Ever Increasing Faith Magazine

Transcription

JULY/AUGUST 2006 VOL. II N0. 4
EVERINCREASINGFAITH
THE POWER OF FATIH TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE!
MAGAZINE
RAISING GODLY
CHILDREN—
YOU CAN
DO IT!!
PLUS:
:
HISTORY IN THE
MAKING—THE
CENTENNIAL
CELEBRATION
OF AZUSA
STREET
PARENTING MATTERS: A NEW COLUMN AIMED AT BETTERING OUR FUTURE
CONTENTS
JULY/AUGUST 2006
Ever Increasing Faith Magazine
July/August 2006
Vol. II, No. 4
Editor
Antracia Moorings
Publications Coordinator
Michelle McIntosh
Contributing Writers
Adrian M. Evans
Nicolla Moore
Dr. La Verne Tolbert
Paula M. Valle
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20
Art Design
Lorena Iñiguez
22
EIF Graphics Designer
Ardena Brooks
Photographers
James Byndon
Harry Langdon
Richard Ventura
Proofer
Charles Rideaux
Make Up
Adrian M. Evans
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6
Ever Increasing Faith Magazine is published by Crenshaw Christian Center, a
recognized nonprofit corporation.
2006 Crenshaw Christian Center. All
rights reserved. Reproduction in whole
or part without written permission is prohibited. Ever Increasing Faith and the
logo on the back page are registered
trademarks of Crenshaw Christian
Center, Inc. in the United States and
other countries where Ever Increasing
Faith Magazine circulates.
Ever
Increasing Faith Magazine has no subscription or newsstand price and is supported through contributions. All gifts to
this ministry are tax-deductible. Printed
in the United States of America.
16
Pastor Fred Price, Jr.: Carrying On
the Price Legacy
By Antracia Moorings
Editorial Offices
7901 South Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90044
(323) 758-3777
E-mail: eifmagazine@faithdome.org
Website: www.faithdome.org
To order from this magazine:
Call 1-800-927-3436
FEATURE ARTICLE
Azusa Street Centennial: The
Spiritual Experience of a Lifetime
By Paula M. Valle
Pastor Fred Price, Jr. has some big
shoes to fill as the son of Drs. Fred
and Betty Price. Read how this
young man is fulfilling the call of
God on his life while blazing his
own trail.
12
Thousands gathered in Los
Angeles in April to celebrate the
100th year anniversary of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on
Azusa Street. The Azusa Street
Centennial celebration included
more than 26,000 registered delegates from more than 100 countries.
THE WORD OF FAITH
Teaching and Training: The
Parent’s Primary Duties
By Dr. Frederick K.C. Price
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4
5
A Message from Dr. Price
On the Calendar
Contributors
For Drs. Ray and Joycelyn
Johnson, God’s call on their lives
led them to the missions field of
West Africa. They are now dedicated to teaching the Word of
Faith to Africa’s youth.
22
THE MESSAGE
Pastor’s Corner
On The Air
HEALTH & HEALING
New Vision Therapy Helps
Ease ADHD
By Nicolla Moore
Dr. Alton Williams credits the Holy
Spirit with leading him to use
Vision Therapy as a tool to reverse
the effects of ADHD in children.
Discover how this therapy is
changing children’s lives for the
better.
Adrian Evans, granddaughter of
Dr. Fred Price, explains how she
found her own unique path to letting her light shine. Learn how this
gifted young lady is paving her
own path towards success.
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25
YOU ARE HELPING TO
MAKE IT HAPPEN
The Word of God In Action
By Nicolla Moore
Let Your Light Shine
By Adrian M. Evans
It is the continuous duty of the parent to train up their children in the
way of the Lord. No one else is
given the responsibility for your
children except you.
DEPARTMENTS
20
FROM THE
HEADLINES
28
30
The Power of Faith Testimonies
Q&A Straight Talk with
Drs. Fred & Betty Price
EVER INCREASING FAITH MAGAZINE JULY/AUGUST 2006
3
invitation to salvation
a message from dr. price
With all four of my children working in the ministry with me at
Crenshaw Christian Center, I can say with assurance that children
are indeed a reward. My wife, Betty, and I have watched them
grow into responsible and caring adults who have a great love for
God. They didn’t turn out this way on their own. It took some hard
work and discipline from myself and Betty.
