Sunriseoct2010

SUNRISE Autumn 2010 £2.50 Where Sold

Your Christian Magazine

THE VISIONARY ISSUE

SPECIAL

FEDITION estival of Life WORSHIP

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YOUTH

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BU S I N E S S

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RELATIONSHIPS

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34 RCCG EVENTS:

FROM THE GENERAL OVERSEER Joy Of The Free

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FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

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Moneygram International Is Committed To Africa!

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COMMUNITY: A Day in the Life of a Councillor

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The Festival of Life, London (2010) 2010 Holy Ghost Service in Dublin RCCG celebrates Sports Day 2010 RCCG Sports day results VISION 1000

44 RCCG - Habitation of Hope, Bringing Hope to the Hopeless...

10 The Lord of Lords

46 YOUTH: Vice President of the Christian Union at

12 My TESTIMONY: The Issue of blood

48 A Bright Future

Queen Mary University and worship

50 Charity Begins at Home

16 3 steps to success 18 PROPERTY: Creating Wealth… in Bricks 20 LEGAL: Ask Simon Bethnel 22 INTERVIEW: Rose: Chaplain of The House 24 WOMEN: Arise! Nigerian Woman 26 Solid as a ROC 28 MEN: Breaking the Glass Ceiling 30

Change Must Come God Was Watching

32 SPORT/INTERVIEW: Passing on his gifts

52 KIDS:

Counting the Cost of your Child’s Freedom

54 Adoption: An Option!

56 A New Dawn for Widows 58 RELATIONSHIPS: Dealing with conflict in your home 60 SINGLES: Shopping List of Love 62 HEALTH & WELLBEING:

HIV/AIDS & the African/Caribbean…Part 1

64 Christians Celebrate Nigeria @ 50 In London’s Excel 66 BOOK REVEIW

SUNRISE Magazine ISSN NO: 2042-6542 EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief: MODUPE AFOLABI, Managing Editor: YINKA ODUWOLE, Editor: BARBARA CAMPBELL, Sub-Editor: TIM ROBBINS Contributors: KEMISOLA AKINFISOYE, TONY OJOLOLA, FOLAYEMI OLAITAN, ABI ADEYANJU, MAUREEN SMITH, SHOLA OLUSEITAN ANDREA ONDUKU, BELINDA RAYE, MARISA O'DELL Photography (RCCG Events): KUSH, Columnists: LORNA CAMPBELL Designed by: XANDY DAEHNHARDT Printed by: WWW.CHURCH-PRINT.CO.UK Published by: The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), United Kingdom.

All communications to: Sunrise Magazine, Suite 156, Rosden House, 372 Old Street, London, EC1V 9AU. Tel: 0044 (0) 20 8500 3429. Email: info@sunrisemagazine.org. Web: www.sunrisemagazine.org

FROM THE GENERAL OVERSEER

JOY

OF THE

FREE

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

“Paul and Silas started praying and singing praises to God with the other prisoners listening when suddenly there was an earthquake; the doors were flung open and everyone’s bounds were loosened.” There is nothing quite like the joy of the free.

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n 1975, I visited Kirikiri Prisons as a young pastor with the Senior Pastor for the first time. There was a wonderful service and during the service, the Senior Pastor asked me to give a thanksgiving prayer. I wondered how I can give a thanksgiving prayer for prison inmates and quietly prayed to God for help. It was one of my shortest prayers i.e. “Almighty God, I thank you for life because where there is life, there is hope. Thank you, Father, because you are still on your throne, in Jesus’s Name.” That visit changed my life dramatically. I saw things and I heard things.

The organist, a man of about twenty five years old, was very good at the organ and I saw him dancing even as he was playing the organ.

I whispered to the man that invited us that it appears the organist will soon be free and he told me that he is there for life and he will tell me about his case when we leave. He is one of the most talented organists I have ever heard but the world will not appreciate his skills because he is in prison. Many people, highly talented, are unable to utilise their skills appropriately because they are in one form of prison or the other. When the service was almost over, one of the prisoners prayed, thanking God for us and our visit, and wishing us journey mercies.

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Then he prayed that “those of us going back to our cells, dear Father, please don’t forget us here.” And I cried.

We all know that not everyone in prison is a genuine criminal. At the same time, not ever yone outside of prison is totally innocent.

The worst thing that can happen to a man, a strong man, an intelligent man is to put him in prison. He can’t go where he wants. If he has ten degrees, he can’t use them; and there are many people like that. These people are not limited by prison walls but by obstacles eyes cannot see. However our Lord will arise and all enemies will be scattered.

A while ago, I went back to Kirikiri again and saw that more than a thousand people were there, awaiting trial. Their offences, if they were found guilty, will carry a maximum sentence of three years. Some have been awaiting trial for eleven years; there was a man there on death row for twenty seven years, not knowing each night if he will be killed the following day, every day of the last twenty seven years. I was sad and took their case to the authorities. I spoke to Mr President, the Lagos State Governor, the Chief Judge...anyone I can talk to. To God’s glory, more than a thousand of them have been released.

We all know that not everyone in prison is a genuine criminal. At the same time, not everyone outside of prison is totally innocent.

There are people who are prisoners physically (Acts 3:1-8) such as the man who was born lame and has been a prisoner for forty years in the prison of sickness. Wherever they put him, that is where he will stay until he is collected. He will remain on the same spot regardless of sun, rain, hunger, and thirst, whatever. When he was set free by our Lord Jesus, his joy was so apparent. He was walking and leaping and praising God. There are those who are prisoners mentally. They have eyes but cannot see and they hear but do not understand. Isaiah 9: 9-11. There are people who are highly educated but spiritually, are fools. I have an uncle, a well educated graduate from England. Before he was born again, he wanted to protect himself from the forces of darkness. He went to see an herbalist who told him to gather seven different plants, defecate on them, cover them with some powder and eat them all.

And he did just that. He came home boasting and almost died of cholera! He had eyes but couldn’t see and ears but no understanding and there are many people like that.

There are some people who are spiritual prisoners, held by various forces of darkness. Mark 5:1-20 tells the story of the man who had at least two thousand demons dwelling in him. He couldn’t live at home and lives in the graveyard. Who can imagine this madman is actually an evangelist? But one day, our Lord Jesus Christ was passing by and he changed the destiny of this man.

Freedom is never complete until the oppressor is dead. Some people who appear saved at deliverance services find themselves bound again. You can’t be free unless the oppressor dies. When the Israelites left Egypt, they must have been singing “we are free, we are free...” Then suddenly, they looked back and saw Pharoah chasing them. Until the Lord drowned Pharoah, they were not truly free. It is

not enough for Goliath to fall; his head must be cut off.

A few years ago, in my usual night walk, with my staff which has killed many snakes, I came across a snake which was so still I thought a car had ran over it. I walked on and something made me look back and behold, the snake was gone. And the Lord told me “no snake is dead until its head is cut off.”

I have learnt that the greatest enemy is within and not external. As our elders say, if the enemy within cannot kill one, the enemy outside cannot do it. We need to battle the negative forces within us. Some people are prisoners of anger. Eccls. 7:9 says anger dwells in the bosom of fools. Some people suffer from laziness. They sleep too much. Some people talk too much.

Some people admit “occasionally” they succumb to the lust of the flesh. I confirm that every tree, not planted by our Lord, will be rooted up. Be ready for painful surgeries. Remember our Lord Jesus said if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. Many people have not achieved their goals because of their internal enemies. They have had their destinies truncated.

Many will say I have very small manageable misdemeanours e.g. once in a while I overeat, or gossip, sometimes I tell a white lie etc.

Songs of Solomon 2:15 tell you to be careful of the little foxes.... . .

Please bring these “little things” to be destroyed quickly by the Holy Spirit.

There is one hunter that went to hunt and killed a big leopard. He then saw the leopard’s baby, picked it up and brought it to the village.

The village head told him to kill it but the hunter disagreed, saying it is so cute he is taking it to his house so he can become a house pet.

The baby leopard grew and grew and became very good friends with the son of the hunter. One day as the son was riding on his back, as he normally does, he fell and grazed his knee. In his attempt to help him, the leopard licked his wound and then the primal animal instinct arose in him. He devoured the boy. Little sins grow up and consume.

John 5: 2-14 tells of a man who has been a prisoner for thirty eight years, not in physical prison but in sickness. One day, our Lord healed him and he warned him not to return to sin as something worse might happen. In 1985, about five years after i was sworn in as the General Overseer, we had the first annual gathering and the late Pastor Elton was preaching. He preached a sermon on freedom and made an altar call. I was the first at the altar, surprising a lot of people and the pastors but i couldn’t really care less as I wanted to be free and to win an internal battle that had been raging within me.

That night, I was delivered from bondage and since then, God’s blessing in my life has multiplied on a daily basis.

Those fighting all battles should come to our Lord Almighty for so He can help you conquer your battle and set you free forever.

I pray that the Lord of Lords will grant you the grace to come to Him now if you haven’t done so and to remain in Him if you are already saved. Amen.

(This article is transcribed from the message, Joy of The Free, given by Pastor E.A. Adeboye at the Holy Ghost Congress in Lagos)

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FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE

It is commonly said that vision is foresight based on hindsight with insight.

Nothing can be further from the truth.

ll God- given visions are meant for fulfilment, though they come along with some delays.“Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2: 3.

Sometimes failure may come along the way but it is no excuse for giving up your dream and vision.“Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalms 37:24. God gave the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, a vision that he would oversee not just a church and ministry but a city in which people from different parts of the world would come to live in and worship God. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Church’s Redemption Camp is growing at a rate much higher than many towns in Nigeria. Pastor Adeboye is not resting and he cannot rest because he is a visionary.

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This edition contains visionary features and articles that will enrich you like the one on Rose HudsonWilkin, the first black woman to be appointed Chaplain to the House of Commons. Others include Michael Lee-Chin, Debra Green, Abimbola Junaid, and Rev. Dr David Isiorho, the first black vicar in Birmingham.

There are also features on young visionaries like Daniel Shittu, Juliet Omotayo and Joshua Bright, the leader who graduated first class honours while mainly studying from home.

Again, this edition is significant as it incorporates the Festival ews magazine published for the Festival of Life, our sister charity.

We appreciate your comments and support for Sunrise magazine and wish you a good read.

Our General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, has again Your sister energised the parishes in the Redeemed family in the Modupe Afolabi United Kingdom with VISION 1000 – the establishment of an additional one thousand parishes in the United Kingdom. What a vision! And one that is already being steadily achieved as you will find out in this edition.

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EDITOR’S CHOICE

Barbara Campbell Editor

Congrats, Nigeria

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elcome to the autumn issue of Sunrise Magazine.

We have a great selection of features and interviews for you from great testimonies to stories of triumph over adversity. But first, CONGRATULATIONS NIGERIA! There are at least seventeen African countries that celebrated their 50th anniversary of independence this year, including Somalia, Mali, Cameroon, Senegal, Madagascar and the Congo.

However, I must admit a certain penchant and love for Nigeria, having once lived there. It was in 1993 and I was at the height of my awakening to self and my search for where I felt I belonged – were it not for slavery. Having done my DNA test which indicated that my lineage lay in West Africa I decided to let my spirit guide me. My sister, Lorna was on the same journey. It was not planned but she explored Ghana and I explored Nigeria based on style, temperament, affinity and of course the little bits of historical crumbs that travelled down through the ages.

We have certain, ways, words, cultural behaviour and styles in common that all told me my forefathers were from this part of Africa. Then I travelled there and knew I had come home. It was a very traumatic, soul-searching and tearful time for me. I learnt so much about us as a people and loved the lifestyle. I even turned down four proposals of marriage – at the time, I wasn't ready, and now that I am I can't find him, but I am trusting God on that score! I have yet to come across a Nigerian that I have not been able to get along with. So again Congratulations Nigeria!!

In this issue of Sunrise are some new sections including 'My Ministry', a section that highlights the works of individuals heading up ministries in the Body of Christ, and a legal Q& A page.

There is an interview with the first black vicar in Birmingham and information about a campaign being launched in the UK calling for women from Nigeria to take their rightful places in the country. We also have an exclusive interview with the first black person and woman of Caribbean heritage to become Chaplain to the Queen of England and Chaplain to the House of Commons and House of Lords. Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin is a beacon of inspiration and strengthens the knowledge that ‘All things are possible to He who gives us strength’.

I hope that you enjoy the magazine and are both encouraged and inspired by the content.

Barbara Campbell

Corrigendum: Last edition, there was an error in the profile of Pastor Agu Irukwu, the Chairman of the Board of trustees and Chairman, Executive Council of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, United Kingdom. We sincerely apologise for this error. We are very happy to confirm that Pastor Agu Irukwu is happily married to Pastor Sola Irukwu and they are blessed with three children, two boys and a girl.

Barbara Campbell

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Moneygram International Is Committed To Africa!

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oneyGram International are excited to be part of this year’s Festival of Life event. In Nigeria, Money International is the only major Money Transfer Operator with an operating office in the Region. This is a testament to our commitment and belief in Nigeria and the African continent as a whole. With MoneyGram’s West Africa regional office in Nigeria and the South East and Central Africa office in Johannesburg, our company has a better understanding of the needs of our African consumers and market dynamics and puts MoneyGram International in a better stead to serve our consumers.

In Nigeria, we have increased our network from 364 locations to over 2,600 and will be reaching 3,000 locations by the end of the year. MoneyGram is now available in all AfriBank, Bank PHB, Equitorial Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Intercontinental Bank, Spring Bank, UBA and Union Bank branches nationwide, making it more convenient to receive MoneyGram transfers anywhere in the Nigeria. Two more banks have been signed and will be added to our growing network. We have similarly grown our network in Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and many other African countries where we operate MoneyGram, as part its Corporate Social Responsibility programme, have implemented many initiatives in Africa. For example, The MoneyGram Red Bucket Initiative which started in 2008 is one such activity rolled out by MoneyGram to give back to our communities in which we operate. This programme sought to provide widows in Nigeria with basic groceries as part of efforts to lessen their burden and to also bring their plight to the attention of the authorities. With support from Traditional authorities and agent bank, several Red Buckets (with goodies) signifying MoneyGram’s love and helping hand were given to widows in Ikeduru, Mbaitloi, Ikorodu, Abeokuta, Oshogbo, Benin and Owerri.

With Motorcycles becoming an integral part of the transportation system in Nigeria, MoneyGram International in 2009 procured and delivered 3,000 crash helmets to members of the Motorcycle Operators Association (MOAS) in Lagos to protect riders and commuters in the events of accidents. This yet again demonstrates our commitment to the welfare of our customers.

In June 2010, to celebrate our company’s 200,00th location opening, MoneyGram International as part of our Global giving initiative made donations of $200,000 to different organizations around the world. In Nigeria through the Grammen foundation, $20,000 was donated to micro-finance NGO, Lift Above Poverty (LAPO) for onward lending to women entrepreneurs for the expansion of their businesses which will in turn lead to improved standard of life for the families of beneficiaries. Similar

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donations were made in Cote’D’voire and Senegal. $40,000 was donated to Les amis de Thérèse Haury, an Ivory Coast organization providing education & training for women and $60,000 to Grameen Foundation to establish microfinance program in Senegal, supporting the poorest of the poor.

As our gift to Nigeria as we celebrate this great nations’ 50th Independence anniversary, MoneyGram and her agent partners in Nigeria have decided to offer full scholarships to 10 less privilege but brilliant young women who are students in elected from public Universities in Nigeria. “Our conviction is that one the best gifts any one can receive is education. We focused on education for the young women because of its exponential benefits to the community, its benefits to siblings, spouses, children, etc and will continue to give back to the communities in which we operate” Richard Levy, MoneyGram Marketing Manager remarked.

In the UK, MoneyGram is available in every Post Office, from

Motorbike riders wearing their MoneyGram crash helmets

all participating Thomas Cook and Going Places stores and a number of independent businesses, thereby giving our customers more convenience and choice. With our demonstrated commitment to Nigeria and Ghana, our low fees (just £4.99 to send up to £100), excellent foreign exchange rates, very quick transfer (10 minutes transfer) and our convenient locations both in the UK and all across Africa, MoneyGram is your best choice for money transfers.

Everyone at MoneyGram wishes you an enjoyable and enriching evening.

COMMUNITY

A Day in the Life of a Councillor Many, if not all MPs begin their road to the House of Commons by being a councillor. Big ambitions aside, others simply want to serve their community. Yemi Macaulay has been a councillor in South Cambridgeshire for two years. The RCCG member tells Sunrise readers what his work comprises of and his desire to ser ve.

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emi wanted to positively influence the way things were done in his community especially in the areas of solving his constituent’s problems, council finance and representing minorities. This alongside his passion and interest is what motivates him on a daily basis.

Sunrise asks Yemi about the requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to become a Councillor and what the job entails for those that may be interested in becoming councillors themselves:

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS In order to stand for election to become a councillor, you must be 18 years old and be a British/Commonwealth Citizen. You must also be residing or working within a 3mile radius of the area you wish to represent. To stand as a candidate for a particular political party, you will need to register with the party’s local office and be accepted as a member. However, one can stand as an independent candidate. The election office in your Borough can offer advice concerning the process and give you the nomination forms.

ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS You must know your community well as you will be the voice of that community. You also need to have the will and skill to bring about a positive change to the area in many ways including lending a helping hand to the vulnerable. It is wise to make your presence known and be visible in the community by joining various associations such as neighbourhood watch, local forums and the parent teachers association. Being a parent governor and joining in activities in the local school can be advantageous as fellow parents will get to know you, which can be very useful during campaigns and subsequent elections. Good communication and presentation skills are essential in order to be able to express the needs of local residents during meetings and become a voice for the council.

TRAINING An induction pack is usually given to new members that contains a lot of useful information. There are also various training sessions for new councillors which are intended to familiarize new Councillors with council functions. Having a good working relationship with council staff is also important as the Senior Council officers and members of staff have a wealth of knowledge you can tap into while in office. As part of training, accountability and transparency, Councillors are required to declare and register gifts, financial aid and other interests. This is noted in the council’s code of conduct given to councillors during their training.

