Got Life - April New Life Temple Church Newsletter

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Got Life A newsletter about spiritual enrichment for the Body of Christ

A Monthly Newsletter God’s Saving Grace An address from the senior pastor.

Salvation Is My Choice Page 2

What’s Going On The monthly calendar, birthdays and anniversaries, and Daniel’s Fast resource information.

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April ‘10 Church Information NLTC ministry staff, service information and statement of faith.

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Little Chocolate Boy Charles Ademolu’s monthly column Page 5

Page 2

Two times maybe, but the third time you will say, “Oh boy. You are getting on my nerves”.

The Power of Forgiveness, A Command From God: Part 2

By Catherine Powell

The power of forgiveness means the authority The Lord’s Prayer says in Luke 11:4, “and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”. You are asking for God to do the same thing you are committing to do for others. You are asking forgiveness for yourself as you forgive others. If you can’t forgive, you can’t get forgiveness. I don’t think anyone wants to not be forgiven by God or man.

God does not forgive us because we forgive others, but solely because of his great mercy. When we understand his mercy, we will want to be like him.

Having received forgiveness, we will pass April

“and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”.

it on to others. Those who are unwilling to forgive have not become one with Christ who was willing to forgive even those who crucified him (Luke 23:34). In reading Luke 17:4 you can’t get any simpler than that. If someone does you wrong seven times in one day and apologized, just forgive him because if it were you, and you said “I’m sorry, forgive me”, you would want forgiveness. Some of us would probably say one time I’ll grant you forgiveness.

You know the apostles had to ask God to increase their faith in the next verse. Why? Because it takes faith to actually believe that if one person continues to do you wrong, especially in one day, that it’s God and that God is truly at work here, not only on you, but the other person too. People, this is everybody’s training ground, and everyone is being trained daily. If you just let go and know that God got this, you can smile every time instead of frowning and getting mad. I would certainly hate for God to get mad at the things we do and tell us, “Oh my son, or daughter, I’m going to make you pay for that”. This is what we do. Or He might say He’s not going to speak to them, or they had better not ask me for Continue on page 7 1

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IN OTHER WORDS

God’s Saving Grace

I’m so excited! My excitement is for two reasons. First, I love the entrance to spring.

It’s when things seem to come alive and days look a little brighter. And the occasional showers seem to leave the air smelling very fresh.

By Bishop Brenda K. Perry

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John 3:16 (NKJV) reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but Somehow, spring has become synonymous have everlasting life.” What with life. It’s when everything around us seem to pop with energy. And I, for one, love a great love that the Father energy. has for His creation, that He would allow His only begotten Son to Secondly, I’m all bubbly because in a few die for humanity. weeks I will board the same BA flights that I have flown on countless times to a place that always seem to have that springtime air.

Grace, God’s grace expresses the agape love that the human mind cannot While there are things I miss terribly here at comprehend, or conceive the depth of home, there are things that I dream and sing God’s love for us. God’s grace makes our about “way over there”. salvation possible; it is God’s Spirit that Each year spring is a right of passage for me. draws and convicts us of our sins.

Whether it’s returning or leaving for Africa, “Grace” is God’s voluntary and loving or mapping out all of the upcoming events in favor given to those he saves. We can’t Houston, it’s when I come out of hibernation earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. No and “live” for the next eight and a half religious, intellectual, or moral effort can months. gain it because it comes only from God’s The last few years our church calendar also mercy and love. Without God’s grace, no had a Spring Revival listed, a time of person can be saved. To receive it, we spiritual awakening. Even though the must acknowledge that we cannot save calendar does not read Spring Revival, I encourage each of us, to go after a personal our selves, that only God can save us, and spring revival. Let’s ask ourselves, what is that our only way to receive this loving keeping me back from being committed, living favor is by faith in Christ. With an out my purpose, being involved in ministry everlasting love, the Father draws us and outreach, and what can I do to “spring” through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. into action for Christ.

Let’s enjoy this spring, both spiritually and naturally. Take some time to enjoy the city, family and friends. And remember to make time to spend with God and give to His Kingdom.

So get excited! It’s Springtime!

