In Other Words Spring 2024 Issue

Managing Editor

Patrice Thomas Conwell

Design Editor

Jerry Ross

Editorial Contributors

George Cartwright

Photographers

Joseph W. Booth Jr.

Alvin Goulbourne Jr.

Sherine Brown-Fraser

Gianna Snell

Pastoral Staff

Debleaire K. Snell Senior Pastor

Steven Chris Dorsey

New Members

Paul Goodridge Administration

J. Alfred Johnson, II Visitation

Jacqueline Lynch Lawrence Bereavement

Kimberly Mann Youth

Kirk Nugent Media

Marc Stephen Raphael Children’s Ministry

Michael Ross Visitation

Lloyd H. Wilson Visitation

In Other Words…

is a publication of the Oakwood University Church 5500

PATRICE THOMAS CONWELL

Can you believe it? We’ve already finished the first quarter of this year and we’ve now entered the quarter of transitions.

Winter is transitioning into spring, which will transition into summer. Students will transition from junior high to high school; from high school to college; and from college into the work force. Couples will transition to engagement and then into marriage. Others will transition from old jobs into new jobs or into retirement.

As we navigate major life transitions, and the changes and challenges that will come with them, let’s not forget the transitions we should make in our spiritual lives. Major life transitions require added spiritual strength, patience, and wisdom to get us through and help us make the right decisions.

When facing major life transitions while juggling daily routines, it may seem that you don’t have the time or energy to include spiritual transitions. But don’t fall prey to that lie. Just as life transitions go through a process of steps over time, so our spiritual transitions can as well.

Don’t think it has to happen all at once, or the thought may overwhelm and paralyze you, which is exactly what Satan wants. Instead, see where you can add 10 minutes here or 30 minutes there to your prayer time. See where you can add a day here or there to include Bible reading, study, or worship. Think about spiritual transitions in steady increments rather than a onetime overhaul.

HISTORY NUGGET

For submission guidelines, send your inquiry to: communication@oucsda.org

Going through the intensity of major life transitions is exactly when we need to include major spiritual transitions. So, make sure to up the spiritual ante to handle what life’s transitions will bring and ensure your success.

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY CHURCH [ THE BEGINNING ]

By Dr. R. Timothy McDonald , Church Historian

Oakwood University Church was started on November 7, 1896, just one week before Oakwood Industrial College (now Oakwood University) opened its doors. The first known church meeting place was in the property’s former slave cabins. It then moved to the Old Mansion, where the school’s principal lived. The next location was Chapel Hall, which was built in 1899 and served as a boy’s dorm. After a fire destroyed Chapel Hall in 1906, Study Hall was built (1907), and worship was held there. As the congregation continued to grow, it moved to Moran Hall, which was built in 1940. When membership got too large for one service, they held two services, but that proved impractical. So, the church moved to Ashby Auditorium, the gymnasium, in 1957. After more growth, groundbreaking for a church building occurred on June 15, 1975. The new church was finished two years later, and the grand opening was on September 3, 1977. This was the first and only building on Oakwood’s campus dedicated and utilized specifically as a church, and it is still being used today.

NEW MEMBER PROFILE

David Michael Riley

Joined OUC on November 18, 2023, after hearing about it from Myra Laird. “One thing I want people to know about me is that I’m humble.”

Randy Williams Jr., Age: 19

Joined OUC in July 2023. Learned about OUC when Dr. Byrd pastored. “I want people to know I’m just trying my best to be a disciple of Christ.”

CHURCH

phrase that has become common in church vernacular is “church hurt.”

It’s the unique bruising we experience in our attempt to fellowship with likeminded believers. Drifting away from church fellowship is often not a result of doctrinal dispute, but a result of bruising, sharp conflict with someone in the church community.

us are clothed in fallen natures. Nothing is beyond possibility for any person, no matter how talented, charismatic, or anointed. An interesting dichotomy is that we should hold leaders to high standards yet give them grace. God does not call leaders once their spiritual growth is finished; He calls them while they are still under construction.

There’s no way around it and there’s no escape. Our mistake is trying to judge the worthiness of the offender. Forgiveness is not about the worth of the offender, but the soul health of the offended. Forgiveness does not get easier with time. The offense hardens and metastasizes, leaking resentment and bitterness into the crevices of the soul.