DUTIES/RESPONSIIBILLITIES The main responsibilities of Councillors are setting the budget and policy framework for decision making and improving public services. Basically Councillors are elected by local people to plan, run, and monitor and develop council businesses as well as work to improve the quality of life of the people.

A Councillor’s job is a time consuming occupation. There are various meetings during normal working hours but many of the groups that Councillors have regular contact with, such as Community Councils or Village Associations, meet in the evening and attendance can result in long working hours. The working hours and commitments further increases if you are appointed to a leading position within the Council such as a Chair of a Committee. The working hours spent on a daily or weekly basis depend on your commitments, extent of your involvement, political activities and how far you want to be involved in community issues.

We are expected to participate in all meetings of the full council, other meetings as needed and to contribute actively to decision making for the betterment of the community. Poor attendance within a six month period could result in being asked to withdraw from the council. All council meetings are open to the public and press, although members of the public might be asked to leave when sensitive topics are to be discussed.

Councillors are essential in deciding what is in the public interest amidst a range of conflicting issues and views. Therefore, attending council meetings and serving in one or more committees such as Finance, Personnel, Planning, Education, and Health will ensure balanced views are obtained on many issues being discussed.

Also, you could be asked to represent the council in outside bodies as agreed and report back on their activities as appropriate. Councillors provide a vital link between the council and the local community and play an important role in ensuring the council fulfils its duties and takes inclusive decisions in regard to the needs of the residents. Councillors hold surgeries to discuss with residents on a one to one basis, discussing issues as it affects them and the community. Reading newspapers can be useful in familiarising yourself with issues around the locality. Good preparation is essential prior to meetings.

This involves reading council documents, reports and dealing with correspondences from residents in your ward.

CONCLUSIO ON I became a Councillor because I wanted to serve my community without personal or material gain and the job is in line with my desire to serve people.

It can be quite a challenge to balance your commitments as a Councillor with having a full time job, a family and outside interests but I believe it is an enjoyable and worthwhile occupation.

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THE LORD OF

LORDS

BY JOSEPH AMAEZE ONWUCHEKWA

I am convinced that if I was to stand in a public place asking passers-by regardless of their race, nationality or religion what the title “Lord” means to them in their world I would be inundated with various definitions, many of which may conflict. I have therefore chosen the far easier route of defining “Lord” from my own perspective and aim to provide compelling evidence to support my firm belief that Jesus Christ is not merely “Lord” but the “Lord of Lords.

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et us start from the basic premise that all Christians without exception accept that the title “Lord” refers both to God the creator and to His son Jesus Christ and that in the Christian faith Jesus is referred to as “Lord” in prayers, worship and sermons. I am yet to meet a Christian who denies that Jesus Christ is “Lord” even those for whom the title is no more than a concept. However in Britain “Lord” could be a reference to a member (peer) of the House of Lords (the upper house of parliament), the “Lord” Mayor (a ceremonial post) or the “Lord” Chief Justice (head of the Judiciary in England and Wales). In religious terms “Lord” has also been appended to Buddha who is also known as “Lord Buddha” by some of his followers. This list is not exhaustive but reveals the wide variance in the public’s perception of “Lord” and demonstrates the complexity any Christian confronts when defining “Lord” to a diverse audience.

The Collins English Dictionary primarily defines “Lord” as a person with power over others such as a monarch or master and as a male member of the nobility. To my mind this is the definition that best captures the essence of the title “Lord” and it is the one I am relying upon in stating my case. Several years ago I heard a pastor ask a poignant question. He said “we all say that Jesus is Lord but how many of us treat Him as Lord?” This blew my mind because the pastor had just touched a particularly sore nerve – I was guilty as charged.

I knew all the scriptures that referred to Jesus as “Lord” and even used that title when either praying to or praising Him but there was little evidence to back this up in certain areas of my life. The same pastor then asked “How can you call Him Lord but not show him the reverence demanded of anyone who calls Him Lord?” This resonated with me because I was one of those Christians

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who submitted to God in some areas but not others. To call someone “Lord” is to treat them as “Lord”. If however that title is no more than a concept to us, we will find it relatively easy to recite or quote without attaching any real significance to it. For instance when we say “Jesus is Lord” are we saying this because we genuinely believe that He is or because it is a phrase we are familiar with in our congregations and everyone is saying it? The evidence of whether we believe that “Jesus is Lord” is how it affects our lives. So for instance do we only believe that Jesus is Lord when everything around us is perfect or do we believe this to be the case even if our world around us is crumbling? How many times have we called Him Lord but then gone on to make our own plans expecting that He would bless those plans regardless?

THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES Why should we put our trust in Him? Very simply, Jesus is seated far above all authority, rulers, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present world but also in the one to come. And God has placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church (Ephesians 1). This means that Jesus is not at par with or equal to other worldly “Lords” but is superior to all of them. He is the supreme Lord and His authority and dominion are without limits. Every earthly “Lord” has limitations but Jesus is unlimited. The member of the House of Lords is limited by parliamentary convention, the Rule of law and other protocols whilst the Lord Chief Justice is limited by statute. Every other religious “Lord” is similarly limited by their religious context which is not universal but Jesus describes Himself as being the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14). No other religious

leader has or could rightly have laid claim to being the Way (we should take), the Truth (we should believe) and the Life (we should possess) except Jesus.

What good is a name if it lacks substance? Better still what good is a title that lacks influence?

There are many earthly man-made titles that have limited influence but the one who is known as the Lord of Lords carries a title with substance.

Anyone with the image of a weak, brutalized Christ nailed to a cross should read Revelation 19 for a graphic description of the risen Christ. This chapter describes Him as being dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth (the word of God) so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords. This is the image of Christ we should all retain in our minds when calling Him “Lord.” It is an image of universal authority and might and power and dominion.

Jesus is not just a Lord in the earthly realm through His church but He is also a Lord in the Heavenly realm where He is seated at the right side of God the creator and our father. Why is it important for us to have the right image of the one we call “Lord”? Because it will govern our thoughts and our conduct ensuring that we live victoriously in this life and obtain a crown in the next life.

THE WAY THE TRUTH & THE LIFE There may be some amongst us who believe that we first need to make our plans and then bring them before the Lord for Him to honour them. There may yet be others amongst us who believe that the Lord should only be sought when all else fails. However those who know Him intimately tend to seek Him first. For those who have never encountered or built up a personal relationship with Him, the Lord only exists in the head and not the heart. For some the Lord is some abstract or superficial being to be called upon but never obeyed, to be mentioned but never related to and therein lies the crux of the matter.

Those who have never encountered Him tend to conduct a relationship with Him by proxy relying on intermediaries to speak with Him and receive answers by return. The Lord Jesus is the way. This means that His way of doing things is the only way things should be done. The Lord Jesus is the truth.

This means that He is the embodiment of truth and everything He says is true. The Lord Jesus is the life. This means that He is the doorway to abundant life and that none can genuinely access this abundant life without going through Him. The abundant life is a productive and fruitful life on the earth and eternal life when the body dies. No other religious leader can offer this and most will claim at best to being the signpost to a new life. However their claims are spurious because no other religious leader has ever risen from the dead or empowered their followers to replicate their miraculous works like Christ did. Jesus has always been Lord and will always be Lord irrespective of our belief system. So even if the whole world doubts His Lordship He still remains Lord. Before the earth was created He was Lord and His Lordship is not dependent on human endorsement. All things were made by Him, through Him and for Him (John 1). Unlike earthly Lords, His Lordship cannot be revoked, revised, amended, annulled, abolished or terminated because His Lordship predates man.

LORD OF THE HARVEST The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field (Luke 10). He is the Lord of the harvest but which harvest? In the passage above, Jesus is asking His disciples to pray for more disciples to be anointed and released into the world to prepare souls to be harvested for the Kingdom. All Christians without exception are called to be labourers sowing and/or watering seed (the word) in preparation for harvesting by the Lord (I Corinthians 3). However the Lord is also Lord of earthly harvest. He promised Noah that as long as the earth

remains seedtime and harvest time will not cease (Genesis 9). King Solomon also acknowledged that there is a time to sow and a time to reap (Ecclesiastes 3). Indeed the first job that the Lord gave to man was to tend the Garden of Eden though in Adam’s case the ground was fertile and well irrigated by the Lord.

There have been times in scripture when the Lord permitted famine (drought) to visit the land and despite the best efforts of the farmers the earth refused to yield any crop. In such times the Lord showed favour to His people.

The story of Isaac in Genesis 26 where Isaac sowed in a famine and reaped a hundredfold harvest is something that many Christians are still experiencing in different fields of endeavour despite the credit crunch and economic downturn. We also see many experiencing the kind of favour that was on Joseph’s life in Egypt where he was given wisdom that spared the whole world from starvation. We are told that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness of it and all the people dwelling in it (Psalm 24) and this reassures us that there is nothing in this life that is impossible for the one who owns everything.

THE LORD OF HOSTS Who are the hosts? The hosts are primarily spiritual, unseen forces and we are told from scripture that one third fell with satan and two-thirds remain under the direct control and authority of the Lord. Like their master, the fallen host are hostile to Christians and rely on human agents to execute and perpetuate their evil agenda. What is that evil agenda? They, like their master, seek to steal, kill and destroy more particularly anyone or anything in the earth that identifies with the Lord. They either directly or through human agency (e.g. occult, voodoo, witchcraft, false religion etc) orchestrate a plan to unsettle and distract Christians through all manner of adversity and for the Christian who lacks understanding it may seem like all hell has broken loose.

This is why we all need to be in relationship with the Lord of Hosts who is also the Lord of Lords. There are many examples in scripture of those who faced adversity which they were powerless to overcome but were delivered by the Lord of Hosts. Hannah was barren and despite her fasting and prayers her husband’s second wife kept having children and taunting her (I Samuel 1).

When all else failed Hannah received revelation of God’s need for a new priesthood to replace Eli’s family line and she cried out to the Lord of Hosts.

She prayed that the Lord of hosts would look at her affliction and give her a son and she promised to give the child to the Lord all the days of his life. The Lord of Hosts heard her cry and answered her request. The story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 when 3 kings came against the tribe of Judah is another example of how the Lord of lords came out on behalf of His people.

Jehoshaphat and the whole nation cried out to the Lord because they were powerless against their adversary and the Lord assured them that the battle was His. The following day in the midst of praise and thanksgiving three kings destroyed each other even before Jehoshaphat reached the battlefield. What is your battle today? The Lord of Hosts is able to deliver you and give you victory. Remember, all power belongs to the Lord (Psalm 62).

THE LORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS That’s right, the Lord is our righteousness. He is called Jehovah-Tsidkenu or Jehovah our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6). That means that our relationship with Him must be based on righteous living; after all we are called the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus because the one who knew no sin became sin for us. On the cross He exchanged His righteousness for our unrighteousness. The Lord will therefore chastise (discipline) those whom He loves (Deuteronomy 8:5, and Hebrews 11:6) to ensure that they remain on track. Peter exhorts us to humble ourselves under the Lord’s mighty hand, that he may lift us up in due time (1 Peter 5). If the Lord is disciplining us, it will not last forever but we must learn those lessons He is teaching us so that we may grow in righteousness. The Lord of lords is for us and provided we devote our time to building a meaningful relationship with Him, we will have every cause to celebrate and be glad.

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MY TESTIMONY

MY TESTIMONY:

of blood

The Issue

Many Christians are familiar with the story of ‘the woman with the issue of blood’ (Mark 5:25-34).

However, this is not just a Biblical ‘story’, it is a fact that afflicts many women. Sunrise speaks to a woman who endured this for four years.

This is her testimony…

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orn in Lagos state Nigeria, Olusola Abosede Olatunji (Nee Adekore) is happily married to Gbenga Hakeem Olatunji. The thirty-two year old works with Central Bedfordshire County. She enjoys travelling, cooking and now, child caring. But the latter was not always the case and certainly travelling had to be put on hold for a good while. Over the years Sola, who firmly believes that ‘with God all things are possible and achievable’, has experienced many challenges. She has been able to handle all of them with fasting and prayer. However, for four years her biggest challenge was that of constant blood flow. The situation literally dictated how she spent her time and her life. “It all started after I got married,” reveals Sola. “It came out thick like liver, and it refused to stop. I started having to use double sanitary towels then graduated to the maternity towels and then finally incontinence pads.”

It affected the couple in so many ways. They had to buy another marital mattress as the one they had was soaked; they also stopped going on holidays because they had to take a separate bag which contained bedding to use so Sola would not stain hotel bed sheets. “When we visited people overnight we would wait until our hosts had gone to sleep, then my husband had to go out to our car to bring in our own bedding and very early in the morning we would quickly put them back in the car. I remember the last time we went on a church holiday at Latimer Hotels, I slept on the floor with my hubby so as not to stain the hotels mattress because that month it was coming out like a fountain.

We decided not to go on holidays again.”

The condition even restricted what type of clothing Sola could wear. “When I stood up my husband had to quickly check my dress for stains, and when I was at work or anywhere else I would constantly be in and out of toilet to change myself.

The amazing thing is that I didn’t have any menstrual pains, my blood level was not

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reducing and I was even getting fatter.” Having sought medical help a consultant told her he’d never seen this type of constant blood flow in all his years of experience. “Apparently, there was no medical name for it.

Then I remembered the story of the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible.”

Sola was taking three different types of medication, but none of them had the desired effect. She was then subjected to an operation where the lining of her womb was scrapped and her ovaries were ‘drilled’ to see if that would stop the blood. “The more I went down the medical route, the worse it got,” says Sola. “Then the consultant told me he had to take me to the theatre again as what I was going through was life threatening.” At this point Sola believed “all to be lost”. “I gave up my faith in the Lord,” she confesses. “I was assuring myself that the doctors would find a solution to my condition.” The situation affected not only Sola but her husband to. They both longed to start a family, but the blood deterred the usual closeness between a husband and wife. Sola was handed over to another consultant who decided to take her off all medications since they had not worked at all.

“I told her of my desire to have a child. She concluded that if the blood could be stopped she would refer me for I.V.F. treatment. Instantly my hubby rejected it and said ‘If God can stop the blood he can give us a child naturally, without I.V.F. treatment!’ The consultant agreed with my husband and encouraged me to serve the God my husband served.” The consultant also told Sola that she was most used to seeing couples where the wife was the one most in faith, rather than the husband. The couple left the consultation bickering and in total disagreement but something began happening in Sola’s spirit.

“On getting home I again read the

story of the woman with the issue of blood again and my faith began to pick up. Over the four years my husband always prayed, asking God to give us a child. I never said ‘amen’ to those prayers as I was only praying to God to stop the blood.” Nevertheless, the couple prayed and ‘agreed’ to have a girl first. The baby became real to Gbenga. “He named her Oluwafeyikemi Anna Olatunji and always put baby girl’s clothing on the bed and at night he would put out a sleep suit when leaving the bedroom.

He would also take the clothes into the living room and lay them out on a chair.”

Gbenga was ‘calling things that were not as if they were’. “He was always referring to me as mother of the child’s name, even when he knew things were not working and he was not having relations with me because the blood was always in the way.”

Sola, who attends the Luton branch of RCCG, was excited when, on August 16th, 2009, Pastor E. A. Adeboye visited the area. She attended the gathering expecting a word of knowledge. She wholeheartedly hoped to have a word with him, but the opportunity did not arise. She could not get close enough. After he left she and Gbenga remained in the hall so he could have a meeting with the ushering team. Up close to the pulpit people were lining up to sit in the chair that Pastor Adeboye had recently vacated, hoping that the anointing would rub off on them. “He (Gbenga) said ‘try to sit on the chair’ but there were too many people waiting to sit so he added: ‘why don’t you just touch the arm of the chair ‘so I did and it came to my awareness that

the woman in the Bible had also only touched. I also touched my tummy and told God that by this time next year I would be carrying my baby girl. But I didn’t remember to say amen so I didn’t know if my prayer would go anywhere.”

However, there had been a miracle. “INSTANTLY THE BLOOD STOPPED. When we got home I didn’t see the blood. On Monday I went to the consultant and she said, she would quickly refer me for the I.V.F department, but my husband insisted ‘we are not going to do that’. Instead, he quickly used the opportunity to get close to me. Sola describes her first reaction at the resultant pregnancy, “When I checked (the home test kit) I didn’t believe so I took it to the pharmacy and they explained to me that I actually was pregnant. I went to the consultant and told her, she tested me and immediately referred me to the early pregnancy department for a scan.

Looking back Sola reflects, "No friends or family knew about all we went through, they were only praying for a child for us. My husband has been so very supportive, he really stood by me and made me happy. He was never ever irritated. I thank God for his life. The following months were plain-sailing. “There was no pregnancy pain, no morning sickness, and also no complications all through the forty weeks. We gave birth to our daughter Oluwafeyikemi Anna Olatunji, the most beautiful baby in the world, on 11 June 2010.

She was subjected to an operation where the lining of her womb was scrapped and her ovaries were ‘drilled’ to see if that would stop the blood.

Christ the Redeemer College, London is a British further and higher education institution based in south east London. We welcome local and international students.

COURSES AVAILABLE: School of Theology Diploma in Counselling (CPCAB Accredited) Diploma in Chrisitan Ministry (OCN) BA Degrees in Ministerial Studies, Counselling, or Biblical Studies (Our theology degrees are validated

by Middlesex University) Short Couses on Christian Counselling Children’s Ministry Music and Worship Church Planting There is a Local training centre near you

For Enrolment Information Please contact: CRC, 6-12 Kennington Lane, London SE11 4LS Tel: 0207 735 7100 / Fax: 0207 735 7187 Emaill: info@chrtisredeemercollege.org Web:www.christredeemercollege.org Listed on Home Office Register of Education Providers

Full Time Courses are valid for Visas for Overseas Students

Professional Course We run courses in Business Management, Business Information Systems, and Human Resources from certificate, Diploma and Advance Diploma levels accredited by Association of Business Executives (ABE)

SUNRISE

13

A – Z of RCCG Unreached Areas in the UK In the last edition the following areas were unreached by RCCG but to Gods glory, we now have a presence in CREWE named Hope Centre and pastored by Pastor Marcus Chilaka.

