Catalyst Holy Convocation June 2017

2017 CityLight Catalyst Prayer Breakfast FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Call Bishop Redfern II @ 803 730-2758

January 2017 Bishop Redfern II

February 2017 Rev. Carolyn Brailsford

March 2017 Rev. Luella Redfern

April 2017 Rev. Tim Hanley

May 2017 Rev. Anthony Dicks

June 2017 Mac Bennett

July 2017 Elliott Powell

August 2017 Rev. Charles Austin

September 2017 Daniel Rickenman

October 2017 Rev. Ben Johns

November 2017 Rev. Dave Philips

December 2017 Lew Wayburn

CO N T EN T S June 1st • 2017 ARTICLES THE CONTEXT OF GIVING THANKS Tony Evans ................................................................................................................ PAGE 7 STRANGE FIRE Bonita Britt ............................................................................................................... PAGE 8 MR. MAC BENNETT President & CEO of United Way of the Midlands ..................................................... PAGE 10 MAJOR ROGER COULSON Regional Coordinator / Corps Officer at The Salvation Army of the Midlands ............. PAGE 12 HOW TO START A CITYLIGHT PRAYER GROUP ................................................................................................................................. PAGE 14

MY DEAREST SHELTON Luella Redfern .......................................................................................................... PAGE 18

FEATURES LOCAL EVENTS & POINTS OF INTEREST ................................................................................................................................... PAGE 4 CITYLIGHT PRAYER BREAKFAST Order of Service........................................................................................................... PAGE 5

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Local Events & Points of Interest SATURDAY JUNE 10th

ONE DAY WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH 1945 HARRY BYRD HWY., DARLINGTON, SC 29532 CALL: 843-409-2797 The Women’s Ministry of New Beginnings Church will be having a One Day Women’s Conference we and wish to invite women to come and see what God has in store for them. Our guest speakers will be Pastor Debra Taylor and Sister Joyell Hicks from Marion.

SATURDAY JUNE 17th DOUGHNUTS WITH DAD

THE BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY 4330 WESTMONT DRIVE CHARLOTTE, NC 28217 CALL: 704-401-3256 Dads deserve a special day of appreciation, so that’s why we’ve invited dads of all ages & their families to our annual Doughnuts with Dads. Enjoy complimentary doughnuts & beverages starting at 9:30am, while supplies last. Dads also get a free gift!

SATURDAY JUNE 17th WORSHIP AT THE THRONE

STALLINGS MUNICIPAL PARK 340 STALLINGS RD MATTHEWS, NC 28104 CALL: 502-974-0093 Come and Worship the King in the Queen City! A worship concert hosted by Tehillah with visiting gospel artist Justice Odoi from the UK and local community choir Divine Unity.

TUESDAY JUNE 27th

JUNE 2017 Publisher: Redfern II CityLight Founders: Joe & Gladys Grimaud Associate Publisher: Rev. Luella J. Redfern Operations Manager: Gwen Byrd Director of Chapter Dev: Bonnie Miles Prayer Breakfast Chair: Creative Director: Gabe Lowe Managing Editor: Editor: Casey Lowe Photographer Videographer: Zoe Warren Sponsorship Manager: Registration Manager: Logistics: Min. Bernard Byrd Music Director: Rev. Edward King Contributors: Tony Evans, Stephen Manley, Joseph Grimaud, Gladys Grimaud, Luella Redfern, Bonita Britt, Daniel Henderson, Chakisse Newton and Jed Snyder.

For information about sponsorship opportunities and rates, please contact: Gwen Byrd gbyrd@citylight.org (803)500-0475

TRANSLATION CHURCH

HAMPTON INN CONFERENCE ROOM 1551 BARBARA DRIVE COLUMBIA, SC 29223 Ministry in Columbia Northeast area. To teach people the word of God with simplicity and that people will live in the highest reality of God and care for one anotherand the lost.

See More Events at klove.com 4

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Check Out The Catalyst Online Publication at CityLight.org! © Copyright 2017 CityLight Coalition Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

june 2017

CityLight Catalyst Breakfast Columbia Prayer Breakfast

Speaker: Mr. Mac Bennett Prayer: Christians Impacting Local Community Charities June 1st, 2017 at 7:00 AM Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | Carolina Meeting Room

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14

Welcome and Invocation ........................................................ Bernard Byrd Medley ..................................................................................... Josh Hunter Poem “The Dream” ............................................................ Ms. Vicki Harris

~Prayer Time “Let Us Pray” Rev. Derrick Myers~

Introduction of Speaker .................................................. Bishop Redfern II Keynote Speaker ........................................................ Major Roger Coulson Remarks/ Benediction..................................................... Bishop Redfern II On Thursday, July 6, 2017 the CityLight Catalyst Prayer Breakfast will be held in the Carolina A Meeting Room of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Mr. Elliott Powell will be our Guest Speaker. june 2017

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june 2017

THE CONTEXT OF GIVING THANKS

By Tony Evans

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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irst Thessalonians 5:18 commands us to be thankful in everything; it doesn’t say be thankful for everything.

There is a distinct difference. When things go wrong, we are to give thanks to God in the midst of the trouble.

Even if all your worldly efforts and pursuits fail and you’re in the worst season of your life, you can and must still praise God for all He has done. You may not be able to praise God for your circumstances, but you can praise God in those circum-

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stances because He is with you.

Job praised God even at the lowest point of his life. King Jehoshaphat was terrified of an approaching enemy. Yet he commanded the people to praise God, and God saved them.

When you give thanks, you are in God’s will. He puts everything together in His time and His will.

When you give thanks, you are in God's will.

Give Him thanks every day for the way He works in your life. He has a purpose for the pain. Hang in there. He’s got it.

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STRANGE FIRE

(Numbers 3:2-5) BY: BONITA BRITT, FOUNDER RESURRECTION, REDEMPTION, & RESTORATION MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

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od cares more about His Word than even His own name, The Word is His integrity put on the line. He regards His integrity more highly than He does His reputation or even His power. People are not saved by seeing miracles. They are saved by hearing the gospel.

NADAB AND ABIHU “Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:1-2). They were not following divinely mandated instructions.

They were “doing their own thing.” God told Israel explicitly in the ceremonial law how He wants to worshipped. God wrote the ceremony; He prescribed the order of worship. He knew what He wanted. Trying to do one better than His Word was not pleasing to Him. There is no reward of uncommanded work; doing only what God commands pleases Him. God is Spirit; those who worship Him must do so in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Some hastily think only of worshipping Him in the spirit----and forget the truth. God is Spirit; He is also truth (Psalm 31:5). “Strange fire” is “unauthor8

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ized fire.” The Hebrew word means “ foreign,” or “profane fire.” Not only was the fire not commanded; indeed, it was “contrary to his command” (Leviticus 10:1).

