Glory Magazine Summer Edition 2015

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Summer 2015

Kingdom

culture

BRUCE JENNER: CAITLYN JENNER INSIDE

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plus

TRIP LEE OUTCRY TOUR pg8

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KINGDOM MUSIC: D. Scott Featured Artist pg21

FITNESS: BODY MIND & SPIRIT - SHOULDER BLAST

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CONTENTS 8

Trip Lee Concert Tour Dates

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TATTOOS Of God or Not

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D.Scott Kingdom Music

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Puerto Rico Review (Travel)

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 05 The Team 10 EMPIRE TV Series 14 30th Stellar Awards 19 Shop Glory 24 Christianity the

white mans religion?

28 Anointed Purpose 30 Racing for the Prize 33 FItness Page 36 What every person

should know by 17

40 Full Armor of God

FEATURED STORY pg12 BRUCE JENNER

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NICK FELLOWS, FOUNDER & CEO I was born to create. As owner of the Give God Glory Brand, I spend every day of my life creating visual art and using my gifts to honor God. I established the brand in 2007 as a student athlete at Abilene Christian University and started my first venture, GGG Ink, a faith-based tattoo company. Since that time, the brand has expanded into a clothing line, a mobile store, a fitness program, and now a faithbased magazine. God has been extremely faithful to the vision that he gave me.

I see believers worldwide representing the GGG logo and proudly boasting about their faith in God. From the Superbowl Winning Seattle Seahawks, to dozens of NFL athletes, to the Featherweight Boxing Champion of the World, people have taken to the idea that God deserves all the glory. Over a hundred people have the GGG logo tattooed and support of the brand continues to grow as the message spreads.

My goal for Glory Magazine is to spread the Kingdom Culture, a new way of living for those who live in the Kingdom of God. There are so many influences in media that dishonor God, but I wanted to take a stand and be a voice to my generation so that they could rise up and Give God Glory!

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THE TEAM FERRELL FELLOWS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

God told me a long time ago that I was going to be a pathway of success for people, so I dedicate my life to help others find their purpose in God. After completing my BA and MBA at Florida A&M University and working for Procter & Gamble, I chose to pursue my love of writing full-time. It is the one thing I know that I was created to do. I find joy in expressing myself as a songwriter, screenwriter, literary author, and most recently as Editor of Glory Magazine.

In 2012 I co-founded The Young Dreamers Movement, Inc., an educational organization that helps young people define and attain their dreams.

I’ve hosted various Dream Day events exposing kids to exciting careers and helping thousands of students declare a dream. I’ve proudly authored my 1st novel, “Memoirs of a Dreamer”, sharing the recipe of success: struggle, sacrifice, and faith.

My life goal is to write films that will bring a holy reverence back to Hollywood and turn the hearts of this nation back to Christ. I currently attend Covenant Church in Carrollton, TX and am married to the love of my life and mother of the most precious son on earth.

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JOSHUA T. FELLOWS, FASHION COLUMNIST Fashion has always been my voice, my most natural form of expression. My sense of style emerged at an early age, but really started to take form when I was in high school.

Being able to express my inner most thoughts and feelings through the clothes I wore became somewhat liberating to me and I began to receive true joy from it. A few years later I began to pursue a career in fashion by working as a men’s wear style consultant for Nordstrom’s. I learned that true success is living your true purpose. My goal is to share my love of fashion with everyone that I can.

Fashion is more than a daily routine; fashion is my life.

WONSELEH BREWER, HEALTH AND FITNESS COLUMNIST I was born in Monrovia, Liberia but my family and I moved to Dallas, Texas when I was five years old. I grew up playing all sports but fell in love with football. As a child I studied the word of God and was taught that hard work and spiritual faith will help you endure anything. The majority of my development as a man came as a football player during high school, college and as a Defensive Back for the Allen Wranglers. The coaches I’ve had, achievements I’ve accomplished, and the

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love for the game has inspired me to train others to have a healthy mind, body and spirit. Before every session I pray with and for my clients if they allow it.

As GGG Fitness trainer, my goal is to build spiritual strength so that the body of Christ can be strong and mighty, not just physically but in the strength of God.

NATALIE NICOLEE, MUSIC COLUMNIST My love for the arts started at the age of four. I grew up singing and praise dancing at my church. By the time I was in middle school, I led the trumpet section to many victories. Now as a music artist, I enjoy performing with bands like RC and the Grits and collaborating with music artists in various genres.

Whether poetry, dancing, or songwriting I love expressing myself creatively; but music is my first love. Now as a music journalist, I hope to tell stories of the artists that I interview to showcase the myriad of talent that the kingdom of God has to offer!

MINO SINISI, GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATOR I am a Professional Photo Editor and Graphic Designer and it was a pleasure to collaborate on the launch of Glory Magazine.

As a designer for Emme Esse I create sports marketing materials for tons of international superstars and teams. Now I get to share my skills building the Kingdom. I was born and raised in Brindisi, Italy and I currently reside there.

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RAUL E MACHUCA JR., CREATIVE PRO.

they are our future! I spend my life spreading hope to the hopeless, speaking life into the lifeless and Glorifying God in all I say and do.

Growing up in Southern California I developed a passion for design and began developing my career as a graphic artist. I began to use my talents through ministry at my local church in Palmdale, CA and soon after I relocated to Salt Lake City, UT and soon started a family. In 2012 I was called to Ministry at LIFE in Dallas Church, Oak Cliff, as a media director to use my creative talents for the kingdom.

God has a big plan for me in the DFW metro-plex and in 2014 I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Advertising from the Art Institute of Dallas. I constantly keep looking for ways to continue to expand my creative talents and passion for the Lord. I love being able to be a part of something so instrumental in the relationships that we are building for God in our generation.

TARIQ WHITMIRE, AD SALES AND BRAND REP

NIKKI CANDLER, CONTRIBUTOR

FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, STORY IDEAS, OR QUESTIONS CONTACT:

I was born in Riverside, California and moved to Dallas, Texas in 2003.

I grew up in a split household, my mother was a drug addict and my father was an alcoholic.

I beat the odds and grew up with no interest in either one.

Come to find out years later, I didn’t do it alone. All Glory goes to God! Though I may not have known him at the time, he knew me and never let me go. I have a strong passion for the youth because

I am a Dallas Texas native and earned my BA at Prairie View A&M University.

Since 2008, I have been been working as a Special Education Teacher and certified Special Olympics Coach. My life is devoted to helping others and Giving God Glory. As the Brand Rep, I hope to help make positive media content available to youth who desperately need inspiration and motivation and strong role models to emulate.

