Good News Press

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September/October 2013
A Message From Good News Press
Good News Press is an outreach publication. The
Christian message is often referred to as the
"Gospel," which means "good news." Specifically, it
is the good news about Jesuswho he is, what he
has done, and what he offers. Essentially, the message is that Jesus was God in the flesh, that he
came into the world to reconcile humanity to
himself, and that his salvation is freely offered to
each person who will respond in faith. The Gospel
message explains that salvation is only possible
through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus.
Through his sacrifice, Jesus paid the price for our
sinfulness (rebellion against God), thus offering us
forgiveness. Then through his Resurrection he
conquered death, removing it as the penalty for
our sin and replacing it with the offer of eternal
life that is only available from him to all those that
place their faith in him.

Photos This Page: (Top) From Left to Right:, Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. of The Church of God In Christ and St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay (R)
Jesus Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane - Dreamstime (Bottom) Isreali Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu AIPAC Press Photo

Historic Global Prayer Call-40 Days Prayer,

Fasting and Repentance August 6 Sept 14
The Billion Souls Revival Prayer Call
from August 6 September 14, 2013
is making history in more ways than
one. As E. M. Bounds said; "God
shapes the world by prayer. The more
prayer there is in the world the better
the world will be." This Global 40 Day
Prayer Call will culminate in an International Day of Prayer, Fasting and
Repentance on Saturday, September
14, 2013.

This Global Prayer Call has a simple

four point focus.

and immorality that is sweeping the

nations of the world.
- Pray for a worldwide outpouring of - Pray for a multiplication of prayer,
praise and worship to God across the
the Holy Spirit for revival and transworld as never before, to bring great
formation of the nations of the world. glory to God.
- Pray for a billion people to find Jesus
Historically the Billion Souls Revival
Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Prayer Call is the first to draw togeth- Pray for an end to abortion and for er Continued on Page 7
God to turn back the tide of death

More Pressure Mounts on Israel

By Connie Woods
Zechariah 12:3 In that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all
that burden themselves with it shall be cut in
pieces, though all the people of the earth be
gathered together against it.

Lets stand with Israel and pray for our

leaders and call and write them not to
pressure Israel to divide up its God given
land.
Peace Talks Begin Again
Israelis and Palestinians have entered into
peace talks again after 5 years which are
being sponsored by the United States
(US). Israel is under immense pressure
from the world community, leaders, and
governments to agree to a peace plan that
would involve giving up a portion of its
land to the Palestinians, in what is being
called the "two-State solution". Pressure
is mounting from all sides. The United
States, an ally and friend to Israel, in its
policies, are now even becoming a thorn

in the side, with its constant nudging and

pushing for an agreement.
A Fight for Jerusalem
There is also a dispute over Jerusalem.
The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as
the capital of their State. In the Old City
of East Jerusalem, contains religious sites
for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The
Temple Mount is the most revered site in
Judaism, containing the Western or Wailing Wall, the holiest place for Jews to
pray. It is also where the first Temple by
Solomon was built to house the Ark of
the Covenant, and where the remnants of
the second Temple remain.

Continued on Page 2

Plan of Salvation:

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.

Good News Press - 2

SAT-7 Brings Firsthand Clarity to Western Media Misunderstanding of Deadly
Crackdown on Egyptian Protesters

of Canaan, for an
everlasting possession; and I will be
their God.)
(Genesis 12:7a
"The Lord appeared to Abram
and said, 'To your
descendants I will
give this land.')

Christians Responding
with Hope and Reconciliation; Calling Destruction of Churches
Sacrifice, with True
Body of Christ Intact
EASTON, Md. In the
wake of a bloody government crackdown on
Egyptian protestors
that left hundreds dead
and thousands injured,
SAT-7 Christian satellite television broadcasts from Egypt are
bringing a firsthand
view of the unethical practices of the Morsi presidency
and its sham of democracy,
with insights and understanding not currently reported by
mainstream Western media.
Amid the ongoing destruction
of churches by supporters of
ousted president Morsi, Egyptian Christian leaders are
responding with reconciliation and forgiveness, stressing
that the church is not mere
buildings, but rather the
body of Christ composed of
people and their faith in him.

previously agreed to do after

a new constitution had been
adopted.
Into this political scenario,
with a failing economy and
crumbling infrastructure,
while as many as 30 million
people protested during
Morsis first anniversary, the
army responded and removed him from office, said
Ascott.
Following an ensuing six
weeks of pro-Morsi occupation of public squares, demanding his reinstatement,
blocking all traffic and promisSAT-7 has been covering the ing retribution against the
army, police, liberals and
political situation since the
anti- and pro-Morsi protests specifically Coptic Christians,
deadly violence broke out
began at the end of June,
helping viewers better under- August 14 as the army moved
in to disburse them.
stand and engage with the
situation from a biblical faith
The Muslim Brotherhood
perspective through its curhas been very effective with
rent affairs programming,
the Western media, portraybroadcast live from Egypt.
ing themselves as victims and
the army as a coup, said
In his June 2012 election,
Ascott. This is not the verMorsi received only 13 milsion of the truth that resolion votes from the Egyptian
nates with the vast majority
population of 83 million, acof Egyptians.
cording to Terence Ascott,
CEO and founder of SAT-7
Scores of business, homes,
International
police stations, hospitals and
(www.sat7usa.org) in a recent other public buildings have
commentary
been destroyed by Morsi
(www.ow.ly/nXTsz).
supporters. At least 40
Taking wide-sweeping power churches, a monastery, three
without censure, he filled key religious societies, three key
Bible Society bookshops,
government positions with
former Muslim Brotherhood three Christian schools and
an orphanage have been
leaders, some of whom had
previous convictions for vio- burned or otherwise destroyed.
lence or incitement to violence, and rushed through a
Following [Coptic Orthopro-Islamic constitution dedox] Pope Tawadros IIs
spite protests and boycotts
statement that the current
from liberals, moderate Mus- attacks on churches were
lims and Christians, said Asexpected, many Christians
cott. Morsi refused to call
are stating that they consider
for new elections, as he had

