Promise Keepers 4 Fayette

Men United in Christ - FCCF - Sunday, October 30th

2011-10-25T15:35:00.004-05:00

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." PROVERBS 27:17

The Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) will hold their regular Fifth Sunday Celebration at 2:30 PM on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Peachtree City.

The theme for this event is "Men United in Christ."

The pastor at Bethlehem is the Rev. Dwight Elder. The guest preacher is the Rev. Larry Ervin of Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church, also in Peachtree City.

The FCCF exists to promote unity among all churches in Atlanta's southern crescent. All are welcome to attend! Don't you want to be part of this? We are Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood.
A combined Male Chorus will be featured during the program.

Bethlehem is located at 475 Dividend Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269-1940, near the entrance to Falcon Field.

Please join us if you can!

Save the Dates:
FCCF Celebrations for 2012

January 29th

April 29th

July 29th

September 30th

I Believe, Even When..

2011-09-07T17:38:00.001-05:00

In a Cologne, Germany cellar, a Jew hiding from the Nazis scratched out these words on the wall: “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God, even when there is silence.”

True Love REVIVAL Wednesday thru Friday, August 17-19, 2011

2011-08-15T10:59:00.004-05:00

True Love Christian Ministries in will hold their Summer Revival this Wednesday through Friday, August 17-19, 2011 at 7:15 PM, nightly. The Senior Pastor at True Love is Elder Nathaniel Livingston.

The guest preachers for the revival are the Reverend Melvin Ware and First Lady, the Reverend J. T. Ware, of Mount Olive Baptist Church. (All three of these pastors are good friends of mine.) True Love and Mount Olive are both leadership churches in the Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) which exists to promote unity among churches in this area, so you know you will receive a warm welcome!

True Love is located at 192 Graves Road, Fayetteville, GA, 30214-3697.

Please come to build Biblical bridges of brotherhood with us!

PROMISE # 6: A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.

Flat Creek Baptist Church to host Men's Conference

2011-08-03T16:36:00.002-05:00

Flat Creek Baptist Church (FCBC) , Fayetteville, GA will host a “Mighty Men of God Conference” on August 5-6, 2011, with Dr. Paul Freed.

This conference has something for all age groups, from the youngest Mighty Man (age 12) up to the Senior Mighty Man.

Whether married, single, in the workplace, retired, or in Middle School, men will be strengthened in every walk of life.

The cost for this conference is $35 per man ($15 ages 12-17) if you register on-line.

Admission at the door will be $45.

To register, or for more information, go to www.MightyMenOfGod.com or call 1-866-444-8963.

Please call or go online today to pre-register your sons, your dad, your friends or your men’s group.

The Friday night session begins at 6:45 PM and will dismiss at 9:30 PM

Saturday morning session begins at 8:00 AM and will conclude at 12:30 PM

Everyone is invited to attend!

Flat Creek BC is located at 161 Flat Creek Trail, Fayetteville, GA 30214-4703

MAP to Flat Creek : http://mapq.st/pe767L

Special Regional Service TONIGHT in Fayette County

2011-07-14T13:33:00.002-05:00

Special Regional Service TONIGHT (July 14th, 2011) at “The Center” in Fayette County

This service climaxes “40 days of prayer" for this area.

There will be a special announcement concerning the Body of Christ and the South Metro Atlanta region.

Where: "The Center," 640 Ebenezer Church Road, Fayetteville, GA 30215

MAP: http://mapq.st/pXV7F3

When: July 14th, Thursday Night

What time: 7:00 PM until…

If you are interested in unity, in regional prayer, in revival, you'll want to be there, if you can.

There will be a time of worship followed by some exciting news for the South Atlanta Region.

(Childcare will be provided for ages 3-12.)

For more information, please contact Phillip Fields at getrealministries@yahoo.com

Meet the New Pastor at Holly Grove AME Church

2011-06-23T14:48:00.002-05:00

Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church will hold a "Meet the New Pastor" reception for Reverend Larry Ervin and his wife, Jacqueline, on Sunday, June 26, 2011 after the 10:30 AM service.

(The service should last approximately two hours; the reception should start around 12:30 PM and last approximately 90 minutes.)

Holly Grove AME Church is located at 400 Holly Grove Church Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269-3648.

MAP: http://mapq.st/mhgzD9

I have personally worshiped dozens of times at Holly Grove and can assure you that you will be warmly received.

Regional Prayer TONIGHT in Tyrone

2011-04-29T16:18:00.001-05:00

Regional Prayer TONIGHT in Tyrone

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways,then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 CHRONICLES 7:14

What: A weekly REGIONAL (non-denominational) Prayer (and Praise) Gathering in Tyrone for the "southern crescent of Atlanta".

Why: To seek the Lord's favor for South Metro Atlanta and to foster Revival.

When: Every Friday Night (exceptions for holidays)

Time: 7:14 PM ( See 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray...")

Where: Compass Dance Academy, (770) 632-5600

118 Palmetto Road, Suite A, Tyrone, GA 30290-6804

MAP: http://mapq.st/fRVmxR

Please come when you can. Spread the word. Bring a friend!

Let Us Pray for America!

2011-03-22T12:16:00.005-05:00

There wil be an area-wide Prayer Meeting tonight (Tuesday, March 22.2011) in Peachtree City at Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Rev. Sam Phillips, Paster.) from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This is a regular monthly meeting of believers from all over the southern crescent of Atlanta.

This non-denominational group is Praying for America, from the highest levels and global issues right down to the local level. We will be praying for God's Will to be done and for his people to repentently turn to Him.

Vineyard Christian Fellowship is located at 304 Dividend Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269-1908, between Comcast and Theo's Automotive.

MAP: http://mapq.st/dFB1Gi

Please join us; Spread the word; Bring a friend!

For more information, please contact John and Susan Potts at susan@pottspediatrics.com

Regional Prayer TONIGHT in Tyrone

2011-03-18T13:26:00.005-05:00

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways,then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 CHRONICLES 7:14

What: A weekly REGIONAL (non-denominational) Prayer (and Praise) Gathering in Tyrone for the "southern crescent of Atlanta".

Why: To seek the Lord's favor for South Metro Atlanta and to foster Revival.

When: Every Friday Night (exceptions for holidays)

Time: 7:14 PM ( See 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray...")

Where: Compass Dance Academy, (770) 632-5600

118 Palmetto Road, Suite A, Tyrone, GA 30290-6804

MAP: http://mapq.st/fRVmxR

Please come when you can. Spread the word. Bring a friend!

Weekly: REGIONAL Prayer Gathering for Revival

2011-03-04T17:56:00.002-05:00

What: A weekly REGIONAL (non-denominational) Prayer (and Praise) Gathering in Tyrone for the "southern crescent of Atlanta".

Why: To seek the Lord's favor for South Metro Atlanta and to foster Revival.

When: Every Friday Night (exceptions for holidays)

Time: 7:14 PM ( From 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 -- "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and prayand seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.")

Where: Compass Dance Academy, (770) 632-5600

118 Palmetto Road, Suite A, Tyrone, GA 30290-6804

MAP: http://mapq.st/g9wQov

Weak and tired? Then praise the LORD!

2011-03-04T17:51:00.001-05:00

For a week or more I have been feeling weak and tired. Today has been particularly challenging.

Here is part of a timely devotional I received today via e-mail from Rev. Dr. Issaiah Waddy:

Father, we get tired and sometimes we get weak. We must confess we even weary in doing good. Not just our enemies but even our family and love ones get on our nerves. Father, You have such patience with us, loving and providing for us when we are pouting and mean. Father, teach us to strive to be like Your Son Jesus, loving wholeheartly.

In our tiredness refresh us, in our weakness strengthen us, in our sadness give us Joy, peace and the Holy Ghost. Help us to strip off apathy, complacency, depression, unforgiving spirits, laziness, intolerance, and help us put on the garment of praise.

Let everything that lives sing praises to the Lord!

When we praise, we feel better; when we praise, we serve better; when we praise, we love greater; when we praise, burdens are lifted and yokes are destroyed

Time for spring cleaning?

2011-03-03T11:24:00.002-05:00

According to the World of Quotes, John Wesley included in one of his sermons, "Certainly this is a duty, not a sin. Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness.'"

Further back, the Talmud states, "The doctrines of religion are resolved into carefulness; carefulness into vigorousness; vigorousness into guiltlessness; guiltlessness into abstemiousness; abstemiousness into cleanliness; cleanliness into godliness." [Maybe that's where Wesley got it from?]

(Even the Quran is credited with adopting the idea, with its, "God loveth the clean.")

Perhaps this would be a good time to clean our "spiritual houses," too.

Consider Hebrews 12:1 -- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Weekly: REGIONAL Prayer Gathering for Revival

2011-02-04T13:26:00.003-05:00

What: A weekly REGIONAL (non-denominational) Prayer (and Praise) Gathering in Tyrone for the "southern crescent of Atlanta".

Why: To seek the Lord's favor for South Metro Atlanta and to foster Revival.

When: Every Friday Night (exceptions for holidays)

Time: 7:14 PM ( See 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- "If my people, who are called by my name...")

Where: Compass Dance Academy, (770) 632-5600

118 Palmetto Road, Suite A, Tyrone, GA 30290-6804

MAP: http://mapq.st/g9wQov

Please join us when you can. Spread the word. Bring a Friend!

Predictions for 2011

2011-01-14T10:01:00.002-05:00

Top 10 Predictions for 2011 (received in an e-mail from a friend)

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't it great to remember WHO is really in control? And that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever." ( 1 Peter 1:25 )

I hope you found this encouraging! I sure did. Sometimes we need the reminder of just WHO is really in Control.

Planting the Seeds of Brotherhood

2011-01-13T16:01:00.000-05:00

"Those who are willing to go more than half-way are the ones who will plant the seeds of brotherhood." -- Tom Kroessig

Weekly Regional Prayer Gathering for Atlanta's 'Southern Cresent"

2010-12-03T10:25:00.003-05:00

What: A weekly (non-denominational) prayer and praise gathering in Tyrone for the "southern crescent of Atlanta".

Why: To seek the Lord's favor for south metro Atlanta.

When: Every Friday Night (exceptions for holidays.)

Time: 7:14 PM (See 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- "If my people...")

Where: Compass Dance Academy, (770) 632-5600
118 Palmetto Road, Suite A, Tyrone, GA 30290-6804

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Tyrone&state=GA&address=118+Palmetto+Rd&zipcode=30290-6804&country=US&latitude=33.48079&longitude=-84.59005&geocode=ADDRESS

PLEASE join us when you can as we seek God's favor for this area. Bring a friend!

We want to unite as many believers from south metro as possible. [I know that many of you are already praying for this individually or with others in your church, but I believe that there is great value in getting us all together "in one place." See Acts 2:1]

The plan is to continue every Friday night at 7:14 PM (except for holidays, e.g. DEC. 24th) until the Lord directs otherwise.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. ACTS 4:31

Thanksgiving Thoughts

2010-11-25T09:08:00.002-05:00

Yes, we have problems, but we have a lot to be thankful for in the United States. One of the things we can be thankful for is the relative abundance of food. Our culture celebrates with food. Think about it. We have banquets, bar-b-ques, buffets (some all-you-can-eat!), picnics, wedding receptions, and church dinners, just to name a few of our food centered activities; And, of course, today we have THANKSGIVING DINNER. The Pilgrims shared a meal as they thanked God for surving their first year (many did not) in the New World.

A few years ago I read that much of the world's population has no concept of what our thanksgiving dinners are like. Today, I'll sit down to the largest meal my wife prepares all year. I'll think about not eating too much, but I probably will anyway. Maybe you will, too. But, I try not to take this feast for granted. I know how lucky we are and that makes me even more thankful!

Monthly Prayer Meeting for Revival in America

2010-11-22T14:30:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, November 23rd from 7-9 PM

Praying for Revival in America!

Isn't it time for the Body of Christ in this area to humble ourselves before the Lord of Glory and to seek His face?

(This is a non-denominational group of believers from all over the greater Fayette/Coweta County area. They have been meeting monthly.)

Location: Vineyard Christian Fellowship (VCF) Worship Center --
304 Dividend Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269-1908

(between Paschall Road and Kelly Drive; between Theo's Automotive and COMCAST.)

[The Pastor at VCF is my good friend, Rev. Sam Phillips.]

All are welcome; Bring a friend!

Dress is CASUAL.

MAP: http://mapq.st/h/6-4AE15brl

Edgefield Baptist Church's 140th Anniversary

2010-10-01T13:00:00.000-05:00

Edgefield Baptist Church in Fayetteville will celebrate its 140th Anniversary this Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 3:00 PM. The Senior Pastor at Edgefield is Reverend Eddie Thomas.