Glory Magazine info@gggbrand.com 469-804-4919 www.gggbrand.com @givegodglorybrand

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www.gggbrand.com givegodglorybrand

Summer 2015

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TRIP LEE

DEAD MAN WALKING,

JUL 24 OUTCRY TOUR CHICAGO, IL JUL 25 OUTCRY TOUR PITTSBURGH, PA JUL 26 OUTCRY TOUR BRISTOW, VA JUL 27 OUTCRY TOUR GREENSBORO, NC JUL 29 OUTCRY TOUR NEW ORLEANS, LA JUL 30 OUTCRY TOUR NASHVILLE, TN AUG 01 OUTCRY TOUR ALPHARETTA, GA AUG 02 OUTCRY TOUR MIAMI, FL AUG 04 OUTCRY TOUR SAINT LOUIS, MO AUG 05 OUTCRY TOUR TULSA, OK AUG 06 OUTCRY TOUR HOUSTON, TX AUG 07 OUTCRY TOUR SOUTHAVEN, MS AUG 08 BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY MORRISON, CO AUG 29 ENFUGEO VERBENA, AL

TOUR DATES

LAZARUS.

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@swaggman_jr #sweetvictory#triplee. Perfect mix of hip hop and worship. One of my all time favorites

@Jaypee1020 @TripLee and @SAtransMission at youth council in NC @nscyouthsa #yc15 #Awakening15 #turnup #wow #116 #triplee #crazy @Tesparza Had the best night watching two amazing Christian Rap artist preform live #KB #TripLee #Blessed

“Rap Artist Trip Lee Takes A Tour Around the Country Telling Christians its time to Rise Up!”

CONCERT REVIEW:

By Nick Fellows Trip Lee visits One Church in Plano, TX as part of his nation-wide Rise Tour and spits fire to an audience of youthful rebels. Everyone chants and sings in unison. It’s obvious that this is a venue full of fans, not spectators all encapsulated by his powerful rhymes and infectious beats. Everyone’s hands are in the air as Trip Lee spits to the song “Lazarus” and the crowd repeats “Wake Up, Wake Em Up Now!” Trip Lee calls to the crowd to wake up from the state of being dead Christians and Rise Up like Lazarus. He is making his way around the country this summer. Be sure to catch his tour!

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Andre Lyon: CFO of the Empire, who suffers from depression and bi-polar disorder associated with his rough childhood as the son of a drug lord.

Cookie Lyon: Excon and Ex-wife of Lucious, fresh off of a 17-year sentence and ready to claim her share of the Empire.

Lucious Lyon: CEO of Empire driven by power, greed, hatred. Believes music is God.

Hakeem Lyon: Lucious’ prodigy son who is a rising Hip Hop star.

Rhonda: Andre’s manipulating wife

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Vernon: Lucious’ right hand man Camilla: cougar girlfriend of Hakeem

Tionna: Hakeem’s ex, industry vixen

Anika: Lucious’ fiancé and head of A & R

Jamal Lyon: Ultra-talented soul singer struggling with homosexuality and his father’sdisapproval

By Nick Fellows If you weren’t one of the few people with their heads under a rock, then you were probably racing home to watch the highly rated primetime show “Empire” that aired this spring. Millions of Americans tuned in to view Danny Strong’s rendition of a powerful black family who built their fortune from a drug empire turned record label. Though the show boldly highlighted stereotypical issues that many black people go through in their everyday lives, the storyline promoted an underlying theme of power, greed, and overt sexuality. As an African American male, I had mixed feelings about the content the show expressed. Intense scenes of betrayal, drug abuse, murder, and sexual depravity pushed the envelope beyond moral limitations and sometimes made it difficult to watch. I will admit the twisted plot was highly entertaining, but I hoped for the show to somehow shine a positive light on our culture and humanity in general. The little hope that I had was diminished at the conclusion of the season when the lead character Luscious boldly declares, “ I’m going to rise up from the dead like Jesus. I’m your Messiah.”

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Bruce Jenner

PEACE WAR or

By Ferrell Fellows

In a television interview with Diane Sawyer, Bruce Jenner candidly details his lifelong struggle with gender identity, a profoundly awakening concept for masses of the American population who weren’t even aware that these sorts of issues exist. Bruce Jenner is the archetype male: Gold-Medal Olympian, 6’2’’, and father of ten children, popularly known as the most conservative and normal individual in the Kardashian clan.

Still he shockingly reveals that at the age of 65 he is medically transitioning from male to female.

His coming out moment, though confounding for many, was followed by mass support from family, fans, and the media. His decision to identify himself as a woman has been regarded as “brave”, “heroic” and even Jimmy Fallon called it “one small step for man, one giant step for mankind.”

But is Bruce Jenner truly a man at the pinnacle of self-awareness or just a lost soul searching for inner peace?

Before we as onlookers make judgments or begin to liberally instill values of tolerance and gender neutrality in our homes,

we should first seek wisdom from God – who is the giver of all truth.

Bruce explains to Diane, “I’ve always been very confused with my gender identity since I was this big.” He buried his femininity beneath sports championships and three marriages, but there was always a lurking desire to dress and act as a woman. After tussling with the idea an entire lifetime, he concludes that being born with the soul of a woman and the body of a man was God’s special design for him. Telling his children about his transition Bruce says, “God looks down and chuckles a little bit and goes, ‘Hey, let’s give him the soul of a female and let’s see how he deals with that.’”

Over a dozen times throughout the interview, Bruce regards his gender confusion as a battle in his soul.

To understand his struggle from a spiritual perspective, we must understand the essence of our human design. We are created as spirit beings bound within a body of flesh with a soul that gives us the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil – that soul is our mind, will, and

emotions. From the moment of our birth our flesh wars against our spirit for the territory of our soul, so that we will choose to fulfill the desires of our flesh, even though they may be contrary to the will of God. (Ref. Galatians 5:17) That is the fall of mankind established since the days of Adam.

Our soul is privy to all sorts of evil.

These desires are not given to us

by God, but by our adversary the devil in order to keep us apart from God and the perfect peace that he offers. Bruce was born male, that was God’s perfect design (Ref. Genesis 1:27); but since his youth the devil has confused his identity and caused torment so that no matter the accolade he achieve or the luxury around him or the bountiful family he produce - he sees no peace.

It is always the devil’s objective to rob us of the abundant life the Lord promises. (Ref. John 10:10) The battle that Bruce has fought is the same battle we all will fight, though our sins are different. None of us can sit in a seat of judgment.