Mel A. Perry, Editor In Chief

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When reading the story from Matthew, and the other books of the gospel, we see how He was bruised and scorned for our transgression. We see the open shame that was upon Him. And all those that followed Him, and were taught

by Him, had forsaken Him in the hour He needed them the most. The question I ask is would you, or I, have forsaken the Savior? Sad to say the answer is yes. Yes because of the weakness of the flesh. We would have been just like those disciples, and even Peter speaking before reality came. But this shows how much He really loves us. Even when we deny Him, or

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even pull away to protect ourselves, His grace still yells for us to come to Him. continue on page 4

Salvation Is My Choice

By Minister Isaac Bazile From the fall of man, the word of God has given us guidance and instruction concerning the plan of salvation. Ultimately, salvation is a choice; we must decide whether to continue to live in sin, or to live according to the plan of God. Do you ever wonder why when you are witnessing to people concerning salvation, they seem like salvation, as it relates to the word of God, is somehow automatic for them and there is no need to choose salvation. They may say something like, “I am a good person. I don’t think I need to do everything the bible says in order to be saved”.

Many of them often believe that baptism, according to the Acts 2:38-40, isn’t really that important. They have not made the decision to accept Jesus as their Savior, because they failed to choose the word of God as their guide. What is the basis for your decision making? What part does the Word of God play in your daily choices? Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice” (that is, everyone who listens and acts on Jesus’ word) “is like a wise man...” (Matthew 7:24) When we decide to a life of salvation, we must at a minimum understand what the word salvation means, and how it will affect our lives. This word “salvation” is used many, many times by people who talk about their souls, and the things of God, and the things of the Bible. And certainly there is nothing more important, because it involves not only our blessing here, but also our blessing in the next world. If you have salvation, it means you are SAFE, here and hereafter. Teaching a course of study involving understanding the importance of Salvation, which I feel might be a blessing to many people who may not understand the details about God's Great Salvation, plan can help those who are unchurched or lost souls to make better choices spiritually and naturally. continue on page 4 April

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Looking Ahead Please mark your calendars for the upcoming events for April and May.

APRIL 2 Good Friday (Office Closed) 2 Children With Purpose Easter Play 4 Easter Service 6 Leadership Prayer 8 Gathering Place 10 Couples In Unity Retreat 17 Church Picnic 22 Gathering Place 24 Leadership Prayer & Leaders’ Meeting Youth Fun Day With Bishop 30 LOL Book Club

MAY 9 Mother’s Day 11 Leadership Prayer 13 Gathering Place 14 - 16 Ladies of the Light Retreat 27 Gathering Place 28 LOL Book Club 29 Leadership Prayer 31 Memorial Holiday - Office Closed

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Birthdays & Anniversaries Monthly birthdays and anniversaries of NLTC members.

If your birthday is not listed, email the church office.

April 07!

Sonny Jones

April 12!

Mariah Tubbs

April 15!

Gladys Simmons

April 18!

Kamyron Thompson

April 19!

Melissa Troncoso

April 30 !

Lauren Clark

Anniversaries John & Lenda Davis April 7 David & Mona Bates April 12

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Spring Events As the winter weather is hopefully coming to an end, the city of Houston will become a haven of festivals and family oriented events. What a great way to get out and see what your city is all about. If you never get out, you will never know what makes Houston the city it is.

*Houston Area City Parks - Open year round. They are great places to enjoy a nice picnics and family fun. Editors picks Herman Park and Discovery Green *2010 PhotoFest, March 12 - April 25 http:www.photofest.org * Dance Salad Festival, April 1 - April 3 For those who love great ballet, this is the event for you. Ballet companies from all over the world will be perform. http:// www.dancesalad.org * WorldFest: Houston International Film Festival, April 9 - April 18 - For those who consider themselves to be movie buffs. http://www.worldfest.org * Houston Children’s Festival, April 10 April 11- Lots of entertainment, games and adventure for the family to enjoy. http:// www.houstonchildrensfestival.com * 39th Annual Houston International Festival, April 17 - April 25 - The biggest and best of Houston display of its multiculture. http://www.ifest.org

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Offense from page 2

Without this perfect Lamb that was slain for us, we as humanity would still be lost in our sins, and the judgment of God’s wrath would still be upon us. Well, I know you are a good person, and you help the little old lady across the street, and give alms to the poor, and feed the hungry. It is not about your righteousness and your works at first, sin cannot stand in the presence of God Almighty, who is Holy and pure. In Isaiah 1:18 we read, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” It takes the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from all filth and shame. John the Baptist clearly said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who take away the sin of the world.” Jesus tells us that He came to fulfill the will of the Father. He did not come just to heal and proclaim the gospel, but to bring a way of escape.