The theme for the anniversary is "We have come This Far by Grace."

"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 (KJV)

The guest preacher will be Reverend William Holmes of Second Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Edgefield is located at 140 Church Street, Fayetteville, GA 30214-1612.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=140+Church+St&zipcode=30214-1612&country=US&latitude=33.450741&longitude=-84.452558&geocode=ADDRESS

What Kind of Warrior Are You?

2010-09-24T11:10:00.001-05:00

Sun Tzu, a Chinese general, strategist and author of The Art of War, put it this way over 2000 years ago: “It is the unemotional, reserved, calm, detached warrior who wins, not the hothead seeking vengeance and not the ambitious seeker of fortune.”

Pray for REVIVAL in America this Thursday night

2010-09-22T10:32:00.000-05:00

There will be a prayer meeting this Thursday night, September 23rd, to pray specifically for REVIVAL in America.

This non-denominational, apolitical event will take place at Vineyard Christian Fellowship of South Metro (VCF).

Starting time is 7:00 PM and ending time is tentatively set for 9:00 PM, or whenever the Holy Spirit directs.

VCF is located in Peachtree City at 304 Dividend Drive, right next to the COMCAST office.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Peachtree+City&state=GA&address=304+Dividend+Dr&zipcode=30269-1908&country=US&latitude=33.38635&longitude=-84.58457&geocode=ADDRESS

For more information please contact VCF at 770.487.9232 or info@southmetrovineyard.com

If you have a heart for REVIVAL in America, please try to join us there!

REVIVAL at Holly Grove AME Church

2010-08-23T15:39:00.002-05:00

Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is holding their REVIVAL Monday – Wednesday, August, 23-25, 2010. The Senior Pastor at Holly Grove AME Church is Rev. Eyvonne Whitman.

Everyone is invited!

Having worshipped at Holly Grove dozens of times myself, I can guarantee that you will be warmly welcomed!

Here's the schedule and the guest preachers:

Monday, August 23, 2010 - 7:00 PM

Reverend Regina Dotson Hibbert, Senior Pastor, Russell Temple AME Church, Newnan, GA

Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 7:00 PM

Reverend Gregory V. Eason - Senior Pastor, Big Bethel AME Church, Atlanta, GA

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 7: 00PM

Reverend Dr. Isaac N. Hudson Jr., Senior Pastor, Nichols Chapel AME Church, Phenix City, Alabama

Holly Grove is located in Peachtree City at 400 Holly Grove Church Road, off of the southern end of Robinson Road. Look for the white fence, the church sign, and the historical marker.

MAP to Holly Grove: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mapquest.com%2Fmaps%3Fcity%3DPeachtree%2BCity%26state%3DGA%26address%3D400%2BHolly%2BGrove%2BChurch%2BRd%26zipcode%3D30269-3648%26country%3DUS%26latitude%3D33.35649%26longitude%3D-84.52942%26geocode%3DADDRESS&h=7ba36

Local Men's Conference, Saturday, August 28, 2010

2010-08-23T13:57:00.006-05:00

A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of Biblical unity. -- PROMISE 6

Pastor Greg Watson and the men of Lamb of God Christian Church invite you to their Men's Conference, Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM. The theme of the conference is "God is Looking for a Few Good Men!"

Lamb of God Christian Church is a small but growing African-American congregation. They are participants in the Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF), an organization that promotes unity in the local body of Christ. Here is a chance for you to meet some new brothers in Christ.

The speakers Saturday will be Pastor Sebastian Holley of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Cartersville, GA and Pastor Eric B. Walker of Just Jesus Word of God Church in Morrow, GA.

Expect the conference to last approximately two hours, followed by lunch and fellowship. The cost is $10.00.

For those who are available, the conference will conclude on Sunday morning as part of the regular 10:00 AM worship service at Lamb of God with a message by Elder Larry Puckett from Griffin, GA.

Lamb of God Christian Church is located in northernmost Fayette County at 1929 GA Hwy. 85 North, north of Kenwood Road and on the east side of Hwy 85. It sits up on a hill in a business plaza that includes Auto Body Solutions.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Jonesboro&state=GA&address=1929+Highway+85&zipcode=30238-5652&country=US&latitude=33.513216&longitude=-84.429391&geocode=ADDRESS

Dress Code: Casual.

Please join us if you can!

REVIVALS this week at Fayette area churches

2010-08-02T12:23:00.004-05:00

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. EPHESIANS 4:4-6

Therefore, please consider attending one or more nights of these Revivals in local churches:

Mount Olive Baptist Church

Mount Olive Baptist Church (http://mtolivebaptistfayetteville.com) will hold their Revival this Wednesday through Friday, August 4-6, 2010 at 7:00 PM each night.
The Senior Pastor at Mount Olive is Rev. Melvin Ware. Everyone is invited!
The guest preachers are as follows: Wednesday, Pastor Carlton Huff from Emmanuel Baptist Church in Riverdale; Thursday, Rev. Otis White from Shiloh Baptist Church in Jonesboro; Friday, Pastor Keith Staley Chosen Generation Church (http://www.choseng.org) in East Point.

Mount Olive is located in northwest Fayette County at 1565 Hwy 92 N., Fayetteville, GA 30214-2803.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=1565+Highway+92+N&zipcode=30214-2803&country=US&latitude=33.528056&longitude=-84.510188&geocode=ADDRESS

_______________________________________________________

Hartford United Methodist Church (UMC)

Hartford United Methodist Church (UMC) will also hold their Revival this Wednesday through Friday, August 4-6, 2010 at 7:30 PM, nightly. The Guest Revivalist will be Rev. Walter Kimbrough from Cascade United Methodist Church (http://cascadeumc.org) in Atlanta. The Pastor of Hartford UMC is Reverend Frank Dean, Jr.

Hartford is located in Fayette County at 216 Padget Road. All are welcome!

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Senoia&state=GA&address=216+Padgett+Rd&zipcode=30276-1645&country=US&latitude=33.319709&longitude=-84.511417&geocode=ADDRESS

_________________________________________________________

The door to fellowship with these congregations is open. All you have to do is walk through it. Members from other area churches are sure to be in attendance also.

Help us Build Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood!

Youth Praise Dance Extravaganza, Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church

2010-07-30T19:49:00.000-05:00

Bethlehem Baptist Church
Youth Praise Dance Extravaganza
Saturday, July 31st at 6:00 PM

Bethlehem Baptist Church is located near the entrance to Falcon Field at 475 Dividend Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269-1940.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Peachtree+City&state=GA&address=475+Dividend+Dr&zipcode=30269-1940&country=US&latitude=33.366241&longitude=-84.572772&geocode=ADDRESS

Dress comfortably!

Meet the New Pastor at Merrill Chapel UMC

2010-07-29T12:21:00.002-05:00

Meet Reverend Richard Gilbert, the new Pastor at Merrill Chapel United Methodist Church (UMC), this Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Refreshments will be served on the church grounds.

Dress is casual; come as you are! Remember it's going to be in over 90 degrees!

Merrill Chapel UMC is located at 430 South Jeff Davis Drive, about 1/4 mile southeast of Jeff Davis Drive.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=430+S+Jeff+Davis+Dr&zipcode=30215-2139&country=US&latitude=33.44335&longitude=-84.446589&geocode=ADDRESS

REVIVALS at Fayette area churches

2010-07-20T14:30:00.003-05:00

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! PSALM 133.1

PROMISE 6 -- A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.

"I urge you to get out of whatever congregational, denominational, or racial box you may be in and help us Build biblical Bridges of Brotherhood in the local body of Christ! Please consider attending these REVIVALS. (I will be updating this list as the REVIVAL season continues into August.)" -- TAK

The REVIVAL at South Metro Ministries (www.southmetroministries.com) in Sharpsburg continues Tuesday/20th and Wednesday/21st at 7:00 PM. Tonight's speaker is Michelle Davenport (http://www.michelledavenport.org/). Wednesday's speaker is Kevin Wallace (http://www.kevin-wallace-ministries.com/). The Senior Pastor at South Metro Ministries is Reverend Alan Mathura.

South Metro Ministries is located at 3935 Highway 34 East, Sharpsburg, GA, 30277.

MAP to South Metro Ministries: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Sharpsburg&state=GA&address=3935+Highway+34+E&zipcode=30277-3552&country=US&latitude=33.399596&longitude=-84.659289&geocode=ADDRESS
________________________________________________________________________

Pastor Collus G. Watson and the Lamb of God Christian Church would like to extend your church family an invitation to our Summer Revival. Your presents will be greatly appreciated and we look forward to worshipping and praising the Lord with your entire congregation. Thanking you in advance for your friendship, prayers and support. God Bless you. Dates and times are as follows:

DATE TIME GUEST SPEAKER
7/21/2010 (Wed) 7:00 PM Bishop Milton Holston
Oak Grove Baptist Church of Senoia, GA.

7/22/2010 (Thurs) 7:00 PM Pastor Anthony Williams
United In Faith Ministries of McDonough, GA.

7/23/2010 (Fri) 7:00 PM Pastor Eric B. Walker
Just Jesus Word of God Church of Morrow, GA.

Lamb of God Christian Church is located in northeastern Fayette County at 1929 Hwy 85 North, Suites 1-3.

MAP to Lamb of God:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Jonesboro&state=GA&address=1929+Highway+85&zipcode=30238-5652&country=US&latitude=33.513216&longitude=-84.429391&geocode=ADDRESS
______________________________________________________________________________

Rising Star Baptist Church will hold their summer REVIVAL Monday through Wednesday, July 26-28, 2010 at 7:30 PM, nightly. The Senior Pastor at Rising Starr is Rev. Milton Reeves. The guest revivalist for all three nights will be Rev. Steven Coleman of True Vine Baptist Church in Tyrone.

Rising Starr is located at 1094 Old Greenville Road, Fayetteville, GA 30215-7045.

MAP to Rising Starr: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=1094+Old+Greenville+Rd&zipcode=30215-7045&country=US&latitude=33.333329&longitude=-84.453667&geocode=ADDRESS

REVIVAL, July 12-16, Wilks-Grove Baptist Church in PTC

2010-07-10T10:25:00.002-05:00

Wilks-Grove Baptist Church will hold their summer REVIVAL this Monday through Friday, July 12-16, 2010 at 7:30 PM, nightly. The Senior Pastor at Wilks-Grove is Reverend W. Anthony Guthrie. (revwalter@bellsouth.net)

Wilks-Grove is located at 182 Senoia Road, Peachtree City, GA, 30269-1000. It is 0.4 miles north of the Carmichael - Hemperley Funeral Home and just south of and on the opposite side of the road from the The Retreat apartments. Look for the green and white church sign. Turn west on the gravel road and cross the railroad tracks and you will be there!

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Peachtree+City&state=GA&address=182+Senoia+Rd&zipcode=30269-1000&country=US&latitude=33.43005&longitude=-84.604841&geocode=ADDRESS

New Hope UMC to hold 138th Anniversary Celebration

2010-07-09T13:50:00.003-05:00

New Hope United Methodist Church (UMC) will celebrate their 138th Anniversary this Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 2:30 PM. The Pastor at New Hope UMC is Reverend Belinda McCastle. Rev. McCastle is a member of the Fayette Area Ministerial Alliance (FAMA). She is also a spokes person for the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. The guest preacher for Sunday's event will be Reverend Jerome Drakeford of Flint Ridge Baptist Church in North Fayette.

New Hope is a welcoming congregation that believes in unity in the body of Christ.

New Hope is located in the Inman area of eastern Fayette County at 272 Weldon Road, Fayetteville, GA 30215-5500. It is not that easy to find the first time so I highly recommend that if you do not have GPS that you print out a map and/or directions.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=272+Weldon+Rd&zipcode=30215-5500&country=US&latitude=33.388371&longitude=-84.410661&geocode=ADDRESS

Please join the celebration if you can.

Office Fire at Promise Keepers headquarters

2010-07-08T14:31:00.007-05:00

There was a fairly extensive office fire at Promise Keepers headquarters in Denver, CO on Sunday, June 27, 2010. No one was injured. You can learn more by going to this link: http://www.promisekeepers.org/home/pk-office-fire The conference schedule is not affected. You can learn more about the 2010 PK Conferences at http://www.promisekeepers.org/events

Promise Keepers 2010 Orlando Conference.

2010-06-21T11:32:00.001-05:00

The Promise Keepers 2010 Orlando Conference, "Igniting Transformation" will take place on Saturday, August 18th, 2010.

This year only, to honor women for their support in the 20 years of the Promise Keepers ministry, men are encouraged to bring their wives to the conference. Children are also welcome to attend.