David poetically explains in the

13 • Psalms “surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in the secret place.” God desires to commune with us and make us whole; in fact he is the only one who can fix our issues - through the grace of Christ. If you accept His son, regardless of your sins, He will accept you. (Ref. John 3:16) It doesn’t matter how long you’ve fought or how difficult the fight has been just don’t stop fighting!

(Ref. Ephesians 6:12) Instead when we come into agreement with our fleshly desires, we give the enemy permission to wreak havoc in our lives. “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (Ref. James 1:15) Bruce Jenner explains that after meeting with a therapist for many years, he decided to stop fighting the feelings. Instead of resisting his urges, he is fully embracing his transgender identity, taking feminine hormones, and undergoing surgery to complete the transition. There is always a point of decision before sin can enter our lives.

Bruce, being a Christian himself, knows that many Christians will disagree with his decision. “I would always sit in church and wonder in God’s eyes how does he see me. I had this feeling and kind of a revelation that maybe this is my cause in life. This is why God put me on this earth, to deal with this issue.” Jenner speaks to the countless suicides and public shaming of members of the transgender community. Perhaps through his coming out, there will be greater sensitivity to others with the same struggle. If we claim to be followers of Christ, then loving God and loving others is our primary command. (Ref. Matthew 22:37) But we must be able to love others and still know the truth.

Though I don’t fully understand Bruce’s choice, it is his choice. We all have to face our maker and give account for the decisions that we

make, there’s not much time to focus on the decisions of others.

This generation will live in an era of a new normal; the structure of society is changing, as are the laws and the beliefs. The conservative Christian view that says to obey God and to follow the bible is unpopular – most Christians don’t even follow what they say they believe. But the common thread that we can’t escape is that we all need God desperately. We all will face issues that will torment us, some publically, some in secret, and though following God is not politically correct, it may be your only solution for true peace.

When all else fails, know that

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God is standing there with open arms waiting to heal you. I don’t believe that gender confusion is a mental illness, but a spiritual illness that is not unique from the issues we all have, though ours may be more common or socially acceptable. I’ve concluded that the only solution to the war for gender identity is the inner healing that the love of Christ brings.

We can accept what therapists and celebrities and media say is normal, or we can battle for our souls through the power that Christ offers us in his blood. For Bruce’s sake, I hope this decision brings him peace. But only God can bring the salvation of his soul.

If we claim to be followers of Christ, then loving God and loving others is our primary command. (Ref. Matthew 22:37)

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THE 30TH ANNUAL STELLAR AWARDS

By Natalie Nicolee

HOSTED BY: TAMELA MANN, DAVID MANN AND RICKY SMILEY

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- Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé recouped their famous trio, Destiny’s Child, opening the show with a beautiful medley of “Say Yes” which wowed the feverish crowd. Their unity and energy truly surprised the audience from the moment the show began.

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-There were also joyous performances by “Artist of the Year” winner Tasha Page Lockhart and “Group/Duo of the Year” winners The Walls Group. Their performances were amazing! The authentic songs of praise shook every listener down to the bone!

They left it all on stage and didn’t think twice about it.

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- Jonathan McReynolds’ work of art was powerful, poetic and relative to all ages across the audience. I appreciate the raw display of his intimate conversation with God. His lyrics felt as if it was exposed straight from his journal. The vision for the set on stage was deeply rooted and personal. This was a touching performance. The best by far!

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- Uncle Reece, Willie Moore Jr., and Canton Jones brought the crowd to its feet with a bold praise in the hiphop segment. The turn up was definitely real all in the name of the Lord! Bravo to the 30th Annual Stellar Awards.

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TATTOOS:

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OF GOD OR NOT

By Nick Fellows

B

eing a Christian who specializes in the art of tattooing, I get asked this question frequently: “If you are a Christian, then how can you give people tattoos?” or “Didn’t God specifically say NO to tattoos in the bible?” The subject has been a touchy one; there has been plenty of debate on this issue for centuries and may continue to be for centuries to come. As for me, I look forward to the day I stand before my father God and get the true answer from the man Himself.

I began loving art as far back as my mind can remember. God

created me with the same desire and ability to create as He has; it is a part of me that hopefully will never go away. I enjoy all forms and mediums of art. From the sunrise and sunset created everyday by the ultimate Creator, where no day is the same as the next, to the freedom of a whimsical abstract painting and the detailed stature of sculpture formed by hand.

Art and creativity is all around us at all times; it is obvious to me that God pleasures in His creation having the ability

“God created all things and all things to work together for good” (1 Timothy 4:4)

and freedom to express ourselves through our creativity and different art forms.

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BUT WHAT ABOUT TATTOOING OUR BODIES? In the Holy Bible, which is the constitution of God’s kingdom, God speaks about the issue of tattooing the body just once.

In the Old Testament book of Leviticus (Lev. 19:28), God says, “You may not put tattoo marking upon yourselves.” God gave this command to the nation Israel as a requirement to set themselves apart from the neighboring peoples who marked their skin with the names or symbols of pagan gods. The Old Testament Law restricted this practice from the Israelites who were God’s chosen people. As a nomadic group that constantly moved in close proximity to pagan nations, it was important for the Israelites to be pure before God. The Lord did not want His people intermixing their customs with pagan rituals because it would ultimately lead them away from Him and the truth.

Some anti-tattoo believers may argue these same reasons can stand in today’s time. Tattooing in some cases could lead people astray from the truth of God; however, in my own opinion and experience, it can also do the exact opposite and bring people closer to God. After all, having scripture on your body is daily reminder of the guidelines to live by. Critics may also pull from the bible to defend their opinions such as 1 Corinthians 3:17 which says, “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.” This scripture can be taken in and

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This was the ultimate issue that He had in the first place when he commanded His people to not partake in this practice; it was not for His glory, but for others. He is a jealous God. (Exodus 20:5)

out of context so it is important for each to seek revelation on whether God is speaking of the destruction of the physical temple where Israelites worshiped, or our body where the spirit of the Lord indwells.

To Give God Glory “GGG” means to openly rejoice and praise Him as Lord; to honor and revel God as King in your life; to worship and take pride in the one and only true God of Heaven. What better way to openly glorify Him and share his goodness with others than to be a personal, walking, ministering billboard for the Kingdom?

I believe it’s what you decorate your body with that God looks at, not the fact that you have a tattoo.

