October 2011
In Loving Memory Dr. Zachery Tims, Jr.
Pastor Gerald Mandrell Life Changers Church Life Changers COGIC
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CAN YOU HEAR THE RAIN? 1 Ki 18:40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. v. 41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
Temia Brinson, President Rejoice Magazine
Rain represents God’s universal blessing to the earth and all that dwell therein. It is the rain or snow that brings fresh water upon the earth. All of our crops, livestock, animals, lawns, flowers, and human beings need fresh water to survive. Rain represents God’s ability to bless everybody everywhere at any time.
It doesn’t matter what you need; God is able to bless you. It doesn’t matter who or where you are; God is still able to bless you. The question is: Can you hear the rain? Sure you can hear the rain when it starts; anyone can. But can you hear the rain when there is no cloud in the sky? Can you say I am blessed while you are still living in a shack? Can you say I am blessed even when you don’t have all the answers? Can you hear the rain? Can you believe for your blessing when you cannot see it? Can you wait on God for a blessing when it seems like it’s not going to happen? Elijah did not wait to see clouds before he said it would rain. He already had spoken a word from the Lord. As God’s prophet, Elijah could actually decree a thing; therefore, he began to hear a sound of an abundance of rain. If you can’t hear the rain, the first thing you need to do is: [a] repent & get off the fence [b] call on the name of the Lord, [c] hear & then speak the word of the Lord, [d] kill all of the prophets of Baal (the naysayers), and [e] then worship God for the rain. 1 Kings 18:41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. Again, Elijah did not wait to see clouds before he said it would rain. Elijah could hear the rain because he spoke and believed on a word from God. Elijah said to Ahab you can now stop worrying about the rain; get up, eat and drink. Now I say to you, stop worrying. Get up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain!
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PUBLISHER KINGDOM STRATEGIES GRAPHIC DESIGN PO BOX 153 OAKLAND, FL 34760
EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TEMIA BRINSON SENIOR EDITOR PASTOR EULLAS BRINSON, JR. ASSOCIATE EDITOR NELLIE RICE
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS FELIX BROWN LYDIDA CASON TEMIA BRINSON
GRAPHIC DESIGNER TEMIA BRINSON
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES EULLAS BRINSON III FELIX BROWN TONY WOOTSON
Table of Contents
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Dr. Sheila J. Spencer
5 The Benefits of Exercise
Time of Refreshing Christian Worship Center
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Dr. Zachery Tims, Jr.
13 Fashion & Style
by Lydida Cason Certified Aerobics Instructor and Personal Trainer
11 Book Spotlight Author Gerald Mandrell Life Changers Church of God in Christ, Inc.
15 Chris Crawford Gospel Music Artist
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www.rejoicemagazine.net Rejoice Magazine is published bimonthly by Kingdom Strategies Graphic Design, Inc. POSTMASTER: send address changes to PO Box 153, Oakland, Florida 34760. Opinions in Rejoice Magazine are those of the individual writer and not necessarily those of Rejoice Magazine. Letters, graphics and photos sent to the magazine are subject to editing and become property of the magazine.
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On Our Cover‌ Pages 8-9 Alexis Freeman Stephens Senior Pastor The Faith Center International Orlando, Florida
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by Lydida Cason Certified Aerobics Instructor and Personal Trainer
Lydida (DeDe) Cason (H) 407-299-2566 (C) 407-383-4859 Lydidacason@aol.com
one should exercise about 60 minutes a day. An hour may seem out of range for some
people, but there is hope. I recommend you start with 30 minutes and work your way to 60. Getting started is the most challenging part; however, you can always break up the hour into smaller increments of time, i.e. 10-15 minute mini activities throughout the day. Once you begin, you will notice a significant change in your body. There are several benefits to exercising which include controlling your weight, fighting disease, and improving your mood.
