphasis on critical thinking, effective communication, independent research and teamwork, debate teaches skills that benefit students both in school and in the workplace as well as help them fulfill their civic responsibilities within a democratic society. rhemamagazine.com 16
BY WILLIAM E. DICKERSON JR. - PASTOR AND OVERSEER ver since I can remember, the Black community has been battling an intense drug epidemic. The zero-tolerance policies implemented during the mid-to-late 1980s only multiplied the problems that they were meant to correct. Black communities were disproportionately affected, which resulted in a prison pipeline and a steady rise in untreated addictions. What is more, when juxtaposed with white communities, the drug addiction problem in Black communities has been treated unfairly. Over the last few years, political leaders have addressed the issue of opioid addictions as if it's a new problem. Opioids are drugs that normally fall into the category of pain relievers such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. During the 1960s and 1970s, one such opioid, Heroin, made a disastrous impact on communities of color everywhere. Heroin’s influence devastated homes within many urban centers of our nation, yet the impact of illegal drugs within more affluent communities has gone under the radar. What is so hypocritical is this: during the 1980s, crack cocaine traumatized the Black community and communities of color throughout our nation. Political leaders did not stand up and fight against that debilitating crisis. Families were torn apart without many resources to count on for support. Hollywood’s New Jack City portrayal of Nino Brown, a gang leader loosely based on the real life Chambers Brothers’ rise to dominate the crack cocaine trade during the late 1980s, profited greatly from the grief experienced by the Black community. RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAy/JUNE 2016
The way our painful reality was dealt with during the 1980s was the announcement of the “War on Drugs.” This politically driven decision demanded harsh drug penalties, which resulted in mass incarceration of poor people of color and Black men in particular. Today, however, there is a different outlook, because there are now more Caucasian people and affluent members of our society hooked on opioids. The political response for this population is support for drug addiction rather than incarceration. For example, in 2001 the Quincy (MA) Court initiated a drug-court program geared towards “giving offenders a chance to avoid jail time in favor of helping them kick drugs and alcohol.” Another such program will debut at the Hingham Court House in late spring. As communities of color, we need to boldly take a stand in regards to the unfair treatment that we see affecting communities of color. If political leaders look at drug addiction in White communities as a public health crisis, which they should, then they should also view drug addiction among the African-American community as a public health crisis. Our local and national governments need to provide resources for communities of color who have dealt with the impact of drug addiction for years. We should no longer sit quietly while drug addicts who are Caucasian are encouraged to go to treatment while African-Americans and those of color are pointed to incarceration. If Christians want to show forth the injustices and sins of this nation, we need to sound the alarm and lift up our voices as a trumpet. rhemamagazine.com 17
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Life, Vision and Ministry
By Michele Saunders t was a Friday evening when I was invited to attend a youth service inside a small church in the countryside of Tobago. I wanted to learn what the Church was about. This is ultimately where my quest for learning more about God started. Later that evening, I accepted Jesus Christ into my life as Lord and Savior. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After attending this meeting, my life wasn’t the same anymore. From that initial church meeting, the countryside church became my official home church in Plymouth, Tobago. This was the formative moment that began my upward trajectory to pursue ministry. I learned that I had a purpose that was greater than myself. For example, at the youth meeting I noticed that I was the only young man in this church. However, I knew this was not right since every young man should have a chance to learn about God. So I made it a personal goal to invite others to church. I became passionate about recruiting other young men to get them into the church. My desire to help others expanded beyond bringing others to church, and I later started my first Evangelistic Ministry. This resulted in an increase in the number of youth who attended this church and marked the beginning of something bigger than myself. In 1979, I returned to Trinidad to marry my sweetheart, Patricia. While in America, I got started by working for a prominent RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
