Beth Eden Baptist Church Welcomes New Pastor and
By Sandy Joyce
Passover observance in 2025 began at sundown on Saturday, April 12th with Palm Sunday the next day, the 13th. Good Friday follows on Friday the 18th with the culmination of the Lord giving his children who believe, the greatest gift, salvation through the death, burial and the rising of the Christ, his only begotten son, who rose with all power in his hands as King of Kings and Lord or Lords on glorious Resurrection Day, observed Sunday April 20th in the year 2025. During this marvelous wonderous season comes one Dr. James Lewis Boatner, a passionate servant of God to the “House of Delight” (Paradise on Earth), Beth Eden.
On Sunday, April 27th, Beth Eden will have the Official Installation Ceremony for their new Pastor which will begin at 3pm in the afternoon until 5pm. The theme of the ceremony is “A Season of Renewal & Restoration and its scripture is Joel 2:2526. The whole day will be absolutely joyous and magnificent with the 10:30am Morning Worship Service’s guest speaker being Dr. Theron Jackson of Morning Star Baptist Church of Shreveport, Louisiana. The Installa-
tion Ceremony will be officiated by Dr. Delvin Atchison of Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville, Texas. Everyone will be coming to Beth Eden much like the masses came to Bethlehem to celebrate the Passover at the city of their birth, at home. If you will come, Beth Eden Missionary Baptist Church welcomes the celebrants to their church home located at 3208 Wilbarger Street here in Fort Worth, TX 76119. Out of Louisiana is from whence Pastor Boatner hails. At an early age, Boatner was called to ministry and has served in many compacities. He has been a Psalmist, Evangelist and now at 38 years of age has served as a pastor for more than 20 years, having accepted the call that many run from; he ran in where it is said that even angels fear to tread. The first part of that cliché song line is that ‘fools rush in’. Pastor Boatner however, is no fool. He has prepared for the work which he envisioned as his destiny and ‘studied to show himself approved unto God, a workman who isn’t ashamed, who can rightly divide the word of truth’. Knowing that education is a key, James Boatner studied. He earned degrees from the Liberty School of
Ministry and Bible Institute, Dallas Theological Seminary, Liberty University and the Dallas Institute if Mortuary Science. Following in the path of Jesus and his disciples, he has worked to earn a living as he has preached, taught and pastored and been a shepherd to the sheep. Although not a carpenter, fisherman or tent maker, he is President of Preventive Measures companies (one of the largest Black owned social service clinics in Louisiana). Boatner’s gift, his talent is leading people to ‘the way, the truth and the life’. James Boatner also prepared above and beyond his education and work. He even set his personal life to fit with his calling. He married a mate with whom he is equally yoked, Destiny Beyond Boatner who also originally came from Monroe, Louisiana and they were fruitful and multiplied and their four children KarLee, IsRael, Genesis and Kylah are being raised in the way of the Lord and are a joy to their parents and a special gift to Beth Eden.
Pastor Boatner has taken the commission imparted to the disciples and to all who believe to (Matt. 28:18) “Go ye therefore teaching all Nations, baptizing them in the
EMS Transition on Track for July 1 Launch, Council Hears
The transition of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from MedStar to a system based in the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) is moving swiftly toward a July 1 go-live date, City Council members learned on Tuesday. Why it’s important: The change aims to centralize EMS operations across multiple jurisdictions, improving service delivery and efficiency. The move will ensure that emergency services for residents and visitors is financially sustainable, responsive,
timely and focused on highquality patient care.
As EMS operations are integrated into FWFD, the goal is to improve services for the community. With the transition, the result would be an improvement on reducing response times, better resourcing and sustainable workloads for paramedics and EMTs, and long-term, sound financial health for the operation of the system.
The decision to bring ambulance services into FWFD
comes after leaders sought a more unified approach to emergency response, where fire and medical services could work seamlessly under one department, focusing on saving lives and enhancing patient care.
What’s new: Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis and other City staff gave updates on several key aspects of the transition.
Organization and governance
• EMS employees
will be part of FWFD and will be represented by the Fort Worth Firefighters Association Local 440.
• The Office of the Medical Director has been established as an independent City department.
• Fourteen member cities have signed on for ambulance service and will provide Fort Worth an allocation for costs and services based on use.
Budget and finance
• An $85 million an-
a 2-yearold baby was shot and killed in South Fort Worth.
Ta’Kirus Davon Jones, just a toddler, became yet another innocent life lost to senseless gun violence. He died shortly before 11 p.m. in the emergency room at Cook Children’s Medical Center. He never had a chance. We marched to stop this
very thing. Yet here we are, mourning again. Crying again. Asking God, why? This is a cry of anguish from 76104. A sacred plea from a suffering people: God, heal our land. Hear our prayers. Help us, Lord. We are not alone in this mission of mercy and justice. Together with the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, the Presbyterian Peace Fellow-
ship’s Guns to Gardens Initiative, and Farm Fort Worth, we are building a new path forward—a healing ministry rooted in peace, planted in faith, and nourished with love.
• Guns to Gardens transforms instruments of death into tools of life—replacing firearms with garden tools to grow food and hope.
• The Ministers Justice Coalition marches not just with feet but with fierce resolve to defend our people and demand justice. From the street to the soil, we are sowing seeds of
• Farm Fort Worth tends sacred ground to feed families, employ youth, and restore dignity in the heart of a food desert.
Photos By: Madison Hogan III
Rebranded ambulances will soon hit the streets of Fort Worth.
Pastor, Dr. James L. Boatner and First Lady Destiny B. Boatner
Sacred March
Talking R eal e s TaT e with Stephanie Spann Understanding Mortgage Rates and Affordability in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
The Big Question on Everyone’s Mind
As a real estate professional serving the vibrant Fort Worth/Dallas area, one of the most common questions I get asked most frequently is about mortgage rates and whether now is a good time to buy. The good news? Despite national headlines that often paint a gloomy picture, our local market is holding strong, and there’s still plenty of opportunity for both firsttime buyers and seasoned investors.