Church hurt takes many forms. The only thing I’m certain of is we each have our own story. I want to propose that we don’t revel in church hurt or give our hurts the victory. The gospel won’t allow our hurts to be greater than our hope or our healing. Below, I propose two practices for dealing with church hurt.

1. Modify Expectations

One reason church hurt stings so deeply is that we inflate our expectations for people in the church. At the end of the day, church people are still just – people. Whether it’s a deacon, deaconess, elder, or pastor, all of

Many have church hurts that are decades old. Some hurts have altered our perception of religion and blurred the image of God. Maybe it was the one-sided church expulsion of the pregnant young lady, while not acknowledging the flaws of the young man who impregnated her. Perhaps it was a spiritual figure who took advantage of our youth in an obscene way. Maybe it’s the culture of pettiness that pervades many of our fellowships. It could be that we are disappointed by the church’s inability to reconcile the gospel in the context of race and gender.

We see this in the heroes of the Scriptures. God called bigoted Peter while he was still under construction. He called lying Abraham while he was still under construction. He called the harlot Rahab while she was still under construction. He called murdering Saul/Paul before a foundation was even laid.

These examples remind us that our ultimate faith must be in the character of Jesus Christ. In many ways, church hurt is a part of our spiritual development. It is God permitted to shift our focus away from people to Christ permanently. It is an illuminating moment that helps to strengthen our faith if we let it.

2. Forgive Quickly

Forgiving quickly is the formula for suturing any type of hurt, including church hurt.

Forgiveness is the process of releasing the soul fetters tied to you by the offender. It is an internal process that flows out of the grace we have so abundantly received. The forgiveness that we receive results from God’s goodness, not our worthiness. The forgiveness we offer must be a response to God‘s goodness, not the offender’s worthiness. Forgiveness is not doing the offender a favor; it’s doing yourself a favor. There’s no path to internal peace apart from it.

Marital hurt is inevitable. Family hurt is inevitable. Professional hurt is inevitable. In the same manner, church hurt is inevitable. It is the result of being in close proximity to people. My prayer is that this generation can move beyond the experience of church hurt and move to a place of church healing.

A Message from our Junior S.S. Leader Hadassah Dalrymple

in the Sabbath School

CITY

Pastor Snell consistently shares that if you want to make and keep disciples of Christ, give them a job to do where they share their gifts in Christian acts of service. It is this idea which drives the Oakwood University Church Youth Sabbath School team to engage our youth and junior youth classes in service activities in the community every second Sabbath each month.

Sabbath School in the City allows our young people the opportunity to reflect Jesus’ love in a tangible way, making them the hands and feet of Jesus. During this time, we pass out cards with words of affirmation and encouragement, share care packages with our sick and shut-in members, and clean up our community. Next month we will distribute needed items to the homeless.

The young people have fun with one another while also loving the time where they get to give back and see the positive impact made on others by their selfless behavior.

Here’stoYourHealth!

By Charmaine Blake Woode, M.D.

TIME to RESET

It’s already April. Have you made progress on your weight loss resolution? If the answer is no, you are not alone! You’ve had this resolution for years and tried various plans without success. This year can be different. Keep reading if you’re committed to getting results in 2024.

To achieve lasting results, you must RESET. The following acronym will help:

R-Resist judging yourself. Assess where you are and commit to actions that get you results.

E-Embrace the journey, understanding that your results are worth the time/effort required.

S-Set a specific goal. Make it realistic and achievable within a set timeframe.

E-Enjoy the journey, celebrating small victories.

T-Trust the process. Consistently take steps designed for your success.

Seen on the Scene » OUC Ministries

Set yourself up for success by following

The OUC Weight Management Ministry/ Health Ministry. You can RESET and realize your weight loss goal in 2024. Live Life Abundantly!

CRUSADING for

Pathfinders is a worldwide youth organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church which works specifically with the cultural, social, and religious education of children and teens. It also includes character and leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. At the church level, here’s a closer look at what your Oakwood University Church Christian Crusaders Pathfinder Club has been up to this year.

Your Christian Crusaders started out with over 70 registered pathfinders. Our “Kickoff Meeting” took place at Sharon Johnston Park where we played team-building games, had a cookout, and got to know each other, setting the pace for an exciting year. Last September, our Color Guards and Drum Corps performed with distinction at the Tennessee River Youth Federation. For our first outreach activity this year, we partnered with the North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless to organize and pack food bags for distribution in the North Alabama community.