The number one benefit of exercise is weight control. Daily exercise will ensure and maintain weight loss,
and prevent excess weight gain. Most people begin to exercise because they have a desire to lose a specific amount of weight. After the weight loss goal has been achieved, the benefits continue. Daily exercise helps fight diseases. Heart disease, Stroke, Diabetes, and Obesity are all diseases that are rampant in not only the African-American community, but also in the Christian Community. I truly believe God can heal all of these diseases, but I also know some of these things we bring upon ourselves; therefore, we have to be a part of the prevention process. Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, lowers blood pressure, increases HDL’s, (good cholesterol), and lowers LDL’s (bad cholesterol). A stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. In the case of Diabetes (Type II), exercise increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Reducing the fat in your body will lessen the amount of insulin your body has to respond to. We are not born obese; it’s what we constantly put in and do, or fail to do, with our bodies which lead to obesity. Exercising decreases body fat and builds muscle mass. The more muscle you have in your body, the higher your metabolism will be. Metabolism is the body’s ability to burn calories; however, excess calories are stored in the body as fat. A healthy body has a high muscle to fat ratio. The psychological benefits include an improved self-esteem and mood. Exercise produces endorphins. Endorphins are a chemical produced in the nerves, spinal cord and brain, that improve your mood and leave you feeling energized and relaxed after a workout session. You produce more endorphins during prolonged aerobic activities such as swimming, cycling, jogging, running, and briskly walking. Feeling good about yourself on the inside gives you a more positive outlook on life itself. If you lack motivation to begin exercising, take a long look at these benefits and rethink your hesitation. Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. KJV www.rejoicemagazine.net
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YOUR NEW HOME You have a mansion in the sky, a home where love abounds. Your new address is "Heaven," where peace and joy are found. Our tears, that flowed so freely on the day that we lost you, have cleansed our hearts and minds, that we may see with clearer view. You gave to us a legacy -no greater could we find. The LOVE you lavished on us is the "wealth" you left behind. We miss you more each passing hour; we're still your family. We'll share the love you shared with us -this is your legacy -Encouraging each other as we travel on the way; until we meet you "over there" in Heaven's endless day!
DONATIONS can be made to any Bank of America Dr. Zachery Tims, Jr. Children's Trust
In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. And where I go ye know, and the way ye know . . . . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14, verses 2, 3, 4, 6) Written by Connie Faust
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Alexis L. Freeman Stephens ministers prophetically through powerful preaching and revelatory teaching. She has been blessed to travel the United States abroad as well as to Africa to minister the word of God. With commission from God, she has established Alexis Freeman Ministries, Inc. which focuses on outreach as well as spiritual impartation and fellowship. Alexis Freeman Ministries, Inc. is the heart of Pastor Alexis as she shares with women all across the country the message of “hope” and “empowerment.” She is also the Senior Pastor of The Faith Center International, Inc. and is the proud wife of Barry Stephens. 8
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REJOICE: What projects do you currently have underway that you can tell us about? STEPHENS: “Currently, we are involved in several projects that span across spiritual and professional territory. The one that I’m most excited about is the acceleration program that we offer the community. The program is designed to assist with educational and career goals and we’re looking forward to the long term results of it.” REJOICE: You sponsor a conference each year entitled “Women In Worship.” Can you share a little about it and what people can expect? STEPHENS: “Yes! The conference is coming up October 6th – 8th in Cocoa Beach, Florida and we experience a phenomenal time in the Presence of God and awesome fellowship among other women. This is actually a retreat and the itinerary is designed to give the participants an opportunity to receive and refresh. I’m a firm believer that as women we can be like energizer bunnies and keep going until we fall out and the people that we love and serve on a regular basis are affected by our lack. But when we can take the time and allow ourselves to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life, get away from familiarity and daily responsibilities and be poured into, we can continue to give ourselves to the people and areas of our lives most needed. The retreat is filled with Anointed Praise & Worship, Powerful Speakers, Prophetic Impartation and Fun! We encourage every woman to attend regardless of your race, religious background or title. It’s not Church, its Impartation!” REJOICE: Congratz on your recent marriage. Now that you are a “newly-wed”, How do you deal with your own situations as a wife and keeping the ministry going? How do you replenish yourself? STEPHENS: “Thank you! I am so excited to be married to a wonderful man who understands my spiritual assignment as well as my natural responsibilities. My first priority is ALWAYS my home. I’m a firm believer in the order of God as it relates to marriage and it is my desire to maintain that order and not allow my husband to take the back seat to any other priorities in my life. Keeping this balance has worked well for us. My replenishment is done on a weekly basis, my husband and I have committed one day per week as an opportunity to spend quality time together, date and have fun!”