We that believe on the Son of God shall be saved. However, it is more than just saying I believe. I must repent of my sins, and be baptize in His precious name, “Jesus”, for the remission of my sins.

Roman 6:4-7, “Therefore we were buried with Him….” Verse 7 says, “For he who has died has been freed from sin.” There is no more bondage for whom the Son of Man has set free is free indeed.”

Now we have the relationship with the Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Jesus brought us back to the Father, a spiritual relationship that was cut off when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. So when you labor in Jesus’ love, He paid the price. It’s no more I, but Christ who does the work. The grace that saved you has deposited in you gifts, and talents, and your purpose for God’s Kingdom.

Now having the grace of God in your life, you can walk in confidence knowing He has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

May you have a blessed and prosperous Resurrection Sunday. Allow the grace of God to lead you to a lost and fallen sinner. Tell them of God’s saving grace. Doing so will renew and refresh

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your love for the Savior, and remind you where the Lord has brought you from.

Grace, God’s unfailing Love for us.

Forgiveness from page 2

Salvation is not based on some type of written test in life that we all must pass. It’s based on the word of God and spiritual choices we make. Aren’t you glad there isn’t some kind of written test to see whether or not you’re going to heaven, like having to name the twelve tribes of Israel, or name the 12 apostles, or know what the longest word in the Bible is? Although these are important facts to know, it is not a prerequisite to entering the kingdom of heaven. The bible does speak of trials and tests and of he who endures to the end shall be saved.

However, these types of tests are part of God’s plan for salvation.

Salvation might be defined as: SALVATION is a choice, followed by a process (repentance, baptism, filling of the Holy Spirit, faith building through experience), resulting in a perfect state (after this life is over where we will be in eternity). Let me repeat that. Salvation is a choice, followed by a process, and resulting in a perfect state, for the person who has it. The choice (as we have it in JOHN 3) is the New Birth. That is the Choice. Nicodemous was faced with a dilemma or CHOICE. He wanted to follow Christ and to see the kingdom of Heaven, but to be born again, how is that possible? Once he gained the understanding of what Jesus meant by the new birth, then the PROCESS had begun.

That is when Salvation comes to us. Ones choice may propose a change; the change comes in trying to understand the need and purpose of being born again, or how to become born again. We do not need to be re-born physically again, but to be reborn by the Spirit of God. (John 3:4-7).

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Now some people do not see the whole scope of God's Great Salvation.

Some people see only the crisis, when they are born again. That's all. They think only of that time in the past when they were born of the Spirit of God. I was born of the Spirit of God twenty-four years ago. I go back to it. I think of the time of my spiritual beginning with a great thrill.

That is well and good. No one can forget the time when he or she is born again, if he or she knows the time and place.

There are some people, of course, who do not know the specific time when they were born again. For them there was no tremendous upheaval (change) in their particular nature. And yet, they were truly born of the Spirit of God. Many of our great men of God were that way, like G. Campbell Morgan (1863-1945). He said, "The only hope for me was the Bible....I stopped reading books about the Bible and began to read the Bible itself. I saw the light and was back on the path." For seven years thereafter, his reading concerning the things of God was confined to the Word of God itself.

But those who have made the choice spiritually remember that. There are other people who think much about the PROCESS. They speak much about Sanctification. Sanctification is in the Bible. When you think about salvation, and all that God has done to make it possible for us to be saved, the ultimate result of the human expression is "to God be the praise, and to God be the glory."

Salvation is a choice that we must all make. Choose you this day! In part two, we will talk more about the process and the perfect state.

Part 2 in May’s issue Minister Isaac J. Bazile is the Director of Men of the Tower Ministry at New Life Temple Church, as well as a staff writer for Got Life.

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LIL Chocolate

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where we need to be until He's ready to elevate us, or we graduate. It's amazing how He prepares us mentally, emotionally,

Expectancy. Waiting. Anticipation.

spiritually, and even physically for

Success. If you have not heard the

the future elevation He has in store

news, I, Charles Ademolu, will be a

for us. No matter how weird,

future Bear at Baylor University in

extraneous, or unnecessary you

Waco, Texas come this fall. YAY!

think something is, you'd be

The nearer and nearer graduation

surprised how it will come back to

day gets here, the more enthused I

help you out in the future. God

am about going to my future

does not make mistakes. One of

college. Despite the cost of the

the many things that He does do is

school, finding a roommate,

do everything for a specific reason

racking up other expenses that

whether it's to teach us, get our

need to be covered before I leave,

attention, remind us, alert us or

and everything else, God has got

maybe inform us. One of the future

everything in control and the best

Bears of my class updated his

thing I can do is trust Him. To be

Facebook status saying, "If we

honest, I didn't have the faintest

desired heaven like we desired

idea which colleges I would want

graduation we would be such a

to apply to, or go to in the

different generation." You might

beginning of my senior year.

