EDITOR’S NOTE – I am on sick leave and I saw this very interesting and compelling post concerning Bill Cosby, who is certainly in the news headlines, and for many in my age group, we “grew up” watching him on I Spy and famously, The Cosby Show.  I want to interject this perspective from a young man that I watched developed in ministry in his formative years in San Diego. His father, the late Dr. Willie James Smith, and I pastored together in San Diego – just a few short blocks apart. We were in the same district (Progressive), state (California Missionary Baptist State Convention) and national (National Missionary Baptist Convention of America), and share pulpits for many, many years. I want to introduce him to you and his unique perspective of this news event. A dynamic young minister and I’m sure you’ll be challenged by his point of view!

Minister Kristian Smith

INTRODUCTION – Kristian Smith was born February 23, 1984 to W. James and Toni Smith in Oakland, CA and spent much of his adolescence in San Diego, CA. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in telecommunications in 2006 as well as his Master in Business Administration in 2009, both from Alabama A&M University where he was an all-conference performer and team captain of the SWAC Champion AAMU football team. During his college years he was also an active member of the Alabama A&M Gospel Choir. In 2005, Kristian received one of the highest honors of his life, when the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame named him a National Scholar Athlete for his athletic prowess and academic success. He was only one of 18 student-athletes from across the country to receive this honor.

He’s had a sincere desire for the word of God from his childhood and acknowledged his call to preach at the age of 22. As a preacher and worship leader the primary aim of his ministry is to remain faithful to God’s word and see people’s lives positively impacted as a result of his obedience to Christ. He has served in many areas of ministry including worship leader, conference planner and facilitator, bible teacher, and youth worker. His ultimate goal is for God to be perpetually glorified in his life and through his ministry. Kristian is a fitness and fashion consultant and he is currently a studying at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in pursuit his Master of Divinity degree. He is an assistant worship leader at the House of Hope, Atlanta in Decatur, GA where Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr. is his pastor. Kristian is also married to the former Ms. Pamela Merritt.

Cliff Huxtable vs. Bill Cosby
by Kristian Smith

I am not, nor do I claim to be a blogger. I’m a entrepreneur/minister who feels compelled to share my view on the Bill Cosby rape allegations.

Today I preached a message entitled “Cliff Huxtable vs. Bill Cosby: Living in a Dichotomy between your reputation and your Character.” I didn’t share the message with the intent of vilifying Bill Cosby, but rather the opposite. I believe we as Christians should check ourselves before we start throwing stones at Bill Cosby, while we are comfortably perched in our glass houses.

I do not in any way excuse the heinous nature and troubling pathology of the crimes for which Cosby is accused. They are terrible crimes, and if he is guilty he should be held accountable.

But, the fact of the matter is, many of us, in our personal lives, have lived like Cliff Huxtable in the public and acted like Bill Cosby in private. If his crimes are legit, WE are the ones who overlooked them for years because we were so enamored with the idea of Cliff Huxtable that we ignored the fallibility of Bill Cosby. “Surely Cliff, America’s favorite TV Dad for the past 30 years, wouldn’t rape someone.”

Whether he did or he didn’t is not my judgment to make. But I do know that I am in no position to sit in the seat of judgment, with all of my shortcomings. We have all done some things we don’t want to come to light. We just don’t have the fame, fortune, wealth, power and influence of Bill Cosby. And whether you agree or not, the fact of the matter is, the aforementioned factors only intensify your vices. So, imagine your current vices multiplied by 1000 because you have unthinkable wealth and power. I don’t know about you, but that is a scary thought for me.

I’m saying this to say we cannot discredit Cosby’s entire legacy because of his misdeeds. As a Christian, I am directing this post specifically towards other Christians. If you can’t compare Cosby to yourself, then consider our beloved King David, the most powerful and successful king in the history of Israel. He’s one of the most talked about and beloved biblical characters in the Christian tradition. Yet, if we read his whole story closely, we will find that David was guilty of adultery, deception, murder and possibly rape (if you don’t think it’s possible for King David to be guilty of rape, go back and read 2 Samuel 11. Tell me where Bathsheba consented to having sex with him. I’m not saying it’s a guarantee that he raped her. I also can’t say, for sure, that he didn’t rape her. He saw her; he sent for her; he had sex with her. Did Bathsheba have an option to say “No” to the king? We don’t know because the text was written in a patriarchal society and it has been interpreted through the lens of a patriarchal society. So the writer of the text gave Bathsheba a name, but he gave her no voice. Ultimately, when chapter 11 ends, the writer says God was only displeased with David).

So, with all of these charges against David, have we removed the 23rd Psalm from out Canon? Can we no longer say “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want?” Have we stripped him of his legacy because of his misdeeds? No, we recognize that although he did some foul things in his life, he was a “man after God’s own heart.”

So, before we discredit and scrutinize everything Bill Cosby had ever done, let’s remember that we have some issues of our own. Also, let’s remember that David wasn’t always a model citizen but we constantly celebrate his good deeds and inspirational works.

by Robert Earl Houston

Although it is Thanksgiving weekend that will be filled with family, friends, food and of course, football, the culmination of the holiday this year cannot be football or basketball or hockey games on Sunday. This year, due to what has happened in Ferguson, Missouri – the culmination has to be preaching.

For those pastors who will be home Sunday or for those associates or guest preachers who will be filling pulpits across the country, to simply preach without making a reference to or directly speaking to or prophetically preaching to the pain of the African American community and the society at large is malpractice. 

Someone once asked his pastor, “what I do I preach?” The pastor told him to get out of his ivory tower office at the church, go to the hospitals, hang out in the barber shops, go to the grocery stores and then he would find more than enough to preach. Preaching that is void of connectivity to current and relevant circumstances is not preaching, it’s a speech in a robe.

The circumstances of Mike Brown’s death are certainly well known. I think what the majority culture of this country fails to realize is that the anger in the streets is not about another death, because when you pull out the statistics, you are more likely to be killed by a member of your own race than from another (i.e., more blacks kill blacks; more whites kill whites; more asians kill asians” according to FBI murder statistics. In 37 years of ministry, I have buried victims of murder and in not one instance was it someone who was killed from someone outside of their race. 