Three themes will be emphasized at this event:

1. Healing the Gender Divide
2. Ministering to the Poor, the Oppressed, and the Needy
3. Healing the Divide between Jew and Gentile

Location:
First Baptist Orlando
3000 South John Young Parkway
Orlando, Florida 32805

MAP for First Baptist Church: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Orlando&state=FL&address=3000+S+John+Young+Pkwy&zipcode=32805-6639&country=US&latitude=28.51553&longitude=-81.420449&geocode=ADDRESS

Find out more and REGISTER: http://www.promisekeepers.org/events/orlando-event

First Baptist is located less than 10 miles from major Orlando attractions. Perhaps some of you could consider a family vacation in conjunction with the PK Conference.

Promise Keepers Conference in Denver, August 13-14, 2010

2010-06-21T11:02:00.003-05:00

Promise Keepers will hold a PK Classic Conference in Englewood (Denver suburb), Colorado on Friday and Saturday, August 13-14, 2010.

"At the PK Classic you will get revved up about your faith. We are calling you out to stand in the trenches and be spiritual warriors - men who understand the times, know what to do, and are willing to do it."

Conference location:

First Church of the Nazarene
3800 E. Hampden Avenue,
Englewood, CO 80113

Speakers include Coach Bill McCartney, Dr. Raleigh Washington, Dr. Bob Beltz, and Dr. Gary Smalley.

Get more details and REGISTER at http://promisekeepers.org/events/denver-event

Holly Grove AME Church 113th ANNIVERSARY

2010-05-19T10:00:00.003-05:00

Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church will celebrate its 113th Anniversary at their regular 10:30 AM worship service, this Sunday, May 23, 2010. The Senior Pastor at Holly Grove is Reverend Eyvonne Whitman.

I have been fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Holly Grove for over six years. They are a very welcoming congregation.

I understand that many of you may be otherwise occupied at you own church on Sunday mornings, but perhaps some of you will be able to come to Holly Grove to help them celebrate. I'll be there to help make introductions.

Holly Grove is located at 400 Holly Grove Church Road, just off the south end of Robinson Road. Look for the church sign, the historical marker, and the white fence.

MAP:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Peachtree+City&state=GA&address=400+Holly+Grove+Church+Rd&zipcode=30269-3648&country=US&latitude=33.35649&longitude=-84.52942&geocode=ADDRESS

Dress Code: Most men (not all) will be in jackets and ties.

Men's Revival at Mount Olive Baptist Church

2010-04-19T10:24:00.003-05:00

Mount Olive Baptist Church will hold a Men's Revival at 7:00 PM 0n Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 21-23, 2010. The Senior Pastor at Mount Olive is Rev. Melvin Ware. Wednesday's Guest Preacher will be Rev. Leroy Hill from Morningstar Baptist Church in Newnan. Thursday's preacher will be Pastor John Battle from New Shield of Faith Christian Ministries in Atlanta. Reverend Battle was a basketball star at Rutgers University and in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks. Friday's message will be delivered by Pastor Willie Johnson of Newnan, GA. Men's Day will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Sunday, April 25, 2010 with a sermon by Rev. Peter Robinson, Associate Pastor at Mt. Olive.

Here's how you know you will be welcomed at any or all of these events: Mt Olive is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) which seeks to promote unity among area churches. [I have personally worship dozens of times with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Mount Olive.]

Mount Olive is located at 1565 Hwy 92 North. For more information, please contact the church office at 770-461-6526 or belindajwashington@hotmail.com.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=1565+Highway+92+N&zipcode=30214-2803&country=US&latitude=33.528056&longitude=-84.510188&geocode=ADDRESS

PROMISE # 6: "A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity."

South Hadley High School Bullying

2010-04-09T09:51:00.005-05:00

I am a big fan of Chuck Colson's BreakPoint commentary. Today's article is a wake-up call for all parents.

http//www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/14138

Today: Community Good Friday Service

2010-04-02T08:39:00.003-05:00

EVERYONE is invited to the Community Good Friday Service , featuring "The Seven Last Words of Christ," today from Noon to 1:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City. Each "Word" will be delivered by a different local area Pastor.

MANY people with other commitments, like work, will come and go during the service, so feel free to do the same.

DIRECTIONS: http://www.firstpresptc.com/map.php

Promise Keepers 2010 Orlando Conference

2010-03-31T13:59:00.002-05:00

It's official:

Promise Keepers 2010 Orlando Conference!

Theme: "City Transformation"

August 28, 2010

Orlando, FL

Location: TBD

For the first time ever, women are invited to this year's conferences as a way of thanking you for all your support during Promise Keepers' 20 years of ministry to men.

Start planning your road trip now.

Maybe you can piggy back it with a few extra days of fun and sun...

See http://www.promisekeepers.org/events/orlando-event for details and REGISTRATION.

Government Funded "Medical" Marijuana for EVERY American

2010-03-23T11:57:00.001-05:00

Democrats announced today in Washington, D. C. a bill to provide government funded “medical” marijuana to everyone in America. President Obama was quick to throw his support behind the pending legislation, saying, “If not now, then when; If not us, then who?”

Details were apparently being worked out in a smoke-filled room. Despite long hours, many described the attitude of lawmakers as light hearted. House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who came to encourage her Democratic colleagues was said to be “positively giddy” over the idea. The Speaker was quoted as saying, “This is a right for all Americans, not a privilege!”

A Spokesperson for the AARP was quick to endorse the efforts, noting that no group in America deserved to kick back and relax more that citizens over the age of 55 adding that this bill would “take the edge off” the recent cuts in Medicare benefits.

Details are still being worked out, but one unnamed source confirmed that the benefits will be available without a prescription. Apparently, you will just need to tell your pharmacist that you are: 1) “feeling a little bit queasy,” 2) that you are “somewhat down”, or 3) that you are “having a bad day. “

Originally thought to target only those over the age of 18, children 12 years and older will qualify under “the dog ate my homework” provision of the bill. The NEA was quick to point out that students could use “a little help” coping with the enormous pressure put on them by parents to perform well in school.

Amongst concerns over raising taxes and adding to the mounting federal debt, House Majority Leader Harry Reid said that he expected there to be less concern over the Bill once Americans “see what’s in it.”

Also included in the Bill is funding for research to produce a more potent strain of marijuana for use in the program. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn confirmed this by saying, “After all, we want the American taxpayers to get their money’s worth.”

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs that the majority of Americans support the idea and that most will “get a kick out of the benefits.”

Former President Bill Clinton said he did not oppose the legislation but recommended that users not inhale. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that she and her staff would “work tirelessly to ensure that women in American get their fare share.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he expected EVERY Republican in the Senate and in the House to vote against this or any other bill that causes so many tax dollars to “go up in smoke.”

I personally see this as the Democrats’ trying to fulfill their election mandate. After all, since they know what’s best for America, how bad can this Bill be?

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

2010-03-21T08:34:00.003-05:00

I'm kind of a fan of obscure holidays. I mean someone somewhere went to the trouble of making these days official somehow. March 21st is "International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination." (Established by the United Nations: http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/racial/.)

Personally, I think that EVERY day should be Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day. The Bible reveals God's position: EVERY person is precious to Him; Precious enough for Him to send His only Son, Jesus Christ, to save all who would receive Him from their sins.

Have you learned yet, as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught to "judge a man by the content of his character, rather than the color of his skin"? If not, today is a perfect day to start.

It's Grondhog Day!

2010-02-02T12:50:00.003-05:00

So, today, February 2nd, is Groundhog Day. This day always reminds me of my all time favorite movie of the same name, "Groundhog Day." Perhaps it’s because I can relate so well to Bill Murray’s character, TV weatherman Phil Connors, who repeats the same day over and over again. (Everyone else is repeating the same day but Phil is the only on who remembers previous days.)

It’s hard to second guess what Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin were thinking when they wrote the original screenplay, but there seems to be a supernatural force somehow controlling Phil's circumstances, perhaps as punishment for past his selfish behavior.

I know that this film is not a perfect picture of Christian virtues and the transformed life, but Phil learns that he is somehow reliving Groundhog Day over and over and over again. (He also learns what the “rules” are, such as there are seemingly no consequences carried over from the previous day(s). Early on he uses this to his selfish (sinful?) advantage. Isn’t that a picture of a worldly man indulging his flesh? As time goes on he begins to use this “gift” to help other people, perhaps a type of redemption and transformation.

It also doesn’t hurt that the beautiful Andie MacDowell plays Phil’s love interest, Rita, in the movie. At first she wants little to do with Phil. He gradually cleans up his act (there are 34 separate Groundhog Days depicted in the film, but they are set over a period of ten years! Like me, Phil was a slow learner...). Rita is eventually attracted to the man he has become.

Last, but not least, I like the fact that the movie has a happy ending. For me and my wife, this film is like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and we think that everyone should see both movies at least once a year!

The Cowboy Boots

2010-02-01T10:40:00.001-05:00

Did you hear about the Texas teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put on his cowboy boots?

He asked for help and she could see why.

Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots still didn't want to go on. By the time they got the second boot on, she had worked up a sweat.

She almost cried when the little boy said, 'Teacher, they're on the wrong feet.' She looked, and sure enough, they were. It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on, this time on the right feet.

He then announced, 'These aren't my boots.'

She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, 'Why didn't you say so?' like she wanted to. Once again, she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off his little feet.

No sooner had they gotten the boots off when he said, 'They're my brother's boots.. My mom made me wear 'em.'

Now she didn't know if she should laugh or cry. But, she mustered up what grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again.

Helping him into his coat, she asked, 'Now, where are your mittens?'

He said, 'I stuffed 'em in the toes of my boots.'

FCCF to hold "5th Sunday" Celebration

2010-01-30T12:41:00.005-05:00

The Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) will hold its regular "Fifth Sunday" celebration on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 2:30 PM at Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. The Senior Pastor at Flat Rock is Reverend Ed Johnson. The theme for the celebration is "Christians Fellowshipping in On Accord for Kingdom Building." The Guest Preacher will be Reverend Dale Foster, Pastor of Free Spirit Ministries (http://fsmwc.org/) in Fairburn, GA. Reverend Mike Stachura of Grace Evangelical Church is also on the program. (I personally have a small part in the program.)

The FCCF is "Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood" across racial and denominational lines. We are eager to have you join us in these efforts! We believe that the potential impact of Biblical unity on Atlanta's Southern Crescent is great. Come and see!

Flat Rock AME Church is located at 148 Old Chapel Lane, just off GA Hwy 54 near the postal distribution center.

DIRECTIONS to Flat Rock AMEC: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=148+Old+Chapel+Ln&zipcode=30215-4821&country=US&latitude=33.445492&longitude=-84.521261&geocode=ADDRESS

For further in formation about the Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF), please contact FCCF President, Rev. Jerome Drakeford, Senior Pastor of Flint Ridge Baptist Church, at jeromesusie@bellsouth.net or 770-461-8742.

I am blessed to be a "friend" of the FCCF and you will be, also!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Subsequent FCCF Celebrations in 2010 will take place on May 30th (at Flint Ridge Baptist Church), on August 29th, and on October 31st, always at 2:30 PM. Details will be forthcoming.

Top 10 Predictions for 2010

2010-01-13T15:59:00.002-05:00

(A friend sent me this list via e-mail. I thought it was worth sharing.)

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on earth.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still honor the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Our response for Haiti

2010-01-13T13:35:00.002-05:00

As we consider the tragedy unfolding in Haiti, here is a quote from today's reading of My Utmost For His Highest (Updated Edition) by Oswald Chambers:

"As you journey with God, the only thing He intends to be clear is the way He deals with your soul. The sorrows and difficulties in the lives of others will be absolutely confusing to you."

The why of the disaster will not be revealed to us. Rather, we need to prayerfully determine how we will respond. This is a time to be compassionate.

Upcoming Events, January 2010

2010-01-08T16:03:00.004-05:00

The following upcoming events provide opportunities to build unity in the local body of Christ:

Sunday, January 17, 2010

True Love Christian Ministries will hold their Church Anniversary at 3:00 PM.

The Pastor at True Love is Elder Nathaniel Livingston.

The theme is "NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO WORK AND PRAY"

Pastor Jerome Drakeford, from Flint Ridge Baptist Church, will be the guest speaker.

(Yours truly also has a small part in the on the program.)

True Love is located at 192 Graves Road (off Gingercake Road), Fayetteville, GA 30215

Monday, January 18, 2010

2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration (To some, this may not seem to be about the Body of Christ, but many of the parade entries are African-American churches and, believe me, the commemorative program will seem a lot like a church service.)

Parade: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

(Likely) Route: From Fayette County High School to Tiger Trail, Left on Forest Avenue, Right on GA Hwy 85, Right on GA Hwy 54, westbound to Tiger Trail, and return to FCHS.

Commemorative Program: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, in the Joseph A. Sams Auditorium.