More Pressure Mounts on

Israel (Continued from Page 1)

the church buildings a sacrifice to their beloved Egypt,

said Farid Garas, SAT-7s
Egypt Executive Director.
Some Muslims who rushed to
help preserve churches and
Christian properties were
urged by Christians to return
home. Buildings can be rebuilt, but you are priceless, so
stay safe, they reportedly
said. Buildings are not the
church. The Body of Christ is
the church, and we are firmly
intact.
General Sisi, commander-inchief of Egyptian armed forces
and Minister of Defense, subsequently announced the
army will pay for renovating
all the damaged churches.
SAT-7s staff in Cairo has
worked from home, and all
are reported safe. According
to Garas, they plan to broadcast their current affairs program Bridges as usual on
Saturday, to cover the attacks
on churches and the decision
of Christian leaders to refuse
outside protection, showing
that the church is standing for
freedom over force.
It seems we are experiencing a pruning process of the
living body of Egypt, said
Garas. It hurts, but it is important. We are sure we will
see the fruit of freedom, and
we trust the Creator who is
in control.
Prayers are requested for
Egypt, the largest country in
the Arab world with the largest Christian community in
the Middle East:
For current violence to end
soon.

pushed for peace agreements during their presidency.

The United Nations (UN)

has consistently filed resolutions against Israel. In 2012,
the UN had 21 resolutions
against Israel, while only
having four against all other
This promised
land, or Canaan nations of the world.
land, is what we
know today as Syria, although in its own
civil war, sends missiles to
Israel.
Israel, desirous of land in the
God has prom- Golan Heights.
ised to bless all Iran's new President Rouhani
Jerusalem Wailing Wall And Temple Mount by Micsell those who
stated after being elected,
blesses his
the Zionist regime (Israel)
chosen people.
has been a wound on the
It is also believed to be
(Genesis 12:3 And I will bless
where the third Temple will them that bless thee, and curse body of the Islamic world for
years and the wound should
be built, and where the Anti- him that curseth thee)
be removed. He later said,
christ will come midway
through the tribulation, and Does the United States want that he was misquoted.
Iranians celebrate al-Quds
cease sacrifices, and require a blessing or judgment? Let
day each year, on the last
all to worship him. The Tem- the US decide and treat
day of Ramadan, in which
ple Mount, also the third
Gods chosen people acIranians rally against Israeli
important site in Islam, after cordingly.
control of East Jerusalem.
Mecca and Medina, contains
the al-Aqsa Mosque, and the
Dome of the Rock from
where Mohammed is said to
have visited heaven on his
winged steed Burak.
For Christians, Jerusalem is
where Jesus ministered,
died, and rose again. There
are numerous sites in Jerusalem pertaining to Christians.

(Joel 3:2 "... there will I deal with

and execute judgment upon
them for their treatment of My
people and of My heritage Israel,
whom they have scattered
among the nations and because
they have divided My land.")

This should be reason

enough to get behind and
support Israel.

The World is Amassing

Against Israel
Here are some of world
policies against Israel:
Currently, the European
Union (EU) has sanctions
against Israel and is refusing
to recognize Israel's territories since 1967, and is makWhy the United States
ing preparations for more
Should Support Israel
severe sanctions. Its sancGod made plain his will and
tions includes, the European
plan. It was to bless, AbraInvestment Bank withholding
ham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel) and
loans to Israeli businesses
his descendants, and give
and governments in the disthem a land promised to
puted areas. It is not recogthem, that would be theres
nizing Israeli land in the
forever.
West Bank, East Jerusalem,
(Genesis 17:7- 8 I will establish
the Gaza Strip, as well as the
my covenant between me and
Golan Heights.
thee and thy seed after thee in
The Israelis have held they
would not give up land, nor
risk its security, however in
recent years they have considered it and have actually
removed Jews from parts of
Eastern Jerusalem.

The Middle East Quartet

(United Nations, Russian
Federation, United States
and European Union) released a statement on July
29, 2013, sharing their
"commitment to achieve a
negotiated two-State solution within the agreed
timeframe of nine months".
The Quartet, wants both
sides not to do anything that
may jeopardize a deal, including no building in East
Jerusalem.