GGG INK, is a tattoo company that is founded because of this very issue of debate. I wanted to change the historical views that tattoos are bad and a force of evil. God created all things and all things to work together for good (1 Timothy 4:4). I believe that even the art of tattooing can bring glory to God in a world of darkness. For those choosing to get tattoos, whether it be a memorial for a loved one, a trendy idea, or as part of a group of friends looking to do something fun, GGG Ink is a place where you can go to get good, clean artwork inside of a love-filled environment of believers who care about you and the tattoo you desire. And if you don’t know the Lord, it is a cool place to get introduced to Him as well.

My vision is to build GGG Ink shops around the world and establish a lighthouse in a very dark industry that leads people directly to the Lord. If Christian tattoo artists can infiltrate the tattoo market with God’s love, we can ultimately bring more people to join the Kingdom.

“When I have my tattoos exposed some people look at me and prejudge me as a bad person. But when they look a little closer and ask what the artwork means, I get the opportunity to share with them about who I really am, what I believe, and who my God is!”

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SHOP

GLORY

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SUMMER IS HERE Summer Collection is Available Now www.gggbrand.com

givegodglorybrand

Summer 2015

“KINGDOM

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M CULTURE” 21 •

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MISSION STATEMENT

We are a magazine that embraces, magnifies and inspires the infinite culture of God’s Kingdom on earth. Our mission is to highlight the amazing things that are happening throughout God’s Kingdom and express the values, morals and lifestyle that reflects the King’s desire for His citizens.

The Kingdom Culture is full of purpose and diversity and we are passionate about giving our King the glory and honor He rightly deserves through our works for Him. Join us on this journey of obedience and righteousness as we “ Seek first His Kingdom”- Matthew 6:33 For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever!! Amen

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KINGDOM MUSIC

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FEATURED ARTIST

D. Scott Growing up in Atlanta, D. Scott was born with an innate talent for playing instruments. A drummer for his father’s church services by age 3, D. Scott’s love for music and worship grew into a passion for singing by age 5. By the fourth grade, he had his first manager and was recording songs and performing anywhere he could. His parents preached the importance of education; still as long as he excelled in school, he was permitted to pursue his music to the fullest. After homework was complete D. Scott would practice his instruments into the wee hours of the morning, mastering the piano, organ, flute, saxophone, bass drums, and the woodwinds, most of what he purchased with his own allowance money.

While other kids his age chose to spend their free time outside at play, D. Scott secluded himself in his basement studio developing his craft and singing to God. In an insulated studio built by his father, who was a contractor by day and full time pastor, he had the freedom of being as loud as he wanted to be as he practiced day and night. “Having two supportive parents has been the foundation of my life and they still support my journey to this very day”, D.

Scott says. Today he still prefers to create in his own space where he is most comfortable. He is a multi-faceted artist, producing his own tracks, mixing his records, engineering his sessions, and designing the graphic art for his visuals himself. He is 100% handson with everything he creates.

A natural perfectionist, D. Scott wants everything to be exactly how he envisions it.

When asked where his inspiration comes from, he replies, “It’s simple.

I want people to see and hear God differently.” Everyone’s relationship with God looks different according to that individual. Darius simply wants to share his relationship and worship to his father with anyone who will listen. When asked what process he uses to create, he explains, “I simply follow the leading of the Holy Spirit when making music or when doing anything else for that matter.”

Music is not just a career or an art form; he describes it as his intimate worship with God. From the depth and gravity of his tone, you can hear his heart speaking one on one with God, presenting what he is feeling and going through at the time in an honest way. “Worship is a tool of sacrifice and therapy laying down fears,

Interview by Natalie Nicolee, Article by Nick Fellows

struggles, feelings, and leaving it all on the alter for God.” D. Scott’s main goal as a musician is to redefine the perception of what the Christian walk looks like, to stand apart from the normal sound of gospel music and to also innovate how the message of Christ is presented. He believes one of his many purposes is to make music that literally changes lives. His album releases “Masterpiece, “Salvus” and most recently “The Tide” featuring producer Luke Witherspoon are available at:

www.soundcloud. com/dscottmusik His raw emotion and vocal talent prove that he is anointed, but his powerful lyrics will move you the way he intends. During a time of testing in my life, I listened to his tracks on repeat and it elevated me to another level. My personal song favorites amongst his released albums are “Fixed” featuring Chelsea Darling, “God” and “The Promise”. D. Scott is gifted and well on his way to changing many lives for the Kingdom of God.

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Y T I I L N A RE

I S ’ T N S I A R M E H

C

E H T

T I WH

This isn’t an article about race. Though racial tension does arise when discussing the history of Christianity and its use to subjugate blacks. Common among debate is the King James revision of the bible, the race of Jesus, and the bible’s seeming endorsement of slavery. Some even call Christianity ‘the white man’s religion,’ considering it nothing more than a system of oppression

created by whites to exploit Africans for free labor. It is true, White American slave masters did impart the teachings of Christ such as ‘love thy neighbor’ and ‘honor thy master’ to their slaves in order to secure passive obedience. These sorts of tools were regularly applied by European conquerors in many regions to take advantage of native people groups and colonize lands. Though Christianity has been at the forefront of many heinous conquests throughout history, Christ should not be unfairly blamed for those who

“If any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as testimony against them.”

(Mark 6:8-10)

l errel

By F

ws Fello

misappropriated his words and did evil in his name. Regardless the side of the debate you stand, here are 5 things you should know as you frame your point of view.

1. JESUS WAS NOT A WHITE MAN HE WAS A JEW. Many blacks automatically reject Christianity because they see Jesus portrayed in Hollywood films and visual images as a white man with blue eyes and blond hair.

Anyone with vague sensitively

LI

?

N GIO

could understand why blacks might reject a god who looks like the European men who enslaved their ancestors. But this is just a common misconception. Jesus was not a white man he was a Jew. He was born in a small town called Bethlehem in Israel and his family fled to Egypt for a period of time before he returned to Nazareth where he was brought up. He likely had brown skin and dark hair common to those of Middle Eastern decent. European artists romanticized paintings of Jesus to portray a man that looks like them, as artists have done in many cultures. But regardless of the portrait you see, Jesus was a man of color.