We’re running full steam ahead with plans to attend the “Believe the Promise” International Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming. We started planning as soon as we returned from Oshkosh in 2019, but we were faced with the Covid-19 Pandemic. But even after two years of meeting online, we kept our pathfinder club together and got back on track with plans for this year’s camporee.

For three years our Pathfinder Leadership Team (PLT) has been working diligently with our pathfinders to raise our goal of $25,000 to support the 50+ members and 20+ adult chaperones headed to Gillette in August. One of our main fundraisers, the International Food Festival and Fashion Show, took place in February. This has become one of our favorite fundraisers, and we want to thank all who participated in supporting this year’s event. God has blessed our fundraising efforts to reach $15,000 thus far, but we still have $10,000 more to raise. We need your prayers AND support as we’re determined to have every youth attend the camporee who has registered to go. We will not leave anyone behind.

For those who would like to help, especially if you’re an adult former pathfinder or master guide not currently serving in a club and would like to add to your legacy, remember, “Once a pathfinder, always a pathfinder.” It might be time to dust off your “pathfindering” and get involved or maybe it’s time to plant a seed in the next generation.

We have many projects and upcoming events where resources are needed, and we offer several ways for you to “Plant a Seed.” You can become a pathfinder sponsor; you can donate your time at fundraising events; or you can help pathfinders get ready for the upcoming camporee by donating resources.

If you have a business, practice, organization, or philanthropy consider becoming a corporate sponsor. Make it an annual contribution or a tax write off and let your legacy of support live on. Sponsorship levels are:

• Bronze ($250)

• Silver ($500)

• Gold ($1,000)

• Platinum ($5,000)

At OUC we have one of the most active PLTs in the South Central conference. Our PLT donates their time, energy, and resources to ensure an active and thriving pathfinder ministry, but we can’t do it alone. We need additional help, support, and resources. First, decide how you can help, then reach out to Pathfinder Director Brian Dublin Sr. at 256-656-2756 or 256-679-1412 or at briandublinsr@gmail.com. If you want to remain anonymous, please send your support to the Oakwood University Church and mark your gift “Pathfinders.”

We thank you in advance for supporting your Christian Crusader Pathfinder Club and ensuring that we are indeed a church that truly prepares the next generation.

Cover Story by our Pathfinder Leader BRIAN DUBLIN SR.

G’day Mate!

VBS 2024 is coming in July with the theme, Outback Rock! Where kids venture into Solid Faith!

At Outback Rock, kids will imagine exploring the Australian Outback filled with kangaroos, rugged wilderness, and fun! On the Aussie adventure, kids will explore God’s monumental love and discover what it means to have an unshakeable faith.

Each day, kids will trek through three field-tested stations that reinforce relevant Bible points and immerse kids in new adventures: Rock-Solid Bible Adventures for hands-on activities and thoughtprovoking discussions; Project-With-A-Purpose to create crafts and gifts for the church or community; and Outback Games where kids run, jump, and

splash though games that connect with the daily Bible verses.

VBS will end with our children presenting a 20-minute Sabbath celebration to parents, grandparents, and friends, sharing our Bible point, “God is always with us”; our key Bible verse, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthrew 28:20); and songs that will get the whole congregation involved.

So put VBS 2024 on your calendar to make sure your kids are ready for Outback Rock.

Location: Family Life Center

Dates: July 17-19, with a culminating VBS program at the beginning of Divine Worship on July 20th. Age: 3-4 yr. olds (preschool) through 10–11 yr. olds.

Registration for kids and volunteers will begin April 6. Let’s get ready to explore the Outback with Solid Faith!

Your 2024 VBS Team

Kim Jacobs, Nichole Taylor, Tarshall Dublin, Shantell Wise, Brandy Wright

MEN’S MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT by ROY HALL, Men’s Ministry Leader

Your OUC Men’s Ministry started 2024 with a bang. In the month of January, we continued our Faith and Football, where men meet and discuss pertinent issues, and enjoy watching an NFL football game while eating a delicious buffet brunch, along with snacks and ice-cold beverages.