In the next edition we are anticipating that through Gods leading we will take more territories in the UK. Please pray along with us.

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Blackburn Bromley Carlisle Crewe Derby Darlington Dorchester Falkirk Guernsey Harrogate Hebrides Isle of Man

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Jersey, Channel Isles Kilmarnock, Ayrshire Kirkcaldy, Fife Lancaster Llandrindod Wells, Powys Llandudno, Gwynedd Newport, Gwent Stockport, Cheshire Shrewsbury Taunton, Somerset Galashiels, Selkirkshire Telford, Salop

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Torquay Truro, Cornwall Warrington Worcester York Lerwick, Shetland

By the Parish Liaison Department October 2010

SPECIAL APPRECIATION TO OUR MUMMY

Mummy, thank you for your perpetual loving care.

We are also grateful for your commitment in ensuring we have our own permanent Redemption Camp here in the United Kingdom.

May God Almighty continuously bless you and yours. Amen.

SUNRISE

15

In 2006, Forbes Magazine ranked him as the 365th richest person in the world with a net worth of $2.1 billion, making him the richest black person in the world. Yet this was a man who was once a cleaner, a landscape gardener and a bouncer.

3 steps to success oming from humble beginnings with a mother who sold Avon products, Jamaican billionaire Michael Lee-Chin is chairman of Portland Holdings Inc and started his rise in the business world by providing financial services in Canada. Lee-Chin was born in Port Antonio in the 50s. His parents were West African and Chinese. When he was seven his mother married Vincent Chen, who ran a local grocery store and also had a son from a previous relationship. The couple had a further seven children together.

The youngster attended the local high school, Titchfield High, between 1962 and 1969. His first job in 1965 was working as part of the landscaping team at the Frenchman's Cove Hotel. In 1966, he had a summer job working on the Jamaica Queen cruise ship, cleaning the engine room. He also worked briefly as a bouncer. In 1970, he emigrated to Canada to study civil engineering at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. “I’d saved enough money for one year’s worth of engineering school, but I didn’t know

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where the rest of my tuition fees were going to come from,” he revealed. “So I wrote to Hugh Lawson Shearer, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, saying, ‘Sir I am desperate, please help me’.”

Lee-Chin’s boldness paid off. The PM responded by inviting the young student to come to see him when next in Jamaica. The young student immediately blew some of his tuition money on a flight home to take the PM up on his invitation. He obtained a scholarship for the next three years.

“I practiced for two years in Jamaica after graduating, then returned to Canada in 1976,” says Lee-Chin. “I got three job offers - one as a soap salesman, the second as a truck driver and the third as a financial adviser. I opted for choice number three.”

He spent two years at the Investors Group in the Hamilton, Ontario office and, in 1979 - with growing success – progressed and moved to Regal Capital Planners to become regional manager.

Whilst at the company Lee-Chin, aged thirty-two, secured a loan

from the Continental Bank of Canada for $500,000 to purchase a stake in Mackenzie Financial Group. After four years, this stock appreciated seven-fold and Michael used the profits to make his first acquisition, a small, Ontario-based investment firm called AIC Limited. At that time, Advantage Investment Counsel (a division of AIC) had assets under management of just $800,000. AIC Limited was to become the first in a series of acquisitions for Lee-Chin, Chairman of Portland Holdings Inc. AIC’s goal is to create longterm wealth for investors.

To achieve that objective, Michael looked for role models – those business people who created wealth in society by owning one or two businesses. His investment philosophy was that of buying a few, excellent businesses in long-term, growth sectors and holding these businesses for the long term in order to help AIC investors prosper by preserving and growing their capital and minimising taxes.

Lee-Chin has distinct beliefs regarding wealth creation and role models. “Early in my career, I thought, ‘Mike, what is your highest value adage that you can give to clients who sit with you and I, as though it is to make them wealthy?’” says Lee-Chin. “The highest form of leadership is to lead by example, so I had to do the things that would make me my largest client, so I had to be a great investor. To be successful at anything you have there a three-step

In April 2006, Portland acquired an 85% controlling stake in the United General Insurance Company - the largest auto insurer in Jamaica - and renamed the firm to Advantage General Insurance Company. A controlling interest in CVM Communications Group (consisting of radio and television stations and newspapers) was purchased at the same time. Portland partnered with Risley Group to form Columbus Communications, a Barbadian corporation that holds controlling interests in a number of telecommunications providers in the Caribbean including Cable Baham as, Caribbean Crossings, Merit Communications and FibraLink Jamaica. The first Portland acquisition in the healthcare industry sector was announced by Michael in July 2006, when Medical Associates - a privately held hospital in Kingston, Jamaica - joined the Portland group.

In the tourism sector, Michael has guided Portland through a number of acquisitions in the Caribbean. Among them are the Trident Villas and Spa in Jamaica, Reggae Beach and Blue Lagoon.

The following year, he acquired the Berkshire group of companies The recently-opened Michael Lee-Chin Crystal building, an addition to the Royal Ontario Museum. was named after Lee-Chin, who donated $30 million towards it being built."

“To be successful at anything you have there a three-step formula – one: identify a role model, two: get the recipe from the role model and three: not let your ego come between you and the recipe” formula - one is to identify a role model, two is to get the recipe from the role model and three is to not let your ego come between you and the recipe.”

AIC became one of the largest, privately held, mutual-fund companies in Canada. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997. In the early 2000s, the father of five purchased 75% of the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica and its subsidiaries for 6 billion Jamaican dollars (US $127 million) from the Jamaican Government. After becoming part of the Portland group, NCB profits increased to approximately US $100 million from US $6 million.

NCB today stands as Jamaica’s largest bank with over forty branches, thousands of employees, and offices in the Caymans and the United Kingdom. The philanthropist, who established Senvia Money Services Inc - a global, money-transfer company - also invested in businesses located in countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with emphasis on Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. “I have a duty to Jamaica because it’s the reason I am here, and also to Canada because it presented me with an opportunity to practice my profession,” says Michael. “It’s not easy to stick to principals, to persevere or to be courageous over the long run, but all of these ingredients are necessary to be successful over the long run in every single aspect of life.”

comprising an investment planning arm, a securities dealership and an insurance operation. By now, Berkshire had amassed more than C $12 billion of assets. Of his rise in the world of business, LeeChin says, “If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it with amazing accuracy.

Our behaviour today is our history tomorrow. We have control of the history we are writing for ourselves. The only question is ‘what do you want your legacy to be?’ Once you define that, then you let your behaviour give you your goal.” Last year (2009), Michael LeeChin sold AIC for an undisclosed amount.

By Kelly Fraser

SUNRISE

17

PROPERTY

Creating

Wealth… in Bricks

Maurine Smith

Investing in real estate is still a great, wealth-creating tool for the savvy investor, says Maureen Smith, who explains what ‘factional ownership’ is about.

D

espite the current economic climate, investing in property is still a great option for creating wealth and improving lifestyle. The period for generating a return from your investment in property, type of property to buy and its location must, however, be given more careful consideration nowadays than in previous years.

SHOULD YOU OPT TO BUY PROPERTY FOR SHORT-TERM OR LONG-TERM INVESTMENT? Before deciding on whether to invest in property for short-term or long-term investment, you should have some idea as to the difference between the two.

Some say that a short-term investment period is from zero to five years, while others say that it is from zero to ten years.

This being the case, a long-term investment must be anything from five or

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ten years and above. There is no fixed number of months or years for a short-term or long-term investment period. It is up to an individual to decide the period of time during which they would wish to retain an investment before receiving returns. This should be based on the purpose for which the investment has been made. For example, if you want to be in a position to pay for your five-year-old daughter’s university education, then you can do so from the proceeds of a long-term investment. If, on the other hand, your fourteen-year-old son announces that he wants to go to university after Sixth Form College, then a short-term investment would be a better option for you.

The period of time during which you wish to see returns from your investment in property will therefore be determined by how soon you wish to see a return.

CHOOSING YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY Once you have determined the period of time during which you wish to retain your investment property before seeing returns, you need to know how much actual time you wish to devote to the investment property. Properties best suited for short-term investment are more limited these days than in days gone by.

However, there are still some good deals to be had at property auction sales, but be sure to carry out due diligence and have funds in place before committing to purchase properties at auction. Repossessed properties are quite often sold at belowmarket value prices, making them ideal for cash buyers who wish to purchase, carry out some inexpensive cosmetic work and then sell on. (Redemption penalty periods laid down by mortgage lenders can make repossessed properties less appealing for short-term investment, but long-term investors should not rule out buying repossessed properties).

Another long-term investment that is low risk is the leaseback scheme, introduced in France approximately two decades ago to meet the demands for tourist accommodation. This is where you purchase a freehold property and then lease it back to the developer for a specific, renewable period of time. First established in America and the Caribbean, fractional ownership is a way for unrelated buyers to own a fraction of the same property. This method for owning property is not the same as owning a timeshare property. Each owner will have rights of occupancy to the property during the period aligned to the fraction purchased by them. For example, if you have purchased a quarter of the equity in a property that is subject to fractional ownership, your rights of occupancy in the property will be for three months. The beauty about fractional ownership is that it allows you to own a share in a property that you may otherwise be unable to purchase on your own. This is a great way for owning a share in a holiday home. Investing in land can produce great returns for the long-term investor. This tangible asset is renowned for increasing in value, with better returns to be gained the longer you hold onto it. For some time now, individuals have been able to purchase plots of green- or brown-belt land in the UK, which is then sold once the land is granted approval for development.

There are a number of developments across the UK where you can buy parcels of land, sit back and wait until planning approval has been granted for development. The value of that land greatly increases once planning approval has been granted for development. It is at this time that you and other plot owners can collectively agree to sell your respective plots to a large developer company at a handsome profit.

BEST LOCATIONS FOR INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE Some of the best locations for investing in real estate are in areas termed as ‘emerging markets’. This is where islands or countries offer new investment opportunities to the international market due to rapid development and reforms. New homes will be needed to accommodate people moving into the area for work.

Investing in real estate in these areas is an opportunity that should not be missed.

Over recent years, we have seen places such as Spain, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Croatia become ideal for generating returns on investment through ownership of property due to their growing popularity with tourists. As far as the Caribbean is concerned, there are still opportunities to invest in various types of real estate throughout the region, including buying parcels of land that can be sold at a later date for more than the initial purchase price. You can also build a house on the land before selling on as a land-and-house package.

“The beauty about fractional ownership is that it allows you to own a share in a property that you may otherwise be unable to purchase on your own.”

Dominica (aka ‘The Nature Island’) has seen a sudden increase in the sale of real estate to overseas buyers. One of the reasons is that it is still unspoilt and prices are therefore less than in some of the more popular islands in the Caribbean. The emerging oil and gas industry in Ghana will see this African state worthy of investment in property. New developments have been springing up in and around Accra, and early investors should see great returns from investment in property in Ghana. Savvy property investors will usually look at areas in which to invest that are away from those that are already heavily populated. Real estate in less populated areas usually costs less than in popular areas, and will increase in value as they become more popular.

It is also good to identify areas where there are plans for regeneration, construction of a resort development or a shopping mall. These are just some of the features that help to create desirable areas, and if you have invested in property in these areas prior to them becoming desirable, then your investment property is likely to see a natural increase in value without you doing anything to it.

Most of the world’s wealthiest people own more than one property. Today’s economic climate simply means that you may have to hold on to your portfolio of properties for longer than in the past before seeing healthy returns, but investment in property remains one of the best ways for creating wealth for yourself, your children and your grandchildren.

Buying property anywhere in the world carries risk, so it is important to ensure that you are properly advised before investing in property, whether at home or abroad.

Maurine Smith

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LEGAL

ASK

Simon Bethel The immigration rules and accompanying policy guidance have been subject to several changes in the recent past. Do you have a legal problem? Dapo OlorunsolaElias provides answers to common questions in the light of the changes.

Q. How can I come or stay in the UK as a minister of religion?

A. An application to enter or remain in the UK as a minister of religion will now fall under Tier 2 of the Point Based System. An applicant must score 70 points to qualify which is made up as follows: 50 points for Certificate of Sponsorship (COS), 10 points for maintenance (funds), and 10 points for English Language. To score 50 points the applicant must have been issued with this COS, by a registered sponsor (the employer). The duties of the applicant must include at least one of the following: i) preach or perform pastoral duties; ii) work as a missionary; or iii) work in a religious order within a community which involves a permanent commitment like a monastery or convent.

To issue a valid certificate of sponsorship, the employer must be licensed and listed on a Register maintained by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Many churches are already on this Register.

To score 10 points for maintenance funds, the applicant must demonstrate by documentary evidence that i) he/she has £800 in available funds which have been in his/her bank account for at least 90 days prior to the date of application; or ii) the sponsor/employer has an ‘A’ rating and has confirmed in the COS that it will maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of his/her first month of employment in the UK if required.

An applicant must also score 10 points for English Language.

You can achieve this in either of three ways: i) You are a national of a majority English speaking country; or ii) You have passed an English language test or iii) You hold a degree that was taught in English and the degree is equivalent to United Kingdom bachelor's degree.

Application under the Transitional Arrangement are exempt from the maintenance and English Language requirements, however, you will still be required to score 50 points for a COS. Transitional Arrangement relates to those who are currently in the UK under the old 'ministers of religion, missionaries and members of religious orders' category who are looking to extend their stay for up to 5 years in an eligible category.

Lastly, for person(s) already in the UK in other immigration categories from which they are permitted to switch, such people may be able to make an in-country application. For those outside of the UK, their application should be made at their respective local visa post by way of entry clearance.

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Q. As an immigrrant, do I have a riight to marry in thhe UK? A. Until 2005 when the UKBA introduced the Certificate of Approval Scheme, the right to marry was exercised by all irrespective of their immigration status. Since that scheme, every foreign national wishing to marry in the UK must obtain from the UKBA, a prior approval called “Certificate of Approval” (COA) except the applicant falls within one of the exceptions mentioned below. According to the UKBA, such approval was necessary to prevent marriages of convenience and to allow the authorities to have effective immigration control. The Scheme was challenged on the basis that it was in breach of the Right to Marry provided by Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Following the successful appeal in the House of Lords in the Baiai’s case, the UKBA has re-considered their guidance and the following are the main thrust of that Scheme: UKBA will still grant COA even if the applicant does not have a current permission to remain in the UK so long as the applicant can demonstrate that he/she is not entering into the marriage for the purposes of convenience and or to circumvent immigration control. The onus is therefore on the applicant to discharge this burden. Application fee which was initially introduced was scrapped Where the applicant falls into any of the following categories, he or she will not require a COA: British or EEA national, a holder of Indefinite leave to remain or a person who was granted leave to enter for the purpose of getting married in the UK. Also, anyone getting married in an Anglican Church is exempt from a COA. In July 2010, the government announced its intention to abolish this scheme subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Until this is done, the scheme remains in force. Please note that the above is by no means an exhaustive and comprehensive analysis of the issues and I would advise you to seek independent legal advice before you take further steps in resolving your immigration issues.

Feel free to email your questions through to the editor and Simon Bethel Solicitors, will be happy to deal with your queries.

Partner Sim mon Bethel Soliciitors – London.

We are able to provide you specialist advice in the following areas of Law: Police Station representation, Crime and Prison Law Immigration and Nationality Law Conveyancing and Property Law Commercial and Company Law Charity Law Trade Marks, Patents & Designs Family Law and Probate Housing, Landlord and Tenants Employment Litigation Extradition & Public International Law Experts in all aspects of Nigerian Law.

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INTERVIEW

Rose: Chaplain of The House Originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Rose HudsonWilkin is the first black woman and person of Caribbean descent to be appointed Chaplain to the House of Commons. It caused a stir, but she is no stranger to overturning the apple cart.

O

n the day that she was officially supposed to begin her new appointment as Chaplain to the House of Commons, Rose Hudson-Wilkin was surprisingly calm.

The reason: Well the MP’s were still on holiday and all was quiet on the western front. However, it was also the week in which the Pope visited the UK, so Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin had a pretty momentous ‘induction’ into her new position when she became part of the gathered congregation, both in Westminster Hall and Westminster Abbey, for the Pontiff’s visit.

Young Rose Hudson was just 14 when she knew she wanted to become a priest, having had a number of experiences and also an overwhelming sense of the presence of God in her life, calling her to serve him as a priest in His church. In the summer of 1979, aged eighteen, she travelled to England to train as a church army evangelist in The Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism based in Blackheath (now located in Sheffield). She later married Ken Wilkin, an English church army captain, in April 1983 in Jamaica (they recently renewed their vows on their 25th

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anniversary with their children, family and friends present), and both worked there for three years.

The couple returned to England in 1985 and worked in South London in the Parish of Tulse Hill under the guidance of the vicar, The Revd John Sentamu (now the Archbishop of York).

During this time, Ken trained to become a priest.

The family moved to Wolverhampton in the Lichfield Diocese in 1988 and Rose did her training for ministry at Queen’s Theological College in Birmingham. She was ordained as Deacon in 1991 and then as a priest in 1994, when women were finally allowed to be made priests in the Church of England.

Revd Rose is familiar with the challenges of new beginnings.

When she became vicar in one of the poorest areas of East London, she routinely confronted gang culture and, at times, community resistance. Her predecessor had told the congregation that “no priest worth anything would want to come to a place like this”. A minority of the congregation made it clear that they had difficulty accepting her both as a woman and also

as a person of colour. Unfazed, she conveyed to them that not only was she comfortable in her own skin but equally at ease with being a woman, and “made it very clear that I had no intention of leaving as I had only just arrived, but that if they were not comfortable with me, they were free to leave”.