2. JESUS DID NOT OWN SLAVES, NOR DID HE BELIEVE IN SLAVERY Jesus was a poor carpenter and although he was born in an era when slavery was prominent, he himself did not own slaves. When Jesus began his ministry, he stood in the synagogue and exclaimed to the people, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Unfortunately Jesus did not come to abolish slavery in the earthly form; he came to release all men from the spiritual chains of sin and death that had ruled on earth since the beginning of time. His own ancestors, the Hebrew people, had been enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years, as the book of Exodus accounts. Slavery was not a new concept. Jesus

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also had foreknowledge that Israel would be destroyed roughly 40 years after his death, and all of the Jews would be exiled and enslaved by the commander of the Roman army, Titus. If he had come to abolish slavery, he would have delivered his own people, but he was not sent to the earth to overthrow government. Instead he came to institute a totally new way of life for those who followed him so that they could be free regardless of their earthly position. Jesus knew that the evil in man’s hearts could only be healed through his blood. That’s why he personally extended his

followers to force their beliefs on others. In Mark 6: 8-10, Jesus gave very specific instructions to his disciples. “If any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as testimony against them.” On many accounts in the gospels, Jesus would leave a town and refuse to heal and work miracles if the people had no faith in him. He would seclude himself away from people, never going where he wasn’t welcomed. The practice of enforcing and imposing religion on man was never God’s idea, but man’s. God gave us freewill hoping that we would

hands to be nailed to a cross, so that whether slave or master, we all could know the supernatural freedom that Christ offers.

choose to serve him, but it is and will always be our choice.

have taken advantage of illiterate people groups, converging their pagan rituals into conformity with Christian principles and forcing them to adopt the faith. But this was never Jesus’s way of doing things. In the 33 years that Jesus lived on earth, he never mandated his ideas on anyone. He gave everyone he encountered an opportunity to place their faith in him, or he simply walked away.

Although it’s popular to believe that whites invented Christianity, it is in fact a Middle Eastern religion that started in Israel by Jesus and a small group of disciples. After Christ was crucified, his disciples moved throughout various regions including Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia telling his story and spreading the gospel.

People of all ethnicities were converted and baptized without the influence of white conquerors

4. THE 1ST 3. JESUS DID NOT NATION IN THE WORLD FORCE ANYONE TO ADOPT TO BE HIS CHRISTIANITY DISCIPLE Christianity has been plagued with WAS AN AFRICAN the history of European conquest.

NATION In many instances emperors

Jesus also never taught his

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or the force of colonialism.

Ethiopia, an African nation, actually accounts itself as the first nation in the world to declare Christianity an official religion and have a Christian king.

According to the book of Acts, dated around 70 A.D., the disciple Philip preached the gospel of Christ to an Ethiopian eunuch who had traveled to Israel to worship the Lord. (Ref. Acts 8:35) says “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’”

Judaism had long been established in Ethiopia because of the romance between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, but Christianity began to emerge in Ethiopia from that point forward.

Then in the fourth century, King Ezana the Great, ruler of the Kingdom of Axum, learned of the resurrection of Christ from merchants who were shipwrecked in the region. Soon after his conversion he declared Christianity the state religion of Ethiopia around 330 A.D. Still today, Ethiopia has a rich culture as a Christian Orthodox nation.

5. KING JAMES DIDN’T REWRITE THE BIBLE Many people discredit the bible because they believe a white man wrote it. Not that the author’s race could change the validity of God’s holy inspired word; still, the King James Version of the bible is ripe for debate. King James was a Scottish King who ruled over England and commissioned

an official English translation of the bible in 1661 AD. At the time of King James’ rule in England, there were already many copies of the original Hebrew and Aramaic texts translated into Greek, Latin and other tongues.

The Puritans, a faction within the Church of England, had dispute about the validity of the then translated English version known as the Great Bible and petitioned King James to commission a new translation. After obtaining thousands of signatures to their

petition, King James agreed to adapt the bible, hoping to dispel conflict in his new kingdom.

He himself did not rewrite the bible, but commissioned fifty linguistic scholars to retranslate the earliest known copies of the bible into English, to make an effectual version that his primarily illiterate population could hear and understand.

The scholars translated the bible as a committee so that no personal bias would be included.

They debated the books word for word until there was an agreement on the best English translation of the original authorship. Though

these scholars were highly educated, they were aware that there would be some error. After all, the books of the bible were written over a 2000-year period by 40 different authors from three different continents in three different languages. Their goal was to convey the essence of the authors’ words as best they could.

The scholars wrote an essay as the preface of the King James Version acknowledging their expectation for criticism of their work. Still they put themselves and their reputation at stake to support a more sound literary adaptation, one that the general population of England could understand. It is easy to reject the King James Version because of questions of his sexuality or his race or his political motives; but imagine having to read the word of God in Aramaic, could you?

These topics are presented not to create a racial debate, but to enlighten you on the history of Christianity and the tensions that may exist beneath the surface of those you evangelize. The gospel of Christ is not just for white men or black men or Jews or Gentiles, it’s for everyone who believes on his name. In Acts 10:34, the great disciple Peter states, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

I encourage you to study these topics in depth so that you can dispel the myths and share the truth with others!

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Summer Collection is Available Now www.gggbrand.com givegodglorybrand

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ANOINTED PURPO ANOINTED PURPO ANOINTED PURPO A wise man once told me “The gym looks more like the Kingdom of heaven than the church.” The lack of diversity in the church has always been evident and perplexing for Ronnie Braxton.

Born in Denison, Texas, a small North Texas town, he was raised in a poverty stricken area that was infested with drugs, guns, and corruption. “As I can say for most young black African American men we were taught to put our suit on, on Sunday, but to live any kind of way during the week, if that makes sense? You got people who put their church face on when they go to church and then as soon as they leave the church, you know? Masks come off. My daddy and my momma always raised me, go to church on Sundays, but nobody ever told me

what it is to be a Christian.”

It wasn’t until the age of ten that Ronnie was introduced to who Jesus really was by Chris Litrell; the fire chief of Denison, Texas who was a mentor with the Royal Ambassadors program.

As an All-American line backer in High School, Ronnie was forced to attend Cisco Junior College because he did not meet the academic requirements for his athletic scholarship offers to

Division 1 schools. During his college years, he would experience three situations that would change his life drastically. The first being an altercation outside of a night club where his best friend Deon Butler was

Ronnie Braxton Born in Denison, TX

OSE OSE OSE

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by Wonseleh Brewer

shot and killed while Ronnie was standing inches away from him.

The second being on his recruit visit to the University of Houston, he was asked by his host, Marcus Smith what it was that he would like to do. The answer that he gave was typical of the college athlete and included partying and alcohol, but Marcus replied “I can’t do that for you.” Ronnie asked him why, Marcus replied “I’m saved, and I’m not talking about the kind of saved that we grew up and see our parents go to church and take they suit off on Sundays.”

Of all the schools he could have

attended, he chose University of Houston (UH) because of this encounter with Marcus Smith, a student athlete who was walking in the ways of God and living his life according to the word. The third was when he met his wife Brandy who was at the time a track star at the UH. When they first started dating they went to a Champions for Christ Conference where she helped him get saved. Brandy was the only woman he ever dated at the University of Houston, and went on to marry her. They now have three kids, two boys, and one girl. These three situations really impacted his life spiritually and showed him he had an anointed purpose.