In the month of February, we held our annual Super Bowl party (Go Chiefs!) which was a huge success with a grand time enjoyed by all who attended.

This event was followed by a new program called Faith and Fitness, spearheaded by Dr. Finbar Benjamin, OUC’s own fitness guru. Dr. Benjamin brought his own unique approach to men’s fitness by incorporating exercise with self-defense training. Faith and Fitness met every Sunday during the month of February. We plan to continue this program throughout the year. So, if you are interested in joining us please contact Maurice Long (305-305-5897) to sign up.

IN MEMORIAM

2003 - 2023

Jeavonn Michael Barracks enrolled at Oakwood University and began his studies in January 2023. His objective was to attain a Biology Pre-Med degree after already earning an associate degree in Health Sciences and completing three semesters in the Doctor of Medicine program at the All-American Institute for Medical Sciences in Jamaica, West Indies. His ultimate aim was to achieve a degree in medicine from Loma Linda University in California.

Born on March 31, 2003 in Rochester, New York to parents, Kerian Young and Michael Barracks, Jeavonn spent his formative years in Rochester, Florida, and Jamaica.

Embracing his faith, he underwent a significant moment of spiritual commitment, being baptized on September 28, 2013, at the Northern Caribbean University Church.

Jeavonn graduated West Indies College Preparatory School and Kings Way High School as the “Top Boy” (valedictorian), showcasing his commitment to academic excellence.

Beyond academics, Jeavonn enjoying singing bass, listening to music, and teaching himself to play the saxophone and piano. His passion for music drew him to become a member of both the University Choir and the Voice of Inspiration choir at Oakwood University. His dream of becoming an orchestra director reflected his diverse talents.

Jeavonn’s kindness, humility, and mature perspective profoundly impacted the lives of all who knew him. A devoted follower of the Lord, he lived a remarkable and exemplary life within his brief 20 years. As he rests until the return of Jesus, he leaves behind a legacy of love and inspiration.

Jeavonn is survived by his parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and a multitude of relatives and friends who held a deep affection for him. May he rest in peace until the joyous day when we reunite with him.

Thank you to the Oakwood University Office of Integrated Marketing and Public Relations for sharing this information.

Lastly, in collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Ministry Team, headed by David McElhaney and Chip Ates, we presented our first annual Living with Prostate Cancer Brunch and Learn Seminar on March 3. It was a much needed, greatly anticipated, and well received program that dealt with a leading health issue facing Black men today.

OUC Men’s Ministry goals are to promote healthy relationships with our spouses, children, family

members, friends, and others, along with encouraging men to prioritize their role as godly husbands, fathers, and mentors, while fostering unity and harmony within our families and communities. To that end we look forward to providing impactful programs that will address the needs of the men of OUC for the rest of this year and beyond.

A Message from our VBS Co-leader KIMBERLY JACOBS

JOIN US THIS YEAR TO CELEBRATE

50 YEARS OF BREATH OF LIFE TELEVISION MINISTRY!

Since its inception in 1974, and in harmony with its stated mission, to present the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ to all people groups from a contemporary, urban perspective, Breath of Life (BOL) has been providing weekly religious television broadcasts, along with engaging in public evangelistic initiatives throughout its 50-year history.

From the initial days of Charles D. Brooks, who served as the first Breath of Life Speaker/Director, followed by Walter L. Pearson, then Dr. Carlton P. Byrd – to the current Speaker/Director, Debleaire Snell – the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ has been fearlessly preached with hundreds of thousands being exposed to our Savior’s matchless love and redeeming grace. As a result, nearly 20,000 persons have been baptized…and 17 churches planted and founded through this ministry.

PARTNER WITH BREATH OF LIFE

PRAY daily for this ministry to be used by God for the building of God’s kingdom.

LEARN more about ministry opportunities, product offerings, Bible lessons, evangelistic campaigns, outreach projects and coming events on our website or call us.

WATCH Christ-centered, quality broadcast programs on the Word Network, 3ABN, the Hope Channel, and other media outlets. Visit breathoflife.tv for a complete media schedule,

DONATE to this evangelism-based, donor dependent ministry with your charitable gifts:

• Online: breathoflife.tv

• Phone: 256.929.6460

• Mail: Breath of Life P.O. Box 5960 Huntsville, AL 35814