Transformation Newark Magazine March 2015

March 2015

WOMEN IN MINISTRY

JUST BE! Eating Organic BE ENCOURAGED

Rev. Dr. Gloria Harris

The African American Heritage Parades Organization, Inc.

. . . t i r i p S e h T n I ve Proudly Presents

i s o l E x p ual Co n c e r t Spi rit

W Reg e w i l l Jo i n i n t h e enera y t i n tion of Our Commu

2015

Willing Hearts Community Care Center 555 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Newark, NJ 07112

$20.00

Donation Per Person

Featuring Levitical Friends

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 • 3:00—7:00 PM

Choirs! Recording Artists! Praise Dancing!

Coordinated By AAHPO Musical Directors:

Minister Steve • Kasoundra E. “Soni” Clemons To purchase tickets please call Robin Johnson @ 862-944-4006 On Site Free Parking

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In This Issue

FEATURE ARTICLES Rev. Dr. Gloria Harris

Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n N e w a r k magazine is a monthly publication focused on changing the city of newark through the Nehemiah model of rebuilding a city. And through providing practical information and tips to transform lives.

CONTRIBUTORS Curtis Mincey PUBLISHER Rick Greene

Rev. Lita Theodos Just Be Rev. Dr. Maria Westbrook Apostle Gennie Holte

In cooperation with Dominion Ministries & The Urban Convocation Strategic Operations Council’s Media & Technology Department

Be Encouraged What Can I Do?

Dominion Fellowship Ministries 83 James Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 973-273-9200

TRANSFORMATIONNEWARK MAGAZINE

TRANSFORMING YOUR: Life -

Simple Custom closet

Business-Achieving Your

In Every Issue

Business Goals

Health- Go To Bed To Get Ahead

Relationships- Making Decisions Together

Health- Eating Organic Ministry-Learning

Leadership From Jesus

MINISTRY OF THE MONTH

A METRO CHRISTIAN MEDIA PUBLICATION 53 Burnet St. Newark, NJ 07102 MetroChristianMedia.com ADVERTISERS & CONTRIBUTORS WANTED EMAIL OR CALL FOR DETAILS Pub@MetroChristianMedia.com 862-888-8238

Life Transformation How to achieve a Simple Affordable Custom Closet High-end closets with custom built-in storage are an attractive and stylish solution to many people’s organization woes. While those custom built-ins might create the closet of your dreams, for many, the price tag is a budget-buster.

To achieve a similar built-in look that won’t break the bank, head to IKEA. Their Billy bookshelves are good for more than just storing your books — they’re a great way to customize your closet storage.

A regular Billy Bookcase is 80 inches high and costs about $80. Adding a $30 bookcase extension will give you ceiling-height shelves for a standard 8-foot ceiling.

These shelves come in birch, medium brown, black-brown and white, so regardless of whether you’re craving a rich, mahogany style dressing room or a light and bright closet, there’s an option for you. They’re perfect for using all the vertical space in small closets to maximize storage.

How to achieve the look Put together the outside frame of the shelves and secure them to the wall. Then, you’re ready to customize.

That is the best part about these shelves. You can get custom storage perfect for your needs by adjusting the shelf placement.

For example, leave a bottom shelf taller than the others to accommodate your boots. Choose smaller shelves for perfectly sized storage for other shoes, folded clothing or handbags.

You can secure a normal closet rod with a shelf above right beside the shelves to achieve that built-in look, elevating your average closet to an appealing and wellorganized space.

Business Transformation Achieving business goals and objectives is hard. Learn how setting specific goals can improve your success rate.

profits this year." You just have to be incredibly specific in how you're going to accomplish it.

The idea is to make sure the outcome is visualized properly. If your goal is to double revenue, then give an exact plan—with short-term milestones— detailing how you'll do it along the way.

Time is another way to add specificity to your goal.

Making milestones that have specific end dates gives structure and keeps things running smoothly.

Though creating achievable goals for growth is hard, it's important for every small-business owner. Even if you don't quite hit your mark, you'll still have improved, which is the point of setting goals in the first place. If your goal is to grow, you're going to need a plan for methodical innovation.

Create a Snowball

Think of Long- and ShortTerm Goals When you begin to formulate your goals for growth, try thinking of them in two distinct ways: short-term goals and long-term goals. The long-term goals are your end vision, and your short-term goals are more like milestones. Breaking the overall goal apart into smaller chunks allows us to shift focus from a daunting task to a much more manageable outcome. These short-term goals should be specific, manageable and attainable in order to keep the momentum going.

