June 9-11 , 2016
Volume 17
30th An nua l
for 30 years of leadership
CONTENTS 2. LULAC 4. Committee Members 5. Greetings /Pastors Heart 10. Key Note Speaker – Rev. Snow Peabody 12. Workshop Facilitators Evangelist Beverly Thompson & Pastor Ken Kemp 16. Banquet SpeakerCol. Lawrence D. Leon 17. City of Tucson 18. Grace Temple Church 19. A Time, A vision, And A Purpose 22. Reconciliation Song 23. Blessings To The NationsMike Alameda 24. Lew Offices Of Rubin Salter 25. United – Apostle/Pastor Rita & Rickey Montgomery 26. Destiny Song 27. Honorable Chevalier Ronald A. Wilson 28. RRCON- Mr. & Mrs. Hall 29. Song- Worship 30. Learning CulturesFelice Stewart
31. Keys to Unity- Bishop Wills 32. Jewish Community Relations Council, Mama Louisa’s Restaurant, Congratulations from Sarah Magazine, Sunshine Band 33. Dr. Henry L. Porter 34. Answering The CallElder Carl Simmons II 36. Song – Take The City 37. Wow Jr. Awardees- Dave Clarkson, Pastor Otis f. Brown Jr., Andres Leon, Goshen Ministries, Pastor John A. Benson, 45. Previous Wow Awardees 46. Reconciliation- Native American – H. Joy Moldenhauer 48. Hands Of Hope 49. Statement – Pastor Virgil Mears 50. Al’s Barber Shop, Sam & Deidre Dickerson, Congratulations From The Wills-Hodge Family, Annual Harvest Festival 51. Song- United 52. Why Intentional – Bishop Wills 54. Donors 55. Special Thanks 56. Eight Myths- Bishop Wills
HIS GRACE MAGAZINE is published yearly in association with the Racial Reconciliation Community Outreach Network Conference. All articles printed within are the sole property of the magazine.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No parts of this magazine may be reproduced or copied in any form, graphics, electronic, or photo copying. Letters and articles submitted to HIS GRACE may be edited to meet clarity and/or style requirements.
Breaking Down Walls Of Diversity
VOL. 17
JUNE 2016
Published By Sunshine Training Center Racial Reconciliation Community Outreach Network
Editor In Chief Martha T. Wills
Magazine Design /Printing Sheree Carradine SARAH Magazine Mysarahmagazine@Gmail.Com
Contributing Writers All Articles
Conference Coordinators William O. Wills Sr. Martha T. Wills Email: wwills1@cox.net Website: www.Rrcontucson.com
Dear friends, As I was thinking of how to welcome you to the 30th annual conference, I came upon a very interesting article written by the late Bishop William O. Wills jr. The founder and CEO of Sunshine Ministries INC. “Pastor’s Heart” was written in 1998. Actually the theme for that year was identical to the one that we chose to use this year, June 2016, “Now Is Our Time”. I thought I would re-visit this theme because it was so profound. Please read it!! My desire is that you will leave this conference refreshed, uplifted, revived and empowered. Unity and blessings,
Elder Martha T. Wills Elder Martha T. Wills Chief executive officer
Pastor’s Heart A funny thing happened to me on the way to the conference. I wasn’t going to write an article to be placed in this year’s magazine. I felt that with all the other articles and writers we had this year, I didn’t need to. However, I began to think more earnestly about the theme – NOW IS OUR TIME- and felt I needed to share a bit about what God was doing with me and in me. Tucson, Arizona is a very interesting place to live. For years, our city leaders have debated over yielding to the very fact that this city is indeed a growing city, or clinging to the equally true fact that this town is a very large town! I believe the same dichotomy exists in dealing with the area of racial reconciliation. You see, this town, or city, has a very interesting racial make-up. Nearly half of us here are Latino and the other half are basically Anglo, leaving only a little over five percent of us (5%) being anything else. And then from this tiny percentile of less than five percent comes this cry, “God wants his people, RECONCILED!!! It’s almost a cry that’s too small to be heard; and this cry, especially coming from such a tiny group, would seem to be arrogant since the cry, originally, didn’t originate from the larger group. How dare an ignored
minority be so BOLD as to assert that God wants his people, RECONCILED! Many have told me over the years that the problem with Tucson in the area of race relations, actually in the area of any relations, is that we are isolated form one another. This is true geographically speaking. In a lot of our underdeveloped areas, neighbors may live as far as one half mile away from each other. Sometimes, that might seem a little bit too far away to become really neighborly. Unfortunately, this is true spiritually. A lot of our problems, in this city, in the area of racial reconciliation or race relations at all, are due to the fact that we are too far away from one another. In most cases we are SO far away from one another that we do not know that the other exists. Added to this also, is the fact that although we are separated by a great spiritual distance; we enjoy our separation because being in the position we are in makes us feel comfortable. If we close the separation gap, it would require us to go to places that we have never gone before, that would be quite scary, wouldn’t it? That would be downright UNCOMFORTABLE! How do we shorten the spiritual gap that keeps us so separated, racially? Should this cry, coming from the tiny group, be heard and acted upon? Can racial reconciliation become a reality in this growing city? What would it look like? How would we know when it arrived? I believe racial reconciliation can be a part of our daily existence here in Tucson! I believe that God wants us to go out of our way to make it a