manufacturing company. I quickly ascended to become the Manager of Quality Control in that company, while simultaneously completing my Business Degree at Roxbury Community College. Later, I found that ministry was my greater calling in life. Seeing all of my family saved was the driving force that fueled my passion to study the word of Christ personally and deeply. I strongly desired to see all of my siblings saved and for them to know the Lord for themselves. My personal goals encouraged me to learn and inspired me to practice and to execute warfare prayer every day. Today, all of my siblings are saved, and one of my brothers is also a pastor.” – Pastor Roland Cooper LIFE Pastor Roland Cooper and his lovely wife migrated to the United States of America from Trinidad and Tobago. They currently live in Boston, Massachusetts along with their five children and seven grand-children. Pastor Cooper is a charter member of Jubilee Christian Church of Boston. He was ordained as an elder and served under the leadership of Bishop Gilbert A. Thompson. In 1992, he was ordained and licensed by the Church of God denomination. After serving faithfully for the past thirty-three years as the Senior Associate Pastor at Jubilee Christian Church, the Lord called Pastor Cooper to be the Senior Pastor at the Shawmut Community Church of God of Boston, a calling which he gratefully accepted. rhemamagazine.com 20
VISION AND MINISTRY A light shines brightest when the environment is the darkest. Coincidentally, the community where this church is located is also in need of a light. The Shawmut community needs an extreme makeover that first begins with its spiritual climate. Pastor Cooper’s vision is to be intentional about transforming the Shawmut community. Pastor Cooper has already begun implementing his vision to bring about this change which is based on 2 Chronicles 7:13-14: “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” The main idea here is that community transformation begins when you teach its people how to maintain a positive relationship with God. This positive relationship with God is what Pastor Cooper is currently teaching how to develop, strengthen, and maintain at Shawmut Community Church of God. During Easter week, Pastor Cooper implemented two weeks of consistent, evening prayer for one hour each day for personal requests, and then two hours of prayer for community improvement, the churches and to pray for the positive transformation of Shawmut community. Also, Pastor Cooper taught the entire church on how to pray effectively and powerfully according the James 5:16. Anything good that you want, you must indeed fight for it! And when you receive it, you must also fight to keep it. Because there is an enemy who is always seeking for creative ways to destroy us, we must practice self-control and alertness, just as Jesus warned his disciples to watch and pray lest they fall into temptation. The point here is that prayer strengthens our relationship with God. It is the basis of self-control and to improving this Shawmut community. Additionally, Pastor Cooper plans to meet the physical needs of the commuRHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
nity by assisting with clothing drives; by serving as an access point for employment information; by promoting higher education for disadvantaged youth; by providing training on social media; and to ultimately strengthen community networking. Pastor Cooper is an active board member of various organizations throughout Boston and around the country. He is also the Spiritual and Worship Life Chairman for the Black Ministerial Alliance, a ministry that serves the clergy of the City of Boston. He is also actively involved in Boston’s Pastor Prayer Network, a group that meets annually to pray for the city. Outside of Boston, Pastor Cooper is one of the most influential instructors of the In Service Training Institute (ISTI), a ministry that serves the greater body of the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. Pastor Cooper is widely known as a General of prayer in Boston and around the nation. He recognizes that as long as Jesus Christ is Lord, you are his brother and sister in Christ, and therefore, he refuses to be engaged in personality clashes. Any battle he engages in is not against flesh and blood, but it is against the spirits that are at work against those who are saved. Pastor Cooper’s desire is to recruit as many spiritual fighters as possible to be in the army of the Lord, and he uses the church, social media and all tools as platforms to accomplish this mission. In the words of the old English poet William Cowper, “the devil trembles when the weakest saint is on their knees.” Let us join in this battle, my brothers and sisters against the enemy of mankind, and take back our communities from him in Jesus’ Name. Pastor Cooper teaches each Sunday at the Shawmut Community Church of God located at 600 Shawmut Avenue in Boston. Are you are looking to become a spiritual warrior? Or how to be the better version of yourself and to develop a stronger relationship with God? If yes, then you need to attend.
