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Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties

Inside: Why aren’t young people seeking God?

3 pastors set Holyland pilgrimage

Suicide takes toll in the pulpit

Hollywood’s 2014-15 Bible flicks

CHURCHES Now | 3

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Senior Pastor Eric W. Lee

Apostle Collette L. Gunby

Bishop WIlliam L. Sheals

Springfield Baptist Church

Green Pastures Christian Ministries, Inc.

Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church

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contents Mind, Body and Soul

A group of pastors are heading to Israel to experience Jesus ...28 Pastoral support group lends helping hand ...40 What’s the spiritual meaning of 12 ...50

Newsmakers Faith leaders in Atlanta remember Nelson Mandela ...22 TBN’s Paul Crouch built a Gospel empire ...32

By the Numbers A growing number of young people stray from God ...12 Stressed out pastors are killing themselves...36

ETC. New Bible flicks are coming to the big screen ...46 4 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

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CHURCHES Now | 7

Green Pastures Christian Ministries, Inc. 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA • 770-987-8121

Apostle Collette L. Gunby

I

bid you greetings and blessings in the name of our Lord and Savior.

My name is Apostle Collette L. Gunby. For the last 37 years, I have been fulfilling God’s purpose for my life by spreading the Good News of His unconditional love. The message is one that I gladly share because the God I serve is truly awesome.

I was called to the pulpit to carry on the ministry and vision of my husband after his death in 1986. At that time, I was raising two children and had all the responsibilities as any widowed mother.

Through God’s power and grace, Green Pastures Ministries was birthed and along with my responsibilities as a mother, I became the vessel that God used to spiritually feed those who walked through our doors.

Today, Green Pastures flourishes as a place of restoration, refuge, peace and healing. Through this Apostolic ministry, souls are being saved as people commit to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

And with every transformation, people are giving their time, talents and gifts for the glory of God. Giving is something that I not only preach, but something that I do, something that we do as the body of Christ at Green Pastures.

In fact, for more than a decade, Green Pastures presented a wonderful gift of God’s salvation to the community, drawing people from both, near and afar.

That gift, which we gave freely to the community for years, was called “King

of Glory,” a musical masterpiece of Jesus Christ’ life. The popular Christmas holiday production had a cast of more than 300 men, women and children.

Thousands came in wheelchairs, limousines, MARTA and on foot to see “King of Glory” at the Atlanta Civic Center, many of them returning year after year.

And while we no longer produce “King of Glory” because of the prohibitive expense, we are still hard at work in kingdom building through our many other ministries. As Watchmen on the Wall, we continue to be vigilant and faithful to our God. Even in the midst of a recession of historic proportions that we have faced, we have trusted God and persevered. Each day, we are strengthened by our belief that with God, everything is possible. We bear witness that God is in control and He can

and will take care of all of our needs.

I believe that I am here to support and under gird those who I am called to serve, as there is currently a battle for the souls and sanity of God’s people. We must repair the breach now and not later.

Throughout December, Sunday school will be held at 8 a.m. and Sunday worship will be held at 9 a.m. Beginning in January 2014, our Sunday School will start at 9 a.m., followed by worship at 10 a.m. Bible study is held Wednesdays at noon and 7 p.m.

We invite you to witness a shift and the glory of God by worshipping with us in our walk of God’s greatness and promise.

Blessings in the Matchless Name of Jesus, Apostle Collette L. Gunby

.

GREEN PASTURES CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, INC.

HOME OF THE “SAINTS”

“If you teach a child to read and think with love and discipline, you prepare him for a lifetime of success.”

– Apostle Collette L. Gunby We, at Green Pastures, continuously serve and minister to our community through services in our church and the academic arena.

God has blessed us to help foster a positive and healthy sense of self value and worth in our foundation.

We truly believe that when you know who you are and believe it, your greatest dreams are possible.

Green Pastures Christian Schools Early Care Program serves infants and children up to 4 years of age. Additionally, our school provides state-of-the art teaching and learning opportunities for students K5 through 9th grade.

We take pride in offering structured, innovative and stimulating classes designed to prepare our students for the future.

Historically, we have tracked our students from childcare to the highest learning roadmap and our students continue to excel throughout their academic paths, resulting in successful careers

and worthy life pursuits. The vast majority of our former students are strong leaders in every profession-educators, doctors, lawyers and television producers. Green Pastures Christian Schools have developed students who have graduated from every major college and university in America. We always say and believe that we are blessed to have a 1960 school in the 21st Century.

Our school is reaping the benefits of a recent awarded $287,000 federal grant. The implementation of this grant is presently being focused on upgrading and enhancing technology access in the classrooms including providing a new Windows-based client-server network and distance-learning capabilities to enhance our educational program.

These advancements will support our after school tutorial program and our upcoming 2014 Camp Gunby’s summer camp

experience where students will participate in many innovative teaching and learning handson opportunities. Join us as we explore the world through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Enrollment opens March 2014.

Additionally, we offer a sound and structured exceptional education program. If your child has been awarded an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and AAA scholarships, please call the school to find out more about our programs. The deadline to apply or transfer is Friday, December 13. Enrollment also is now open

for children in our regular school programs (ages 6 weeks old to 9th grade).

The school is located at 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA Contact the school at 770-9878121. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

HOUSING FOR SENIORS

Are you looking for an independent living facility for seniors ages 62 and above? If so, our “Psalms 23 Project & Promise Inc., ” housing facilities may be the right place for you or your loved one. Located at 5185 River Road, Ellenwood, GA, these two/three story buildings comprised of seventy two independent living apartments are sponsored and owned by the Green Pastures Christian Ministries.

If you are interested, please call (770) 322-2345 for more information.

Welcome To Your Fathers House. a community friendly church.

Growing statistic

Young people are putting God on hold

By Valerie J. Morgan

G

od is not a priority for a growing number of young adults, and record numbers of them are putting God on hold, research shows.

According to the Pew Research Center, 72 percent of young adults in America today who say they don’t belong to any religious group seldom or never attend a worship service, compared to 68 percent in 2007.

A study by Lifeway Research shows that seven in 10 adults ages 18 to 30 who went to church regularly in high school stopped going by age 23.

Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr., a life coach and senior pastor of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta, says the age group is a tough one to attract, but he believes churches can do more to reach young Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr. people.

12 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

“Just about every church in America is having difficulty attracting that age group, and I think a lot of it is because young people see other things in life as more important,” says Flippen. “They don’t want anyone telling them what to do or asking them to do anything because they want their time to do what they want to do.”