Goals are really achieved in the every day minutiae.

It's the little things done well over time that make for big, sweeping changes and gains. Creating shortterm milestones ensures you meet all the steps needed to make the long-term goal happen.

Don't Be Vague When it comes to personal goals, most of us make goals that we’ll never achieve, and a major reason is because our goals aren’t specific enough.

The same is true with your business goals. Want to make sure innovation is stifled at your company?

Create a vague goal for growth. There's nothing wrong with saying, "We're going to double our

When you're trying to create a plan for growing your business, it can be hard to know where to begin. Try picking some easy, low-hanging fruit. These are items that you already know need to be addressed and can be done quickly. This might be the wording on a sales page, doing some A/B testing or maybe doing customer interviews. Just pick a few things off the top of your head that are limiting growth in some way and hammer them out quickly.

When you tackle small, easy items first, it creates momentum. This momentum builds as more items are checked off the list, and the growth builds on itself. Success is contagious, especially when you start to see the results.

Get Everyone on the Same Page Business goals are different from personal goals because most of the time our business goals rely on other people. Our staff, our business partners, our vendors, the board of directors—everyoneis connected. This means that our goals can be that much harder to achieve.

Everybody has to be on the same page, and everyone should understand the vision of growth and commit to it. And don't be afraid to take input from employees and peers. If everyone is going to buy into the plan for growth, having the feeling that input is welcomed and valued is critical.

Goal setting requires lots of thought, preparation and time. These are three things that most smallbusiness owners don’t usually have extra time or resources for. But they’re essential to making a goal that sticks.

Health Transformation

If You Want To Get Ahead...

Go To Bed! Our society puts a high value on achievement but not much on rest. I hear people brag about how much they work and play but never how much they sleep—usually the opposite. But what if sleep could help you achieve more?

The Sleep Deficit In our high-risk, high-reward economy, there’s a healthy pressure to do more with less. It makes sense with time and money. But it’s a productivity killer when it comes to sleep.

Experts say we need about eight hours a night.

But the national average is about 6.8. I get a lot fewer hours than that most nights, but I’m working to improve that. And the truth is the real average might even be lower. We usually report how much time we spend in bed, not how much time we actually sleep. It turns out we only get about 80 percent as much sleep as we think.

Why aren’t we getting enough sleep?

The Myth of Sleepless Productivity Maybe it came too easy for us in college or we’ve watched too many movies, but it’s easy to

think that one hour of lost sleep is equal to one hour of bonus productivity. I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way.

I’ve discovered by painful and groggy, first-hand experience that sixty minutes of one does not equal sixty minute of the other.

I’m not saying that we don’t face emergencies and need to give up sleep every now and then.

But our lack of sleep isn’t usually about emergencies. For instance, how many product launches have I done this year compared with how many hours of lost sleep? Not enough to explain my sleep deficit.

We act like sleep is a luxury or an indulgence; as a result, sacrificing sleep in the name of productivity has become routine.

But the opposite’s true. Cheating our sleep is like maxing our credit cards. There’s a benefit now— at least, it feels like it—but the bill always comes due in the form of decreased health and mental ability.

World Impact has maintained a presence in Newark since 1976. Early emphasis was on Bible clubs for neighborhood children. The ministry expanded over the years and currently includes four active church plants, a Christian mission school, theological training for local leaders through The Urban Ministry Institute, a job-training program for teens and a community thrift store.

Rev. Dr. Gloria Harris

The Reverend Dr. Gloria J. Harris was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her life’s work experience demonstrates a wide range of interests and accomplishments. She promotes the idea of getting to know ones self through knowing Yeshua, the Christ, Son of the Living God. Her passion is to deal with life honestly and openly she synopsizes her story of dealing with depression in her inspirational book “Thirty and One Days of Meditation for Victorious Living”, she attributes her success to God, her grandmother Mother Margaret (Maggie) Billups Wyche of Athens, Georgia and her mother, Mother Helen /Bryant (McCoy) of Cleveland, Ohio. Their prayer and desire was for her to succeed where they felt they had failed.

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In 1959-1965, she was among those who rallied for civil rights in Cleveland, Ohio, working with Ruth Turner, Floyd McKissick, Carl Stokes, Larry Smith, Judge Perry B. Jackson and Senator M. Morris Jackson.