Sunday, January 31, 2009

Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) will hold their regular Fifth Sunday Celebration at 2:30 PM at Flat Rock AME Church; Reverend Ed Johnson, is the Pastor. The theme will be "Christians Operating on One Accord to Make God's Dream a Reality." The Guest Preacher will be Reverend Dale Foster of Free Spirit Ministries in Fairburn, GA. The Free Spirit choir will sing at the service.

Flat Rock AMEC is located at 148 Old Chapel Lane (just off of GA Hwy 54), Fayetteville, GA, 30215.

Happy Epiphany!

2010-01-06T21:13:00.003-05:00

Epiphany: a Christian festival held on January 6th, commemorating, in the Western Church, the manifestation of Christ to the Magi and, in the Eastern Church, the baptism of Christ. It's also known as Three Kings Day or in Spain, Mexico, and other countries, El Dia de Los Reyes.

In Mexico and Spain children receive gifts on this day, brought by the Three Wise Men, Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltazar. The Three Kings are actually more popular there than Santa Clause!

Eastern Christians believe that The Epiphany was the day Christ was baptized in the Jordan River. In New Jersey, where I grew up, there was a significant percentage of Greeks. It was referred to as "Little Christmas." It's also referred to as Twelfth Night, and in Italy, La Befana (an old women who leaves presents for the children).

Traditionally, my family (even tough we are not Greek) has kept our Christmas lights up and lit through this "Twelfth day of Christmas." In some ways, I'd like to keep my lights up and lit all year long. When I was on active duty in the Are Force, I flew with a Lt Col Powell who smiled almost all the time. When I finally asked him why, he said, "Everyday is Holiday if you know Jesus!"

Christmas Candles in the Windows

2009-12-06T09:25:00.004-05:00

I went to a church service last night at Edgefield Baptist Church in Fayetteville(http://www.edgefield-zion.org/) [Pastor Eddie Thomas] for their Tribe of Judah (choir) Gala. I came home to find that my wife, Jane, had put the Christmas candles in the windows. She tries to surprise me every year because she knows how much I like it. I tell her "It's the best night of the year!" because the candles remind me that the Christ Child is coming! Indeed, He has already come.

In this time where busy schedules and the Christmas "rush" can cause us to get distracted, I pray that something will cause you to remember Jesus often during this Advent season. We all need the Prince of Peace to help keep everything in perspective.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:50:00.005-05:00

This proclamation of the first Thanksgiving observance by President George Washington seems to making the rounds on the internet this year, and when you read it you will understand why.

The First Thanksgiving Proclamation,

November 26, 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and
Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted' for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third of October, in the year of our Lord 1789.

(signed) G. Washington

As Evangelist Billy Kim has said, God has blessed the United States of America like no other nation in the world. The question for us, especially as authentic believers, is "What are we going to do about it?"

I hope that you, like me, are most thankful for the the salvation received through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we remember that we "are not our own" and that we were "bought with a price." Doesn't that give God the "right" to to come get us and use us to further His kingdom?

What, me sing in public?

2009-11-25T12:26:00.003-05:00

The Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) will hold its regular "Fifth Sunday" service on November 29, 2009 at 2:30 PM at True Love Christian Ministries in Fayette County. Yours truly will be singing a solo (really!) during the service, which is worth the price of admission (which, of course, is free...)

True Love Christian Ministries is located at 192 Graves Road, just off of Gingercake Road. The Senior Pastor at True Love is Elder Nathaniel Livingston. For more information, contact Elder Carl Golden at goldenltn49@gmail.com.

MAP:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=192+Graves+Rd&zipcode=30214-3697&country=US&latitude=33.486254&longitude=-84.489649&geocode=ADDRESS

Please join us for this celebration of Christian Unity!

Are You Afraid?

2009-11-16T09:50:00.004-05:00

As if life wasn't challenging enough sometimes, I recently learned that I may be suffering from Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia. Perhaps, without you realizing it, this condition affects you, too. Maybe, like me, you too have a fear of long words!

For more things you might be afraid of, see http://www.phobialist.com/.

2009 Summer Revivals

2009-08-12T14:12:00.005-05:00

It's Revival Season for many African-American churches in this area. I have worshiped at and been warmly welcomed by each of the churches listed here. I highly recommend that you attend as many of these services as possible to help us continue to Build Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood!

True Love Christian Ministries

True Love Christian Ministries will hold a Revival Wednesday-Friday, August 12th, 13th, and 14th at 7:15 PM, nightly. Pastor Eddie Thomas of Edgefield Baptist Church in Fayetteville, is the Revivalist for the 12th and 13th. Reverend Melvin Ware, Senior Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, will be the Revivalist on Friday night.

The Senior Pastor of True Love Christian Ministries is Elder Nathaniel Livingston. True Love is located just off of Gingercake Road at 192 Graves Road, Fayetteville, GA 30214-3697.

MAP for True Love: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=192+Graves+Road&zipcode=30214

New Hope United Methodist Church

New Hope United Methodist Church’s summer revival is Wednesday through Friday, August 12th-14th, starting at 7:30 PM. The guest minister is Rev. James E. Harris, Pastor of Dixon Grove Baptist Church, located in Jonesboro, GA. The Senior Pastor at New Hope UMC is Rev. Belinda McCastle. New Hope is located at 272 Weldon Road in the Inman area of Fayette County (Fayetteville, GA 30215-5500.)

MAP for New Hope UMC: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayeteville&state=GA&address=272+Weldon+Road+&zipcode=30215

Bethlehem Baptist Church

Bethlehem Baptist Church’s Homecoming Service will be held Sunday, August 16th during the morning worship service at 11:00 AM. Reverend Dwight Elder is the speaker. Revival Services will be held Wednesday, August 19th through Friday, August 21st at 7:30 PM, nightly. The Guest Revivalist is Reverend Steven Coleman of True Vine Baptist Church of Tyrone.

Bethlehem is located in Peachtree City at 475 Dividend Drive, 30269-1940. The church phone is (770) 631-0267.

MAP for Bethlehem BC: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/mapaol.adp?city=Peachtre+City&state=GA&address=475+Dividend+Drive&zip=30269-1940

Flint Ridge Baptist Church

Flint Ridge Baptist Church will be in Revival from Aug 19th-21st, starting at 7:00 PM each night. Thursday Night is designated as "Youth Night." The theme for this Revival is: "Being Filled to Do His Will" (EPHESIANS 5:18-20).

The Speakers are as follows:

Wed. Night: Pastor Roosevelt Loveless (Grace Baptist Church in Morrow, GA),
Thur. Night: Min. Dekendell Young (Central Baptist Church in Prichard, Alabama), &
Fri. Night: Pastor Carlton Huff (Emmanuel Baptist Church in Riverdale, GA).

Flint Ridge is located just off GA Hwy 85 in north Fayette County at 104 Old Road, Fayetteville, GA, 30214-3954.

MAP for Flint Ridge BC: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=104+Old+Road&zipcode=30214

Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church

Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church invites you to help them celebrate their upcoming Revival Services. The Senior Pastor at Holly Grove AME Church is Reverend Eyvonne Whitman.

Revival Services will be Monday through Wednesday, August 24-26, 2009 - 7:00 PM

Holly Grove AMEC is located at 400 Holly Grove Church Road, Peachtree City, GA, 30269, off the southern end of Robinson Road, between Oakdale Avenue and Aston Park. Look for the Historical Marker, the church sign, and the white fence.

MAP to Holly Grove AMEC: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Peachtree+City&state=GA&address=400+Holly+Grove+Church+Road&zipcode=30269

Merrill Chapel United Methodist Church

Merrill Chapel United Methodist Church will hold their REVIVAL Monday, August 24 through Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 7:30 PM, nightly.

Rev. Otis L. Pickett, Pastor of Destiny Faith Church in Atlanta, Georgia, will be the Revivalist.

Merrill Chapel is located at 430 South Davis Drive in Fayetteville.

MAP for Merrill Chapel: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=430+South+Jeff+Davis+Drive&zipcode=30215

Edgefield Baptist Church

Edgefield Baptist Church in Fayetteville will hold their Summer Revival on Monday and Tuesday, August 24-25, 2009 at 7:00 PM, nightly. The Senior Pastor of Edgefield Baptist Church is Pastor Eddie Thomas. The Guest Revivalist for both nights will be Pastor Wendy Smith of Greater Victory Christian Center in East Point, Georgia. Edgefield is located at 140 Church Street. Edgefield web site: http://www.edgefield-zion.org.

MAP for Edgefield Baptist Church: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=GA&address=140+Church+Street&zipcode=30214

Liberty Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church

Liberty Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church will have their Homecoming on Sunday, 8/23/09. Rev. H. E. Terrell, retired Presiding Elder, will bring the message during the morning service at 11:00 AM. Dinner follows the morning service. Rev. David Trott and Greater Mt. Zion AMEC-Newnan will be special guests at the 2:30 PM service.

Liberty Hill’s Revival runs from Wednesday-Friday, 8/26 - 8/28/09, 7:30 PM nightly.

The Guest Preachers are as follows:

Wednesday: Pastor Phillip Bannamon of Knights Monumental AMEC, Stockbridge, GA.

Thursday: Pastor Ed Johnson of Flat Rock AMEC, Fayetteville.

Friday: Pastor Robert Homes of Hickory Log Missionary Baptist Church, Canton.

Liberty Hill is located in eastern Coweta County. The address is 210 Minix Road (off Fisher Road), Sharpsburg, GA, 30277-1735.

MAP for Liberty Hill AMEC: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/mapaol.adp?city=Sharpsburg&state=GA&address=210+Minix+Road&zip=30277-1735

The Declaration of Independence (emphasis added)

2009-07-05T12:47:00.003-05:00

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies.

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

My Country 'Tis of Theee

2009-07-05T12:04:00.004-05:00

As we celebrate the 4th of July (commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, I thought you might like to see the 4th verse of America (My Country 'Tis of Thee), written by Samuel Francis Smith while he was a seminary student. The song was first performed publicly in 1831. It served as our de facto national anthem until the Star Spangled Banner (though written in 1814) was officially made our national anthem in 1931.

[emphasis added]

Our fathers' God, to Thee,

author of liberty, to Thee we sing;

long may our land be bright

with freedom's holy light;

protect us by thy might, great God, our King. (Amen!)

PS Widely used, though little remembered, was the rallying cry used by many colonialists during the Revolutionary War: "NO king but JESUS!"

Remembering America's Creed

2009-07-05T12:00:00.003-05:00

Check out Chuck Colson's commentary on the "American Creed."

http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=11976

142 Anniversary at Bethlehem Baptist Church

2009-06-06T08:54:00.002-05:00

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! PSALM 133.1

Pastor Dwight Elder and the Bethlehem Baptist Church family would be honored to have you join them to help celebrate their 142nd Church Anniversary program on Sunday, June 7th at 2:30 PM.

The guest speaker will be Reverend Edward Cochran of the Floyd Chapel Baptist Church in Stockbridge.

Here is their invitation to all, "Please come out and fellowship with us as we celebrate another year in Christ!"

Dinner will be served from 1:00-2:00 PM.

Bethlehem Baptist Church is located at 475 Dividend Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269-1940, just north of and opposite the entrance to Falcon Field.

Dress for this service is casual. Many people will be dressed in bib overalls, reflecting the dress of some of the earlier years of the church. However, you may come as you are.

We are building biblical bridges of brotherhood. Won't you join us?

65th Anniversary of D-Day

2009-06-06T08:45:00.003-05:00

As the world celebrates the 65th Anniversary of D-Day, I thought you might like to read the fourth verse of the Star Spangled Banner:

O! thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Holly Grove AME Church Anniversary and FUN FEST

2009-05-23T15:05:00.004-05:00

As part of their 112th Anniversary observance entitled Preserving Our Past, Building Our Future, Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church will hold a Fun Fest on Saturday, May 30, 2009, from 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM. The Pastor at Holly Grove AME Church is Reverend Eyvonne Whitman.

Bring the entire family!

Join us for food, games, and entertainment, including “note singers," chorus groups, and dance teams.

Visit the Historical Room in the church to learn more about the rich heritage of Holly Grove AME Church and of African-Americans in Fayette County.

LOCATION: 400 Holly Grove Church Road
Peachtree City, GA 30269

DIRECTIONS: South on Peachtree Parkway.
Right on Robinson Road .
Left on Holly Grove Church Road.
(Look for the historical marker, the white fence and the church sign.)

CONTACT: Holly Grove AME Church at (770) 631-7650.

On a personal note, a number of us have been fellowshiping with Holly Grove for several years now and am delighted to tell you that they have been active in the area-wide effort to Build Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood. Come share in the fun and meet some faithful brothers and sisters in Christ!