Christopher Jacquette, 30, of Compton, California said it this way in an informal survey that On Common Ground News conducted among Facebook friends: “Folks feel like I can do me now while I’m young and I’ll just get right later when I’m older,” Jacquette said in a Facebook post. “God conflicts with the way many of us want to live.”

Flippen says that kind of attitude has forced him and other leaders at his church to think differently about how to offer salvation to young people. It’s one of the reasons, he says, that Greater Piney Grove soon will begin offering a new online Bible study series called

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“Scandal” after one of the hottest thriller television series starring the black character, Olivia Pope, the mistress of the fictitious white President of the U.S. “People are glued to the T.V. every week watching Scandal. Well, there are all kinds of scandals in the Bible and we are going to use the Bible to draw people to God. If we can’t get young people to set foot in a church, we have to use alternative means to reach them,” said Flippen.

Atlantan Bernard Hendrix, 26, said on Facebook that young adults may be more likely to meet God online because they are not as churchy as older generations: “People can just watch it online, on their phones and TVs. Our generation isn’t as religious as the last because we grew up in the church...”

Indeed the number of young adults in America who have “no particular religious affiliation” is at a record high, according to Pew. The center’s study found that one-fifth of Americans and a third of adults under 30 don’t identify with any religion. The so-called “nones” in America increased from 15.3

percent to 19.6 percent from 2007 to 2012. The ranks include nearly 33 million people who say they have no religious affiliation and more than 13 million who describe themselves as atheists and agnostics.

Despite having no religious affiliation, two-thirds (68%) of the nation’s 46 million unaffiliated adults say they believe in God. Young adults offer diverse perspectives on why they don’t go to church--from saying the church doesn’t understand their concerns to expressing their negative image of pastors based on television shows such as the new series, “Preachers of L.A,” which offers a glimpse of the lifestyles of some pastors.

But David Kinnaman, author of “You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church . . . and Rethinking Faith,” says he believes all is not lost.

Church leaders and parents, he writes, must equip young people to live “in but not of” the world and find ways to connect and sustain their relationships with young people.

What young people are saying on Facebook about church: Martin L., 27, Atlanta, Georgia: “All the “prosperity preachers” have ruined the image of the good guys out there just looking to save souls, not make a profit off of hurt.”

Casey J, 28, Durham, N.C: “Preachers of L.A. is a major reason. But to me, it seems like the object of Religion is to sell hope and make money now a days. Money has tainted the teaching of Religion…”

Javan P, 29, Leesburg, FL: “The reason I stopped was because I had more questions and wasn’t getting the logical answers I was looking for. Plus some pastors are the biggest whores. So you expect me to listen to a guy in the pulpit who has his wife pregnant and a mistress in the congregation, yeah right, I’m good on that.”

Shawn T., 27, Charlotte, N.C.: I think they feel like they are looked down on and judged when they go to church and service may just not be interesting to them or feel like it doesn’t cater to them or address their interest.

Jasmine B., 24, Atlanta, GA: “We don’t trust our spiritual leaders.”

Terra J., 25, Jacksonville, FL: “I feel as though some people stop going to church because their focus is all

wrong. They’re focusing on who doing what, when, where and how, just complete drama and judging others, in stead of focusing on being in the right church that is for them where they can get some spiritual food and healing. Then there are those who are there to get the word but they feel so uncomfortable because of others and their judgmental ways…”

Pamela C., Athens, AL: “There is no 1 specific reason I stopped attending church. It just sort of stopped occurring slowly over time but here are a few reasons that helped me on my way: small kids, lack of energy on sabbath morning, being late (nowhere to park or sit), kids behavior during church, no speakers in the family room, moved too far from my church and never found a new church to attend closer to where I live. Basically what it boils down to is that church became a hassle for me so I stopped enjoying it and was no longer motivated to go. Plus these days you can watch church services online. But I want to do better and go back just have to get out of the habit of missing...”

14 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

ELIZABETH BAPTIST CHURCH | DR. CRAIG L. OLIVER, SR.

EBC: CONYERS GRAND OPENING suNDay, JaNuary 26, 2014 9:30 a.m. serviCe 1437 ga highway 138 west | Next to Dollar general

atlaNta | smyrNa | FairburN | Douglasville | CoNyers ELIZABETH BAPTIST CHURCH: ATLANTA (Central Office) 4245 Cascade road, sw • atlanta, ga 30331 phone 404.691.3146 • Fax 404.699.5522

OFFICE HOURS: monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Friday – office Closed

ELIZABETH BAPTIST CHURCH: FAIRBURN (Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School) 861 highway 279 • Fairburn, ga 30213 sunday worship service 10:45 a.m. sunday Children & teen Church 10:45 a.m. sunday Discipleship Classes 8:45 a.m.

saturday Night live 6:00 p.m. sunday worship services 7:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. sunday Children & teen Church 9:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. sunday Discipleship Classes 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. wednesday mid-Day bible study 12:00 p.m.

Deeper in the word wednesdays 7:00 p.m.

ELIZABETH BAPTIST CHURCH: DOUGLASVILLE

ELIZABETH BAPTIST CHURCH: SMYRNA

ELIZABETH BAPTIST CHURCH: CONYERS GRAND OPENING SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2014!

2581 spring road • smyrna, ga 30080 sunday worship service 8:30 a.m. sunday Children & teen Church 8:30 a.m. sunday Discipleship Classes 10:15 a.m.

EBCatlanta

2990 bright star road • Douglasville, ga 30134 sunday worship service 10:45 a.m. sunday Children & teen Church 10:45 a.m. sunday Discipleship Classes 8:45 a.m.

Deeper in the word thursdays 7:00 p.m.

1437 ga highway 138 w. • Conyers, ga 30094 sunday worship service 9:30 a.m.

www.elizabethbaptist.org

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Berean Christian Church History

T

Kerwin B. Lee, Senior Pastor

he name Berean comes from the word Berea.

Berea was a city in Macedonia where the Apostle Paul established a church on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:10-14). The Berean Church was known for their daily delight, desire and dedication to discover what God said in His Word.

The vision of God to have a st 21 Century church like the one in Berea of Macedonia was placed in Pastor Kerwin B. Lee’s spirit.

Pastor Lee was then led of God to to start and cultivate a local church of born-again believers in Christ, whose final rule of authority would be the Holy Bible, God’s written Word.

Berean Christian Church of Stone Mountain, GA was initiated on November 26, 1995 with an organizational meeting of about 200 people at Oakhurst Elementary School in Decatur, GA. Berean Christian Church’s first service was held Sunday, December 3, 1995 at Renfroe Middle School in Decatur, GA. Church offices were maintained at 2015 Montreal Road, Tucker.