That’s not the issue. The issue is that the perception within the minority races of this country is the cavalier nature of our value when it comes to the color of authority – when those men and women who wear uniforms as police, state patrol, national guard, etc., a reasonable argument could be made that instead of “taking down” a suspect via a disabling shot to the arm or leg, that deadly force is not the last option, but the first option. Further, it is well believed in our community that if a person of color (especially one who has no money) is dealing with judicial system they are less likely to succeed or they are less likely to receive adequate and aggressive representation. Sentencing statistics are staggering and prior to President Obama’s administration, a man convicted of a small portion of “rock” cocaine would get a greater sentence that a man convicted of a small, more-potent portion of “powder” cocaine.

Whether it’s true or not, it’s the perception. Add to the mix that we are losing our heroes. Our politicians that represent us are rarely seen in the community once they are elected. In my area, our state representative is visible and viable. We all know where his office is, we all know where he worships, we see him in the grocery stores and at community events. But the truth of the matter is that many of our politicians show up to our churches to campaign for votes, many of them rarely stay for the entire worship, and it is rare to see any even give during the offering. Even our celebrities are found with clay feet. They are not the larger-than-life personalities we once thought they were. Whether it’s true or not it’s the perception.

Freedom of expression is a Constitutional right. Rioting is not. I propose a different type of rioting – let’s riot in our communities. Let’s fix them ourselves. Let’s employ our anger into making real change. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and those of the movements of the 60s and 70s fought for our rights as citizens. Now we must make our citizenship real. We cannot complain when less than 40% of us vote. We cannot complain when 80% of us try to escape jury duty.  We cannot complain when we fill up an auditorium to see Beyonce and Jay-Zee at $200 a ticket and then stay home on Sunday mornings and disconnect from our communities in the worship hour.

This weekend we need to preach Biblical answers to our feelings of pain, hurt and ethos. This weekend we need to dig deeper and yes, even suggest that justice also has to be meted out with grace and forgiveness. We need to preach that misplaced anger only damages ourselves. During the Rodney King riots, I visited a friend who worked at the Arco Tower in Los Angeles and we were there watching the riots and noticed that it only happened in one part of town – the African-American part of the city, and it was literally on fire – black businesses, black homes, black stores, black car dealerships, black churches.

Our communities are hurting. Our young men are without viable fathers in the home. Our young girls have been valued for their whirls and gyrations instead of their beauty and brains. Our institutions of higher learning connect during the day and disconnect after hours with the communities in which they serve. Our school boards don’t represent the community. Our elected officials rarely represent the communities. Our leaders have gotten older and less imaginative. Those who speak for us really don’t in many cases because of their lack of a God-directed voice or agenda. The recession may be over on Wall Street but the depression is still gripping our communities – especially in our larger cities.

This is not just a “black problem” because any part of the larger context of society that is in pain creates a context of pain to the larger whole. Every community has its set of problems but it’s effects affects the larger society. The millions who our President wants to bring out of the shadows should not be viewed as “less that human” because they sought for themselves and their families a better life. However, the plight of Hispanic-Americans affect the larger context and therefore the larger discussion within our society as well.

The issue of Mike Brown cannot be solely rested as a black problem. It is a complete breakdown of the system. Why deadly force was preferred instead of other methods including tazing of which the officer was to have said to the grand jury that he didn’t prefer to carry it because it was uncomfortable. Why a dead body was let to stay in the hot sun for four hours and no immediate response by EMS services because it “was a crime scene?”  Why a grand jury, secretive in nature, was allowed to meet and yet details from their proceedings made it to television and print media and no judge acted accordingly to slap a gag order on all participants or at least considered dismissing that grand jury and impaneling another?  Why a Prosecuting Attorney handling one of the biggest cases in the area’s history would boldly come to the microphone and say that instead of him pro-actively handling the case, that he “turned it over” to two other attorneys within his office?  Why the National Guard was ordered deployed and yet black businesses were left to burn unprotected? And finally, why make a decision that everyone knew was going to kindle emotion and reaction be announced in the middle of the night, after office hours, after everyone knew in law enforcement, judicial, government and schools, instead of during the daylight hours when it would have been less attractive to the potential of danger? These are not black problems – they are societal flaws that need to be addressed.

We cannot be satisfied with a small percentage of us voting. It’s got to not only be voter-eligible but we need to become candidate-eligible. We’ve got to encourage people of color to run for offices – even if they don’t win, we need to be on every ballot in every state – regardless as to the political party.

This weekend – my brother, my sister – no matter what denomination you hail from; No matter what convention or fellowship you are a member of; No matter what side of the political spectrum you stand upon; Roll up your sleeves, humble before the Lord, dig deep, search the Scriptures, get into Logos, WordSearch, whatever resources you use . . . This weekend – YOU MUST PREACH. 

by Robert Earl Houston

I have been black in America since May 16, 1960. I’ve always viewed myself as American by birth because I have never lived nor desired to live outside of what I consider to be a blessed United States of America. I have worked for this government, received assistance while growing up in a single-parent household, even received assistance as i was attempting to matriculate through the halls of higher education. I pay my taxes. I follow all of the laws of the land that don’t violate conscious. And to a degree I am patriotic – my father served in World War II and I was the result of the “baby boomer” generation.

But today, I have trouble in my breathing. No, it’s not because of an Asthmatic condition or a condition of the lungs or the muscles that surround the area of my breathing apparatus. My problem is that my breathing has been affected by another black man, dead at the hands of police officers, the case being sent to a grand jury, and when you are looking for the system that you studied and honored to do right, decides to say “pass” on the possibility of indictment. The song is not changing – it happens in many of our states with the same impunity . . . I cannot exhale.

I’ve been holding my breath through the years hoping that one grand jury would at least take into consideration that in a nation where you are 20 times more likely to be shot and killed by law enforcement than other cultures. I thought, by 2014, that the vicissitudes of the creed of this nation, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” would have become engrained in our national psyche. Instead, we have learned that those who held the pen who wrote the preamble and the first laws of this nation also held the key to slaves under their subjugation. We have learned that it took well over 100 years for African-Americans to be recognized as equal citizens in a society that we helped build, construct, and laid our lives down, to create a “Christian nation.”

I’ve been holding my breath to see real change and opportunity. I would have hoped that by now college would not become the new place of privilege as it has become too burdensome and too expensive to complete a college education. I would have hoped that some state or community would have said by now that since our taxpayers paid for it, that we should allow anyone who comes, to receive an education.