King Saul later became “yesterday’s man” because he didn’t respect the command regarding who is qualified to offer the burnt offering (part of the ceremonial law). He was to wait for Samuel, he did not! He commanded them to bring him burnt offering.

Of course, someone should have stopped him or least cautioned him. No one did.

He told Saul, he felt “compelled” to do this (1 Samuel 13:8-12). Imagine that. Going against the teaching of the Word because he (you) felt “compelled” to do so! It’s like someone saying to you, “I know it’s not the Bible, but God told me to do it,” or “I felt led to do it”-----going against Holy Scripture?

Saul did that. Samuel let him know he “acted foolishly” and that he had forfeited his kingdom and legacy (1 Samuel 13:1314). Although he became “yesterday’s man” in that moment, he wore the crown for another 20 years. It was 20 years without God’s favor, but that was something only Samuel knew (1 Samuel 16:1).

THE SIN THAT WENT BEHIND STRANGE FIRE What we must remember is that the use of the fire itself in the old sacrificial system june 2017

was God’s idea. The use of fire was never man’s idea. God Himself would always be a consuming fire. Fire itself, therefore, would be sacred when it came to God’s way of how He worshipped. Only holy fire was acceptable. But man has a way of initiating God’s ideal.

What Nadab and Abihu did by offering strange fire set a pattern for subsequent generations to follow, which is Rebellious, prideful, impartation or faithless-----and took God’s own Word lightly.

Aaron’s legacy was partly the seed of rebellion in his two sons, so the example of Nadab and Abihu set the stage for rebellion in subsequent generations. Referring to the golden calf incident, Moses told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 9:7 that rebellion was one of the chief sins in ancient Israel. Rebellion is like the sin of divination (1 Samuel 15:23).

Rivalry spirit set itself up in the heart of man. It’s a competitive spirit. It was their fire versus the fire of God. Sometimes young people or those new in ministry get impatient for their day to come and consequently become their own authority.

A rival spirit is also what motivates people to reject God’s way of salvation. A rival spirit says, “I can save myself by what I do.”

Pride is from one’s own achievements.

They’re people who want to show what they could do without following God’s prescribed way. They let their ego get in-

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volved. They wanted to make sure everyone witnessed what they did. They wanted to set a precedent, to go down in history.

There is some strange fire, as we have seen.

But what troubles me equally is strange teaching in some quarters. The apostle Paul gave us advanced notice that in the last days some would abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things “taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3).

Some people do not think that upholding sound doctrine and avoiding heresy matters all that much. Wrong. Huge mistake!

It is crucial. The people of God are always being destroyed from “ lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

The knowledge of God’s Word and His ways are essential to God’s favor on us.

If we lose His favor we are finished and God will raise someone else to uphold His honor. (Hebrews 13:8).

Strange fire brings strange teaching with it.

When we’re not grounded in the Word and disciplined by regular time alone with God, we’re going to be vulnerable to all sorts of weird notions in these days when people are carried along by every wind of doctrine.

Character should always---“always”---govern a person’s life and ministry. Far better to have transparent character and no gifts than to have power to call fire down from heaven when one’s personal life is immoral.

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MR. MAC BENNETT President & CEO of United Way of the Midlands (UWM) in Columbia, South Carolina

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ac Bennett has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of the Midlands (UWM) in Columbia, South Carolina since 2005. Under his leadership, UWM has initiated several significant projects.

In 2007, the 260 bed Transitions Homeless Center was launched with a $5 million grant from the Knight Foundation to UWM. More recently, UWM has partnered with local hospitals and the BCBS Foundation of SC to expand community dental and eye care services by adding a 5200 square-foot facility at the Richland County Health Department to complement existing UWM run clinics in Richland and Lexington counties. Mac also has encouraged greater leadership and affinity group campaigns resulting in a 90% growth in Tocqueville Society membership ($10,000 and above 10

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annual gifts) and the creation of the Young Leaders Society (YLS) which now boasts more than 450 members.

Before joining the team at UWM, Mac served as Executive Director of the Central Carolina Community Foundation in Columbia for 14 years. The Community Foundation enjoyed a period of significant growth during the period increasing its assets from $5 million to more than $65 million. From 1980 to 1991, Mac held a variety of positions with the University of South Carolina including: Executive Assistant to the President, Chief of Staff of the Byrnes International Center and Assistant Vice President for Administration.

Mac is a founding director of the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations june 2017

(SCANPO) and served as the first chairman of the organization’s Board of Directors. Throughout his career, Mac has been instrumental in efforts to improve training and increase awareness for the nonprofit sector.

Developing, supporting and improving programs at various nonprofits has been one of Mac’s passions. He currently serves on the boards of directors of SCANPO, the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA), Transitions, United Way Association of South Carolina and Richland School District Two Foundation.

Mac also serves boards of trustees at the Nord Family Foundation and Central Carolina Community Foundation. He is active with his church as an Elder.

ing Executive (CFRE) with the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals. Mac recently was recognized as the 2016 Distinguished Alumni by the USC Moore School and received the Order of the Palmetto and the Mungo Homes Community Builder Award. He is married to Leslie Woods Bennett, and they have two adult children, Evans who resides in Knoxville and McCauley who lives with her husband Trent in Bluffton.

Mac holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and management from the University of South Carolina. He has held the distinction as a Certified Fund Raisjune 2017

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MAJOR ROGER COULSON Regional Coordinator / Corps Officer at The Salvation Army of the Midlands

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he open air was the means of introducing The Salvation Army to Major Roger Coulson’s mother when she and her twin sister visited the town of Mt. Airy, North Carolina on Saturdays.

They thought the group was interesting in their uniforms and the message of the Army group was captivating.

Later when the opportunity presented itself Major Coulson became involved in all of the activities of the local corps and was enrolled as a Jr. Soldier at the age of 7.

After graduating from North Surry High School in 1977 he attended college at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he became very involved with Corps leadership to the point of being assigned the position of Corps Helper.

After a year of serving in Greensboro Major Coulson married Melody Anderson on June 13, 1981 and one year later after serving together in Greensboro they entered The Salvation Army School for Officers Training in Atlanta, Georgia as part of the Servants of God session. In June of 1984 the Coulsons were commissioned as Lieutenants and appointed in command of the Baltimore Temple Corps. After corps appointments at Cambridge, Maryland and Baltimore Patterson Park, 12

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Maryland; The Salvation Army appointed the Coulsons to command the Fort Pierce, Florida corps.