On November 24, 1996, Berean moved to a rented church facility at 5931 Shadow Rock Drive in Lithonia, GA. The church purchased 16.4 acres of undeveloped land on Young Road for a future worship center.

Membership increased to the point that a second worship service was added in 1998.

Oakhurst Elementary School, Decatur November 26, 1995

Renfroe Middle School Decatur December 3, 1005 - November 17, 1996

5931 Shadow Rock Drive, Lithonia November 24, 1996 - January 28, 2001

2440 Young Road, Stone Mountain December 4, 2001 - April 3, 2004 CHURCHES Now | 17

Milestones over the October 1998 Expanded to two Sunday morning worship services and purchased 16 acres of land at 2201 Young Road in Stone Mountain, Georgia December 2000 Purchased our first church building at 2440 Young Road in Stone Mountain (down the street from our land purchase) February 2001 Expanded to three Sunday morning worship services

April 2005 Purchased house adjacent to worship facility at 2201 Young Road May 2005 Expanded to three Sunday Morning Worship Services at new facility December 2005 Held groundbreaking ceremony for the Family Life Center

April 2001 Purchased house and property adjacent to the church building at 2440 Young Road April 2002 Held Groundbreaking Ceremony on our land at 2201 Young Road May 2002 Expanded to four weekend worship services (added Saturday night service) October 2002 Secured $5 million dollar church bond to begin building our new worship and educational facility at 2201 Young Road January 2003 Began construction of worship and educational facility

1465 Highpoint Road, Snellville May 7, 2006 May 2006 Expanded to 2nd location at 1465 Highpoint Road in Gwinnett County July 2006 Began work on the Family Life Center July 2007 Held the Grand Opening of the Kerwin B. Lee Family Life Center at 2197 Young Road

2201 Young Road, Stone Mountain April 4, 2004 April 2004 Held first worship service in our 45,000 square foot worship and educational facility November 2004 Purchased additional acreage adjacent to new worship facility where the Family Life Center will be located

2197 Young Road, Stone Mountain July 7, 2007 August 2007 Purchased additional properties on Young Road

e last 18 years.

August 2007 Opened the Berean Christian Academy

October 2010 Added a Saturday night worship service in DeKalb February 2011 Purchased 1.3 acres of land in Gwinnett February 2011 Purchased eight acres of land adjacent to church campus in DeKalb April 2011 Opened Panola Road parking entrance

2197 Young Road, Stone Mountain August 13, 2007

June 2012 Purchased the Gwinnett County church location June 2012 Purchased seven acres of land in Gwinnett County

November 2008 Leased Gwinnett County building located at 1465 Highpoint Road in Snellville

June 2012 Obtained approval for the refinance and purchase of properties in DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties

January 2009 Purchased 11 additional properties on Bell Circle, Panola Road and Young Road for expansion

July 2012 Purchased Early Learning Academy on Covington Highway

April 2009 Transitioned Gwinnett County Church to Sunday worship service

April 2013 Opened the Early Learning Academy

June 2009 Renovated the Gwinnett County Church October 2009 Implemented Phase I of the Master Plan (grading, clearing, installing new exits and adding more than 500 additional parking spaces) December 2009 Expanded to two Sunday morning worship services in Gwinnett April 2010 Implemented Noon day Bible Study in Gwinnett July 2010 Appointed Dr. Kevin B. Lee as Senior Pastor of Gwinnett County church September 2010 Opened new entrance/exit for DeKalb property, to be named Berean Boulevard, and added more than 500 parking spaces

7082 Covington Highway, Lithonia April 29, 2013 May 2013 Awarded first Berean Christian Church Scholarships July 2013 Renovated the Kerwin B. Lee Family Life Center and purchased new equipment August 2013 Changed Saturday worship time to 12:00 Noon in DeKalb

NEW L

LIFE

Remembering

Mandela Atlanta’s faith community hails Nelson Mandela

By Valerie J. Morgan

F

aith leaders in Atlanta, the cradle of America’s Civil Rights Movement, paid tributes to Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s “greatest son.”

The revolutionary hero who fought against white domination passed away on Dec. 5 after battling a recurring long infection. Officials said he died peacefully surrounded by family. He was 95.

“He is now resting. He is now at peace. The nation has lost its greatest son,” South African President Jacob Zuma said in a televised announcement.

Mandela was laid to rest at his ancestral village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape.

As people from around the globe paid their respects, religious leaders in metro Atlanta, hailed Mandela for liberating South African blacks from apartheid.

The Rev. Bernice A. King likened South Africa’s fight for racial equality to that waged by her father, the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born in Atlanta and became one of the most celebrated civil rights activists in the world.

Bernice King said she stood in awe when Mandela visited Atlanta in June 1990. Mandela, who had spent 27 years in South African prisons, had been released in February that year after intense public and political pressure. He visited the King Center in Atlanta and laid a wreath at the grave of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bernice King compared Mandela’s arrival in Atlanta to that of a “pop star.”

22 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

“I was 27 years old at that time--the same number of years that he (Mandela) had served in prison. I saw Nelson Mandela in the same way that so people saw my father: I was in awe to be in his presence,” Bernice King said. “Outside of Jesus Christ and my parents, he (Mandela) is the one.

When I met him, I found a very calm spirit, very dignified, a forgiving spirit. It was so comforting to me.”

King, who now serves as CEO of the King Center in Atlanta, said that she and her mother, Coretta Scott King, were arrested in South Africa in 1985 for protesting apartheid. South Africa’s legalized system of oppression was implemented in 1948 after South Africa became independent from Great Britain. The government required blacks to carry passbooks and permits when entering white neighborhoods and the best jobs, education and economic opportunities were reserved for whites. Apartheid was repealed in 1991, a year after Mandela, who served 27 years in prison, was released. Following his release, Mandela emerged as the country’s first black President and served from 1994 to 1999.

King says her mother personally championed for Mandela’s release. The late Coretta Scott King wrote articles about Mandela while he was in prison. One was entitled “Free Nelson Mandela.”

Civil rights icon, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, who was instrumental in bringing Mandela to Atlanta in 1990, said he never met anyone like Mandela.

“He came out head high and spirit free,” Lowery said in describing Mandela’s eventual freedom from prison. “He didn’t look back. He looked forward to what he could do for his nation.”

Mega church leader Bishop Eddie L. Long of

CHURCHES Now | 23

showed us how to fight for equality and freedom, for all Mankind, without violence. He was a remarkable President, who changed the course of history by overcoming the struggles of hatred and apartheid.”