Revd Rose, who became Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen in December 2007, intends to retain her parish in Hackney, East London, and as a priest at Holy Trinity Church in Dalston.

The post of Canon of Westminster Abbey, Rector of St Margaret and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons had approximately 100 applicants. Revd Rose was one of six shortlisted and was interviewed over two days.

Reportedly, there was a little dissension when she was first

“I have been placed in this position for a reason, just like Esther” appointed, with claims that Commons’ Speaker John Bercow – who made the final decision - had done so ‘on a whim’, having refused to give the job to the candidate picked by the Dean of Westminster Abbey - the Very Rev Dr John Hall - who answers to the Queen. Some sources say he objected to appointing “another predictable, middle-aged, white man”. Despite ‘the politics’ Revd Rose was quite relaxed at the thought of new horizons.

Sunrise editor Barbara Campbell caught up with her as she began to settle into her new post.

You were up against some pretty good contenders for the job, were you surprised to be shortlisted?

There were four other equally excellent serving clergy from Guildford, Wales, Liverpool and the South West of England who were shortlisted. Yes, I was surprised to be shortlisted – not because I did not think I could do the job but simply because I knew that I was not an establishment figure.

How do you feel about John Bercow?

I am very impressed with Mr Bercow. He is clearly someone who stands by his convictions. I happen to believe that he is a decent human being and I am looking forward to working with him.

Do you feel any impending pressure to prove you are capable of the job?

Do I feel any pressure? You bet I do! after all, the press focus on the ‘girl from Montego Bay’. I am clearly not an ‘establishment’ figure, so I am sure the Holy Spirit had a part to play in me being appointed to this role. My faith, therefore, tells me that if God sees it fit for me to be here, then he will equip me for the task.

My confidence is therefore in Christ.

What were your first few days in the job like?

My first few days have been very momentous as I was able to be a part of the gathered congregation both in Westminster Hall and Westminster Abbey for the Pope’s visit. I may not agree with all his views but we are still brothers and sisters in Christ and as such, we need to meet together and pray together. The people I have met so far and spoken with have been most welcoming and helpful (especially when I lose my way around the Westminster Village).

As an Ambassador for Christ as well as for the Jamaican Diaspora what type of effect do you hope to have on all young people in the world today?

I would like to make sure it is a positive, wholesome effect; one that encourages the Diaspora especially our young people to become the best in any walk of life. They should never forget God’s goodness and the can see effect of God’s love becoming reality for them. I simply want those who look at me to be able to say “if she can do it, then I can.”

What were you like as a child in Jamaica and how have you changed – if indeed you have or needed to?

As a child I was caring, well spoken, bright and simply loved reading and reciting poems etc, when we had visitors. I also read regularly in church.

How would you describe yourself as an adult?

I am genuine (what you see is what you get), confident, loving, loyal, honest and not afraid to challenge.

In a previous inter view you were likened to Esther in the Bible, do you identif y with her?

God’s work needs to get done and I am reminded that for my people, I must do God’s work and I must do it with a level of excellence. I am not there for a title or for my good looks! I have been placed in this position for a reason, just like Esther. Much has been entrusted to me and is expected of me. It is my prayer that God will give me the grace to fulfil all that is required of me.

What character trait will you be bringing to the job, do you think?

I believe all that I am will be brought to my new role.

You have been tipped to become the UK’s first woman bishop.

What do you say to that?

“I must state that my only ambition as a priest has been to meet Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, and I have fulfilled this!”

What, in your mind, do you think has been your greatest accomplishment to date?

My greatest accomplishment is being a good mother, wife and a priest.

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WOMEN

Arise!

Nigerian Woman The ‘call’ is simple – “Arise! African woman!” - a call for women who are the bedrock of the African community to stand up and reclaim what they have done traditionally – lead the way.

N

igeria is celebrating fifty years of independence this year, and one can trust that the government of the nation will be celebrating with much pomp and pageantry. All that is not ‘right’ with the country will be temporarily shelved to one side, and a joyous time will be had by all. However, one young woman will be using this occasion

to speak to the nation, especially the women. Abimbola Junaid believes that as a woman and a social change agent, “the issues the Nigerian woman still faces in the 21st Century have diverse effects on our level of growth and capacity.”

Abimbola, one of the founders and stakeholders of the Arise! Nigerian Woman project says, "According to the profile of women and men in Nigeria in a publication on gender statistics, ‘female youth literacy rate is 77.3% lower than the national youth literacy rate’. On maternal mortality rates and infant mortality rates, HIV/AIDS prevalence is ‘still high’ and female infection rates ‘remain higher than male infection rates’

“If a woman taps into the vision, they can influence the rest of society”

Abi

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and on women in employment, it showed that women’s visibility was ‘still low’ in high-level, decision-making employment in the country."

Nigeria has a proud and majestic history, which tells of notable Nigerian women who fought gallantly and emerged in Nigeria's political landscape and nation building - the likes

of Queen Amina, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and Margaret Ekpo, to name a few.

Today, the number of women in highprofile jobs and political offices - such as Ngozi Okonjo-Nwela and Oby Ezekwesili has surged but despite the efforts of these women, the quality of life and circumstances of the Nigerian woman is still far from reaching an acceptable standard of advancement and development compared to their counterparts worldwide. “The call is for a re-awakening of the Nigerian woman to be bold again, to take charge and not remain silenced any more,” declares Akimbola.

“Yes, the whole society needs to heed the call, but we believe the woman is the bedrock of the family, especially in the African culture.

If a woman taps into the vision, they can influence the rest of society.” A social change and development practitioner in Gender Community and Youth Development, Akimbola is also the Director of Real Life Consult, a social-development organisation, with offices in the UK and Nigeria. After obtaining her degree in 1999 at the Lagos State University in Nigeria, she worked in community development - this is still where her heart is.

She believes community growth and development equals national wealth. "The community has to be empowered for any nation to truly maximise its potential." She quotes some of the problems she feels the membership could tackle, including the healthcare sector that is failing the Nigerian woman, especially the pregnant, Nigerian woman. “Also, Nigerian women’s mortality rates remain high and there is a direct correlation between women’s low status, violation of human rights and HIV transmission, the issue of violence against women, sexual harassment and rape, domestic violence, under-age marriage and female underrepresentation in governance, which are having a detrimental effect,” adds Abimbola.

Currently studying for a Master’s degree in Social Policy and Administration at the University of Nottingham, Abimbola has worked with women, refugees and destitutes to

Funmilayo kuti

Margaret Ekpo

Queen Amina

reform their lives and regain their position in the wider society. She also has experience of working in housing, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and youth development, the latter of which is another area she brings under the microscope – how the education sector has failed the young.

“Many of our youths have been left to become hustlers, miscreants and cyber thieves rather than the gifted, determined, energetic future leaders that they really are. The girl child and woman trafficking is also rife in our society.”

She feels a movement for a behavioural change as one of the societal changes is long overdue.

“With a membership of like-minded Africans – the majority being women, rising to challenge the status quo and becoming volunteer, social ambassadors of the change - we can build capacity by taking the message to all areas of the country.

The key factor that Nigeria turns fifty this year is chosen as a good place to make "the transformational call”. The Nigerian woman’s journey should be celebrated, but a reflective thought on repositioning for the next fifty or more years to come is essential. This celebration and reflective thought will come via a recorded, visual-solidarity message and a call sent out to all - by women and the men who love them highlighting the plight and stifling advancement of the Nigerian woman.

The Arise! Nigeria Woman team will be represented on national television and radio programmes, in local markets, churches, mosques and cultural events in order to take their message to the people, asking them to join in as ambassadors that will lay the foundation of the new movement for change - those who share a similar vision.

The project is designed and commissioned

by Real Life Consult. Future events include Credible Elections 2011, Campaign 2010, the Role of the Nigerian Youth in Nation Building Seminar 2010, Nigeria at 50, Arise! Nigerian Woman Campaign 2010, the Arise! Nigerian Woman Stakeholders’Workshop 2011 and Every Job Matters Campaign 2011.

For more infoorm mation, Arisee! cann be reached via +44 7951 676 6 357 or www.abiimbolajunaaid.org/project

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WOMEN

Solid as a

ROC She is the founder and director of Redeeming Our Communities (ROC), a community organisation committed to building safer communities across the UK. Andrea Onduku speaks to Debra Green

D

Debra Green

ebra Green encountered God even before she gave her meetings across the Greater Manchester region, developing life to Him. Such was the purpose for her life that the friendships with members of the police force.

Almighty God sought after her. In fact, it was on her In 1998, a meeting was arranged to pray for and thank the wedding day that she had her first encounter. “Both my members of Greater Manchester Police. husband and I felt the presence of The fruit of this meeting was the Holy Spirit (on our wedding day) such that in 2000 and “God called me initially to significant, even though we did not know God at 2003, Manchester was able to hold rebuild the walls of my that time,”says Debra. A few months large-scale outreach festivals that later, I attended church with my dad city, Manchester. I became brought together people from over and gave my life to Christ. After 500 churches across all aware that the city was praying hard for my husband, he denominations, and were backed by became a Christian three months unprotected and vulnerable. the police. During these festivals, later.” the prayer for the city was increased, We had strong churches but but there was also the practical At first, she struggled to accept that God wanted to use her. She felt there was no unity between outworking of faith in some of the unqualified, but when she accepted poorest communities. Christians them back in the early the call, she started to believe God came together to clean up could use her and found that God 1990s. The city was known neighbourhoods, serve the local qualifies those He chooses. “God people and be a presence for good. as Gunchester because of called me initially to rebuild the walls These developments led to the of my city, Manchester. I became founding of ‘City Links’ in 2003 and high crime rates” aware that the city was unprotected ‘Redeeming Our Communities’ and vulnerable. We had strong churches but there was no unity (ROC) in 2004. Debra Green is the founder and director of both between them back in the early 1990s. The city was known as organisations.

Gunchester because of high crime rates.” Inspired by the “The aim of ROC is “to be a catalyst for community beginning chapters of Nehemiah and her clear mandate, the busy transformation by promoting partnerships which open up more housewife and mother began to coordinate inter-church prayer opportunities for crime and disorder reduction, and enhanced

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community cohesion,” she explains. Within one year of ROC implementing these strategies, violent crime in the region fell by 11%. Today, the region has the lowest crime rates in ten years.

The vision has spread to other cities and ROC is now international.

Debra is a firm believer that God can use local Christians and churches to transform communities. “A very important first step is prayer. God will reveal His plans for your community.

Engage in praying with others, prayer walking and seeking His face, then do some research. What issues do the local community face? Start to pray into these issues specifically.”

In her experience, God does not often show you His whole plan – he reveals it little by little. “Perhaps if we saw the bigger picture it would frighten us too much. God, in His wisdom, shows us one step at a time and He will use us as we make ourselves available.”

As a wife, mother, grandmother, church leader, director, author and conference speaker, one wonders how Debra finds time to balance all her responsibilities. “The busier you become it is even more vital to be well organised. Keep a diary and plan dates well in advance. My husband and I coordinate our diaries on a regular basis, planning in times when we are off duty. Team work becomes more vital. Look for others who you can delegate

tasks to. Always look to mentor someone else. Remember that a healthy diet is advisable, as well as regular exercise.”

The bottom line is that we can achieve all that God has called us to do with adequate organisation of our time, and by realising that it is God who qualifies the chosen.

No matter how little time we feel we have, or how unqualified we feel we are, there is something that we can do to make a difference in our communities. Debra has written two books, one co-written with her husband titled City-Changing Prayer and Redeeming Our Communities – 21st Century Miracles of Social Transformation. To purchase both of these, as well as DVDs of ROC’s work, visit the resources page on their website.

Additionally, if you would like to get involved with ROC, they are looking out for 1,000 ‘ROC Ambassadors’ across the UK. This is a voluntary role which anyone who has a heart for their community can fulfil.

There is also a conference planned for the last weekend of October andROC launches in Birmingham on 16th November at the National Indoor Arena.

For ROC details, the launch or conference, visit: www.redeemingourcommunities.org.uk

Daily Reflections from the Open Heavens Devotional written by Pastor E. A. AdeboyE, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God

NOW SHOWING ON SKY CHANNEL 199

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Mon-Sat: 06.55am, 16.55pm & 11.55pm Sun: 06.55am, 12.55pm, 17.25pm & 11.55pm

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la Shoot takes p or u (s bject to pri 2nd Saturday ) g a love offerin booking and n o d Studios, Lon at the OH TV 676 09 37 or Patrick: 0781 Contact: Past k rccg.or.u or pastor@ox

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You can also watch it on YOUTUBE at www.youtube.com/openheavens 2010 and be a fan on FACEBOOK at http://facebook.com/pages?open-Heavens-Reflections/246283109244

SUNRISE

27

MEN

Breaking the Glass Ceiling -

Change Must Come

When one is the first to do something, they always receive an element of interest from the media, even more so if they become the first black man to become a vicar in what has always been a Caucasian-dominated area.

I

Revd David and wife

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n 1320, William de Cokethorp became the first vicar presented by the prioress in Britain. Things have moved on since then - there has been a catalogue of them - but it has taken time for various cities throughout the UK to catch onto the idea of people of colour heading up churches. In fact, the West Indians who came to England in the forties, fifties and sixties had to form their own church (Pentecostals) in order to have a place of worship. Gradually though over the years the glass ceiling has been cracking. The biggest appointment was in 2002 when John Sentamu became the first black bishop to head an Anglican diocese in Britain. The Ugandan-born anti-racism campaigner, who was an adviser to the Stephen Lawrence enquiry, faced a wall of racism

the moment he was appointed.

The Right Revd John Sentamu said at the time, "I want to encourage the Church to play a full part in an area which is being reborn, and to ensure the spiritual life of the region is as alive and vibrant as its cultural and economic regeneration." One of only two black bishops of the 114 in the Church of England, the Revd had once criticised the Church of England at the General Synod in 1999 for its record over race, accusing it of favouring a white, educated elite and of lacking colour and spice." He said he was" delighted and overwhelmed" by his appointment as Bishop of Birmingham – a diocese that is among the most ethnically diverse in the country.

More recently, Birmingham received its first black vicar in the form of The

Revd Dr David Isiorho, who now serves at The Parish Church of St James. Born in Windsor, Father David (who is fifty-two) studied at Liverpool for his first degree and worked as a social worker in London before ordination. He continued to study part-time and completed a master’s degree at Warwick University and a doctorate at Bradford. Father David is an honorary research fellow at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education.

Father David - who has published ‘Black Theology, Englishness and the Church of England’ in Jagessar M N and Reddie A G (Eds, 2007) Postcolonial Black British Theology; Peterborough: Epworth Press and more recently ‘Buying the Poor for Silver and the Needy for a Pair of Sandals (Amos 8:6) the Fit between Capitalism and Slavery as seen through the Hermeneutics of the Eighth-Century Prophet Amos’ in Reddie A G (Ed, 2010) Black Theology, Slavery and Contemporary Christianity; Ashgate - feels “it is important that black people can do their own intellectual work or white people will continue to speak for us.”

Hailing from Bedford where he was Vicar of the Parish Church of the Transfiguration, Kempston, Father David is married to Linda, who is also a priest, but they don’t work together as the couple say they “want to stay married!” The Parish Church of St James is a diverse and growing parish that sees itself as having an outreach ministry accepting all - whatever the creed, class or racial origin.

The population consists of white, Afro-Caribbean, Asian, Vietnamese and Chinese.

No stranger to urban ministry, having been a parish priest in inner-city Bradford, Father David took up his post as vicar in the diverse community of Handsworth in September 2009.

Sunrise talks to him one year on.

Did you apply or was the job suggested and offered to you?

The post was advertised and I just knew that Handsworth was my next appointment. Call it divine guidance if you like but sometimes you just know. I sent for the job spec and I found myself ticking all the relevant boxes and broke the pencil as it were.

How was the first day for you?

Taking charge of a black-majority congregation in the Church of England was a new experience. I have an academic and obviously personal interest in matters to do with race and racism, but being in charge of a mainly black church was a first for me. I have had to learn quickly about various aspects of West Indian culture, as well as the South East Asian people in my other church. The greatest thing that I have learnt is the kindliness and the generosity of my folk here in Handsworth.

What were your expectations, if any?

I have served in a number of parishes and in two had serious challenges that became very burdensome and downright nasty.

There is a certain kind of white person that cannot deal with having a black authority figure in their lives. You would not believe some of the things that have happened. I was once accused of being intimidating, for example.

How were you received by the people?

As time has gone on, more and more people have talked to me about how they were never really consulted by white priests in the past; they feel that some of the local white clergy talk down to them.

This came out time and time again when I conducted a series of interviews with regular church members. I can vouch for this as fellow clergy members seem to think that I will just tell my people what to do rather than find a prayerful and agreed way forward. It was interesting that none of my immediate white colleagues attended a day that I hosted when the Bishop’s Officer for Black Ministries invited white clergy-leading, black-majority churches to attend and to receive guidance and gentle encouragement as to the needs of black people.

Do you think more A frican and Caribbean people are being given the opportunities to reach their full potential in this countr y, or are we still in a slow climb?

More like marking time, I fear. John Sentamu is currently our only black bishop and he is not British-born. None of the three black bishops from the last century were. The white hierarchy seems to be able to cope with black people from abroad who do not know their culture from the inside, and therefore might not be able to detect when they are lying or being false in some way. Bishop John may have cracked the glass ceiling for himself, but what if the York appointment is the only concession we get for the next fifty years?

I was at a conference a few weeks ago when it was seriously suggested that black Anglicans leave the Church of England and form their own church. After all, is this not what John Wesley did?

If that were to happen there would be very small white congregations left in most of our cities and large urban areas.

What do you feel is needed to balance things?