It is believed that over half

the governments in the
world are antiIsrael.
The Future of Israel
The resentment against Israel is enlarging, along with a
dislike of the Jewish people
and their existence. There
will be an eventual seven
year peace agreement, that is
broken midway by the Antichrist, before all the nations
of the world come to battle
against Israel, in the battle of
Armageddon. The Lord will
their generations for an everlastPresident Obama and Secre- literally come back, with his
ing covenant, to be a God unto
thee, and to thy seed after thee. tary of State John Kerry are saints, and fight against those
pressing for a two-State so- nations that would otherI will give unto thee, and to thy
wise consume Israel and
seed after thee, the land wherein lution, as well as President
Bush and President Clinton
thou art a stranger, all the land
bring a real Peace.

Good News Press - 3

National Back To Church Sunday
on Sept. 15, 2013
er of church
communications resources and
one of the
founders of
National
Back to
Church Sunday.

It's Time for Action: More

Than 2 Million Americans Will
Participate in National Back to
Church Sunday One Month
from Today
Author Lee Strobel adds his
endorsement, making the case
for inviting others to church
Aug. 15, 2013 -- Exactly a
month from today, September
15, more than two million
Americans will be focused on a
national team event that has
nothing to do with major
league sports. Their goal: Getting folks back to church.
On that Sunday, 20,000 churches from coast to coast will be
participating in special services
in their own communities for
National Back to Church Sunday after stepping out to invite people they know and love
to come back to church.
So far, more than 18,000
churches have signed up for the
free initiative, and the number
grows by the hour as currently
about 120 churches are signing
up each day at
www.backtochurch.com. In
addition, the Back to Church
Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/backtochu
rch) has garnered more than
47,000 likes in one month, as
the excitement builds and participating churches gear up for
the special services they will
hold designed to be welcoming
to their community.
"Right now is a perfect time to
sign up and get your church
engaged in this energy-filled
project," said Scott Evans,
founder and CEO of Outreach,
Inc., the nation's leading provid-

"Make your
decision and
get your
team on
board -- there are many resources available, many by
download you could have today. It's a great way to kick
start your own fall programming and bless your community."
"Remember, although most
people in America have been to
church, only about 20 percent
attend regularly," he continued.
"Yet research shows most people would try it if someone just
invited them."

for reengaging people after the

summer.
"September is the number one
growth time in a church," said
Bil Cornelius, pastor of Bay
Area Fellowship in Corpus
Christi, Texas. "You gotta give
them a reason to come back,
and they will."
To help encourage churches to
promote and church members
to invite, National Back to
Church Sunday has ready-touse materials available at
www.backtochurch.com.
Free materials include a roster
listing,publicity materials, tips
for using social media, and information about using the Back
to Church Facebook page and
YouTube channel.

The richly-resourced project

also offers everything from
postcards to bulletin covers to
banners and videos. An indepth Back to Church kit, available in print or as a download,
includes a planning guide, serParticipating churches are also mons, videos, children's curricpreparing for the day by enulum, posters, e-book, samples
couraging members to make a of other printed resources, and
special effort to attend church more than 60 digital resources,
that day, and to invite someone such as e-vites, web banners,
to come with them.
PowerPoint presentations,
logos and children's resources.
'Seven out of 10 unchurched
people would visit a church if a National Back to Church Sunfriend invited them. What are
day even has its own You Tube
we waiting for?" said Lee
channel with more than 20
Strobel, best-selling author of
videos to share information,
The Case for Christ and The
inspiration -- and also make it
Case for Faith.
fun. Video previews are available at
"The church offers hope, grace, www.youtube.com/btcsunday.
truth, joy and the message of
eternal life -- all of which we
National Back to Church Sunwant our friends to experience. day is the largest annual comLet's take a risk and prayerfully munity-based church outreach
offer an invitation!"
effort in the nation, when thousands of churches share the
Yet despite the endorsement
simple message and mission of
from Strobel and many other
inviting everyone in America
church leaders, only two perBack to Church.
cent of church members have
invited someone to church in
The campaign empowers
the past year. National Back to churches and church members
Church Sunday provides the
with the tools they need to
inspiration and tools to help
welcome their neighbors,
church members push past
friends and loved ones back to
their discomfort to reach out
church, while providing an easy
and invite others to come.
way for everyone in the community to find a welcoming
And pastors understand it also
comes at a key time of the year church.

Romans Road To Salvation

Romans 3:23 "For all have
sinned, and come short of the
glory of God."

Every person who has ever lived on

Earth has sinned and fell short of
Gods expectations, except for the
Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23a "For the wages of

sin is death..."
We were all on our way to Hell because there is a price to be paid for
sin. It is a physical and spiritual death
and eternal separation from God.
This eternal separation also includes
sinners being eternally lost and cast
into the Lake of fire.

Romans 6:23b "...but the gift of

God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord."
The good news is we can be saved
from this death and separation from
God. Eternal life is a gift from God
but only available through the Lord
Jesus Christ. He is the only way.

were not righteous but we all were

sinners. But God loved us so much
that while we were yet doing our
things, going our own ways, deep in
sin, Christ died for us. He bore the
penalty for all of our sins.

