March/April 2021 - The Christian Outlook

AVA I L A B L E F O R P R E - O R D E R AT W W W. PAW B O O K S T O R E . C O M 2

THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK

“POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”

MARCH/APRIL 2021

THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK

“POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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BISHOP THEODORE L. BROOKS, SR. PRESIDING BISHOP & EXECUTIVE OFFICERS First Assistant Presiding Bishop

Second Assistant Presiding Bishop

Bishop Mark C. Tolbert, Sr.

Bishop Michael D. Hannah, Sr.

General Secretary

Assistant General Secretary

General Treasurer

Assistant General Treasurer

Suffragan Bishop Craig High

Suffragan Bishop Ann Storey Pratt

Suffragan Bishop Maxie D. Dobson

Suffragan Bishop Leon E. Parker

BOARD OF BISHOPS w Former Presiding Bishops Enebong E. Ephraim ** Charles Davis ** Ronald L. Young v George F. Austin Clifton Jones v Vanuel C. Little ** Leo C. Smith, Jr. Immanuel Paul Joseph S. Montinor Richard E. Young Horace E. Smith wv Nealon Guthrie ** James Gaiters v Charles H. Ellis III wv Michael D. Hannah, Sr. v William R. Jones ** Noel L. Jones

v Member of Executive Bishops Council

Lance R. Foster v Theodore L. Brooks, Sr. v Roland E. Hairston Charles Sims Gregory W. Newman v Sherman L. Merritt v Moses E. Butler Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr, ** Frank Cuomo ** Richard D. Howell, Jr. v Billy G. Newton Joseph D. Guthrie v Edgar A. Posey Ellis J. Farrington Alfonso Madden Carl Lewis Leo Simpson

** Emeritus Bishops

Marion E. Wright, Sr. v Mark C. Tolbert, Sr. v Tutai Pere Isaac Tumo Mthimkula C. Wayne Brantley v Michael D. Franklin Samuel R. Moore v Lourenco Vieira Ira Combs Gary H. Harper Larry O. Jones v Samuel Nice Nkanang Charles M. Finnell v Robert Thomas A. Glenn Brady v Earnest Pendleton Robert A. Baker

James Daniel Edgar Robinson Rufus G.W. Sanders Carl Turner v Thomas Davis Jeffrey D. Goldsmith Jones Foote v Robert T. Douglas Donnie McGriff Bruce Shaw Barrington Smith v Melvin Brown John Thorpe James Greg Rodges Mona Reide Gwendolyn Weeks Fredrick Jackson

+ Honorary Bishops Leroy Horne Donald L. Golder Harry Grayson Gregory Irvin v Stephen Zondo Arthur Fletcher Kevin Dobbs Kevin M. Harrison Derek Pierson Errol O’Savio Stewart Reese + Eulah Nelson + Ernest Miller + Marvin Donaldson +

The Episcopal address is: 3939 Meadows Drive / Indianapolis, IN 46205

PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLIES OF THE WORLD, INC. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE / 3939 MEADOWS DRIVE INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46205 / 317.547.9541 * FAX: 317.543.0513

Ms. Roxanne McDaniel PAW Headquarters’ Office Manager Your first point of contact 317-547-9541 Fax: 317-543-0513 rmcdaniel@publishing.pawinc.org

Mrs. Jordan Brooks-Adams Chief of Staff Auxiliaries and Departments 203-376-6089 jbrooks@beulahheightschurch.org

Elder Alan Burroughs Executive Liaison for Special Committees and Director of Apostolic Day of Prayer 301-893-7300 aburroughs@pawinc.org

The CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK Magazine (ISSN10894217) is published bi-monthly, and is the official organ of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Headquarters: 3939 Meadows Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205; phone (317) 547-9541. Please let it be known that all rights are reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an electronic system, or transmitted in any form by means of electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., and its entity the Department of Publications. Periodical postage paid at Indianapolis, IN 46206. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Over 60 years of continuous publication in the interest of Christian perfection according to Ephesians 4:11-13, and emphasizing Apostolic faith and practice, the Second Coming of Christ, and the preparation of the people to be the Bride of Christ.

SUBSCRIPTION: USA. $30.00: Foreign, please call the office for rates at: 317-547-9541. Single copies and back issues $5.00 each.

SUBMISSIONS: Please contact Roxanne McDaniel for rates at: 317547-9541. We assume no responsibility for and are not obligated to print any article or advertisement either solicited or unsolicited. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the PAW, Inc. or The Christian Outlook magazine. POSTMASTER: send address changes to: 3939 Meadows Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205.

MAILING ADDRESS The Christian Outlook Magazine 3939 Meadows Drive Indianapolis, IN 46205 (317) 547-9541 (317) 543-0513 FAX www.pawinc.org

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 4

Executive Officers

6

Letter from the Presiding Bishop

7

The Question

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From the Editor

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Cover Story: Strange Fire

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I Have This Testimony: He Always Hears Me When I Pray

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Pain is a Necessary Investment for Progress

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God Can I Have a Different Story Please?

First Lady Jennifer Slaughter Content Administrator & Assistant to Editor in Chief

18

Burning Bushes

Elder Demarcus Williams/FRESHDESIGNZ, LLC Creative Director/Graphic Design www.freshdesignz.net

20

Black Women Who Have Run for President of the United States

Sister Dawne Hill/DHDesigns Graphic Design www.behance.net/dawnehill

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History: The Era of Bishop Making (Continued)

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In Loving Memory: Bishop Charles E. Davis

26

Youth Corner: Bigger

28

Raphael “Ray” Washington Appointed Sheriff of Wayne County

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When Was Your Last Financial Checkup?

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Overlooked and Underserved: The Mental Health Crisis of Black Women

34

Adopt-A-Soul: God’s Restorative Justice

36

Book Review: Rebuilding Lives Through The Spirit

EDITORIAL Evangelist Neechy Dumas Editor in Chief and Director of Publications Evangelist Mona Thomas-Green Associate Director/Graphic Design

Minister Erick Bowens/Bowens Enterprise Graphic Design www.bowensenterprise.co Sister Gabrielle Louden Cover Design Graphic Design Roxanne McDaniel Office Manager/Accounting Director Elder David Hollis, Jr. Minister Timothy Moore Dr. Lillian Lockett Robertson Suffragan Bishop Harold E. Rayford Suffragan Bishop Leonard S. Scott Minister Ramona Ward Dr. Ruth Tyson Newton, Publication Proofreader Executive Contributors Stacey N. Monger Mary Sanford Production Associates

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“POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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From the Desk of the Presiding Bishop

Bishop Theodore L. Brooks, Sr.

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.

Greetings in the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, Lady L. Janice Brooks and I send you our love! We have been praying for you and your families that the keeping power of God cover you all. Just this time last year, we were facing a series of life-changing moments around the world. The doors of our churches closed, and many had to learn quickly how to pivot into virtual worship. We were also challenged on many fronts to increase our community ministry efforts, as our neighbors and friends needed resources simply to survive the changing world. Compassion to each other, compassion for one another is what we had to be about over the last year perhaps more than ever before.

The Resurrection Season is always a time for contemplation for me. I think about God’s love, His grace, and His mercy towards us—towards me. I think about how undeserving I am of God’s grace, and how he loved me enough to still die for my sins. Jesus’ death on the cross is a demonstration of His compassion towards us—and demonstrates for us how we should have compassion towards one another. Jesus commands us to love one another as we would our own selves. Indeed, the Word also challenges us to love one another like God loves us. In that, we are to show the same compassion towards one another that God shows towards us daily.

I think it’s so important in this Resurrection Season to think back on what this last year has taught us about making compassion come alive for our communities. Over this last year, we have experienced a revival in love, in coming together, and in creative community efforts. God’s infinite love towards us demonstrated on the cross teaches us to love one another infinitely. I celebrate all of us whom have taken on the needs of the community with the compassion of Christ, and I encourage us to keep driving compassion forward in the world as we embody on the love of Christ towards one another.

Lady Brooks and I are continually praying for you, your loved ones, your churches, and your communities. Happy Resurrection!

The Master’s Servants, Bishop Theodore and Lady L. Janice Brooks

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

THE QUESTION

Q

Angie Borton The convention in Ohio where many souls were baptized off to the side before, during & after service (and the tally was being kept like a score card).

And especially when the brother who represented the Governor’s office received the Holy Ghost after Bishop Brooks laid hands. Then a young lady in the back did as well after Dr. Barney & D/E Julian Johnson worked with her.

CONVENTION MEMORIES

Cheryl Joyful Noise LaMar When Bishop Wagner preached “Its 10 minutes 12 (midnight); blow wind blow!! Unknown to him, after he preached they presented him with a grandfather clock. So many souls ran to the altar to be saved! They were baptizing in a tub off to the side and the ticker tape score board was keeping track of souls going down in Jesus’ name. The Holy Ghost fell on the brother that was mopping up the water and he started shouting and dancing, mop and all! I love God and being in the midst of Hispresence and His people. And this is just one memory.

What is your favorite PAW Convention memory?

Gerald Green I have many great memories from the PAW conventions, over the years, but I think my #1 favorite would be the 1990 Summer Convention, in St. Louis, MO, when Bishop Norman L. Wagner delivered a message entitled: “Not Born To Die!” Genesis 35:16-18. “Ladies & gentlemen, brothers & sisters, we were not born to die, we were born to fulfill the will of God!”