“Behold, children are a
heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb is a
reward. Like arrows in the
hand of a warrior, so are
the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has
his quiver full of them;
They shall not be
ashamed, but shall speak
with their
enemies in the gate.”
Parenting is no easy job. It
takes dedication, perseverance,
prayer and lots of faith. With that in
mind, we dedicated this issue to discussing how to raise godly children.
Children are important to God and
they should be just as important to
us. They are our future church.
Shifting gears a bit, we also highlighted the Azusa Centennial celebration that took place in April 2006
in Los Angeles. The city was jam
packed with Believers who came to
recognize the importance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 100 years
ago on Azusa Street in Los Angeles.
Here at Crenshaw Christian Center
(CCC), we celebrated with the
Believer’s Convention where we
were blessed with a number of messages about how blessed we really are
as children of God.
This month, we are introducing
a new column called Parenting
—-Psalm 127:3-5
Matters by Dr. LaVerne Tolbert,
who is Director of Christian
(New King James Version)
Education Ministries at CCC. A
gifted writer and teacher, I know
you’ll find her work both edifying and
entertaining. You may have noticed that the magazine has gotten a
bit of a face lift as well as a new editor, Antracia Moorings. This is
all part of our commitment to keep getting better and better
as we minister to your needs.
May this issue inspire you to be a better parent
and to recognize just how important your role as a
parent is in these perilous times. Remember, you are
helping to shape precious lives into mighty Believers!
Let’s work on building a godly legacy.
If you
are not a
Christian
and
would
like to
become one,
pray the
following
prayer:
Dear GOD in Heaven,
Thank you for sending Your
Son JESUS CHRIST to destroy
the power of Satan over my life. I
accept Jesus now as my personal
SAVIOR and LORD, and I
choose to turn away from the sins
of my past to a renewed Life in
Jesus.
You said that if I would confess
with my mouth the LORD
JESUS and believe in my heart
that You raised Him from the
dead, that I would be saved. I
believe JESUS died for my sins
and that You raised Him from the
dead for my benefit.
HEAVENLY FATHER, I
thank you for the gift of salvation
and for accepting me now as Your
child.
In JESUS’ name, Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer,
please let us know by writing
to us at:
Crenshaw Christian Center
P.O.Box 90000
Attn: Administration Office
4
on the itinerary
2006
CALENDAR
July 9
Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr.
Crenshaw Christian Center East
1 West 96th Street
New York, NY 10025
(212) 749-9323
July 16
Dr. Frederick K.C. Price
1 West 96th Street
New York, NY 10025
(212) 749-9323
July 24-28
Annual FICWFM Convention
FaithDome
7901 South Vermont Avenue
(323) 758-3777
August 8
Dr. Frederick K. C. Price
Victory Christian Center
Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty
7700 South Lewis Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74136-7700
(918) 491-7700
7:00 PM
August 9-12
Dr. Betty R. Price
Women’s Retreat
JW Marriott
Las Vegas, Nevada
(323) 758-3777 ext. 4297
(Registration Required)
August 19-26
EIFM Hawaiian Cruise
(800) 247-1899
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 270-4412
7:00 PM
August 30
Grace Fellowship
Pastor Bob Yandian
9610 S. Garnett Road
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
(918) 252-1611
7:00 PM
September 2
Dr. Betty R. Price
1 West 96th Street
New York, NY 10025
(212) 749-9323
“Women of Integrity
Meeting/Luncheon”
Daylight Christian Center Church
Pastors Jerome & Theresa Talley
COBO Conference Center
1 Washington Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 270-4412
10:00 AM
September 1
September 3
August 31
Daylight Christian Center Church
Pastors Jerome & Theresa Talley
COBO Conference Center
1 Washington Blvd.
1 West 96th Street
New York, NY 10025
(212) 749-9323
July 30
1 West 96th Street
New York, NY 10025
(212) 749-9323
August 3, 6
Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr.