Just turning 21 years of age, she became the youngest elected precinct committee person elected to the Cuyahoga County Democratic Committee serving precinct “K”. She was sought out to work with and campaign for many successful political figures including Cleveland Ohio’s first Black elected Mayor Carl B. Stokes and Common Pleas Judge Francis Talty, who presided over the famous Dr. Sam Shepherd case of which inspired the T.V serial “The Fugitive “ .

Moving to Florida in 1966, she began a quest for Civil Rights for Black People in Riviera Beach when she was told it was not the policy of an eating establishment to serve “Colored People”.

In 1969-70, Mrs. Harris served as Chairperson of the Riviera Beach Charter Commission that abolished racism against “Colored” people owning property on the “east side of the tracks”.

In 1969, she assisted tenants living in the “Kern’s” apartments to organize and rally for tenant’s rights. With the assistance of Mayor Alex Cameron of Riviera Beach, she contacted the owners Senator Jacob Javits of New York, and Herbert Ralston of Ralston’s Cereals. After negotiations headed by Mrs. Harris, the new 100 units apartment dwellers were successful in their requests for services entitled to them.

Board member YMCA, 1969-71, and NAACP, West Palm Beach, Florida Seeing a need to teach within her ethnic group Mrs. Harris saw a need to politically shift her party affiliation and became a Republican. She successfully ran and became a member of the Palm Beach County Republican Committee, District Nine Leader.

Mrs. Harris served as Secretary to the Florida Black Republican Council for several years (1969-73). She was elected to district nine to the Palm Beach County Republican Committee, which led to appointments such as Chaplin to the Palm Beach County Republican Committee, and Florida State Republican Selection Committee.

In 1977, she was appointed as a Riviera Beach Housing Commissioner, later serving as its Chairperson.

She was among the first group of Occupational Specialists in the state of Florida, revolutionizing career guidance in the Jr. High and High School levels as well as Co-founder of the Occupational Specialists Association of Palm Beach County, Florida; (1973-1979) and Co-founder of the employability skills program under the Occupational Specialist Program, conducting workshops throughout the state of Florida on “the World of Work”. (1973-1976) Chairperson of the multi-cultural, multi-racial committee at Jupiter High School (1972-73). She also challenged the Palm Beach County school board when told she could not pray in the Name of Jesus at a high school event and was successful in her challenge as the school board attorney received the ruling citing “the United States Congress prays using the Name of Jesus”. She was then asked by an auxiliary of students of her school to pray the success of their statewide participation in front on the school lawn. She prayed and they won!

Mrs. Harris possesses skills in race relations. She was appointed by superintendent the late Herbert Bridwell to Palm Beach Gardens High School to assist with the task of maintaining an open line of communication between black and white students in the guidance department of Palm Beach Gardens High School as the school district began its work of integrating the student population within Palm Beach County. (1972)

In 1973, Mrs. Harris, along with several school principals and council members, was appointed by the late Honorable Bobbie Brooks, first black mayor of Riviera Beach, Florida as an Ad Hock Committee member to assist with easing racial tension in the Riviera Beach schools.

In the field of education in her new home state of New Jersey from 1985-86, she served as senior class advisor of the Leaning Experience High School in Newark, New Jersey.

• She established the first yearbook and established a Career Counseling and Shadowing Program. During her tenure at LEHS, she wrote a proposal that awarded the school $12,500.

• She has worked at schools, which specializes in educating students with discipline problems and learning disabilities such as Jupiter, Florida High School’s EMR and SM program and the Last Chance Program at Berliner School in Newark, NJ • In 1984-85, she wrote and implemented a local employability skills program for clients at the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), Newark, NJ. She has also worked as a geriatric social worker in the Home Friends Program at Irvington General Hospital, Irvington, New, Jersey, assisting seniors with quality of life issues.

Bridge to Recovery Breakfast Thursday, March 12, 2015

Register Today!

WHAT:

Bridge to Recovery Transformation Breakfast

WHEN:

Thursday, March 12, 2015

TIME:

LOCATION:

8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.

The Willing Heart Community Center 555 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Newark

We hope to see you at the Bridge Breakfast!