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ishop James Peters was born on the Island of Antigua. He accepted The Lord as his Savior in 1955. Bishop Peters migrated to England in 1959 and was ordained as a pastor in 1961 at Church of God in Christ. In 1963, Bishop Peters married Irose Barnes and the two started a family. They then migrated to Canada in 1970 and started pastoring in 1971. The family then moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1973 where he continued pastoring until 1991, when he moved to Orlando, Florida. Bishop has pastored, organized and has been overseer over numerous churches in England, Canada, Massachusetts and Florida, where he has baptized, married and ordained many and has led many people to the Lord. During his ministry, Bishop Peters has traveled to Israel, Africa and to the Caribbean.
In August 2015, Bishop's health took a turn for the worse. He was in and out of the hospital. He praised his God when he was in and praised him when he was out. That's the type of person he was. He was a man of strength and bravery. When his health started to fail, his inner strength got stronger. In March 2016, Bishop called the family together and said, "I am going home." Those words were not a sign of defeat, rather a declaration that His Maker was ready and that he too was ready to meet his maker. His family, his congregants and his friends can attest that Bishop Peters constantly stated that “I just want to make it to heaven. I want the Lord to say, ‘Well done James.’”
Many may recall some of his sermons, like, “Southern New England is Good Ground," "Gather the Fragments That Remain That Nothing Be Lost," or , "Oh Ye Foolish Galatians," just to name a few. Bishop Peters loved to preach and did it with such energy and exuberance as if he had thousands of people listening.
Bishop James Peters was a man of good character. He was a veteran in the army of The Lord. He loved people and he was well loved. Bishop was kind. He was humble. He was faithful and above all, he lived for God wholeheartedly. "Holiness and sanctification is all that I'm about,” is what Bishop would often say.
In addition to preaching and teaching, our beloved Bishop enjoyed reading books. His favorite of course was the Bible.
Bishop James Peters went home to be with the Lord on March 27, 2016.
Bishop Peters loved his wife and family. He looked forward to the holidays when the children and grandchildren would visit.
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By Harriet Holder hen it comes to major house cleaning, visions of clearing out old newspapers, books, old bills, and clothes that we have not looked at in years may come to mind. We do have to declutter some time or another. As the weather starts to change and the birds starting singing by your windows, visions of new decor for your living room and bedroom free of clutter would bring you peace and tranquility. Decluttering does not have to be a major task if you put things in the right perspective and organize your items to make sure that you can maintain the upkeep of your surroundings. Changing location or just wanting to get rid of some old things can cause you to go through a major decluttering, or clearing out. Just pick a room and slowly go through your items. Organize them by the season to keep the best things for your future use. When you start to declutter, some items that you have not used in years or do not want to keep can be tossed or, if in good condition, donated to your local Goodwill or Savers. You know the saying, “one's man trash is another man’s treasure.” Sorting out your items can be done by buying some clear bins and organizing your stuff so that they can be easily reached for future use. A host of stores have great bins for storage to help keep your items organized. There can be places in your natural home that RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
you may not have opened up in a long time, including a closet; the attic; the basement or a room that belonged to your kids. You may have pictures of your kids, or china that you have from the day you got married years ago. Create photo albums for each of your kids to show to your grandchildren. Sort through your dishes and give each of your children a set of these dishes to use so that they can have a piece of your legacy now. Let them enjoy them with you so that you can see the blessings of the Lord flow through your family. Giving the right things to the right people can bring joy to your heart. As you start decluttering your natural things, start thinking about old things that you have kept inside of your heart that can be cleaned out. The Bible says in Psalms 51:10 (King James Version) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Cleaning your home and getting rid of the old things can be both natural and spiritual. Sweeping dust from the corners, throwing out old and used items that you no longer can use, organizing your drawers, and downsizing some of old furniture can be refreshing experience. Lastly, when you see your home free and clean of old stuff, your heart will sing like the birds that do not have any storage rooms to hoard anything for the next day. "Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven not on Earth." Matthew 6:19-21. rhemamagazine.com 24