I’ve been holding my breath that the great society that President Lyndon B. Johnson envision would have at least added several stories to it’s foundation. However, the nation is rattled with an obsession to allow jobs, taxes, and opportunities go to nations that in some cases, want to see our destruction or have interest in seeing us fail. Jobs are needed in Gary, Indiana, Chicago, Illinois, Louisville, Kentucky, Birmingham, Alabama, Houston, Texas, Shreveport, Louisiana, and dozens of cities that are “chocolate cities” that need infusion of jobs that will put people of color to work other than low-paid restaurant jobs. The infrastructure of our nation is crumbling while politicians of every political stripe are busy playing the politics of personal destruction.

I’ve been holding my breath that the Christian community would respond to these issues with swiftness and acumen. Instead it takes weeks if not months for some of our denominational leaders to pen a paper on the outrage of situations. I will hand it to my former denominational leader, Dr. Melvin Von Wade, Sr., he was proactive and being on his staff, he wanted me to make sure that his voice was heard among the many not weeks or months after any tragedy, but that his one of the first voices that were heard. Instead our denominational leaders remind me of a sign that I saw in my third church that spoke of financial written requests: “PLEASE EXPECT THREE WEEKS FOR PROCESSING” when there was only two offices separating the office of the Pastor and the Office of the Administrator. I would hope that the thousands of dollars we spend on getting people elected to office would at least include a computer, an internet connection, and words address situations and not attached to appeals for funds. If there was ever a time for a joint statement by our denominational leaders – it was yesterday.

I’ve been holding my breath that the other cultures,  who may not agree with our anger, would at least place their feet in our shoes for a few moments. Last year (2013) in Gary, Indiana, in the suburbs returning to my hotel room after ordering some fish, I was profiled. I was a black man, in a late model year car, driving on a US Interstate Highway, at the speed limit – but my problem was i was a black man, in a late model year car, driving on a US Interstate Highway. I was pulled over and then the officer told me I had no insurance. I pulled out my insurance card and he said that didn’t mean anything. I looked at him and said, am I under arrest? He looked at me and said, no and acted as if he had another call to take. I guess that cell phone on record mode helped change his mind. If I had not had that piece of equipment, God only knows my outcome.  Until you walk in the shoes of a black man of stature – to see the scared eyes of women who clutch their purses, store detectives who follow your every move, ignorance by store personnel while you’re shopping, and the asking for ID when making a purchase when someone of other color was not asked for the same, you have no idea what it’s like to be black in America. We’re celebrated for athletics and not taken serious academically.

I’m angry but I’m not stupid. I will protest as able but I will not engage myself in behavior that will destroy or burn down property and businesses of which fellow African-Americans have built with their bare hands, but conversely, I understand the anger, I understand the rage, and I optimistically, as a Christian, look forward to a better day.

And then, I will exhale . . .

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

by Robert Earl Houston

“This movie was horrible” was the first thing that crossed my lips at the conclusion of the new movie “Exodus: Gods and Kings.”  It seems like Hollywood is hell bent on using promising Biblical narratives (see: Noah) and then turning the story upside down. My problem (and I suspect the problem of many) will be if you have even a rudimentary knowledge of the story of Moses and the flight of the Hebrews from Egyptian captivity – what you see on the screen will not jive with the Biblical narrative.

I too was distracted by the lack of people of color in the starring roles. It was like watching a high school production of “Purlie” and there were no black actors available. They seemed oddly out of place, pale, and spoke more European english than American english. The costumes were not strong enough to be convincing that there was a person of color shortage in Hollywood.

The script is very loosely based on Biblical fact and unbelievable.

SPOILER ALERT – if you have not seen the film and don’t want things exposed to you, stop reading here. Otherwise, here we go:

There are five things that are ridiculous in this movie:

First, Moses’ encounter with “God” is absolutely insane. According to the movie, Moses is rounding up three sheep on the side of a movie, for some unknown reason, in the midst of a driving rain storm and becomes the victim of a mudslide, which results in him being knocked unconscious. While unconscious, he wakes up engulfed in mud, and is face to face with “God” who is a small european descent child who allows Moses to argue back and forth with him. There is no “let my people go” and the “I am” phrase is uttered and then “God” disappears.

Secondly, Moses’ encounter with Ramses is way off key. Instead of Moses killing an Egyptian for torturing a Hebrew, Moses is “outted” as a Hebrew by his sister and is reunited with his birth mother, at the insistence and persistence of Ramses’ mother. Their rivalry is strange as well, especially since Pharaoh is obviously a huge Moses fan, but has made it clear that his blessing is upon Ramses.

Thirdly, the plagues were difficult to watch.  Instead of confronting Ramses/new Pharaoh, “God” tells Moses “you won’t have to do a thing” which is not sensible or biblical. In the Bible, Moses and Ramses were confrontational. In this context, Moses sits on the sidelines while “God” sends plagues seemingly for no reason. The Nile River is turned to blood when “God” causes alligators to appear from the waters and attack a fishing vessel and then the alligators turn on each other and the Nile River is full of blood. The other plagues were interesting to watch but the reaction of Ramses and Egypt was strange.

Fourthly, these slaves were not caught in the mechanics of slavery. They didn’t look that oppressed throughout the movie. I saw more oppression in “Twelve Years a Slave” than I did in this movie. When they left slavery in Egypt, it looked like they were packing up entire neighbors and a mass exodus looked like a mass gentrification.

Fifthly, the Red Sea. Oh my friend – it ticked me off to see how this played out. Moses is scared of Ramses and he has a four day head start on their army. (By the way, Moses is a master military genius and in the movie, he trains the Hebrews (who are supposed to be in slavery) how to fight as marksmen). Moses decides to cut through the mountains which will slow the Egyptian armies because their vehicles and supplies can’t endure the slopes and hills. Oddly, Moses and “dem” make it through without few problems, but when Ramses and his boys come through, the whole hillside collapses, wiping out about a third of his army.

Then they get to the Red Sea and Moses is waiting for “low tide” instead of a miracle from God. Not only that, the ground is noticeably wet and ponding, unlike the Biblical account that they crossed through the Red Sea “on dry ground.” When Ramses and his army shows up, the Red Sea all of a sudden raises up and kills the army, some Hebrews, and even Moses is caught up in the water but protected.

These five reasons alone are a reason not to go. Not to mention that when “God” and Moses meet up on the mountain after making it to the other side, Moses has to construct, build and write his own tablets, taking dictation from “God.”

This movie was terrible. If you want closer Biblical accuracy, rent or download “The Ten Commandments” or catch it this Easter on ABC. Otherwise, I recommend going to any other movie accept this one. This movie should die of gross neglect from the Christian community.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

by Robert Earl Houston

UPDATED, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 -

Funeral plans / Memorial Concert set for Pastor Gordon Humphrey, Jr.