1 West 96th Street
New York, NY 10025
(212) 749-9323
August 8
Dr. Betty R. Price
Women’s Luncheon
Victory Christian Center
Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty
7700 South Lewis Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74136-7700
(918) 491-7700
1:00 PM
Detroit
Tulsa
Las Vegas
contributors
Adrian Evans
founded Drini, a plussize teen/young-adult
apparel company, to fit
the lifestyle of a youthful
consumer and founded
on the attitude that all
shapes and sizes should
be created equal. Adrian has an Associates of Art
Degree in fashion design from The Fashion Institute
of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) and a
Bachelors of Fine Arts from American
Intercontinental University (AIU) in the dual major of
fashion design and marketing. She is currently
enrolled in an MBA program for marketing.
Nicolla Moore
has been a member of
Crenshaw
Christian
Center since 1999 and
is the Editor and Publisher
of
Inspired
Living
M a g a z i n e
( w w w. i n s p i r e d l i v i n g mag.com), a Christian publication filled with
resources and information designed to inspire readers to embrace God’s very best for their lives.
Paula M. Valle, a communications specialist at
Shanth Interactive, utilizes her journalism background to initiate a communication strategy that
blurs boundaries and
crosses borders by linking technology and new
media. She continues to freelance in journalism
and is a member of CCC. She holds a master’s
degree in Journalism from Columbia University’s
Graduate School of Journalism, a master’s degree
in Media Studies from Sussex University in England
and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from
the University of California at Berkeley.
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feature article
6
earing Pastor Frederick
K. Price, Jr. minister the
Word of God, it’s hard to
imagine that there was
ever a time when he did
not want to be a preacher. But the youngest child and only son of
Drs. Fred and Betty Price, says growing up,
the farthest thing from his mind was being a
pastor. For him, being a pastor’s son was as
close to the ministry as he wanted to get.
7
feature article
Frederick was ordained by his father Dr.
Frederick K.C. Price. It was a moving and
emotional service as attendees witnessed a
prophecy come to life.
Photo By: Harry Langdon
Fast forward to the year 2006 and Pastor Fred, as
he’s known, is smack dab in the middle of his destiny as a
minister of the Gospel and heir to the FaithDome
dynasty. There’s no doubt that the Lord had His hand in
ordering Frederick’s steps. Prior to joining Crenshaw
Christian Center (CCC) as an assistant pastor in 2002,
he was intent on becoming an entrepreneur. After high
school, he enrolled at Long Beach State University
where he majored in Business Administration. However,
after two years, God stepped in and changed the course
of Frederick’s life.
Interestingly enough, he had accepted his call to the
ministry in 1997, a year after high school, but he says he
was a bit fearful.
“But I couldn’t run from it,” he admits. “It was at a
Creflo Dollar meeting at the FaithDome that I got the
call. It was like a green light in my spirit. I just knew it’s
what I was supposed to do. I went to my father and mentioned it to him and he said, ‘you need to get with the
Father in prayer and be more consistent in reading the
Bible.’ That’s about all he told me at
that time. Another 1 1/2 years went by
before I took that seriously.”
So when he was 19, his mother mentioned Cottonwood Christian Center
School of Ministry as an alternative to
Long Beach State and he felt it was the
best move for him. Two years later in
2002, he graduated from Cottonwood
and became a licensed minister. That
same year, he preached his first sermon
in the FaithDome titled, “Does God Show Favoritism?”
The following year, in 2003, Frederick was ordained
by his father Dr. Frederick K.C. Price. It was a moving
and emotional service as attendees witnessed a prophecy
come to life. When Dr. Betty was pregnant with
Frederick, she received a prophesy from Kenneth Hagin
at an All Faiths Crusade at the Convention Center in
Anaheim, CA. “God has restored what the devil stole
from you many years ago. This child will be a blessing to
Destiny
8
you and will help you in the ministry,” prophesied Hagin.
It was truly a profound moment for the Price’s whose
first-born son Frederick K.C. Price, Jr. was struck by an
automobile when he was only eight years old. He died of
his injuries.
During that ceremony on February 8, 2003, Dr.
Price said to the congregation, “When our first son was
killed at eight years old, I thought that was the end of the
Price name. Many years later, ‘Sarah’ (Dr. Betty was 44
years old when Frederick was born) got pregnant again
and ‘Abraham’ (Dr. Price was 46 at Frederick’s birth)
went along with it. Of course, I was very upset when she
got pregnant. I thought I
was through with diapers
and bottles. I had worked
hard to be a good father,
but I felt I couldn’t handle
raising another baby at this
stage in my life.”