Dr. Harris served on of the editorial staff of the Photo News in West Palm Beach, Florida; News writer and editorial staff member of LocalTalk News Publications; in East Orange, NJ; Advisor to Christian Fellowship Council Television Network (CFC), Radio Show host; Co-Anchor for CFC Roundtable Television and Radio program. She has also served in advisor capacity to the late Elder Tony Rozier and wife Dr. Linda Rozier Directors of the United Chaplains International Outreach Inc. 2006

RECOGNITIONS

Dr. Harris has received numerous awards and distinctions

• including the key to the City of Titusville, Florida; • Honorable mention in the archives of the city of Riviera Beach, • Honorary Doctoral Degree from the International Men and Women’s Fellowship; • Nominated (2x) in Who’s Who for recognition of Distinction for contributing to the cause of Civil Rights • Two award trophies from International Christian Women’s Fellowship for distinctive leadership service.

• Citation from US Army (1978) as contributing to the excellence and cause of the mission of the United States Armed Forces • Honorary US Marine Recruiter. (1978-79) • Recognition from Palm Beach County Republican Committee for excellence in organizing the Presidential visit of President Gerald Ford: • A letter of Recognition from President Gerald Ford • Mrs. Harris served as Secretary to the Florida Black Republican Council for several years (1969-73). Her elected position to district nine to the Palm Beach County Republican Committee led to appointments such as Chaplin to the Palm Beach County Republican Committee, and Florida State Republican Selection Committee.

• 2 awards from International Seminary classes of 1988 and 1989 as Professor of the year (satellite class of Newark, NJ) • Pastor of the year awarded by the New Jersey Family Policy Council (2004) • Honorable mention from Newark City Council and letter of commendation from Mayor Sharpe James for implementing and hosting the Passion of the Christ movie, causing the Newark Screens theater to generate more revenue than in its inception. (2004) • Beth El Black History Award (2006) • Voted as one of the ten most influential women in Newark, NJ, 2008

She holds a Bachelor of Religious Education & Christian Counseling and Master of Theology from International Seminary; a MS in Clinical Psychology, CCU, a PhD in Christian Counseling: AACC Certification for Crises Counseling.

Dr. Harris served as an adjunct professor at the International Seminary where she began serving as External Supervisor in 1986. She has taught Americans and other nationalities through the Seminary. Many have now become leaders, Moderators, Bishops, Apostles, Pastors and Ministers.

With over thirty years of preparation in studying the plight of the Biblical Hamite Peoples she was called over 17 years ago to re-introduce the “Feasts of the Lord” to God’s people by initiating teaching and finally participation in the Passover (Pesach) Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) Feast of Trumpets, (Rosh Hashanah) the Feast of Tabernacles, and Yom Kippur (Sukkot). She has recently travelled to Israel and is now a beginning student in Talmud studies and the law of Biblical Kashrus

Among her service outreaches are: Charter Board Member to Resident Minister’s Alliance (ReMa), New Jersey Family Policy Council Clergy Advisory Committee, Faith Alliance, member of Family Research Council Network; co-founder of International Christian Women’s Fellowship (ICWF), affiliated with International Coalition of Apostles, Board member of the Daughters of Deborah, consultant to .CFC TV and radio ministry, Redeemed Pentecostal Fellowship, Memphis, Tenn., Founder of Men of Issachar Integrity, Newark, Drug, Education and Awareness (DEA) . Member of Christians United for Israel, committee member of “a Night of Honor Israel, Advisory Board member of First Choice Pregnancy Center, Newark, NJ, AdoptAStreetPrayer Network, Harvest Global Evangelism, member of Community Advisory Board, Delaney Hall, Newark, NJ. Mentor with Department of Correction (DOC). She is also a Board member to West Ward Economic Development Corporation, Newark, NJ., member of West Ward Clergy Council to Mayor Ras Baraka and Sr. Pastor of Beth El International Church Ministries in Newark, NJ. Dr. Harris was married to the late Lonnie L. Harris, a master carpenter, mother of two, grandmother of four; great grandmother of four, Godmother to three, counselor and spiritual mother to many young women and men.

IN THE FIELD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS

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(1978-1980) She also assisted the state of Florida in working with those who became refugees, fleeing from the tyranny in Haiti in the late 70’s and early 80’s

Her international work surfaced as 1st Vice President and Mother Evangelist Lillie Talison President of the Good Shepherd Mission of Haiti, when Vice-president Harris raised finances to feed over 1,500 adults in the mountain country and sponsoring food for over 200 orphaned children. She also sponsored several high school students to complete their high school education, assisted in the completion of a church in the mountains and sponsored uniforms for children in a school in Leogane; her mission group sent food over to the island of La/Gonave. Her major trips covered Petit Goave, Leogane, Petionville and Port-au-Prince.