Members, Friends and Family will have three days to honor the life of Pastor Gordon Humphrey, Jr. of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago and Olivet Baptist Church in Oakland, California.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday, December 20, 2014
12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pastor Humphrey Jr.’s body will lie in state
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago
10540 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60625

Sunday, December 21, 2014
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Memorial Concert will feature gospel artists
from the Chicagoland area
House of Hope
752 E. 114th Street, Chicago, IL 60628

Monday, December 22, 2014
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (doors open at 10 a.m.)
Funeral
House of Hope
752 E. 114th Street, Chicago, IL 60628

Private Burial Immediately Following

One of the most gifted preachers, bishops, pastors, mentors, singers, musician, and recording artists has gone home to be with the Lord. Bishop Gordon A. Humphrey, Jr., pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 14, 2014 he was 60 years old.

Homegoing Services are pending.  Below is a bio which appeared on the website of the congregation he formerly pastored in Oakland, California, which he recently installed a new pastor:

Pastor Gordon A. Humphrey Jr. was born to the proud parent of Gordon Humphrey, Sr. and Helen Humphrey in Ohio. Rev. Humphrey’s father pastored the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois for over 40 years. Rev. Humphrey was reared in the Chicago public school system and later attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. He is accompanied in ministry by his wife Diane and two children, Gordon III and Cha’Rena.

Pastor Humphrey is noted for his prolific urban message that encourages people from all walks of life to give their lives to Christ. He has been the Pastor and visionary of the Olivet Institutional Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, California for the past 30 years. Rev. Humphrey is in great demand as an evangelist and his ministry has allowed him to preach the Gospel across the entire nation.

Pastor Humphrey is currently the Senior Pastor of 3 churches: Olivet Church, Oakland, CA, Olivet Church, Stockton, CA, and the Shiloh Baptist Church in Chicago, IL

After a brief sabbatical, along with a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, God spoke to Pastor Humphrey regarding the direction for his ministry. Out of this came a new and nonconventional approach to worship that accepts people as they are but challenges them not to stay in the shape they’re in. This was also a time when the Olivet Church began to experience a worship experience that has been implemented in other churches across the country.

Over 20 years ago Pastor Humphrey established “Sunday Night Live,” a service where all are welcome to come and experience the presence of God without condemnation or judgment. This “Come As You Are” service has been modeled by Pastors and churches across the nation. Pastor Humphrey is also the executive producer of the CD entitled, Olivet Oakland, Sunday Night Live! “You’re In The Right Place At The Right Time.” This project has gained national and international recognition for its inspirational and spirit filled tracks.

Pastor Humphrey is a visionary with boldness to proclaim the Word without compromise. He is inspired by God, directed by the Spirit, and passionate about people and their growth. He is forever your servant, Pastor Gordon A. Humphrey Jr.

by Dr. C.B. Akins, pastor of the First Baptist Church Bracktown, Lexington, KY
From the American Baptist Newspaper, December 15, 2014 Edition

New Hope Baptist Church is now accepting resumes to fill the position of Pastor. We are seeking an ordained preacher/teacher to fill the position of Pastor. All travel and lodging expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Please send resumes and letter of interest to:

New Hope Baptist Church
Attention: Pastoral Search Committee
524 E. Willard Street
Muncie, Indiana 47302

Resumes will be accepted until January 12, 2015

From the American Baptist Newspaper, December 15, 2014 Edition

The Homegoing Services have been announced for Dr. John T. Teabout, Sr., pastor of the Greater Friendship Baptist Church Newark, NJ.

Rev. Teabout went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Arrangements for his home-going services are as follow:

Wake:
Friday December 26, 2014 from 3 pm until
at Greater Friendship Baptist Church 84 Custer Ave, Newark, NJ

Home Going Service:
Saturday December 27, 2014 from 9 am until
at Zion Hill Baptist Church 152 Osborne Terrace, Newark, NJ

Rev. Teabout has been a faithful part of the Late Night Services for the National Baptist Convention. Let’s pray for his family and his church family and the community of faith.

June 1, 1960 – Dec. 16, 2014
Bishop Kenneth Lewis Tate, 54 of Huntsville, AL departed this life on December 16, 2014 at 9:34 am at his home surrounded by love.

Bishop Tate was educated in the Madison County school system, and attended Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biblical Studies at American Baptist College, Nashville, TN. He retired from Redstone Arsenal as an Information Technology Specialist in 2004.

Bishop Kenneth Tate was the establisher, and Senior Pastor of New Shiloh Church Ministries in Huntsville, Alabama, and the Third Presiding Bishop of Dominion Covenant Fellowship of Churches, International; headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.

Bishop Tate leaves to mourn a wife, Cynthia Tate, Huntsville, AL; daughters, Angelia (Anthony) Huggins, Kenethia Tate, both of Huntsville, AL, son, Le’Quinton (Jimilee) Tate, Hazel Green, AL; mother, Alma J. Tate-Anderson, West Bloomfield, MI; father, Pastor Elijah (Lorine) Tate, Huntsville, AL; sister, Kabba Tate-Anderson, West Bloomfield; MI, four brothers, David (Valarie )Woods, Detroit, MI, Jarvis Tate, Huntsville, AL, Minister Christopher Tate, Johnson City, TN, Reverend Wayne Sibley, Huntsville, AL; step-sister, Alicia Burwell, Madison, AL, father and mother-in-law, Freddy and Vera Abernathy, Decatur, AL; three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, seven grandchildren, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was held December 19, 2014, at New Shiloh Church Ministries (5101 Mastin Lake Road, Huntsville, AL). Funeral service was on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church (1919 Brandontown Road, Huntsville, AL) with Bishop James E. Kellem officiating. Interment will be in the Valhalla Memory Gardens. Bishop Tate will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time. – See more at: http://obits.al.com/obituaries/huntsville/obituary.aspx?pid=173515375#sthash.hlZWYI3e.dpuf

by Robert Earl Houston

Dr. Johnnie Coleman, the iconic Chicago minister who founded and built the Christ Universal Temple, for which she led for over 50 years, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 23, 2014.  Homegoing Services are pending and will be announced on the church website, http://www.cutemple.org.

The Church, now led by Rev. Derrick B. Wells, released the following statement:

On Tuesday, December 23rd, our beloved spiritual mother and founder, the Reverend Dr. Johnnie Colemon, made her transition. We lovingly hold her up in prayer as we release her into the grace, peace, and harmony of God’s presence.