“Then the Prophet came
along and told us it would
be a boy and he would be a
blessing to our lives. I have
to say that Frederick has
been an excellent child.
Now I’m happy as a lark,”
added Dr. Price.
When asked what it feels
like to know that you are that child that was prophesied
about, Frederick says it’s sometimes hard to fathom.
“Honestly, I feel like a character in a fantasy novel,”
he explains. “I don’t know how else to say it. I feel like Neo
from the movie “The Matrix” or Luke Skywalker from the
movie “Star Wars.” They were the young ones who were
prophesied about who would save everyone. I’m not saying I’m the savior of the world or anything, but (the
propesy) in itself is awesome. I don’t take it lightly.”
Frederick isn’t the only one who finds the chain of
events surrounding his life awesome. His eldest sister
Angela Evans, who is President of CCC, says she some-
Prophecy
BROUGHT TO YOU BY FORC3 – THE NEXT GENERATION
Pastor Fred Price, Jr. shares his understanding about the Hip-Hop culture
and how Christians can use this vehicle
to reach the next generation. This
teaching was taped at a live Hip-Hop
service in the FaithDome and includes
praise and worship Hip-Hop style.
There is power in the name of Jesus
and in the blood of Jesus! In “The
Power Series” by Pastor Fred, Jr. you
will come to understand your authority
in the person of Jesus.
THE POWER IS
AVAILABLE TO YOU –
GETSOMETODAY!
(This CD
[DVD] FJDVS2 $24.95
is free w
ith a pur
chase of
[VHS] FJVS2 (2-Tapes) $24.95
(800) 927-3436
www.faithdome.org
any hip-h
op produ
ct on this
page.)
[CD Set] FJS6 (2-Discs) $9.95
9
feature article
DR. FRED PRICE &
PASTOR FRED PRICE JR.
Photo By: Harry Langdon
times sits and watches him in awe.
“Watching my baby brother, whose diapers I
changed, is indescribable,” she notes. “The revelation
knowledge that he gets is off the charts. He’s so much like
my father. For Freddie, the sky’s the limit. There was a
prophesy given during my dad’s 50th anniversary that said
the FaithDome is not going to be big enough for Freddie.
It’s overwhelming and exciting.”
But don’t think for one minute that any of this has
given Frederick a big head. Quite the contrary. This 27year-old minister, who drives a Honda Accord (complete
with a state-of-the art sound system and 20-inch rims, of
course) is as humble as they come. He says if he could
preach without the notoriety, he’d be more than content.
“Mark my words I will never be arrogant, big-headed or conceited,” he points out. “I don’t know how to be
because my father is not like that. He is so humble. People
have no idea. He doesn’t want the spotlight. He doesn’t
have to be on a pedestal. He’s not looking for any of that.
And I’m the same way. I’ll tell you right now, if I could
teach this Word without the fame, I’d be okay. I don’t
have to be known, I just want the Word to go forth. But
the notoriety comes with it, so I have to learn how to deal
with it. I’ll never let it get to my head. I’m going to continue to tell myself all the days of my life, ‘You are a humble
person and you will never let this get to your head.’
There’s a scripture that says a person
should not think more highly of himself
than he ought to which means I can
think highly, but I shouldn’t think more
highly than I ought to. So I’m going to
think highly of myself because God
thinks highly of me, but never more
highly than I ought to think.”
That’s some sound thinking from a
young man who says his parents are to
thank for keeping him grounded. Fact
is, much of their influence can be seen
in how he runs his life—including his marriage. Frederick
Marriage
10
married Angel on March 29, 2002, which marked the 50th
wedding anniversary of his parents. He says watching
their marriage and lives has spoken volumes to him.
“After 53 years of marriage they still go upstairs to
have coffee together, converse and just look out the window,” he says. “My mom still fixes my dad’s food. On
anniversaries and birthdays, my dad is still looking for
gifts that will bring my mother delight. It’s as if they are
still dating. I’ve never seen them argue. I’ve seen them
have a difference of opinion. But I’ve never seen anything
that caused dissension between the two of them. I want to
be able to say I have that kind of marriage.”
While Frederick is still
finding his way in the ministry
and marriage, he says he’s taking it all one step at a time.