Romans 10:9,10 "That if thou

shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised
him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation."
Confess the Lord Jesus and believe in
your heart that God raised him from
the dead, so that God can save you.
He doesnt care about what sins you
have done in the past. He loves you
and wants to save you. Jesus Christ
paid the complete price, taking all of
mankinds sins unto himself on the
cross. We have to no longer be
slaves to sin and death.

Romans 10:13 "For whosoever

Romans 5:8, "But God comshall call upon the name of the
mendeth his love toward us, in
Lord shall be saved."
that, while we were
yet sinners,
Christian
Ministry
Declines
Exemption
Call on theTax
Lord and
ask him to save
Christ died for us."
you. God wants to. He loves you!
Man was not deserving of God, we

Good News Press - 4

Todays Teens - (God can even take teenagers and
use them for his Glory) A Testimony
than anything to fit in with my brothers
and to show them that I wasn't an all
around "goody, goody", so I started
doing what they did - hanging out with
First let me start off by telling you that I there friends, smoking, drinking, partying, doing drugs, stealing, breaking the
am only 13 1/2, I know what you are
probably thinking "what kind of testimo- law, and even some witch craft, which is
ny can someone so young have?" Well, really something you don't want to mess
around with. I even almost had sex with
in this day and age a lot can happen to
preteens and teens, so just hang in there one of their friends, but thank God I
for a minute while I tell you my testimo- didn't, because somewhere deep inside I
was knew it was wrong and there were
ny. You won't regret it.
consequences for some things.
I was saved when I was seven years old,
and lived in a small town sheltered from After all this stuff started happening I
went into a deep depression, but I don't
most things, but then when I was nine
years old, my mother committed suicide, think anyone really realized it because I
started to stay away from my brothers.
after being married to a man who
abused her verbally and physically, leav- At one point, I seriously thought about
ing me and my two older brothers in the killing myself, I thought, hey my Mom did
it so why can't I, no one cares about me,
care of our dad and step-mom. My
brothers and I had to move from every- no one tells me "I love you," I'm here
thing we knew to a different state, away traveling through life alone, but I also
from all of our friends and family, to live was so lost, I didn't know what to do. I
with my dad, step-mom and three older was a scared little child, forgetting that I
am never alone, God is always there.
stepbrothers plus my real brothers.

could get away from all my family for a

week. So I went, not knowing that God
would work in my life again. On the
second to the last day I recommitted my
life to the Lord, and I have never been
the same since, but the story isn't over
yet.
A lot has happened since a year and a
half ago. My dad divorced my step-mom,
getting rid of my stepbrothers who were
really bad influences on me. I get to go
to a Christian School, and be in a Christian band. God has given me the
strength to handle almost anything now.
I want to serve God forever, and when I
grow up I want to be a missionary so I
can tell all people about Jesus and how
He has changed my life.
Parents please remember to show your
children how much you love them and
how much you care about them. They
need you more than anything. Maybe if
my dad would have a lot more, I wouldn't have went the way I did, but I know
God allowed all the horrible things to
Well, let me just say things were OK for Then I turned 12 and it was the summer happen to me for a reason, maybe that
reason is to show people God can take
about a year or so for me anyway, but I again. We moved and I didn't have any
even teenagers and use them for his
really didn't fit in with my surroundings. friends, so I wanted to get out of my
house, because I was pretty much under glory.
All of my brothers started getting in to
house arrest because my brothers got
drugs, smoking, drinking, sex, stealing
Thank you so much for reading my testiand lots of other things. You know me, a sick of me, and Church Camp was commony. God bless you all. (Raptureready)
ing
up
so
I
decided
I
would
go,
just
so
I
little 11 year old girl who wanted more
Carrie
Hello, My name is Carrie, and I would
like to share my testimony.

Temple of Deliverance COGIC Womens Choir

Releases New Rousing Single Everybody Praise
New Project, Pastor Milton R. Hawkins
Presents The Temple of Deliverance
Women's Choir In The Sanctuary, Releases On Tuesday, July 23, 2013; CharityFocused Women's Choir To Donate CD
Proceeds 24-7PressRelease --

Although the 200-member Women's

Choir has been existence for 25 years, it
was the vision of the church's First Lady,
Catherine Hawkins for the choir to record. She feels that women bring a special
kind of praise. "Music is a major ingredient
in praise and women have always been
The late Bishop G.E. Patterson was a be- free to express their praise to God,"
loved member of the Christian communi- shares the First Lady. "Women are more
ty and a preaching giant. Known for his
expressive, we take things to heart; when
dynamic sermons, he was also loved for
we see our brothers and sisters in need,
his music. Songs from his "Old Time Way" we feel compelled to help. That's why one
CDs were heard in choir stands national- of our main goals is to take the love of
ly. Now the Women's Choir of his former Christ and to share it with communities
church, the Temple of Deliverance
that are hurting and have been ravished by
Church of God Of Christ in Memphis,
natural disasters."
TN, is continuing his legacy with the release of a brand new single, "Everybody
The choir has lent resources and time to
Praise". Already entering the Top 50 of
assist those affected by many catastrothe BDS Gospel charts, the rousing,
phes. In their hometown of Memphis, the
churchy praise song is the lead single from ladies sprung into action helping those
the forthcoming CD, Pastor Milton R.
who lost homes from flooding waters in
Hawkins Presents The Temple of Deliver- 2011. In that same year, they assisted in
ance Women's Choir "In The Sanctuary". the aftermath of tornadoes in Mississippi
With Gospel's finest making cameo apand Alabama. In 2012, they sent thousands
pearances on the CD, including Karen
of dollars and supplies to those affected
Clark Sheard, Tamela Mann, and Lisa Page by Hurricane Sandy. Recently financial
Brooks, the new release will be available
support was forwarded to Oklahoma
in stores and online on Tuesday, July 23,
tornado recovery. They also have donated
2013.
their time to local school development
and teen pregnancy prevention programs