Nahomie Augustin

Meeting Dietrick Haddon before he became theee Dietrick Haddon, he directed the young people’s choir that was an awesome night!

Janice Watkins Receiving the Holy Ghost at the Young People’s Convention in Syracuse, New York, August 1, 1976. The speaker was Bishop Norman L. Wagner and the message was “Ten minutes to twelve“ taken from Ecclesiastes 3rd chapter. So wish that there was a tape made of that message.

Kevin Newell I enjoyed our PAW Convention in 2019 at Cincinnati, OH. The anointing was so rich throughout and it was a memorable experience for me since I’ve started attending conventions. Shoutout to our current Presider Bishop Theodore L. Brooks, Sr. for his great leadership and vision along side with Bishop Mark C Tolbert, Bishop Michael D. Hannah, and the Board of Bishops. I am definitely looking forward to our next in person Convention.

Elder Ricardo Burns I have enjoyed everything...the word of God on every imaginable level, the fellowship, working, our leaders, meeting new saints and last but not least Convention Hall. I can’t wait until we start again in person. It’s greatly missed and greatly needed.

Denzeil Tubbs The Holy Ghost takeover at the end of the Atlanta convention (either ‘08 or ‘09). Elder Hollis preached the IPYPU Saturday service and hundreds of us filled the lobby shouting!

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“POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENJOY THE 2021 VIRTUAL PAW CONVENTION? Send your response to TheChristianOutlook@pawinc.org MARCH/APRIL 2021

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FROM THE EDITOR Evangelist Neechy Dumas

Welcome to the March/April 2021 Edition of the Christian Outlook Magazine!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the many readers and subscribers of the Christian Outlook for taking this journey together with us, and allowing us to serve you as we highlight the stories of hope, healing, and help—written by countless men and women of God, found throughout our organization. I’m also grateful to our presider, Bishop Theodore L. Brooks, Sr. to be given the opportunity to serve in this capacity. It has truly been a pleasure to work under his auspicious leadership, and I look forward to all that God has in store for us as we have been “Positioned for Promise,” our hope-filled theme for this year.

T

his isue marks the one-year anniversary of my appointment as Publications Director for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., and little did I realize that within the coming year we would have so much to celebrate – significant digital upgrades, product announcements, online media advances and much more. This was a new adventure for me along with my team, as I affectionately call “The Crew.’ Over the past year, we have made every effort to re-imagine each page of the Christian Outlook. For our readers, we wanted this magazine to be encouraging and informative, at times challenging, but above all… useful and Christ-centered. Inside each edition, you’ll find a mixture of new features and regular columns on a wide range of topics. Every aspect of this re-design represents a prayerfully-considered decision and it is my hope that you find it to be refreshing, encouraging, and uplifting. With the support of our Editorial Team, PAW leaders, volunteers, readers and subscribers, we have grown together in this journey.

Our online presence, although a tremendous blessing, will never be a total replacement for the body of believers gathering together, neither should it be. Yet, necessity brings about ingenuity, and we’ve seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ reach many places and people that it has not reached in times past, all because of the necessity and the ingenuity of God’s people, that are willing innovate during these uncertain times.

As the PAW has embarked upon this same innovation, with the creation of the new PAWBOOKSTORE.com, I’m delighted to acknowledge and thank the Store Manager for the Department of Publications, Min. Mary Sanford for her tremendous work on this newly created website. Her dedication and attention to detail during this project was a great help, and for that I am grateful.

Innovation requires much labor and I am thankful for the people that are willing to help with the responsibility.

As you flip through the pages of this edition of the Christian Outlook, it is my prayer that you are inspired by the pain to purpose testimony of Dr. Stephen I. Hithe, Jr.; that you are encouraged by the entrepreneurial words of wisdom by Raphael “Ray” Washington and that you are motivated to increase the tenacity and fervor of your prayer life by the words of Dr. Annmarie McQueen.

May you continue to be fully persuaded that God is capable of performing every promise made in His word, and that you find yourself in the right place at the right time, to receive every blessing that God has in store for you. This year, be determined to be “Positioned for Promise.”

Blessings, Evang. Neechy Marketing & Publications Director @Neechy | www.Neechy.com

And, as we continue to embark upon 2021 and all that it entails, I am encouraged to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” and how God is doing something unique and new within our midst. And, we can see this most clearly in our virtual and online experiences.

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THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK

“POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”

MARCH/APRIL 2021

Now it

Shall Spring Forth

Positioned for Promise Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?

I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

- Isaiah 43:19 KJV “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” ‭‭- Luke 24:49 KJV‬‬

THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK

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MARCH/APRIL 2021

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COVER STORY

Strange Strange Fire

ByByBishop BishopMichael MichaelHannah, Hannah,Sr Sr

FF

can’tbebecertain, certain,however howeverthat thatthey they knew knew the the clear clear orfirst the time first time in 102 years, we are experiencing things WeWe can’t or the in 102 years, we are experiencing things commandconcerning concerningthe the altar: altar: “You “You shall shall not not offer offer we have never experienced before.

Bible speaks we have never experienced before.

TheThe Bible speaks of of command unauthorized incense (Ex.30:9).

30:9).Yet Yetfor forsome someunknown unknown rumors of wars.

Bible speaks of pestilence unauthorized incense onon it”it” (Ex. warswars and and rumors of wars.

TheThe Bible speaks of pestilence reason they didn’ttake takeseriously seriouslythe thewarning warningofofGod God and and and plagues in diverse places. things have read reason they didn’t and plagues in diverse places.

TheThe things wewe have read consequently they paid dearly for it. about and the things we have preached about have about and the things we have preached about have consequently they paid dearly for it. suddenly come upon us. This devastating pandemic suddenly come upon us. This devastating pandemic wewe Stories Stories andexamples exampleslike likethis thisare arewritten writtenininscripture scripture to to and call COVID-19 has discombobulated our economy, taken instruct call COVID-19 has discombobulated our economy, taken us (Rom. 15:4) “For whatever was written in former instruct us (Rom. 15:4) “For whatever was written in former the lives of almost 500,000 people, made food lines the lives of almost 500,000 people, made food lines thethe days days was written for our instruction that through endurance was written for our instruction that through endurance norm for the survival of our middle-class constituents, and and through the encouragement of the scriptures we might norm for the survival of our middle-class constituents, and and through encouragement of the scriptures we might confounded our greatest scientists who are lost for answers have hope.”the Nadab and Abihu were newly ordained priests confounded our greatest scientists who are lost for answers have hope. ” Nadab Abihu were newly ordained priests as it mutates into other variances. The question begs, is God whose ordinationand process likely lasted longer than their as it mutates into other variances. The question begs, is God whose ordination process likely lasted longer than their trying to tell us something? We know it is true the God we ministries.

God killed them right on the spot in a stunning trying to tell us something? We know it is true the God we ministries.

God killed them right on the spot in a stunning serve is omnipotent (all powerful), omnipresent (everywhere and dramatic way. serveatisthe omnipotent (all powerful), omnipresent (everywhere same time), omniscient (all knowing). Consequently, and dramatic way. at the omniscient (all knowing). if same God istime), omniscient that means He neverConsequently, gets caught off Nadab and Abihu’s sudden death raised a host of questions: Abihu’s deathfire? raised hostuse of questions: if God is omniscient that means He never gets caught off Nadab Whatand exactly wassudden this strange Didathey the wrong guard. If God had foreknowledge of this COVID-19 pandemic What exactly was this strange fire?

Did they use the wrong guard.

If God had foreknowledge of this COVID-19 pandemic incense?

Did they come at the wrong time?

Did they enter and He allowed it to happen, the question is why did God incense?

Did they come at the wrong time?

Did they enter and He allowed it to happen, the question is why did God the holy of holies?

Were they drunk (Lev. 10:9)?

Did they offer allow it to happen? theincense holy ofto holies?

(Lev. 10:9)?

Did theywe offer allow it to happen? a falseWere god?they We drunk can’t be certain; however, can Today, I would like to view the effect of the COVID-19 incense to a false god?

Wewas can’t be certain; however, we can be certain that their sin essentially about worship.

The Today, I wouldaslike to view effectThe ofreason the COVID-19 pandemic it relates to thethe church.

I coined the betabernacle certain that essentially worship. oftheir God sin waswas a place where about God meets man The and pandemic as it relates to the church.

The reason I coined the theme of my presentation “strange fire” is because I think that tabernacle of to God was a place where God meetsabnegation man and man yields self-abnegation because of God’s theme of my presentation “strange is because I think that of man yields to self-abnegation because of God’s abnegation God is trying to tell the churchfire” something in the middle on the Cross for us. This is called worship. Worship by God this is trying to tell the church Come something in the of on the Cross for us. This is called worship. Worship by devastating pandemic. with me nowmiddle to the book definition: A condition of being worthy, dignity, glory/sense this devastating pandemic.

Come with me now to the the book of Leviticus 10:1-2.