Though he says he still has
strides to make, he is already
making an impact. In 2003,
Frederick launched a popular
service at CCC—Hip Hop
Sunday. Held every fifth
Sunday, the service is packed
out with young people who
are drawn to the skits, music and message that speaks
directly to them.
“For the majority of the teens everywhere, there’s just
not that fire for God. It’s a fire for secular and worldly
things,” he points out. “How do we transfer that energy
over here to godly things? That’s just what I want to see
done and I’ll fight for that. We do Hip Hop Sunday and I
enjoy doing that because it allows me to minister to the
young people and inform the parents to why their kids
talk like this, dress like this, act like this. We can minister
to other young people in their language and be effective.”
Indeed, the sky is the limit for this young man of
God, who says sometimes even he stands in awe of the
ministry that he will one day take over.
“Whenever I see people who have such admiration,
Ministry
“I am not starting out where he started.
I am starting out were he finishes.” —
PASTOR FRED PRICE JR.
respect and love for my
father, every once and
while it makes me say
‘wow,’” he admits. “I’m
not starting out where
he started. I’m starting
out where he finishes.
I’m stepping into a
humongous platform. If
anything weighs on me,
it’s that I want to measure up to my father because he’s set such a standard of
excellence in character and integrity. That’s what I want
Legacy
“Mark my words I will never be arrogant,
big-headed or conceited. I don”t know how
to be because my father is not like that.”
to do more than anything else. The teaching stuff, the size
of this ministry, the television ministry, all of that stuff is
cool, but I want to be remembered for the same reasons
he’s remembered—as a great man of faith and integrity. I
want the same accolades. I want that same impact or a
greater impact. I believe my father would want me to have
a greater impact.” —EIF
11
the word of faith
Building a Godly
Legacy
“In so many
disagree with that. You shouldn’t make a child go to church.
he first responsibility of the Christian husband and
homes
You shouldn’t make a child read the Bible.”
wife in the family situation is to teach their children
You’d better! If you don’t, he may never do it.
the Word of God.
there is no See, you don’t have trouble with making him brush his teeth
“And these words which I command you
or comb his hair or wash behind his ears. But when it comes
today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them
love
to his eternal destiny, you say, “Well, I think he should make
diligently to your children, and shall talk to them
when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you manifested. that decision on his own.”
Football coaches don’t ask the players if they would like
lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Learn
to
to
exercise.
They make them do it because it’s part of getting
You see, that’s not talking about a “Sunday religion.” It’s talkready for action. The same is true for parents. We need to train
ing about a way of life. It’s your duty to teach the Word when
touch, to our children in preparation for the battle of life.
you’re sitting or walking around…when you go to bed and when
It’s even more important regarding spiritual matters. The
speak kind
you get up. That’s continuously!
devil couldn’t care less if your child brushes his teeth. But he’s
The Bible doesn’t say to teach the children if they want to be
words, to going to do his best to steal every word your child reads from
taught. It just says TEACH THEM!
the Bible. Training is the only way to success.
I need to say one thing here. You can’t teach what you don’t
express
My daughter Angela is now President of Crenshaw
know. So as a parent, it’s your responsibility to study God’s
Christian
Center. She’s in that position today because she was
Word.
your love.
trained right—we walked circumspectly before her as parents.
The same principle is taught in the New Testament. “And
There was a time when she resisted going to church, but “faith
Let your
you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring
comes by hearing.” Because she heard the Word day in and day
them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians
children
out, she became committed to it. That’s how it works.
6:4).
Third, parents must provide for their children…“For the
When the Bible says, admonition of the Lord, it means to
know you children
ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for
admonish by the Word of God. Teach them His words! It’s
the children” (2 Corinthians 12:14).
care.”
going to take some time—but you owe it to your children.
In the strictest sense, Paul was not talking about physical
Now the reference to “fathers” in that verse also applies to
parents, but the principle applies. You have a responsibility to
mothers, for in the sight of God you and your spouse are one
provide for your children to the best of your ability. And that
flesh. So don’t go laying all the responsibility on dad. “You just wait until
doesn’t
just
mean their material needs. Some folks are working five jobs
your father gets home!” That’s no good. Don’t make dad out to be a
just to provide “things” when they need to stay home and provide trainfrankestein monster. Take care of the problem when it happens.
ing in the Word, affection and security.