not be in school to relate to that,

Everyone around me seemed like

but what if we desired heaven like

they were on top of their game

we desired that new ranked

from which college they were

position we wanted at work, or

going to, to what they planned on

that new job we wanted, or that

majoring and minoring in, to

perfect/ideal something in life we

applying early to their college/

wanted. That's just a little extra.

colleges of choice. God has our

But overall, God knows what He is

back when we don't know what else

doing. Let Him guide you when

to do, or can't even begin to

making any transition. It's worth

conjure up a plan to do something.

it.

Starting of new can be or get a tad overwhelming. With me, I'm going to be starting a new life at Baylor University meeting new people, learning a different area, taking on greater responsibilities and situations; I am growing up. It's something that I have to accept graduating from high school. High school and college are totally different fields that have to be adjusted to differently. This is almost just as similar as with our walk with God. He has us at one point in life where we have been complacent in being, and we are use to. We are sometimes in places April

Ha! I’m having one of those Lite moments The Side again! The n pace S one where I k n “Bla e” ervic S set down to y t Emp type hoping that some grandiose thought would pop into my mind!

Poof! It is gone!

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know - that the creative juice would flow once the mind starts to see something it can work with.

Our minds are filled with so much information as writers, but we can’t seem to make that information make sense.

We think of every possible first sentence, but nothing comes, until we start putting words in front of our eyes to help our mind process the information that is stored in our mind and on our paper (old fashion journalism).

I wonder if the same can be said about our walk with Christ. Can the same be said about our serving in ministry.

How many Christians have set down and prayed, or maybe shared with another believer, I want to do something for God. But what?

Deep inside they know that there is a desire to serve, but if they just keep talking about wanting to do something, eventual they become like the writer who gets up and walks away empty handed. No story to report.

The truth is most people don’t know what they really want to do until they step out and just start serving.

Eventually, what is inside of them begins to surface.

Just like the writer who starts putting words in front of the eye, but may change the sentence several times before completing the story, so we as Christians may find that our place of service may change as we begin to see more of what God has placed inside of us. But you will never know how your story is supposed to read until you first start to serve.

There are few individuals who wake up and find that they have been blessed with some great unique gift to offer. Most of us learn what is in us by making ourselves available for Kingdom use.

My news writing professor always said never sit and look at a blank screen, write something.

So if you’re just looking at that blank screen or paper expecting for that brilliant thought to pop into your head...type this: GET UP TODAY AND START TO SERVE!

I guess her point was - who really knows what her point was, but we will pretend to

There is nothing like worshiping God with the gifts you didn’t know you had.

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How Do You Do Outreach?

G et Involve d N Re ac h

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Sunday, 30 May @ 10:00am - Outreach Sunday Join your family in reaching out!

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New Life Temple Ministries Words from our ministries

Ladies of the Light

“TAKE THE BIBLE, GOD, P R AY E R , C H U R C H A N D Y O U R F A M I LY S E R I O U S LY ”

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”

Proverbs 12:15 The Bible: Read your bible daily and let God speak to your heart through His word. It will encourage you and give you the guidance you need.

God’s word is holy. Read, study and meditate on the bible. Ask God for understanding and wisdom so you get clear direction for your life.

God: One of the reasons why many young black women do not take God, the bible or the church seriously is because they have never taken the time to really get to know God for themselves.

We all know about God and what he can do.

However, we have never taken time to develop a one on one relationship, a true relationship with God, a personal relationship. This is so important.

Above all things, ask God to help you to be obedient to his word.

The Church: Fellowship with other Christians.

Don’t become part of the church, butlet the Church become apart of you. Yes, it is important to work in the church such as: sing in the choir, work in the children’s church or even the children’s choir. It is important to attend Sunday morning worship service, Wednesday services and even help clean the church. Don’t just go through the motions, let the church become apart of you. See the significance in your life the church will make. The Church is important. It’s a place for fellowship and words of encouragement. When you hang around the church you will meet great people.

Prayer: Pray every day. Talk to God. Share with him your innermost feeling that can not be shared with anyone and let God heal you. Let God give you the peace you need. When you do not understand,

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give him your fears. Tell him your joys and desires.