and have supported other faith-based

emergency relief efforts. Continuing to
fulfill their God-given mission, one hundred percent of the proceeds from the
new CD will be used to support various
outreach missions.
Produced by renowned producer and
songwriter Derrick Starks, the new CD
from The Temple of Deliverance Women's Choir contains songs of praise and
worship to God. The dynamic and riveting
lead single, "Everybody Praise", is the perfect song to open Sunday morning service.
Led by Carla Tolbert Taylor, the track
was penned by Starks. Popular Gospel
artists make appearances including Karen
Clark Sheard on the hand-clapper, "Break
Through", Tamela Mann on "Have Thine
Own Way" and Lisa Page Brooks on
"Keep Me All The Way". Temple of Praise
COGIC Pastor, Milton R. Hawkins, delivers the rousing "Armed and Dangerous",
admonishing and leading a chant of praise.
More information about the Women's
Choir of Temple of Deliverance can be
found by logging on to
http://www.todcogic.org and
http://www.todliverecording.com.

Acts Full Gospel Church

Youth Dept. Debutante Program
Bishop Bob Jackson, Senior Pastor
Sis Pinn, Youth Director
1034 66th Ave, Oakland CA
www.actsfullgospelchurch.org
510-567-1300
Contact: Sis Sandy Bradley-Claybrooks,
Program Director For More Info

Phone: (925) 565-0195

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Good News Press - 5

Labor Day: Its All About You
The original intent of Labor
Day was to provide a holiday that would honor the
social and economic
achievements of American
workers, and it still does
that today. It was also intended to provide a day of
rest between the Fourth of
July and Thanksgiving.

In America, Labor Day is

celebrated the first Monday
of each September. Because
it's the last major holiday
before the onset of autumn,
it's generally seen as the last
chance to enjoy the summer season.

that does not celebrate a

heroic leader or historic
event.

The three-day weekend

offers an opportunity to
step away from your business, your work at a store,
hospital, office or plant.
Whether or not you know You can rest and recharge
it, what Labor Day mainly
your batteries doing things
celebrates is you, your
with you family that will
work and your contribusoon be impractical because
tions to our nation. World- of the changing season and
wide, it's the only holiday
busy schedules.

Some historians say that In

1882, Matthew Maguire, a
machinist, first proposed
the holiday while serving as
secretary of the Central
Labor Union of New York.
On September 5, some
10,000 workers in New
York City participated in
America's first Labor Day
parade.
Others historians argue
that it was first proposed
by Peter J. McGuire of the
American Federation of
Labor in the same year,
after he witnessed the annual Canadian labor festival
held in Toronto, Ontario.

Filling the extra years

with fun and productivity
Jim Toedtman, editor of the AARP The Magazine, knows many stories about successful
much fun in this world and a lot of good
retirement.
folks. And good books to read and fish to
catch and pretty women to admire and good
His favorite involves his own grandfather,
John F. Smith, who was a professor of
men to know. Why, life is a joy."
speech and drama for many years at OtterSmith said his transition to a custodian was
bein College in Westerville, Ohio.
simple. He knew what a mop was and what a
bucket was. It was hard work, but he tried
At age 70, this active man was forced to
retire, as was the college's custom. The next to do it well. He did that job for 15 years.
day, he applied for a custodian job at the
college gymnasium. He was hired right away. Today, people live about 30 years longer
than they did in 1900 when the average
Smith became the subject one magazine sto- lifespan was 47 years. With modern medical
ry entitled "He traded his cap and gown for a advances and better water, cleaner streets,
vaccinations and antibiotics, we have that gift
mop." He was once interviewed by CBS
television newsman Charles Kuralt. Kuralt
of 30 extra years.
asked him which job was more rewarding.
Toedtman's grandfather replied that every
Jim Toedtman calls on retirees to decide
age of life has its own compensations and he what they will do with opportunities that
was still looking ahead. He said, "There's too extra years will bring.