The second responsibility is to train your children. Some folks think
Fourth, you need to love your children. Titus 2:4
teach and train mean the same thing, but they don’t. To teach means to
says, “That they admonish the young women to
give information. When you train somebody, you make them do it!
love their husbands, to love their children.”
You can teach a child to wash behind the ears, but you’ve got to train
Again, this verse applies to dads as
him to do it. You’ve got to make him do it until it becomes a natural
well
as moms. You are one flesh in
thing to do.
the
sight of God.
The Word says, “Train up a child in the way he should go,
In so many homes
and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs
there is no
22:6).
T
Well, a whole lot of folks have departed.
Now either God’s Word is a lie or the
people didn’t train the kids.
Someone said, “I
12
love manifested. Learn to touch, to speak kind words, to express “It’s your duty Now let’s look briefly at the child’s responsibility to the parent.
your love. There’s nothing “weird” about a father hugging his
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
to teach the Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandson. Let your children know you care.
And fifth, you must learn to control your children. First
ment with promise: that is may be well with you and you may
Timothy 3:4 says, “One who rules his own house well, having his Word when live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
children in submission with all reverence.” That doesn’t mean to you’re sitting
Now remember, the Bible was written for the family of
be a tyrant. It doesn’t mean you have to be an ogre. It simply
God–not sinners. It’s difficult to honor dishonorable parents.
means that you have control over your children.
or walking But if you are Christians, your children owe you their respect.
Let me share just four words: correct, punish, discipline and
So if you want to be honored, live honorably before your chilchasten. Now in the Bible those four words mean basically the around…whe dren. The same truth is set forth in Colossians 3:20. “Children,
same thing.
your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the
n you go to obey
According to Proverbs 13:24, “He who spares his rod hates
Lord.”
his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” It says bed and when
This advice is to children of Christian parents. I know
we should discipline him promptly. Don’t let bad habits get
mothers who are teaching their daughters to be prostitutes and
you get up. fathers who are teaching their children to steal and peddle
ingrained.
Proverbs 19:18 says, “Chasten thy son while there is hope,
drugs. What a tragedy!
and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (King James Version). That’s continParents, if you’re not walking in the light of God’s love your
Here, chasten means to discipline. And again, we are told to do
children
do not owe you
uously!”
it early while there is still hope for the child’s future.
their obedience. But if
Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of
you’re a doer of the Word,
a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” The word correcyou can demand their unquestioning
tion means “discipline.” So you see, they are interchangeable.
respect and obedience.
And in Proverbs 23:13 we read, “Do not withhold correction from a
Teach your children…train
child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.”
them…provide for them…love
When you spank a child in love, he will not die. I’m not talking about
them…control them…set an example
flogging and mutilation. I’m talking about controlled discipline. And
for them…and you’ll never fail as a paralways tell your child why you’re spanking him.
ent. —EIF
Dr. Fred Price
All scriptures quoted are New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated. -Excerpt from “The Christian Family” by Dr. Frederick K.C. Price ©1985
The Christian
Family
Says Dr. Price, “The Christian Family
should be a replica of the Body of
Christ.” Unfortunately, divorce, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, abortion
or just living together are acceptable
lifestyles even among the Christian
community today. Is it any wonder
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13
pastor’s corner
PASTOR DANA EVERAGE:
A Son In The Gospel
Steps Out In Faith
or almost 20 years, Pastor Dana Everage has been working diligently at Crenshaw Christian Center (CCC). Last month, he
stepped out to start his own ministry. It’s a bold move for Everage
who had been an assistant pastor working with the children’s ministry at CCC. But it’s a vision that Everage says has been brewing
for years.
“This has been working in me since 2000,” explains Everage. “I got
ordained in 2000, so over the years I’ve been believing God to show me what
He’s wanted me to do. Crenshaw Christian Center is a training center. Some
people are called to stay here. Others are called to take the information and go
out with it. I’m one of those people called out.”
Once Everage knew he was called to pastor a church, he says he began
praying about where to go. The Lord laid two cities on his heart—Corona,
California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I believe God opens up windows of opportunity,” says Everage,
“God said, ‘so what do you want to do? You can go or stay—it’s up to you.’