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elinda Lauture was first discovered at the young age of fourteen by a local talent agent in 1989 while singing Karaoke with a few friends. He was adamant about managing Melinda and helping her develop her talent. It was at that moment she began to discover her gift of singing. Melinda and her friends formed a girl group called ESSENCE. They performed in many talent shows throughout Boston and in the surrounding metropolitan area. At the age of seventeen, Melinda began her solo career. She was then discovered by two up and coming producers who produced her first demo CD. One year later after a lot of hard work and dedication, she was signed to record an EP deal with a major recording company. During this time, the voice of the Lord began calling Melinda. She had to make a decision. The Bible says “you can’t serve two masters.” Melinda’s heart yearned for change and to be obedient to God’s will for her life. So she decided to give her life to the Lord- surrendering all and leaving the secular world behind. Melinda is the head of the Praise and Worship Ministry of the Greater Anointing Harvest Church in Boston, Massachusetts and has been since 1994. Her love for God can be felt through the anointing when she sends up a sound of praise and worship unto Him through song. RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
In December 2012, she became an ordained Minister. She also serves as Superintendent of Sunday Schools and leads the Women’s Ministry. Melinda truly has a heart for the people of God and loves to serve in the house of the Lord. She is married to her childhood sweetheart and they have three lovely children who all love and serve God. She and her family reside in her hometown of Boston. Melinda’s first single “Your Love” is written and produced by her pastor, The Reverend Alton Beech. The song is featured in the opening and closing credits of the new movie, The Miracle of Tony Davis. The song “Your Love” along with her song “More” are both on the movie’s soundtrack. “Your Love” is also played daily on the Cable’s Music Choice Gospel channel. Melinda has ministered in song in various churches, at conferences and in other events. She ministered in song last summer at the Boston Gospel Fest which featured Erica Campbell. Currently, Melinda has plans for a new album, while seeking the Lord for direction for new songs and music that will send deliverance and healing to those who are broken. If you would like more information about Melinda and her music ministry, you can visit her web site at www.melindalauture.com
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inancial literacy is the ability to make informed judgments and effective decisions about the use and management of money.” Why should this be important to you? That is a great question. Most of us understand how money is used to purchase goods and services. At the same time, however, many people lack a number of fundamental principles, including how to use money to their advantage. Whether it’s saving for retirement or simply understanding how to benefit from sound financial decisions with the resources that you already have, financial education is one of the most important tools that you need for everyday life. Whatever your financial goals or concerns might be, there are a number of options available to get you there. Your ability to understand the various financial tools and vehicles is the key. This is where good financial literacy comes in. We live in a day and age where many of us may suffer from the inability to separate our wants from our needs. A perfect example of want versus need is when a person decides to purchase something that they have always wanted, but really can’t financially afford. The want or desire to have this item is greater than the need to have it. Life is a series of decisions. What you do now can be the difference later. For example, the financial decisions that you make can affect you for a long, long time. Making sound financial decisions gives you peace of mind and reduces your stress in order to enable you to live healthier and happier lives. Have you considered your financial options? RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
What are they? How will they benefit you long term? Have you ever attended a workplace retirement “Lunch and Learn Session” only to find yourself asking, “What should I do next?” Typically after the session is over, the questions that you intended to ask will come back to you. Like, “What is the difference between a front-end loaded and a back-end loaded mutual fund?” Or, “How did he explain the benefits of a mid-cap versus a large cap fund or stock?” Or finally, “What about employer matching?” You are not alone. These questions and many more go unasked and sometimes get unanswered. Since this affects your personal financial bottom line, you owe it to yourself to find out how to get the correct answers to all of your specific, personal, finance-related questions. Many of us have heard of financial advisors, financial planners, insurance agents and stockbrokers. Perhaps equally as important but lesser known are financial educators, financial education consultants and financial coaches. Coaches and education consultants typically work for nonprofit organizations, educating individuals to overcome many obstacles that prevent them from attaining their individual financial goals. As financial educators, we are saying that it is “OK” to reach out for guidance and assistance in order to ensure that we are working efficiently and effectively towards helping you achieve your American dreams.