We are praying with her family and everyone who was touched by her life-transforming ministry.

At this time, arrangements for a memorial service in her honor are incomplete.  Additional information will be forthcoming as promptly as it is made available.
From the Christ Universal Temple Website:

The Reverend Dr. Johnnie Colemon, often referred to as the First Lady of the New Thought Christian Community, founded Christ Universal Temple, a thriving, spirited, and progressive New Thought Church in 1956. In 1974, she established an international organization of affiliated New Thought churches and study groups called the Universal Foundation for Better Living.

As a member of the International New Thought Alliance (I.N.T.A.), Rev. Colemon served as the district president and the chairperson of the 60th I.N.T.A. Congress held in Chicago.

“Johnnie”, as Rev. Colemon is affectionately called, celebrated fifty years of building and teaching in 2006, the year she retired as the Senior Minister of Christ Universal Temple. During her tenure, she built five structures to spread the “Better Living” teachings, including three churches and two institutions of learning (Johnnie Colemon Institute and Johnnie Colemon Academy). She also constructed a luxury banquet hall and restaurant in service to a community that, previously, had little access to a high end dining experience. The first church, built in 1962, was named Christ Unity Temple, with a its addition to accommodate another 1000 parishioners constructed in 1972. When the congregation outgrew the first church and the additional building, Rev. Colemon designed, constructed, and moved into the current Christ Universal Temple, located on the 100 acre campus at 119th Street and Ashland Avenue in Chicago.

The Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon’s leadership, vision, and love continues to have an impact on a global scale as Christ Universal Temple remains a ‘Light Unto All Humanity.’

From: The History Makers

The Reverend Dr. Johnnie Colemon, founder-minister of Christ Universal Temple, has a message: “Teaching People How To Live Better Lives”. Often referred to as the first lady of America’s religious community, she is the pastor of the thriving, spirited and progressive New Thought Church, which has nearly 20,000 members. Born in Columbus, Mississippi, Colemon was raised in a rich spiritual environment. Her parents, John and Lula Haley, were active members of the church and encouraged their only child to participate. Colemon demonstrated leadership skills early at Union Academy High School, graduating as valedictorian of her class. She received her B.A. at Wiley College and first became a teacher for the Chicago Public Schools and later an analyst for the Quarter Masters.

Open Your Mind and Be Healed is not only the title of her book, but her remarkable personal story of the use of universal principles of healing. After learning that she had an incurable disease in 1952, with encouragement from her mother, Colemon enrolled in the Unity School of Christianity, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where she received her teaching certificate and became an ordained minister.

Colemon is a builder and a teacher. She has built six structures to spread the better living teachings: three churches, two institutions of learning and a restaurant and banquet facility. The first church was Christ Unity Temple built in 1956 and its addition in 1973. The congregation expanded to the current Christ Universal Temple, located on the sprawling campus grounds at 119th Street (named Rev. Johnnie Colemon Drive in 1996) and Ashland Avenue in Chicago. Close to 4,000 people flock every Sunday and are taught how to think, rather than what to think. Her experiences compel her to share with others: “Change Your Thoughts and Change Your Life.” Out of a sense of knowing that a need for a vital, new affiliation of independent New Thought Churches existed, Colemon’s dynamic leadership led to the organization of the Universal Foundation for Better Living, Inc., an international association of New Thought Christian Churches and study groups located in the USA and abroad.

Her civic positions include Director of the Chicago Port Authority and Commissioner of the Chicago Transit Authority Oversight Committee, recognition as one of Chicago’s Living Legends by the Institute for African American Youth Development. She was honored by DuSable Museum as an African American History Maker.

Colemon is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. She holds the distinction of advancing the New Thought movement and received the Minister of the Century from the International New Thought Alliance (INTA). Colemon was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree from her alma mater, Wiley College in Wiley, Texas; the degrees of doctor of humane letters and doctor of divinity from Monrovia College, Liberia; and a Ph.D. in humane letters from Gospel Ministry Outreach (GMOR). Other honors include proclamations from the States of Illinois and Michigan; the City of Chicago; the Ohio House of Representatives; the Michigan Legislature; the City of Oakland, California; Miami, Florida and many others.

Good morning / afternoon / evening,

HAPPY NEW YEAR! God has allowed me to see another New Year’s Day and in a few months, if the Lord be pleased, I’ll celebrate another milestone – 55 years of life. God is good.

I want to share a few New Year’s thoughts and then I’m going to finish watching the Rose Parade (been there in person before, there is no parade in the world like it) and of course, it’s a football national holiday (more on that later).

1.  Last night’s New Year’s Eve celebration between First Baptist Church, First Corinthian Baptist Church, and St. John A.M.E. Church was spectacular. It was the first time we’ve done this as a collaborative efforts led by the three pastors – Pastor Jerome Wilson (St. John), Pastor Leslie Whitlock (First Corinthian), and myself (First Baptist). It was greatly supported by our memberships and this was berthed over a meal at Buffalo Wild Wings. The three of us are not competitors – we are colleagues. We genuinely love each other as brothers in Christ and want to see each of our churches blessed. We were concerned that we wanted our fellowship to go beyond funerals – since the fabric of our community cuts across all three of our congregations. It was something to see. The choirs from each church were at their best. Pastor Wilson was a gracious host. Pastor Whitlock did an awesome job in preaching. We praise God for the offering, of which every dime was donated to the Resource Office of Social Ministries in Frankfort, a non-profit organization, coordinates the efforts of the religious community to aid the poor, providing accurate information to efficiently use resources and prevent duplication of assistance. Last night these three congregations donated $1,598.00. God be praised! There was plenty of food and after all were fed, the remaining food was donated to the local Homeless Shelter. It demonstrates the power of unity and relationship – when three churches, with a collective history of almost 500 years of collective history (FBC – 181; St. John – 175; First Corinthian – 138) – come together, we can do great and positive things for our community. I predict this NYE celebration will outgrow all of our sanctuaries in the near future.