• She travelled to Nigeria, West Africa and taught in public arenas addressing issues on Christian ethics and unity among tribes. Dr. Harris says she would not conduct any financial business to assist the churches or individuals if the preacher/ministers did not have their wives accompany them.

• She was invited as the first Woman to speak at the Last Days Messengers Church in Otampa, Nigeria. Her trips covered Port Harcourt and the states of Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Anambra, Imo and Enugu. Dr. Harris and Beth El Congregational Church sponsored several students to complete their college education at Abia State University.

MAKING DECISIONS TOGETHER Scripture tells us that If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

(Mark 3:25) And thus couples must learn to make decisions together as partners; because all of your major decisions will affect both of you and the children as well.

When one of you is left out of the decision making process it can lead to anger, resentment, and even hatred. Some partners will for example go out and buy expensive items on credit without consulting their partner and it often times leads to putting the couple in a financial bind. And this as you may very well know will lead to resentment, anger, and even hatred.

Relationship expert Pastor Rick is the author of the soon to be released book and ebook entitled “5 Secrets to A Great Relationship”,; He is also the host of the international internet radio show “Relationships with Remember when your decisions are Pastor Rick”, and writes based on fairness and equality you weekly about Dating, Love, entire family will benefit... not just you! Marriage, Sex, and Divorce; What do you think? fi n d out more at PastorRickGreene.com

Rev. Lita Theodos Messianic Pastor

Rev. Lita Theodos, Messianic Pastor is the founder and director for the past 22 years of Living Waters Ministries, a Messianic, Worship dance, Healing and Training Ministry with a Resource Center offering a big selection of Messianic and worship items located on Avon Avenue in Newark, NJ. As a Jewish believer she is called to help the church come back to its' Jewish roots and has a passion to assist the church enter into deeper community with one another by binding up the broken hearted, helping people be set free of past wounds. By doing this the effectiveness of the church as a whole body becomes stronger and more unified.

Rev. Lita dances and teaches emphasizing how much love God has for us, His bride (the church).

This is often reflected in her testimony of how God transformed her from being a battered woman to living a victorious life in her Lord, Jesus Christ. She led the dance ministry for many years at Beth Israel Messianic congregation. She studied ballet as a child and dance was her way of communing with God while growing up.

She also ministers and dances with her husband, Rev. Kerry Theodos, a CPA who is Greek. As Jew and Greek (Gentile) together they

represent The One New Man and illustrate God’s purpose for marriage as well as the church, to be one (echad) in Christ.

They have ministered over the years at numerous conferences, seminars, churches as well as had their own Messianic, Worship and Healing schools. They are involved in several ministries that are part of the transformation of Newark taking place and believe God has called them here to be part of that. They currently conduct a Torah bible study on the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings of each month on South 16th Street, Newark and will be conducting a "Christ In The Passover" Seder Presentation on Sat., March 7th, 4 pm to 8 pm on Avon Avenue, Newark. Their Resource Center carries the following items: worship garments, flags, streamers, shofars, prayer shawls, anointing oil, books, DVDs, jewelry, Passover items, Judaica, music etc. For information on their Torah bible study, upcoming events, directions, hours, to register for the "Christ In The Passover" Seder on March 7th or to arrange for them to come and minister at your church or event call Living Waters Ministries at (973) 661-5217 (no texting), email livingwatersmin@msn.com or go to www.livingwatersministries.net.

SAVE THE DATE – SATURDAY, June 27th God Belongs In My City will be hosting a prayer walk in our city on Saturday, June 27th. In about 5 months from now we will walk from multiple starting points in the city united in prayer, declaring Jesus Christ is Lord of Newark. Would you and your local church join us for a defining moment in our city? We need to unite in prayer for our family, our neighbors, our city.

We believe that in order to see sustainable transformation in our city for its betterment the church needs to unite and pray. The church is an agent of change, change begins with prayer. We are called to stand in the gap for our city, knowing that there is power in prayer.