reality. I believe it would look just like JESUS! That’s right, no more, no less- JUST LIKE JESUS! We would see Jesus in the beauty of our black brother; we would see Jesus in the beauty of our red brother; we would see Jesus in the beauty of our brown, yellow, and white brothers. We would respect the uniqueness that each one of these brothers brings to the body of Christ. We would value their person and accept their unique gifts without question. I believe that we can shorten the spiritual gap that separates us, racially, by becoming intentional in our relationships. White Christians must leave their comfort zones and go find out where the black, brown, red, and yellow Christians are. Ethnic Christians must do likewise. We must realize that we are interdependent upon each other; we do not have the full counsel of God by ourselves; and we have spiritual resources among ourselves that can and will benefit each other. We must get a godly mindset that might even demand that we be uncomfortable to do the perfect will of God, not our own comfort. We must also teach biblical truth- the real truth that shows the patriarchs in the bible, both old and new testament, were not just one color but many colors. We also must rid ourselves of biblical myths. A good example of this is the is the so called “Curse of Ham” (found in Genesis, 9th chapter). The real truth in dealing with this scriptural incident is that Canaan, Ham’s son, was cursed and his curse lasted until one generation after the sons of Shem had possessed the promised land. READ IT!
We must understand that reconciliation, racial or otherwise, is a foundational stone in our walk with Christ. When the foundation is torn the building crumbles, so whatever you build on a faulty foundation is not going to stand. Therefore, our myriad of sin problems, which plague us today, come directly from a faulty foundation. We will know that we have reconciled and are ONE when we see revival break out in the city to the point that racial delineations and denominational differences no longer matter. We will know we have arrived at reconciliation when the love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost bursts forth in such a manner that we have a real baptism of love; then the term “brother” will have a literal family meaning and not just remain a term that we use because we do not have anything better to say. Even as we move toward Reconciliation Community Outreach Conference ’98, I can still hear that tiny group cry, “GOD WANTS HIS PEOPLE, RECONCILED!” NOW IS OUR TIME TO DO IT!!!!!
Rev. Snow & Mrs. Ladelle Peabody
Pastor Elwood McDowell
Evangelist Beverly Thompson We have been blessed to be a part of the Wills family and their ministry for quite a few years. Praise God for an anointed, spirit filled, couple like Brother and Sister Wills. They are dedicated to their ministry that God has called them to do in Tucson and the impact they have made over the past 30 years. The ministry continues to press on even after the founder and their son Pastor William O. Wills jr. Went home to be with the Lord. Pastor Wills hoped that we would encourage diversity, break down walls that separate us and his prayer was that all of us will be united in Christ. We must walk together on a shared path. We have a responsibility to our children and generations to come. Teach them by our example. Dialogue and fellowship with all cultures in our churches and community. Press on for a better tomorrow for when we meet in heaven, what a time of joy and unity. Blessings And Love
Ronald and Beverly Thompson
United Christian Fellowship would like to thank Sunshine Ministries and Racial Reconciliation Community Outreach Network for their continued efforts in to the unification of all Men. We are proud supporters of this great conference, a time that brings people of all kinds together to celebration of our similarities as well as our difference. This conference provides a safe and peaceful place for all to come together and enjoy the beauty of Mankind. May God continue to bless Sunshine Ministries and The Racial Reconciliation Community Outreach Network as they embark on this year’s conference. We believe that it will be a Grand time in the Lord and the impact of this conference will be evident in the lives of those who attend. With love and Admiration, Apostle/Pastor Rita and Rickey Montgomery United Christian Fellowship Church 5149 Easley Rd. Millington, TN 38053 PH: 9016539678/ Web: unitedcfcmillington.org Email: unitedcfcmillington@gmail.com
By Felice Stewart
KEYS TO UNITY 1. ACCEPT THOSE TO WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN HIS SPIRIT. 2. RESPECT AND HONOR THOSE WHOM GOD HAS ANOINTED.
SEVEN (7) IDEAS TO WORK OUT UNITY 1. REALIZE YOU’VE GOT TO LEAVE YOUR AGENDA AT THE DOOR.