Let’s break down what’s really happening in the market and how mortgage rates impact what you can afford in DFW.
Mortgage Rates: The Big
change. We are not giving up. We will not be silent. We will remember Ta’Kirus—not just in sorrow, but in sacred action.
Elder Madison Hogan captured the holy moments of our march, but it is the spirit of our people that tells the full story. A story that must change. A story that cries out to be rewritten—with justice, healing, and love.
“We have been traumatized in 76104, and no one seems to care,” said Pastor Kyev Tatum. But God cares. We care.
And we are calling on our city, our churches, our leaders, and our neighbors: Care with us. Act with us. Believe with us.
Healing Scripture: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3
Let us bury bullets. Not our babies.
Let us march until the trauma is treated, the violence is halted, and every child can live and thrive in peace.
Special Thanks to Golden Gate Funeral Home of Fort Worth. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to
Golden Gate Funeral Home of Fort Worth and its visionary CEO, Mr. John E. Beckwith, Jr., CFSP, for graciously providing the hearse and casket services that made our sacred march possible.
Your compassion and commitment to community healing turned pain into purpose and helped us symbolically carry the burden of our collective grief through the streets of 76104. Your ministry of presence reminded us that dignity, even in mourning, can be a form of resistance and reverence.
Question on Everyone’s Mind
Yes, mortgage rates have risen compared to the historic lows we saw in 2020 and 2021. As of early April 2025, 30-year fixed rates are hovering between 6.5% and 7%, depending on the lender and your credit profile. This may seem high if you compare it to the 2.75% rates of the past, but it’s important to remember: historically, these rates are still relatively moderate.
More importantly, buyers in the Fort Worth/Dallas area have an advantage. We’re seeing lenders offer more flexibility; think rate buydowns, adjustable-rate mort-
gage options, and even local incentives for buyers relocating or purchasing in revitalization zones.
Affordability: How Far Does Your Dollar Go in DFW?
One of the key strengths of the Fort Worth/Dallas market is its relative affordability compared to other major metros. While places like Austin, San Francisco, or New York continue to price out middle-income buyers, DFW remains one of the most accessible large housing markets in the country.
According to the most recent data, the median home price in the DFW area sits around $360,000. In Fort Worth specifically, you can
still find well-maintained single-family homes in the $280,000–$320,000 range which is something almost unheard of in many parts of the U.S.
This affordability, coupled with strong job growth, a diversified economy, and continued migration from out-ofstate buyers (especially from California and the Midwest), keeps our market resilient. People are still buying here not because they have to, but because it makes financial sense.
The Importance of Being Prepared:
Given the current market conditions, here are some recommendations for those considering purchasing a home: 1. Assess Your Finan-
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In Cinque: A Frightening New World
By Renetta W. Howard
I have been in this world and this country for a very long time. I was born during the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the advent of World War II and I have observed a number of transitions in this country and in the whole world, for that matter, and I must say that what the world is undergoing now, during the daring dashing days of one Donald John Trump, is nothing like anything that I have ever seen during this lifetime.
The economies of the world are in flux now because of his on and off tariff moves in his attempt to not only rule the United States of America, but a good part of the world that this country does business with. Prices of goods and other commodities in the United States are going upwards from what they were during the COVID pandemic when they spiked. Every day now, someone who feels that they are capable of advising this country about what to stock up on during the tariff pause, can be seen everyday in the news. Different ones suggest different items, depending on the percentage of the tariff increase from various countries. At this point, I feel it useless to stock up on anything. Buy what you need and can afford. Do your own deciding of what and where your money goes.
On the other hand, I feel that it is downright disgrace-
ful for the President to declare 6000 social security benefiters dead and stop payments of their benefits to get them to leave the country. This is just inhumane. Furter, I cannot see how the Supreme Court is going to permit this action legally.
People are protesting every day in the streets of state capitols because of the many aspects of American life which are being disrupted by the so called “elected” (more like rigged) President and the ex-officio, Musk who was “NOT ELECTED” but carrying out the wishes of Trump. Our senators and representatives who know right from wrong are busy speaking out and trying to act progressively while the support-
ers of Trump seem to be in ‘ Lala Land’ trying to make his wishes come true. I have no idea how many psychiatrists are making evaluations, but they must see the GOP, Republican Party at this time as not a political party but a political CULT!
I have a feeling that sending us into a depression will be Trump’s way to send out a few dollars to endure his followers even more than he did during the pandemic. Recession is a mild word compared to what I feel Trump is up to. He plans for all of us who are not rich now, to be even poorer while his Oligarchy flourishes! Get ‘in cinque’ and help me pray for THAT DEVINE INTERVENTION!
Reliance Breeds Compliance:When the Inner City Depends Completely on the Government
By Kyev Tatum FORT WORTH, TEXAS
- In the heart of America’s inner cities, a quiet and devastating transformation has taken place. What was once a resilient, resourceful, and revolutionary community has been slowly reshaped into one that is largely dependent on the very systems that have historically marginalized it. This dependency has created a dangerous cycle, one in which reliance breeds compliance — not the healthy kind rooted in cooperation or mutual benefit, but one that conditions the mind and soul to accept limitation as destiny.
This essay is not an indictment of the people in the inner city. It is a challenge to the systems and structures that have encouraged dependency while stripping away dignity, self-determination, and ownership. It is also a call to awaken the sleeping giants within our neighborhoods — the entrepreneurs, pastors, mothers, teachers, and youth — to reclaim the spirit of self-reliance and to disrupt the culture of compliance that has taken root.