Contact Information: Misael Guzman Newark City Coordinator God Belongs In My City – Newark 973.922.0493 gbimcnewark@gmail.com

by Minister Curtis Mincey

There are so many times in my life when I have wondered to myself, who am I supposed to be and what am I supposed to be doing? There are plenty of young people out there that are on the verge of been cast out into the world, that are probably asking themselves the same question. There are husbands and wives all over the planet who want to know if the daily routine of life is all that there is. So many of us are gaining our identities from our circumstances, situations, jobs and titles. But that little voice inside of our heads still wants to know, who am I supposed to be and what am I supposed to be doing?

The answer to that question really isn’t that complicated. God has created us with a very specific purpose. To give Him glory. But the question that is most often asked is. How do you give an invisible, all seeing, all knowing, all powerful God glory? We do that by simply being. Being what you might ask.

Well look at it like this when a person needs someone to talk to, we can be a listening ear. When someone needs advice, we can be the voice of reason. When someone else is hungry, we can be the one that feeds them. When another person is naked, we can be the one that gives them clothes. When we see another person is thirsty, we can be the one that gives them water.

God gives us so many opportunities to be what someone needs at a particular moment in their life. He puts us in situations where we he works through us to do his will. All we have to do is be willing to be what God has called us to be at that moment. With the understanding that we will be doing what we are supposed to be doing not for our own recognition, but for the glory of God.

Rev Dr Maria Westbrook Greater Life Community Outreach Center & City-Wide Outreach, Newark, NJ Mission Statement: Serving youth in Newark since 1986 (formerly through Young Life), Greater Life Inc was established in 2003 to holistically meet t h e n e e d s o f y o u t h , f a m i l y, a n d community as a charitable non-profit 501(c)(3) Community Youth & Family Faith-Based Organization, dedicated to reaching and serving indigent, underserved, at-risk, disadvantaged, and impoverished youth, parents & seniors daily.

Hours of Operation during School Year: Tuesdays to Fridays 2:30-7:00pm and Saturdays 9am-12noon Greater Life Community Outreach Center 272 Chancellor Avenue Newark, NJ 07112 973.923.2264 Main Office

Greater Life Christian Fellowship Church was also established in 1998 to help disciple Youth, Family & Community of Newark, NJ and Vicinity.

Worship Services are Sundays at 10:30am, held at Greater Life Community Outreach Center 272 Chancellor Avenue Newark, NJ 07112 973.923.7558 Church Office

Rev. Maria currently serves over 1,500 residents per year in the city of Newark, NJ as CoFounder & Vice President of Greater Life, Inc. in 2003 (an expanded holistic outreach to Youth, Families & Communities) and as CoFounder & Assistant Pastor of Greater Life Christian Fellowship Church in 1998, alongside the leadership of her wonderful husband, Michael, who is also Co-Founder & President, and Co-Founder & Pastor. Previously, she and her husband helped to pioneer Young Life in Newark, NJ (a street outreach to teenagers) in 1986 through 2003, and Young Life’s Vice Presidents Office of Multicultural & Urban Ministries in the E. Div. of the U.S. Maria attended William Penn University in Iowa where Maria received her degree in Business Administration and Economics, with later education through Fuller Seminary, CA, Eastern Bible College, PA, and graduate of Metropolitan Bible Institute, NJ.

After serving for over a decade in a thriving business career at Kemper Insurance in Collection Accounting & Underwriting (which included working at the World Trade Center, NYC), while volunteering after work, she began to recall how blessed she was to overcome childhood poverty, tragedy, and homelessness, realizing that God was “calling” her to serve full-time to “give back” what she had gained; to young people, women, parents, families, and community of Newark, New Jersey; and has since been preaching, speaking, teaching, and singing her testimony at many venues throughout cities across the U.S.

Including her business career, missionary/ community service over the past 28 years impacting over 23,000 youth & families of Newark, NJ, and Ordination 22 years ago, Maria has been privileged to directly impact over 50,000 tremendous people!

Maria has been certified/graduated in several specialized areas of expertise. She has also been professionally trained and participated in concerts & recordings with statewide choirs, musicals, and solo productions, and is honored to be 4th cousin of W.C. Handy (“Composer/ Father of The Blues” -- on the June page of the African-American Heritage Calendar! ☺ ).

Maria is listed in the “National Who’s Who” Directory, and has received numerous other awards for her service to others, including the “State of New Jersey First Lady Award!” She has volunteered her time over the years to dozens of organizations, and is a Contributing Author of the book “African American Leadership in The Black Church”.