2. REALIZE THAT PEOPLE DON’T HAVE TO BE IMPRESSED WITH YOU AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO IMPRESS PEOPLE. 3. REALIZE THAT YOU MIGHT BE MISUNDERSTOOD.
4. REALIZE THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE HEARD (AND BE WILLING TO NOT BE HEARD) IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT YOU HEAR. 5. REALIZE THAT GOD HAS DISTRIBUTED HIS TRUTH TO MANY PEOPLE AND YOU DON’T HAVE IT ALL (OUR FELLOWSHIP/RELATIONSHIP DOES NOT HAVE TO GO IN THE DIRECTION THAT I WANT IT TO GO IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE VALID).
6. REALIZE THAT YOU MUST APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENCES IN YOUR BRETHREN. 7. COME READY TO BE HONEST.
The Late Bishop Wills Capsules From His Teachings
Sarah Magazine Would Like To Say..
CONGRATULATES YOU ON 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY. MISSY. DARLENE MOTEN AND ALL THE CHILDREN
It’s Never Too Late!
APPRECIATE YOU!
By The Late Elder Carl Simmons II.
By The Late Elder Carl Simmons II.
Dave Clarkson
Pastor Otis F. Brown Jr. Pastor Otis Brown came from Seattle Washington to Tucson Arizona where he has been the Pastor Siloam Freewill Church since December of 1996. In Seattle, Pastor Brown served as a bivocational Senior Pastor for eight years. He is a graduate of Edison Technical School, then a branch of Seattle Community College. He is a Master Carpenter and owned his own construction company for many years. Pastor Brown has been married to his wife Lendor for almost 19 years. They have five children together. Pastor Brown has attended a number of Bible institutions and is a graduate of Union Western Seminary and has a Masters in Theological Studies. Two years ago Pastor Brown wrote his first book "Staying On Top" Available from Amazon, Barns and Noble and Gospel Supplies. Pastor Brown has received numerous awards from the community and organizations and has served almost three years as The President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Tucson, AZ. Siloam has always been quite involved in the community. St. Luke’s home, across the street from the church is an assistant living home with 64 beds. They have had a bible study ministry there for at least 12 years twice a month. Siloam also feeds the homeless once a week on Fridays where they minister not just food and clothes, but hope and relationship opportunities. Siloam also launched on Easter this year, what may be the first in Tucson, a Teen Church. Age limits are 11-18. It is called STC! Or Siloam Teen Church. They see this as a seed planted in the rich soil of Tucson, Az. Siloam does not have Sunday school in the traditional way, but operates on growth groups. Currently they have 6 small groups, 5-12 individuals that meet every week for 3 semesters out of the year. These groups involve the entire church. This method enables them to better minister to all the members. Siloam is also involved in community affairs with different organizations and fellowships with many para ministries.
ACE TEAM Artistry, Culture, Education Tutorial, Esteem Building, Athletics, Mentoring Racial Reconciliation Community Outreach Network (RRCON) Has Instituted a mentoring program called, the ACE TEAM. The ACE team provides tutoring, positive activities, mentoring, life skills, education, conflict management techniques, insight into constructive decision making and problem solving. For youth ages 12-18. In all these endeavors Andres Leon has demonstrated strong Christian leadership by remaining ever faithful to the gospel and humble before his Lord. Andres Leon is our youth awardee for 2016.
2006 Pastor Maynard Weisbrod Mr. Alvin Longmire Mr. Richard Fimbres
2007 Pastor Gus Bess Rev. Snow Peabody Atty. Rubin Salter, Jr.
2008 Pastor Steve Hall Tucson Arizona Mass Choir LaPaloma Family Services
2009 Pastor Grady Scott St. Marks Presbyterian Church Jon Habbegger Chick-Fiil-A Kino Weed and Seed
2010 Pastor Eric Rogers/Pastor Rick Wells 22nd Street Baptist Church Ms. Soncire Brown Flame of Fire Ministry Divine Appointment Christian Dance Company
2011 Pastor Dan Johnson Rincon Mountain Presbyterian Church Ms. Kristen Youngert
Kumy Dance Ministry Outback Steakhouse
2012 Pastor Latrese Jester Grace Temple Baptist Church Mr. Matt Merrill 4 Tucson Texas Roadhouse Mr. Don McNeill
2013 Pastor Issac Martinez Saquaro Canyon Free Church Mr. Monterris Goshay Gospel Rescue Mission Good News Radio Broadcast
2014 Pastoe Angel Morfin St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Mr.Jansen Azarias Christian Business Directory Corazon Ministries
2015 Pastor Glen Elliott The Neighborhood Church Tremia Cox/Naomi Mendoza Teen Challenge Men’s Center I AM YOU 360
The last 30 years have been full of challenges and changes, but great progress has been made. Losing the Pastor and Founder of RRCON has been more than difficult. We continue to miss Pastor “Ollie” Wills every day. Carrying on this vision has been a gigantic task that Mom and Pop Wills have taken on wholeheartedly. Thank you for all of your hard work, we would not be here without you……..you have put in an enormous amount of your time and effort toward the success of this ministry and conference.