Ronnie is now a athletic trainer that enjoys helping others physically, mentally and spiritually.

Ronnie works with a diverse

range of people of all races, gender, age groups as well as professional athletes. He likes the diversity amongst his clients and he believes this is how the church should be. He feels no man should hate another man but still believes that racism fuels the fire of hate. He vehemently states, “The number one reason people gone bust hell wide open is for racism.” To his clients he is known as “The real truth,” meaning Jesus is Lord of my life. He trains people like life comes ... Hard. He shapes his clients for adversity to overcome life’s obstacles. This mentality and style of training has impacted many lives including NFL athletes from the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Pittsburg Stealers, San Francisco 49ers, and the Dallas Cowboys. He has also helped many high school athletes receive athletic scholarships. “You will want to quit, die, and give up, because that’s what life will make you want to do” said Ronnie. But obviously the athletes that he trains learn to press through and overcome. He would like to thank his wife Brandy Braxton and he gives God all the glory for his success thus far.

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RACING FOR THE PRIZE

By Ferrell Fellows

Being an Olympian means that you are amongst the most talented athletes in the world. Self-discipline is not a nice character trait to enhance a resume; it is a way of life. For KerriAnn Mitchell, she knows all about the discipline it takes to compete on the world stage. From strict diets, to 15-hour workouts, she has beat her body into its prime form, making every sacrifice necessary to

win. At 17, she left her home in Toronto, Canada to move to the United States and train amongst the fastest runners in America. As a NCAA All-American track star and graduate of University of Oklahoma, Kerri-Ann spent her youth competing in the 100-meter and 200-meter sport and building her reputation as a hard worker, and most importantly, a winner.

She says, “for track and

field, it’s not about being the fastest, it’s about consistency and beating your own personal records every time.” But after graduation, Kerri-Ann did the unlikely thing and retired in 2005 at the age of 22. She traded her sport for a career as a programming coordinator at her Alma Mater, OU. Then after a five-year hiatus, her heart began to long for

the track. She weighed the pro’s and con’s of her decision: her age, the time spent off the field, leaving her career and her friends that she had grown to love. “It was now or never,” she says. “I knew that if I waited I would eventually have a family and more responsibilities, and I didn’t want to have any regrets.” In 2010 she quit her job, packed her car

31 • with all her belongings and drove 21 hours back to Toronto. With the odds against her KerriAnn began to train hard with the passion inside her pushing her ahead.

“From 6am to 9pm I trained every day and when it was time to rest, I did nothing but sit with my feet against the wall, that’s how serious it was to me.”

In her first year back, Kerri-Ann lost several of her races and faced a lot of frustration. Her body was out of shape, she was years older than her competitors and she had little faith from her coaches. That’s when she began to cry out to the Lord. She asked God to give her the platform that her heart desired and she told the Lord, “Win or lose, I’m going to be happy.” Her satisfaction no longer came from winning or from pleasing her coaches, but from resting in the faithfulness of God. When she would lose, she would take it in stride and no longer absorb the frustration she had previously felt.

Soon after she began to win and within one year of returning to the sport, Kerri-Ann reclaimed #1 in the 100 meter in Canada. But for a natural champion, that didn’t satisfy Kerri-Ann. “Being #1 in Canada wasn’t enough, I wanted to compete on the world stage. I knew my potential and I needed to seize the moment.” She took her training to the next level and entered the Olympic trials. Winning 3rd, she qualified for the 2012 Olympic games in London, only two short

years after her return to the track. God was faithful!

A CHAMPION RACING TO WIN SOULS When Kerri-Ann arrived to the Olympics, it was the pinnacle moment of her career. It was the opportunity she had worked her entire life to achieve, it was what she had trained for and hoped and prayed to experience. But when she looked around, she realized that it was exactly like every other international race she had ever competed in. There wasn’t the tremendous high or extreme inner fulfillment that she had expected to feel, but instead emptiness. In Kerri Ann’s own words, she said to herself, “this is it?” There at the Olympics God began to speak to her about her life. She had disciplined her body in every way that an athlete could but she had failed to develop spiritually. “If I was married to track I would have been the most faithful wife. I did anything that it required me to do. Whatever it told me to eat, I ate.

Whenever it told me to wake up, I woke up. I made every sacrifice, no excuse, no fuss. But with God I made excuses,” says Kerri-Ann. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 says, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

Kerri-Ann decided that when she returned home, she was going to live her life with both feet on the ground for Christ. Two months after the Olympics, she got baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit and has been on fire for God ever since. She left track and field because it was no longer in her heart.

She wanted to be in the streets ministering to the lost and telling

Summer 2015

them her story. “I’m blessed because most people find God in the valley, I found him on the mountaintop.” Now Kerri-Ann can be found back in Toronto sharing love everywhere that she goes. She prays with the homeless in the local shelter, leads a bible study and attends a small group where she trains spiritually. “When I got saved I realized that it wasn’t about me.

Everyday that you are alive, your purpose is to fulfill His purpose,” she says. “ The same zeal I had in track, I have in serving God. Now I’m running the race that matters.”

100-METER RACE LONDON 2012

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BO

ND

MI

DY

FITNESS

SPIRIT

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SHOULDER BLAST

by Wonseleh Brewer

Single-Arm Cable Lateral Raise This exercise focuses on the front and rear deltoid muscle (shoulder). Stand facing the cable machine, feet shoulder width apart. Grab a D- handle with over-hand grip, palm facing your body. Slowly raise handle out to your side to shoulder height, keeping arm straight. Slowly return handle to start position. Do all reps, switch hands, and repeat.

Reps: 12-15.

Cable Front Raises This exercise focuses on the deltoid muscle. With the cable pulley set on the lowest setting and tricep rope attached, straddle the cable and grab onto the ends of the rope with hands positioned close together. Keeping arms short of straight with your shoulders and traps pressed down. Lift the rope slightly above eye level. Lower slowly to starting position. Reps: 12-15.

Standing V Raises This exercise focuses on the deltoid muscles. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and stand with your feet shoulderwidth apart, arms at your sides, palms in. With arms straight but not locked, raised weights diagonally in front of you so that yours arms form a V shape, until your arms are parallel to the floor. Hold for one second and return to starting position. Reps: 12-15.