Rev. Maria A. Westbrook is joyfully married to Pastor Michael T. Westbrook for 30 years, residing in Newark, NJ for 28 years. They have 2 unborn babies in Heaven……..have 6 Godchildren, and have been “parenting” orphaned children; humbly assisting parents in crisis situations for 28 years.

Maria’s quote: “It is an honor to serve others, as I, too, have been served; encouraging them to take hold of assistance & opportunities for Greater Life; leading to healthier Youth, Families & Communities” Focus Scripture: Matthew 10:5-10

Join Us

Apostle Gennie Holte

Apostle Gennie Was born in Chesterfield S.C., to Vermel and Bertice Campbell; the fifth child of six children. In 1965, her family relocated to Newark NJ, where she attended the Newark Public School System, graduated Irvington High School in Irvington, NJ, In 1997, Pastor, Gennie Holte enrolled in Eastern Bible Institute, later pursued her studies in substance abuse counseling, where she earned her Chemical Dependency Associate in 2009, In 2012 completed chaplaincy course from the Newark Police Department/ Clergy Affairs Academy, serving as Newark Police Chaplain, Currently perusing her Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies at Grand Canyon University. She inspires to complete and publish her long awaited autobiography (The Human Metamorphosis) Apostle, Gennie Holte met her soul mate Elder Josh Holte, married in 1997 by the late Rev, John L. McClain/Grace Temple Baptist Church, Newark, NJ and out of this Holy union came eight children, twelve grandchildren and four great grand’s.

Pastor, Gennie Holte served on the J.L. McClain Ensemble Choir, served as a missionary under the leadership of t Rev. John L. McClain.

Apostle, Holte was licensed by Rev. John L. McClain 1997. In 2008, Apostle, Gennie Holte was installed to the office of Pastor to the Ray of Hope Ministries, by Pastor Deloise Russell of New Zion Revival Temple, Newark, NJ. That same year, she received a Resolution from the Newark Municipal Council commending her hard work and elevation in ministry.

2012 she was recognized by The Newark Municipal Council for the 2nd time, for her continued dedicated efforts in transforming lives in the city of Newark by her hands on methodology and was also commended by her famed cousin “Miss Patti Labelle”

centers...She now heads “The House of Refuge” women’s support group at Ray of H o p e M i n i s t r i e s w h e re s h e i s t h e President /Founder. She offers the “Spiritual 12 Steps” to those struggling with the demons of addiction; held at ROHM .

Apostle, Gennie Holte has a love and a call for hurting people, especially women and children, her vision is to obtain a place to shelter those that are hurting and abused.

Executive producer and host of her local talk show” In the Word”. She is a member of several organizations such as: “Resident Ministers Alliance “(ReMA) in the city of Newark under the leadership of Rev, Dr. Apostle, Bernard Wilks, South Ward Clergy Alliance member, President, Vincent Rouse, of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Newark, NJ. Member of World Gospel Musical Association, under the leadership of Dr. Albert J. Lewis, “Pray for Newark and Transformational Churches Movement”., hostess of the Annual “Newark Night Out” Founder of the gospel group “The Voices of Thunder”.

Literacy Volunteer, “Literacy Volunteers of America” Ray of Hope Ministries was one of the Recovery stations, during the Sandy relief exertions under the leadership of Pastor, Joe Carter, of New Hope Baptist Church in the city of Newark.

Over the years, Apostle, Gennie Holt has received a number of awards and honors.

She is well known for her quotation: ...I’m gonna Keep it real, and help you walk!

SERVICE TIMES SUNDAY SCHOOL : 10:30 am to 11:30 am SUNDAY WORSHIP: 12:00 pm WEDNESDAY NIGHT: BIBLE STUDY 7:00 pm WOMEN'S GROUP EVERY 2ND TUESDAY 7:00 pm SPIRITUAL 12 STEP: MEETING:

EVERY 3RD FRIDAY@ 6 pm to 7 pm YOUTH DAY: EVERY 5TH SUNDAY

THE TRANSFORMATION CENTER 628 GROVE STREET IRVINGTON NJ

Staying encouraged is not always the easiest thing to do. There are things going on around us that are very discouraging. Wars, natural disasters, crime, unemployment and the degradation of society are added distractions to the ordinary issues of everyday life. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel; And that light is Jesus who is the light of the world. Yes we are surrounded by darkness, but the light of the gospel has shined upon us and has given us a new hope. It has illuminated the truth of the gospel in our darkened hearts and minds. It has taken us from death to life and reunited us with our creator, God the father.