It reads: “Now Nadab and Abihu, sons definition: A condition being worthy, dignity, glory/sense of reverence paid to aof supernatural or divine being. of Leviticus 10:1-2. reads: and Abihu, the incense sons of reverence paid to a supernatural or divine being. of Aaron, each Ittook his“Now censerNadab and put fire in it and on it each and offered unauthorized fire before LORD, which of Aaron, took his censer and put fire in itthe and incense not commanded And fire came out from on itHe andhad offered unauthorizedthem. fire before the LORD, which before LORD, and consumed them, theyout diedfrom before He had notthe commanded them. And fireand came thethe LORD. “ and consumed them, and they died before before LORD, the LORD. “

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“GOD’S PROMISE TO PERFORM”

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What if God is not pleased with our worship? What if God is not pleased with the way we worship? What if God is not pleased with where we worship? What if God is not pleased with who we are worshipping? I posed the questions after a modicum review of the side-effects of this current pandemic: 1. The pandemic has hit the church extremely hard and with a mountain of devastating side-effects as it relates to church attendance.

2. The decline of income via tithes and offerings.

3. In-person fellowship with our brothers and sisters.

4. The uncertainty of previous dates on our church calendars, i.e., pastoral and church anniversaries, men’s day, women’s day, etc.

As I close, I present this clarion call to all of our new church leaders i.e., Bishops, Pastors, teachers, preachers, it’s time to re-examine the way we worship our God. Perhaps this pandemic forced us out of our church buildings into our parking lots, into virtual teaching and preaching online, into the street to feed the hungry with a plethora of food lines around the country to remind us that the church was never supposed to be a “monument but a movement.” The definitions of a monument are a statue, building, or other structure erected to commemorate a famous or notable person or an event. The Bible defines the church as a movement that consist of God’s people. It’s an assembly of

believers in Jesus Christ. The physical buildings facilitate the fellowship, worship, and ministry of God’s people, but it is not the church. It is upon the Greek word ekklesia, which is referring to the gathering or assembly. The pandemic closed down our monuments (church buildings), but it did not stop the movement (ekklesia).

In our local Council setting, we have training classes for future ministers, pastors and leaders. In one of our classes the question was asked why has this pandemic come upon us? They also asked was it the will of God? I responded to them that the life of a Christian was merely a process. For example, a Christian goes through the process of justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification suggests that even though we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity, even though the wages of sin are death, God says, but the gift of God is eternal life. As it relates to justification, the gift is God pardoning or removing our sin penalty. Sanctification is the last part of the process of preparing us to meet our awesome God in our glorified bodies. I believe emphatically that this pandemic is part of our sanctification process that prepares us for real worship. We worship better when the fires of life come upon us. We worship better when the fire of life almost consumes us. I am convinced that the God we serve would never have allowed this pandemic to come upon us if He did not have a plan to bring us out of it with praise and worship in the fire of faith, which is real worship.

Bishop Hannah is the 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc., (P.A.W), and the Diocesan of the Northeast District Council, the 19th Episcopal District, and serves on The Executive Board of Bishops.

He is the founder and Prelate of the World Believers Fellowship in Maryland.

He and his wife Evangelist Dr. Jeanette Hannah, married for 49 years are the proud parents of three children, sons Michael Jr., and Aaron, and one daughter Lezlie, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

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NEW PROGRAM ALERT AENON BIBLE COLLEGE INC PROUDLY ANNOUNCES A NEW CHAPLAINCY CERTIFICATION

COMING SOON

EMPOWERING YOU TO COMFORTOTHERS

BISHOP MICHAEL D. HANNAH, SR EXECUTIVE PRSIDENT 2ND PRESIDING BISHOP, P.A.W. INC. @AENONBIBLECOLLEGE WWW.AENONONLINE.ORG

...THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT; WHO COMFORTETH US IN ALL OUR TRIBULATION, THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO COMFORT THEM WHICH ARE IN ANY TROUBLE, BY THE COMFORT WHEREWITH WE OURSELVES ARE COMFORTED OF GOD. 2 CORINTHIANS 1: 334

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Once, many years ago, I had a situation that caused me more pain than I had ever had before. I was in an emotional spin that had my mind whirling. I did not know what to do, who could I tell? Who could help? I went into the basement of our house and began to cry out to God. All I did was cry. I did not know what to say. I had no words. I sobbed for a long time sitting on the floor next to my couch. Then I saw what looked like a needle and thread. It was somehow going up to the sky and back down again into the room where I was. How could that be; what is that? I asked the Lord. “I AM healing your broken heart”, HE said. I had never heard of such a thing. Suddenly I was fine. The situation was still there but I was no longer in pain. It was well with my soul. All the pain was gone and I was able to master the situation from a God place.

The way you relate to God determines outcomes in your life and the lives of your loved ones. Many call it a relationship but you could have a relationship with anyone. It is how you relate to Jesus that makes the difference. Do you talk together often, do you trust Him, have you searched out the Bible to learn about Him and His ways? When you pray, you must believe. If you believe, you will continue to pray. If you continue to pray and believe, you will have wonderful outcomes. My testimony, HE always hears me when I pray, came as a result of answered prayers. Here are some keys: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1 Peter 3: 12. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteousness, and HIS ears are open unto their prayers: That did it for me, He ALWAYS hears me. He will hear you, too. You must believe it.

Once I knew that HE would hear me, it made me pray even more because I knew He was listening. I talk to Him a lot. He talks back, we are in constant conversation. Psalms 65: 2 Every time I went to pray, I felt like He was watching me. It made me want to behave myself not only in prayer but always because I wanted the Lord to hear me. Then I found: Ps 34: 15-17. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.

Then one day, I discovered 1 John 5: 14,15; it was another key. “And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that HE hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.” Verse 14 said “according to His will”. How do I know His will? That made me search out the Bible for the will of God. I knew that if I prayed His will it was sure to come to pass no matter how long it took or no matter what the circumstances looked like while I waited. Lk.11: 9-13.

I believe The Lord. I have faith in Him. Walking with Him over the years taught me that when I prayed in the name of Jesus, every single problem could be and would be solved. I trust Him. I have developed a very wonderful relationship with Him personally. Mark 11: 22-26.

I HAVE THIS TESTIMONY: “HE ALWAYS

PRAYER

Because I know HE hears me, I pray.

HEARS ME WHEN I

PRAY.”

By Dr. Annmarie McQueen

“When you pray, you must believe.

If you believe, you will continue to pray.

If you continue to pray and believe, you will have wonderful outcomes.”

Use these keys, learn to trust Jesus, your life will change.

Dr. Annmarie McQueen Pastor/Founder of The Prayer and Training Center The Making A Difference Conferences McQueen Universal Ministries MARCH/APRIL 2020 THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK

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THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK MARCH/APRIL 2021

TESTIMONY

Pain Is a Necessary

Investment for Progress

By Dr. Stephen I. Hithe, Jr.

I

have had some tough times early in life, and more than a few of those struggles resulted from trauma or tragedy.

My turbulent childhood was verbally, physically, and emotionally abusive, which left me feeling abandoned, with low self-esteem. By age 35, I was divorced and still coming to terms with the loss of my youngest daughter Toni, who had passed nine years earlier, just two months after my oldest brother Tony died from colon cancer. In later years, I would come to know Christ and accept Him as Lord and Savior, which resulted in baptism and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Many of us know that this is just the beginning of our journey in seeking God’s face more diligently. However, it does not dismiss the trauma or pain experienced before or after coming to Christ.

I became more isolated in my professional and personal life.

So many events of my past had left me emotionally bankrupt, making me feel unsafe and uncertain about life going forward. I started to respond to my trauma’s after-effects and found myself repeatedly asking the same questions, why me?

How long will this pain last? What is it going to teach me? Life was testing me to test me, and I know I have a witness out there who can touch and agree with me on this.

In February 2010, I started feeling increased anxiety. Most of my assignments while serving in the Navy had been in hightempo operational areas around the world. Anyone who has served in the military knows that the operations department drives the whole unit. I worked in the intelligence division, which is critical to strategic warfare planning, and there is nothing stress-free about this kind of work. I had gone many years believing that my decreased tolerance for stressful situations was just the result of many years of stress brought on by my jobs. I had not considered how my past trauma might be contributing to the ever-increasing emotional challenges I was experiencing. By early 2013, just months before retiring from the Navy, I became less able to function regularly at work. It seemed my past trauma from abuse and neglect, coupled with my combat experience in Afghanistan, was now surfacing.

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My pain had reached its pinnacle, and I was losing myself slowly but surely. I called a brother in Christ so we could pray. After some reluctance, I decided to schedule an appointment for a psychological screening. A week later, I completed the screening, which resulted in a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). So here it was, front and center, and the question that I’ve had to confront at so many crossroads was before me again; how are you going to respond? I laid my burden down and surrendered to God. I started counseling at the Veterans Administration (VA), which proved to be invaluable treatment. I’m grateful to have been amongst other believers who supported me, oppose to putting my faith on trial for seeking mental health treatment.

I asked God to help me make what I saw as a mess into a message for Him. I considered the embarrassment and shame that might result from making myself vulnerable sharing testimonies about my past, but God had sustained me for His purpose, so I witnessed IN FAITH EXPECTING the chains of others to be broken, so that their purpose might also be revealed in their pain. God honored and answered my prayers, which has given me the courage as a men’s ministry leader and mentor, to share my testimony without any fear of what anyone might think of me. Had my situation not been exposed before God, I may have died both spiritually and physically.

I learned more about God’s ways, and less about self-serving desires during my painful journey in search of God’s purpose in my challenging struggle.