During their time in Ft. Pierce two new corps were opened in Vero Beach, Florida and Stuart, Florida. A capital campaign was completed to build a new Office/ Thrift Store complex in the Fort Pierce command. It was also during that appointment that Major Roger Coulson completed an AA degree at Indian River Community College with an emphasis in accounting.

In June of 1997 Majors Coulson were appointed to headquarters work in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was the Finance Officer and she the Social & Ethical Ministries Secretary. After two years they were appointed to Washington, DC and then to Tampa, Florida where in both instances he was the Financial Secretary and she the Community Care Ministries Secretary and the Older Adult Secretary.

After nearly 24 years of active service the Coulsons were appointed to the Greater Baltimore Area Command as Area Commander and Coordinator of Women’s Ministries where they served for almost three years before being appointed to Columbia, SC as the Area Coordinator/Corps june 2017

Officer and the Coordinator for Women’s Ministries/Corps Officer in January 2011.

November 2014 CityLight.org 15 Major Melody Coulson is the daughter of officer parents, Majors Harold and Shirley Anderson who served throughout the Southern Territory and as the Training Principals in the Western Territory.

Spending most of her developmental years in Atlanta, Georgia, Major Melody Coulson still considers Charlotte, North Carolina home. After high school graduation she attended Asbury College and Charlotte Piedmont Community College studying Early Child-hood Development. It was during her attendance at CPCC that she met and married her husband.

The Coulsons have two children, Christopher and Christy Coulson who were born in Baltimore, Maryland during their appointment at Baltimore Temple. Christopher is married to Cristina McQueen Coulson and they have three children. Chris and

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Cristina currently are officers serving with The Salvation Army in Clarksville, Tennessee. Christy Coulson presently is living in Charleston, South Carolina and working with youth at The Salvation Army there.

Included in Major Roger Coulson’s family is his mother, Mary Ivey who is a retired Salvation Army employee and lives in Independence, Virginia. Major Melody Coulson’s family includes her brother Michael Anderson who lives in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Majors Roger and Melody Coulson have attended The Salvation Army Brengle Institute which is held in Chicago, Illinois at The Salvation Army College for Officer Training. Major Melody Coulson has also been appointed to the International College for Officers Training for the session that was held between October and December 2008 in London, England. They both love being Salvation Army officers and their passion is the work of the Army with people in Corps and Centers of Service.

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How To Start a

CityLight Prayer Group

C

ityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land.

II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called - CityLight. As Christians we are committed to bringing Light to the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the Two Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from, but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ.

Our members are individuals, churches, ministers, and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community.

This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism.

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2 CHRONICLES 7:14 (NIV) 14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS: Mt 22:36 “’[ Jesus], which is the great commandment in the law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.’”

THE GREAT COMMISSION: Mt 28:16 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV ) CITYLIGHT VISION: To bring light to the world by responding june 2017

to the prayer of Christ for complete unity with God and other believers.

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” ( John 17:22-23) CITYLIGHT MISSION STATEMENT: CityLight is a catalyst connecting Christ to the culture for community change.

CITYLIGHT SLOGAN: “The light of the world is Jesus.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

How To Start A Prayer Group WORSHIP 1 The first step in starting a CityLight Prayer Group is to enter into a spirit of Worship... a spirit of unrelenting, unceasing prayer.

Taking time to seek the face of God and experience His presence from the very depths of your soul. It is by the will of God and only by the will of God that you can be an instrument of this work.

City Light and it’s leaders. Share your passion and love for the Lord Jesus and this mission of prayer with your fellow believers. Allow the call of II Chronicles 7:14 to resonate in your community and the spirit.

Examine your life, the lives of those in your community and the spirit and values by which you live. As you discover the will of God for this generation, we pray that you will join us as we join with Him in complete obedience and submission.

Knock on the door to your heart and the heart of this generation to live The Great Commission. Allow the door of prayer to open the hearts of a dying generation and give hope anew to those who have not heard the Good news.

W

e the members of the CityLight group hereby solemnly pledge our lives, hopes, and dreams to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We promise to uphold, honor and promote the core values of our Christian heritage.

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Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life. The purpose for the entirety of your being. Study the Word of God - the Bible. Pray for the manifold wisdom of God to be made manifest in your every endeavor.

View the 5 twenty minute video sessions of Stephen Manley’s study on prayer and the Book of Ephesians.

Seek the advise, counsel and prayers of your pastor, deacons and church leaders. Learn more about june 2017

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How To Start a

CityLight Prayer Group Continued from page 13

“The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.”

These fruits are the result of growth in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These fruits are tendencies rather than mere willingness, because “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” In the person who possesses a Fruit of the Spirit, this willingness bears fruit in the life and behavior of the person.

CHARITY is love, both of God and of neighbor. It is our love for God above all things for his own sake and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. JOY is the happiness found in union with the Lord. It is a glimpse of the perfect happiness of heaven that leads us to desire heaven.

PEACE refers to dealing justly with the world, as well as remaining in good conscience before God. PATIENCE, also known as long-suffering, refers to the tendency to endure both temptation and suffering without it leading to sin.

KINDNESS, also known as Benignity, is the tendency toward acting kindly and doing good.

GOODNESS is the tendency to avoid sin and do good.

GENEROSITY is an openness to sharing one’s own gifts and goods with others. It is the opposite of both gluttony and envy.

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GENTLENESS, also known as mildness, is the tendency to allow provocations to go unanswered.

FAITHFULNESS is standing strong in faith, and strength against diversion away from faith and virtue.

MODESTY refers to purity in appearance and self-image.

SELF-CONTROL, also known as continence, refers to purity in words as well as the tendency to avoid temptations.

CHASTITY refers to purity in actions, especially sexual purity. Chastity should not be confused with celibacy, which is the avoidance of marriage and marital acts.

Positions in your CityLight Prayer Group Chairman Vice Chairman (Discipleship) Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Fellowship Coordinator Ministry Coordinator Photographer Internet Manager 2nd Generation Prayer Group (Evangelism) Chaplain (Worship Leader) Assistant Chaplain COLUMBIA PRAYER GROUP NO. The members of CityLight Prayer Groups are individuals who are guided by II Chronicles 7:14 to save a generation and fit it for Worship and Kingdom Service. We pursue the Face of God in all that we do. We pray that our lives may be vessels of Holiness and Fruit of the spirit. In every area of life we offer our Utmost to his Highest.