The gospel is the good news from God that there is a way to be saved and redeemed back to God. The gospel is the great news that a Savior, Jesus the Christ, endured the pain and torture of an agonizing death on the cross. The heartbreaking anguish and loneliness of separation from the Father. The gut wrenching darkness of burial in a tomb. Only to experience the joyful glory of resurrection on the third day on our behalf. Jesus bore the full wrath of a holy God on his body, so those that believe in him will not have to die, but will receive eternal life.

The wages of sin is death. That means that every single human being on this planet should be dead. None of us should be allowed to live

another second. We were born in sin hopelessly separated from God. We were raised in a corrupt and cursed world. We are evil and depraved creatures who are worthy of eternal destruction. But God in his holy and righteous, grace and mercy, gave us the precious gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and through Jesus alone.

That is what I call encouraging news. That despite everything else that is going on in the world today, there is good news. Yes the events of today are discouraging and even depressing.

But there is hope in that which seems to be hopeless. There is light in that which seems to be dark. There is life in that which seems to be dead: And all of that can be summed up in one person, the person of Jesus.

Be encouraged by the true revelation that there is salvation in the name of Jesus. Be encouraged by the knowledge that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Be encouraged by the fact that God has shown you grace and mercy. Be encouraged by the fact that even if the whole world turns it's back on you, God will never leave you or forsake you. Be encouraged by the fact that nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Health Transfomation

HEALTH TRANSFORM What Does "Organic" Mean?

Organic agriculture is a production method that emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality. Organic food products are produced using: •

Agricultural management practices that promote healthy eco-systems and prohibit the use of genetically engineered seeds or crops, sewage sludge, long-lasting pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.

•

Livestock management practices that promote healthy, humanely treated animals by providing organically-grown feed, fresh air and outdoor access while using no antibiotics or added growth hormones.

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Food processing practices that protect the integrity of the organic product and disallow irradiation, genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) or synthetic preservatives.

Top 10 Reasons To Go Organic!

(Courtesy of our friends at The Organic Trade Association)

1.

Organic certification is the public's assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs.

2.

become nourishing food for people and animals.

Organic products meet stringent standards

Organic food tastes great!

It's common sense — well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that

3.

Organic production reduces health risks Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.

4.

Organic farms respect our water resources The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources.

5.

Organic farmers build healthy soil Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils

6.

Organic farmers work in harmony with nature Organic agricultural respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fencerows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

7.

Organic producers are leaders in innovative research Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture's impact on the environment.

8.

Organic producers strive to preserve diversity The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.

9.

Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it oers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops.

10. Organic abundance — foods and non-foods alike Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically — even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way.

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by Minister Curtis Mincey

As we look around this city it is easy to sense a dark shadow has taken position over the hearts and minds of it’s inhabitants.

Sinister attitudes are prevalent within the actions of certain individuals that choose not to participate fairly in the daily events of life.

This metropolis has been infected by a plague of evil. Evil people, motivated by evil desires, committing evil acts. But the true reality is, those individuals made an individual choice to give in to their evil passions and lust.

That is a truth that most of us want to ignore.

The reality is, if we want to be a part of a transformed city, then each and every single one of us must change how we think, what we do and how we interact with one another.

I once heard a wise man say that “change begins with me”. How true. If a city is going to be transformed, then the primary thing that must happen is people have to be transformed; And that transformation is something that occurs in the hidden places of the mind and the heart.

We have to think about ourselves differently.

We have to take that same amount of pride that we have in ourselves and extend that

over to our neighbors and our city. If you look good when you walk out that door, then your city should look good too. If your house is clean, then your block and neighborhood should be just as clean. Don’t look at the politicians and think they are the only ones that are responsible. We live in this city, we should care about this city. It’s not about us versus them. It’s about us.

It’s important for each of us that call Newark home to remember that this is our city. We can no longer afford to give in to our evil desires. We have to take a stand against the evil inclinations that are leading us down the wide road to destruction even if that evil exist within. We have to pick up the trash, make sure our children learn how to read and write. We have to stop doing drugs and selling drugs. We have to stop hanging out in front of stores. We have to develop a first class mind set that means I will take nothing short of the best. What can you do? You can make a commitment to do better so that this city can be better.

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