The black churches are growing in all denominations at the same pace that white churches are declining and, in some cases, even closing down. We need more opportunities for black clergy to take up middle-management positions such as archdeacon and cathedral dean. Future black bishops, both male and female, could be called from this group and no-one could accuse them of being parachuted in without the appropriate experience. The Church of England can do this if it wants to as there is no shortage of able, black clergy to fill these posts.

What do you feel is the root problem?

The problem is that every time you appoint a black person or anyone marginalised by the institution, you cannot at the same time appoint a white male. The Church has for far too long made its senior appointments on the basis of who you know and not what you know. That type of organisation is not going to get very far and explains the decline in white church attendance.

What are you hoping to achieve at St James?

I hope to achieve several things here. One, as always, is the deepening of the sacramental life of the church together with the continuing process of teaching the faith. Referring to my above comments, I want more of my people to have the confidence to take a higher profile.

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MEN

God Was Watching He was shot in the neck and left without any sensation in his right arm, double vision and daily headaches, but he went on to be voted Pride of Britain.

Sunrise spoke with a young man who became a success despite the obstacles life threw at him.

I

t was June 2005 at 1.30am. Ricky McCalla, twenty-four, was driving home from a show when he pulled into the drivethrough McDonald's car park in south London’s Old Kent Road to get something to eat. A group of young men approached his car and started shouting "get out the car, get out the car, you are being jacked." Fearful for the safety of his two female passengers, Ricky declined and began reversing out of the car park. The keen basketball fan explains, "The glass shattered and, when I looked down, I saw blood pouring down my shirt and trousers. I reached up to my neck and felt a hole where the bullet had gone in. I realised I had been shot and went into shock."

Ricky was a professional dancer who was just breaking through on the scene, having danced on music videos for some prominent artists and touring the US. The latter was in 2003 to 2004 and, with this under his belt Ricky had big things ahead of him. Everything ground to a halt when the choreographer was shot in the neck by the gang of carjackers. He spent a week and a half in hospital recovering from the wound, but the bullet was lodged so close to vital nerves that doctors at Lewisham Hospital

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decided to leave it where it was. Stripped of feeling and any sensation in his right arm, Ricky also suffers occasional double vision in his left eye and chronic, day-to-day headaches. Partially disabled, he has to take six different tablets every day for the rest of his life. His assailant has never been caught.

This loss of his dancing ambitions was devastating for Ricky. He turned twenty-five whilst in hospital and went through months of depression, but the up-closeand-personal encounter with a gang up to no good brought home to him the realities of gun crime. He pondered about what he could do about it. After supportive and encouraging words from his mother, Ricky decided to take the onus off himself and, instead, put his experience to work - by helping young people avoid a life of crime. Three months after the shooting, he moved to Plaistow Lane, Bromley, to make a fresh start. He applied for a £5,000 grant from The Prince’s Trust to set up Frosted Ice Inc, a recording studio in his native south London to give idle young people an alternative outlet for their energy. However, he does not just give them a microphone

and tell them to express themselves. “The reason why we are different is because as well as offering our kids a range of mediabased activities, we mentor and help them with their life skills.

We try to develop good relations with our young people and coach them on how to apply themselves in a working environment to build positive self-esteem,” says Ricky.

"I want to make kids understand that they don't need to pick up a knife, carry a gun or be part of gang. I want to deter them from the street life.” While music's appeal to young people is obviously an important element of Ricky’s work, he hopes that the skills they pick up through his workshops can be applied more broadly. "I'm trying to give them options," he says. "I'm just using music as a tool." The project was a drop-in centre for young locals.

There was no real structure to the activities but young people went in to learn music skills, write lyrics and make recordings which they then took home with them.

Urban music has a reputation for glorifying gangster life, but Ricky does not allow any profanity or violence in their lyrics. “Everything that is produced here has to be constructive,” says Ricky. “I don't want people who come here bringing themselves down with gang talk or violence. I just don't want to hear it from them.”

Since he set up five years ago, McCalla has, through his organisations, worked with schools and youth-offending teams, successfully reaching and aiding over 300 youths. More so when he moved to new premises and his project became more structured. Frosted Ice offers a ten-week programme for local young people. Five weeks are devoted to music production, while the remainder covers training in film and editing.

McCalla admits that some of the young people he works with are very set in their ways, but says that nine out of ten times it’s simply down to being misguided. “They are tough shells to crack.

Yes, it can be arduous, but they normally end up seeing that we are there to try to enhance and benefit their lives, and to provide them with the tools they need to progress and remain positive and motivated. For the other 1%, we never give up but try to stay attentive to whatever they may be struggling with or going through... and, of course, always leave our door open to them.”

Trying to control what adolescents say, though, can be an uphill struggle, but McCalla insists that his rules are adhered to.

"The majority of them respect the fact that I'm trying to do something positive," he says, "and just trying to provide them with somewhere to go, and if I allow them into the studio, they can at least respect that one rule."

McCalla's work started to be noticed. In 2008, he won a Pride of Britain prize from the Mirror newspaper, as well as the Music of Black Origin (MoBO) BeMoBO award for services to the community. The publicity was fantastic for drumming up awareness of Frosted Ice and McCalla started to receive requests to talk about his work at conferences.

Whilst the exposure is good for McCalla, it does not secure his work continuing. He refers to the new government cutbacks by saying, “The funding cutbacks are quickly having a negative impact on youth organisations like mine. Some are being forced to close down due to lack of funding, and the young people that would regularly attend there projects are being forced back onto the streets.”

Ultimately though, McCalla believes the best way to tackle gang culture is to provide community organisations such as his with the resources they need and let them get on with the job. “I think the new governments approach to youth crime and youth in general is one of neglect,” he asserts. Whilst he is hoping a corporate sponsor or philanthropist will invest in his project, Ricky is not one to give up easily. He occasionally rents the studio out to record labels to make money to fund his youth projects, but at a huge cost, as making sure that the equipment he uses is of a professional standard.

However, McCalla, whose more recent work has seen Frosted Ice help up to 550 young people, has a plan of action for growth and development."I want to refurbish the space upstairs and put a shop front on the building.

I've had a lot of young people calling me - it's been quite overwhelming," he says. "I want to be able to help all the kids who contact me.

My main focus is to have one of these establishments in north, south, east and west London."

Whilst once the future looked dark, with the love of his family and a new direction, Ricky McCalla has come a long way since that moment in 2005. He says dancing was his life but “it wasn't to be” and that “everything happens for a reason.” “I'm just glad and lucky to have my life. I know God was watching over me the night of the incident, so all praise to the Lord. I count my blessings and wouldn't have it any other way.

“I count my blessings and wouldn't have it any other way”

For information, call 07941 176 444 or visit: www.FROSTEDICEINC.com

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SPORT/INTERVIEW

Passing on his

gifts

Proving that one should not give up at the first hurdle, footballer Daniel Shittu – who received five refusals from football clubs he’d applied do - tapped into his indomitable spirit and persevered... then scored. aniel Shittu is considered an easygoing, hard-working young man, but it’s clear to see that it is because he is firmly and deeply grounded. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to the UK aged seven with his mother and siblings. Their upbringing wasn’t hard but at the same time it wasn’t easy. They had to stick together and stay prayerful for God to make their dreams come true.

As a boy, it seemed mandatory that he - along with neighbouring children - had a kick-around. Apparently, “it’s what you do when you are young.” “We had a lot of free time and, in the middle of our estate in Bow, East London, there was a school football pitch that we always used to play football,” says Daniel. Remarkably, he didn’t consider playing professionally - he had plans to run his own computer business.

However, whilst attending college, despite concentrating on his studies he found he missed football and decided he would try to make a go of it.

His old Sunday league coach set up some trials, which Daniel attended but was unsuccessful. Just three months short of going to university, he decided to write letters to football clubs. “I wrote a standard letter, got my mother to check it over, then made multiple copies of it and sent it to all the clubs in all the leagues in the UK,” he says.

It takes a man with determined spirit to not cave in after getting five negative replies. “I picked up the first letter that said no - which was Charlton Athletic - and called them and begged them to give me a trial,” he grins. “After about twenty minutes of begging, they offered me a trail. I was there for about six weeks and was then offered a professional contract and the rest was history.”

His first club was Charlton Athletic in 1999. Since then he has had over 265 appearances for Charlton Athletic, Blackpool, Queens Park Rangers, Watford

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and his current club, Bolton Wanderers. Sunrise confiscated his ball long enough to ask him a few questions!

How did each club help in shaping the Daniel Shittu of today?

“When you are at a club, you have to go through a lot of ups and downs.

You’ve got to learn from them. I was lucky to score in my first professional league game with Blackpool. That helped a lot with my confidence. The more games you play, the more confident you get.”

From a professional footballer viewpoint, what are the practical differences between the Premier League and the Championship?

“The Premier League is just a place where if you make a mistake, the quality in that league is good enough to punish you so you have to be more switched on, alert and concentrated. Both leagues are physical and demanding.”

A ver y respected centre back, you have over thirty caps for Nigeria, with your first match against Paraguay in 2002. What advice will you give the new coach following the recent South African World Cup in improving the Nigerian national team?

“There’s not much I can say as I cannot say too many bad things about the last coach. The only thing that would have been good is if he had more time to spend with us before the World Cup, as he was only newly hired. The first time he got to meet the team was two weeks before the world cup. I felt we needed more time to spend with him, so he would know who his keys players were and how to use them.”

What challenges does the Christian, professional footballer face on and off the pitch? How do you address these challenges?

“We don’t face many challenges. Obviously being a footballer is regarded as a big thing in the world, so there are a lot of temptations and things that could steer you off course, but with a strong family they are easily avoided.”

What motivates you?

“Wanting to win, wanting to be the best, wanting to be better, wanting to

motivate others and show them that they can achieve their dreams also like I have.”

How do you deal with stress?

“I just spend time with my family. I love seeing my kids and wife. They make me so happy.”

Has your faith in any way helped shape your outlook about what’s important in life?

“My faith and family has taught me and shaped me to see what’s important in life, which is family. I work hard for them and I know that it’s a short career, so you must appreciate it and work hard to do the best that you can.”

Which great leader(s) could you mention as having had a major impact on you? Why? “Sol Campbell. He was the reason why I decided to play professional football as, at the time, he was playing for Arsenal and England and was at the top of his game. He was big and strong like me, so I thought that if he could do it then why could I not? So I always looked up to him. I also look up to P Diddy, Richard Branson and my mother for been a strong, Godfearing, career woman who still found the time to raise seven children and show them so much love.”

What advice can you give our youngsters who aim to be professional footballers? How do they go about it here in Europe and in Africa?

“Work hard, believe in yourself, don’t listen to what people say and the negatives they have to say and, if you get rejected, try again. Three other clubs rejected me before I finally made it into Charlton as a professional player.”

What precise roles do trainers, agents and managers play in ensuring footballers has successful careers?

“Agents and managers play a big role. Choose your agent wisely and make sure that they have your best interests at heart and not theirs. Most agents are bad, think of themselves getting money during transfers and don’t care where the player goes or whether he would like it there or not. Also, once you become a professional, choose your club wisely, choose a manager you feel would give you a chance to play and showcase your talent as every player wants to play.”

You have been involved in various philanthropic initiatives. Could you give us more information about these projects? Why did you choose each one?

“I have a Dan Shittu football academy based in the UK and Nigeria.

The UK academy allows young kids from the streets to be trained professionally, then play against various professional clubs’ youth teams during pre-season at their training grounds over the course of pre-season, in which a few are picked to attend trials or sign for clubs after the games finish. In the Nigerian academy, currently based in Abuja, Nigeria, the team plays in the Abuja FCT league and the Challenge Cup. The academy is currently in the finals of the FCT league for the first time ever and have a chance of winning it, which would be a great achievement for them as they are a bunch of young boys who are trained well.

Anyything ellse on the horizon?

I just launched Dan Shittu’s Soccer Star Nigeria, which is a talent hunt in Nigeria that gives the lucky winner a chance to win a one-year professional contract in Belgium. This is a show that will be held yearly, with prizes getting bigger and better every year. However, the prizes will benefit the players and winners. The 2010 trials start in October and are held in Kaduna, Abuja, Enugu, Kano and Lagos. The finals will then be held in Kaduna in December and will be attended by scouts from colleges in America looking to give out scholarships, and also scouts from Sweden looking to find potential players to offer trials.”

As a Premier League, professional footballler and a firstt chhoice Nigerian internatioonaal, yoou are at the peak of your career which,, unnfortunately, has a lim mited lifee spaan. What willl yoou do after your foootballing years?

“I love running businesses, so I work hard and have started a few businesses. I see myself as a businessman and have various businesses in the UK and Nigeria.”

How do yoou relax? What are your hobbbiies, etc?

“Relax by reading and being with my kids, wife, family and friends.”

For more inforrmaation, vissitt: www.dssooccerstarr.com or caalll: 0813 951 364 44

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The Festival of Life, London (2010) edition.

This year’s Festival of Life in the United Kingdom took place on the 23rd of July at the London Excel and was hosted by the General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye. With various events and Christian leaders from various denominations, it was attended by tens of thousands and broadcasted live by OHTV, the SKY satellite channel.

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2010 Holy Ghost Service in Dublin

The second annual Holy Ghost Festival took place on the 30th July 2010 at the Citywest Hotel and Grounds in Saggart, Co. Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. Hosted by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, it featured leading Christian leaders from various denominations and was attended by thousands.

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RCCG celebrates Sports Day 2010 The 2010 RCCG Sports Day took place on the 30th of August at the Gosling Sports Stadium, Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire Stadium. Well attended by many zones from the Redeemed family, it featured various football and athletics events. Each event was competitively contested and at the end of it all, the Pastor Sola Oludoyi - led Zone 14 won not only the athletics event but also the overall competition. Zone 5, led by Pastor Theophilus Adesina won the football competition. The highlight of the day was the friendly match between the RCCG XII and the Knebworth Football Club.

The 2009 Zone 5 champions retaining the football trophy.

The winners SPORTS DAY INTERVIEWS

Pastor Richard Odejayi, the RCCG National Sports Coordinator.

This is the third edition of RCCG Sports Day, what is this event meant to achieve?

More than anything else, we believe in relationships, so we want a situation where we can relate with each other, form a kind of bond, enjoy ourselves while being competitive. Hopefully this will lead to an increase in many things we shall be doing together as a church within the UK. There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm amongst the youths about this programme. Are you thinking of taking this programme forward in any way?

Well, we are looking at taking this forward; a lot of people seem to be interested in football. We are thinking of starting a mini league within the Redeemed Christian Churches, where there will be a periodical meeting and inter-parish matches. We can also take it further to zonal level, but we must start at the parish level and hopefully that will grow up into something

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wonderful that we all look forward to every time. Where this whole sports day is concerned, I have always made known my intentions, because Redeemed is bigger than this, and not lots of parishes are here today. So we can create a situation where we can have a regional sports day and those who win these regional events can now come to the middle for a national final. This is what we are hoping to achieve by God’s grace.

You have acknowledged that football is a very popular sport, but there are other sports that should be encouraged?

Yes...we are looking into every avenue.

Unfortunately we don’t have facilities of our own, where we can integrate all these things.

And the places where we have been able to rent, most facilities for these events are not there, there are quite a few people here interested in playing table tennis but the facilities are not available in these venues. But

by God’s grace, we should be able to do all these in the future.

Pastor Richard Odejayi

Is a Sport Academy a possibility in the future for RCCG? Well, you can never say never. I mean if there can be a Redeemed school in the UK, there should be a Sports Academy in the future by God’s grace.

n the football competition.