New Life Ministries' Dedication Services this week

2009-04-28T12:02:00.002-05:00

New Life Ministries in Fayetteville is moving to a new, larger location at 182 N. Glynn Street (behind Captain D’s). They are holding Dedication Services this week Tuesday through Thursday at 7:00 PM, nightly. The pastor is Pastor Glenn B. Allen, Sr.

TUESDAY: The guest preacher will be Dr. Jonathan Carter of Siloam Church International in College Park.

WEDNESDAY: The message will be brought by Reverend T. Gerry Anderson of New Macedonia Baptist Church in Riverdale.

THURSDAY: Dr. Howard Creecy, Jr. of The Olivet Church in Fayetteville will preach.

The web site for New Life Ministries (under construction) is http://www.nlm1.org/. The Phone Number is (770)-719-8522; E-mail -- info@nlm1.org.

If your schedule permits, I urge you to step boldly out in faith and attend one or more of these services to encourage Pastor Allen and his congregation and to help us build biblical bridge of brotherhood right here in Fayette County.

A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

2009-04-12T15:43:00.004-05:00

You may have noticed that a number of churches and ministries refer to today as Resurrection Sunday.

According to Wikipedia:

The modern English term Easter developed from the old English word Ēastre or Ēostre or Eoaster, which itself developed prior to 899. The name refers to Eostur-monath, a month of the Germanic calendar attested by Bede as named after the goddess Eostre of Anglo-Saxon Paganism.

So it would appear that some folks are eager to distance themselves form a name that has pagan roots. Now, I'm not going to get all legalistic about this, but I personally like the change. Some churches have even given up Easter Egg Hunts, recognizing that the egg has been part of pagan
Spring and fertility celebrations for millennia. (To be fair, the boiled egg is also a part of the Jewish Passover meal, the Seder.) Now, I'm not going to get all legalistic about this, but personally, I like the change. After all, the term Resurrection Sunday puts the emphasis right back where it belongs, on Jesus Christ and on what is arguably the single most important event in history, His resurrection!

By the way, did you ever wonder how the day for the holiday (formerly, Holy Day) is set on the calendar each year? Again, according to Wikipedia:

Easter is the first Sunday after the Pascal Full Moon, which is the first moon whose 14th day (the ecclesiastic "full moon") is on or after March 21(the ecclesiastic "vernal equinox").

Got that?

FCCF Fifth Sunday Celebration

2009-03-25T11:28:00.004-05:00

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! PSALM 133:1 (NIV)

The Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) will hold their regular Fifth Sunday Celebration this Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 2:30 PM at Flint Ridge Baptist Church (Rev. Jerome Drakeford, Pastor). The FCCF schedules these celebrations as a way to build unity in the local body of Christ. Current participating churches include Bethlehem Baptist Church, Grace Evangelical Church, Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Flint Ridge Baptist Church, Mount Olive Baptist Church, and True Love Ministries. All members of the Christian community in the South Metro area are invited to attend!

The Guest Preacher for this event is Reverend Gerry Anderson, Senior Pastor of New Macedonia Baptist Church in Riverdale.

Flint Ridge Baptist Church is located in northern Fayette County at 104 Old Road, just off of GA Highway 85, just south of GA Highway 279. The phone number at Flint Ridge is 770-461-8742.

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayeteville&state=GA&address=104+Old+Road&zipcode=30214

Please join us as we continue to Build Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood! I believe that this is one of the best opportunities for unity among churches in this area. I can't begin to tell you how blessed I have been personally by getting to know the pastors and congregations of the churches participating in the FCCF. One of the most amazing discoveries is how God has already prepared their hearts for unity, also. For those of you who are undecided about this, I urge you to consider moving out of whatever congregational, denominational, and/or racial comfort zone you may be in and get involved!

Future FCCF Celebrations in 2009 wil be held May 31st, August 30th, and November29th. Details will follow.

Government Spending in Perspective

2009-03-12T10:46:00.003-05:00

According to National Republican Senatorial Committee, "... over the course of only seven weeks of the current Congressional session, Senate Democrats have passed more spending than the previous Administration spent on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Katrina recovery combined. "

Yikes! A long time ago I was an Economics major, so I probably only remember enough to be dangerous, but this level of spending really concerns me.

When some people see a problem in America they often assert that "the government ought to do something." One of the problems with government spending is that government does not have any money of it's own.

There are basically three ways the government gets money:

It taxes its citizens
It borrow money (through mechanisms like government bonds)
It prints money

Here's the problem with each of these approaches:

Taxes take money out of the "private sector" which needs money to produce and grow.
Borrowed money has to be paid back eventually, at least the interest on the debt.
Printing money to pay for government programs leads to inflation ("the cruelest tax of all"), which is just what happened during the Carter administration when it tried this approach.

I'm not trying to debate whether the government should spend money, I'm just saying that this level of spending comes with some very significant risks. If you're thinking that we'll pay for all this by increasing income taxes on the "wealthy," keep in in mind that there are NOT enough of them to cover the costs. Most of the burden, then, will have to be shouldered by the bulk of American taxpayers.

MLK Day 2009: Have you been to the mountaintop?

2009-01-19T15:19:00.004-05:00

Many Christians have had "mountaintop experiences," time with God that has the effect of changing their lives forever.

Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., I want to invite you to use the following link to hear and/or read the "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech that Dr. King gave in Memphis, TN on April 3, 1968. Dr. King was assassinated the following day.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm

I, personally, have been to the mountaintop of racial reconciliation and, for me, there is no going back, only forward. My prayer for all of us today is that God would get us alone with him on this issue and lead us toward unity in the local body of Christ.

In his speech, Dr King told the audience, "But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!" Part of that Promise Land will be reached tomorrow when President -elect Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. A possibility that most could only dare to dream about 40 years ago, is about to become reality.

MLK Birthday Celebration

2009-01-15T13:02:00.004-05:00

The Fayette County 2009 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration is Saturday, January 17th.

Here's the schedule of events:

Pre-Parade Breakfast Buffet ~ 9:30 - 10:30 AM
Lafayette Center Cafeteria (next door to the Joseph A. Sam's Auditorium)
COST: $5.00 (Cash or Check only)

Parade ~ 10:00 AM - 11 :45 AM

Commemorative Program ~ 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Joseph A. Sam's Auditorium

My thoughts:

I urge you to attend all or part of this celebration. These are historic times as November's election and next Tuesday's inauguration of President-elect Obama indicate. I've been told that there are 26 African-American pastors in Fayette county. I expect most of them, along with members of their congregations, to be there for Saturday's events. You can help build unity in the local body of Christ just by showing up. Believe me, your attendance will make a powerful statement. It will not mean that you agree with every thing that Dr. King and the NAACP ever did or said, but it will mean that you are willing to recognize and identify with the struggle of the people they represent. I have come to know many African-Americans in Fayette County as true brothers and sisters in Christ.

I strongly recommend that you "Google" Dr. King and learn more about him and what he really stood and worked for. In particular, search for his "I Have a Dream" speech and his "Letter From a Birmingham Jail."

Don't miss this opportunity! We are Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood!

DRESS WARMLY! Temperatures early Saturday morning may be in the single digits! It should "warm up" into the 30's by parade time. (I'm wearing my ski jacket and a wool cap!)

Local Watch Night Services

2008-12-31T13:55:00.005-05:00

The Watch Night Service originated with the Moravians in 1733. John Wesley appropriated the event into Methodism where it later became a Covenant Renewal Service. It gained special significance in African American congregations where it is sometimes referred to as Freedom’s Eve when in 1863 they waited eagerly for President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

Please consider attending a Watch Night Service at one of these local area African-American churches.

Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal Church (Reverend Ed Johnson), Free Spirit Ministries (Reverend Dale L. Foster), and Mount Olive Baptist Church (Reverend Melvin Ware), will hold combined services at 8:00 PM at Mount Olive at 1565 Hwy 92 N. and at 10:00 PM at Free Spirit Ministries which is located 7880 Wood Road in south Fairburn. See http://fsmwc.org/directions.php for directions to Free Spirit Ministries.

Bethlehem Baptist Church (Pastor Dwight Elder) will hold their service at 10:00 PM. Bethlehem is located in Peachtree City at 475 Dividend Drive, near the entrance to Falcon Field (follow the airport signs.)

Flint Ridge Baptist Church (Reverend Jerome Drakeford) will have their Watch Night/New Year’s Eve Service at 9:30 PM, followed by a light breakfast. Flint Ridge is located off of GA Hwy 85 at 104 Old Road, just south of GA Hwy 279 and the Quick Trip (QT) gas station.

The Unity Christian Church's Watch Night Service (Pastor Smith Atwater) will be held on New Year's Eve from 10:00 PM until shortly after 12 Midnight. Unity Church is located at 426 Rivers Road.

Edgefield Baptist Church (Pastor Eddie Thomas) will have a New Year's Eve Service at 9:00 PM. Edgefield is located at 140 Church Street in Fayetteville. (http://www.edgefield-zion.org/contact.shtml)

Little Vine Baptist Church (Reverend Steven Coleman), located at 115 Handley Road in Tyrone, will have their service at 10:00 PM.

The New Year’s Eve Celebration Service at Redemption Fellowship Church will begin at 10:30 PM. The pastor is Reverend Mike Higgins and Redemption Fellowship is located at 418 Highway 279. (http://redemptionfellowship.org)

New Hope United Methodist Church (Reverend Belinda McCastle) will hold their service from 10:00 PM to Midnight. New Hope is located at 272 Weldon Road in the Inman area.

The service at Merrill Chapel United Methodist Church (Pastor Deborah Turman) will be at 10:00 PM. Merrill Chapel is located at 430 South Jeff Davis Drive.

Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church (Reverend Eyvonne Whitman) and Flipper Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (Pastor Sherryl Powell) will be having a combined Watch Night from 10:00 PM -12:00 AM at Flipper Chapel. Flipper Chapel is located at 175 Booker Street in Fayetteville.

In the ministry of Promise Keepers we are deliberate and intentional about unity as is clearly shown in Promise # 6: A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity. Please be a part of this effort locally, which we call Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood!

I have personally worshiped in all of these churches except for Redemption Fellowship, Free Spirit Ministries, and Flipper Chapel AME Church (and I'll get to them eventually), but Reverend Higgins, Reverend Foster and Pastor Powell know me or know of me. I can assure you that you will be warmly received at each and every one of these services. A Watch Night Service is a great way to end one year and begin another.

Be bold! Be strong! The Lord, thy God, is with you!

May God continue to bless you as 2008 comes to a close and throughout the New Year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T09:50:00.003-05:00

I recently heard someone say that Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday since it is void of hype or over-anticipation and people are seldom disappointed by the day. Some view Thanksgiving as special because it is a time for gathering with family and friends, and it certainly is that for most of us. Others are deliberate about remembering the origin and/or spiritual basis for the day. After all, what we now call a holiday used to be referred to as a "Holy Day."

I read several years ago that most of the world can not conceive of a meal like the typical Thanksgiving dinner in America. That statement made me pause to consider just how much we have to be thankful for. Korean Evangelist Billy Kim once said that America has been blessed by God like no other country in the world.

My prayer for you today is that you find time to today and always to consider just how blessed you are and to render thanks to God accordingly!

For those of you who may be challenged by circumstances this season, I pray that you will come to know what Paul was talking about in 2 Corinthians 4:17 when he said that our troubles are just "light and momentary." May you learn to focus on "an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." As some of you know, I have had to deal with chronic medical problems. It has certainly helped me to view them with an eternal perspective. The wonder of the Gospel is that God has dealt with all circumstances through Christ's atoning sacrifice at Calvary. There's plenty of thanks to be found there!

142nd Anniversary at Mount Olive Baptist Church

2008-11-22T11:03:00.002-05:00

Mount Olive Baptist Church will hold its 142nd Church Anniversary this Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 2:30 PM. The Senior Pastor at Mount Olive is Reverend Melvin Ware. The guest preacher will be Pastor Henry Carnegie, who will be accompanied by members of his congregation from Mount Gillard Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

Mount Olive is located in northwest Fayette County at 1565 GA Highway 92 North. The church phone number is 770-461-6526. Reverend Ware is the Treasurer for the Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF), an organization dedicated to building relationships among churches in the Southern Crescent area. So you know that Mount Olive welcomes members of the entire Christian community to join in this joyful celebration! We are building Biblical bridges of brotherhood!

Bethlehem Baptist Male Chorus Anniversary

2008-11-06T19:30:00.001-05:00

Bethlehem Baptist Church is having their Male Chorus Anniversary this Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 6:30 PM. The Pastor is Dwight Elder and the Chairman of the Deacon Board and Male Chorus Director is Robert Cofer.

Don't miss this terrific evening of worship in song, featuring selections by Bethlehem's male chorus and various guest male choruses.