Nicholas T. Josey
Financial Education Consultant info@vincita.org www.vincita.org Engage Educate and Empower
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BY SISTER MADHANE arriet Tubman was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland. Her given name was Araminta Harriet Ross. However, this brave soul would later become known as the “Moses” of her people. Although she had a very small frame and had suffered a major head injury as a youth, Harriet had a strong will and a fierce determination to one day be free.
It was during her marriage to her first husband John Tubman, a free black man, that Harriet truly realized that she was never meant to be a slave. When she told her husband of her desire to “run for freedom,” he disapproved and told her that he would tell the slave master if she dared to make an attempt. Harriet’s first attempt was with her brothers who were afraid and forced her to turn back. It was then that Harriet determined that her next attempt would be alone. Using her knowledge of the outdoors and her connections of the loose network known as the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom and later led more than 300 other slaves, including her aged parents to the North and to Canada to their freedom. Tubman ultimately became known as the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad. She proudly declared, “I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger.” Perhaps some of that might be attributed to the fact that Tubman carried a gun and was committed to shooting anyone who RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
Image Source :ABC News / Online Resource
tried to turn back. During the American Civil War, Harriet Tubman was highly recommended and sought after by the Union Army to work as a nurse, a scout, a spy and a soldier. Her most famous military exploit was when she led the Combahee River Raid, helping to blow up Southern supply lines and free hundreds of slaves from the plantations. Tubman’s actions made her the first woman to lead an armed military expedition in modern American history. Harriet Tubman lived a long life. She went on to become a leading Abolitionist and speaker. She also spoke on behalf of human rights and Women’s Rights. Although the exact date of Tubman’s birth is unknown, Harriet was born in March 1822 and died on March 10, 1913. In April 2016, 103 years after her death, the United States Treasury has announced that it will place Harriet Tubman’s picture on the face of U.S. twenty-dollar bill denomination of currency. This followed a competition to vote for the image of a woman to be placed on the $20 bill. The new bill is set to be introduced into circulation in 2020. rhemamagazine.com 29
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How I Got My Character Back! Written by David Carruthers, Author of Kill Your Giants & REACTORS
“The only thing that walks back from the tomb with the mourners and refuses to be buried is the character of a man.” –J.R. Miller
cannot tell you how many times I’ve been at the supermarket perusing through magazines or heard a celebrity say after a baby, “How I got my body back.” Yet, I’ve never heard through the many breakups, misunderstanding or divorces people say, “How I got my character back.” Jimmy Evans said, “When people become inwardly depraved they become outwardly focused.” Are we focused on outer beauty instead of realizing that what happens inside will not only show up on the outside but will also be remembered? When we die and if we are worth discussing after death, it won’t be about our bodies or money, the focus will be on how we made people feel and what kind of impact we left on this earth. It also will be about our character. Developing good character is the most difficult thing one can accomplish. It goes beyond how many degrees you will attain or great pleasures that you’ve had, because it requires that you die to yourself. It is a never ending process, but should be viewed as beautiful and desirable. Developing good character is God’s number one priority for us. When you look at all of the vicissitudes that our forefathers went through, it was not to attain wealth, fame, notoriety or even influence; it was for their character. Stephen was stoned to death and his last words were, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” How profound! As people who are here on earth for a short while – whether the Master gives us thirty or one -hundred years – our RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
time here ought to resonate with something beautiful and powerful. You see, our character is who we are and how we are seen through our actions, not so much our words. Memories are inevitable. They will either torment us or bring joy because they represent our truths. If you currently have regrets, then this is the time to have a strong finish. Get counseling to kill the giants of your past so that they don’t hinder your future. Make a conscious decision to be good to others no matter the cost. Determine to live in peace. Be humble. This can be painful because it defies human nature, but people will respect you deeply even if they never tell you. Mayo Angelou said, “People may forget what you said, but they never forget how you made them feel.” To get your character back, you have to forgive the people whom have hurt you deeply. It is the only way to be free and love truly. Be honest with yourself so that you can distribute purity to others. See yourself as a glass. See information and the people you are around as the water you supplement yourself with. Are they pure or are they toxic? People see your glass and others drink from you when they talk to you. When you examine these things, you will be able to say, “Hey, this is how I got my character back.” rhemamagazine.com 31