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RCCG SPORTS DAY RESULTS No Description of Event 1 100 Meters (Men) 100 Meters (Men) 100 Meters (Men)

Name of Winner Daniel Fisher Michael Odiaka Yemi Buko

Position First Second Third

Zone 13 13 1

2 100 Meters (Junior boys) 100 Meters (Junior boys) 100 Meters (Junior boys)

Ireoluwa Akinfisoye Temi Okusipe Wale Okusipe

First Second Third

1 14 14

3 100 Meters (Junior Girls) 100 Meters (Junior Girls) 100 Meters (Junior Girls)

Ibukun Adeyemi Temi Danso Easther Alake

First Second Third

14 14 16

4 100 Meters (Women) 100 Meters (Women) 100 Meters (Women)

Tola Balogun Bim Alawode Adebukola Ajakaye

First Second Third

18 1 7

5 100 Meters (Female Pastors) 100 Meters (Female Pastors) 100 Meters (Female Pastors)

Pastor Denrele Fowora Pastor Ayo Fabiyi Pastor Fadeke Rotimi

First Second Third

6 200 Meters (Junior boys) 200 Meters (Junior boys) 200 Meters (Junior boys)

Ireoluwa Akinfisoye Moses Giwa Ade Osikoya

First Second Third

1 3 18

7 200 Meters (Junior Girls) 200 Meters (Junior Girls) 200 Meters (Junior Girls)

Damilola Atere Oyinda Doherty Easther Siyanbola

First Second Third

13 14 13

8 200 Meters (Men) 1st Event 200 Meters (Men) 1st Event 200 Meters (Men) 1st Event

Lekan Akindele Ife Raphael Marcus Onoja

First Second Third

1 1 14

9 200 Meters (Men) 2ndEvent 200 Meters (Men) 2ndEvent 200 Meters (Men) 2ndEvent

Olajide Alder Richard Isere Stanley Eze

First Second Third

14 19 5

10 200 Meters (Women) 200 Meters (Women) 200 Meters (Women)

Bim Alawode Tiwalade Oladipupo Funke Dipeolu

First Second Third

1 18 7

11 400 Meters (Women) 400 Meters (Women) 400 Meters (Women)

Judith Odidi Funmi Olukolu Love Olopha

First Second Third

1 13 7

12 400 Meters (Men) 400 Meters (Men) 400 Meters (Men)

Muyiwa Owoniyi Serga Kasongo David Momoh

First Second Third

7 15 3

Damilola Atere Timi Peter Easther Siyanbola Gift Siyanbola

First

13

13 4x100 Meters (Junior Girls) 1st Event

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No Description of Event 4x100 Meters (Junior Girls) 1st Event

4x100 Meters (Junior Girls) 1st Event

14 4x100 Meters (Junior Girls) 2nd Event

4x100 Meters (Junior Girls) 2nd Event

4x100 Meters (Junior Girls) 2nd Event

15 4x100 Meters (Men)

4x100 Meters (Men)

4x100 Meters (Men)

16 4x100 Meters (Women) Temilola Aderonmu Elizabeth Ajayi Tola Balogun 4x100 Meters (Women)

4x100 Meters (Women)

17 4x100 Meters (Junior Boys)

4x100 Meters (Junior Boys)

4x100 Meters (Junior Boys)

Name of Winner

Position

Zone

Pamilerin Ikuseru Mayowa Oke Tolami Benson Tayomi Benson

Second

15

Pelumi Oyesile Oyin Peter Eniola Oloyede Precious Erinle

Third

13

Ibukun Adeyemi Temi Danso Oyinda Doherty Nimi Oladapo

First

14

Easther Alake Bolanle Soronke Tolu Adelaja Mayowa Oke

Second

16

Tolu Balogun Easther Oyetunji Boluwatito Tella Ifeoluwa Oyetunji Michael Odiaka Daniel Fisher Segun Fabusoye Gift Anuana Adewunmi Ademikara Olajide Alder Akaninyere Udo Tunde Ajisola Ife Raphael Ajibade Abayomi David Clement Lekan Ajayi Tiwalade Oladipupo

Third

3

First

13

Second

14

Third

1

First

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Funmi Olukolu Evelyn Woghiren Melanie Osuagwu Love Olopha Temitayo Alawoya Easther Oyetunji Winifred Balogun Kemi Adedeji Wale Okusipe Femi Danso Timilehin Okusipe Fola Bishi Eniola Ajuwon Moyo Fabiyi Ben Ezem Semba Bwalya Joshua Olukolu Daniel Oloyede David Oloyede Daniel Atere

Second

13/7

Third

3

First

14

Second

15

Third

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VISION 1000 V

ision 1000 was initiated by the General Overseer, Pastor E.A Adeboye on 12th of July 2010 in his address to Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), United Kingdom workers during the pre-FOL workers rally held at the International Conference Centre, Excel, Docklands, London. Pastor Adeboye charged the leadership of RCCGUK to establish 1000 parishes by October 2010.

Pastor Adeboye in his usual amiable disposition informed RCCGUK workers that the charge is part of the global drive of RCCG in implementing the church planting mandate as similar charges had been given to RCCG Europe and North America.

This was greeted with rapturous applause by RCCGUK workers at the rally as he gave assurances that RCCGUK Executive Council will give adequate support to make the vision a reality. In pursuant of vision 1000, the RCCG UK Executive Council solicited and got approval from Pastor E. A. Adeboye to extend the deadline from October 2010 to December 2010 for the implementation of the mandate.

The RCCGUK Executive Council and the board of Trustees led by Pastor Agu Irukwu mandated the

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RCCGUK Central Office to organise Pastors Induction Courses (PIC), facilitated by seasoned church planters, administrators and zonal pastors within RCCGUK. The objectives of the PIC - Vision 1000 course are: 1. Understanding of RCCG vision as a global missionary player 2. Provide basic training forum for new parish pastors’ on church planting 3. Ensure that the new parish pastors’ are trained on pastoral etiquette 4. Understanding the role of a pastor as a counsellor 5. Understanding of cross – cultural evangelism and ministries 6. Role of prayer in church growth The first Pastors Induction Course for Vision 1000 was held on the 25th of September and 2nd October 2010 at RCCG Central Office in Knebworth.The course was attended by over eighty workers who indicated their commitment to Vision 1000.

The facilitators for the induction course included Pastor Sola Oludoyi, RCCG Director of Prayer, Pastor Bioye Segun, Pastor Femi Popoola, Pastor Tunde Balogun, Rev Yemi Adedeji and the Administrator of the RCCGUK Central Office, Pastor (Mrs)

Modupe Afolabi. The second Pastors Induction Course for vision 1000 is scheduled for the 27th of November and 4th of December 2010.

The 22nd of October 2010 heralded a new era in the history of RCCGUK as there was a general interview for all attendees of the Pastors Induction Course-Vision 1000 based on the recommendation of the RCCGUK Executive Council. The interview was necessitated to ensure that basic criteria as outlined by the RCCG Executive Council are maintained by RCCGUK parishes in sending workers out as parish pastors.

The interview was held at Jesus House with the active involvement of fourteen RCCGUK zonal pastors.

Pastor Kola Bamigbade, a member of the Executive Council noted that this is “well organised and impressive approach for the church (RCCGUK)” as he interacted with the interviewers’ and staff of RCCGUK Central Office during a guided tour of the interview sessions. Disbursement of the church planting grant as approved by the RCCGUK Executive Council will be to successful candidates that attended the interview subsequently.

We are appreciative of the support of all parish pastors’ that have collaborated with RCCGUK Central Office on Vision 1000 and still solicit their support continually to successfully actualise the vision.

A prayer for the volunteers at a recent Vision 1000 course

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RCCG - Habitation of Hope, Bringing Hope to the Hopeless...

By Ayo Adedoyin

T

he Habitation of Hope is the Outreach Project of The Redeemed Christian Church of God that is making a tremendous impact on the lives of street boys in Lagos Nigeria.

It’s mission statement is articulated in it’s very appropriate strapline – Bringing hope to the hopeless....

What may now seem to be a very sleek operation started life almost by accident when a team of evangelists who had been ministering at Kuramo Beach in Lagos had brought a group of street boys back to the Redeemed Camp ground for the annual Convention Programme back in 2004. The boys were so impacted by their short time in the care of the RCCG that they refused to go ‘home’ at the end of the Convention.

In fairness, ‘home’ was nothing to write home about. Kuramo Beach is a long peninsula of sandy wasteland inhabited by stray dogs, and those society characterise as undesirables. In this ‘posh’ part of Kuramo beach, referred to as the ‘European quarter’, the standard of living if it can be referred to as that at all, is even better than other parts. The ‘Local’ or ‘Nigerian Quarter’ is even worse with its swathe of ramshackle shacks made out of a collection of fallen trees, torn

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plastic sheets, soggy wood, rusted corrugated sheets, and cardboard.

Some of the inhabitants don’t even have shacks to sleep in and simply look for ndergrowths or other raised platforms to crawl under for the night.

In this environment, disease and infections are rife and the rate of infant mortality is high, particularly amongst children who have been repeatedly raped and consequently forced into being child-parents.

It was certainly no accident that the Lord of Lords brought the RCCG to Kuramo and when the evangelists brought the street boys to Mummy G.O. with the hope of finding them a home, the Habitation of Hope project was born. The Outreach now regularly rescues street boys from under Costain Bridge, Iddo Terminus, Kuramo Beach and other locations around Lagos that have large numbers of such boys.

This Rehabilitation Centre now houses close to 100 boys who would otherwise probably be on the streets of a large city, stealing, begging, drug-running, car-jacking or possibly even committing murder. The lives of these current intakes and those who have passed through the centre have been transformed beyond belief. They have been cleaned up, detoxed and given a hope and a future.

The boys are now becoming shinning ambassadors for Christ as

they often return to Kuramo beach to engage with others still living their past lives and share the testimony of their life change.

In the specially constructed compound situated fairly close to the RCCG camp ground, a couple of purpose built accommodation blocks have now been constructed and equipped for their use. Each apartment block has a ‘House Father’ who serves as a Parent, mentor, role-model and guide to the boys. They now start their day with a time of devotion and proceed to follow a carefully planned curriculum through each day.

A school complex, Hope Academy has been recently built at the cost of £80,000 for these former street boys and they now receive a standard of education which will be envied even in the developed world. With class sizes of less than 15 students, the Habitation of Hope School is certainly an investment which testifies to the hope that God is building in the children.

Some of the older boys who are of secondary school age are also sponsored by RCCG and Habitation of Hope to attend a private secondary school where they are tutored in preparation for their university entry exams. For all the students, Habitation of Hope provides school uniforms, school bags, books and stationery.

Students are taught ICT skills and other innovations to prepare them for a bright and successful future.

The centre however does more than just academics. For all the boys and particularly for those who are definitely not academically inclined, Habitation of Hope provides a range of vocational activities and skills development opportunities. These include tailoring, shoe making, and brick-making and laying.

The centre is equipped with its own farm where food is grown by the boys for their own consumption with scope for the excess to be sold off to generate income. They organically grow yam, vegetables, plantain, okro, pawpaw, cocoyam and other staple foods. In addition, there is a poultry with over 1500 hens regularly laying eggs, a fishery and also a snail farm.

On the way into the farm, visitors will cross over a specially constructed wooden bridge constructed by the boys with a depth of

skill reminiscent of a project handled by a team of Royal Corp engineers. It would be true to say that ‘Habitation of Hope’ is instilling robust rays of hope in the former street boys who are for the first time discovering their God-given skills, talents and abilities. The Centre has so far been funded by a few dedicated partners from within Nigeria and from around the world. Mummy G.O. herself personally supports the centre with a monthly standing order of a substantial amount of money.

Whilst the centre is doing relatively well in providing hope to those who were previously hopeless, it desperately needs a lot of further support and input to be able to expand these efforts and then reach out to the hundreds and thousands of other young boys who are still roaming the beaches and streets of Lagos and other major cities.

Whilst a Library has been built into the new school complex, its shelves remain largely empty and the school is in dire need of donations of books on various subject areas . The computer lab could do with some more decent (even if fairly used) computers to enhance the Information Technology offering. A new kitchen area needs to be built to cater for the growing demand and even more vocational skills can be taught and deployed if the support becomes available.

Pastor (Mrs) Grace Balogun who is the administrator of the Rehabilitation Centre says: “We want to go further to teach the boys how to repair watches, repair mobile phone handsets, build computers and a host of other things. We want to set up an art gallery and stimulate the creative side which we know exists inside so many of the boys”.

Support can come in the form of donating your time, skills and/or finances. It would be particularly encouraging if ‘Redeemers’ in the Diaspora could yield ourselves to be used by The Lord of Lords to be a part of transforming other people’s lives and bringing hope to our communities and the world.

If you will like to find out more about the work of Habitation of Hope, please visit the stand in the Exhibition area at the Festival of Life or visit the website at: www.habitationofhopeuk.com

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STUDENTS: MAKING THEIR MARKS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Vice President of the Christian Union at Queen Mary University and Worship In our section looking at inspiring students who are an example for their peers we meet a young woman who combines her studies with leading a church gospel choir that is in high demand for singing engagements.

J

uliet Olatoyosi Omotayo was born in Greenwich, London, but is proud to state that she lived in Nigeria for three years when she was younger. The second born of four children, her father is a General Practitioner (GP) and her mother, an accountant and manager.

Juliet is looking for a career in the medical field.

The twenty-year-old, who attends RCCG Devine Sanctuary, Croydon, where she is a member of the praise and worship team, has been studying at the Queen Mary, University of London since 2008. Currently in her final year, she is on target to graduate in 2011. Despite an active church life and leading the choir to a variety of venues to spread the gospel, she is doing very well with her studies. She is also the Vice President of the Christian Union at Queen Mary University.

Considering her love of books, her desire to work in medicine and her undoubted gift for music, Sunrise wonders how she does it all...

How old were you when you realised you could sing?

I was around ten. I’d sing over and over again, recording myself on my Karaoke machine.

How do you feel when you are singing?

I feel that I am in a totally different world - just me and God, no-one else. I no longer feel shy.

God delivered me from that. If you ask me to perform I couldn't but if you ask me to worship I can.

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What does leading the choir entail?

Many different things, it entails bringing different kinds of people together, teaching them the importance of worship, teaching them songs and conducting them. It requires you being a role model, in my academics, in social life and more

so in my walk with God. I believe the choir started with six and has grown now thirty. How did this happen?

When I joined Queen Mary University, there was no choir in the university at all. God laid it in my heart to start one and I spoke to various people, put up advertisements and organised a social event inviting people to come along. I had a vision that the choir should be used as a tool to get people to know about God and get closer to Him through worshipping, so I ran with it. We now have two keyboardists, two guitarists, a drummer, we even have other multi talented

people who could play bass guitar and the keyboard as well as sing.

says 'all things', not ‘some things’. I also love Philippians 4:13 which says, 'I can do all things through He who strengthens me'.

You get asked to sing at various events. Where are these venues?

We get recommendations to other churches such as RCCG Resurrection House, and other occasions such as birthday parties and clubs/societies’ meetings on campus.

Has your faith helped shape your outlook about what is important in life?

Yes, Most definitely. I think as you grow and experience new things you really do see how much more you need God, how real God is and that He's got you sorted out in all areas of life.

How do you manage to combine studying and leading a choir?

It can be very challenging but God has helped me through. You have to follow and organised diary. I also have a wonderful group of friends who helps me out if I need anything. Lorraine, Habib, Agape, Melissa, Sabrina, Caleb, Ade and Timi. There is always something to do. Make time, trust God and put your all into it.

Then watch God do His thing.

What is your long-term goal? An academic career or something

What and where was the biggest singing engagement?

We were asked to compromise our faith and sing other songs in a concert. The audience would have been 2000 people but we turned it down. Therefore, I’d say our biggest engagement has been 150 people.

What do you want to do when you leave University?

A degree in medicine eventually; this is just the beginning for me on my medical journey.

There are three Christian societies at the university, which one have you joined and why?

UNITE - I signed up after seeing Christians having fun. I wanted to continue what I learnt and I did so at my church, Devine Sanctuary on campus. I support the vision of UNITE; we plan events to unite the lost with God, to unite Christians and nonChristians together. The choir has helped us to fulfil the vision of building a community and we truly are united.

Does your family and friends support your choir leadership?

Yes they do, they are very supportive and actually encouraged me to start the choir. They always help me out financially and come to events whenever they can. My mum even came to our event titled 'Saved and Successful’ to talk about her experiences as a Christian in the workplace.

Do they equally support your academic aspirations?

Yes, biological sciences can be tough especially with the high workload (8 modules a year) but they trust me to pass with flying colours. I'm constantly reviewing my modules from the other years and working hard to achieve better. Science can be tough at Queen Mary, but there's always grace and favour when you need it.

What motivates you? What 'saying' gives you comfort?

‘All things work together for those that love God according to his purpose’. Romans 8:28. I love that scripture so much, as it

in music?

When you say that, I think women’s health, gynaecology obstetrics, maternity, but I really don't know which of these medical departments I will be interested in. Maybe soon, I've still got many months of studying to go. I'm currently a backing vocalist for a Christian artist named Jules Rendell who's amazing and I know I will learn so much working with her. So watch this space. I will probably want to do both. I do enjoy singing very much but I also like my books.

How do you deal with stress? How do you relax?

Music, time alone and talking to Holy Spirit.

What are your hobbies?

I love swimming and obviously singing, I would love to get back into tennis. I also like reading, I like the quiet outdoors and I recently just discovered my love for nature.

Which great leader(s) or achievers could you mention that have had a major impact on you and why?

My mum and my family are the first thing that jumps at me in regards to major impact. My mum is ‘Superwoman', honestly, ask anyone who knows her, aside from being beautiful she's a determined and wonderful woman. Her love and support is amazing, no one sticks by me like my family. My big brother is full of wisdom and advice. He always tells me the truth. My younger sister and brother are always there to bug me and show me love. We are very close and have a lot of fun, we do almost everything together.

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YOUTH

A

Bright Future

Sunrise celebrates young people who are doing well and are above average in their achievements.

Meet Joshua Bright, a youth that graduated with first class honours after mainly studying at home.

W

ith a father who is a math teacher, a mother who is a HR Consultant and Politician - formerly Speaker/Civic Mayor of the London Borough of Hackney, who both have a passion for education, it’s no wonder Joshua Bright recently graduated from Queen Mary University of London with a First Class degree in Mathematics with Business Management and Finance at the age of 17. Prior to this, in 2007, he’d received the Best A’ Level mathematics student award, and the high flyer achievement award, from Brooke House Sixth Form college in Hackney, and the same year graduated from the UK Career Academy Foundation The youngster, who richly deserves his surname - to which he lives up to – was also named as one of Britain’s outstanding black graduates in Future Leaders, a new publication launched at House of Lords in September 2010.

The publication showcases 100 best black graduates, highlighting ambitious achievers with profiles that include details of extra-curricular accomplishments as well as academic success.

Recently, young Mr Bright, the eldest of three children, who started university at the young age of 14 and aims to launch his own company ‘Bright Futurez’, completed a 10 week internship in one of the major Investment banks in the world, after an education regime that mainly consisted of home schooling.

Sunrise meets a truly inspiring young man.

How didd youu fiind home tutoring? You muust have ennvieed otther students going to school.

It was quite interesting, as I was able to learn more within a short space of time. The second benefit was the condusive atmosphere under which learning took place. However, I briefly attended a tutorial college in Hendon to sit for my GCSE exams at 10 years old. Later I attended, Brooke House Sixth Form College, in Hackney for my A level’s and matriculated at QMUL when I was 14 years of age.

In retrospect I am convinced the path I have taken is God ordained for my life so I was able to settle down and adapt to the demands of each phase of the journey.

What motivates you??

Words are powerful and my life has been tremendously influenced by Christian hymns and choruses particularly the one I grew up with – “Me I no go suffer, I no go beg for bread"! I have tried to live by this motto and it has made me more determined to succeed in life.

Also, seeing the hard work and effort of everyone surrounding and how they've added to my life inspires me to repay them back in the best way possible. Equally, I am motivated by having future goals about where I want to be in 5, 10 years time. For example, when I went to university I was determined that by the Grace of God I would come out with a First Class which He helped me to attain and rewarded me for all my hard work and effort over the three years.

When faced withh challengess, what do you do?

Pray, seek advice and face the challenges squarely.

Hass yoour faith hellped shappe yoour outlook about what’s impportant in life?

My faith has enabled me to priorities and reassesses the important things in life and gives me a structure by which I follow. I always made sure that even during the period where I had 5 exams in a week I still went to church, and

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still managed to spend time with my family.

Tell us more about your recent results. What kind of study plan did you execute? What tips will you give those students who want to achieve these fantastic results?

For exams revision I have concise notes that I used and which I have kept for future reference for my Masters course, or to refresh my memory. As soon as I get my exam timetable I am either in the library or in my room studying for 3, 4 hour stretches with all my books out as I generally don’t leave a stone unturned. The main tip I would give is just to try avoiding all distractions, as education is becoming more and more important and competitive, and always to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The year can drag on but staying focused especially during the exam period is vital as it says in Ecclesiastics 3:1 – ‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven’.

How do you deal with stress?

Take a break and chill out, as everything we do requires a balance. I used to cause more stress for myself around exam time as the pressure to achieve starts to take its toll, but I also take consolation in the word of God that says ‘He who began a good work in me will see it to the end’ and I thank God for seeing me through.

How do you relax? What are your hobbies?

I love football and support Arsenal Football Club. I went to watch a couple of their games last season and always enjoy going to the Emirates. My mum always jokes how she hopes they never have games during exam periods as I would be too distracted which is probably true! I enjoy watching the latest movies, going shopping, spending time with my friends and family, listening to music and going to events.

Joshua and his family

a superstar! A couple of my friends from far and near came to rejoice with me and attended my graduation party which I really appreciated.

Which great leader((s) couuld you mention as havvinng had a major impact on yoou? Why? Richard Rufus, an ex professional footballer, a friend of the family and a Minister. He has been a mentor to me giving me great advice on different areas of career aspirations. Also my uncle Dr Abayomi Ajayi, a consultant in Canada and his wife has been a great help to me financially and surprised me with a trip to Canada before I started my degree course. My pastor Olalekan Akinleye of the RCCG, The Lord’s Sanctuary Parish has had a great influence on my life spiritually. Finally our Daddy G.O’s life is a great inspiration to me.

A quality embedded in all these people is that they remain humble even though they are very successful and that is something I hope to achieve however far I go in life.

How supportive were your friends and family during your studies?

I am very fortunate to have been blessed with Christian parents who have a passion for education. Their support for me has been very evident throughout my life. They have always been very encouraging and I’m very grateful to God for all their contributions. Also my dad has very high expectations for all his students to achieve so no wonder the majority do exceptionally well in the exams. Our prayer points over the three years in Uni, has been ‘God should crown all my efforts with a First Class Honours’, which He did.

Everyone has been absolutely supportive and it was really evident especially on my graduation the number of people who came to celebrate me, I felt like

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FEATURE

Charity Begins at Home A UK-based charity, managed by Nigerian women, is doing its best to help bright children with low resources fulfil their potential.

Sunrise speaks to Path to Possibilities.

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n July 2010, Godspower Nwachukwu collected his award for the most improved student in Junior Secondary School - a great achievement for a youngster that previously could not attend school regularly due to lack of funds. When he did go he was often hungry, malnourished and in a class of over 150 students. Yet in spite of these conditions, Godspower’s academic abilities shone through – he came top of his class three years running and, in 2009, he became the first recipient of the Path to Possibilities (P2P) scholarship fund.

The scholarship has enabled Godspower to attend an excellent boarding school for his secondary education. It has changed Godspower’s life and aspires to change the lives of many other children living in Nigeria - those who have potential but not enough resources. The registered charity, established in 2008 by ex-Ministry of Justice civil servant Titilola (Lola) Bello, provides financial aid for the education of talented and eligible young people in Nigeria, assisting with fees, accommodation costs (for boarding school) and general

From 2009 to date, P2P has been able to secure the enrolment of three talented but underprivileged children into Caleb International Secondary School in Lagoos.

Godpower Nwachukwu – scholarship recipient in April 2009 e found his first year challenging, partly because of the poor quality education he received in his primary school. However, with extra tuition in mathematics and English, his potential is shining through.

Having failed mathematics in his first term, we can proudly announce that in his final term he scored 71%, which gives him

maintenance.

They rely heavily on individuals for donations, plus bequests and various planned fundraising events across the Nigeria and the UK, as the number of young people they support each year depends on available funds. Lola, who was educated in both England and Nigeria, says, “My long-term goal is to build a world-class secondary school that surpasses the best private school in Nigeria. Unlike the numerous private schools that have flooded the Nigerian market, this school will be free. It would be for the most disadvantaged but talented young people.”

The process of finding recipients is based entirely on merit, so P2P works closely with head teachers to identify potentials, whilst overcoming the barriers of inequality. The candidates are generally found via state primary schools in poor communities, and by way of team scouts who encourage them to sit the P2P assessment examination. They are supported right throughout, and children who

an A grade. Next year, he wants to win the prize for the best in mathematics!

H

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Godspower has been nicknamed ‘the rugged Brazilian’ by his peers, on account that he is the best footballer amongst them!

Elijah Essien - scholarship recipient in September 2010 he twelve year old is simultaneously shy and confident. He lives with his parents. His father has been unemployed since 2000 but sometimes finds odd jobs as a gardener, while his mother works as a cleaner in a primary school. His two other siblings have been sent to live with uncles outside Lagos, because their parents cannot provide food for all of them.

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Godpower Nwachukwu

pass then sit the independent exams of the private schools they are recommended to attend.

Assisting Lola in her vision is Funmi Akanmu, a young woman in her twenties who is a trained pharmacist working for the NHS. From a middleclass Nigerian family, Funmi had the opportunity to receive top-quality education at all levels. “I know that my life as it is now and the career opportunities I have was a result of the education I’d received, so there was no doubt in my mind the significance and relevance of what P2P was working towards,” says Funmi. “I wholeheartedly agreed to become a part of the charity as a trustee.”

The women and a very small team work hard to achieve their objective of improving the lives of disadvantaged youngsters. “Our work is not simply about individual children and their schooling – it is about a wider vision, an accumulated impact on every aspect of their lives and their society as a whole,” stresses Funmi.

The charity also shares best-teaching techniques and materials with state-funded schools in Nigeria. Its aim is to encourage multiple ways of engaging with students. “Our work focuses on sharing teaching skills, materials and best practice with state-funded primary schools in Nigeria, as well as lobbying and campaigning for change in the education system,” Funmi adds.

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa, estimated at 154 million in 2009. Between 2003 and 2008, the percentage for enrolment in schools in Nigeria decreased - for males it dropped by 32% and for females by 29%. This was the beginning of a disturbing drop in the rate of attendance from primary to secondary level. “In October, Nigeria will be celebrating its 50th year of independence and whilst opportunities for education have

Elijah loves mathematics, but isn’t sure if he wants to be an engineer or an accountant.

Elijah came second in our assessment of over twenty-six students and will be

Titilola (Lola) Bello

“Our work is not simply about individual children and their schooling – it is about a wider vision, an accumulated impact on every aspect of their lives and their society as a whole” Funmi Akanmu

increased since independence in 1960, the challenges of covering schooling means that there is still an unequal participation in education – especially at secondary school, which covers ages twelve to seventeen,” states Funmi.

Secondary education places a huge burden on poor parents and families, who not only carry the expense but also lose the income the child might bring in if sent out to work. It’s a conundrum as without access to world-class-standard education, Nigeria’s future generations will be unable to realise their potential. The future of the country is looking immensely bleak. “I know and have come to know even more that there abounds a lot of generous Nigerians out there, whose dream is to see their beloved nation aspire to its due greatness,” says Funmi. “Part of achieving that greatness is to see to it that our future generations are well educated - not just the privileged few but all our young children, rich or poor.”

She adds, “We believe that formal application processes can inadvertently exclude poor students, who may not be comfortable filling in forms or may not have Internet access, and so we are committed to finding alternatives.” In December 2009, Funmi visited the home of Godspower, the first scholarship recipient.

She says, “If there was ever a doubt in my mind as to the effect of or need for P2P's mission, this was swiftly put to rest when I met him and his siblings in their derelict accommodation. It really showed me that the little I do could be what changes the life of another individual – a total stranger.”

If anyone would like to sponsor or help the charity, who are working to recruit volunteers to assist them in achieving these goals, please e-mail info@pathtopossibilities.co.uk, or visit www.pathtopossibilities.co.uk

By Barbara Campbell

starting at Caleb International School this September, where Godspower is looking forward to meeting him and showing him the ropes.

Ballaraba Sidi - scholarship recipient in September 2010 allaraba is fourteen years old and known to her friends as Balla. She came first in every assessment we did and is simply enchanting.

She lives at home with her mother and two sisters. Her father works as a security guard for a household in Lagos. The owner of the house allows the family of five to use one room outside the main house – this is their home.

Balla is Hausa and from the North of Nigeria. It took three visits, an interpreter and a lot of reassurance to convince her father to let Balla go to secondary school, although the mother was very keen.

B

Elijah Essien

Ballaraba Sidi

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KIDS

From Abi’s Desk

Abi

Counting the Cost of your Child’s Freedom Each time I re-acquaint myself with the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, it never ceases to amaze me how both Adam and Eve never thought of what the consequences of disobeying God would be. How did they both appear to be so eager to know why they were forbidden to eat from the forbidden tree?

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dam and Eve got what they wanted - an intimate knowledge of both good and evil - but they got it in a distorted and painful way. We sometimes have the illusion that freedom is doing anything we want. God says that true freedom comes from obedience and knowing what not to do. The restrictions are for our own good (Genesis 3vs5).

I can categorically say that children today are most eager to experience everything the world has for them, be it positive or negative.

With the media at their beck and call, they seem to know what they want and when they should have it, damming all consequences. Today, parents battle with the choice of whether or not to give children some level of freedom. What sort of freedom should we allow our children?

How much is too much? What do we want for them? Do we feel so worried for their safety that we literally cannot bear them walking out of the door without us being physically attached to them? Or do we want to encourage a sense of independence and freedom? It is, for most people, a tough call as we constantly count the cost of our children’s freedom.

A GfK NOP poll commissioned as part of the ‘good childhood inquiry’ found that just under half of the adults questioned (43%) thought that fourteen was the earliest age at which children should be allowed to go out unsupervised. The adults, however, had almost all been left to their own devices when they were aged ten or under. Going down memory lane, I think of times when children could play outdoors, visit friends, walk to the park and ride bicycles until supper time without any adult company or mobile phones. Those were times when parents didn’t have to look over their shoulders for sexual predators, violent rival gangs, kidnappers or just plain, nosy neighbours who think a child of appropriate age, walking around by him/herself, is an indication of child neglect.

Striking a balance can be a tough call for any parent. Ten-year-old kids believe, and dare I say act, like twenty year olds. Rightly so, as the world we live in now has revolved so much so that we provide our

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children with as many gadgets as possible to ensure that they are always at arms length and are where ever we want them to be. Mobile phones ensure that we are in constant contact with our children. It’s a form of control we have on them and a quick emergency exit if a child finds him/herself in an unpleasant situation. This could also be a gateway to either becoming a victim of being burgled or receiving indecent messages or calls if not properly controlled.

Personal computers and laptops - gone are the days of local libraries for homework research. Most schools now have the option of submitting homework online. Search engines can now be used by simply hitting the Google, Ask Jeeves or Wikipedia buttons. The use of e-mail, MSN, Skype, Twitter and Facebook can now be used to communicate with each other effortlessly. Without parental guidance, children run the risk of making themselves vulnerable to personal invasions, cyber bullying and, of course, possible transmission of indecent images. Computer games have always been in existence, aimed to be entertaining and child friendly. Even though these can be a means of keeping them out of trouble, some of the games children areexposed to now are very suggestive of violence such as stealing (Grand Theft Auto), Call of Duty and Halo (solders in battle using automatic weapons such as AK47s, shotguns, hand grenades, samurai swords etc).

There is no doubt that children of the new age need to be informed and knowledgeable of their environment. Neither is there any doubt that children deserve to be as free as they were decades ago.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the freedom we have to offer our children could come at a cost which most parents would not be ready for. Could the value and morals we teach our children be the saving grace from the negative impact of freedom? Without values, all precautionary measures would certainly be in vain. The values a child is accustomed to will determine the decisions they make.

Abi

My Freedom Bible Word Search Free Absolve Liberty Freedom

Smart thoughts!!

“Listen to the desires of your children. Encourage them and then give them the autonomy to make their own decisions wisely”

E V L O S B A Y

E P Q R S T U T

R I B E R A L N

F R E E D O M G

Y W D F T A N I

T D O R E H P E

Choice Sovereignty Release Power R E S A E L E R

E R G O L N B E

B R X C Y B S V

I P O W E R E O

L C H O I C E S

Humour Junction The children of Israel

Say a Prayer Lord, in the morning I start each day, By taking a moment to bow and pray.

I start with thanks, and then give praise For all your kind and loving ways.

Today if sunshine turns to rain, If a dark cloud brings some pain, I won't doubt or hide in fear For you, my God, are always near.

Mr. Goldblatt," announced little Joey, there's something I can't figure out." "What's that Joey?" asked Goldblatt.

"Well according' to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?"

"Right."

"And the Children of Israel beat up the Philistines, right?"

"Er--right."

"And the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?"

"Again you're right."

"And the Children of Israel fought the Egyptians, and the Children of Israel fought the Romans, and' the Children of Israel were always doing' something' important, right?"

"All that is right, too," agreed Goldblatt. "So what's your question?"

"What I want to know is this," demanded Joey. "What were all the grown-ups doing?"

The little boys’ prayer There were these two boys who lived with their Grandma. They were about to go to bed but before they slept they prayed. The older son started to pray. He prayed about the day he had and about everything he had done. The younger son then started to pray, he prayed much louder than his elder brother, he prayed for bikes and toys, and when he finished the older brother asked him "Why are you praying so loud? God is not deaf" and the younger son responded and said, ”True… but Grandma is!"

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KIDS

Adoption: An Option!

As Christians, our faith sustains and supports us during our trials and it also brings blessings into our lives. The circumstances and decisions that bring us to adoption, as parents, may be the hardest we ever face, and while some are quick to assume that God takes from one to give to another, we do not. What we do believe is that our faith and prayers lead us to solutions; lead us to others who have needs that we can fill, and that we can find joy, solace, and love through trust and prayer.

D

oes God believe in adoption? Absolutely! Adoption is the means by which every believer enters into the family of God, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him ‘Abba Father’. For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children and since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering”. Romans 8:14-17 NLT. The gracious act of adoption was part of God’s plan for mankind from the very beginning. It always led to deliverance for His children. Moses in Exodus 2:1-10 was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter and even though it must have been a hard decision for Moses’ Israelite mother to release him, it was still part of God’s overall initiative for Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Another adoption that led to a wonderful deliverance for the children of Israel was that of Esther who the bible records was adopted by her cousin, Mordecai. (Esther 2:15). Jesus, our master, brother and friend, was adopted by Joseph who raised Him as his own. As Christians we can learn a great deal from this man of God who was truly unselfish and willing to rearrange his whole life in obedience to the will of his father. He gladly accepted Jesus, providing Him all the love, encouragement and guidance that a son needs from a father.

God in His infinite wisdom can choose for us to be parents and whether we become parents biologically or through adoption, the fact remains that children are not a right but “a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from Him” The best and most important biblical adoption story however is

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that there is only one way to enter God’s kingdom- we must become God’s adopted children through Jesus Christ. The bible puts it beautifully in Ephesians 1:5-6 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise and glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved” (KJV). God chooses us to be His adopted children, not because He has to but because He wants to. Isn’t that incredible? Such depth of love!

And what a delightful model this presents for those who wish to adopt a child as their own. For Christians struggling with infertility or just wish to enlarge their family, adoption is not second best. It is simply one way God in His infinite wisdom can choose for us to be parents and whether we become parents biologically or through adoption, the fact remains that children are not a right but “a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from Him” (Psalm 127:3 NLT).

For Christians struggling with individual questions about whether it is biblical or not to adopt a child and/or whether or not it’s God’s intention for infertile couples to remain childless; such questions are a matter of individual conscience and adoption must be decided through a process of prayerful decision making which seeks God’s guidance and will.

However one thing is certain, when that decision to adopt is made, God works in and through the process. He will bless the adoptive family with a long-awaited and prayed-for child and give them the opportunity to train that child to claim his or her rightful place as an adult member of God’s Kingdom. Who knows what God’s eternal plan for you and that child is? Do you hear the call?

Answer it by saving a generation of children!

Adoption: An Option! is a revelation God has blessed Kemisola with to encourage those struggling to decide whether or not to foster or adopt and families willing to give another child a wonderful chance.

by Kemisola Akinfisoye

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 2011 For over a decade, the Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye has been of tremendous help in building a closer and stronger fellowship with God. Are you experiencing un-fulfilment in your work with God? Or do you desire a closer fellowship with Him?

The Open Heavens Devotional is just the right book you need to bridge that gap and draw you closer to God. This year’s edition is filled with 365 opportunities to discover and discern God’s powerful presence in your life and family. (Now also available in Teens version).

You can also enjoy free delivery for orders above 200 copies, UK Mainland only.

To get your copy, Call 02081711030, e-mail: sales@rccg.co.uk or visit www.rccguk.org Open Heavens Devotional- Helping you discover the Bible's treasures every day.

Conditions apply: Terms and Conditions : * Products are subject to availability, * UK mainland only * Postage and packaging fees apply, all fees must be paid before delivery , * RCCG Central Office reserves the right to change these terms and conditions.