The Historical Trap of Government Dependency
The story is not new. After decades of redlining, segregation, underinvestment, and economic exclusion, many Black and Brown communities were pushed into sur-
vival mode. Government assistance — whether through public housing, food stamps, or welfare programs — became a lifeline. But over time, that lifeline became a leash.
When the government became the landlord, the employer, the healthcare provider, the grocery store, and the disciplinarian, the community lost control over its own development. What was once temporary assistance became a permanent arrangement. And in that arrangement, creativity was stifled, innovation suppressed, and boldness punished.
We became compliant — not because we lacked intelligence or ambition — but because the system rewarded submission and penalized risk. Those who dared to break away from the prescribed path were often met with systemic resistance. The cost of independence became too high for many to afford.
The Price of Compliance
What does compliance look like in the inner city? It looks like silence in the face of injustice. It looks like communities being told when and how to protest, how much food they can receive, which businesses are allowed to open, and who gets funded. It looks like city contracts that never make it to minority contractors. It looks like brilliant students being groomed
EMS Ft. Worth
nual budget is projected for EMS service, which includes personnel, operating and capital costs; this will be offset by more than $65 million in anticipated annual revenue.
About nine ambulance replacements and retrofits are expected each year.
Legal and compliance
• Agreements with member cities have been completed.
• Fort Worth is working to obtain a state license for operations while continuing to use the MedStar license. The next step involves an inspection by Texas De-
Dr. Boatner
name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”. He has preached sharing the gospel, the good news that liberation and freedom is offered to those captive by sin. He has spoken to many different audiences, some with thousands of people, some with a few, large conferences, at universities, small country churches, large urban churches, etc.; but no matter where he has been, he has been about engaging and connecting with everyone he has met and now he leads his new church, that has after a very long search, selected him as their pastor to be a community that follows Christ by giving to its surrounding community as a church should do, as Beth Eden strives to do. His leadership will be a blessing to this congregation that has worked, searched, waited and
Real Estate:
cial Readiness: Ensure your credit score is in good standing and that you have sufficient savings for a down payment and closing costs.
2. Get Pre-Approved: Obtain pre-approval for a mortgage to understand your budget and demonstrate to sellers that you are a serious buyer.
3. Explore Different Loan Options: Compare various mortgage products to find the best fit for your financial situation.
for jobs, not ownership. It looks like churches asking for permits to serve the poor, and local farmers being regulated out of growing their own food.
This is not freedom. This is control.
The irony is that many of our ancestors were forced into labor, and now, generations later, we are often forced into inactivity. That too is bondage — just in a different form.
A New Narrative: Self-Reliance as Liberation
Yet, all is not lost. Across America, a quiet resistance is rising — one that is rooted in faith, fortified by economic literacy, and focused on local empowerment. From urban farms in Fort Worth to specialty coffee cooperatives, from youth expos to grassroots financial bootcamps, a new model is emerging. A model that says, “We can take care of our own. We can feed our own. We can employ our own. We can govern our own.”
Self-reliance is not about isolation or arrogance. It is about agency. It is about looking at the resources we already have and maximizing them for the collective good. It is about re-teaching ourselves the principles of ownership, stewardship, and service.
Financial dependence does not have to be the end of the
story. It can be the beginning of a new chapter — one where we turn government assistance into launchpads for local ownership. One where we teach our youth how to not just get a job, but how to create one. One where churches move from soup kitchens to community banks, from charity to cooperative economics.
Conclusion: The Inner City Is Not Helpless
The narrative that inner cities are helpless is a lie. The people are not broken; the systems are. And if we continue to rely on broken systems, we will continue to be compliant with broken outcomes.
But if we dare to believe again — to rely on each other, to invest in our own, to trust in our God-given talents — then compliance will be replaced with courage. Dependency will be replaced
with dignity. Let us rise from reliance. Let us reject forced compliance. Let us reclaim our communities — one garden, one classroom, one dollar, one idea, and one soul at a time.
Because freedom was never meant to be outsourced.
About the Author
Kyev P. Tatum, Sr. is a civil rights leader, pastor, educator, and economic visionary committed to uplifting marginalized communities across Texas and beyond. A native of Fort Worth, Tatum has dedicated more than 30 years to public policy, advocacy, and faith-based initiatives aimed at transforming inner-city neighborhoods.
He serves as Pastor of the historic New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth and is the President of the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas. Tatum is also the founder of Coffee-
aires and the Inner City Coffee Exchange, developed in collaboration with the Texas A&M Center for Coffee Research and Education. These initiatives promote economic self-sufficiency through specialty coffee entrepreneurship. Additionally, he is the architect behind Farm Fort Worth, an urban agriculture project aimed at eliminating food deserts and creating youth development opportunities.
Tatum’s work fuses historical awareness, spiritual empowerment, and economic innovation, making him one of the leading voices in the fight for justice, equity, and self-determination in inner-city communities. His forthcoming works include Fighting Black in Texas, The Texas 6888th Project, and From Bean to Bank: A Blueprint to Brewing a Better Economy for the Inner-City Community.
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partment of State Health Services regional personnel.
Human resources
• Plans call for transitioning 617 full-time employees and 40-part-time employees from MedStar to the City of Fort Worth as of July 1.
• In addition, recruitment is underway for 75 emergency medical technician (EMT) positions. Out of 800 applicants, more than 400 took an exam in March, with 95% of those passing the exam. Facilities and fleet
• Fire and EMS 911 communications and dispatch
prayed for the right leader with whom they can continue their long history of working to be a church like the churches of antiquity of which God approved. Their new pastor is a man who strives in all ways to live and lead righteously.
He is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated where he uses his vision and leadership and also actively contributes to pro-life community efforts through public policy work.
