South Florida Gospel News Summer 2023

South Florida Gospel News

Renard Matthews,Jr.

Scholar, Athlete, Ordained Deacon

OurStaff

Editor In Chief

Debrah Hall-McCullon

Creative Director

Debrah Hall-McCullon

Art Director

Debrah Hall-McCullon

Art & Design

Debrah Hall-McCullon

Contributors

Leischa Mattews

Mary Hall

Nemiah Spence

Web Team

Debrah Hall-McCullon

Christopher McCullon

Renard Matthews,Jr.

Deacon, Scholar & Athlete

By Debrah Hall-McCullon

Between graduating college, the loss of his grandfather, and an unexpected career change, 2023 has been a tough year for Renard.

Renard said God has kept him in the hollow of His hands through the midst of the struggle.

Currenlty he is in Blackshear, Georgia where he is the Assistant General Manaer at iTowTrailer, LLC.

Renard earned his B.A in psychology in June 2021. During his college career he maintained honor roll/ Dean’s List, President’s List status. He graduation in under four years.

Renard graduated Cum Laude in 2023

Renard earned his Master in Business Administration at West Virginia Wesleyan College in May 2023. He entered college from high school as a college sophomore, having earned college credits while he was in high school.

In 2022 Renard was recognized by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Pi Mu Chapter For his academic success at Wesleyan West Virginia for their first ever black excellence academic celebration.

Renard is an ordained deacon at Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia.

Renard Matthews, Senior & Jr.

Renard played middle line backer for the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats

Using

TechnologyFor Tithes&Offerings

4.PaybyZelle. Findoutifthe churchhasaphonenumberor emailaddresstoaccept paymentselectronically.

3.PaybyPaypal.Thechurchis businessandshouldhavea Paypal accountthatlinksto thebusinessbankaccount

2.PaybyCashapp.Findout thecorrectCashappnameto submittithesandofferings

1.Doesyouchurchhavean ATMmachine?Beawareof bankfees.Manychargeupto $6pertransaction

HonoringArthurMatthews,Jr.

The South Florida Gospel News is sad to announce the passing of Arthur Matthews, Jr. He was born and raised in Patterson, Georgia. He was a long-time Riviera Beach resident. Arthur served his country in the U.S. Army and is a Korean War Veteran. He was a Deacon at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church when it was in Riviera Beach.

He worked as a professional truck driver and later as a licensed security guard after he retired from driving trucks.

Arthur was the Deacon Board Chairman at Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Mangonia Park, Florida. Years ago, he was the maintenance superintendent for the School Board in Palm Beach County. He worked at the West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach police departments.

Arthur was a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America and started the Cub Scouts club in Riviera Beach in the early 1970’s and later at Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in 2010. He took the boys camping, fishing, and taught them respect and how to work with others. Arthur is the past president of the Delta Delta Lamba Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is also a member of the Rising Star Masonic Lodge 67, the Elks Lodge, and the Shriners Club. He owned and operated Matthews Limousine Service and Matthews Assisted Living Center.

InOctober, 2019Arthur was named Riviera BeachCitizen of the Year and received an award at the Riviera BeachCommunity RedevelopmentAgencyAmbassadorAwards ceremony. He passed away Friday, May 5, 2023. He is loved and missed by many!

James Brown’sGospel Roots

James Brown toured the world singing super soul hits. He owned radio stations, and won Grammy awards, and other musical awards. He started out singing in gospel quartets at his church in Augusta, Georgia. He later transformed gospel musical into secular music centered in the emotions of a soul singer. His dynamic dances during live performances came from the church. He copied the ‘shouting’ dance style in the church and did the same dances on stage.

Many did not know that James Brown owned and published a gospel magazine entitled Second Coming. The magazine featured gospel artists and kept readers abreast of current events nationwide.

James Brown owned WJBE (James Brown Enterprises), the first black owned radio station in Knoxville, Tennessee. He purchased the station for $75,000 in 1967.

The world called James Brown many things. The Godfather of Soul. The hardest-working man in show business. Soul Brother No. 1. He was the world's most energetic singer, a man who surveyed his own course and changed the musical landscape to his liking. He was a black music scholar, writer, and arranger. He brought different kinds of people together as one through his music.

The famous Godfather of soul began his career singing gospel music and owned a gospel magazine entitled Second Coming

PALM BEACH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

July 6, 2023

July 23, 2023

Palm Beach County’s longest-running, summertime cultural tradition returns when The PalmBeach ShakespeareFestival and Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation present the Shakespeare by the Sea XXXIII production of William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure.”

The Shakespeare by the Sea XXXIII productionof“Measurefor Measure” takes place July 6 – 9 and 13 – 16 at the Seabreeze Amphitheater in Carlin Park, located at 750 South, Florida A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477.

The Shakespeare by the Palms III encore production of “Measure for Measure” runs July 20 – 23 at the Commons Park AmphitheaterinCommonsPark,locatedat11600PoincianaBlvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411.

Performances start at 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. with a 15-minute intermission.Gatesopenat6:30p.m.forpre-showentertainment.

Visitors are invited to bring a beach chair, blanket, and picnic basket.

Seabreeze Amphitheater, 750 South A1A, Jupiter, 33477 FL & Commons Park

Amphitheater, 11600 Poinciana Blvd., Royal Palm Beach.

Tickets

PalmBeachShakespeareFestival isNOTaticketedevent.This event is presented free of charge to everyone, with a suggested$5donation.Foodconcessionswillbeavailableonsite.

About The Play

The city is plagued by vice, and the Duke has departed on a secret mission, entrusting his minister, Angelo, to govern and maintain order. Angelo takes his role too seriously, and when Claudio is apprehended, Lucio enlists Sister Isabella's help. However, Isabella is unwilling to meet Angelo's unreasonable demands for Claudio's freedom. To resolve the situation and expose Angelo's double standards, the Duke devises a clever plan.

About The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival

ThePalmBeachShakespeareFestivalisa501(c)3professional theatercompanydedicatedtoenhancingtheaccessibilityand appreciation for Shakespearean, classic and contemporary theaterforallagesandsocioeconomiclevels.

Health & Faith

Christians Need to Care About Their Physical Health

Feed the body with the word of God daily and feed your body good healthy food.

Pastors rarely include living a healthy lifestyle in their sermons and teachings.

It is important to maintain a good mental health also. It is important to understand your body and its regulation.

The Bible says “'Everything is permissible for me' – but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me' – but I will not be mastered by anything Therefore, Honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians6:12,20b).

What does a healthy Christian look like? The highest aim is to represent Jesuswell,inahealthyandtrueway.

Feedyoursoul thewordofGodand feedyourbodygoodhealthyfood.

The church talks about money and homosexuals and never discusses spiritualandphysical health.

Get regular physical exercise.

Godiscallingustodoourbest withthegifthehasgivenus. Someofusaregivennear perfecthealthandothershave healthchallenges.Nomatter whereyouare,stewardthisgift well.

Feed your body good healthy food. Feed your spirit the word of God.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Ultimately, our lives are meant to honor and glorify God. Getting up each morning and choosing wholesome food to eat, exercising, and taking care of our mental health honors God. As Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells within our bodies. If we prioritize our health, we create a comfortable space for the Spirit to live and work within us. God cares about his temple and it’s our duty to care aboutittoo.

By Debrah Hall-McCullon

3 JOHN 1:2 ESV

Incorporate Bible study and exercise into your life.

PastorLaNorrisMcFadden

New Music Released!

By Debrah Hall-McCullon

LaNorris is a husband, father, paster, songwriter,producerandfriend.

LaNorris is the pastor at Shady Grove #1 Primitive Baptist Church “The City of Victory” in Tallahassee, Florida.

On May 5, 2023 LaNorris McFadden and P.R.O.O.F. released new music Praise Tell Ya!

LaNorris is the founder of Conqueror’s Music Group which is a partner label with World Class Gospel Records/Universal. He is also the founder and director of Florida gospel sensation, LaNorris McFadden & P.R.O.O.F. with which he has released 4 projects. Elder McFadden is an affiliate of the Gospel Heritage Foundation, which is an international organization dedicated to the preservation of gospel music and also a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of AmericaAnnouncer’sGuild.

Apostle Jimmy Hicks

Robert Marovich’s music reviews of Praise Tell Ya states, “Praise Tell Ya!” is an extroverted praise piece with a full-throated P.R.O.O.F. supporting a muscular-voiced LaNorris McFadden. A funky rhythm section and melodramatic keyboards support the company with equal fervor. Overall, the track radiates a ‘90s Hezekiah Walker vibe and comes at the listener like afreighttrain.

“I can’t tell you all my business,” Elder McFadden exhorts. “If I did, you wouldn’t care.” Instead he lets his “Praise Tell Ya.” It’s a collective nodding of the head, an age-old, and one might say, very southern, way of communicating not by what issaidbutbywhatisimplied.

Jimmy Hicks started his music career, in 2001, with the release of, Turn It Around, by Amen Records, and this was his breakthrough release upon the Billboard Gospel Albumschart. His subsequent album, Crossroads, was released in 2003 by Worldwide Gospel Records. The third album, Born Blessed, was released by World Wide Gospel in 2006, and this would place upon the aforementioned Billboard Gospel Albums chart. He released, The Jimmy Hicks Project in 2007, He received aStellar Awardsnomination at the 23rd editionoftheawardceremony. 10

Pastor McFadden

LaNorris McFadden & P.R.O.O.F. new single

BETAwards 2023 Dr. BobbyJones Best Gospel/InspirationalAward Winner

The 2023 BET Awards were held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. This year the BET Awards celebrated 50 yeas of hip-hop with tributes to the genre’s earliest voices, late legends, and new talent during a show packed with spectacular performancesthatconsistentlyfeltlikeaparty.

Throughouttheawardceremonythereweretributespaidtolate hip-hop stars, often by quickly highlighting a taste of their bestknownhits.

“Bless Me” Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin

Dr. BobbyJoneswasin theaudience. KirkFranklin andMaverick CityMusicwonBestGospel/InspirationalAwardwinner.

TheChurchAddresses the HousingCrisis

Building affordable homes on church properties

-Debrah Hall-McCullon

Houses of worship are being recruited to build affordable homes on vacant or underutilized church land.

The national nonprofit Enterprise Community recently announced $1.3 million in grant funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation that would go toward helping 15 South Florida congregations in Dade County convert underused church property.

The nonprofit will assist clergy, who may lack the resources or knowledge to cut housing deals, in navigating the development process, negotiating long-term ground lease agreements and vetting development partners, such as architects and designers.

This is a small dent in a huge problem but the church is getting involved to help with the housing crisis.

Florida seems to be a state that people are always flocking to and never leaving, with its temperate weather, great beaches and lots of excellent attractions. However, even Florida is feeling the results of market forces, which are increasing mortgage rates, driving up home prices, and thus driving out people. In fact, the Florida cities on this list are showing alarming signs that could be pointing toward a housing crisis.

For years, as the cost of buying a home or renting an apartment has risen faster than in most other states, Florida legislators have not made it a priority, routinely diverting millions from the fund devoted to financing affordable housing.

That changed during the legislative session this year, when the Legislature passed the state’s most meaningful housing legislation in decades.

Lawmakers passed a record $711 million plan to build affordable housing, incentivize new construction through tax breaks and offer interestfree loans to help Floridians afford down payments.

Republicans call it a market solution to a growing problem that threatens the state’s economy.

June is Black Music Month

Celebrating greatness!

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter declared that June would be Black Music Month. The goal was that this would be a month set aside to recognize the incredible influence that Black music has had on the US and the world.

Debrah Hall-McCullon

The month honors the history and rich African traditions that gave birth to different styles of music such as rap, hip-hop, jazz, rhythm and blues, barbershop, and swing. It is also the month to celebrate creative inspiration and appreciate the impact that African-American music has had on generations of performersandmusiclovers!

The origin of Black music is traced back to slavery. Spirituals were one of the earliest forms of musical expression (1619–1865). During the inhumane times of slavery, enslaved people were forbidden to speak their native languages, as owners feared they would plan and share escape routes or seek revenge and rebel.

Black music started to reflect urban environments through amplified sounds, social concerns, and cultural pride expressed through music. It combined blues, jazz, boogie-woogie and gospel taking the form of fast paced dance music withhighlyenergizedguitar work appealing to young audiences across racial divides.

Athlete’s Corner

Player of the Game: Jenesis Spence

Suncoast High School Varsity

Softball and Basketball

Jenesis Spence was tagged in the article "Florida high school softball: FHSAA state rankings, statewide statistical leaders, schedules and scores“ She was selected as the Suncoast Player of the game on April 6, 2023 in thegame against Atlantic High School.

Jenesis is ranked in the top 6 in Florida for 1 stat, top 1 in 4A for 2 stats, and top 1 in 4A District 13 for 4 stats. Suncoast won their game against Atlantic high School b a score of 20-3.

In May 2023 Jenesis was named the Land Rover Palm Beach Player of theWeek.

The softball star is top 20 in state of Florida for home runs, as well as leads the district in batting average, home runs, and slugging percentage. On top of it all, she's only a sophomore!

Congratulations Jenesis on being the Land Rover Palm Beach Player of theWeek!

WFLM ‘The Flame’ Radio Has A newOwner

Iconic R&B radio station WFLM 104.5, known as “The Flame,” is entering a new era. After 30 years the station signal/license moved from the Treasure Coast to Palm Beach County. WFLM launched in 1994.

JDD Radio LLC, which is headed by local broadcaster and community activist Reggie Dee, along with longtime friend and business partner Dean Freeman, has acquired the long-running outlet from Midway Broadcasting.

Reggie Dee is a well known personality and catalyst for local causes and groups. He has spearheaded initiatives through a nationwide walk to stamp out hunger and racism. Reggie played a significant role in earning a National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award for community service.

JDD Radio, LLc was founded in 2022 in West Palm Beach.

Please contact info@jddradio.com for more information.

Radio Legend and Community Activist Reggie Dee

LearningFromGrandma’sHands

Grandmother’s Pound Cake Recipe

This traditional pound cake recipe is over 100 years old and is the original kind of pound cake: it contains 1 pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour with no salt, baking powder, or flavoring. Vanilla or almond extract can be added if desired.

Ingredients

 3 cups white sugar

Directions

● Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 8x4-inch loaf pans,thenlinewithparchmentpaper.

● Cream together sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixeronmedium speeduntil lightandfluffy.Beatineggs,oneata time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in flour alternately with milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter evenly into thepreparedloafpans.

● Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the centerofthecakescomesoutclean,about70minutes.

● Run a small knife around the edges of each pan. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert, peel off the parchment,andcoolcompletelyonwireracks.

 2 cups butter, softened

 6 large eggs

 4 cups all-purpose flour

Summer Camp Kids Learn Gardening

Florida Master Gardener Christopher McCullon enjoyed teaching gardening to the Atkins TLC summer camp kids at the Willie Bo Davis Vegetable Garden at the Lindsey Davis Community Center in Riviera Beach, Florida. The children received the gardening lesson June 14, 2023.

USF vs. FAMUSeptember 9th

Wing BashJuly 8th

4TH ON FLAGLER

July 4, 2023

Join South Florida’s largest, free outdoor annual Independence Day celebration on West Palm Beach Waterfront!

Join South Florida’s largest, free outdoor annual Independence Day celebration on West Palm Beach waterfront! 4th on Flagler — the City’s 35th annual celebration — will be filled with fun activities including live entertainment (music on three stages), a kids’ entertainment zone, roving entertainment (including jugglers, stilt walkers, and magicians), food and refreshments for purchase, and an 18-minute fireworks show over the Intracoastal Waterway. The event will also feature a military honor ceremony.

Viewers can also join the celebration remotely by tuning into WBPF’s live special broadcast from 9 – 9:30 p.m.

When: Tuesday, July 4, 2023 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Fireworks start around 9:00 pm.

Locations: Waterfront Commons (100 North Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401). Activities are programed along Flagler Drive between Banyan Blvd. And Fern St.

Note: Public parking is available in the City of West Palm Beach garages. The closest garages to the event are Banyan and Evernia.

For more information about 4th on Flagler, call (561) 822-1515

Low Country Gospel Fest

August 6, 2023 in South Carolina!

Praise &Worship

Black History Concert & Awards

February 10, 2024