You can’t love your spouse unconditionally unless you’ve experienced the life-changing power of God’s unconditional love. My wife, Tanisha endured far more than she deserved to during my difficult journey. She prayed for me when I didn’t have the strength to pray for myself, and it was her unconditional love during the worst times that gave me a comforting sense of God’s grace, love and compassion for what I was struggling with. In short, her prayers and unconditional love, kept me on life support.

Step I: Understand why it’s happening to you. God never promised that life would be fair, but here is the truth, you can handle it. We are all confronted with challenges, and our struggles come to strengthen, not to destroy us. How many times have you been without a solution to find peace or freedom from a situation, and you just could not see a way out? And look at God; our covenant-keeping God shows up and shows out.

Step II: Learn a lesson from it. I think we can all agree that life is a great teacher, so when the struggle comes down your street, do not focus on the pain but give God thanks in advance for the purpose it will serve. Life will continue to hand out valuable lessons freely, and sometimes we will be responsible due to our actions, and other times life will happen as it does. Like most things in life, it is not solely about where you find yourself but how you respond to it. We have permission to look pain straight in the face and smile back at it because there is no challenge or struggle in our life that God cannot lead us through.

Step III: Turn the pain into purpose. God allowed my experiences to occur so I could help someone else overcome their struggles. Living is about learning, and as we learn, we should also teach. Some of the best teachers in life have been those who glorified God through their obedience to suffer and endure pain for His sake. They have gone through the fire and bear the scars from the battles of life. The power of our pain for God’s purpose can change the world.

In conclusion, I want you to know God has a purpose planted in us that expresses His confidence that we can bear the burdens that He has allowed to be brought to us.

Pray for God’s guidance as you weather painful storms.

Stay grounded in God’s Word and know that revelation is not always immediate or obvious. Purpose can always be found somewhere within the pain of our suffering; therefore, let your pain birth your purpose so that the words of your testimony may glorify God.

The three steps that helped me better understand my pain to purpose journey are: “If I can help somebody as I pass along; if I can help somebody, with a word or song; If I can show somebody, that he’s traveling wrong; then my living shall not be in vain.”

Mahalia Jackson Lord’s servant, Dr. Stephen I. Hithe, Jr. This article is dedicated to my wife Tanisha, our beautiful daughters Lynn and Leah, and the memory of my beloved daughter Toni

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FAMILY

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EDITORIAL

BURNING BUSHES

By Rev. Dr. Kay Robinson

In reading the oft read, well taught, well preached story of Moses’ experience with the burning bush, I came to understand that it is a pretty good representation of the lives of the children of God. We are burning bushes through the hard afflictions that come upon our lives. We burn in dire situations like divorce, sickness, abandonment, infidelity, loss, lack, mental illness, physical abuse—so many hard places, but, like the bush Moses saw, we are not consumed.

Proverbs 17: 3 says: “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts”.

The fining pot in this Scripture means crucible, which is a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures.

This is done to remove impurities from the metals silver and gold. This imagery is a profound picture of what God allows in our lives. We are put in the crucible to purify us, to remove the impurities of sin, to rid us of negative mindsets and strongholds that prohibit us from being used effectively in the plan of God for His kingdom.

The second part of that Scripture says, “but the LORD trieth the hearts”.

The word, “trieth” has among its meaning, to test, examine and to investigate. This is for our sakes, for our knowledge, to know what is in us that is contrary to the Word of God. It also serves to bring the good in us to the surface. Only God can bring the evil to the forefront and eliminate it, and only He can bring the good in us to the forefront and develop it.

1 Peter 1: 7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus”.

David Guzik says this about our faith being tried by fire: “Our faith isn’t tested because God doesn’t know how much or what kind of faith we have. It is tested because WE often are ignorant of how much or what kind of faith we have. God’s purpose in testing is to display the enduring quality of our faith”.

He is showing us and the world what He has deposited in us and its unstoppable power! Because our faith is openly, powerfully displayed in effectiveness, it will be counted as praise and honor when Jesus comes! We should count it an honor to have our faith tested, not moan, groan and complain about it.

So, we now see that the “burning” we suffer has both an earthly and eternal purpose. On earth, our faith moves mountains to which many are privileged to behold. This look into the supernatural power of faith draws individuals into the faith. The eternal purpose is to bring praise and honor unto our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Lamentations 3: 23 declares: “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not”. I have discovered that even in the worst situation, there is mercy. James told us to “count it all joy”, didn’t he?

This analogy of the burning bush is a great one because even though we are “burned,” we are not consumed. Glory!

Rev. Dr. Kay Robinson, is the host of an internet TV show called Real Church Talk, the author of three books, and a seminar and conference teacher. Dr. Robinson is a member of the Apostolic Faith Church in Illinois, under the leadership of Bishop Horace E. Smith, M.D. <a href=”https: //www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/vector”>Vector Vectors by Vecteezy</a>

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HISTORY

Continues from January/February issue 2021

1937 The “city of Angels,” Los Angeles, California, was host for the General Convention. The meeting was held at Hamilton M.E. Church of that city.

It was in the setting of the General Assembly that Bishop Grimes was elected “Presiding Bishop” of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World by acclamation.

However, the most outstanding event of the setting was the drafting of a letter inviting brethren who had gone with the merged orBishop Samuel K. Grimes ganization the opportunity to return to their former organizations. Unpleasantries had arisen in the newly formed Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ that made all the Negro brethren to feel unwanted. One of the last humiliating acts was to take

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the National Meetings of the P.A. of J.C. to Tulsa, Oklahoma, knowing the racial situation that existed in Tulsa at that time, and inviting the Negro brethren to meet with them in another year. The Negro brethren considered this an affront to their spiritual worth and human dignity and made almost a total move back to the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. A letter was drafted by Elders Robert F. Tobin, Austin Layne, and Sister Eva Richardson as follows:

Elder Robert F. Tobin

“We, the Official Board, and members of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, go on record extending to all brethren of like faith, irrespective of race, color, or organizational affiliation, a hearty welcome to our organization; and we assure you that we will put forth every possible sincere effort to promote the fortherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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We appreciate the warm fellowship which we June of that year after schools had closed for the summer and have enjoyed together in the past, and do pray, for a it attracted more young people from all parts of the country that had ever attended a National Convention. About 600 lasting and greater fellowship in the future.”

young people gathered for the four days, and in those days, this was considered a large crowd, since there had only been This letter was published and sent to as many brethren as 25 or 30 in attendance heretofore. possible, and most of the brethren accepted its gracious welcome.

The Board of Bishops met in Columbus during this Congress on some very important doctrinal issues that were of grave importance because one of the executives (Bishop Samuel N. HanThe Pentecostal Assemblies of the World laid the founda- cock) openly taught doctrines to the tion for the elevation of Elder Karl F. Smith and Elder Samuel contrary of each six stated. The Board, N. Hancock, who had been presbyters in order to clarify the Pentecostal Asin the Pentecostal Assembles of Jesus semblies of the World’s position, [duringBishop Samuel N. Hancock Christ, by considering them eligible for that time] issued the following statements [on]: any of that the electorate deem suitable. It was also legislated that: “All of our brethren who have left us and come back to us shall not lose their seniority and shall be eligible for any office at the Elder Karl F. Smith discretion of the General Body.”

1938-1939

Bishop Hancock was then elected to the Board of Bishops, and given a Diocese during the convention this year.

The National Pentecostal Young People’s Union was beginning to grow and because of the shortage in their time allotted during the General Sessions, requested that they might have a separate Convention under the supervision of a committee of three from the Parent Body.

1940

Marriage and Divorce Question The Godhead

The Second Birth Job Making of Man

The General Conference met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this year. In some opening remarks, Bishop Fred Clark made three recommendations, the third one being “the need for the Board of Bishops to grow since the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World was growing and there were Districts that did Bishop Fred Clark not have anyone responsible for them.”

Also, there was the growing need for the duties of Councils to be spelled out. The foundation for much of our present-day legislation for Council guidelines was laid by this committee.

Baptism

The year 1940 saw the National Pentecostal Young Pentecostal Union convene in its first separate congress in Columbus, Ohio, with Bishop Karl F. Smith and saints. The setting was in THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK

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IN LOVING MEMORY

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Schaffner and Marx to devote fulltime efforts to church. Bishop Davis has faithfully served as pastor of this church since that time. His beloved wife of 43 years, Dr. Geraldine Olivia Davis, served by his side in all his endeavors until she went home to be with the Lord in September, 1998. During those years, he was also a devoted father to son, Larney Charles Edward Davis spent his Bush, Jr. and daughter, Yolanda Daformative years in Chicago’s vis.