2.  Today is the day of semi-final games in the first-ever College Football playoff series. It’s been a long time coming. To me, it created some collateral damage – the excitement about other down games just hasn’t been there, for me, this year. Two games will determine who will play in next week’s championship bowl game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

My picks:

ROSE BOWL – Florida State University Seminoles (13-0-0) vs. University of Oregon Ducks (12-1-0)
This is a classic battle of two high-octane teams with two future NFL quarterbacks. Jameis Winston has proven he’s the quarterback who can’t lose a game. With a quarterback rating of 88.1 and a 26-0-0 record as a starter, he has created an atmosphere of winning and daredevil offense. Coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff have crafted a championship season – BUT that road is going to end. The Ducks, who could give many an NFL team a run for their money, is going to win. Three reasons: First, Marcus Mariota, Heisman Trophy winner is Superman in a football uniform. Secondly, Oregon features a heart-attack offense. They seem to lull you into taking a lead and then will come back and score 21 plus points within minutes.  Third, It’s just their time. Oregon has had fantastic teams every year that just fell short each year. But Mark Helfrich’s team looks up to the task. Ducks by 6.

SUGAR BOWL – Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1-0) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1-0). Let’s cut to the chase. Ohio State’s selection was controversial to begin with, as they sneaked in under the wire with a third string quarterback. How do you answer Alabama’s offense, defense, coaching, and undoubtedly a sea of supporters in New Orleans? Roll Tide.  Alabama by 15.

3.  My condolences to those who are dealing with death in their families across the country and those congregations who are dealing with the homegoing of their pastors. Of special note, I extend my condolences to my Portland pastor, Dr. Johnny Pack, IV and his family during their time of bereavement. May the Lord grant the families strength, compassion and love.

So, that’s it. Have an awesome first day of the year!

From the Washington Post
by Hamil R. Harris

WASHINGTON, DC – Rev. Michael C. Murphy, who served as the Senior Pastor of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ for five years, died last Sunday just minutes before he was to deliver his morning sermon.

Rev. Leslie Dowdell-Cannon said church members found Murphy unconscious in his office before the start of the church’s early service.   She said members knocked on the door after he didn’t come to the pulpit for the 8:30 a.m. service. He was 62.

Church officials from the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ have been told that Murphy died of an apparent heart attack and a spokesman for D.C.’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Murphy was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Rev. John Deckenback, conference minister for the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ, said: “Michael was very important to the Central Atlantic Conference and the whole United Church of Christ family.

Murphy was a native of Chicago.  He graduated from DePaul University and  Michigan State University before enrolling in the Chicago Theological Seminary, where he earned a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate in  Ministry.

In 1987, Murphy founded the St. Stephen’s Community Church in Lansing, Michigan. During his time there, he was also elected to the Lansing City Council and in 2000 he was elected to the Michigan State Legislature, where he served three terms. During his legislative tenure, he sponsored the Jasmine Miles School Children Safety Act, which was named after a student who died walking home from school in 2003. The legislation was aimed at getting local jurisdictions to add sidewalks, school crossings and to take other safety measures for school children crossing the street.

In 2009, Murphy  was “called,” by the leaders of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ who had been looking for a pastor for two years after the retirement of Rev. Dr. A. Knighton Stanley, the church’s long time pastor. A church known for its focus on social justice issues, Peoples was founded by 175 people on March 6, 1891.

The church initially met in Nash Hall at 708 O Street  N.W. Washington, D.C.  In 1894, the first church building was built at 628 M Street N.W.   In April 1954,  the congregation conducted its first worship service at the current location at 4704 13th Street N.W. A new sanctuary was constructed at that location in 1991.

After becoming the pastor of Peoples,  Murphy emphasized hosting events like revival meetings as part of the church’s evangelistic outreach effort. The church has a proud legacy of spirituality, community service and social activism. The congregation is also home to a vibrant community of African American  middle class families.

“Looking back, moving forward and press on. That’s our theme,” said Murphy in an interview with the Post during the time.   “I see Peoples as a progressive Christian community, called by faith, led by hope and united by love to build strong committed disciples for Jesus Christ.”

Rev. Graylan Hagler, pastor of the Plymouth Congregational, called Murphy’s death, “a tremendous loss, Reverend Murphy was a very distinguished person in the UCC Movement and he was very engaged locally, regionally and nationally.”

Dowdell-Cannon said Murphy’s death is a blow to members of the United Church of Christ congregations nationwide.

“We had a lot of challenges at the church, but we managed to still talk, laugh and work together,” Dowdell-Cannon said. “My last conversation with him was that he was praying for me because my mother is ill.”

Murphy was divorced but he leaves behind a son and a daughter. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

From the American Baptist Newspaper, Louisville, KY

by Robert Earl Houston

This evening (January 8, 2015) the body of Christ lost its metronome. Pastor Andrae Crouch went home to be with the Lord at the age of 72 in Southern California.

If you were in Choirs or a musician (or a budding musician as I was in the 1970s) your world was turned upside down by the persona of Andrae Crouch. He was so different from the rest of the crowd. James Cleveland, Clay Evans, Thomas Whitfield, and others who were “church” – with suits and ties and minimal instrumentation, and along comes a hip, cool brother – wearing open collars, hats, bell bottom slacks, with piano, organ (Billy Preston was his organist), drums, bass, and literally ignited a debate about what was and wasn’t gospel music. He took it to a dimension the church had never seen before.

He made gospel music available to everyone. I was reading through Twitter tonight and struck by the color of the voices that commented on his death. Theologians praised him for his accuracy of lyrics. Current songwriters and gospel artists have laid great accolades upon him.

Andrae Crouch was never a gospel artist. He was a brother who loved God, without saying it proved that you didn’t have to be completely clean cut to serve God, that your appearance did not speak to your destiny, and that young people had a place in sharing the gospel even through song. He was too cool to be called an artist – that term could not adequately describe what Andrae Crouch was to the church.

What struck me was how he conquered life issues and did not allow them to stop him from serving God. He not only followed the beat from a different drum – he changed the beat. He rejected the notion that God could not use certain persons even as he struggled with dyslexia.  He and his sister picked up the mantle of their parents’ church and it flourished by loving people.

I’m amazed that in his very young years he wrote “The Blood Will Never Lose His Power,”  He actually penned for James Cleveland, “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus.” He wrote the songs of the church – and as a musician I appreciated that what he recorded, you could play. His recordings were crystal clear and you could write the lyrics with ease.

Man, he wrote and/or recorded songs like  “Jesus is Lord,” “I Will Bless the Lord,” “Tell Them,” “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory),” “Take Me Back,” “Jesus Is The Answer,””Through It All,””The Broken Vessel,” “It’s Gonna Rain,””I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loves Me,” up to his recent anthem for the Church, “Let the Church Say Amen.”

In an era of people who record gospel music for the sake of money and fame, Andrae Crouch is a great reminder that serving the Lord will pay off. He yielded himself to Him and the Lord blessed him tremendously. He changed COGICs, Baptists, Methodists, Whites, Blacks, Educated, Educators and Common People with the stroke of a pen.