RCCG Central Office UK, Redemption House Station Road, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6AT, United Kingdom

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FEATURE

A

New Dawn for

Widows

he conference, themed “A New Dawn” taken from Isaiah 60:1 surely caused a tremendous storm in the lives of all who attended. The programme commenced with visitors coming despite the rainfall to celebrate this most eventful ceremony in greater London. In attendance was Pastor Osayande, the Executive Secretary of Widows Rendezvous UK and several pastors from all walks of life. Everyone was ushered in by the well trained Ushering Team of The Rock of Redemption Parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Pastor Esther Noma Igbinehi, the Founder and Coordinator of the Widows Rendezvous welcomed Presentation of certificates to Mr and MrsAdu Guests peaker in attendance at the widows dignitaries, giving them the conference materials and Rendezvous London by the Mayor of Southwark making sure that they were well seated.

The event kicked off with the Opening Prayer by the host Pastor of Rock of Redemption, Pastor Philip King- The date of 7th August 2010 will remain a great Yombo. The Host Choir, Redemption Voices memory in the minds of Londoners who happily transformed the atmosphere with live Praise and thronged to witness the inaugural ceremony of the Worship.

The First speaker, Jacqueline Nwokeji- Ani of 'The Widows Rendezvous in London, UK. Empowered Woman', spoke of the need for women to empower and equip themselves, stating that it will go a Tayo Situ, gave fatherly advice to the widows, encouraging them to long way to preparing them for future challenges like widowhood, biblically fully utilise the various services provided by different agencies, councils, relating it with the Woman with the jar of oil. Chief (Mrs) Yemisi Agunbiade- and the community at large. Also in attendance with the Mayor of Sanusi, a British trained nurse, has educated lots of widows, having Southwark were other councillors; Rt. Rev Emmanuel Oyewole and Althea understood their challenges through her own experience. She tells of how Smith, both of The Borough of Southwark Inspirational singer Evangelist she wears bright colours instead of the black and dark colour clothes that Rosemary from CACGM Truth Centre encouraged the widows by a song most widows wear as a sign of sorrow and mourning. The occasion was 'Because of His Love, we are FREE' that assured them that they would graced by a life impacting playlet from the Drama Group of The Rock Of come out of their sorrows and shine, Genny Jones, an Accountant with Redemption Parish (RCCG), emphasizing the need for happiness amongst Lewisham council and a motivational speaker on Premier radio, also widows and that they should shun the deception of society. The compère encouraged every widow and participant that every challenge should be of the occasion, Evangelist Obasuyi, introduced Pastor Esther Igbinehi who taken as a New Dawn. One of the most memorable sections of the explained the essence and vision of the Widows Rendezvous. She shared conference was the presentation of awards to deserving individuals who her testimony of how she lost her husband but the Lord gave her a vision have been of immense support to the Widows Rendezvous. The Mayor of and prepared her for the experience and also enabled her to take on the Southwark made the presentation. The recipients of the awards were Pastor responsibility of their three daughters alone.

King-Yombo-Pastor of RCCG (Rock of Redemption) London and Mr & Mrs She emphasized the responsibility of the Widows rendezvous to Adekunle Adu, who came all the way from Nigeria for the event. The engage in bi-monthly clinics to cater for the widow's health and welfare. programme ended positively with the presentation of gifts to widows and Special guest of honour Mayor of Southwark, His Worshipful, Councillor those in attendance.

T

Attendies

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Councillors Emmanuel Oyewole and Althea Smith

Prentation of Certificate Pastor Philip KingYombo the Host Pastor

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RELATIONSHIPS

Dealing with conflict

in your home

The Bible says, ‘we should pursue peace with all men, without which, no man shall see’. Andrea Onduku illustrates ways of resolving conflict.

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isagreements are a natural part of life and our homes interests that are incapable of co-existing. This is where many of are not exempt from them. A disagreement is defined us are stuck in our relationships. We cannot get past certain as a “lack of consensus or approval.” As individuals we issues, we either ignore the issue or are in a state of continual all have our own views and opinions which have been shaped and argument, both of which can destroy our relationships from the moulded by our up-bringing, environment, experiences, and God- inside out.

Couples or families in this situation often find themselves given personalities and revelations. Obviously then, it is not possible for us to agree all of the time. If you are experiencing responding to the conflict using what is called ‘Dirty Fighting’. disagreements in your marriage or family relationships, don’t be Dirty fighting is any response to a concern or complaint that is an escalation. In other words, when the issue over concerned, it is possible to agree to disagree in many circumstances without much “It is not appropriate cannot be resolved at the disagreement stage and becomes a conflict, it can escalate consequence or a compromise can be for one party to walk due to both parties not knowing what to do. reached.

The frustration that comes from the However, when disagreements escalate away of their own unresolved conflict comes out in other ways into conflicts, there is more cause for accord saying they towards the object of our frustration both concern. A conflict is defined as “a serious need a ‘time out’ as when the issue comes up and often even incompatibility between two or more discussing a completely unrelated opinions, principles, or interests”. the likelihood is that when topic. Both parties may not even realise Incompatibility is defined as “two things that the other party will where the anger is coming from. are so different in nature as to be incapable Examples of Dirty Fighting are listed of coexisting.” Therefore, in the context of see that as ignoring below; see how many of them you recognise our relationships, conflict occurs when there behaviour” from your relationships. are two opposing opinions, principles, or

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Bullying: Shut your mouth!

Blaming: It’s your fault!

Accusing: You did that on purpose to hurt me!

Criticising: You are always so insulting!

Putting Down: That’s just what I’d expect from your crowd!

Ignoring: Looking away, pretending not to hear Sarcasm: Well, look at the big shot! Aren’t you wonderful!

Threatening: Keep it up and I’m leaving!

Exaggerating: You’re always late!

Lying: I called but the line was busy (when you didn’t call at all) Silent Treatment: Withdrawing or withholding behaviour for a long time.

Most of us would never engage in these types of behaviours when we are thinking clearly. The problem is that anger can make us act in ways that we wouldn’t normally. I often say it is like temporary insanity. This is why the Bible warns that we should not be prone to outbursts of wrath (Gal. 5:20). Imagine the consequences of the above dirty fighting behaviours on the other party, whether it is your spouse, child, sibling or parent. When Dirty Fighting starts, neither person is open to solving the problem at that moment, therefore there is a need for a ‘Time Out’.

This is a mutual agreement to leave the situation for an agreed time period to allow both parties to ‘cool down’ and thereby prevent the conflict from escalating further. It should be noted that a ‘Time Out’ should only occur when both parties agree, it is not appropriate for one party to walk away of their own accord saying they need a ‘time out’ as the likelihood is that the other party will see that as ignoring behaviour. Time out be suggested by one party but the other must agree to it and the time period involved. ‘We will discuss this again after 40 minutes’

The root of all conflict is miscommunication. It may be that either or both parties have misunderstood the position of the other party and their opinions are not as far apart as they believed. is more acceptable than ‘I’ll come back when I’ve calmed down”.

It is recommended that the ‘Time Out’ period is used to do physical activity such as going for a walk or gardening so as to dispel the feelings of anger. It is also suggested that the time be used to think positively rather than mulling over the conflict and what argument that you want to present when you come together again. Instead, you could use the time to pray for the other party and the situation in general-don’t use it as a time to complain to God about them!

Of course, it would be great if conflict in our marriages and families could be resolved before there is need for the Time Out technique. Therefore, how can conflict be resolved before it

escalates to Dirty Fighting? Remember that we said conflict occurs when there are two opposing opinions that are incapable of coexisting. How what is incapable of co-existing be able to co-exist?

The first question to be asked is, are the two opinions really so far apart? I always say that the root of all conflict is miscommunication.

It may be that either or both parties have misunderstood the position of the other party and their opinions are not as far apart as they believed.

This is why it is very necessary to communicate effectively. This involves speaking in a clear way that can be understood by the other party and by listening actively and reflectively, checking that you have understood fully what was said. For this reason, there is a tool called Fair Fight for Change (FFFC). This tool helps you to put into clear words what is bothering you. It also provides built-in time to think before you speak so that you don’t blurt out something that you don’t mean and gives the other person a chance to understand you better. A FFFC is not about fighting against the other person to get your own way, rather it is about fighting together against a problem or issue that may be interfering with your relationship and coming up with a win-win solution.

The technique is outlined below: Invite the other party to have a FFFC (permission should be sought as the other party may not be in the frame of mind for a discussion at that time and this should be respected) Think about your complain State the complaint (one specific behaviour at a time).

Other party repeats what you said (to check that they heard correctly) You show appreciation (for being heard correctly) State what you want the other party to do instead (say “I would prefer that you do it ‘x’ way”-this puts the blame on you rather than them as it is not that they are doing it wrongly just that you prefer it a certain way.”

Other party repeats what you said You show appreciation (for being heard correctly) Other party responds by agreeing to your request or states conditions tied to the agreement Continue the steps until an agreement is reached.

If, however you find that after trying this tool, it seems that you cannot move forward to reach a compromise, I would advise that a mediator be brought into the situation. This could be your Pastor who will be able to help you spiritually by praying with you and giving you Godly counsel. Alongside this, he can help you physically by mediating during discussions between you so that it does not escalate into dirty fighting. Most importantly when dealing with conflict in the home, remember that the Bible says, ‘we should pursue peace with all men, without which, no man shall see’ God (Heb. 12:14). Our most important goal is to make heaven. Let us not miss heaven because of any earthly concerns and disagreements that will one day pass away and be irrelevant.

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old pg 47 october 2010 In the last edition the above areas were unreached by RCCG but to Gods glory, we now have a presence in CREWE named Hope Centre and pastored by Pastor Marcus Chilaka.

In the next edition we are anticipating that through Gods leading we will take more territories in the UK. Please pray along with us.

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mummy go bday last issue page 15

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

HIV/AIDS & the African/Caribbean…Part 1

Folayemi Olaitan - Aids activist

It is not a subject that finds a comfortable place in most people’s conversation, but it needs to be aired. HIV & AIDS is now a part of 20th century living. We can either live with it or die from it. In a series of features SUNRISE magazine will be exploring the topic and looking at what these diseases really represent.

A

ccording to the Health Protection Agency in the UK, the prevalence of diagnosed HIV in black African and black Caribbean communities in England is estimated to be 3.7% and 0.4% respectively, compared to 0.09% among the white population. In 2007 there were 2,691 new HIV diagnoses amongst black Africans, representing 40% of all new diagnoses in the UK. The majority had acquired the infection heterosexually and whilst living in Africa. The number of new diagnoses among black Caribbean’s remained low, 189 in 2007, representing 3% of new diagnoses in 2007. Amongst the

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new diagnoses in 2007, the percentage of late diagnoses, that is, after a point when treatment should have begun, was highest among black Africans (42%) and was also high amongst black Caribbean’s (27%).

In 2007 black Caribbean’s accounted for over a quarter (26%) of heterosexually acquired gonorrhoea diagnosed in a sample of genitourinary medicine clinics in England and Wales.

This figure is alarming as those who have contracted gonorrhoea may also have been at risk of contracting HIV. From these statistics we can see that as a community, we

need to take action to stop the spread of HIV/AIDs. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential therefore we need to reduce or totally remove the stigma and discrimination associated with this virus in order to prolong life rather than cut it shut. We need to be open to medical assistance without fear of recrimination. We need to change our sexual patterns and we need to embrace the education that can save our future. With new developments in modern medicine, someone who has HIV can expect to live a long and healthy life but only if treatment is started soon enough. It is therefore better to get tested quickly. Whether positive or negative, it’s better to know and get treatment started early.

It is very important that those in our community receive and understand this message. Remember the wise words “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Let us not be destroyed by our lack of knowledge of issues such as HIV testing, Antiretroviral Drugs Therapy, Safe sex etc. To control and prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV in black African and black Caribbean communities, the following sexual health messages need to be widely disseminated: • Early diagnosis of STIs and HIV leads to fewer complications and reduced transmission to sexual partners.

• Sexually active young people (25 +) should be screened for Chlamydia annually and when they

change sexual partners.

• Gay Men should have an annual sexual health screen, including an HIV test.

• HIV status can be tested by having a free and confidential HIV test, available at services such as genitourinary medicine clinics. If negative, they should test regularly, especially when they change sexual partners.

• The risks of catching an STI, including HIV, are considerably reduced through: having fewer sexual partners; avoiding overlapping sexual relationships; and using a condom when having sex with a new partner and continuing to do so until both have been screened. The black Africans and black Caribbean communities together represent 1.8% of the UK population, with the majority of both populations (78% of black Africans and 61% of black Caribbean’s) living in London.

In the next issue of Sunrise we aim to give readers a full breakdown of the symptoms and treatment of AIDS and the connection between HIV and AIDS. For further information on HIV/AIDs including Free, Fast and Confidential Testing and Advice please contact THT Direct on 0845 1221 200.

By Folayemi Olaitan Founder and Trustee for Tabitha Acts 936 www.tabitha-acts936.com Helping the African affected/infected by HIV/AIDs

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FASHION

CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE NIGERIA @ 50 IN LONDON’S EXCEL The Christian community in the United Kingdom came together on the 10th of October to commemorate Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary on the 10th of October at London Excel. With attendance in the thousands, the speakers at this memorable event include Gen (Rtd) Yakubu Gowon (former Nigerian Head of State) as well as Pastor E.A. Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Pastor William Kumuyi of the Deeper Life Ministry.

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BOOK REVIEW

It’s the Little Things…..

M

ost people think that marriages fail because of big issues such as adultery but the truth is that many times it’s the niggling little issues over the years that become unbearable.

After almost two decades of ministry and counselling experience Dr Fola-Alade shares some of the lessons he has learnt from engaging with a variety of couples.

In his latest book the author of 21 Ways To Mind Your Own Business; The Secrets of Sex & Seduction, So Who Do You Really Think You Are and Discover Your Hidden Treasure, shares how to identify those issues, connect with your partner afresh and begin to build new patterns that will strengthen your marriage.

In The Little Things…… he explores the skills needed to navigate the seasons of marriage; the little things you can do to create romance in your marriage; how to get your needs met and meet your spouse’s needs, and the boundaries that will safeguard your marriage

The book is written in three parts covering the following themes.

PART ONE: Preparing for a marriage that will last a lifetime PART TWO: Exposing & expelling the bad things that destroy good marriages PART THREE: Building a marriage you enjoy, not endure The happily married father of two originally trained as a medical doctor before going on to study at the London Bible Institute. He now pastors Trinity Chapel, a thriving and dynamic church in the east end of London.

This book is a must read for all married folk & for anyone that sees themselves embarking on the age old institution of marriage at some point in their life.

To order your copy please go to: www.enjoyyourmarriage.com, where you can also take a Marriage Satisfaction Survey that will give you an analysis of the current status of your marriage; or call: 07903 822 987.

Discovering Nigeria This year is the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Nigeria. Many have been privileged to be born there, in full knowledge of their lineage and the country itself, but there are some who do not know about the colourful history of this West African country at the heart of Africa.

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aula B Sofowora was born in England to Nigerian parents, and was inspired to write Discover Nigeria because she wanted her two sons - ten and twelve at the time - to learn more about their cultural heritage and share this knowledge with their friends at school.

Like a lot of self-motivated originators, the in-house lawyer had to create the avenue of knowledge herself. “I couldn’t find suitable materials and was quite upset. It wasn’t really planned, but I felt a strong sense to stop pointing fingers at other people and do something myself, so I just did,” says Paula.

She believes that it is really important to teach all of our children about Africa, as it makes up a large and significant part of our world.

Discover Nigeria provides both young and old with an opportunity to discover the history, language and culture of one of the richest and the most populated country in Africa, and discover what it’s really like.

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Packed with an exciting range of colourful photographs and upto-date information ranging from language, history, geography and sports to cooking, it also highlights famous Nigerians around the world including Seal, Fela Kuti and Sade, mathematician Phillip Emeagwali and Hollywood actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sophie Okonedo.

Although written from the perspective of someone who has lived in Nigeria and the UK, Nigeria is one of the world’s eleven emerging economies and Paula hopes that Discover Nigeria will go some way to dispel some of the misconceptions about the country.

Paula is also the author of two, brightly illustrated picture books about Ijapa, a Nigerian trickster, for children aged five to nine. All three books can be ordered from all major bookshops, or online from Amazon or Amlap Publishing’s website. : www.amlappublishing.com

Investing in Africa: Opportunities for high yield returns.

Recently, Africa has received a lot of attention from the world’s leading investment experts as the latest frontier. The common desire of foreign investors is how to obtain potentially higher yields in frontier markets like Africa compared to lower yields available in developed regions.

These foreign investors are however faced with the challenge of how to manage their funds invested in Africa without the benefits of local insight and ability to execute their trades and orders.

There is also the challenge of getting a local investment manager who can be trusted to make investment decisions and timely executions that will be beneficial to them.

GTB Asset Management Limited is one of the leading houses which can be trusted to provide innovative products, market insight and excellent service needed by investors not resident in Africa. The Company also offers its customers the convenience of making payment for their investments in Africa through the Company’s account in the UK with Guaranty Trust Bank UK (www.gtbankuk.com).

The company is licensed by the Securities Exchange Commission of Nigeria to act as Fund Manager, Financial Adviser/Issuing House and Trustee. The company also provides securities brokerage services to its customers through its wholly owned subsidiary, GTB Securities Limited.

GTB Asset Management Limited has brought together outstanding talents from local and international financial firms using cutting edge technology and a pedigree of integrity, innovation and excellence of its parent bank to

enable it deliver value to its customers.

The Company recognises that its investors’ financial as well as investment needs and objectives are diverse and multi-faceted.

Whatever the objective, whether to acquire, grow, protect or pass on wealth, every investor needs a trustworthy partner to help them achieve the objectives. GTB Asset Management Limited partners with its clients to achieve their

objectives and bring their investment plans to life by providing them with insightful market information, innovative products and excellent service.

So, are you thinking of investing in Nigeria or Africa? Do you seek to enjoy higher yields from investing in emerging markets? Why not contact GTB Asset Management Limited . . . . your investment partner!