Ask God to lead you, and to guide you each day.

Whenever the thought comes to your mind to pray, pray. Love God because He loves you.

Family: Never take family for granted. We gain knowledge, training and teachings from our parents, even our grandparents; they will leave a great impression in our lives. God planed it that way. The word says “Train up a child in the way they should go and when he is old he will not depart from it”. (Proverbs 22:6) This is a promise from God, that if we, without letting up encourage our children through the ways of God, he will keep them safe.

Let us be wise and seek the counsel of God. He will never lead you wrong. Remember, the bible, God, the church, prayer and family is very important to the success of our future. May God continue to bless you and your growth in the kingdom!

Sis. Donna Stephens, Co-Director Ladies of the Light Ministry

Couples In Unity Continued from page 1

THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS “ A Command From God”

anything. Or here’s a good one, “Every chance I get I’m going to remind them of what they did”. We are especially good at doing this to our children. We must stop beating them down with their mistakes.

They are not born knowing how to be perfect. If we were, why are we still making mistakes with our old self? Instead do what the word says in verse three of the same chapter, rebuke and forgive him. How

many of us when we make a mistake want to keep hearing about the mistake we made? No one wants something to continually be thrown up in their face, whether we ask for forgiveness or not. So what now? We have to do unto others as we want them to do unto us.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you”. Verse 29-31 lets us know that we can grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live. Paul warns us against unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, clamor, slander and bad attitudes toward others. Are we grieving or pleasing God with our attitudes and actions? Act in love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, just as God acted in love by sending his Son to die for our sins. Lastly, Col. 3:12-15 says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”. Make allowances for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace, and always be thankful.

There is nothing like someone being kind to you after you have sinned, or made a mistake, especially something that you are really sorry for. It feels good when God continue to bless you after you have done wrong and made so many mistakes.

Remember, everything has consequences, good or bad. If you do badly, you reap badly. If you do well, you reap well. But it feels good that if you fall you can get back up, and no one is standing over you with their foot on your neck holding you down.

So let’s be kind to one another, and allow room for weakness or error. Amen!

God bless you.

New Life Temple Marriage Ministry, Couples in Unity Pastor Elmer and Deaconess Cathy Powell, Co-Directors

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The purpose of New Life Temple Church is to instill the faith of Jesus Christ into the lives of all people, bringing them into spiritual perfection with a spirit of excellence.

Weekly Service Schedule

NLTC Ministry Leaders

Bishop Brenda K. Perry, Senior Pastor pastor@newlifetemplechurch.com

Sunday Sunday School! !

Pastor Steve Stephens, Associate Pastor Sunday Worship ! sstep72508@sbcglobal.net

Pastor Elmer Powell, Associate Pastor elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net

Donna Ross-Powell, Administrator

Statement of Faith

!

9:00am

!

10:00am

Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study!

!

7:30pm

Young People On Fire! !

7:30pm

donna.ross@newlifetemplechurch.com

Lela Chambers, Financial Manager office@newlifetemplechurch.com

Thursday Music Ministry! !

!

7:30pm

Mel A. Perry, Global Relations Director global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.com

Saturday!

Roy & Veronica Seivwright, Head Deacons rs5587@att.com

Intercessory Prayer!

!

9:00am

Pastor Elmer & Cathy Powell, Marriage Min. elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net Isaac Bazile, Men of the Tower lawfalcon@aol.com

raymondwright24@yahoo.com

dwbates@msn.com 8

We believe in being born again of waterby immersion in the name of the Lord “Jesus� Christ for the remission of sins, and in Spirit baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.

We believe in presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.

Pastor Raymond & Capricious Wright, Young People On Fire

David Bates, Outreach

We believe that - in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.

We believe in divine healing, communion and foot washing.

Donna Stephens & Mary Colemon, Ladies of the Light dmstep2003@yahoo.com

Towanna Thompson, Perfecting Light Ministry towanna10@sbcglobal.net

We believe this one true God, who revealed Himself as Father in Creation, as Son in redemption, and as Holy Ghost in regeneration.

We believe in the death, burial and resurrection.

! !

We believe in one eternal God; infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, as well as omniscient and omnipresent.

New Life Temple Church 4828 Almeda Genoa Houston, TX 77048

We believe in expressions of praise with lifted hands, hand clapping, playing of musical instruments, voice of praise and dancing.

713.991.5972 www.newlifetemplechurch.com

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