Certainly we pray for his sister, the Crouch Family, and their church in Southern California. Thank you Andrae for demonstrating that you don’t need a title to be substantive.

From http://www.newsday.com . . . January 7, 2015

The Rev. H. David Parker, who spent 20 years in the nation’s military before becoming pastor of Emanuel Baptist Church in Elmont for 45 years, died Saturday of a heart attack at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. He was 93.

Parker, who was drafted into the Army in 1942, was the nation’s youngest regimental sergeant-major when, in 1943, he attained that rank at age 21, his family said.

That December, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he would serve in the United States and overseas until retiring in October 1962.

He was the recipient of more than a dozen military awards, including the Commendation Medal for meritorious service. He was assigned to Mitchel Air Force Base in Hempstead in 1952 and married Willie Mae Bates of Hempstead in 1953. They had six children. She died in June 1987.

In those last military years, while stationed at Mitchel Field, Parker joined the Antioch Baptist Church in Hempstead and there became the Eastern Baptist Association of New York’s first ordained assistant pastor, said Antioch’s current pastor, Bishop Phillip Elliott.

He said Parker was the first Nassau resident to be the association’s moderator, or leader, serving from 1976 to 1980. The association covers Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.

Parker came to Emanuel in 1963, when it had about 60 members. He was its fifth pastor. When he retired in 2008, the church had more than 700 members.

In 1992 he became an area vice president for the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention. In 1994, he was appointed ambassador to the United Nations for the National Baptist Convention USA Inc.

In 1979, he was appointed chairman of the Nassau County Interracial Task Force by County Executive Fran Purcell. Parker also served for 16 years on the Nassau County Human Rights Commission.

Former Hempstead Mayor James Garner extolled Parker as a man who believed in doing the right thing all the time. “He was a role model that I only hoped to emulate,” he said.

Survivors include wife Flora Covington Parker of Baltimore; four daughters, Wanda K. Parker of Hempstead, Helen M. Kennedy of Fort Lauderdale, Joyce A. Parker of Topeka, Kansas, and Dorothy J. Parker-Guana of Amityville; two sons, David K. Parker of Chicago and Daniel K. Parker of Atlanta; three sisters, Alma Bowie of Anniston, Alabama, Ruth Parker of Clanton, Alabama, and Ethel Carr of Dayton, Ohio; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

The wake is from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, January 12, 2015 at Emanuel Baptist Church in Elmont. The service will be there at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2015. Burial will follow at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale.

Pastor Robert Earl Houston

by Robert Earl Houston

Sigh . . .

It seems like everyday a different provocateur of the modern Christian Church is posting the obituary of the Church. They proclaim death, destruction, apostasy, and a mass exodus upon the Church in favor of a societal shift away from the Church.

But are they right?

Is the Lord’s church dying or is there a shift by our congregants? In my perspective, an argument can be made for a reduction of worshipers, but in the nation at large.

In the last decade, according to US Census Bureau, the 200s (2000-2009) has seen the slowest population growth in over 50 years. The nation has grown only by 8% with only a 3% (Midwest and Northeast) factor.

The fastest growing cities in America, with growth over 170% are not known as great church cities – Lincoln City, CA; Surprise City, AZ; Frisco City, TX; Goodyear City, AZ; Beaumont City, CA; Plainfield Village, IL; Pflugerville City, TX; Indian Trail Town, NC; Wylie City, TX – only one, Louisville, KY, has experienced seismic growth.

Church wise there is a shift but its not always traceable. The Southern Baptist Convention has been losing members steadily for years only to have their numbers propped up by the growth in non-anglo churches, particularly African-American and especially Hispanic-American congregation.

The worship settings for African-Americans is rapidly changing. When I was a child, you were either Baptist or Methodist. Now, the choices have expanded to charismatic, Apostolic, Independent, House Churches, and even churches of different cultures as our sons and daughters become involved with persons of other races. However, we (as African-Americans) continue to see the rise of mega and multi-location churches.

My point is that the church is not dead yet.

Perhaps all of these spiritual prognosticators should consider putting down their pens, logging off of Facebook, and get back to ministry. How about preparing sermons that actually work? How about developing lessons with forethought and energy instead of last-minute preparation? How about spending time in prayer that “the Lord of the Harvest would send forth laborers, instead of decrying and in some cases celebrating the loss or lack of congregants in a church.

And those of us who read need to make a second-look at the emphases that these writers are making. It’s like the Facebook Super-Pastor who says “everyone is not preaching the gospel” when they haven’t left their pulpit in so long that the chair has conformed to their body shape.

I intend to celebrate the church – in all iterations: The mega, the large, the medium, the small, and even the storefront. To have a mega congregation doesn’t mean that their work is more significant or to look at the storefront is to say that they aren’t about anything. The church of the Lord is not a “one size fits all” department store – it’s a mall of speciality stores. I have friends that have memberships in 10,000 or more and I have friends that see 5-10 every Sunday. Both works are important and I celebrate them both.

So when I get e-mails from these “church specialists” many who are nothing more than a Pastor with a laptop, I refuse to celebrate their celebration of the church dying. I’d rather celebrate with the Founder of the Church, of the Church triumphant.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

by Robert Earl Houston

One of the legends of Albuquerque, New Mexico has been called home to be with the Lord. Below is the obituary provided by the Daniels Funeral Home:

Alonzo Twitty, Sr., age eighty-five (85) was born February 29, 1929 to the late Mr. Albert Twitty and Mrs. Viola Dixon-Twitty on the Ward Morn farm in Brazos County, better known as Brazos Bottom located ten miles outside of Bryan and College Station, Texas, one of eleven children. He departed this life at a local hospital on Saturday, January 3, 2015. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Albert, John D, Napoleon, Grant; sisters Annie Mae, Frances, Estelle, Othell, Loraine, and Jewel Lee; daughter Linda Kay Hopkins-Twitty; son John Jeff Twitty I, and granddaughter Shavon Earl Twitty.
Reverend Twitty accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of the Salem Baptist church. Although called to the ministry at the age of five, he did not accept the call until the age of thirty-one and was ordained at the age of forty at the Antioch Baptist Church by the late Dr. James A. Hopkins, former pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church, the late Dr. W.W Williams, former pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, the late Reverend Walter Green, former pastor of St. Luke Baptist Church and the late Dr. C. Trotter, former pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He focused on a dream that became a reality and in 1970 he organized the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he pastored faithfully for 44 years. He was a member of the National Baptist Conference of America, USA Inc., the Baptist Ministers Union, Ministers Fellowship Alliance, the Progressive Missionary Baptist State Convention of Central Arizona and New Mexico and the Saint Luke District Association.
He received his early school education from Salem Elementary and attended High School at Fair View High School. After moving to Albuquerque he completed his education and received his High School Diploma from Albuquerque High. At the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the Unites States Army, where he served for two years, with his basic training in Camp Rucker Alabama he then went to Germany and stayed 18 months. After relief from the army he met and married his sweetheart of 62 years, Edna Earl Walton. He then spent twenty-two years in the Army Reserve, which allowed him an opportunity to travel the world.
He became a certified Pastoral Counselor by the Institute of Pastoral Counselor Division of Universal bible institute in 1977; earned a Bachelor’s, Master of Arts Degree in Religious Education from the World Institute of Religious Education, Farmington, New Mexico in 1983. In 2012 he received his Doctorate in Religious Education, from the World Institute of Religious Education.
Rev. Twitty loved to sing and in 1968 he formed his own singing group known as the Twitty Family, who sung all over the state of New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Virginia. During their singing tour he and his family recorded two records, which include My Life Is in God’s Hand, Old Ship of Zion, Somewhere Around God’s Throne, and Any How My Lord. Where ever you would see Rev. Twitty he had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. His theme song that he carried with him for many years is “I know my life is in God’s hand”, of which he was able to place his life stories in the book that he Authored called Free Grace, “My Life in God’s Hand in 2009.
Reverend Twitty received numerous accolades in appreciation for his distinguished and invaluable service, support and contributions to the communities of Albuquerque, Belen, and Rio rancho, New Mexico. He received special honors from Kirtland Air Force Base, Lacy Kirk Williams Institution, Dallas Texas, Albuquerque Black Economic League, National Baptist Congress of Christian Workers, and Baptist Ministers in appreciation for outstanding service and community development. He was a recipient of the Living Legend Award in 2008 and the Community Service award from the Grant Chapel AME Church Lay Organization-Dr. Martin Luther King.
On the 23rd day of May, 1953, he married Edna Earl Walton and to this union they were blessed with eleven children. He is survived as follows wife, daughters Vivian Jean, Edna Jewel Whitaker (husband Fredrick), Annie Marie Miller, Sheniqua Shanae, daughter-in-law JoAnn Lackey; sons Alonzo, Jr. (wife Diane), Donald Ray, Sr. (wife Sandra D.), Jeremiah Guy (wife Roberta), Isaiah Matthews., and Brian Moses all of Albuquerque. Sixty-eight grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren and now in the fifth generation; grandchildren include, Veronica, Dee Ann, Louis, Adrian, Tasha, Ariel, Jordan, Chrystal, Briana, Jackie, Don Jr, Tiffany, Moniqua (husband Kenneth), Henry (wife Patricia), Jeannette (Jason), Queannette, Apollonia,(husband Kharia), Allonnia (husband Marcus), Leanne, Amanda (husband , John Jeff II, Lamar, Jeremiah Jr, Tierre; and a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
He was a pastor, daddy, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Rev. Twitty was well known and loved throughout the various Communities of Albuquerque and Vicinity and across the nation. Pastor Twitty was loved by all who came in contact with him and never met a stranger. He was always dedicated to assisting those in need, reaching the unchurched, and enlightening believers to receive all God has promised, including healing, deliverance, and the fullness of God’s spirit. He was devoted to community service, brotherly love and a “friend” to all who knew him. He was a man called, anointed and appointed by God, he trusted in the Lord and never wavered in his faith. He will be missed by many for years to come, but his spirit will live within each and every person whose lives he touched with his selfless giving, compassion and strong faith and spirit. The family would like to thank the hardworking staff at the New Mexico VA Health Care Services for their compassionate love and care, the Ministers Fellowship, and a special to Bishop Shelby and God’s House and Rev. Darnell Smith and the Macedonia Baptist Church.
The services will be as follows, there will be a private family viewing on Friday, January 9, 2015 from 10-12 at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 315 53rd Street, Albuquerque, NM 87105, following this there will be a visitation from 12 p.m.-7:30 p.m., with a service immediately following the viewing from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at God’s House, with internment to follow at Fairview Cemetery. Pallbearers: Kharia Jordan, Robert Jordan, Adrian Twitty, Marcus Cook II, Jordan Johns, Jason Hobbs, Jason Quiniones, Donald Twitty, Jr., Honorary Pallbearers: Alonzo Twitty, Jr., Donald Twitty, Sr., Jeremiah Guy Twitty, Sr., Isaiah Twitty, Alonzo Lamar, Fredrick Whitaker, Brian Twitty, Jeremiah Twitty, Jr., John Jeff II, Jaylen Quiniones, Christopher Romero.

by Robert Earl Houston

Dr. E. Wayne Gaddis CMBSC President

Two California Baptist State Conventions, which split as a result of the turmoil in the National Baptist Convention of America and the creation of National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, have agreed to an historic reunification effective immediately.

The reunification brings together the California Missionary Baptist State Convention (CMBSC) and the California United Baptist State Convention (CUBSC). Both conventions were as one until the untimely split in 1991 which resulted in the creation of CUBSC. Now, the conventions have agreed to re-unify as one California Missionary Baptist State Convention.
The reunification was initiated by the CUBSC president, Dr. J. Roy Morrison and along with his General Secretary, Dr. Hubbard, they presented their proposal to Dr. E. Wayne Gaddis and the California Missionary Baptist State Convention.

Dr. Gaddis stated, “I think it is a God-sent move. I would rather see us come together rather than to be in splinters. Our convention is excited. The other convention is excited. John 17:21 where Jesus says “Let them be as one, as we are one” is an answer to our prayers.” The CMBSC and CUBSC voted today, January 28, 2015 to begin the process of reunification, which will take affect in October 2015, contingent upon CUBSC meeting certain conditions.

The reunited convention will become dually-aligned with both the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America and the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., International.  Dr. Gaddis will serve as President and an election will be held in October which will complete the reunification process by filling several positions in the cabinet.

This will bring the roll of the Convention to over 250 congregations which will make the CMBSC the largest African-American Baptist State Convention west of Texas.

The CMBSC website can be found at www.cmbsc.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION was added courtesy of Dr. J. Roy Morrison.

# # #

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED