How to Trust God When

How Do You Trust God’s Word When Everything Around You Looks Opposite of What He Promised?

By Author: Staci Bose

This is something that most Christians struggle with. We receive the word concerning our lives and what God is going to do in it. We read the word of God. We see God’s promises come to past for those around us. We have witnessed God’s promises come to past in our own lives. So, the issue is not that we haven’t witnessed God’s work, the issue is often, “Will He really do THIS thing?”, “Is THIS really what God wants me to do?” “I am tired of waiting to see His promises come to past”. We all feel or have felt this way at one point in time. But what we have to remember is that God’s time is not our time. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. There are some things that God promised and if He gave them to us when He promised them, we would destroy them, or they would destroy us. He waits until He knows that we can receive His promise and not destroy ourselves, others, or walk away from Him completely because He gave us what we prayed for. The scripture says, ‘without faith, it is impossible to please God’. What that means to me is God needs us to trust Him at all times in order for Him to be pleased with us. He is saddened when we, His children, do not trust in Him to provide everything we need and then some of what we want. So, as we are in the season of New Year’s resolutions, let’s set a goal to trust God more; to not grow weary in the wait, and to remember that whatever He said shall come to past! Be encouraged. God has not forgotten you!

What You Know About.... Kevin McNair & 1Nation

By Life Coach Lytia Brock

Photo Porvided By Kevin McNair

In life you make many connections, it is a blessing when you make connections with people who are making a difference. To watch the news is very disheartening and can leave us all with feelings of remorse and wanting to do more. I had the opportunity to interview someone who not only wanted to make a difference but MAKES a huge difference in our community daily, Kevin McNair. Mr. McNair has started a mentoring group among young people that helps to change their perspective and encourage a positive self-image. It is truly refreshing to know Mr. McNair and I believe that he will bless many with his gift. Check out his interview below.

Life Coach Lytia: What is the name of your mentoring group? Kevin McNair: My mentoring group is 1Nation Mentoring. LCL: Where are you located? KM: We are located throughout Allegheny County in schools mainly Brashear and Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy. We do Tuesdays in the Hill District. LCL: What are the age groups that you serve? KM: The current age groups are 12-24 year olds. LCL: What need did you see in the community to start a mentoring program. KM: Inside the school I noticed children needed a positive reflection of themselves, some children need additional enrichment. We give the outside component with a holistic approach. LCL: How do you refer to the mentees? KM: We call them Kings and Queens. LCL: Why do you do so? KM: We encourage positive identity to remind them of the greatness they possess. LCL: So, you mentioned QUEENS, that means there is an option for young women? KM: Yes we mentor everyone. We have partnered with female groups in Brashear. The guys are every Tuesday and the girls are every Wednesday. LCL: What do the Kings and Queens learn? KM: We discuss all the topics. We allow them to have open conversations about their behavior and the opposite sex. We provide a judgment free space to give real life scenarios and they express their feelings through their conversation to have positive relationships moving forward. LCL: How can people reach you? KM: You can reach me through email or my website 1nationmentoring@gmail. com , or website 1nationmentoring.org. LCL: Thanks so much for this interview. I look forward to hearing and seeing more from you in 2018 and beyond. KM: Thanks for the opportunity.

Parrish Davenport

Parrish Davenport is the Minister of Music at St. Paul Baptist Church located in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a native to Pittsburgh, and is no stranger to community outreach. His passion for music and fine arts has been evidenced through a variety of projects encompassing ministry and productions in theater and mime, and the composing and directing of music for several diversified groups. His musical journey began at the young age of eight, in the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, where he served as Director of the youth choir. As his experience in music flourished, he began to branch out and explored fine arts through the ministry of mime. In 1998, he formed a community mime ministry for his peers called Anointed Mime Ministry of Pittsburgh. In 2010, his first musical stage play, “The Company You Keep” premiered at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, located in downtown Pittsburgh. The play featured many performers from the local gospel community. Currently, he is the Founder & Executive Director of the Family & Friends Initiative, which is a new community organization whose mission is to transform lives through holistic ministry. This initiative offers an approach through music and fine arts, together with community outreach to advance development of the community workforce. Parrish enjoys serving the community and offering his services to help those in need. Outside of the music department, Parrish is the Co-Owner and Operational Manager of Events by Elaqui,an event planning company located in Pittsburgh. “In any project

I’m involved with, I just want people to see God and not Parrish.” Photo Porvided By Parrish Davenport Share your, “What You Know About...” testimony with CIU by emailing your submission to christitup@yahoo.com

Family & Friends Initiative of Pittsburgh

Family & Friends Initiative is an organization whose mission is to support, encourage, and empower communities, is led by Executive Director Parrish Davenport. Through a variety of outreach and mentoring programming has been designed to foster individual and family growth. In April of 2016 a few members traveled to Flint Michigan to supply 400 cases of water to the residents through their own mission project, “United We Stand.” This past September Family & Friends Initiative participated in the “Heart for Houston” Benefit ,a collaboration with other organizations/ministries to collect items to ship to Houston. Members of Family & Friends Initiative have the opportunity to volunteer to work with Evangelist Beth Ann Crawford Ministries to provide basic essentials to the homeless population here in the City of Pittsburgh with a goal to empower them and help them to improve their living condition.

The Family & Friends Initiative is comprised of a variety of mentoring components. At our core is music & Fine Arts Department has been recognized throughout Western Pennsylvania. A musical single entitled, “I Can Depend” was released during their 2 nd anniversary concert. The single can be purchased online at Amazon.com, and CDbaby. In 2018 the music department plan is to release a full project featuring music written from members of the choir. Enrichment Workshops have been offered to the community under the, Designing My Future Program. Under this umbrella quarterly community workshops will be hosted to provide resources from finances, career building, and ministry. In the past Family & Friends Initiative had the privilege to host a Community Workshop with Penn State Greater Allegheny entitled, “State of Employment”. Participants were able to build their resumes and engage in an Open Panel Discussion regarding the State of Employment here in Pittsburgh. Holistic Ministry is a very important mission in this organization. Our goal for 2018 is not only to capture the needs of members but to continue to build sustaining relationships with the community and provide resources from employment referrals, ministry counseling, and training to create an atmosphere of a positive transformation. For More Information or to book the Family & Friends Choir for your next event contact info@ffipgh.org or (412)313-4022.