Bishop William Sheals of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Gwinnett County, thanked God for Mandela.

“We must thank God for sending the world Nelson Mandela, a brave giant of physical and moral character who saw the world that was and refused to accept it and made a change. In due season, God always sends a Mandela, a king, an Obama. Who will be the next giant champion for the people in the world? Rest Mandela--Job well done.”

Dr. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church — where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once preached — called Mandela’s death the end of an era.

Warnock remembered standing in his cell on Robben Island during a visit to South Africa.

“It was just deeply moving and humbling to think that this man had moved from prisoner, to president to world citizen,” Warnock said. “As I stood there, I remembered there was no way for him to know how this would all end.

Mandela reminds us that the work is difficult, victories are often delayed, but ultimately justice does prevail.”

Mega church leader, Dr. Creflow Dollar of World Changers Church International in College Park, said he was recently invited to participate in a special video tribute to Nelson Mandela by the producers of the film, “Mandela:

Photo by Glenn L. Morgan

Visitors placed bouquets of flowers at a monument for Nelson Mandela in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Mandela visited the city in 1990 after he was freed from prison.

Long Walk to Freedom.”

“We are grateful and thankful for the results of this man’s life. In the love, in the unity, in just the faith that the people of South Africa could walk in as a result of what he demonstrated,” said Dollar. “We celebrate his life, and we celebrate his legacy.”

Spiritual Quotes From A Man Among Men “Religion is one of the most important forces in the world. Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew, or a Hindu, religion is a great force, and it can help one have command of one’s own morality, one’s own behavior, and one’s own attitude.”

“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

“I am the captain of my soul.”

“There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair.

That way lays defeat and death.”

— Nelson Mandela

24 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

CHURCHES Now | 25

Antioch-Lithonia Bapt he Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church’s mission is “to glorify God by pursuing excellence in all that we do, for the expressed purposes of winning souls and leading each member to become a fully committed, fully equipped, completely devoted follower of Jesus Christ.”

T

Pastor James C. Ward is the anointed, visionary leader whom God sent to lead the Antioch-Lithonia Baptist Church congregation to the next level of success and achievement. Through his bold principled leadership, the church has made great strides in spirituality, education, administration, technology, and ministry expansion. Pastor Ward, a published choral composer, serving since March of 1995, under the direction of God, has transformed the church from a quiescent congregation to a high-tech, cuttingedge, diverse fellowship. Pastor Ward constantly stresses that “we are wired for the 21st Century but we will never lose the personal touch.”

In today’s society we have lost much of the personal contact with each other. Now most people communicate through texting or various social media websites. While technology is useful and has much merit, Pastor Ward believes that as human beings, we still have a fundamental need for meaningful personal contact and interaction. He never wants to lose the personal touch, because the incarnate Jesus became a man so we could have personal contact with God. That is why after each worship

26 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

service Pastor Ward is bers and visitors –he p during the week-usual

Twenty-eight Associate Wives also provide pe contact each family mo care program, assistan individual needs. The M to the “sick and shut-in request arises.

Pastor Ward’s relevan ing arts ministries, and grams with its vibrant w many worshippers com grow. Throughout the y senior citizens, and sc levels. In November, fo those individuals that s forces.

Pastor Ward, a proud M degrees, said “We beli ing history”. Just as th great church one hund to hold to God’s prece we will continue to acc ordained for this great shall lead us at all time done and will continue GIVE HIM ALL THE G

Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church 2152 Rock Chapel Road Lithonia, GA 30058 (770) 482-1277 • www.antiochlithonia.org

tist Church

s available to shake hands with the mempersonally contacts visitors by telephone lly on Sunday evening.

e Ministers and forty Deacons and their ersonal contact with the members. Deacons onthly, and through a strong membership nce and relief are customized according to Ministers and Deacons provide Communion n� each first Saturday and as the need or

nt teaching and preaching, diverse performd generational and cross generational proworship services have attracted and kept ming to Antioch as the church continues to years we have recognized our educators, cholastic achievement across all academic or the past sixteen years, we have honored served and continue to serve in the armed

Morehouse man, with several advanced ieve in preserving history as well as makhe twelve faithful believers that founded this dred forty-four years ago, we must continue epts. Through God’s grace and mercy complish the great things in which He has congregation. The Spirit of our living God es! To God Be the Glory for all that He has e to do! GIVE HIM GLORY! GLORY!

h

g

CHURCHES Now | 27

Pastors take journey to

Holyland

to ‘walk where Jesus walked’

Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr.

Dr. Jerry Black

Pastor Micheal Benton

By Valerie J. Morgan

T

hree DeKalb County pastors are leading a pilgrimage to Israel in 2014.

Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr. of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, Dr. Jerry Black of Beulah Baptist Church, and Pastor Micheal Benton of Fairfield Baptist Church are spearheading the trip to the Holyland. The group is going on a 10-day Biblical tour of Israel and Jordan Feb. 10-19, 2014.

“I am really looking forward to going again,” said Flippin. “It will be my 13th trip to the Holyland and I am just as excited as the first time I went. Every time I go, I experience something different.”

28 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

Pastor Karl D. Moore

Pastor Steven N. Dial, Sr.

Rev. Clinton McFarland

Flippin said 52 people are going on the trip including Pastor Karl D. Moore of Clarkston First Baptist Church, Pastor Steven N. Dial, Sr., of Rainbow Park Baptist Church, the Rev. Clinton McFarland of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and members from their churches. Flippin, Black and Benton worked with a travel agent to get the tour for $3,300 a person. They are hoping that more members from their congregations will travel to the Holyland in 2015.

The group plans to visit many of the historical sites mentioned in the Bible including where Jesus performed miracles and preached and taught the Word of God. The group will take a ride on a replica

CHURCHES Now | 29

of the “Jesus’ boat,” on the Sea of Galilee and witness where Jesus walked on water. They will even have the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River, Flippin said.

Flippin’s three sons, all of whom are pastors, baptized him in the Jordan River during one of his many trips to Israel.

“It was an awesome experience, one I will never forget,” Flippin said.

Flippin said he began traveling to Israel as a student at the Emery University’s Candler School of Theology, then returned years later for several trips.

“I keep going because it is a marvelous trip. Just to stand on the same ground where Jesus walked, you can sense the presence of God,” said Flippin. “I believe that Israel is a place that every Christian should visit. Muslims take pilgrimages to Mecca. Catholics go to Rome.”