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O RICO

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By Ferrell Fellows

Nick and I visited the delightful island of Puerto Rico and discovered one of God’s precious gems. It’s not just the blissful serenity that you’ll feel beachside or the addicting Mofongo and Lobster Tacos which are so indescribably delicious that make this island so rare; it’s the spirit of the people who value life and family above all. On a taxi ride to Old San Juan, we met a warm and eccentric driver named Jesus. Before we arrived to our destination, Jesus had given us a tour of the entire city, two oranges, a lollipop, a pack of cookies, cocoa dip and a spoon.

His generosity was paralleled in the breath of beauty we experienced each day of our trip.

On a mystical afternoon, we hiked the El Yunque Rainforest and observed varieties of indigenous plants that decorated the 28000acre forest. Testing our physicality, we climbed an 80-foot waterfall and stood at the top, just reveling in God’s majesty. If you ever visit the island, the Luminescent Bay is something you must experience.

In order to get there we took a kayak at dusk through a dark lagoon where the Coqui frogs sang the entire way. When we finally arrived at the bay, we stuck our hands in the warm, sparkling water and they actually glowed in the dark! Whether you take the island by boat, bike, or kite board, it is sure to be an adventure you will never forget. But out of all of the things we enjoyed, the most unforgettable moment was meeting Angel, a tour guide at the ESJ Hotel. On a chance encounter

we shared lunch with him and heard his story of growing up on the island and how he’d worked his father’s tourist shop since he was 5 years old. With the Holy Spirit’s urging, we prayed for God’s favor to come upon him and that’s when tears came to his eyes. He told us that he’d recently accepted Christ as his personal savior and how

his entire life had changed for the better since that day. He could not wait to join the GGG mission and spread God’s glory on his island. It was such a treasure to experience God so far away from home! If you are looking for a great getaway rich with history and lots to do, visit Puerto Rico! We are so happy to share our journey with you.

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WHAT EVERY PERSON SHOULD KNOW BY

By Ferrell Fellows Success is not an accident; success is intentional. The mistake that many people make early in life is thinking they have all the time in the world, so they never actually stop to plan for success. A good plan includes defining one’s dreams, setting detailed goals, and understanding the process to achieve them. By age 17, the average person will have to make critical decisions that will affect a large part of their future: what college to attend, what degree to pursue, what city to live in, what job opportunity to take, etc. Decisions must be carefully thought out in order to avoid dead end roads. Unfortunately, most young people lack the maturity, judgment, and self-purpose needed to make these decisions well. They arbitrarily select the most important choices of their life by checking a box, or doing what ‘feels right’ or worse, live aimlessly with no thought of the future at all. As result, the

‘Talented Tenth’ continues to rise to the top, while the majority of the population misses out on the grand life that they should be living.

In a recent interview with now twenty-one year old college athlete Jaylon Scott-Harris, I asked the question, “What do you wish you had known at age 17 that you know now?” He responds frankly, “Back in high school I was a great athlete. I got offered football scholarships to thirteen Division 1 colleges, but I didn’t have the grades to get in. If I had known back then that I would have to miss out on my dream opportunity to play at a D1 university, I would have worked harder in school. I would have gotten my grades right.” Regretfully, many young people lose out on big opportunities because they don’t understand how their actions can impact their future and even prevent them from achieving their

long awaited dreams. Though it was not his top choice, Jaylon opted to attend Trinity Valley Junior College where he continued his football career. Since enrolling, his team has won consecutive conference championships ranking 3rd in the nation, and now Jaylon is able to accept an offer to play at a four-year university. He says, “God rerouted me from a bad situation to a winning situation,” proving his new understanding that even with mistakes and poor decisions God’s plan never fails.

Budgeting and financial management is another area that Jaylon wishes he’d learned about at an earlier age. He explains, “I first opened a bank account when I went off to college, but I didn’t know how to manage money. I saw my friends opening store credit cards and going shopping every week, but they didn’t have jobs to pay the bill. Then they started getting calls from the bill collectors.” Many young people fall into financial traps and ruin the goals of their thirties such as buying a house, getting a business loan, or purchasing a new car because of mistakes made between the ages of 17-25. Tyler Bruns, Financial Manager at Wells Fargo Bank encourages young people to start mastering their finances before they ever go off to college. Wells Fargo has created programs like College Steps that offer online courses on how to manage a checking and savings account, how to build credit without ruining it, and advice on accepting and repaying student loans wisely. This information is completely free and can be found at Handsonbanking.org.

Success is something that most people want, but only a few people prepare themselves to attain. For those who want to maximize their life, here are five things that you need to know by age 17. You may be much older, but the list still applies. If you are younger, get started now!

STOP THINK PLAN SUCCEED

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1

Know what you want out of life. If you don’t know what you want, you are going to have to settle for whatever life gives you. Take an assessment of yourself, your interests, your desires and everything around you and decide what you want out of life. Don’t just be materialistic, but consider everything the world has available to you and know what you must have to be happy. Things like peace of mind and true friendships are not tangible, but can be more valuable than money.

2

Write your life goals and review them regularly. Think about your life, your entire life, and decide what you are going to contribute to the world. Set specific goals in the areas of your finances, education, career, family, and personal life. Don’t just be shortsighted, but think far into the future and write them down. When you have a written vision, you can better navigate the many choices of life and stay motivated when things get tough.

The surest way to fail is to never set goals. Without a target, you are sure to miss it.

3

Understand Your Gifts. Your gifts are your talents, your strengths, the things that you do well with little effort. Your gifts come natural to you because they were embedded in your design, given specifically to you to help you accomplish your dreams. Don’t write off little things about yourself; nothing is trivial, everything about you is important. Once you understand your gifts, you can strengthen them and use them to advance toward success.

4

Know Your Passion. Consider the things you love, the things you want to change about the world, the things that set your heart ablaze - these are the things that should define your life. Your passion is the tool that drives you to achieve your purpose. What would you do if money were no option and you knew by doing it you could make the world a better place? Now when you enroll in college, major in that. As you build your life, build your life around your passion. As a side note, everything that you desire is not necessarily God’s will for your life. You can trust the passions of your heart when they allow you to serve others and to advance the Lord’s kingdom on earth.

Know Who’s for You and Who’s Against You. Pick the right crowd to build your life with and pick wisely. Build relationships with people who are going in the same direction as you. It’s a harsh reality but everyone is not going to make it as far as you or as high as you. The people you keep in close company will undoubtedly influence you and can be the difference between your success and your setback. Having positive friends and wise counselors near can take you leaps ahead. On the contrary, hanging with the wrong crowd or being in the wrong relationship can cost you everything. People don’t have to be an enemy to be against you, they can simply be standing in the way of your success.