Gospel Great Goes Home to be with the Lord Gospel music legend and Love Fellowship Tabernacle of Los Angeles, California Pastor and Founder Daryl Coley passed away peacefully on March 15, 2016 at age 60 while in hospice care surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born Daryl Lynn Coley on October 30, 1955 in Berkeley, California to two siblings and parents who separated early in his life. Reared by his mom in Oakland, California, Coley began his singing career at age 14, when he became a member of the then nationally-acclaimed Gospel ensemble Helen Stephens and The Voices of Christ. It was this entrée into the Gospel music industry that opened the doors for Coley to work with national Gospel artists and ministers, such as Edwin Hawkins; Tramaine Hawkins; The Reverend James Cleveland; Vanessa Bell Armstrong; Richard Smallwood and others. Coley also worked with secular artists such as, Jazz great Pete Escovedo (Sheila E’s dad), Nancy Wilson and Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire. In 1991, at age 35, Coley fell dangerously ill. So much so, that his blood-sugar count was so high that it could not be registered by a glucose meter. It was then that he was diagnosed as having juvenile diabetes, which also caused Coley to experience temporary blindness. In 1993, Coley founded and established Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Los Angeles under the leadership of Bishop Edwin Hawkins. In a 1995 interview with Gospel media trailblazer Dr. Teresa Hairston, Coley told Hairston that his congregation was “fully involved in learning to be Photo Credit: CrossRhythms: http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/
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By Michele Saunders effective witnesses for the Lord.” Of his bout with diabetes, he gave Hairston a timely message: “The Enemy meant (the diabetes) for my defeat, but it actually strengthened me, and taught me how to deal with the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is my body and how to keep it healthy so it can be fit for God’s service. It taught me how to be a good steward over this temple that God has given me.” Coley recorded and left behind a treasure trove of music during his multi-year musical career that included over 100 recordings that ministered to the whole person, including “When Sunday Comes;” “Jesus Saves;” “Beyond the Veil;” “I Can’t Tell It All;” “He That Dwelleth;””For The Good of Them;” “He’s Preparing Me” and many, many others. In 2014 Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) paid tribute to both Coley and Richard Smallwood at their Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards luncheon. Coley also was recently bestowed a Doctorate of Sacred Music from the Ray of Hope Theological Seminary and Bible College International School of Divinity of Modesto, California. Pastor and Gospel great Daryl Coley was funeralized with a memorial service on April 2, 2016 by Bishop Noel Jones at City of Refuge Los Angeles. He is survived by wife, Jenelle; his three children, daughter Moniladae, son Teceion and an elder son; his grandchildren; a host of family members, friends; colleagues and untold millions who benefitted from and were forever impacted by his ministry of music through his unique and powerful voice. Photo Credit: http://thefrontporch.org
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THE SEVEN LAST WORDS EVENT
From Left to Right Evanglist Mikel Mckoy, Andrew G, Min. Kenneth Hite, Elder Darcon Peart, Pastor Erik Martin, Evanglist Derrick Marshall, Pastor Benjamin Kendy all surrounding Bishop-Elect Joseph E. Williams Of Greater Inner Faith House of Worship
Journey Tour Chapter 1 Papa San and Andrew G March 19th 2016 Boston, MA RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
Bishop-Elect Joseph E. Williams and Lady Williams rhemamagazine.com 33
Psalms 90
New King James Version
1Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth,Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. 3 You turn man to destruction, And say, “Return, O children of men.� 4 For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night. 5 You carry them away like a flood; They are like a sleep.In the morning they are like grass which grows up: 6 In the morning it flourishes and grows up; In the evening it is cut down and withers. 7 For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. 8 You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. 9 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;We finish our years like a sigh. RHEMA MAGAZINE: MAY/JUNE 2016
10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. 14 Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! 15 Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,The years in which we have seen evil. 16 Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.
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