Paula Neely, who is helping to coordinate the trip, said the journey from Atlanta to Tel Aviv will take about 16 hours. Neely, a retired principal of Stone Mountain Elementary School in DeKalb and a member of Beulah Baptist Church, said she is excited about visiting the Holyland. She visited the country as a young adult many years ago.

“It is a trip you will never forget. I am really

30 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

looking forward to it,” Neely said.

Some other areas of interest the goup plans to visit include Cana, Capernaum, St. Peter’s house, the Synagogue, Nazareth, Mount Carmel, Mount Nebo, Druze Village, Megiddo, Caesarea, Jordan River, Gideon Springs, Petra, Jericho, Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field, Jerusalem and the Qasr El-Yahu Baptismal Site, where tradition believes Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

TBN’s Paul Franklin Crouch built Gospel empire TBN’s Paul Franklin Crouch may have been a Pentecostal minister, but his reach was international, spanning all races and denominations with one common goal: worshipping the Lord.

When he first started in the mid-1970s, Crouch, a member of the Assemblies of God, had been trying to spread the Gospel through a small television station in Tustin, California, but from what he described as a vision from God, changed his business plan and life entirely. He bought more television stations, then piled on cable channels and eventually, satellites until he had built the world’s largest Christian television system —Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which has an auxiliary studio in Decatur, Georgia.

Crouch died on Nov. 30 due to heart problems and other ailments. He was 79.

Crouch has been called a pioneer of televangelism. The Encyclopedia of Evangeli-

32 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

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calism describes TBN as “one of evangelicalism’s most successful and far-reaching media enterprises.”

Crouch was known for preaching a gospel of prosperity. His twice-a-year “Praise-a-Thons” on TBN generated as much as $90 million a year in donations, mostly in small amounts from lower-income Americans.

Crouch channeled much of the revenue into charity, funding soup kitchens, homeless shelters and an international humanitarian organization, Smile of a Child, founded by his wife, Jan. TBN, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, is a 24-hour family of networks. Prominent ministers such as Jimmy Swaggart and Robert Schuller bought airtime on TBN, which also broadcast Billy Graham’s crusades.

Crouch’s empire eventually included several networks, including one with Spanish-language programs; Trinity Music City, a Christian entertainment center outside Nashville, Tennessee; The Holyland Experience theme park in Orlando, Florida; and a gleaming headquarters in Costa Mesa, California called Trinity Christian City International. Crouch recently opened a state-of-the-art studio in Jerusalem.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, Trinity Broadcasting Network aired a TV special to honor the life of Crouch. There was no public memorial service per his wishes.

Survivors include his wife Jan; his two sons, Paul, Jr. and Matthew; as well as grandchildren.

34 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

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Suicide in the Pulpit: The crisis among clergy

By Joshua Smith What kind of pain would cause a 42-year-old pastor who was known as “a man of fearless preaching and teaching” to abandon his family, his calling and even life itself?

Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia has been grappling with that question since it received news that its pastor, Teddy Parker, Jr., committed suicide.

Teddy Parker, Jr.

36 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

Parker shot himself in the head on Sunday, Nov. 10, at his Warner Robbins home, about 100 miles south of Atlanta, as his congregation waited for him to arrive at church. The tragedy sent shockwaves not only through his 800-member church, but around the country as pastors and others tried to make sense of Parker’s death.

Parker had prepared to deliver a sermon, “From Tragedy to Triumph,” on the day he took his life. His 38-year-old wife of 19 years, Larrinecia, had taken their two daughters to church but returned home after he failed to show up.

“We consider this a private matter between the family and the BMZ church family.

We kindly ask that the public respects our privacy at this time,” Lakesia Toomer, a church official said in a prepared release. “Pastor Parker entered the ministry at 22 and will be remembered by his loving wife, Larrinecia Sims Parker, and their two beautiful daughters Kamry, 17, and Kerrington,12.”

Parker isn’t the only pastor who has taken his own life in recent weeks. Pastor Ed Montgomery, 48, of Full Gospel Christian Assemblies International Church in Hazel Crest, Illinois shot himself in front of his son on Nov. 30. Montgomery later died from the gunshot wound. Two weeks before he shot himself, Montgomery reportedly told his family that he had been hearing his deceased wife’s voices and footsteps. His wife, Prophetess Jackie Montgomery, died December 2012 of a brain aneurism.

The two pastors’ suicides are raising many questions throughout the community and underscoring, what some say is a hard fact: Pastors are suffering in silence.

“The Christian Post,” an online outlet, reported that Parker was battling manic depression, something

In his eulogy, Smith compared Parker to great figures in the Bible such as Moses, the Apostle Paul, David, Elijah, Jeremiah and even Jesus Christ, giving examples of how they faced extreme amounts of stress. He said church folks can be friends or foes of their pastors.

“No matter what position you hold at the church, there are only two types of members at your church: armor-bearer or a pallbearer. Either you are an armor-bearer, helping the pastor make it to his destiny or a pallbearer, slowly carrying them to their death,” said Smith. “Here is the good news: Even in Teddy’s death, he has left an example for some pastor to suggest that when the load gets so heavy, you don’t have to be married to the church, the church is Jesus’ bride, not yours. Step away and take care of yourself.”

Turning the tragedy into triumph, Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr., of Voices of Faith Ministries, said he received a Divine message, “Hope in a Hopeless Situation,” that Gary Hawkins

“ If you’re suffering and going through depression, God told me to tell you, “Don’t commit suicide.’ You’ve got to put God on your situation....When you put God on your situation, God will turn your situation around.” his family knew about but a secret he had hidden from others.

Even his best friend, Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr., pastor of The House of Hope: Greater Travelers Rest Church in Decatur, didn’t know about the depression. Still Smith, who knew Parker for 20 years and eulogized him, offered a glimpse Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr. of what can happen with pressure cooker careers, in particular, clergy: “Doctors, lawyers and clergy have the most problems with drug abuse, alcoholism and suicide. This is not easy. It may look like it’s smooth. It may look like it’s easy, but it’s not,” Smith told family and friends attending the funeral. “Just this week, I received four emails about pastors writing letters to their congregations saying, ‘I can’t take it anymore. Can you give me a 30-day sabbatical, because I’m about to lose my mind up in here?’ ”

he shared with his congregations in Stone Mountain and Conyers. He reminded them that their loads are never too heavy, pointing to Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

“If you’re suffering and going through depression, God told me to tell you, “Don’t commit suicide.’ You’ve got to put God on your situation,” Hawkins said.