Bronzeville community. At the age of 19, he joined the military, serv- As a strong proponent of education, ing in World War II as a sergeant Bishop Davis generously provided in the U.S. Army with tours of duty for many young people to further in France, Holland and Germany. their secular education through Returning to Chicago after the war, scholarships named in his honor: he was determined to be an entre- The Bishop Charles E. Davis Scholarpreneur and, along with his friend, ship. Additionally, he is the founder Brother James McDonald, took up of “God’s Bible Institute“ for those upholstering. It was Brother Mc- desirous of furthering their study in Donald and his mother-in-law, Sis- God’s Word. ter Anastasia Anderson, who intro- He was elevated to the Bishopric in duced Charles Davis to the Lord of 1986 and served as Diocesan Bishop his salvation. of the state of New York and Canada, as well as Washington state, He was born into salvation on Fri- and the state of Wyoming. In 2008, day, April 23, 1954, under the pas- he received the torch from Bishop torate of Elder Charles Ellis, who Arthur M. Brazier, graciously aclovingly welcomed him into the cepting the position of Diocesan house of God at the Indiana Avenue of the 6th Episcopal District (Illinois Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) District Council) of the Pentecostal where he could be baptized in Jesus’ Assemblies of the World, Inc. He name. He became a member of the served in that capacity for 6 years church on May 7, 1954, and thereby before retiring in 2013. began his spiritual birth, and living the life that Mother Anderson told Bishop Davis served in many decihim about. sion-making positions with the P.A. of W. on the local and national levFollowing the passing of Elder El- els. This includes as Illinois District lis, the succeeding pastor, Elder Council Assistant Chairman and Odee Akines, recognized the faith- Chairman, Brotherhood Director, fulness and leadership of Brother National Lay Director, Rules and Charles Davis and used his talents Procedure Committee, Convention in the church. He served as a Sun- Committee Member and Coordinaday School superintendent, young tor, Finance and Budget Committee people’s leader, and president of member, as well as member of the the IPC Senior Choir.

Executive Board for the organizaIn 1970, Elder Charles Davis, was tion. elected pastor of the Indiana Av- Just as he encouraged young people enue Pentecostal Church of God to excel academically, Bishop was a after Elder Akines went home to be life-long learner…always reading with the Lord. After becoming pas- and studying. Bishop held several tor, he resigned his job from Hart, degrees: Doctor of Divinity, Master Charles Edward Davis was born on October 2, 1923, in Leland, Mississippi, to the late Priscilla Hobbs. He was the first born of two sons; younger brother, William Davis, preceded him in death.

Charles Davis graduated high school in Leland before migrating to Chicago in 1940.

of Theology, Bachelor of Arts; and Bachelor of Arts in Bible. He was the recipient of numerous honors and awards and several U.S. Military Service Medals and Awards.

On November 28, 2004, Bishop Davis began his life anew when he was united in marriage with Ms. Jessie Bell Kay. Dr. Jessie Davis was a devoted help meet who served as a catalyst of strength and support for her husband’s work for the Lord until she went to be with the Lord in April 2020. They were inseparable… always together.

Bishop Davis, affectionately known as “Chief,” was a man of exemplary character who stood firmly for what he believed in. He became widely known as “Chief” throughout the nation since 1955. He loved his church…church was his life! He loved his young people and loved pastoring IPC and was dearly loved by the saints. He leaves a great legacy of over 50 years as pastor of the Indiana Avenue Pentecostal Church of God (35th Street). He was a pastor with a vision and an eye to developing not just the church, but also the surrounding community. He was highly respected in the religious and secular community—his influence has been evident in property acquisition and in the communityoutreach projects at IPC throughout the years. In 1992, the city of Chicago renamed a city block (3500 – 3600 South Indiana Avenue) in his honor.

An inspiration to many in the Gospel, Bishop Davis was a role model, mentor, counselor, and encourager and friend to those who labor in the Gospel. As such, he is the father and influencer to many sons and daughters who are teaching and preaching the Word of God throughout North America.

On Tuesday, February 9, 2021, God called Bishop Davis home to reap his reward.

He leaves to cherish his memory:

sister-in-law, Flora Davis of Mississippi; his daughter, Yolanda Davis; daughter-in-law, Helen Bush; daughter, Vickie Kay Tolbert (Ramos); son, Richard Kay (Jacqueline); daughter, Valerie Kay McGee (Bobby); son, David Kay (Stephanie); a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; God children: Ann Gordon, Joyce Walker, and Timothy Odom; special daughters and Katie Walker-Buckley (Otis). Thelma Hall, Sharon Latiker, Margaret Wright; friends and the loving Indiana Avenue Pentecostal Church of God family.

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YOUTH CORNER

B IG BIG GER GER Minister Phillip Minister PhillipB.B.Morris Morris

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am Phillip B. Morris, from Blythewood, South Carolina. a 6-year-old child,my mykindergarten kindergartenclass classwas wasfeatured featured I amI Phillip B. Morris, from Blythewood, South Carolina.

I I AsAs a 6-year-old child, a lifelong born raised in the great 24th onon a local televisionshow, show,“The “TheDeputy DeputyBill BillShow.

Show.””While While am aam lifelong PAWPAW kid,kid, born andand raised in the great 24th a local television Episcopal District, Carolina State/ South Carolina State onon show, the hostwent wentaround aroundthe theentire entireclass classasking asking Episcopal District, the the Carolina State/ South Carolina State thethe show, the host Council.

I have been blessed to come from spiritual what what wantedtotobebewhen whenwe wegrew grewup. up.Many Many of of the the Council.

I have been blessed to come from thethe spiritual wewewanted heritage of the District Elder Willie Johnson, students said “teacher”oror“policeman” “policeman”oror“fireman. “fireman.””When When heritage of the LateLate District Elder Willie LeeLee Johnson, mymy students said “teacher” grandfather the Late District Elder Frank Morris, saintly thethe host approachedme meand andasked askedme me“and “andwhat whatdo doyou you grandfather the Late District Elder Frank Morris, thethe saintly host approached Suffragan Bishop Almetea Adams, as well father want want whenyou yougrow growup?” up?”My Myresponse responsewas was swift swift Suffragan Bishop Almetea Adams, as well as as mymy father toto bebewhen Suffragan Bishop Morris.

These individuals imparted and and bold, preacher!”Shocked Shockedand andbefuddled befuddledthe thehost host Suffragan Bishop EricEric Morris.

These individuals imparted bold, “a“apreacher!” in me directly and through spiritual transfer how to love responded, “well what does a preacher do?” and I said, in me directly and through spiritual transfer how to love responded, “well what does a preacher do?” and I said, God’s people, everything in me, “preach!”

God’s people, trusttrust GodGod withwith everything in me, andand livelive in in “preach!” the realm of expectancy.

For that, I am eternally grateful. the realm of expectancy. For that, I am eternally grateful. am the youngest of three children, to Eric B. and Lady AsAs sonand andgrandson grandsonofofpreachers, preachers,this this was was just just aa I amI the youngest of three children, to Eric B. and Lady thetheson Kim Morris. I am a member of Citadel of Hope Christian foreshadow of my calling into ministry and service to Kim Morris. I am a member of Citadel of Hope Christian foreshadow of my calling into ministry and service to Ministries, Columbia, South Carolina, under the leadership mankind. The way I choose to serve humanity is by Ministries, Columbia, South Carolina, under the leadership mankind. The way I choose to serve humanity is by of my father, where I serve on the ministerial staff. I also being a healer and an advocate to the disenfranchised. of my father, where I serve on the ministerial staff. I also being a healer and an advocate to the disenfranchised. currently serve as the Young People’s Union President for In high school, I served as chairperson of a student currently serve as the Young People’s Union President for In high school, I served as chairperson of a student the South Carolina State Council. council committee responsible for raising funds for a the South Carolina State Council. council committee responsible for raising funds for a local organization called the Children’s Garden. This organization calledresources the Children’s In this role, I’ve enjoyed working with my colleagues and local organization provides and careGarden. facilitiesThis for In this role, I’ve enjoyed working with my colleagues andfor organization provides facilities staff in providing mentorship, support, and resources homeless children in resources Columbia, and Southcare Carolina.

Duefor to staffour in providing mentorship, support, for homeless in Columbia, South Due to youth all across our State.

We haveand putresources forth initiatives big faithchildren and much effort, during theCarolina. great recession our youth allcloser across our State.both We have forthof initiatives muchable effort, during the from greathigh recession to build fellowship in andput outside the church bigin faith 2008,and we were to raise $4700 school to build closer fellowship both in and outside of the church in 2008, we were able to raise $4700 from high school setting, by organizing regional services as well as fun students in a matter of three weeks. Presenting that setting, by organizing regional services asTriple well Easservices fun students a Children’s matter ofGarden three organization weeks. Presenting that outings.

We have implemented quarterly check tointhe is still one of outings.

We have implemented quarterly Triple E services to the Children’s Garden organization still one of (Energize, Empower, Encourage) where we travel across check my proudest moments, yet. I have obtainedisa Bachelor of (Energize, Empower, Encourage) where we travel proudest yet.Claflin I have University, obtained aOrangeburg, Bachelor of our state and highlight our local ministries andacross ministry myScience in moments, Biology from our state and highlight our local ministries and ministry Science in Biology from Claflin University, Orangeburg, gifts who may not be able to come to the Councils. This is South Carolina. giftsan who maytonot be fellowship able to come Councils.

This is South Carolina. effort foster andtotothe identify and promote an effort to foster fellowship and to identify and promote “hidden” gifts within our Diocese. We are also currently I initially wanted to be a dentist, until I began working as a “hidden” giftsonwithin our Diocese.

We are scholarships also currently wanted to college. be a dentist, untilatI began working as a working establishing two memorial that I initially medical scribe in I worked the local emergency working on establishing two memorial scribe in college.South I worked at the and localwhile emergency will provide some assistance to ourscholarships students onthat their medical room in Orangeburg, Carolina, there I journey.