Key note speaker 1989
Congratulations to you on 30 years of Faithful service
Bishop William O. Wills Jr. Founder Of Sunshine Ministries & Founder Of RRCON 1980
Allan Williams Doreen Davis Teen Challenge Arizona Community Renewal Corazon Ministries Dave Clarkson’s Insurance Agency Jim Click Automotive Group Rickey Wilson Dillards-Park Mall Outback Steakhouse Brushfire Bar B Que Texas Roadhouse Village Inn Longhorn Steak Burgers Sunshine Ministries, Inc. William & Martha Wills Constance E. Wills Regina Wills Dennis Freeman
Father Prentice Tipton, Ypsilanti, Michigan Bishop Henry Porter, Sarasota, Florida Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, Chicago, Illinois Tye Tribbett & GA, Camden, New Jersey Dr. John Perkins, Jackson, Mississippi Late Dr. Myles Munroe, Nassau, Bahamas Dr. Raleigh Washington, Denver, Colorado Mom & Pop Winans, Southfield, Michigan Pastor John Cherry, Temple Hills, Maryland Late Bishop John Meares, Washington, D.C. Rev. Gayle D. Erwin, Cathedral City, California Dr. Joyce Walker-Tyson, Norton Shores, Michigan Dr. Jefferson Edwards, Kansas City, Missouri
Dr. Corinthia Boone, Washington, D. C.
EIGHT (8) REALITIES and MYTHS about RACIAL RECONCILIATION PASTOR WILLIAM O. WILLS, JR.
Scriptures: St. John 17: 20-23 and Ephesians 2: 14-18 MYTH 1-
CULTURAL FACTOR
“I will lose my cultural, historical heritage by being reconciled.”
CONTRASTING REALITY We are called to reflect a God culture not just a human one.
PRINCIPLE 1-
MYTH 2-
COMMITMENT TO RELATIONSHIP
I’VE TRIED IT BUT IT DOESN’T WORK FACTOR
“I’ve tried this reconciliation thing but I’ve been constantly rejected: it’s too hard; and it just doesn’t work.”
CONTRASTING REALITY Reconciliation is bloody! It cost Jesus His life and it will probably cost you your life also: but it’s worth the price to obey the mandate of God.
PRINCIPLE 2-
INTENTIONALITY
EIGHT (8) REALITIES and MYTHS about RACIAL RECONCILIATION MYTH 3-
TRUST FACTOR “I just don’t trust people of other races.”
CONTRASTING REALITY Our trust must be placed in Jesus Christ, His will, His word and nothing else.
PRINCIPLE 3-
SINCERITY
MYTH 4-
LEADERSHIP FACTOR “There isn’t anything I can learn about God from another race.”
CONTRASTING REALITY We do not have a corner on the knowledge of God by ourselves.
PRINCIPLE 4-
SENSITIVITY
MYTH 5-
SELF -SUFFICENTY FACTOR
“ There isnt anything I need from another race. I’m okay by myself.”
CONTRASTING REALITY We are not complete alone. We are a body, not a body part.
PRINCIPLE 5-
INTERPENDENCE
EIGHT (8) REALITIES and MYTHS about RACIAL RECONCILIATION MYTH 6-
COMFORT FACTOR
“I’m not comfortable around those of other races. I’m more comfortable around those just like me”. Contrasting reality Obedience to God is more important than comfort. Fulfillment and contentment on the inside is more important than being comfortable on the outside
PRINCIPLE 6-
SACRIFICE
MYTH 7-
SUPERIORITY FACTOR “We can do things better than those of other races”.
CONTRASTING REALITY All people have significant gifts. Although they may be different, they are not better or worse; therefore, we must share our gifts in order to make the body strong.
PRINCIPLE 7MYTH 8-
EMPOWERMENT LET’S JUST LEAVE THINGS AS THEY ARE FACTOR.
“I just don’t believe God wants the races to be together”.
CONTRASTING REALITY “It’s the will of God for us to be reconciled; God’s given us the ministry of reconciliation; and we are called to be reconcilers.”
PRINCIPLE 8-
CALL
The Late Bishop William O. Wills Jr. Founder & CEO of Sunshine Ministries INC.