Dear Ester Q&A

Hello Dear Esther,
I am a young man of 25 years
of age, and I was born-again
two years ago. I live in one of
the countries in southern
Africa. I am in a very terrible
situation of having homosexual hearts desire, and a tendency of admiring other men.
This situation has always been
on me even from my early
ages. I have never told anybody about my situation, not
even my pastor because it is
so shameful to me since I
know its a sin to be a homosexual, so this filthy desire
does not bring peace to my
soul, so I need your help.
Needing Peace
Dear Needing Peace,
Your heavy heart is troubling
of course, because you know
right from wrong. This struggle you are having is something that can be healed by
God. Others have overcome
such maladies and you can,
too. From what you say it

does not sound like you have

anyone that you can speak to
about this. But when all seems
hopeless we are so mightily
blessed as believers because
we can go directly to the
Lord and petition Him to
intercede and help us.
"For as many who are led by
the Spirit of God, these are
sons of God. For you did not
receive the spirit of bondage
again to fear, but you received
the Spirit of adoption by
whom we cry out, Abba, Father" (Romans 8:14-15).
It does not help that we are
living at time when the masses
are so willing to convolute the
God-given, male and female
genders. I believe this is part
of the confusion many people,
young and old carry, struggling to be freed from such
unnatural tendencies. If we
were not given a very strong
biblical foundation we can
become easy targets for those
who seek to pervert the ways
of God.

I receive many letters from

young men who are having
this same issue. How they
hate their sin and how desperately they want to overcome this sorrowful burden.
It seems to be a curse that is
destroying any joy in their
lives. But when we are in
Christ we are not cursed
because in Him we are redeemed and made whole.
When we become born-again
the old man dies:
Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians
5:17).
Christ, dwelling within us,
enables us to overcome sin. I
have been crucified with
Christ; it is no longer I who
live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in
the flesh I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me
(Galatians 2: 20).
(Raptureready Q&A)

God News Press - 6

Gods Divine Will Defined
By Dr. Rick Wallace
There is a great deal of
debate taking place concerning Gods will for mankind and the possibility of
God having a permissive
will (a secondary desire
for his creation when they
choose to move contrary
to His first).

truly understand His will.

God is 100 percent righteous and holy; so, believers
have to understand that the
will (declaration or decrees) of God are not capricious. God only has one
will, this is the will he declared in eternity past for
you. God, by His very nature, cannot have more
The first thing that must be than one will. What God
done is to define is the
desires for every person is
word will as it pertains to His best. What every perGod, and how it should be son chooses and God alunderstood in engaging the
study of scripture. This will lows is another story.
be accomplished using one
of the most oft quoted and Where the term
yet, grossly misunderstood permissive will comes in
verses of scripture in the
is in dealing with the fact
Bible. This scripture is
that God created man with
probably the primary
free volition (the ability to
source of all of the confuchoose without inhibition).
sion concerning Gods per- What this means is that
fect and permissive will.
though God knows what he
wants for every believer, he
will not force it upon them;
And do not be conhe will allow (permit, i.e.
formed to this world, but
permissive) them to choose
be transformed by
for themselves what they
the renewing of your mind, will do. In this case, what
so that you may prove
God allows (permits) is not
what the will of God is,
His will, but yours. What
that which is good and ac- most people confuse with
ceptable and perfect. (Rom. Gods permissive will is
12:2, NASB)
actually God allowing man
the freedom of volition.
The original language of the (God allowed the Jews to
New Testament is Greek. practice polygamy, but obviously it was not his will
The word in the Greek
translated will is: thelema, for them (Gen. 19:4-5;
thel'-ay-mah, a determina- Gen. 2:24-25), he simply
allowed it. Another analogy
tion (properly the thing),
would be one of your chilthat is, (actively) choice
dren wanting to bypass
(specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition) or college in order to pursue
what you consider to be a
(passively) inclination: foolish endeavor. Yet, you
desire, pleasure, will.
allow them to do it because
(Strong's Hebrew and
you have always told them
Greek Dictionaries)
that once they were adults
they could make their own
decisions. This is not your
In the context of what is
being written by the Apos- will for them. You are allowing them the freedom
tle Paul here, the word
will can be defined as the to pursue their own will.
Despite the fact that you
divine declaration or dedont approve of their decicree (informally, the plan)
God has established for the sion, you will be there to
help them pick up the pieclife of every individual.
es when it falls apart because you are their parent
It is important to underand you love them. Its the
stand the character and
essence of God in order to same with God when you

move opposite of His will.

What does this mean? It
means that God has a desire for every believer and
that at some point every
believer (based on their
fallible human nature) will
venture from Gods will
in lieu of their own. The
awesome thing here is God
is not taken by surprise due
to the decision of the believer to go renegade from
His plan, because He in
omniscient (Meaning that
He knows everything that
has ever transpired, is transpiring, and will transpire.
This includes all what ifs.).
God can take a bad decision that he has allowed
(because he will not interfere with the volition of
anyone) and create the
perfect process through
which the believer can benefit from the mistake and
find his/her way back into
the divine will of God (this
does not eliminate consequences).
Where a great deal of confusion comes from when
people speak of Gods perfect will vs. His permissive
will is the use of the word
perfect, Greek teleios,
tel'-i-os. Many mistakenly
assume that because there
is a perfect will, there must
be a less than perfect will,
but that would be contrary
to Gods essence and His
character. Gods will (his
desire, decree, or declaration) can only be the highest possible outcome. Anything less than what is the
perfect (teleios, complete and perfect) will of
God come from the volitional execution of the individual.
Basically, the use of the
term permissive will gives
the connotation that God
has a sort of well, its not
what I really want, but this
will have to do mentality

against our wayward

movement in His plan. Can
God take your poor decisions and still work it in a
way that He can eventually
bring blessings to you despite your willful disobedience? Yes. Is this the best
route to take? Absolutely
not!