We aretonot juststudents promoting witnessed one of theSouth most amazing I’d ever seen,I will educational provide some assistance our on spiritual their room in Orangeburg, Carolina,things and while there health but overallWe wellbeing, excellence, and spiritual wholeness witnessed an emergency thoracotomy (surgical opening the educational journey. are not just promoting one of the most amazing things I’d everofseen, in every aspect.wellbeing, My prayerexcellence, and goal isand to wholeness help foster a anchest) and from that point on(surgical I decidedopening I wanted of to be health but overall emergency thoracotomy thea culture of healthy individuals—mind, body— physician.

Although that procedure is not the normal in every aspect.

My prayer and goal is tosoul, helpand foster a chest) and from that point on I decided I wanted to be to a operating in a spirit of unity to fulfill God’s in our physician. see regularly, that experience changed mythe trajectory culture of healthy individuals—mind, soul, andplan body— Although that procedure is not normaland to region,in country, I then the similarities a preacher operating a spiritand of world. unity to fulfill God’s plan in our seethought. regularly, thatnoticed experience changed in mybeing trajectory and and physician, how they both are trusted with sensitive region, country, and world. thought.

I then noticed the similarities in being a preacher and physician, how they both are trusted with sensitive THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK OUTLOOK “GOD’S “POSITIONED PROMISEFOR TO PROMISE” PERFORM” MARCH/APRIL 2020 2021

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information, expected to give sound recommendations, looked to during times of crisis for guidance, well studied, flexible, and should have compassion and empathy. So, I thought, “I didn’t lie to Deputy Bill” I’m still following my father and grandfather’s footsteps, just in a different way. Medicine is my ministry. So, I am currently a student at Meharry Medical College in an emergency medicine physician. As a student at Meharry, I have the opportunity to serve on the executive board of our student-run free clinic named Salt Wagon Clinic, which provides free medical services to anyone in the community. I have also participated in many health fairs around the city of Nashville, through the Salt Wagon Clinic.

that alone is enough to rejoice, however, it goes on to say “exceeding, abundantly, above all.” This lets us know that we serve a God that can do anything in a grandiose way.

We do not have to settle for mediocre lives, blessings, or relationships. We can live an abundant life by believing our God for bigger.

I would like to encourage the readers to believe in God for bigger. We all have some measure of faith based on the experiences we have with God. Based on our measure of faith we tend to box God in, to what we have seen Him perform in the past. Do not allow your last victory to become your biggest hindrance. Use each victory as a memorial of knowing what God can do, then focus your thinking that He can do bigger. Ephesians 3:20 states— ”Now unto him, that is able…”

God has placed individuals in my life that have also helped me and propelled me to places I thought I would never be. God can and He will come through! We must learn to stretch our faith and launch out into the deep. Stretch your faith and believe God for bigger, more, greater, and better! Believe Him for exceeding, abundantly, above all.

Expand your thinking. We are created in the image of God, why not believe big? Have audacious faith! Believe that you’re worthy of the blessings of God. Don’t allow time, people, or circumstances to talk you out of your dreams and aspirations. Guard your mind and your spirit against faith robbers. Remember “now unto him that is able” know that you can do all things. I will close with 11 ways to grow a big life that my grandfather told me, 1. Pray Big, 2. Think Big, 3. Believe Big, 4. Act Big, 5. Dream Big, 6. Work Big, 7. Give Big, 8. Forgive Big, 9. Love Big, 10. Live Big, 11. Laugh Big.

There have been many times as a student during my journey that I have faced big obstacles, tests, trials, and hindrances. There have been many times where I have wanted to quit and give up. There have been times that I did not have enough funding for school, and I’m a witness that I’ve watched God pay my bill.

Don’t be moved by what you see, only by what you believe, and believe our Big God for bigger, greater, and better.

Min. Phillip Morris serves as the South Carolina State Council Young People’s Union President, 24th Episcopal District, P.A.W., Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, Diocesan.

Facebook: Phillip Morris Instagram: @p_morr

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POLITICS

RAPHAEL “RAY” WASHINGTON Appointed Sheriff of Wayne County 28

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aphael Washington views his recent elevation as Sheriff of Wayne County as an answer to fervent prayer and 37 years of dedicating himself to law enforcement excellence. He acknowledges his appointment was bittersweet as the position he now holds was previously held by his professional leader, friend, mentor and brother in Christ, Benny N. Napoleon. While he and his late boss frequently discussed Napoleon’s anticipated retirement, neither knew that Sheriff Napoleon would be called home to glory so soon. Though the process of appointing a new Sheriff moved at phenomenal speed, Washington received majority support from the panel as the standout selection of more than a dozen candidates.

On January 15, 2021, Washington took the oath of his new office with his beloved wife Keisha by his side and hit the ground running.

As head of the agency, Washington runs three jail facilities, Road Patrol, Marine Unit, Mounted Unit and also supplements law enforcement activities in collaboration with the 43 cities and townships in the jurisdiction (which covers 673 square miles). Wayne County also borders an international waterway (Detroit River adjacent to Windsor Canada) requiring coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. He will also oversee development activity of the new Wayne County Criminal Justice Center, which is currently under construction in the heart of the city. As a lifelong resident of Wayne County, Sheriff Washington is very active in the community and serves on several community boards. He also applies his extensive law enforcement knowledge and experience in serving as the Director of Security for Greater Grace Temple and Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.

Sheriff Washington believes that law enforcement leaders must be discerning in their decision-making, yet compassionate when meting out decisions that affect personnel, the inmate population and the public. His background in law enforcement is wide ranging including: jails and court operation supervision, inmate population management, policy development, compliance and organizational functions designed to enhance operational efficiency. Prior to joining the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Washington wrapped up an extensive career with the Detroit Police Department.

After graduating from the academy in 1985, he served as Patrol Officer, Investigative Officer (Narcotics, Violence Crimes, Traffic Enforcement and Gang Squad), Sergeant,

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Lieutenant and finally Inspector of Traffic Enforcement.

Over that time, he collaborated with officers at every rank at the local, state and federal level.

Sheriff Washington is a proud graduate of the public school system and wholly encourages everyone to pursue higher learning and continuing education. He is currently enrolled in a dual degree program and will earn his MBA in Strategic Leadership from Cleary University in 2022. That is the academic side of his expertise. He is also MCOLES Certified (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards) and has served as a firearms Instructor for many years. He is committed to educating the community and registered guns owners on proper handling and gun safety. He holds numerous local and national certifications, including: • NRA Certified Firearms Instructor • Shotgun, Rifle and Pistol Instructor • Michigan Coalition on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) • Member of Wayne County Chief of Police Association • Member of Southeast Michigan Chief of Police Association • Graduate of School of Police Staff and CommandEastern Michigan University • Senior Executives in State-Local Government Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government • Graduate (Session #248) - FBI National Academy • Executive Protection Certification (Detroit Police Department-Special Response Team) • Director of Security for Greater Grace Church • Director of Security for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

The Sheriff’s approach to instruction and his personal attention to his students have earned him numerous accolades from those who have attended his classes.

As leader of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Washington is committed to serving the citizens of Wayne County with faith and integrity.

Sheriff Washington is a married father of 2 and grandfather of 3.

Raphael (Ray) Washington has served as Director of Security and Sergeant at Arms for over 25 years for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. He is currently of member of Greater Grace Temple, and serves as the Director of Security under Bishop Charles H. Ellis III.

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MONEY

WHEN WAS YOUR LAST Financial CHECKUP?

By Evang. Lynne Shivers

M

By Evangelist Lynne E. Shivers

ost people understand the importance of getting an annual health checkup. Such appointments allow for a comprehensive review of one’s health, identify stages of health risks, update medical records and maintain a relationship with your primary care clinician. Likewise, this can be applied to getting an annual financial checkup. And just like your health, early detection and intervention is the best line of defense for yourself and loved ones. Suze Orman, well-known financial advisor, writer/producer and bestselling author recommends the following areas to review: • “Make sure you have the right mix of stocks and bonds/cash. Whatever your asset allocation goal is, you need to check your retirement portfolios at least once a year to make sure you’re still on track. For example, let’s say your goal is to have 70% in stocks and 30% in bonds/cash. If you haven’t paid attention for a few years, you may find that your mix is now 80%/20%. No worries, you can move money from one asset (stocks) into another (bonds/cash) without any tax bill as long as the money is inside an IRA or 401(k). An annual “rebalancing” check is smart.

• Confirm all your beneficiaries. If you’re married, your 401(k) beneficiary will be your spouse (unless he/she gives written permission for someone else to be the beneficiary). But all your other accounts, including IRAs, require you to name a beneficiary.

Investment accounts. Life insurance. Bank accounts. Ideally, you should check this annually, but if you’re honest, I know it may be some years since you did this easy maintenance check. If there have been any births/deaths/marriages in your life, you just might need and want to update your beneficiaries. The price of not updating: the wrong person inherits the asset.

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• Protect your loved ones. If you somehow have gotten this far in the pandemic without focusing on life insurance, I have one question for you: Are you crazy? C’mon. If there is anyone in your life who is financially dependent on you—a partner, kids, grandkids, siblings, parents, nieces, nephews—you are nuts to not have a term life insurance policy. It’s easy to buy online, and inexpensive. Start the new year knowing your loved ones will be financially okay no matter what the future brings seems like an incredibly powerful gift for them. And for you.

• Protect yourself. If ever there was a year that did all the explaining for why you need an advance directive, health care proxy and durable power of attorney for finances, 2020 is it. Life is fragile.