WORSHIP SERVICES
REJOICE: In your messages, how do you connect with both the needs of women and the needs of men? STEPHENS: “Generally, I don’t approach a Word of God from a gender perspective unless I’m requested to Minister to a specific gender. The bible says that there is neither male nor female in the eyes of God and that we are all one. I believe that the same holds true when it comes to Ministering the Word of God. While there are certain issues we can pull from either gender and share accordingly, when it comes to our weekly Worship experiences I trust what I hear from God and deliver it in such a way that it is both understandable and relatable. This approach to Ministry has been effective in reaching both genders.” REJOICE: We've got a jobless rate in double digits, Pastor -- millions unemployed, thousands of families trying to avoid foreclosure. What do you say to them? STEPHENS: “The current conditions of our country are both unfortunate and uncertain. My heart goes out to those who are involuntarily unemployed and to those families that are struggling to make ends meet. This is the time that we must focus on our faith and not facts. While the numbers may be solid and proven, our God is also solid and proven. The Word of God is sure and if we can keep our faith in Him and His Word, He can provide water in the desert and a way in the wilderness.”
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REJOICE: We recently lost a giant in the faith, Pastor Zachery Tims. What would you say to the members of NDCC in this time of grief and re-building? STEPHENS: “You know, there are no words that I can say that can relate to where they are because I’ve never walked in their shoes dealing with the sudden loss of my Pastor. However, I believe that Pastor Tims was a man of great faith and I would encourage them to pull on the faith that he taught them. The bible says that “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” and sometimes our “today” is filled with much pain and sorrow that it clouds our “forever.” I would encourage them to trust that the God of yesterday is the God of today and the God of tomorrow and He will be with them, even in this.”
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Superintendent Mandrell is the founder and Senior Pastor of Life Changers Church of God In Christ, Inc., in Tallahassee, Florida where he is responsible for the spiritual growth and development of this local assembly at large. The church initially started with a membership of twelve individuals and has exponentially grown each year. Pastor Mandrell is a gift to the Body of Christ. He is an anointed teacher of the Word of God. Pastor Mandrell and his insightful, revelatory teachings are in great demand of Pastors and students.
“The Shepherd’s Cry” by Pastor Gerald Mandrell This book can be purchased for $25 from the staff at Life Changers at (850) 656-3940 pastormandrell@gmail.com 1911 Chowkeebin Court Tallahassee, FL 32301 www.lifechangerscogic.com
Enroll Your Child Today! 611 Miccosukee Road Tallahassee, Florida Call us at (850) 692-3154 Judy Mandrell ~ CEO/owner "Stepping into your Greatness"
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Our Mission: Simply to win souls for Christ Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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91st HOLY CONVOCATION 2011 – WESTERN FLORIDA JURISDICTION, COGIC www.rejoicemagazine.net
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Christopher Crawford was born to the union of Kevin & Jacqueline Crawford on April 08, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. Christopher plays several instruments, the keyboard being his favorite. His first expressed interest in the piano began at the early age of three years old. However, Christopher didn't begin playing publicly until the age of nine when he played for his father's church. He was the main musician for the church which allowed him ample experience not only with musical instruments, but vocally as well. About the age of 14, Christopher received formalized training on the piano as well as other instruments. He later received further keyboard training from Mr. Chris Sims. He attended Harlem School of the Arts, in New York City. While attending Jones High School he studied under the direction of the renowned Mrs. Edna Hargrette. Christopher began utilizing his talents professionally with performing in weddings, funerals, banquets, etc. Some celebrity involvement includes Kim Burrell, John P. Kee, Mom and Pop Winans and the late Reverend Timothy Wright. Christopher is currently working on his first CD titled, “Breakthrough: My Psalms to Jesus.�
Contact Information ccchrisjamar@gmail.com jacquie_crawford@att.net
Facebook\christophercrawfordfanpage 407-283-2934 407-914-8772 www.rejoicemagazine.net
In 2010 Christopher won The Gospel Music Workshop Of America (G.M.W.A), Founded by the late great James Cleveland, New Aritist Showcase and will be performing at the The Gospel Music Workshop Of America's 44th Annual National Convention in Tampa, Florida in August 2011. Christopher is a very talented and anointed Man of God whose mission is not just to write and perform gospel music, but to bring souls to Christ.
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