5

“Take 10 minutes to read this article or spend 10 years wishing that you did.”

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GGG Brand Magazine

• 40 Boater Hat

Helmet of Salvation

Yves Saint Laurent Suit Breastplate of Righteousness

GUCCI Mens Watch Belt of Truth

Shield of Faith

Sword of the Spirit

Feet of Readiness

Tan Oxfords

FULL ARMOR OF GOD Joshua T. Fellows

For many people, fashion is not just following trends, it is a way of life. When you go out into the world, the way you dress can open doors to the right job or the right opportunity. But how you dress yourself spiritually is equally important to your success in advancing the Kingdom of God. Ephesians 6:14-17 reminds us to “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” As you dress each day, remember to clothe yourself in the word of God and be outfitted with right spiritual gear to win in life.

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GIVE GOD GLORY GGGBRAND.COM

Summer 2015

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DREAMER SPOTLIGHT Alysia “Allie” Johnson is a 19-year-old dreamer who has pursued a professional dance career all of her young life. At 13, she was awarded the title of Texas Young Master in Dance. She is a 2014 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing And Visual Arts and is currently pursuing a BFA in Dance at The Juilliard School in New York City, an honor awarded to only 24 students each year. The Young Dreamers Movement spotlights her as the next young dreamer to watch!

Describe the feeling of working your entire life for something you love, then being accepted into The Juilliard School - Dance Program.

“Humbling. When I got accepted to Juilliard, it meant to those who came before me that I would carry the torch to those in my generation. Being amongst the best talent in the world, I’m expected to continue the story and make it stronger than before.

It is really humbling.”

Have you arrived at success now?

What is success to you?

“I’ve completed some short-term goals, but personally I don’t think I could ever arrive at success. I’m never going to be perfect. That’s why I continue to dance. I don’t think I have arrived anywhere really, I don’t think I ever will. I’m just trying to not stop growing. It’s easy to get caught up in a good performance or booking a good job and thinking that is success, but I just want to continue to grow.”

What separates you from other dancers that haven’t gotten as far in their dance career?

“What separated me at a young age was the extra mile that I always went. On the stage there’s no hiding. Your mistakes won’t be hidden. So if you are not dancing, you can still be practicing. If you already know your steps, then you should learn someone else’s.

Even if it’s not dance related you can still learn the business side of dance or help with marketing shows. I’ve always been willing to go the extra mile and help with the entire process. Some dancers want to be in the studio only. They say they want to be a professional dancer but they just put in the three hours of rehearsal time. I will make flyers, promote shows, stretch at home, eat right. Then when you are on stage it really shows how much you’ve invested into the entire show. I think it’s the

43 • drive that was instilled in me by my teachers growing up that sets me apart.”

How do you stay grounded and balanced as a young woman in NYC?

What is it like living in NYC verses your hometown Dallas, Texas?

“It has a lot of do with the people I surround myself with. We all have our days when we want to be divas, but I try to stay as consistent with my schedule of going to church and keeping friends who lift me up. My friends are always there to bring me back to the level I need to be at. You can go the complete wrong path in New York; you have so many options and choices. It can be fun while you’re doing it, but there are always consequences. I know there’s time to work and time to play and just thinking of that helps keep me grounded.”

“It’s full of surprises! In Dallas I knew what my schedule was going to be, who I was going to see. But take a walk to a grocery store in New York, you never know if you are going to see a rehearsal director or the director of a dance school and you want to make sure you are dressed up and walking with perfect posture.

Since I was very much apart of the Arts District of Dallas it helped me with my move to New York.

I don’t feel overwhelmed when I see a difference in my dance style than others because New York has a home for everyone. I don’t consider myself to be one type of dancer either, I want to fit into them all and be a canvas for whatever choreographers need me to be. Dallas needs to grow more, New York realizes that you need to be pushed and it’s not a place where you will be babied.

Do you get to rub shoulders with the stars?

“I’m right in the center of the performance halls in NY and I frequently see Misty Copeland (the famed ballerina) and I’m still in shock by that. I’m making sure I’m standing up straight and that I’m cool enough to go up and talk to her. One time I saw her and she said, ‘Hey Allie!’ and I was frozen ... I’m like, you know my name? I saw Viola Davis from How to Get Away with Murder and the whole cast of Orange is the New Black.

It’s exciting to see graduates of Juilliard who’ve made it so far because it lets you know that you can make it too.”

SPOTLIGHT

Describe the importance of faith in your life.

“Before I moved to New York I always went to church with my family, it was a given, but going to college I had to make room for it in my new schedule. It was interesting to be given a choice.

There’s so much technology, you can read the bible on your phone or watch a live stream of your home church on the Internet, but I think it helps to be surrounded by other believers. Even if you have a really long Saturday night or a late performance, it’s uplifting to wake up and go to church. It makes me feel right, more fulfilled. I was recently talking to some college friends about faith and how science plays a role in it all and how necessary it is to have faith.

There’s a lot of people who are not anti-religion they are just not religious. I’m surrounded by this a lot in college and being put in a position where I have to defend my faith. I’ve gone to bible study before, but these conversations are good because they teach me about myself and help me develop my faith.”

Why do you consider yourself a Young Dreamer?

“I’m dreaming 24/7, during the

Summer 2015

day, the night, I’m always thinking ahead. I’m definitely a dreamer for sure. I don’t like to just get stuck in the dream I want to put it into action. Whenever we have a thought or piece of choreography we put it into movement.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but you’ve got to start moving if you want to see your vision fulfilled.”

What is your top 3 bits of advice for young dancers and young dreamers? “#1 is Consistency. Even when you are bored or you feel like things are taking too long it’s all about consistency, because it shows in the end result. #2 is Fearlessness.

You can’t be afraid to fail. That’s how you learn, through trial and error. Some people want the perfect thing right away, but sometimes the mistakes you make can turn into a masterpiece. I’ve made mistakes in choreography and the choreographer is like, ‘oh that’s great, lets try that!’ #3 is Willpower. Even when people tell you no. Even when you are having the worst day of your life. If you’ve been practicing consistency then willpower will bring you through.

If you know your dream and what God wants for you, will power will bring you out of the worst situations.”

Are you working on any projects currently, what should we expect from you?

“I’m producing my 1st performance project in Dallas this summer. It’s including all Dallas-based dancers age 9-19 and the choreographers will be aged 18-25. I’m excited to create a hub of young dancers to learn and explore and take their own leadership. It’s my way of giving back to young artists!”

What’s your social media or how can we follow you? @alliespointe for everything.

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