We may not be in control of that fact. But having these key documents in place is how you take control of what happens to you if you become ill. And a revocable trust is how you ensure a seamless transition of your assets when you do die. (Don’t worry, you stay 100% in charge until that day comes, and you can make changes to it at any time.)” i Evangelist Lynne Shivers, is a regional vice president and a licensed financial guide with a Fortune 500 financial services company. She is the General Secretary of the Northern District Council and an author. Email at lynneshivers1@gmail.com, Call/Text at (734) 330-6232.

Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-financialchecklist-new-year-suze-orman/?trackingId=HhVMEs11T 32evV5ibymlOg%3D%3D. Orman, Suze. “Your Financial Checklist for the New Year.” December 21, 2020. i

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MENTAL HEALTH

OVERLOOKED AND UNDERSERVED:

The Mental Health Crisis of Black Women

By Dr. Malaika M. Brown

T

he black woman is often considered the backbone of the black community and more specifically the black church. We often see black athletes thanking their mothers when they achieve a major milestone. On the surface, it seems like the black woman is revered but the story told by the group does not align. In 2018 studies, the black woman made up 60% of the black population. It has also been found in other studies that women in the black church make up almost 80% of the population. But even with an overwhelming presence in society and the church, the black woman and her issues are often overlooked. Many black women admit to being exhausted, anxious and overwhelmed with how they are perceived by others in and out of the community, balancing all the roles and tasks they do daily and the lack of support they receive. These issues reached a fever pitch during 2020.

COVID-19 has exposed a pre-existing condition in the population of black women. Mental health among this group has been challenged due to a variety of factors, such as “the strong black woman syndrome,” racial issues, the stigma of seeking mental health services and navigating all of the unique roles that they occupy. The pandemic did not create these conditions, but it metastasized them. As if that wasn’t enough, 2020 as a year leveled many women, who had to deal with worrying about jobs, meeting financial obligations, how their children will be educated from home, losing loved ones and not being able to properly remember them. Black women have admitted that the pandemic only intensified what they were already experiencing, and the disconnection physically and socially left them feeling helpless because they were no longer able to avoid their issues.

As members of a larger group that already suffers with societal stigma surrounding mental illness, black women face additional challenges with getting the support that they need. Among black adults, only about 30% access mental health care for treatable conditions, compared to 48% among white adults. Black women particularly have reported in studies conducted by the

THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) to feeling sad, hopeless and apprehensive about life. Seeking professional care is not always an option, especially in the black church. The lack of African American psychologists, a very low 4% among all providers, black women are overwhelmed because they cannot find professionals who understand their unique lived experiences. There is also the misguided belief that mental health care is contradictive to faith that must be contended with as well.

With challenges such as lack of cultural competency in providers, financial concerns, lack of access to evidencebased medications and being poorly understood in treatment circles, black women now have to be creative in addressing their mental health. Seeking out care from graduate students in training to become psychologists or clinics that offer free or sliding scale fees can be a viable option for receiving quality care that doesn’t break the bank. Also, some DIY approaches to mental health care can go a long way. As women, before taking on any of the various roles occupied for the day, ease into the day by starting with 10 minutes of prayer, meditation or gratitude journaling. Forming a sister circle with other black women to uplift and empower can be another indigenous form of healing. Additionally, sleep is an often-neglected necessity. Sleep is directly linked to mental health and getting at least seven to eight quality hours of sleep a night goes a long way.

Malaika M. Brown, Ph.D. Clinician | Educator | Motivator | Author | Podcaster Author of the upcoming book Free Indeed: 30-day Guide on the Journey to Forgiveness www.malaikambrown.com Bethlehem Temple Community Church, Fontana, CA (Dr. Margie Garrett, Pastor) Southern California District Council

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RECIPES

Recipe Page Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church

Messias Temple Church

Youngstown, Ohio Suffragan Bishop C. Shawn Tyson, Pastor Elder Joseph Bowers, Director of Culinary Services

Ypsilanti, Mi Bishop Harry S. Grayson, Pastor

Red Velvet Cake Ingredients 1 cup buttermilk 1 tsp. vinegar 1 tsp. baking soda 1 One oz. bottle red cake coloring 2 cups of sugar 2 eggs (room temperature) 1 ½ cup of Wesson Oil 2 ½ cup of cake flour 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. vanilla 1 Cp chopped pecans

Five Flavor Cake Ingredients

Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour three 8 or 9 inch round inch cake pans.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.

3. Using a mixer, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined and a smooth batter is formed.

4. Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

5. Remove cakes from oven and invert them onto a cooling rack. Let cool completely.

6. Frost the cake and sprinkle the chopped pecans between the layers and over the top of the cake.

Icing 1 box confectionary sugar 1 Stick of Butter (Softened) 1 8oz Cream Cheese (Softened) 1 tsp Vanilla Mix all ingredients until combined.

Messias Temple Culinary Staff Elois Todd Marsha Lathion Carrie Glenn Mona Smith Marion Brown Peeples Dale Smith

1 cup butter ½ c unsalted butter flavored Crisco 5 eggs well beaten 3 cups cake flour 3 cups granulated sugar ½ ts baking powder 1/3 ts salt 1 cup whole milk 1ts coconut flavoring/extract 1ts rum flavoring/extract 1ts pineapple flavoring/extract 1ts pure lemon extract 1ts pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Cream butter and Crisco together with mixer. Add sugar to butter mixture until fluffy. Add eggs until well combined. Combine dry ingredients together and add alternately with milk to sugar and egg mixture. Beat until well combined on medium speed. Add in all the flavoring and extracts until well combined.

Bake at 325 degrees in greased and floured 10 inch Bundt or 10 cup tube pan for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Glaze after completely cooled.

Glaze 1 cup confectioners sugar 1 tablespoon whole milk (additional if need for consistency) To a small bowl, add confectioners’ sugar, milk and whisk to combine.

Evenly drizzle glaze down the sides of the cake before serving.

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Word Search E M J M V S B T N M L S P I C E S B N D

A T O I R A C S I S A D U J W B W E W N

R K X B B M O T M X T V Z M L M N R J N

T X B Q R O D X G M T X K Q M E E P L J

H Y R M G H I Y G W B R M N R S Q T Y B

Three days Jesus Risen Crucified Magdalene Disciples Thomas Tomb Gardener Spices Weeping Mary THE CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK

Q X L Q A T S V R B Y Y D A U D Q G B Q

U A X W N M N L J K L N C I Q L M T R R W R D A Z R R I E R N B R Y J R M G L Y

K M M B X V P L E N N E F R Y L E T B B

E N L R T M L T K L C I T V Y D H Z Y W

M I R A C L E S G T C D T D E R L T J M

D M P T M P S B I U M R Q M E J M D T M

A L R Z R S K O R R D Z P E N A K Q N T

R K N E O I N C B J M T D G G A D P L M

K V N R N M S Q V R I A S D N T I L J R

N G C J Q E A E G O Y S A T G I G L G V

E R R W K G D R N S J L U Z O Y P K S T

S Z R L T J Q R Y X E B V S T N T E N Y

S J X X W B L W Y D Y K M T D M A E N G R Q Y M M Y R V E W M J E T M L E N Y W

Peter Resurrection Miracles Redemption Lamb Judas Iscariot Cross Stone Darkness Earthquake Nails Nazarene “POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”

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ADOPT-A-SOUL

What an Interview!

God’s Restorative Justice “God’s plan for Restorative Justice: We must forgive in order to heal and restore, first inwardly, then outwardly and eventually healing and restoration will spread throughout the world.”

—Evang. Dee Dee Osobor “Those who cooperate most fully with forgiveness are those who dance most freely in the beauty of redemption.”

—Maureen Kincaid Forgiving What You Can’t Forget…“forgiveness isn’t always about doing something for a human relationship but rather about being obedient to what God has instructed us to do.”

—Lysa Terkeurst

Q

Evangelist Dee Dee Osobor Interviewer

Maureen Kincaid Interviewee Victim

Q. Hello and who do I have the pleasure of interviewing?

Maureen Kincaid

Q. Can you share how the two of us became acquainted?

We met when I was introduced to you by a mutual acquaintance, Peter.

Q. What was the connection that we had with Peter?

You had met Peter when you were doing prison ministry and he was an inmate. He suggested that I contact you to do an interview for a book I was writing in the spring of 2019, because I wanted to interview people who knew him after his conversion in 1997. He had indicated to me that you were a very important part of his life during his time in Pontiac.

Q. When was your initial first encounter with Peter?

Peter Perpetrator Redeemed/Forgiven

to each person that was working and pull them to that same location, holding the gun to their heads.

As he brought over the final two co-workers, we heard a loud bang and one of the girls, Laura, fell to the ground. At that point, the manager told us all to “get down” and we all knelt on the floor briefly.

Laura was still laying on the floor. He then told all of us with the exception of the manager and Laura, to get in the refrigerator. We watched from the refrigerator as he held the gun to the manager’s head, counting from one to ten, while she struggled to get the safe open because the combination had recently been changed. Fortunately, she was able to eventually get the safe open and then he put her in the refrigerator with us and closed the door.

The manager immediately began to stack up crates full of food and shake mix in front of us so that we had a barrier to hide behind in case he came back in to shoot us all. We all cowered behind the stack of crates, holding on to each other and we waited, wondering who would open the door. When the refrigerator was eventually opened, guns were pointing at us, but thankfully, it was the police.