God’s promise to this man, this church and to all believers that go and tell the good news is “…And I will be with you always, even to the end of the world.” So, blessings and honor, grace and glory will surely abound in the House of Delight. Beth Eden will truly be delightful and delighted and the congregation will re-
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services will be combined at a facility at 2900 Alta Mere Drive, the current MedStar headquarters. Consolidation should take place in June, allowing time for dispatch operations to be settled in before the July 1 transition date.
• City information technology staff has been instrumental in integrating technology such as radio communications, CAD systems, patient care technology and payroll.
A later phase of the transition plan calls for all Fire/EMS and Police 911 services to be consolidated at a renovated City-owned building just south of Old City Hall on the southern edge of
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ally be a paradise on earth!
We at LaVida News congratulate Beth Eden and its new pastor Dr. James Lewis Boatner and we thank God for their blessings and that they grow and prosper and give all praise honor and glory to God as they follow on their path into the future. Therefore, Beth Eden, celebrate, like King David, dance and sing to the Lord for all his goodness and mercy and his gift to you of a good leader and his gift to you, Pastor Boatner of a good and loving congregation.
downtown. Next steps
• Finalize the Fiscal Year 2026 City budget and member city allocations. Complete EMS inspection with state licensing agency.
• Continue recruiting and hiring EMS personnel.
5. Stay Informed: Regularly monitor market trends and interest rates, as they can impact your purchasing power and affordability.
Navigating the real estate market can be complex, but with careful planning and informed decision-making, you can find a home that fits your needs and budget. Consulting with a knowledgeable real estate agent can provide personalized guidance tailored to your situation.
4. Consider the Total Cost of Homeownership: Beyond the mortgage payment, factor in property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and potential homeowners association (HOA) fees.
Sunday School Lesson Sunday School Lesson
Christ Dies and Rises to New Life
Matthew 27:24–28:10
Key Text: As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. —Matthew 28:9
Introduction: Still the Most Amazing Story No story hits us like the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It has the full range of human tragedy: betrayal, injustice, and courage. It is filled with mystery and irony. It evokes deep sympathy for its characters. It contrasts the power of vested interests with the power of Almighty God. It confronts our greatest enemy, death. Its ending is astonishing. But as we experience it, we realize how necessary the story’s conclusion is.
For some of us, we’ve known the Easter story for as long as we can remember. Others who became Christians more recently can still recall their vivid reaction when they first heard it. During the Easter season, we get a chance to listen to that story again as if it’s our first time. It is a story that is ever new— the story of how God made new life available to a lost and sinful humanity.
Following Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah), Jesus began to warn His disciples of His coming death and resurrection (Matthew 16:13–23; 17:22–23; 20:17–19). His disciples, however, failed to comprehend (John 20:9). In a series of trials featuring biased testimonies, Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion (Matthew 26:57–68; 27:11–26).
Crucifixion was a brutal form of execution. Roman authorities reserved it to make an example of the most notorious criminals, striking fear in the population. Those condemned to it were tied or nailed to a wood frame in a prominent public place. Left to the elements and loss of blood, the crucified person would die slowly of blood loss, respiratory failure, and exposure while being subjected to public ridicule. As today’s lesson opens, that is the state in which we find Jesus. I. The Death of the King (Matthew 27:39–40, 45–54) Forsaken by People (vv. 39–40)
And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads.
The parallel account of Matthew 27:39–40 reads almost the same (Mark 15:29–30); the parallel in Luke 23:35 is more abbreviated. This verse is also similar to Psalm 22:7 (compare Psalm 109:25).
And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself.
This mockery is based on Jesus’ prediction in John 2:19–20. Jesus was indeed on record as promising to raise the temple … in three days were it to be destroyed. But “he spake of the temple of his body” (John 2:21). Jesus is not recorded as saying that He would destroy the temple in Jerusalem. Thus,
the accusation thou that destroyest the temple came from the lips of false witnesses (Matthew 26:60–62; Mark 14:58). To speak against a temple in the ancient world was to invite a death penalty (Jeremiah 26:1–11). If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. The taunt if thou be the Son of God, come down mirrors Satan’s words during Jesus’ temptation at the start of His ministry (Matthew 4:3). This challenge can be seen as the final effort by the tempter to thwart God’s plan. Interestingly, the designation the Son of God was used by others to describe Jesus, but never from the lips of Jesus himself. Jesus was called Son of God by both demons and worshippers (Matthew 8:29; 14:33); a voice from Heaven was heard to say, “This is my beloved Son” (3:17). Jesus’ preferred selfdesignation was “Son of man” (8:20; 9:6; etc.). Jesus could indeed have come down from the cross, but He chose not to (compare Matthew 26:53). In choosing to stay there and die, He offered His life as the sacrifice of atonement (or propitiation; see last week’s lesson) as He diverted the punishment for human sin onto himself, the sinless one (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Feeling Forsaken by God (vv. 45–50)
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:41–44 (not in today’s lesson) documents further ridicule aimed at Jesus. When we come to Matthew 27:45, the story shifts to a broader scene. Parallels to Matthew 27:45–50 are Mark 15:33–37; Luke 23:44–46; and John 19:28–30. The darkness that came over all the land was likely not an eclipse of the sun, as we understand that to mean when the moon moves between the sun and the earth. This is for two reasons. First, a normal eclipse of the sun lasts no more than 15 minutes; this darkness lasted three hours. Second, a normal eclipse of the sun requires a new moon. However, Jesus was crucified during Passover at full moon (see Leviticus 23:5–6; Psalm 81:3).
This darkness, then, is of supernatural origin. The literal, physical darkness that occurred suggests a deeper application: in the Bible, the presence of darkness reveals God’s displeasure (example: Exodus 10:21–23). Since there is no natural explanation for the darkness, it can be considered a supernatural event orchestrated by God as a direct reaction to those who mocked the Messiah.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
We come to one of the seven cries by Jesus from the cross, also recorded in Mark 15:34. The cry is in Aramaic, which is a later form of the Hebrew language. The words come from the beginning of Psalm 22, previously not-
ed. Having been surrounded by taunts and darkness for hours, Jesus was enduring a separation from the Father in order to bear the punishment for humanity’s sins (Matthew 1:21; 20:28; 26:28).