“When you put God on your situation, God will turn your situation around. Whatever you’re facing in your life, you shall rise above it. If you are hurting and in need of comfort, you’ve got to find a Scripture in the Bible and speak that Word over your life daily. You must stand on the Word.”

Pastoral counselor Brian Dodd says pastors have expressed that Christian culture, especially Southern evangelicalism, creates the perfect environment for depression. He says pastors suffer in silence, unwilling or unable to seek Brian Dodd CHURCHES Now | 37

help or even talk about it. Sometimes, they leave the ministry. Occasionally, the result is the unthinkable: suicide.

“The pastoral profession has one of the top three suicide rates of any profession. Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs, if they could,” said Dodd, who has nearly 20 years of experience counseling religious leaders and pastors. He is currently a “Tribal Leader” or lead counselor for The Rocket Company, an Atlantabased company providing coaching and resources for church leaders. “Pastors need friends. Pastors need friends without an agenda, friends who will love them unconditionally, friends who are a safe place to go to and talk about their issues and struggles. Pastors need friends who will not fire them because their excellent sermons now sound average. They need friends who lighten the load; friends who support and pray for them; friends who serve them. If you are someone who is always hassling your pastor, talking bad about him/her, listening to people’s “concerns,” or leading the charge to have them removed, please do us all a favor and just stop.”

Pastor Christopher Chappell of Grace Community Christian Church in Kennesaw agrees whole-heartily.

He says that most pastors simply don’t have any friends, living on an island by themselves when it comes down to the issues they are facing. Christopher Chappell “I was on my way to one of our locations to preach when I got the news on Nov. 10.

Pastors need other pastors. It can be a heart-wrenching thing to preach and preach and look out into the church and see a scattered crowd. It’s like you’re preparing a great meal each week and people just won’t eat. More pastors are depressed than we will ever know but they will not tell each other because they don’t want to show any signs of weakness or being inferior. One of a pastor’s biggest concerns is finding a friend that they can trust with their issues or concerns, that won’t take the information and burn them in the end,” says Chappell. “Pastor Parker’s death is definitely a tragedy. However, any suicide, pastor or not, is selfish because you don’t consider the damage it leaves on those left behind. However, people need to know that when Pastor Parker took away his life, he did not take away his salvation. The only unforgivable sin in God’s eyes is blasphemy.”

Chappell, who preaches to nearly 2,000 members every Sunday, says he, too, goes through dark days, most recently just before Thanksgiving.

38 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

“Pastor Parker’s suicide shows all of us that no one person is immune to the pressures of life. We all need some kind of counseling. I recently taught on this exact issue of suicide to our youth ministry so this incident really hit home for me,” said Chappell.

“On Nov. 23, I had to fly to South Carolina to see my pastor, Bishop I.V. Hillard. We had dinner, but I came to get a word. I was down but after I talked to him and got that word, I was ready to jump back in it and get to kingdom work. We all need another pastor to help lift us up sometimes.”

Experts such as counselor Dodd say that anxiety and depression in the pulpit have grown higher in the last five years. He says the downturn in the economy, strain on church budgets and frustration over their congregations’ resistance to change and other matters are among the reasons why many pastors go into depression.

Bishop Ron Daugherty, senior pastor of Word Church International in Decatur, said Parker’s suicide was a real eye opener.

“When I first heard the news, I just thought to myself, ‘Wow, that could have been me.’ After the economy Ron Daugherty turned in 2009, I went through a very trying time. There was a decline in attendance, a large drop in finances. It was getting bad,” says Bishop Daugherty. “Thankfully, I made it though by making a promise to God and although it wasn’t easy, I stuck to the promise that if I’m going to go out, I’m going out saving souls. That’s why I got into it (pastoring), and after 17 years of ministering to people, I knew I couldn’t give up.”

Daugherty says church leaders mustn’t be ashamed to seek professional help, if they think they need it.

“For some reason, our community has associated a visit with a psychologist or a psychiatrist with ‘Oh, something must be wrong with them. They are crazy.’

So instead of seeking professional help, we, especially pastors, just keep it in and try to work through everything,” said Daugherty.

Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr., pastor of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta agrees with Bishop Daugherty.

“We have known that pastors deal with a lot of stressful situations, but we’re just now beginning to discuss Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr. them openly with one another. It’s a difficult place for pastors: We’re supposed to have it together. People don’t expect us to have problems and to be weighted down with issues of the world. After all, we are pastors. This is a problem in black churches

especially,” said Flippin. “White clergy go to therapists, but we as black clergy don’t want to go because of the stigma attached to seeing a therapist or counselor.”

Nearly two out of three depressed people don’t seek treatment, according to studies by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. The support alliance says even fewer depressed ministers get treated because of career fears, social stigma and spiritual taboo.

Bishop Phil Kimble of the Church of LatterDay Saints in Conyers says dealing with life’s issues can be trying, especially for pastors, who often ignore their own problems.

“I was deeply saddened when I first heard the news and I still am.

Not only for him, but his family and his parishioners. I hope they can find a way to find peace in this tragedy. I Phil Kimble hope and pray for them that they can do that somehow,” said Kimble, who has been preaching at the Conyers church for three years. “We all have times of discouragement. We, as pastors, have to just find the balance. I would be remiss to say I have never felt down, but I have great support systems in the Lord-my wife and the community of family we have here at the church. We help each other out.”

Silence

Pastor James C. Ward of AntiochLithonia Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia says that when a pastor commits suicide, it is not only a tragedy for the immediate family but to the congregation and the body of Christ.

“A pastor’s suicide can put fear James C. Ward in many people and may force them to think: If a man of faith could not take it, what about us regular people? In times like this, we must teach our members that there are some things in life we will not fully understand on this side of eternity. We must remind people that Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal,” said Ward. “Ministers, especially pastors, have to deal with a lot of stress and pressure and are expected to deliver a blockbuster sermon every Sunday. Preaching, officiating weddings and funerals, time management is a real challenge. Pastors must have an outlet. For some pastors, it is golf, fish or working out in the gym. Mine is music. Directing a choir at church and composing choral music does me more good than the choir or congregation. Some people think it is extra work, but it is really relaxation for me.”

An appeal is being made to assist the Parker family.

You can f ind out more information and donate at www. teddyparker.org.

Valerie J. Morgan contributed to this story.

Suffering in

• It is estimated that 18 to 25 percent of all ministers are depressed at any one time.

• 23% have been fired or pressured to resign at least once in their careers.

• 25% don’t know where to turn when they have a family or personal conflict or issue.

• 25% of pastors’ wives see their husband’s work schedule as a source of conflict.

• 33% felt burned out within their first five years of ministry.

• 33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.