Help us build biblical bridges of brotherhood! Following Barack Obama's election as President, the opportunity may be more available than ever.

Bethlehem Baptist Church is located in Peachtree City near the entrance to Falcon Field at 475 Dividend Drive.

Congradulations to Barack Hussein Obama

2008-11-06T14:21:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to Barack Hussein Obama, our first bi-racial President.

I hope that this will foster unity in America, but even more importantly, I pray that this will help to bring unity within the Body of Christ!

Please consider going to this web site if you would like to pray for President-elect Obama each day from now until his Inaguration on January 20, 2009:
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.net/

(Scroll down to the "77 Days of Prayer" link.

UNITY Opportunities

2008-10-21T13:54:00.003-05:00

Here's a number of chances to Fellowship across racial and denominational lines. Come help us Build Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood and sisterhood!

Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00 PM -- Edgefield Baptist Church (Pastor Eddie Thomas, 770-461-7388, It's Time Conference for Men, 140 Church Street, Fayetteville, 770- 461-7388. Speaker: Pastor Timothy Cox (City of Refuge).

Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 PM -- Edgefield Baptist, It's Time Conference for Women. Speaker: Evangelist Patricia Stephens (Purpose & Destiny Ministries).

Friday, October 24 at 7:00 PM -- Edgefield, It's Time Conference for Youth. Speaker: Elder Danny Smart (Ft. Lauderdale Bibleway Temple).

Saturday, October 25 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM -- Fall Festival at Mount Olive Baptist Church (Rev. Melvin Ware, 770-461-6526).

Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM -- Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church (Rev. Ed Johnson, 770-461-0283), will hold their annual Annual Women's Day celebration. The keynote preacher will be Reverend Doctor Frances Bryant-Lowery, Professor of Pastoral Care at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta.

Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 PM -- Little Vine Baptist Church Anniversary, (Rev Steven Coleman, 770-487-4686), 115 Handley Road in Tyrone.

Saturday, November 8 at 6:30 PM -- Bethlehem Baptist Male Chorus Anniversary, (Pastor Dwight Elder, , 475 Dividend Drive in Peachtree City.

Sunday, November 30 at 2:30 PM -- Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) combined Worship Service at Flat Rock AME Church.

Hoping to see many of you at these events!

Holly Grove AME Church HOMECOMING and REVIVAL

2008-08-23T10:20:00.001-05:00

Holly Grove A.M.E. Church will celebrate Homecoming on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 11:00 AM. The Reverend Walter E. Daniels, Presiding Elder, South Atlanta District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will be the preacher of the hour.

Revival Services will be held at Holly Grove on Monday-Wednesday, August 25-27, 2008 at 7:30 PM.

Here are the preachers for each service:

Monday, August 25, 2008 - Reverend Edward Johnson, Senior Pastor, Flat Rock AME Church, Fayetteville, GA

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - Reverend Kenyatta Arnette, Senior Pastor, Pleasant Hill AME Church, College Park, GA

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - Reverend Lemora Dobbs, Senior Pastor, St. Paul AME Church, Canton, Georgia

The Senior Pastor at Holly Grove is Reverend Eyvonne Whitman. The church is located in Peachtree City at 400 Holly Grove Church Road, just off the southern end of Robinson Road. Look for the historical marker and church sign. The church phone number is (770) 631-7650.

Holly Grove was founded in 1897 and has a rich history of faith. The church has worked and will continue to work for biblical unity among all races and denominations in this area. You can help in this effort by attending one or more of these services!

Reverend Ed Johnson to preach at Grace Evangelical Church

2008-08-23T09:07:00.002-05:00

Reverend Ed Johnson, Senior Pastor of Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal Church, will be preaching at the 10:30 AM service tomorrow (Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008) at Grace Evangelical Church (http://www.gracechurchfayette.org) and bringing his congregation from Flat Rock with him. I believe that we all can rejoice over this show of unity in the local body of Christ. I know that many of you are otherwise occupied on Sunday mornings, but would you please say a prayer for this service and consider attending to show your support?

REVIVAL at Flint Ridge Baptist Church

2008-08-18T16:00:00.002-05:00

PROMISE #6: A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.

Flint Ridge Baptist Church (Reverend Jerome Drakeford, Senior Pastor) will hold Revival Services Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, August 20-22, 2008, at 7:00 PM nightly. A special youth speaker will be featured on Thursday evening. Flint Ridge is located in northeastern Fayette County at 104 Old Road, facing GA Hwy 85. Reverend Drakeford can be reached at 678-438-0905 or 770-461-8742.

Reverend Drakeford is the current President of the Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) which is working for unity among the churches and ministries in the South Atlanta area. Additionally, Reverend Drakeford and Brother Bobby Zachery, the men's ministry leader from Flint Ridge, attended the recent Atlanta Promise Keepers Conference with a number of other men from the Fayette County area. They are eager to build relationships with other churches in this area and this week's Revival provides an excellent opportunity for you to meet them and their congregation as well as guests from other area churches. I guarantee that you will be warmly received. (My plan is to be there on Wednesday evening.)

Come help us build Biblical bridges of Brotherhood! Admit it, couldn't you use a little revival, too?

Revival at Bethlehem Baptist Church

2008-08-18T15:46:00.003-05:00

Bethlehem Baptist Church will hold Revival Services on Wednesday, August 20th through Friday, August 22nd at 7:30 PM nightly. The guest revivalist for the week will be Reverend Curtis Green of the Greater Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta.

The Senior Pastor at Bethlehem is Dwight Elder. Pastor Elder and his congregation are members of the Fellowship of Christian Churches and Friends (FCCF) and, as such, are eager to build relationships with other churches in this area. First Lady Annie Elder and some of the women from Bethlehem are regular participants in the Peachtree City Lighthouse for AGLOW, for which I am a spiritual advisor.

Bethlehem is located in Peachtree City at 475 Dividend Drive, near the entrance to Falcon Field. The church phone number is 770-631-0267.

I'm planning to be there myself for Thursday and Friday evening. I have visited Bethlehem at least forty times in the last four years and they treat me like I was one of the family.

Are you bold enough to step out for Jesus Christ in order to build unity in the local body of Christ?

SIX REASONS men attend a Promise Keepers Conference

2008-07-03T14:52:00.003-05:00

WORSHIP: PK music engages the heart of a man in a corporate setting with thousands of other men, and creates a unique, often life-changing experience. (Imagine singing with over 10,000 other men; It makes for a pretty amazing choir!)

FELLOWSHIP: The unified purpose and aligned attitudes of men at PK events tends to amplify the experience of the Holy Spirit. Men are spiritually and personally refreshed by participating with a multitude of men.

SPEAKERS: Men need to be challenged, convicted, and encouraged to strive to reach the next level of holiness. PK’s national authors, leaders and speakers address guys directly, with exceptional candor, personal insight and enthusiasm. (You'll get excellent insights on authentic manhood and practical tips on how to live it out.)

EVANGELISM: PK offers men the rare opportunity to bring their sons, family, friends and co-workers to a “non-church,” non-threatening environment where they can hear the Gospel Message in a masculine context.

CONNECTIVITY: An innate desire in all of us is to belong to a cause that is bigger than ourselves. PK offers men the opportunity to become part of the greater work of God though the men’s movement.

EXPERIENCE: The challenge to set aside the time to go, (fellowship while traveling to and from the conference), the magnitude of the event, and the support of wives create a catalytic experience, a milestone and life’s journey for the men that has a remarkable and lasting impact.

2008 Atlanta PROMISE KEEPERS Conference

2008-06-28T09:12:00.004-05:00

The 2008 Atlanta PROMISE KEEPERS Conference will be held At new Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia on Friday and Saturday, August 1-2, 2008. Go to http://promisekeepers.org/2008/atlanta-ga for more details and registration. You may also register by phone at 1-866-PROMISE (8:00 AM-8:00 PM. M-F, MT).

Here's the line-up of speakers for the Atlanta event: Mike Sylva, Josh McDowell, Richard Blackaby, Larry Jackson, Dan Seaborn, and Coach Bill McCartney.

WORSHIP will be led by Stephen Newby.

COMEDIAN Cleto Rodriguez will help to lighten the load.

Don't miss this chance to participate in masculine worship and learn more about authentic manhood!

The Contact Lens and the Heavy Load

2008-06-10T13:29:00.002-05:00

A friend sent me the following story in an e-mail. I've labelled it "The Contact Lens and the Heavy Load" It was especially poignant for me since I have been confronted with a number of medical problems over the last several months. None of them were life threatening but they kept me feeling pretty poorly, hence the lack of recent postings on this blog. This was too good not to share:

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. "Great", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry." She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there. She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?" Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will." God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him....I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

AMEN!

Rain, Rain, Glorious Rain!

2008-02-24T20:08:00.002-05:00

Thanks be to God for the rain!

I just wanted to publicly thank God for the rain he blessed us with on Thursday and Friday. I "recorded" 1.7 inches of rain at my house in Peachtree City and according to my unofficial records, this is the largest two-day total here since August.

I thought I'd share some passages from Scripture about rain:

LEVITICUS 26:3-4 "If you will follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit."

2 CHRONICLES 7:13-14 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locust to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if My people. who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn form their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

MATTHEW 5:44-45 "But I tell you: Love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and the rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous."

My thoughts include that I should be careful not to think that God made it rain because I was righteous, but I also know that he wants me to be obedient, humble, and repentant and to love my enemies and to pray for those who persecute me. I think it's a great idea to pray for rain, too. I do not know if that will end the drought, since God is sovereign, but it couldn't hurt to do the will of the Father! Amen.

Hurry, Men, Tomorrow is Valentine's Day!

2008-02-13T11:42:00.003-05:00

Okay, guys, here it is the day before Valentine's Day and time to do something (anything?) to remember your sweetheart!

At a minimum, make sure you give your wife (Single men read: girlfriend) a card. If you want to show her an extra, special touch, make her a card.

When it come's to giving a gift, here's some things to avoid: A vacuum cleaner, toaster oven, or waffle iron. In short, generally avoid most things that plug in or require her to do any kind of house work. Even if she begs you for a hair dryer, electric curlers, or a food processor, there are probably better choices.

I went to my resident expert, Jane, and asked her for a list of suggetions. I'm pretty sure we should trust her on this. Here's her list:

Candy
Flowers (RED says LOVE)
Jewelry (Jane says this is "always a winner," but see my comments below.)
A Gift Certificate to a SPA.

When deciding how much to spend on a gift, neither the husband nor the wife should should be to eager to bust the family budget out of generosity or out of unreasonable expectations. I personally dislike advertisements that use a tag like "I deserve it" or "I'm worth it."

So, here's the bottom line: Definitely do something for your sweetie for Valentine's Day, but also have the wisdom to show restraint.

Prayer Summit Results

2008-01-31T17:10:00.000-05:00

I spent Monday through Wednesday at the Prayer Summit in Toccoa, Georgia, sponsored by "Mission Jesus" (soon to be known as "UNITE! Atlanta Southwest", as we attmept to broaden the scope of the organization.) It was a Great time with GOD and with 19 other brothers, many of whom are pastors and ministry workers in the Fayette County area. We spent three days praising God in song, studying selected passages of Scripture, and praying. The fellowship was terrific, once again confirming for me what Promise Keepers co-founders Coach Bill McCartney and Dave Wardell frequently said, "When men get together in the Name of Jesus Christ, something special happens."

I do not remember a time when I personally felt so close to God, which brings me to my next point. It is important to deliberately carve out time in your schedule to spend some quality time with God.

I'm excited about the relationships that were established and fortified during the Prayer Summit and the commitments that were made, notably to increase our efforts to build unity in the body of Christ in this area.

News from Promise Keepers

2008-01-31T16:35:00.000-05:00

I spent last Friday and Saturday at Camp Kaleo near Forsyth, Georgia with Hal Taylor, the Eastern Regional Filed Director for Promise Keepers and some of the other Ambassador Field Directors and Ambassadors from Georgia.

I have two very important important pieces of information to pass on to you:

1. It's official. Atlanta will have a 2008 Promise Keepers Conference on August 1-2. Details about times and speakers will be forthcoming but registration is now available on the PK web site -- www.promisekeepers.org.

2. As Promise Keepers continues to expand its field ministry, Georgia is about to be the first state in the country to fill the position of State Field Director. Our soon to be official Director is Glen Wise from Warner-Robins. Glen has been serving as an Ambassador Field Director (AFD) for that area. State Directors and AFDs will soon be added to the PK website to make it easier for churches and men to contact the PK volunteers nearest to them.

Revival tonight and tomorrow night at Little Vine Baptist Church

2008-01-24T13:22:00.000-05:00

Little Vine Baptist Church (Reverend Steven Coleman, Pastor) in Tyrone will hold a new year "Restoration" REVIVAL, (tonight and tomorrow night) Thursday and Friday, January 24th and 25th at 7:30 PM.