consequences of this decision is inevitable and God

will allow the consequences along with other variable pressures to influence
the individuals involved to
readjust their thinking.
They separate, get married,
and move back in together.
God will not only honor
that marriage, he will bless
it, as long as they remain in
Now, where there seems His will. This does not
mean that there may not
to be further confusion is
in Gods ability to clean up be lingering consequences
because of the initial deciyour mess. When you
choose to move opposite sion, but as far as the issues with living together
the will of God, God can
and all the other things
still take your mess and
through applying the prop- that come along with it are
concerned, it is now within
er amount of pressure,
cause you to move back
the will of God.
towards him, and in doing
so it aligns you with His
will for your lives and alAnother fallible concept by
lows God to subsequently some is that permissive
will refers to things like
bless you.

Example: An unmarried
couple moves into together and of course they are
having pre-marital sex. This
is definitely not the will of
God for them, but he allows (permits it, based on
the freedom of volition for
mankind) it; however, the

choosing the right mate or

a number of other personal decisions. In other
words, some believe that
God has a certain person
for you and that if you
choose the wrong person
that falls under the category of Gods permissive will.
God has given believers his

will for marriage. You

should not be unequally
yoked with an unbeliever.
That is the big premarriage declaration (will)
of God. Most all other
declarations concerning
marriage are post marriage. Now, there are
many that wont support
this, but scripture supports
it; God is concerned with
whom you marry, but He
is much more concerned
about what you do after
you marry.
The same thing applies to
career decisions: it is a
personal decision.
Obviously, what is rendered here is an extremely
basic explanation of this
extremely intricate doctrine.

Dr. Rick Wallace Ph.D. is

a theologian, published
author, public speaker
and entrepreneur. He has
degrees in Theology, Biomechanics & Kinesiology,
Psychology and Textual
Criticism.
Dr. Wallace is the Dean
of the Ministry of Health
& Wellness at A Ray of
Hope Theological Seminary, Bible College & International School of Divinity. He is also the
founder of RWM (Rick
Wallace MInistries), a
dynamic and multifaceted
ministry that uses a creative and unique methodology to deliver a sound
theology that addresses
every aspect of life biblically, spiritually, and practically.

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Good News Press - 7

Church Of God In Christ Will Keep Its Largest
Convention In St. Louis Through 2016

Kirk Camerons Most Personal Project

Creates National Headlines

Kirk Camerons Most Personal Project Creates National News Headlines from
Social Media Controversy
Actor/producer Kirk
Cameron has made national
news headlines as he announced the release date
for his most personal project to date regarding his
About the Church of God in
faith in God. Cameron has
COGICs largest annual conChrist.
invited audiences nationvention, The Holy ConvocaThe Church of God in Christ wide to join him on Tuesday, September 24, 2013,
tion, has convened downtown
is the fifth largest Protestant
for his one-night live event
near the world famous Gate- The St. Louis community is
religious denomination in the of UNSTOPPABLE to nearway Arch since 2010. During delighted in the Church of
United States, the largest Afri- ly 700 theaters nationwide.
(www.unstoppablethemovie
this period, the St. Louis CVC God in Christs selection of
can American Pentecostal
has ranked the denomination St. Louis for these additional church in the country and the .com).
as one of the largest conven- years, says Kathleen Kitty second largest Pentecostal
UNSTOPPABLE created a
tions that assembled in the
Ratcliffe, President of the St.
organization in the world with social media firestorm
when both Facebook and
destination. Before moving to Louis CVC. St. Louis has
churches in 60 countries
YouTube prohibited audiSt. Louis, the convention was rolled out the red carpet and worldwide and an estimated
ences access to the films
held for 103 years in Memwelcomed, with open arms,
membership of nearly 6.5
trailer, labeling it as
unsafe and abusive.
phis, TN, the churchs interthousands of COGIC Saints
million members.
Over half a million of Cam
building
a
positive
relationAbout
the
St.
Louis
Convention
national headquarters.
erons fans rallied to proship with the entire voting
& Visitors Commission
test the blocking of the web
body. In addition to the exThe St. Louis Convention and site, and after several days,
Presiding Bishop Charles E.
both social media sites alBlake, Sr. says, The General traordinary service provided Visitors Commission is the
lowed access. Followers of
by
the
hospitality
community,
sales
and
marketing
organizaAssembly, the legislative body
Camerons continue to rally
COGIC
has
been
embraced
tion
responsible
for
marketing
of the Church of God in
online support, interacting
by the offices of Mayor Fran- St. Louis City and St. Louis
Christ, voted to continue to
at an incredible rate on his
cis G. Slay, St. Louis City LiCounty as a convention and
nearly 700,000-strong Facehold our convocation in St.
meeting site and as a leisure
book page.
Louis, Missouri. Bishop Blake cense Collector Michael
also stated, During the past McMillan and County Execu- travel destination.
UNSTOPPABLE is an artistic and compelling documentary that takes audiences on a journey to the beginning of creation, and
chronicles events that offer
a deeper meaning of the
such a broad group of interna- the Christian church to pray
repentance led to both revival
role that pain and suffering
tional prayer and evangelism
will make the greatest contri- and transformation for their
have in our lives. UNSTOPministries and nations for 40
bution to world evangelization nation in their respective periPABLE will prompt audiencDays of Global Prayer, Fasting in history." Secondly, the Bilods of history. These brave
es to consider their personand Repentance. Thirty-nine
lion Souls Revival Prayer Call is Old Testament prophets give
al views on faith, and enkey national and international historic because it is the first
us an example of humility to
courage conversation startChristian leaders, who have a global call of its kind to draw
aspire to, and the undersigned
ers about God, suffering,
deep passion for revival and
together prayer for social jus- leaders encourage Christians
and hope.
transformation, have contribtice issues and world evangearound the world to join, as
uted to the 40 Day devotion- lism. Issues such as abortion
they are able, in this extended
Cameron, who has been
al.
and the rising tide of immorali- time of prayer, fasting and
scrutinized by liberal audiences for standing firm on
Many other leaders not listed ty, which is the driving force
repentance for a worldwide
his Christian views of faith,
in this devotional from around behind the explosion in human outpouring of the Holy Spirit
family, and morality, experithe world are supporting this
sex trafficking, with the specific for revival and transformation
enced record-breaking
Global Prayer Call. These lead- prayer request for a release of for the nations of the world.
success for his 2012 oneers represent over a dozen
a Billion Souls into the kingJesus Christ said in Matthew
night theatrical event Moncountries including: USA, Aus- dom of God.
17:21, "an evil spirit of this
tralia, Argentina, UK, China,
kind is only driven out by pray- umental.
India, Mozambique, Malawi,
Proverbs 11:30 says, "He that er and fasting." For more infor- Its easy to celebrate your
Papua New Guinea, Solomon
wins souls is wise." Thirdly, the mation:
faith when things seem to
Islands, South Korea and South Billion Souls Revival Prayer
www.billionsoulsrevivalprayerc be going well in your life.
Africa. The list is growing day Call has a strong emphasis on all.org or link in on Facebook:
But when we encounter
by day. As Andrew Murray
repentance. Daniel and Nehe- www.facebook.com/BillionSoul tragedy or adversity in our
lives, we often question
once said; "He who mobilizes miahs life of prayer, fasting and sRevivalPrayerCall

The Church of God in Christ

(COGIC) and St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
(CVC) announce that the largest
African-American Pentecostal
church in America has chosen to
remain in St. Louis through
2016.

three years, the Church of

God in Christ has brought
over 105 million dollars to
the St. Louis regional economy. The mayor, city officials
and residents have shown the
church great respect, warmth
and hospitality. We look forward to returning each November, in the coming years,
to this incredible city.

tive Charlie Dooley, among

others. COGIC Saints know
that they are welcome in our
community and we are
thrilled to have the opportunity to continue that welcome in the years ahead.

Historic Global Prayer contd from Pg 1

Where is
God in all
of this?
We wrestle with
our hearts
and minds
to understand the
reasoning,
says Cameron. In
UNSTOPPABLE, I
take you
on a personal voyage into
the depths
of my faith,
based on
something
that happened in
my life. We
discover
not only is there an answer
to this pivotal question,
there is great hope in it as
well!
UNSTOPPABLE will be
broadcast to nearly 700
cinemas nationwide from
The Vines Center at Liberty
Universitythe largest
Christian university in the
worldin Lynchburg, Va.,
on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at
8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT
and tape delayed at 7:00
p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m.
PT/AK/HI. Tickets and theatre locations are available
online at
www.unstoppablethemovie.
com.
The event will feature music from guests that include
Dove nominated artist
Warren Barfield, whose
song Love is Not a Fight
was featured in the independent blockbuster film
Fireproof, and former
American Idol contestant
and Grammy and Dove
nominated recording artist
Mandisa.

recent documentary, Monumental. His company, CAMfam Studios, will release his
latest film, Unstoppable, on
September 24th, in theaters
across the nation. His
speaking tour, Love Worth
Fighting For, is a marriage
event held in churches and
has been hosted in over
150 cities. Kirk and his wife,
Chelsea, were on-screen
sweethearts during their
Growing Pains years and
are the founders of Camp
Firefly, where terminally
and seriously ill children
and their families are provided an all-expense paid
retreat
(www.CampFirefly.com).
Together, Kirk and Chelsea
live in California with their
six children.

About Provident Films:

Provident Films, a division
of Sony Music Entertainment, produces, markets,
and distributes faith-based
films. The company is part
of Nashville-based Provident Music Group,
which has been one of the
Kirk Cameron is best
worlds leading Christian
known for his memorable
entertainment companies
role of Mike Seaver, a
for more than three deccultural icon of the 80 s,
ades. Films from the comwith his mullet hairstyle,
pany have included Couracool glasses, and wisecrack- geous, October Baby, Fireing comebacks. More reproof, and Facing the Gicently he enjoyed much
ants. More info is available
success with the #1 grossat ProvidentFilms.org
ing inspirational film of
2008, Fireproof, and his

Good News Press - Back