• 40% of pastors and 47% of pastor’s spouses are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules, and/or unrealistic expectations.

• 45% of pastors’ wives say the greatest danger to them and their family is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual burnout.

• 56% of pastors’ wives say that they have no close friends.

• 57% would leave the pastorate if they had somewhere else to go or some other vocation they could do.

• 70% of pastors say they don’t have any close friends.

• 90% of pastors work more than 50 hours a week.

• 94% feel under pressure to have a perfect family.

• 1,500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict, or moral failure.

• 13% of active pastors are divorced.

Source: www.pastorburnout.com and the American Medical Association CHURCHES Now | 39

Pastoral support groups offer safety net, community outreach

P

By Joshua Smith

rayer and an ailing aunt brought Pastor Eric W. Lee and Pastor Christopher Shipp together in an unexpected way. Now, the two Rockdale County pastors meet with about 15 other ministers from Rockdale and Newton counties every month to support one another other. The group, started by Shipp and Lee, is called PACT. The acronym stands for Pastoral Accountability for Covenant Truth.

Lee said the group of pastors is a small representation of how God envisions the way pastors should be across the globe–working together to build up the kingdom.

“I feel that the group is in such a tremendous need because I never though it was God’s idea to minister

40 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

Pastor Eric W. Lee

Pastor Christopher Shipp

in isolation. In God’s eyes, we are one church with many locations,” said Lee, who has been in ministry nearly 15 years and heads Springfield Baptist Church.

“We are all a part of the body of Christ and here we all learn from each other. We don’t take dues.

17 years of ministry. 12 years of pastoring. 25 years of marriage. For Pastor Richard Leaphart and First Lady Synetra Leaphart, 2013 has been a phenomenal year at New Hope Christian Ministries.

As the ministry and leadership celebrate growth and milestones - all thanks truly belong to God. New Hope continues to flourish under the hands of capable leadership, and God is yet opening doors.

This year Pastor Leaphart was able to travel to and minister in South Africa. Traveling with a team from NewBirth, Leaphart was able to preach, marvel at the glory of God, pray for the saints, and take in the culture of South Africa. Visiting South Africa was an answer to prayer, as well as a fulfilled prophecy. Leaphart returned to the US preaching with an even stronger anointing and a greater passion to see God’s people enjoy the fullness of their salvation.

Leaphart has a heart for people, and God is continuing to add members to the ministry weekly. He brings the young and the old – the churched and the unchurched.

There is something for everyone at New Hope. Currently, the congregation has been charged with “Empowerment Sundays” – where everyone should bring someone to church in order to share the Word of God. The goal is to reach the people of Stockbridge, and to make God known in tangible ways to the community.

Whether riding into the sanctuary on a motorcycle to illustrate the twist and turns of life and relationships and the need to “Lean with the Curves” or by reenacting a football game during his sermons to demonstrate the victory a believer has in Christ in spite of Satan’s interceptions, Leaphart has his ear to the voice of God in order to deliver a sound and timely Word unto God’s people. It is the tenacity to explain the Word of God and see people flourish that has allowed New Hope to thrive for 12 years, Pastor Leaphart to be in ministry for 17 years, and the Leapharts to have a successful 25 year marriage – along with raising two beautiful daughters, Senora and Rachel.

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“ That’s what the group was founded on: healing pastoral pain. A lot of times pastors, especially men, are taught to show no emotion because it can be considered a sign of weakness.”

We don’t take roll, but we do make each other better. It feels good to know people are here who care about my ministry and care about me. I have made it through personal pains and have become stronger from personal development with the group.”

Marion Foster unwittingly brought Lee and Shipp together. Foster, who is Shipp’s aunt, is a member of Lee’s Springfield Baptist congregation. The two pastors would see one another while making visits to check on a pray with Foster. As Foster was nursed back to health, the ministers came up with the idea to form a support group for pastors to pray for one another, Shipp said.

PACT was formed in the summer of 2011 and became active in the community, hosting voter registration drives the following year. As the 2012 elections grew near, racial tensions were strained in Rockdale and PACT played an active role in easing those tensions. Rockdale witnessed the historic election of 42 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

eight African Americans known as the “Slate of 8” to the county’s top offices. They were the first African American’s in the history of the 143-year-old county to hold “There was quite a bit of tension in the county.

We had to put out some fires when it came down to the Sheriff’s election here,” said Shipp, who served as pastor of Bald Rock Baptist Church for 17 years. “We plan to not only continue supporting each other but tackling major issues in our ministries and our community.”

Pastor Debbie Hawkins, senior pastor of Face of Victory Church in Conyers, said PACT’s monthly meetings have been beneficial to her as she plants a Pastor Debbie E. Hawkins new congregation.

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“The group has been a big blessing to me,” said Hawkins, who started in 2011 and now has 150 members. “We all have the same goal in that we want to save souls and help the community any way we can, as long as it lines up with the word of God. “It’s not just about us supporting each other, whether it was helping the mother who lost nearly her entire family in a fire, bringing the community together to celebrate the anniversary of the emancipation proclamation, joining forces for Easter sunrise service, or supporting the historic Slate of 8. We want to reach out to the community and those in need here in Conyers and across this entire region.”

Another member of the group, Pastor Aldren Sadler, of the Church of New Beginnings in Conyers, says the leaders meet to address many issues, including “pastoral pain.”

“That’s what the group was founded on: healing pastoral pain.

A lot of times pastors, especially men, are taught to show no emotion because it can be considered Pastor Aldren Sadler a sign of weakness. Some pastors feel information like that would make other pastors look down on them,” said Sadler, who has been in ministry since 1981. “As men in ministry and in life, we have the natural knack to want to fix things. Everybody in the church brings us his or her problems with a hope that we have the answer to fix it.”

Macedonia Baptist Church Pastor Billie Cox says PACT is a good group, especially for new pastors seeking ways to grow.

“Being a newly called pastor, celebrating my first year on Sept.

29, I feel that PACT is an integral part of ministry walk. This group is a progressive and proactive pastoral think tank where we openly discuss practices that will benefit Pastor Billie Cox our ministries,” said Cox, who is the first female pastor of the 139-year-old Macedonia Baptist.

“We hold each other accountable for the responsibility of the pastoral calling. We are not in competition 44 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

with each other. Those of us in ministry, particularly pastoral ministry, will agree that ministry is a pretty lonely place. We don’t have the option of falling to pieces, shedding tears or even expressing our frailties or disappointments with those we are called to serve and lead. PACT provides a safe place to address pastoral pain and pastoral concerns if needed.”