We are shaped and formed in groups with a leader and 12 disciples. Our Fellowship june 2017

is for Worship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism. Prayer is the cornerstone of our assembly each month. Each disciple in every group will grow and mature to start another group of 12 so that we may reach every heart with the Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

We are a Chapter of CityLight Inc., a nonprofit 50 1(c)3 organization. We have purposely intentioned to find, recruit, develop, equip, and disciple Christians to be todays leaders with a new standard of Holiness.

We are committed to God, our families, our children, our extended families and our church. We offer our lives in keeping the Two Great Commandments and the Great Commission. By the Seal of our Hands with our commitment to God, we commission CityLight Prayer Group No. Columbia as a new Chapter of CityLight on the___ day of the month of ___ in the year of our Lord ___.

Recruit 12 People to Join You In Prayer one hour each month...

Light to the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the The Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ.

Our members are individuals, churches, ministries and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community. This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism.

For more information, visit: CityLight.org or CityLightWorldwide.net

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14 CityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land.

II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called- CityLight.

As Christians we are committed to bringing june 2017

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MY DEAREST SHELTON by: Luella Redfern

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n August 2013, we helped you move into the freshman dorm, “Green” at Wofford College. This was a proud and sad day for me. I was excited for you as you began your next journey in life but I certainly wasn’t ready to let you go. Each day as we shopped for microwaves, mini fridges, futons and everything else you and your roommate decided you needed, I cried a little inside. Yes, there was lots of separation anxiety. It’s hard to believe that four years have already gone by.

Wofford College, much like Heathwood Hall, was a nurturing safe haven. Everyone in college and high school loved you and they always have wonderful things to say about you. You were able to conquer and overcome every challenge even with the sudden death of two of your very close friends, one of which you had known since kindergarten. When faced with tough times, you turned to your inner strength, the Christ in you. For as long as I can remember Philippians 4:13, ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” has always been one of your favorite scriptures.

College is a time that pulls you away from the comforts of home. It’s a time to discover oneself, explore the world around you, learn new things and discover what newfound independence is really like. College can also be a very difficult adjustment. I thank God for the great roommate and suite mate he placed in your life. They and their parents embraced you and love you like a brother and a son. They were hand18

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picked by God for you. It was by God’s grace that it has been your good fortune to never have lived in a place where you were not loved. You have made some true lifelong friends.

You struggled some your freshman year, trying to decide a major, only to determine that Biology was just not the right fit.

Struggle builds character. Often the moments in our life we are most proud of are the ones where we have overcame adversity to accomplish something worthwhile.

Something that pushes you to your limits and beyond. Nothing will make you feel more unstoppable than the revelation to yourself that you are capable of far more than you ever imagined.

Because of the young man you are and your servant leadership skills you were unanimously voted into a certain fraternity, which raised many eyebrows. However, your rise to vice president of that same fraternity and then becoming President of the Interfraternity Council your senior year (providing guidelines and support governing the six IFC member fraternities on campus) was quite an accomplishment.

When I look back on your young life, I see the various amazing things that happened to you that still cause me to shake my head.

While some of them involve sports performances and injuries, and other individual performances in academics, community service and student government, many of them involve how I saw you react and behave as you were growing up to be the june 2017

quality man you are today. You candidly joke about how your Dad trained you to be a great supervisor. If I must say myself, he did an awesome job. All your teachers, coaches, administrators (yes even the beloved College counselor Mr. Goodwin at Heathwood), beginning with kindergarten, then into lower and middle school and on to high school trained you for this day.

I thank God for each of them.

I wish God allowed our memories to be forever clear however as we grow older, that is just not the case. We lose some along the way but hopefully we remember the ones that are the most meaningful to us. I also think God allows some of the painful ones to disappear but I digress, I am talking to you, the Wofford College graduate. The one who has persevered these last 4 years to make it to this great day. You are the first male for three generations of the maternal “Jones family” to graduate college. You did it. On this day as you walked across that podium, wearing

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your cap and gown, received your Bachelor of Arts, degree in Business Economic, I am one proud mama.

Many parents I know “gently encourage” if not mandate, that once their child graduates college they are on their own.

No moving home. No mooching off the ‘rents. And I get it. We raise our children praying they will grow into self-sufficient, productive and happy young adults. And for many, that means they should be out in the world making their own way without the help of mom and dad. Well, while I am very happy about your job offers, one in Long Island, NY and the second one in Washington, DC, I must confess that I am not ready for you to move so far away.

I imagine it would be a bit different having our adult son moving back home and living with us after being on his own at college for four years. The summers were hard enough. Jasmine is always excited Continued on next page

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MY DEAREST SHELTON

By Luella Redfern | Continued from previous page

about having you back and is not ready for you to move away. Â We love you to infinity and love sharing every moment of your life. Even as you prepare to move out, I shock myself by loving you even more. This love comes without strings, but life does not.

Life will never just be entirely up to you.

If there are things you want to achieve, knowledge you want to gain, and friends you want to make, know that we are always here for you. Â I know that you will go far in this life, you deserve the best this world can give you and I know that you will get it. Even though today is the day I must let you go to discover the world on your own, please know that you are no longer in the safehaven of home or college. There is a brave new world out there. However, I'll be with you no matter where you go and I'll be there anytime and anywhere you may

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need me. You are my heart, my soul, my life, and my world. I love you, my son, very much and thank you for the best 22 years of my life.

LUELLA REDFERN

Executive Director of the Esther Women of Influence, shown with her husband, Bishop Redfern II

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In February 1996, Joe and Gladys Grimaud, along with a group of Columbia area Christians began meeting and seeking God’s direction for our city. The group included Pastors, community leaders, and lay people from different racial, cultural and denominational backgrounds with different talents and gifts. Each member of the group was concerned about the problems and needs of the community, many of which are the result of the breakdown of the family unity. The group knew that there is a wealth of available talent and resources, and that if mobilized, could be used to address the spiritual and physical needs of individuals, families, and the community.

We believe that Churches and the body of Christ should be the focal point of love and compassion in our community and should work together in addressing the needs of the community.

CityLight Columbia organized as a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation in June 1996 to bring churches and the body of Christ together to make a positive impact in our community. Our Mission is “to unify the Christian community by lifting up Christ, evangelizing, disciplining, and impacting the community through the local Church”.

We believe that Churches and the body of Christ should be the focal point of love and compassion in our community and should june 2017

a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change

work together in addressing the needs of the community. CityLight serves as a liaison and a facilitator between Churches, the public and private sectors, and the community at-large to help identify needs and match those needs with available resources. We help Churches and the community to become more vibrant by encouraging them to become actively involved in community outreach and to experience the rewards of helping the less fortunate and those in need.