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, this man calleth for Elias.
One of God’s names in the ancient Hebrew language is Elohim. When this word occurs in a “construct” sense (that is, combined with another word), one or more letters on the end of Elohim may be dropped off in the process of attaching another word; two examples of this are Exodus 15:2 and Numbers 22:18. Psalm 22:1, which Jesus was quoting, is of course the most important example. Here is the root of the misunderstanding on the part of some of them that stood there. They heard the Aramaic word Eli not as a cry to “my God” but as a calling on the name of the long-ago prophet Elias (that is, Elijah). There had been two previous misunderstandings regarding Elijah (Matthew 16:14; 17:10–13), and this is a third one.
And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
We don’t know the motive behind the action that we read here (compare Psalm 69:21). If the one performing the action was hostile toward Jesus, then this act of giving him to drink was a continued mockery in some way. If the one performing the action was sympathetic, it may been intended as an act of kindness. What is called vinegar is a cheap kind of wine vinegar of the day (compare Mark 15:36–37; Luke 23:36; John 19:29).
The rest said, let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
The phrase let be indicates some impatience on the part of the mocking bystanders. They don’t want the action of satisfying Jesus’ thirst to interfere with anything else Jesus had to say or to otherwise distract from the appearance of Elias (Elijah). Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
The words Jesus cried out with a loud voice are recorded in Luke 23:46: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” John 19:30 further records Jesus as having said, “It is finished” as He died. This verse highlights two key aspects: first, Jesus maintained enough physical strength until His death to shout. Second, He remained in control of His life to the very end.
Surrounded by Signs (vv. 51–54)
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
Though Jesus appeared to have been abandoned by God, Matthew offers signs establishing the opposite. The veil of the temple separated the temple’s holy place from the most holy place. Only the high priest could pass behind that curtain to enter the most holy place—and that just once a year—to of-
fer the sacrificial blood on the Day of Atonement (Exodus 26:31–34; 30:10; Leviticus 16:1–34; 23:27–28; Hebrews 9:3). As the three hours of darkness were supernatural in origin, so was this tearing of the temple curtain from the top to the bottom (also Luke 23:45).
The significance of this event is explained in the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 9:11–12, 24; 10:19–20).
And the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.
The earthquake similarly points to divine action. God was clearly at work. In the Old Testament, earthquakes frequently signified God’s presence and sometimes divine judgment (examples: Judges 5:4–5; Psalm 114:7–8; Joel 3:16). Therefore, the first-century crowd witnessing the crucifixion would likely have understood this association.
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Matthew alone tells us of this additional sign. As his description continues, we understand this sign occurred not immediately as Jesus died but a few days later, after his resurrection. The designation the holy city refers to Jerusalem (Matthew 4:5).
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, truly this was the Son of God.
A centurion was a Roman soldier who commanded a unit known as a “century” in a legion of the Roman army; each “century” consisted of about 80 men. The centurion noted here was likely the one in charge of the crucifixion detail. Processing all he had
experienced, the centurion sided against the mockers. His declaration, Truly this was the Son of God, stems from his fear-driven response to the supernatural occurrences around him. Jesus’ disciples had a similar response when Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm (Matthew 14:28–33).
II. The Resurrection of the King (Matthew 28:1–10)
The Grave Opened (vv. 1–4)
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
A long-held view is that the passage of days in the ancient Jewish calendar are marked from sunset to sunset (Leviticus 23:32). Therefore, most students recognize that the sabbath would have ended at sunset on the day before the action we see here. The women don’t set out for their task until the first day of the week (Sunday) is in view. Sabbath was a day of rest (Luke 23:56).
Their designation as Mary Magdalene and the other Mary reveals their key roles in Matthew’s passion narrative. They were present at Jesus’ crucifixion and saw where He was buried (Matthew 27:55, 61). Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus from the early days of His ministry. Jesus had delivered her from demon possession (Luke 8:2). We remind ourselves that “Magdalene” is not a surname in the modern sense. Rather, it designates this particular Mary as being from Magdala. The “other” Mary was the mother of James and Joses (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:47) and possibly the wife of Cleophas (John 19:25). Though the other Gospels name additional women
(Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10), Matthew may have focused on these two because of their prominence among those of Jewish background who first read his Gospel.
By the evil initiative of the Jewish leaders and the compassion of Joseph of Arimathaea, Jesus’ body was not left as long on the cross (Matthew 27:57–58; John 19:31). Joseph had provided the tomb, and the two women named Mary were eyewitnesses to the interment (Matthew 27:59–61). Because the Sabbath would begin a short time after Jesus’ death, His body could not be properly prepared for burial without violating the commandment not to work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8–11). And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Again, an earthquake signaled divine action, given the result we see here. The angel rolled back the stone from the door not to let Jesus out but to let Jesus’ followers in. They needed to see the tomb empty. The resurrected Lord could enter or exit a locked room without opening the door (example: John 20:19–20, 26–27). He did not need the stone to be moved for His own benefit. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
There is no mistaking this angel for a human! His face and clothing are bright with light, suitable for supernatural encounters (Matthew 17:2; Luke 9:29; Acts 1:10). And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
The Roman governor Pilate had agreed to set a guard at the tomb to prevent Jesus’
Church Directory
The New “Great Dying” Deserves Our Attention and Action
By Ben Jealous
My childhood growing up in Pacific Grove, California was blessed with the kind of exposure to and immersion in nature that all kids deserve. We played among towering redwood trees that seemed to reach all the way to heaven. We surfed at Asilomar Beach, and marveled at both how small we are in our place in nature yet how connected we all are. And, a privilege of living in Pacific Grove specifically, we got to witness the migration of western monarch butterflies.