Pastor James C. Ward of Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb County says support groups for pastors are critical.

“I work with a group of about 10 to 20 pastors. We’ve been meeting for about five or six years at New Covenant Christian Ministries once a month to share Pastor James C. Ward ideas, offer support and share stories of life in the ministry. The group is facilitated by founders Pastor Billy Johnson and his wife Dr. D’Ann. Whether you started your own church or are taking over leadership, I think we all learn from each other and we all have something to bring to the table,” said Ward. “We share everything from Scriptures to personal problems. I’ve even got some sermon ideas out of the things we discuss.”

The idea of pastors coming together to support each other has been a long-standing tradition in Atlanta. The Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. was founded in 1983. The group has about 40 religious leaders and hosts weekly community forums tackling issues such as education, religious affairs, public safety, juvenile justice and even the Atlanta Beltline.

“Our mission is to provide leadership, advocacy and service to the homeless, helpless and hopeless in our community,” said the Rev. Frederick Caldwell, who serves as the group’s financial secretary and is pastor of Grace Community Fellowship Church in Atlanta. “Whether it’s counseling the lost or donating school supplies to students, we have to Rev. Frederick Caldwell support each other and more importantly, give each other the strength to make a positive impact in our community.”

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Son of God

Bible movies Filmmakers to release surge of

Noah

46 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

By Valerie J. Morgan

H

ollywood filmmakers are turning to the Bible to produce a slew of movies they hope will make box office hits in the upcoming season.

Filmmakers are re-telling several of the most widely-read stories of the Bible with action and imagery like never seen before.

They are vying to join the ranks of top hits such as “The Ten Commandments,” considered one of the most famous Biblebased movies of all time. One of the highest-grossing films in U.S. history, “The Ten Commandments” earned approximately $122.7 million at the box office during its release in 1956. It remains a favorite biblical story today.

Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” released in 2004, also remains atop the list of independent films earning over $611,890,172 worldwide at the box office.

The controversial Rated R movie, which was criticized by some for the extreme violence displayed, covers the final 12 hours of Jesus’ life.

Here’s a look at some of the new movies on the radar for 2014 and beyond: 20th Century Fox and the History Channel are working together on “Son of God,” which will be released in theaters nationwide Feb. 28, 2014. Described as an “action epic,” the film marks the first motion picture about Jesus’ life since “The Passion of the Christ” was released 10 years ago.

“Son of God” follows Jesus from the cradle to crucifixion to the resurrection. The film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects and a rich orchestral score from Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado portrays Jesus.

Paramount is slated to release “Noah,” a $125 million project, in March 2014.

Darren Aronofsky helms the film. The movie stars Russell Crowe (Noah), who builds an ark to protect his family (Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and Douglas Booth) and the Earth’s creatures.

The retelling of the story, however, includes detailed interpretations and showcases the confrontations of Noah, the prophet, with the barbaric Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone) during the impending end-of-the-world epic.

CHURCHES Now | 47

Son of God

20th Century Fox is developing “Exodus,” expected to be released December 2014. The film examines the aspects of Moses’ life from his near death as an infant to his adoption into the Egyptian royal family, his defiance of the Pharaoh and deliverance of the Hebrews from enslavement. The film, directed by Ridley Scott, stars Christian Bale.

Warner Brothers also is producing another Moses-inspired film entitled “Gods and Kings.”

Academy award-winning director Ang Lee will direct the film. No release date has been announced.

A third Warner Brothers’ film, “Pontius Pilate,” will tell the story of one of the most infamous characters of the Bible. The film follows the evolution of Lucius Pontius Pilate from the sensitive son of a Roman knight to the governorship of Judea to his reluctant decision to order Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.

48 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

LD Entertainment will release “Resurrection” in March 2015 to coincide with the Easter holiday.

The film tells the story of the first 40 days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ through the eyes of an agnostic Roman Centurion charged by Pontius Pilot to investigate the risen Jewish messiah. LD is describing the project as Gladiator in tone but with a mystery bent. Kevin Reynolds, who directed Waterworld and History Channel’s miniseries, Hatfields & McCoys, is director of Resurrection.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is working with Will Smith on “The Redemption of Cain,” which tells the famous story of Cain, the oldest son of Adam and Eve, who killed his younger brother Abel. Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment is producing the film, which is said to have a vampire twist.

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The Spiritual Essence

12

of the number

By Mae D. Jones

D

ecember is the 12th month of the year, the month we are publishing this edition of Churches Now magazine.

Twelve represents divine authority, according to biblestudy.org, an online resource. The number 12 is a product of three, which symbolizes the Divine Trinity, and the number four, which symbolizes the Creation. The multiplication of three and four epitomize the number to represent foundation, perfection, and completion.

Twelve signifies perfection of government. In the Old Testament, 12 kings, priests and prophets were specially anointed to serve in the government. Genesis 49:28 speaks of the 12 tribes of Israel who were blessed according to the blessing bestowed upon their father, Jacob. The 12 tribes are the sons of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel when he wrestled with God. Within our current society, the number 12 rules the government with the number of people who make up a jury.

According to Matthew 26:53 in the New Testament, the number 12 marks the perfection of angelic power with the 12 legions of angels. Other spiritual and divine events signifying the spiritual essence of the number 12 include: at age 12, Jesus made his first public appearance at the temple; Jesus ordained 12 apostles, who were sent with authority to preach the Gospel and to be witnesses of His resurrection; the woman with the issue of blood suffered 12 years before her encounter with Jesus; and as indicated in Revelation 22:2, the tree of life bared 12 manner of fruits, one for each month of the year.

Some of the most noteworthy scriptures referenced in Revelation 21 relates to the holy city, New Jerusalem and the 12 gates of pearl. Upon the gates, 12 angels and the names of the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel are engraved over the gate. The wall of the city has 12 foundations of precious stones, and in them the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. The city is 12,000 furlongs square.

Twelve is perfect and complete and form a harmonious entity. The number 12 is mentioned 187 times in the Bible.

50 | www.churchesnow.com • winter 2013

12 Facts About 12 1. Jesus chose 12 Disciples 2. 12 baskets of leftovers were collected after Jesus fed 5,000 3. 12 Patriarchs from Shem to Jacob 4. 12 months in a year 5. Jesus born in the 12th month of the year 6. 12 days of Christmas 7. 12 grades for school 8. 12 inches on a ruler 9. 12 is the age that Jesus appeared at the temple 10. 12 x 5 seconds to the minute and minutes to the hour 11. The human body has 12 cranial nerves 12. Daniel has 12 chapters