The first time I met Peter was when he entered a McDonald’s restaurant to commit an armed robbery one night when we were closing the restaurant. I was getting ready to take out the grease trap from the grill and had asked a co-worker to open the back door for me, when I felt someone grab the back of my arm really forcefully and I felt something pointed into my side. As I turned around, I saw a man and a gun. My first thought was that this was a joke, Q. How long ago did this tragedy occur? but I quickly learned it wasn’t. He pulled me over The robbery and murder occurred 41 years ago on to the manager’s desk and then proceeded to go November 29, 1979.

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Q. What made you want to contact the person who killed and traumatized you and others?

mostly connected to ministry work he had been doing in the prison. I flipped through the pages one by one, tears flowing from my eyes. Also included was a copy of the associate degree in religion that he earned while in prison. I sat there in amazement, and I felt an instant sense of relief—he had found God. As I paged through it all, I found his handwritten five page letter! As I read it, I wept, mostly tears of joy, as he explained how he was born again in 1997 and how he had committed his life by serving Our Heavenly Father through ministering the Word to others ever since then. He also expressed how remorseful he was for all of the pain and fear he had created in my life and all of those present that night, as well as the pain and grief he caused Laura’s family. It appeared from the letter that this was a man who had devoted himself to the Lord and was expressing sincere remorse for his crime. It was clearly evident that he was truly grateful for my expression of forgiveness and for the grace and mercy that God had bestowed on him through this act of forgiveness. With all that said, I had some skepticism. What if this was all an act, a way to manipulate me into thinking he was a changed man?”

I had forgiven Peter decades ago so that I could release the anger and hatred I had for him for what he did that night and the pain and agony it caused in my life, in the lives of the others who were working that night and in the lives of Laura’s family. After many years of counseling, I had started to lead a “normal” life and had learned to manage the triggers of the trauma. In 2018, I had become content with managing the trauma, hoping that it would never again surface its ugly head. I was content being a good Christian because I was attending weekly mass. Overall, life was moving along just fine, and I was living a relatively comfortable and happy life.

My desire to contact Peter came out of nowhere. So, in the spring of 2018, God decided to blow up my comfortable life, by changing my course. One day out of the blue, I started thinking ‘I should really tell him that I forgive him.’ I also found myself feeling empathy for him—he had been in prison for forty years; he was only nineteen then, and now he is almost sixty. My heart was actually hurting for him. What in the world is happening? How could I possibly be feeling these things about Q. When did you decide the first visit should take place bea man who murdered my friend and made my life a liv- tween you and Peter?

I met Peter nearly 40 years after that night when I vising hell for so many years? But I was—there was no deited him in prison for the first time. As soon as I read his nying it. first letter, I knew I needed to meet him and immediThere was no other explanation for my desire to conately wrote back to him asking if he was willing to have tact him other than divine intervention. Like I said, I a visit from me. I think the human side of me rationalhad moved on and was living a pretty comfortable and ized that I needed to go see him so I could verify that he peaceful life. Lysa Terkeurst states in her book, Forgivtruly was remorseful and living a life devoted to Christ. ing What You Can’t Forget: “forgiveness isn’t always However, I could not help but believe that God had something else in mind—something much bigger. I am about doing something for a human relationship, but amazed now when I look back on that time, realizing the rather about being obedient to what God has instructed confidence with which I scheduled that visit with no fear us to do.” or worry. Despite all of my hesitation and questioning, “Those who cooperate most fully with forgiveness are there was no point at which I ever considered the option those who dance most freely in the beauty of redempof not going—I fully believed that God would not send tion.” me on this part of the journey for it to be a bad experience. This was the first time in my life that I had ever Q. What was your first impression of Peter when he responded experienced this level of faith.” to your letter?

When I wrote my first letter, I had included a small, self- Q. What was the first visit like? addressed envelope using my church’s address. Two The first visit was amazing and overwhelming. Prior to the visit, I had indicated to Peter in a letter that we weeks after mailing the letter, I received a call from the would need to talk about that night and that it would parish secretary indicating that I had an envelope in the be very emotional for me. As we talked, it became very office. When I walked into the office, I expected her clear to me that he remembered very little from that to hand me that same small self-addressed envelope, night because he was so intoxicated and high. I had to but instead she handed me a large 11x14 envelope! My actually provide most of the details of the night. After heart pounding, I took the envelope and went into the we talked about the night of the crimes, we talked about church. This was a moment for which I had waited forty family, my job, his experiences as an inmate, etc. I felt as years—a response that I never thought I would get— if I was speaking to someone who I’d known for all of my a response from the man who caused so much heart life—it was so easy and comfortable. ache, trauma and grief in my life and in the lives of so many others that night. As I opened the envelope, in it I found many copies of certificates and recognition WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS AMAZING! awards that he had received during his incarceration, TO BE CONTINUED...

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gage your soul with the devil, he will foreclose on you.

BOOK REVIEW

I tell people everywhere I go that I met Ray Charles. He told me that he was designed to sing in the church and teach Gospel choirs, but he went out there to make some money and never came back. In the late 1950’s in Memphis, Tennessee Elvis Presley got baptized in Jesus’ name, got filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues, but he left the church to make a little money and never got back because the devil foreclosed on him. He foreclosed on Ray Charles, he foreclosed on Elvis Presley, he foreclosed on Marvin Gaye, he foreclosed on Sam Cook, he foreclosed on Billie Holiday, and he foreclosed on Janis Joplin. He foreclosed on all of them, and they had the opportunity to rebuild their lives, but they got caught up on the care and glare of the world; and as far as we know, they didn’t make it back in. Remember this, even if you fail, even if you fall, even if you meet devastating circumstances, even if you think that all is lost, even if it looks like all is lost, always endeavor to REBUILD YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF GOD. The devil might be playing for keeps, but so is God. If you are a child of God, this book is especially for you. For you the message and purpose of this book is “essential.” When something is essential, it is an inherent part of something else. Restoration, reconstruction and rebuilding is what the ministry is all about. It’s what the church and Jesus is all about. God loves His people and He would that none of them be let down, locked out or left behind.”

KEEP YOUR LIFE REBUILT THROUGH THE SPIRIT ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! pawbookstore.com or call (317) 547.9541 Ext. 229

FOREWORD

By Dr. Johnny James AKA - The Walking Bible

“R

ebuilding Lives Through The Spirit is an essential, paradoxical and timely book that should have been written years ago. First, it is essential. By that, I don’t mean that it is simply necessary. When a thing is necessary, it is said to be indispensable or unavoidably inevitable, determined by prior conditions or circumstances. “Necessary” suggests that you cannot live without it...

Although people should not live without rebuilding their lives through the Spirit, they do it every single day. Jesus said in the book of John, chapter 10, verse 10: “The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Before, during and after, Jesus said that, the thief has been busy doing just that. Lives are being destroyed every day and when they are, people often give up their will to live. They also give up their will to be restored.

The saddest part of it is that even the people of God often fall victim to the thief and lose their will to get up and be restored. Whatever you do, stay in the church! If you mort-

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Michael Lynn Boyd is a well seasoned, spiritually focused, apostolic servant of God. Baptized in Jesus’ name at the age of (6), he received the Holy Ghost and grew up in the service of the Lord.

Over the years, he has served in multiple capacities. In later years Elder Michael was also chosen to serve as administrative assistant to his pastor, the late Bishop Melvin Boyd.

On June 9, 2003, Elder Michael L. Boyd officially became the pastor of Grace Apostolic Church, a spacious complex which spans an entire city block, with three tri-story buildings on it campus. It was his father’s personal grooming that made the strongest claim to his father’s mantel. Pastor Boyd is currently rebuilding lives through the Spirit of God in Nashville, Tennessee, with his lovely wife of 22 years Lady Julia Yvonne Boyd. They are the proud parents of two sons, Michael Lynn Boyd, II, and Timothy Wayne Boyd, both of whom are saved and actively involved in the church.

Dr. Boyd is a member of four internationally recognized Christian organizations and often serves as either the chairman or an active member of four additional community service organizations, including Operation Andrew and the East Nashville Citizens Advisory Committee.

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Getting ‘Back to Normal’ Is Going to Take All of Our Tools If we use all the tools we have, we stand the best chance of getting our families, communities, schools, and workplaces “back to normal” sooner: Get vaccinated.

Wear a mask.

Stay 6 feet from others, and avoid crowds.

Wash hands often.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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|

01/27/21

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/vaccines

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S. Bertram Robinson is the youngest son of the late Bishop Raymond L. and Ann V. Robinson and a third-generation product of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.

AVAILABLE NOW

Hineni - here am i is a musical compilation in which Brother Robinson challenges pastors, praise and worship leaders, and parishioners alike to answer God’s call to be available unconditionally, whenever, wherever, and however He may require. This album presents various aspects of the Gospel message through a variety of styles, and inspires each of us to say, “Hineni, here am I.” To listen to snippets and to order the CD visit: www.sbrobinson.com.

A PRODUCTION OF

W E H AV E A NEW HOME!

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V I S I T U S O N L I N E AT W“POSITIONED W W.FOR PAW B O O K S T OMARCH/APRIL RE.CO M PROMISE” 2021

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NEVER MISS AN ISSUE!

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