Thursday's Revivalist is Pastor Dudley of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

Friday's Revivalist will be Pastor Walker of Just Jesus Word of God Church.

DIRECTIONS: Little Vine Baptist Church is located at 115 Handley Road., at the corner of Tyrone Road, just east of the BP station which at the corner of Tyrone road and GA Highway 74. The church phone is (770) 487-4686.

Little Vine is a welcoming African-American church. Reverend Coleman and his congregation are eager to build relationships with other churches in this area. Come get revived and help us Build Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Questions

2008-01-21T17:08:00.000-05:00

Today is the day set aside to honor the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Whatever your personal view of the man, I believe that we could ask a number of questions.

How would Dr. King himself like to have been remembered? Founder and first President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Noble Peace Prize winner, Civil Rights Leader, Medal of Freedom recipient, great orator, Congressional, Gold Medal recipient? I remember seeing Andrew Young interviewed a few years ago and he said that, first and foremost, that Dr. King thought of himself as a Pastor.

Have you ever Googled Martin Luther King, Jr.? If you haven’t, I highly recommend it. As a mentioned in a previous blog, the I Have a Dream speech is not to be missed.

After all these years don’t we wonder if things would be different if Dr. King were still alive? Would we be better off?

Is Dr. King's dream still alive? I think it is and one of the reasons I think that is the number of observances that occur each year in many locations across the nation.

Can we really get along? If we concentrate on our past I fear we will despair. If we look at the present, we may very well become discouraged. However, if we look at the glorious future we have together in Jesus Christ, we just might find the hope we need. I mean regardless of your skin tone, as Christians our Lord and Savior gives us the very sure hope of reaching Heaven. Can you imagine anything other than complete harmony among all we meet there? Don’t you think that our Father in Heaven wishes that we would get along in the here and now? We may have changed the laws (and rightly so) and politics, but our best hope for unity always has been and always will be Jesus Christ!

What price are you willing to pay for unity? Dr. King used to say that the 11:00 o’clock hour on Sunday morning was the most segregated hour in America. Almost forty years after his death, that has not changed much. So what can you do? You can get out of the box you are in, that’s what. For all of us this means stopping stereotyping groups of people. For some Whites, it will mean repenting of the institution of slavery and a history of injustice. For some Blacks, it will clearly mean letting go of your anger and stopping trying to hold all white people hostage for what happened in the past.

Where do we go from here? How about visiting a church with a congregation that’s different than your own? Sure, it may seem uncomfortable at first, but I know from firsthand experience that it’s worth it. Watch the Faith page and the Happenings page on http://www.fayettefrontpage.com/ as well as local newspapers for special events at area churches. Plan to attend.

Show yourself faithful. Don’t be afraid to be different. After all, you are representing Jesus Christ and His unifying love (See JOHN 17). Let’s try to get to know more of our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Why Should You Go to the MLK Parade?

2008-01-17T16:42:00.000-05:00

Why Should We Go to the MLK Parade and Program This Saturday?

There is a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance scheduled for Saturday, January 19, 2008 in Fayetteville. The Parade begins at 11:00 AM from Fayette County High School on Tiger Trail. The Program follows in Sam’s Auditorium.

Here are some good reasons why I think we should attend:

1. Rev. Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech delivered in August 28, 1963. (To see the full video of the speech, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk&eurl=http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

Key excerpts from that speech:

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths, to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; ‘and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together’."

(Almost 45 years after the speech and nearly 40 years after Rev. King’s assassination on April 4,1968, in spite of the of the gains that have been made, we still have not fully realized his God-given vision for brotherhood in America. I pray that each of us will examine ourselves and see what we can do to make it a reality.)

2. Reverend Ed Johnson, Senior Pastor of Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Chairman of the MLK Parade, and my good brother in Christ. Let me add the following Pastors and their congregations: Reverend Jerome Drakeford, Pastor at Flint Ridge Baptist Church and President of the Fayette County Christian Fellowship; Reverend Eddie Thomas, Senior Pastor of Edgefield Baptist Church and President of the Fayette Area Ministers Alliance; Reverend Melvin Ware of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Reverend Deborah Turman of Merrill Chapel United Methodist Church, Reverend Belinda McCastle of New Hope United Methodist Church, Reverend Milton Reeves of Rising Starr Baptist Church, Reverend O. L. Wood of Hartford United Methodist church, Reverend Eyvonne Whitman of Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Dwight Elder of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Reverend W. Anthony Guthrie of Wilk’s Grove Baptist Church, Reverend Steven Coleman of Little Vine Baptist Church, Reverend Elbert Jenkins of New Song Community Church, Reverend Smith Atwater of Unity Christian Church, Reverend Jerome Dukes of Community Fellowship Christian Center International, Reverend Howard Creecy, Jr. of Olivet Baptist Church of Christ, and Reverend Fred Downing of The Branches Community Church. (I know each of these Pastors personally and I can tell you that they all are eager to build unity in the Fayette area body of Christ. You can make a statement of agreement just by showing up!)

3. PROMISE KEEPERS' Promise #2 which states that “A promise keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of Biblical unity.” (In the Fayette area we are calling this effort Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood. Wouldn't you like to be part of it?)

4. The local NAACP activities are more like church services than political events. (I've attended three of the last four MLK Parades and the past two Freedom Fund Banquets. I was pleasantly surprised to hear how many times the Name of Jesus Christ was lifted up!.)

2008-01-01T11:37:00.000-05:00

Once again, Reverend Fred Downing of the Branches Community Church (www.thebranchescc.org) has provided a poem; This time, to celebrate the start of another God-given year (colors added for emphasis). May we all see 2008 as the gift it is!

HAPPY NEW YEAR © Frederick D. Downing

Happy New Year is the annual cry
As the New Year says hello
And the old year says goodbye

Most people are grateful to see another year
Some face it with hope
Some face it with fear

What will you do with this divine gift
Will your life be Christ centered
Or will your life simply drift

Is God pleased with the things you do in this life
Do you share joy and love
Or cause misery and strife

God desires that we grow more like Christ each year
That’s why He gave us power, love and a sound mind
And not a spirit of fear

Let’s honor the Lord with holy boldness, not fear
If we are obedient to His Word
It will be a Happy New Year

Frederick D. Downing

2007-12-18T14:58:00.000-05:00

As Christmas approaches, I thought you might enjoy the following quote from President Calvin Coolidge:

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.— Calvin Coolidge

The Church: Battleship or Cruise Ship?

2007-10-26T09:45:00.000-05:00

At the Friday morning Log House Bible Study for men, we are working our way through John Eldredge's book EPIC, using the companion video series. In this morning's lesson Eldredge cautioned us to remember the reality of Satan in "the epic story" in which we find ourselves. One man posed penetrating question, "Is the Church a battleship that we have converted to a cruise ship?" Have we so little regard for the Enemy that we have set about to make the time on the ocean comfortable? When trouble comes, do we resort to rearranging the deck chairs? (adding new programs?) If we do encounter the Enemy and a battle is inevitable, will anyone remember how to fire the guns?

Coach Bill McCartney, one of the founders of Promise Keepers and former President of PK (Dr. Tom Fortson has been the President for almost four years now), once said that one of the most serious problems affecting the Church was that "we are in a war but most men are not at war!" How about you? Are you at war? If you are not, then you can be sure that others as well as yourself are at risk.

What to do? Well, as any good military leader knows, troops need to be organized, trained, and equipped and they need a chain of command (competent leadership). It would be utterly foolish to enter the battle alone, which is why you need your (band of) brothers (fellow warriors) to be next to you. The training and equipping comes through discipleship and spiritual disciplines, including prayer and Bible study. Don't go before you are ready, but get yourself and others ready, put yourselves under the leadership of the Lord, and then go! Then when the Enemy confronts you, you'll know how to fire the guns!

OCTOBER IS CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH

2007-10-19T12:33:00.000-05:00

OCTOBER is Clergy Appreciation Month (as if they needed a month in which we should show them our appreciation!)

1 THESSALONIANS 5:12-13a instructs us, "Now we urge you, brothers to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in highest regard because of their work."

I have seen a number of surveys about pastors over the last 10 or 12 years that indicate that in any given year, up to half of all pastors seriously consider leaving the ministry. I believe this can be trace back directly to their congregations, particularly the men, not respecting, supporting, or encouraging these pastors. It's become popular in some churches to call the pastor by his (or her) first name. It does sound humble for a pastor to say, "I'm not anyone special. Please, just call me by my first name." Unfortunately, this can lead to the perception that the pastor is "just one of the guys." The problem is that this is not Biblical. The pastor is special because he is called by God and appointed to oversee a local church. Pastors are also tasked with preaching the Word of God, which distinguishes them from the rest of the church.

Pastors are not perfect, but do not be too hasty to criticise them. Here's a rule of thumb: You should spend at least twice as much time praying for your pastor as criticising them. My guess is that that will lead to much less criticism and much more empathy (appreciation, support, and encouragement) for your pastor. For those of you who wonder how to begin to pray for your pastor, start with these areas:

Pray for you pastor's protection from attacks from any and all sources. This includes praying for his family, too!
Pray for his safety, health, and rich and abundant time in study and in prayer.
Pray that your pastor would "boldly preach the Word of God."
Pray that the Lord would "bless the work of" your pastor's hands.

My prayer for each pastor is that they will be respected, supported, and encouraged by members of their congregation. If you want to make your pastor's day, walk boldly up to him and tell him that you are praying for them. See if he doesn't act like he's appreciated.

Remember that showing appreciation for your pastor is really a year-round opportunity, not just for October.

Out of the Boat?

2007-10-05T12:50:00.000-05:00

Perhaps you have read or at least heard of John Ortberg’s book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. It’s a good one, and I highly recommend it.

The story of Peter leaving the safety of the boat to walk on the water toward Jesus was the inspiration for the name of the men’s a Capella group from Peachtree City Untied Methodist Church. Out of the Boat performed Sunday at Grace Evangelical Church at the Fayette County Christian Fellowship’s Fifth Sunday Celebration. Their music was a big hit and they shared their testimony about how forming the group and then performing was an out of the boat experience for them.

Sunday was an out of the boat experience for me, also, as it was definitely the largest gathering at which I have ever spoken. It was definitely several steps beyond the normal men's retreats or men’s breakfasts where I have spoken in the past.

I don’t know what out of the boat experience God has in mind for you, but when you are faced with it, I hope that you will have enough courage to take the step of faith required. In His divine wisdom He chooses to work in and through us for the advancement of His Kingdom.

Stand in the Gap 2007

2007-09-23T13:21:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, October 6, 2007 there will be a special event for men in Washington, DC: Stand In the Gap 2007. Learn more at http://www.standinthegap2007.org/

This is the ten year reunion of the historic 1997 PROMISE KEEPER gathering in which an estimated 1.3 million men assembled to repent and seek God's face on the Mall. I know that a number of you were at that event and may be interested in this year's event as well.

The 2007 event is not a PROMISE KEEPERS event since PROMISE KEEPERS felt that the 1997 Stand In The Gap was a one time call of God for the PROMISE KEEPER ministry. However, it is endorsed by the National Coalition of Men's Ministries (NCMM), of which Promise Keepers is a part. Got that?

Stepping Up to Be a Man in the Eyes of the Lord.

2007-09-23T12:56:00.000-05:00

The Fayette County Christian Fellowship's (FCCF) Fifth Sunday Celebration is scheduled for 2:30 PM, Sunday, September 30, 2007 at Grace Evangelical Church. Grace Evangelical Church is located off GA Highway 54 at 164 Flat Creek Trail. Directions and a map are availble at http://www.gracechurchfayette.org/directions.htm.

What is the FCCF? The FCCF is a group of churches that have joined together to foster principals of unity and faith within Fayette County. "The mission of the FCCF is to serve as a catalyst in spearheading spiritual revival in the lives of The Fayette County community of faith. This association will reach beyond denominational, cultural, economic, and racial divides to embrace the concept of love as demonstrated and practiced by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

We are still seeking volunteers to sing with the Praise Team and or Combined Men's Choir for that event. Drop me an e-mail if you are interested in singing: kroessig4@aol.com.

The theme will be "Stepping Up to Be a Man in the Eyes of The LORD." The service will be led by men, and yours truly will be the speaker. I would personally like your support, but even more importantly, I hope you'll attend because your want to help build unity in the local body of Christ! As many of you know Promise #6 states: A promise keeper is committed to crossing racial and denominational lines to demonstrate the power of biblical unity. Locally, we are calling this Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood (see prior blog on BBBB).

Ladies are encouraged to attend to support the men. (I'll have a word for the ladies, too.)