CityLight Columbia sponsored the Tony Evans Crusade at Williams-Brice Stadium in May 1997 which served as a catalyst for bringing God’s people together in a spirit of revival to empower us to begin the process of bringing moral, spiritual, and economic change to our community. Dr. Evans’ messages during the three nights of the crusade addressed racial reconciliation, one’s personal responsibility in helping to bring about change, family renewal, and the role of the local Church in reaching out to help meet the needs of the community.

The vision that God has given to CityLight is unlimited. Every day, we are seeking new opportunities to reach out into the community, to mobilize the body of Christ, and to match available resources with the needs of the community. As we grow and the opportunities to serve Him increase, we need more volunteers and workers to help fulfill the Mission of CityLight.

If you would like to join the efforts of CityLight, you can begin by praying for us. You can become a contact person in your own church body to help us form a spiritually powerful and effective movement of God in the Columbia area. You can help support us financially, or volunteer to serve in one of the following areas of CityLight Columbia.

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CITYLIGHT

a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change

1. PRAYER NETWORK Establish a citywide prayer network involving Pastors and laity.

2. FINANCE Seek and develop ways to generate an ongoing income stream to support the CityLight’s Mission.

3. COMMUNICATION Coordinate a communication network within the community involving Churches, Christian ministries, and the community at-large.

4. VOLUNTEER COORDINATION Coordinate and integrate CityLight volunteers based on their areas of interest.

5. EVENTS Coordinate information on Christian events taking place in the Columbia area and coordinate CityLight sponsored events.

6. MINISTRY COORDINATION Coordinate information on Christian ministries and outreach opportunities in the Columbia area and develop a “Ministry Directory” listing available ministries and resources in the community.

7. UNITY AND RECONCILIATION Promote unity and reconciliation across racial, cultural, and denominational lines by encouraging Pastors, laity, and the business community to work together to bring moral, spiritual, and economic changes to the community.

8. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION Mobilize Churches and the community to capitalize on available gifts, talents, and resources to address the problems and needs of the community.

9. CHURCH AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Train, prepare, and equip Churches and community leaders for maximum community outreach.

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CityLight.org

10. FAMILY RENEWAL Rebuild and strengthen families in the community according too Biblical family principles, with an emphasis on targeting “at risk youth”.

11. EDUCATIONAL REVITALIZATION Work with Churches and the community in the areas of youth tutorial, remedial instruction, illiteracy, and other educational related problems.

12. HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT Foster safer neighborhoods, promote and provide affordable housing for the homeless and others with housing needs, encourage neighborhood property beautification, and strengthen neighborhood relationships.

13. HEALTH REVITALIZATION Work with Churches and the community to identify and address problems that are contributing to the deterioration of the physical and emotional health of the community.

14. BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Work with Churches and the community to promote business stability and growth using available resources to help the unemployed, underemployed, and others in need in the community.

If you would like tot be a part of the move of God in Columbia and volunteer to serve on one of the CityLight Committees or if you would like more information about the CityLight Mission, you may call or write to us at:

CityLight

P.O. Box 8642 Columbia, SC 29202 (803) 200-1940 CityLight.org | CityLightWorldwide.net

CityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change june 2017

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On the International level, the Ecumenical Church has over 3,000 prayer groups in India covering the country southern region. Ecumenical Church leaders in India have plans to follow the same model being used in the United States. The churches already established are seeking to organized themselves into districts to facilitate better cooperation with the Ecumenical Church Worldwide. There are several Bible college campuses being used to train Ecumenical Leaders. A cable TV station is broadcasting christian Programming to our lay leaders in the villages and small distant communities.

Using the small group concept to establish church the same way Christ ministered to, with and through the 12 disciples. Each small group become a training vehicle to develop leaders who are willing to bleed, suffer and die for the cause of Christ not a church vocation, position or salary, It is for this reason the ecumenical minister is an itinerant. One who is not looking to establish his own kingdom but rather contribute to the building of the kingdom of God. It is a reasonable service to the example of Church community in the book of Acts.

nessee and Virginia. Recruited ministers and Lay leaders for these states have started the process of identifying properties for the Mother Church location in each state.

THE HISTORY, MISSION AND VISION OF THE ECUMENICAL CHURCH

Having accomplished this in Columbia, SC, our efforts in South Carolina are extended to Charleston Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Florence, Greenville, Spartanburg, Aiken and Sumter. The Churches are recruiting ministers and lay leaders for service in the areas.

There will be 10 congregations in each area to facilitate expansion and growth to reach the region. Since it can take twenty five years for a congregation to become stable and effective, the Ecumenical Church is aggressively building leaders and buying property to create a framework for Jesus centered ministry.

Prayer groups and Ecumenical Churches are targeted for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The General Conference of Bishops of the Ecumenical Church has the same broader plan for the Southeastern part of the United States in what is called the ‘Bible belt’.

Prayer groups and Ecumenical Churches are targeted for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ten-

The Ecumenical Church is well established in Central and East Africa with newly ordained ministers and established Churches. There are 14 countries in East Africa where we have established Ecumenical Ministers and Churches that grew out of Prayer groups. The first, second and third campuses for the Ecumenical University are presently being built in Uganda. The Ecumenical Church of East Africa is building 28 campuses spread across the region.

Each campus will provide Cross Style Theology Training for ministers and life skills training in masonry, beauty and barbering and sewing. In Central Africa our churches are building schools and orphanages.

There are ministers and prayer groups in Europe, South America and the Caribbean who have not yet formally organized their churches and ministries in Ecumenical Church districts.

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projects and programs to minister to the people. All of these activities were constructed with prayer and worship as cornerstone principles.

For the cast away children (called BeBe kids) that no one wanted in their churches, The Ecumenical Church started football, baseball and basketball teams. The church organized trips to Carowinds and other amusements parks for the families of these children. There were children who were not getting a good hearty and healthy dinner at home, so church responded by cooking dinner 4 nights a week. On Sundays, the church took over 200 children and 100 homeless persons to the Golden Corral for over 5 years. Pivotal to all activities with children was Sunday worship services and Wednesday night Bible Study. The children learned to pray and were eager to attend and participate in Sunday worship services.

Over 300 children came to Wednesday night lectionary based Bible Study. They became student leaders in prayer, Bible study and Sunday worship.

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Eventually, the children brought their parents to church for special occasions. It was amazing to hear the testimonies of parents who suffered much but found hope and acceptance in the Ecumenical Church.