Those monarch butterflies are just a fraction of the weight of a feather. Yet, they were so numerous when I was growing up that they would bend and bounce the tree branches as they landed on them by the tens of thousands.
According to Natalie Johnston of the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, “Accounts in Pacific Grove as late as the 1990s showed 45,000 monarchs, which we
Ben Jealous
do not see today.”
To say those numbers have shrunk significantly since then would be an understatement. At the same we used to see tens of thousands of monarchs, this past season, Pacific Grove saw just 228. A site in Santa Barbara that saw more than 33,000 monarchs as recently as last winter this year saw just 198.
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation says, along the California coast, 4.5 million monarchs overwintered in the 1980’s. That number was down to
1.2 million by the late 90s, 293,000 by 2015, 30,000 by 2019, and in 2020, it was less than 2,000.
And while factors including climate change-fueled droughts have likely led to the decline in migrating monarchs in coastal California, other human activity has led to similar declines in other parts of the country. For example, in the upper midwest, use of herbicides has led to the loss of milkweed, an essential host plant for monarch larvae. In Iowa, milkweed shrank in abundance by 58% between 1999 and 2010. As a result, monarch reproduction declined by 81% in the Midwest over that time period.
The numbers are startling. And that is the kind of math –basic subtraction – everyone can understand.
In December, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed protecting monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act. FWS estimated that the eastern migra-
tory population of monarchs declined by around 80% over the past four decades. As for the western population I grew up with, that has declined by more than 95% since the 80s. According to FWS, that means the western monarchs stand more than a 99% chance of extinction by 2080.
The nosedive in the populations of this iconic species and vital pollinator should be setting off alarm bells for all of us. This is the extinction crisis in action.
Because species typically go extinct over many years, and because many of the species going extinct are not the ones we see everyday, most people do not realize we are in an extinction crisis arguably worse than the one that killed the dinosaurs. A catastrophic meteor impact and other natural events caused that mass extinction. The mass extinction we are now in – the Earth’s sixth mass extinction event – is being caused by us.
Under natural circumstances, species go extinct at a rate of about one to five species per year. Right now, we are at 1,000 to 10,000 times that rate. It is a wide range, to be sure. But even the low end of that range is terrifying.
The human-caused changes to our planet that are driving the crisis include pollution, habitat destruction like deforestation, industrialscale agriculture land use, and, of course, wrapped up in all of it, climate change.
The two existential crises facing our planet and the human race – the extinction crisis and the climate crisis – are closely intertwined. Global warming caused by the burning of fossil fuels worsens all the threats contributing to our modern mass extinction event. High temperatures themselves can play a role in whether or not a species declines. And experts say falling short of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by enough could result in the extinction of between
Black Babies Are Still Dying—And America Let It Happen
By Stacy M. Brown BlackPressUSA.com
A sweeping new analysis of U.S. mortality data over the past 70 years reveals that Black children in the United States have consistently faced significantly higher mortality rates than their white peers, with no improvement in relative disparities since the 1950s. The study, published March 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, documents more than half a million avoidable infant deaths and nearly 690,000 childhood deaths among Black Americans between 1950 and 2019. Conducted by researchers from Harvard, Yale, and other institutions, the study found that while life expectancy and overall mortality rates have improved for both Black and white Americans, the mortality gap among infants and children has widened.
In the 1950s, Black infants died at a rate of 5,181 per 100,000 compared to 2,703 per 100,000 among white infants—an excess mortality ratio of 1.92. By the 2010s, the rate had declined to 1,073 per 100,000 for Black infants and 499 per 100,000 for white infants, yet the disparity grew to a mortality ratio of 2.15. “These trends show a disturbing persistence of racial inequities in childhood survival,” the authors wrote. “Despite medical advancements and public health initiatives, Black children in the U.S. are still twice as likely to die before adulthood as their white counterparts.”
Over the seven-decade span, the study estimated 5.02 million excess deaths and 173.6 million years of life lost among Black Americans that would not have occurred if their mortality rates matched those of white Americans. Children under 20 accounted for 13.7% of these deaths, with infants representing 10.4%. The leading causes of excess deaths varied by age. Among children under five, perinatal conditions were the primary cause, while external causes such as homicides and accidents dominated among those aged 5 to 19. For adults, circulatory system diseases contributed the most to the mortality gap. The study emphasized that these disparities are rooted in a long history of systemic racism and structural inequities. Factors such as housing segregation, unequal access to health care, and socioeconomic disadvantages have all played a role. Today, Donald Trump’s presidency has brought a wave of execu-
tive actions, judicial appointments, and public rhetoric that emboldened racist systems and undermined civil
rights protections. From ending consent decrees with police departments to attempting to ban diversity training in federal agencies, Trump’s actions have intensified the already disproportionate suffering of Black Americans. Civil rights leaders had warned of this dangerous second term—one where Project 2025 and other radical policy blueprints have further dismantled protections for mar-
ginalized communities, including Black children. Even before this moment, Black America has endured the weight of systemic racism, beginning with centuries of enslavement and extending through segregation, redlining, police brutality, environmental racism, and inequitable access to health care. Meanwhile, the new study identifies the long-standing effects of these forces—in-
a third and half of all animal and plant species. It is time to act. The solution to this crisis begins simply with us moving to embrace a more sustainable future. That means leaving the fuels that powered us last century in the past and completing our transition to the one that is already fueling much of America: clean energy. In doing so, we will reduce pollution and can conserve and restore as much land and as many ecosystems – both land and marine – as we can. Our kids and our grandkids deserve the clean water in which to swim and surf as we have enjoyed, and the pristine forests that touch our souls and awaken our splendor in our natural world. They deserve a world full of critters of all kinds; to witness an abundance of species, each playing their vital role in the ecosystems on which we all depend.
Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
cluding discriminatory housing policies, employment, and criminal justice inequities, and biased medical care—as primary drivers of the mortality gap. “Being Black in the United States remains associated with less wealth, lower income, and diminished access to health services,” the researchers noted. “These conditions directly impact health outcomes and mortality risk, especially among children.” Although Black life ex-
Continured
Young adult mother holding and kissing her newborn. (Photo by Djavan Ridriguez)
Sports & Entertainment Sports & Entertainment
NBA Playoffs 2025: The Stage Is Set
Friday against the Tuesday losers for the No. 8 seed.
The NBA regular season has wrapped, and with Sunday night’s games in the books, the 2025 NBA Playoff picture is finally crystal clear. From rising stars to powerhouse squads, this year’s postseason promises high drama, breakout moments, and the crowning of a new champion. Buckle up — the road to the Finals begins now.
THUNDER & CAVALIERS: DESTINED TO COLLIDE?
Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Western Conference all season long, storming to the No. 1 seed behind a sensational MVP-worthy campaign from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The young star dazzled with offensive firepower and clutch leadership, making OKC the team to beat out West.
Meanwhile, in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers soared to the top with over 60 wins — just the third time in franchise history. Led by the dynamic duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland in the backcourt, and the imposing frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the Cavs are locked in and hungry for a deep run.
followers from removing His body and declaring He had been raised from the dead (Matthew 27:62–66). These are the keepers noted here.
The fact that they became as dead men is similar to John’s reaction to seeing the ascended Jesus in Revelation 1:17.
The News Announced (vv. 5–7)
And the angel answered and said unto the women, fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.
As the angel told Joseph at the beginning of Jesus’ story to fear not (Matthew 1:20), this angel tells the women the same. The wondrous scene they witnessed fulfilled Jesus’ promise to be raised from the dead (16:21–28; 17:22–23; 20:19; etc.). Jesus’ mysterious promise to die
THE PLAY-IN CLASHES BEGIN TUESDAY
The NBA Play-In Tournament kicks off Tuesday, April 15, giving fringe contenders one last shot at glory. Tuesday, April 15 East 7 vs. 8: Orlando Magic
Christ Dies and Rises
and rise again is now more apparent. It happened not as anyone expected but precisely as he said.
Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
The emphasis on the empty tomb counters any notion that Jesus’ followers were only experiencing a “spiritual” resurrection of Christ. Jesus’ physical resurrection involved the coming to life again of His physical body. The place where the Lord lay was vacant!
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
The disciples, who had abandoned Jesus in the garden (Matthew 26:47–56), were to be the first whom the women were to tell of His
vs. Atlanta Hawks | 7:30 PM ET on TNT
West 7 vs. 8: Golden State
Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies | 10:00 PM ET on TNT
Wednesday, April 16
East 9 vs. 10: Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat | 7:30 PM ET
Continued from page 4
resurrection. He had warned them they would fail, yet promised to meet them afterward in Galilee (26:31–32). The angel was saying nothing new but was reaffirming Jesus’ previous declarations. Key among these is the declaration ye shall see him. Jesus’ resurrection was not an invisible event in the minds and hearts of the disciples. It was a physical event in space and time: the resurrected Jesus seen by many (1 Corinthians 15:6).
The Lord Recognized (vv. 8–10)
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
The women were filled with fear from such a close encounter with God and joy at what God had done. They
on ESPN West 9 vs. 10: Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings | 10:00 PM ET on ESPN
Winners of Tuesday’s games clinch the No. 7 seeds. Wednesday’s losers go home, while winners will face off
obeyed the angel’s words implicitly, running—an uncommon act for grown people in their time—to tell the other followers of Jesus.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, all hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
The angel commanded the women to tell his disciples that Jesus was alive, and they were on their way to do so without having yet seen Him alive for themselves! But it wasn’t long before they received personal confirmation as Jesus himself met them, with the women reacting as we read here. Though silent, their reaction to seeing Jesus showed recognition and reverence, affirming that even in His resurrected body, Jesus deserved the same worship as before His death (compare Matthew 2:11; John 9:37–38;
LUKA’S MAVS FACE THE FIRE
The Dallas Mavericks enter the play-in fray against Sacramento, with Luka Doncic back and blazing. His return was electric, and Mavs fans
20:28). They offered to Jesus the honor due only to God. Soon, they would be joined by many more (Matthew 28:17).
Then said Jesus unto them, be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Jesus repeats the angel’s encouragement and instructions regarding Galilee. A key aspect of Jesus’ message is His enduring love for His disciples. Despite their fearful abandonment of Him during His crucifixion and their absence at the tomb, Jesus continued to refer to them as His brethren. Again, this is nothing new; it’s a reaffirmation of what He said before His death (Matthew 26:32; etc.). John 21 records the results of that gathering.
Conclusion: Retaining Amazement
The grind of daily life can
are hoping he can carry the load. Anthony Davis turned heads last week with a monster triple-double — 23 points, 13 boards, 10 assists, and 7 blocks — showing he’s still got plenty of gas in the tank. New addition Brandon Williams also showed flashes of brilliance.
distract us from the most profound truths—we humans tend to allow “the urgent” to take priority over “the important.” That’s why Christians must continually remind themselves of the importance of what God has done. By repetition, we remember. In remembering, we restore the eyesight of faith to its proper and primary focus. Against every expectation but in accord with every divine promise, Jesus died and rose from the dead. Let’s hold the glorious amazement of those events in our hearts daily and forever.
Thought to Remember: Focus on the importance of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Standard Publishing. KJV Standard Lesson Commentary® 2024-2025 (p. 791). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.
Cedric Bailey Sports
Los Angeles Lakers #77 Luka Doncic in action vs the Dallas Mavericks #3 Anthony Davis Photo by David Pearson LaVida News.
Here’s What’s Happening Here’s What’s Happening
Ongoing Events
Are you a resident of the Rolling Hills area? Join the Glencrest Civic League Neighborhood Association and become part of our mission to create a safe, secure, clean, and well-maintained community. We actively seek residents’ support for our mission by spearheading neighborhood committee initiatives, coordinating, supporting, and planning various community events, actively engaging local leaders and nurturing a strong sense of community unity.
Join us for our Monthly Community Meetings:
• When: 10:00 AM on the 3rd Saturday of Each Month
• Where: C.R. Bradley Center, 2600 Timberline Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119. For more information and to become a member, check out our Facebook Page (Glencrest Civic League Neighborhood Association) or visit our website at https:// www.glencrest.org. You may also email us at glencrest. na@gmail.com. Fort Worth Wiley College
Alumni Club Membership Meeting: Second Saturday of each month, 1 p.m., Carter Metropolitan CME Church, 4601 Wichita St. Fort Worth 76119. For additional information, contact one of the following members: Helen Crowder (817) 688-8937, Larry Pugh (817) 293-6543, Daisy Kahn (817) 292-1077.
I.M. Terrell Alumni Association Membership Meeting, 1st Tuesday of each month, 5 p.m., I. M. Terrell Stem/VPA Academy, 1411 I M Terrell Way, Fort Worth 76102.
M.L.Kirkpatrick Alumni Association Membership Meeting: First Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 2823 North Houston Street, Fort Worth 76106.
P.L. Dunbar Alumni Association Memberships Meeting: 3rd Saturday of each month at 3p.m. at The CenterFor STOP SIX HERITAGE, 5100 Willie St. next to Young Men’s Leadership Academy, Fort Worth. pldalumniassoc@gmail.com
Black Babies Dying
pectancy has risen from 60.5 years in the 1950s to 76.0 in the 2010s—surpassing the 13% gain seen among white Americans—the lost years of life remain staggering. In the 2010s alone, Black Americans lost 20.6 million years of life due to higher death rates. The study calls for urgent policy interventions to address these disparities, including expanded access to quality health care, targeted public health initiatives, and
structural reforms to reduce socioeconomic inequities. The authors also advocate for greater healthcare quality outcomes and data reporting transparency. “Nearly 690,000 Black children who died since 1950 could have survived if given the same chance as white children,” the researchers concluded.
“That reality should be a call to action for this nation.” The study did not examine the impact of the COVID-19 pan-
Como Alumni. Every third Tureday, 7 p.m., Como Community Center, 4900 Horne Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Join the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats! We meet every fourth Saturday of the month from 5-6 p.m. at the Charles F. Griffin Sub-courthouse, 3500 Miller Ave. Fort Worth 76119. New Monthly Speakers.
United Methodist Church, 522 Missouri Ave. Fort Worth 76104. The Food pantry is open on the third Saturday of each month from 8 -10 a.m.
For questions or concerns, please contact the Church Office at (817) 336-2117.
Forest Hill Ushers Union, “Welcomes All Church Ushers/Doorkeepers in Tarrant County”
Juniors & Young People (7-18)
Young Adults (19-35)
Seniors (36+)
Affiliations:
Texas Church Ushers
Southern Region Ushers
National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. (NUCUAAA) For more
Continued from page 6
demic, which researchers noted has likely exacerbated existing disparities. They indicated that more recent data may reveal even greater gaps in health outcomes. “Until the structural causes of these inequities are addressed,” they wrote, “Black children in America will continue to face unjust risks to their lives.”
Advertise your business with us, call 817-543-2095
information contact: Wanda King (817) 821-3017, Helen Moore (817) 584-7370, Thomas E. Troupe (817) 2292509
AARP Southeast Chapter #4508. Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m., Southside Community Center, 959 E. Rosedale, Fort Worth, TX 76104. For additional information contact Debra Rivers by email:riv3ers@sbcglobal.net.
Sat. Apr . 26, 2025
The Dock Bookshop, Indie Bookstore Day, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Mon. May . 19, 2025
The Dock Bookshop, Author talk & Book Signing, 3-5 p.m. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi -”Malcolm Lives”
Public
Transportation
Help
Are you in need of transportation services? Here’s a list of resources that are available to you across Tarrant County. Trinity Metro TEXRail operates daily between downtown Fort Worth and DFW International Airport’s Terminal B. Serving Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Grapevine. RIDETRINITYMETRO.org/texrail or 817-2158600
Trinity Railway Express operates between downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas. Serving Fort Worth, Hurst, Irving, Dallas. trinityrailwayexpress.org or 817215-8600
ZIPZONE on-demand service areas: Alliance, Crowley, Mercantile. Trinity Metro has expanded the Southside ZIPZONE to reach the TCU campus, the Fort Worth Zoo
and the entertainment district along the West 7th corridor, including Crockett Row and Montgomery Plaza. Formerly known as the Near Southside ZIPZONE, the service area will continue to include access to the hospitals and facilities within the Medical District and the many popular destinations along Magnolia Avenue, plus grocery stores and other services throughout the Southside. Southside ZIPZONE riders may also connect to TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express at Fort Worth T&P Station or to bus routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 6,
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is requesting written proposals from consultant firms for a Digital Asset Management (DAM) service to streamline storage, retrieval and use of digital assets among members of the Transportation Department. The DAM will replace/supplement our use of the network for storing photo and video assets. It will allow for direct import of assets into Adobe and Microsoft applications.
Proposals must be received in-hand no later than 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on Friday, May 2, 2025, to Kenneth Bergstrom, Communications Manager, North Central Texas Council of Governments, 616 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas 76011 and electronic submissions to TransRFPs@nctcog.org. The Request for Proposals will be available at www.nctcog.org/rfp by the close of business on Friday, April 4, 2025
NCTCOG encourages participation by disadvantaged business enterprises and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.