Come and see!

Everyman Conference starts tonight!

2007-08-24T14:14:00.000-05:00

I did not intend to be away from the blog for this long, but some things have kept my focus elsewhere for a time. One was the Promise Keepers Conference three weeks ago in Columbia, another was numerous Revivals throughout August, and finally helping with the Everyman Conference which starts tonight at Dogwood Church in south Tyrone.

On the outside chances that even one of you might read this and still be able to attend the conference tonight and tomorrow, walk up registration is available and starts at 6:00 PM. The Conference itself will start tonight at 7:00 PM (and tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM.) For details and directions, go to http://www.dogwoodchurch.org/. Maybe I'll see some of you there. I'll be at the Promise Keepers booth!

Keep checking the FAITH and/or HAPPENINGS pages at http://www.fayetefrontpage.org/ and this blog for future events.

Columbia Promise Keeper Conference follow-up

2007-08-06T13:04:00.000-05:00

This past Friday and Saturday's (August 3 & 4) Promise Keepers Conference in Columbia, South Carolina was great!

Over 200 men accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

Over 100 men rededicated themselves to the Lord.

Many thanks to my good friend from PTC UMC, Bruce Conard, for driving to and form the event!

Time for Revival?

2007-08-01T11:30:00.000-05:00

August is the month when many African-American Churches hold Revivals. These are excellent opportunities to receive a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and a fresh word from God. Additionally, they are great occasions for developing relationships with more of our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you've read my previous blog on the subject then you know that in the Fayette area we are calling this unity effort "Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood." Typically, these events are attended by members from a number of churches so you can meet people from those churches at the same time.

Here's a schedule of the events for which I have information:

Wed.-Fri., August 8-10: Revival at Mount Olive Baptist Church; 7:00 PM, nightly.

Wed.-Fri., August 8-10: Revival at Hartford United Methodist Church; 7:30 PM, nightly.

Thursday, August 9: Revival at Flat Rock A M E Church; 7:00 PM

Sunday, August 12: 153rd Anniversary at Flat Rock A M E Church; 2:30 PM

Wed.-Fri, August 22-24, Revival at Bethlehem Baptist Church; 7:00 PM, nightly.

Mon.-Wed., August 27-29, Revival at Holly Grove A M E Church; on Robinson Road in Peachtree City at 7:00 PM, nightly.

Mon.-Wed., August 27-29, Revival at Merrill Chapel United Methodist Church on S. Jeff Davis Drive in Fayetteville, at 7:30 pm each night.

Please see the "Faith" and/or "Happenings" Tab at http://www.fayettefrontpage.com/ for details.

I urge you, brothers, to take advantage of as many these opportunities as possible to build unity in the local body of Christ! You will make a powerful statement for unity just by showing up, and who among us couldn't use some reviving?

Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood

2007-07-22T07:21:00.000-05:00

If you are familiar with the Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper (and you should be at least aware of the Biblical truths these promises reflect) then you know that Promise 6 says:

A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.

Here, in the greater Fayette County area, a number of us have been using the phrase "Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood" to describe our efforts to build unity in the local body of Christ.

The Scripture gives us our mandate for unity:

In Psalm 133:1 we read, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." (NIV)

In Ephesians 2:13-16 we learn, "But now in Christ Jesus you who were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, Who has made the two one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law and its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility."

In Ephesians 4:3-6 we are told "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and on Spirit -- just as you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is overall and through all and in all."

In 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 we see "... that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed us to the ministry of reconciliation."

My hope is that many of you will be convicted by God's Word on this matter and be moved to join in the effort to build unity by Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood.

Why Building? Because it says that there is work to be done. It's up to us to do our part and none of us should think that this is going to be easy. I believe that God is doing His part by stirring the hearts of many of us to prepare us for this work. There is much to do and much to overcome, but we can make and are making progress.

Why Biblical? Because that's the type of Bridge that God desires for his people. Many have had varying degrees of success building other types of bridges: political, social, economic, legal...
and these are all good, but as Oswald Chambers reminds us regularly in My Utmost for His Highest (highly recommend reading), we should not allow the good to get in the way of the best.

Why Bridges? Because we have to be honest with ourselves and recognize that there is a gap between us racially within the Church. Many have said it: "The Eleven O'clock hour on Sunday remains the most racially devided hour in America."

Why Brotherhood? Because the basis for moving forward ahs to be our recognition that God is our Father and Christ is our Brother. That makes us brothers in Christ already! Now we just need to learn how to act like brothers.

I hope to add some practical ideas soon for Building thes Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood in a future blog, but for now please consider what God is calling you to do and pray.

If you are looking for a first step, come next Sunday, July 29, 2007, to the Fayette County Christian Fellowship (FCCF) "5th Sunday Celebration" at 2:30 PM at Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal (A. M. E.) Church. (See the Faith and/or Happennings Pages on www.fayettefrontpage.com for more information.) The Pastor at Flat Rock A. M. E., Reverend Ed Johnson, is a welcoming brother in Christ. Likewise, the other participating churches in the FCCF are eager to have you join us!

What is the Fayette County Christian Fellowship?

2007-07-20T09:01:00.000-05:00

The Fayette County Christian Fellowship (FCCF) is a group of churches that have joined together to foster principals of unity and faith within this county.

The mission of the FCCF is to serve as a catalyst in spearheading spiritual revival in the lives of The Fayette County community of faith. This association will reach beyond denominational, cultural, economic, and racial divides to embrace the concept of love as demonstrated and practiced by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The purpose of the Fayette County Christian Fellowship it to promote Christian Unity through fellowship activities involving all citizens of the Fayette County community of Christian faith. A Fifth Sunday Celebration is normally held in each month that has a fifth month. (Exceptions are made for holidays, etc.)

The Sky is Falling

2007-07-09T10:46:00.000-05:00

"I believe it is appropriate to have an over-representation of factual presentations in how dangerous (global warming) is, as a predicate for opening up the audience to listen to what the solutions are." -- Al Gore, Grist magazine, May 9, 2006

If you are inclined to accept what Al Gore and others are saying about global warming, I urge you to consider Proverbs 18:17 , which says, "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him." (NIV)

Here's what Brent Bozell said about the recent "Live Earth" concerts:

“This isn’t just a big wet kiss to Al Gore and his left-wing agenda, it’s a shameless acknowledgement of NBC’s bias," Media Research Center President Brent Bozell said in a statement. " 'Live Earth' is nothing more than a photo opportunity, but this concert’s ‘historic’ status is wholly exaggerated by all the hours and hours of free publicity.

“They might as well re-name it 'Gorestock 2007.' It’s tough to deny what comes from the horse’s mouth. NBC is a self-proclaimed liberal cheerleader.”

Also, in his Stoplight video commentary Stuart Shepard, CitizenLink managing editor and a meteorologist, says don't buy the (global warming) hype. Here's the link for that video: http://www.citizenlink.org/stoplight/A000004954.cfm.

(So, I guess maybe the sky really isn't falling after all.)

Men Wanted for Hazardous Journey

2007-06-25T09:00:00.001-05:00

No doubt some of you will recognize the following advertisement attributed to Sir Ernest Shackleton who led several expeditions to attempt to reach the South Pole.

Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.

Shackleton selected 28 men for his 1915 expedition, but reportedly over 2000 men responded to his advertisement! Do a web search for Shackleton and learn some of the amazing details of this harrowing attempt. In spite of incredible challenges, not one man from the expedition was lost!

Here's Promise Keepers "advertisement" for you:

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Expect resistance, worldly criticism, and possible persecution. Constant risk, with periods of darkness and isolation. Personal safety and financial security uncertain. Eternal rewards at journey's end.

Can you imagine the impact that 2000 real men from the South Metro Atlanta area on a journey to become godly men would have on this region? One of the best ways to begin would be to attend the Promise Keepers 2007 Conference in Columbia, South Carolina on August 3-4. Join in with other like minded men to make a difference in your home and in your community. (Wimpy men need not apply!) Find out more about the Columbia conference at http://www.promisekeepers.org/conferences/columbia-sc.

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-17T17:40:00.000-05:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Being a godly father is an important part of being a promise keeper, as Promise 4 clearly indicates:

A Promise Keeper is committed to building strong marriages and families through love, protection and biblical values.

Although some of us where blessed with having godly fathers as role models it is equally true that some of us did not have a good example to follow. The good news that, while it's a disadvantage, not having a godly father does not prevent you from becoming one. Undoubtedly our best role model for fathering is out heavenly Father. Just consider His provision and protection for for us. We would do well as fathers to remember the love He has for his children which is evident in His grace and mercy and forgiveness. Let us not forget though, that as a Righteous God, He sets standards for behavior and then wisely disciplines us when we err. It has been said that discipline without love leads to rebellion, while love without discipline leads to permissiveness. Perhaps an experienced father at your church can help you strike the right balance with your children between love and discipline. As Promise 4 indicates, the Bible provides invaluable guidance on being a godly father. You will also find that books on raising children by Christian authors like James Dobson and John Rosemond, among others, can be very helpful. Being a godly father is too important to just go it alone. Do whatever it takes to become the dad that God wants you to be. You and your children (and your wife) will be blessed! Proverbs 22:6 tells us, Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. (NIV)

SPECIAL NOTE: As some of you have undoubtedly noticed, the Promise Keepers web site, http://www.promisekeepers.org/, has been undergoing revision over a number of recent months. Today, just in time for Father's Day, a major update has occurred. Take some time and check out the new features. On the bottom of the new home page, don't miss What's New and PK Verseminder. Pod casts are now available as are video highlights of past Promise Keepers Conferences. More archival footage is being "digitized" and will be added in the future. The PK Verseminder feature is an aid for memorizing Scripture.

Let's go to Columbia!

2007-06-14T09:53:00.001-05:00

Sorry to be so long between postings. I had a pretty busy weekend this past weekend. Highlights included the Men's Encounter on Saturday and Hartford United Methodist Church's 138th Anniversary and New Hope South's Pulse on Sunday. I have been busy this week trying to get the word out via e-mails about a couple of church events coming up this weekend. If you would like find out about events at churches other than your own, please send me an e-mail. Similarly, if your church has an event to which you would like to invite men and women from other churches, let me know, also.

I have also been visiting more churches this week distributing promotional material for the upcoming Promise Keepers 2007 Conference. If you haven't done so already, click on the U-tube link to the right to get preview of this year's PK Conference. Many men from this area are headed to Columbia, SC on August 3-4. Specific information about the Columbia conference, including the line-up of speakers, is available at http://www.promisekeepers.org/conferences/columbia-sc. Ticketing is available at http://www.promisekeepers.org/ or by calling (866) PROMISE. Group discounts are available when you order 10 or more tickets.

If you have never been to a Promise Keepers Conference, I can assure you that you will be glad you made the decision to go. Do whatever it takes to be there! You will be blessed by the worship and the messages, both delivered in a distinctly male context that speaks directly to the heart of a man!

If you have been to a Conference before, I challenge you to take someone who has never been. I encourage you to organize a group of men from your church and join us in Columbia. Perhaps you could partner with other churches in your area and go together. Attending conferences in cities away Atlanta provide great opportunities for fellowship with the men in your group and since you are away from the distractions of home, you can bask in the experience.

Other Conferences within driving distance of Atlanta are:

Mobile, AL June 29-30

Nashville, TN July 20-21

Orlando, FL July 27-28

Take advantage of this opportunity to grow as a man of integrity!

Got Bible Study?

2007-06-08T18:35:00.000-05:00

I was gone most of the day...

I went to the Log House Bible Study first thing this morning, then I visited some churches this morning to hand out promotional material for the PK Conference. Then I had lunch with a group of ministers in Fayetteville where the guest of honor was a Baptist Pastor from (southern) Lebanon. He had some stories to tell! I hit the road again after lunch and made it to a few more churches before heading home in time to watch my favorite show, Jeopardy

The Log House Bible Study meets in the Rockspray Clubhouse (an actual log house that used to be a hunting lodge) off Log House Road in Peachtree City. The study began in 1978. My good Log House brother, John Manzo, says that the guys in the study were promise keepers before there was a Promise Keepers. This study has been very helpful for many of us as we seek to mature in Jesus Christ. If you are in the area, stop by some Friday. The coffee and bagels are on at 7:00 AM and the study starts at 7:30 AM. This is a non-denominatinal study currently being led by Jamie Bosworth of First Presbyterian Church of PTC. There are men from a number of different churches and denominations. We are currently working our way through Second Kings.

A Bible study like this embodies several important Promise Keeper principles which are included in The Seven Promises of a Promise Keepers (availale at www.promisekeepers.org): serious Bible Study, Fellowship with other men, and Unity within the body of Christ.

My prayer for each of you is that you find a group like this someday.