Over the years, these parents, as a result of their children’s prayers became involved and active ministers in the church. They prepared meals, drove buses and vans, after having gotten CDL licenses.

The church witnessed transformation in many families by the power of the Gospel being preach and lived in the Ecumenical Community of Faith.

The one Ecumenical Church congregation has grown to 15 churches and the Ecumenical Mother Church has purchased its own sanctuary but the spirit of servant leadership remains strong. Men and women who were once considered the least of these are now leading churches and ministries. Each church meets in the Mother Church as services are held each hour on Saturday and Sunday. Each congregation has its own appointed pastor and elected leadership with its own finances.

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THE HISTORY, MISSION AND VISION OF THE ECUMENICAL CHURCH

"The Mission of the Ecumenical Church is to bring people to Jesus and Membership in His family, develop them to Christlike Maturity, and equip them for their Ministry in the church and life Mission in the World in order to magnify God’s name.�

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he Ecumenical Church was founded

by Bishop Redfern in 1995. Bishop Redfern wanted to reach people who were not active members of traditional or legacy churches. Perhaps they were at one time but had fallen by the wayside. They were church dropout or put outs. Some were on drugs, unwed mothers, homeless, or even abused by church leaders or members. These are the people the Ecumenical Church wanted to reach.

For twenty years the Ecumenical Church has sought to be a place of refuge for the unwanted. As a body, the focus of the church has been Matthew 25:35-36. The Pastors, congregations poured their hearts into serving the broken and unwanted.

"35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Bishop Redfern led the church to devote all of its energy and resources to minis-

tering unto the poor and downtrodden.

For twenty years the Ecumenical Church moved like a herd of traveling nomads seeking and serving the lost. Starting in the Margaret H. Miller Center, only to move to Bethlehem Community Center, Grace Christian Center, Drew Park, Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Greater Carolina Baptist Church, First Church of the Nazarene and finally to Christ Central.

In each location, we formed partnerships with other churches and community organizations to serve unwed mothers and their children, unruly and profane youth, recovering drug addicts, sex offenders, pedophiles and homosexuals, convicted felony offenders, the homeless and the mentally ill.

The Ecumenical Church was a spiritual, loving church home for these and many others. It was always the goal of the Ecumenical Church to integrate these members back into the general community and create healthy fellowship and membership into the family of God through the church of Jesus Christ. To accomplish this task, Bishop Redfern led the church to establish Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide

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SALUDA, SC USA

MASINDE PORT

MBABA NURSING CENTER

ESTHER RETREAT

DAUGHTERS OF RUTH

FARM PROJECT

JAMAICA

CAMAROON

CAMAROON

KIRUHURA DISTRICT

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OKLAHOMA

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US ESTHER WOMEN OF INFLUENCE | Impacting the World Through Missions

MAGAMAGA

MASARUKI

Edens Revival KHARANDA

SHALOM NURSING CENTER

ESTHER TEENS

EDENS REVIVAL

Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide

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Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide

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ECUMENICAL CHURCH CITYLIGHT PRAYER GROUPS IN INDIA

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lic of Tanzania, the Republic of Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe D.R. Congo, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Somalia) and 10 campuses in Central Africa. Construction on the first two (2) campuses has begun. The model of a basic campus infrastructure has been implemented. This model includes an Administrative Building, a Multipurpose Building, Class Room Block and a dormitory. With the building of each campus, included is provision for homes of at least 10 widows.

The Ecumenical University is also serving the Ecumenical Church, Cross Style students and CityLight Prayer groups in India. Over 10 years ago we joined with Jesus Mission to purchase a prayer mountain in Southern India. From that beginning over

3,000 CityLight Prayer groups have been established. Some of those Prayer Groups have become churches and others continue their training through Jesus Mission Bible Calls College. The Jesus Mission has established a cable television station for gospel out reach and Training. Our plans are to build 100 campuses throughout India.

In addition to Seminary and College training, the facilities are also being used to teach pastors and others trades to support themselves and their families. Masonry, Beauty and Barbering, Sewing, Nursing, Midwifery are a part of the vocational curriculum. The campuses will also be used as medical centers, distribution centers for food and clothing as well other needed supplies.

Ecumenical University Alma Mater by Sylvia Mickens 1. The glory of Your salvation prepared for every nation Your word went out to all the earth there is a second birth You put on mor-ta-lity To set the captives free your truth keeps marching on Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

2. Men sat in the darkness Trying to find the light of truth Living in the pains of sin And hiding in the booths Crossstyle was in the shadow Like the Rose of Jericho Your truth keeps marching on Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

3. We tried to do it our way 13

But our works were not enough Wanting to be like the rest But couldn't pass the test The worship, teaching, reaching, preaching, Cross style was the best Your truth keeps marching on Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

4. The light of revelation to the Gentiles and the Jews Yahweh sent His word to all The gospel of good news It's ecumenical my friend Together we will win Cause our God is marching on We are cross style hallelujah We are cross style hallelujah We are cross style hallelujah Our God is marching on Can be substituted with glory glory halelujah His truth is marching

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ECUMENICAL UNIVERSITY

Dr. Stephen Manley serves as the Dean and Chief Academic Officer of the Cross Style College of the Ecumenical University

T

he Ecumenical University was chartered by Redfern II, Presiding Bishop and General Overseer of the Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide, April 11, 2012. The Ecumenical University was chartered in the state of South Carolina as a church under the auspices of the Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide to create a formal internal process for training pastors and lay persons, who have had limited access to seminary training.

The idea for the University began when Bishop Redfern II was then serving as the International Director of Dr. Stephen Manley’s Cross Style School of Practical ministry. Dr. Manley had developed a system of training pastors and lay ministers with over 300 hours of course materials. Pastors and Lay ministers from over 40 countries were trained with materials that were provided with a television, DVD player and a generator. These training kits were provided to rural churches and groups in undeveloped countries throughout the world.

Over the years, the students wanted their studies to be authenticated and their completion of the course materials recognized.

We started with a certificate of completion which later became a degree and then to the diploma level. In 2006 we started having graduation ceremonies with cap and gowns. When the students started using their certificates and diplomas as references in their local churches, with the govern12

ment and as a prerequisite for ordination and ministry work, it became clear that a central worldwide facility was needed to curate their educational accomplishments.

With the formation of the Ecumenical University, a worldwide system is being created to standardize training, grading of course work, recording students’ certificate, degree and diploma achievements.

The method of delivery of course materials has also evolved into a smaller digital footprint. We’ve moved from 160 DVD’s to a single jump drive and from there to a complete online educational experience.

We are now using tablets, e-readers, computers and smart phones. There are still teachers who still visit small rural communities that are off the grid.

The University adopted the curriculum of the Cross Style School of Practical Ministry and instituted the Cross Style College with Dr. Stephen Manley as it’s Dean and Chief Academic Officer. The College awards degrees in Cross Style theology.

The University is pursuing other opportunities to develop other colleges within it’s system to meet the educational needs of the modern missionary minister/pastor for this season and the age to come.

The Ecumenical University has embarked on a plan to build 28 campuses in the 14 countries of East Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Repub-

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INTERNATIONAL ECUMENICAL MINISTER Wabwire Herbert Mukisa Rose Saawe Godfrey Egonda Mary Gertrude Mwebaze Jacob Nkugaba Henry Kuwangula Mpagi Melinda Samuel Bitebe Michael Sizomu Patrick Masiga William Ochuma Richard Ogile Kiirya Eric Musena Rose Sabika Moses Matege Fred Aliyenka Robert Basalirwa Charles Kabwame Eseza Ojambo Shadrack Kaooza Allan Kuluno David Musasizi Martin Mbaizi Paul Kakaire Jehro Oker Godfrey Paloni Baligeya Fredrick Kisakye Sarah Cairo Moses Musimba Jackson Rebecca Biyinzika Mwebaza Irene Magoba Leeya Mubeezi Semei Eseret John Mwesigwa Annet Kigenyi Amosi Mogoba James Muwereza Grace Basangwa Samuel Kawuma Christine Kigabane Fred Wambi Difasi David Asiimwe Evans David Eyoma Eliud J. Wamalwa Charles Mpagi Tchoutezim Tsangning Wycliffe Ombecha

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ECUMENICAL MINISTERS IN THE UNITED STATES Nakia Adams Annette Balaguer Eric Bowden Gene Brown James Bynum Jerome Brown Ramon Balaguer Shelton Blue Ben Blocker Andrew Dev Louisa Dobbins Terry Dozier Penelope Evans Shirley Grose Stacey Gibson Stephen Gibbs Chris Harkless Serene Harkless Helen P. Harris Lydia O. Ham Melissa Hammond Raymond Holmes Donald Jackson Isabelle Jones John Jones James Johnson James LaRose Charles Mpagi Derrick Myers Richard McCombs Hattie Mickens Sylvia Mickens Andrew Oliver Jacob Pokem Paula Perry Samuel Perry Dwight Rhinehart Luella Redfern Rebirth Drake Chris Smith Clarence Smith Harriet Smith Jami Salters Sinclair Salters Alex Tsangning Carl Thurmond Teresa Thurmond Harriet Williams Roberta Williams

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Candidates for the Associate Degree in Cross Style Theology

Bernard Byrd

Bonnie Miles

Gwen Byrd

Isabell Jones

Luella Redfern

Candidates: Honorary Doctor of Humanities

Joseph Grimaud

John Jones

Dwight Rhinehart

Candidates for the Certificate of Achievement of Cross Style Studies

Gladys Grimaud

Jasmine Jones

Zahir Jones

Tykese Ashford

Candidates for the Ministerial Licensing and Ordination

Bernard Byrd

Kristi LaRose

Ronald Stephenson

Malinda Stephenson

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The 12 Pillars of the Ecumenical Church

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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The Baccalaureate Service

A baccalaureate service is a celebration that honors a graduating senior class from a college.

The event is typically a Christianity-based interdenominational service. The service is held within a few days of the commencement ceremony, immediately preceding the graduation.

Speakers selected tend to be community leaders, faculty members, students, or local religious leaders, and may be elected by the graduating class. Baccalaureate addresses can range in length from under half an hour to as long as four hours.

A claim much repeated is that "the baccalaureate service is believed to have originated at the University of Oxford in 1432 when each bachelor was required to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of his academic requirements."[citation needed] However, it was "examinatory sermons" that were required of all Oxford bachelors before their "inception" or commencement; these were mentioned in a 1311 statute.[1] The American baccalaureate service is an outgrowth of the baccalaureate sermon. The earliest known in America is at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1760.

Because of United States Supreme Court rulings regarding the separation of church and state, baccalaureate services are not official, school-sponsored events at American public schools.[3] However, many have student-initiated services at private facilities not paid for with government funds, and as such are fully permitted by law. Until recent years[specify], school-sponsored baccalaureate services were common in American public schools, on school grounds.

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THE ST CONVOCATION OF THE ECUMENICAL CHUCRH

The Report of the General Conference Presentation of Pastoral Appointments

Evangelical Ecumenical Church .................................................. Revs. John & Isabel Jones Citadel of Hope Ecumenical Church .................................................... Rev. Stacey Gibson NehemiahEcumenical Church ........................................................... Rev. Jerome B. Brown Epiphany Ecumenical Church ....................................................................... Supply Pastor Victory Ecumenical Church ........................................................... Rev. Dwight Rhinehart Sacred Word Ecumenical Church .................................................................. Supply Pastor Crucible Ecumenical Church .................................................................. Rev. Bernard Byrd Esther Ecumenical Church ............................................................... Rev. Luella J. Redfern Abundant Life Ecumenical Church ...................................................... Rev. Derrick Myers First Ecumenical Church ............................................................................ Rev. Redfern II CityLight Worldwide Ecumenical ..................................................... Rev. Ramon Balaguer Catalyst XYZ Ecumenical Church ................................................................ Supply Pastor Cross Over Ecumenical Church .................................................................... Supply Pastor

Presentation of Ministry Appointments Director of Program Development .................................................... Rev. Annette Balaguer Director of Family Initiatives ..................................................................... Rev. Lydia Ham Director of Lectionary Studies .................................................................. Mrs. Gwen Byrd Director of Christian Music .................................................................. Rev. Derrick Myers Director of Int’l Church Development ............................................. Bishop Charles Mpagi Director of Men on the Wall ................................................................. Rev. A.A. Dicks, Sr. Director of Esther Women ................................................................... Rev. Luella Redfern Director of Development ..................................................................... Rev. James P. Larose Director of Pastoral Prayer ......................................................................... Rev. Isabel Jones Dean of Cross Style College ................................................................ Dr. Stephen Manley Director Ecumenical University ........................................................ Mrs. Gladys Grimaud Director of Special Initiatives ................................................................... Rev. Chris Smith Special Assistant to Bishop ................................................................ Rev. Ramon Balaguer Closing Remarks .................................................................................................................

Benediction ............................................................................................ Bishop Redfern II Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide

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THE ST CONVOCATION OF THE ECUMENICAL CHUCRH

Ordination Service Charge to Candidate

Bishop: Do you promise to walk worthily of the vocation to which you are called, seeking always to bring honor to the name of Jesus Christ as your Lord; and do you promise diligently and faithfully to perform the duties of a minister of the gospel with no thought of personal reward or honor, having as your primary motives the winning of persons to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and the building up of the church of Christ through inspiration, teaching, exhortation, and stewardship, to the glory of God? Do you so promise?

CANDIDATE: I promise by the grace of God to live and minister that I may bring honor and glory to the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bishop: You will please kneel for the prayer of ordination and the laying on of hands. [Candidates, please kneel facing the congregation]

ORDINATION PRAYER

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS Bishop: Do you, the members of the church, acknowledge and approve these candidates as a ministers of the church of Jesus Christ; and will you pray for them in his ministry, and work together with him to accomplish the mission of the church, giving them all due honor and support in their leadership to which the Lord has called them, to the glory and honor of God? If so you will signify your assent by standing [or raising your hands].

BISHOP: It is finished!

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THE ST CONVOCATION OF THE ECUMENICAL CHUCRH

Ordination Service Processional

Call to Worship ............................................................... Bishop Redfern II Hymn of Praise ............................................................. Rev. Derrick Myers

Invocation THE READING OF THE SCRIPTURE Acts 2:1-21 John 7:37-39

A Charge To Keep ........................................................................................

The Sermon .............................................................. Rev. Albert Thompson Musical Selection .........................................................................................

Offering .......................................................................................................

Assembling of the Clergy .............................................................................

An Introductory Statement

Bishop: We are assembled in the name of our Lord, at the request of this church, and as representatives of the fellowship of churches that have been invited, that we may set aside and License and ordain These candidates to the off ice and work of the Christian ministry.

Presentation and positioning of the candidates

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THE ST CONVOCATION OF THE ECUMENICAL CHUCRH

Baccalaureate Service

Praise and Worship ....................................................... Rev. Derrick Myers

Processional

Call to Worship ............................................................... Bishop Redfern II Invocation .................................................................... Rev. James P. LaRose

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessing flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

THE READING OF THE SCRIPTURE Numbers 11:24-30 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

Blessing of the Graduates ........................................ Rev. Henry Hall Powell Musical Selection .........................................................................................

Commencement Exercises Remarks .................................................................... Mrs. Gladys Grimaud Conferring of Degrees Presentation of Certificates Recessional 4

21st annual holy convocation

Beloved in Christ, Welcome to the 21st Holy Convocation of the Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide.

Today, we continue the legacy of the Book of Acts by commissioning, licensing, appointing and ordaining those who will speak boldly to the generations about a man named Jesus.

Our Holy Convocation is observed in four distinct parts: The Baccalaureate Service, The Commencement Service, The Ordination Service and the Report of the General Conference from the Office of the Presiding Bishop and General Overseer of the Church.

The Baccalaureate Service is the continuation of a tradition that originated at the University of Oxford in 1432. It was continued in the new world in what is now Princeton University. The service is an observance that the true purpose of education is to serve God and rightly divide His Word. Many public schools have abandoned this practice but we hold fast to our education being derived from God. The Commencement Service recognizes the graduates of the Ecumenical University and confers the appropriate degree consistent with the students pursuits in our curriculum. It is our intention to prepare our students to be Servant Leaders to impact the world because of the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ.

The ordination service is laying on of hands in agreement on men and women who have been called by God to serve his body, the Church. These men and women by our declaration are invited to “bleed, suffer and die” as their reasonable service to the Body of Christ.

The fourth activity is the report of the Bishop with regards to the future plans and appointments of our clergy and Lay leaders. We serve as itinerates to be available where needed and at the pleasure of our leaders. We pray that in being present with us, you have been touched by the Spirit and your life made more committed to Christ.

In Jesus’ Name, BISHOP REDFERN II Presiding Bishop & General Overseer of the Ecumenical Church of Christ Worldwide 3

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SPEAKER BIOS

Albert Thompson was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is the youngest son of Joe and Cora Thompson. He is the nephew of one of the greatest Gospel singers of all time, Mme Edna Gallman Cooke. He attended Richland County public schools and received his Christian Education at Bethlehem Baptist Church.

The Word of God shaped Gladys Grimaud’s life from infanthood through the reading of the Word by her mother, Gladys Cox, who was not a Christian at the time but wanted her child to know God. This strategy proved to be powerful and effective. Respect and attendance to the Holy Scripture has been her bedrock for stability, peace, and successful relationships in every aspect of life.

Because relationship with Jesus Christ is essential and the key to peace…much needed in our world at this time…it is with great joy to participate from the beginning in the establishment and future success of Citylight Cross Style Ecumenical College.

REV ALBERT THOMPSON

GLADYS GRIMAUD

Gladys is married to Joseph Grimaud, Jr., and is the mother of three sons, David, Greg, and Keith as well as the Grandmother of eight wonderful grandchildren and Great-Grandmother to one.

Rev. Thompson supports the Mary Gadsden Missionary Society, the pulpit Aid Society and was an active member of the Trustee and Deacon Boards. He was a member of the Jubilee choir and announcer for birthdays of the Month. Rev. Thompson has been employed by the Bostick-Thompson Funeral Home for 28 years. He is married to the former Vivian Stephen and they have two daughters and five grandchildren.

CONTENTS

LETTER FROM BISHOP REDFERN II ........................................................................... PAGE 3 BACCALAUREATE SERVICE .......................................................................................... PAGE 4 ORDINATION SERVICE ................................................................................................ PAGE 5 THE REPORT OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE ............................................................ PAGE 6 THE 12 PILLARS OF THE ECUMENICAL CHUCH ........................................................... PAGE 8 THE BACCALAUREATE SERVICE ................................................................................... PAGE 8 CANDIDATES FOR THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY ................... PAGE 9 ECUMENICAL MINISTERS IN THE UNITED STATES ..................................................... PAGE 10 INTERNATIONAL ECUMENICAL MINISTERS ............................................................... PAGE 11 ECUMENICAL UNIVERSITY ........................................................................................ PAGE 12 ECUMENICAL CHURCH CITYLIGHT PRAYER GROUPS IN INDIA ................................ PAGE 14 ESTHER WOMEN OF INFLUENCE .............................................................................. PAGE 17 THE HISTORY, MISSION AND VISION OF THE ECUMENICAL CHURCH ...................... PAGE 19 2

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