It was pretty simple. I knew the window was not going to be open forever.”
Last July, Everage was talking with his barber who lives in Las
Vegas and commutes weekly to Los Angeles to cut hair. When he told him
about his plans to start a church there, his barber was enthusiastic
because the pickings for a solid Word-based church are slim in Las
Vegas. In July of last year, Everage and his wife Cheryl went to
Las Vegas to hold a Bible study. After the Bible study, he discussed his plans with Dr. Fred Price, who offered his blessings. Before heading out, Everage wanted to make sure the
children’s ministry at CCC was in tip-top shape.
“My biggest issue was that we needed to get our
children into a building,” he notes. “We’ve been praying for
specific space for the children’s church, since I’ve been
here. I knew that when we got the children situated it
was going to be time for me to leave. Things just fell into
place within the last nine months. It’s been phenomenal.
There’s no way I could leave CCC with out it being
right.”
He has also gotten business matters established
for the new church, which will be called Vegas
Christian Center. They submitted their application for
F
14
Pastor Everage and his wife Cheryl.
the church to have 501c3 tax-exempt status, finished the church constitution,
bylaws, and organized the church board.
Everage and his wife, are trusting God for a church building. In the
meantime, they will hold services in the bonus room of their new house. It’s
proving to be an exciting time for Everage, who says he never aspired to be a
pastor, much less working in the ministry. He says he grew up going to church,
but it didn’t have much of an impact on his or his family’s life.
It wasn’t until he was 18 that he gave his life to the Lord after attending
CCC. Even after becoming a member and working in the Sunday School
department, working full-time in the ministry wasn’t a goal of Everage’s. He
was content working for the United States Postal Service. But God had other
plans for him. After coming on staff in 1994, he went to CCC’s Ministry
Training Institute and then received his degree in Christian Leadership from
Azusa Pacific University. He went on to be ordained in 2000. Looking
back, Everage sees that God indeed had a plan for his life.
“We are very excited about what God wants to do in the lives of
people,” he says. “Because Las Vegas is a tourist community, a lot of
people have gotten disconnected. With a tourist community you have
people going in and out so you never really establish relationships with
people. You’re just there to service the person and then they go out of
your life and you go on to the next person. That concept is in the
fabric of the community. We want to be able to help people establish their roots in God. They’ve taken this concept that God is this person who comes in your life and
goes out. We want to go and help the people really get
connected, be refreshed and experience who God is
in a tangible and real way.”
“I want to help the people establish a connection and trust in God. We’re going to have to go be
an example of that,” Everage maintains. “We’re
excited about going and being used by God in
such a way. We’re just believing for Him to bring
the increase. Dr. Price has taught us very well
how to walk by faith and how to put what we
know into action. It’s time for me to step on up to
the plate, go out there and make Crenshaw
proud.” —EIF
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15
from the headlines
Azusa Street Centennial:
The Spiritual
Experience
of a Lifetime
By Paula Marie Valle
ore than 6,000 hands linked together outside the yellow
19th century house on Bonnie Brae Street near downtown
Los Angeles to celebrate where a revival of the Holy Spirit
began 100 years ago.
With hands united, individuals of Asian, African,
Caucasian, Hispanic and even Native American descent praised the name
above every name—Jesus.
The “Holy Spirit Processional” which drew more than 3,000 participants on Saturday April 22, 2006 was the launch of a week-long Centennial
celebration commemorating the Azusa Street Revival that began in 1906
under the leadership of William Seymour, an uneducated son of former
slaves, who led a Holy Spirit revival that attracted people across the nations.
During a three-year timeframe, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a
Pentecostal movement swept through downtown Los Angeles which
resulted in hundreds of thousands receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit
accompanied by speaking in tongues.
The procession, which made its way from Bonnie Brae house to
Noguchi Plaza, the former Azusa Street Mission location, was on fire with
praise and worship.
Banners reading “Only One Name Above all Names” waved through
the air, t-shirts could be read that said “On Fire For Jesus,” while the lyrics
“Holy Ghost you win again” drifted through the streets as The African Mass
Choir, made up of representatives from Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Congo
and South Africa sang out in unity.
“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the reflection and reality of the world’s greatest revival,” said Rev. Billy Wilson,
Executive Officer of the Azusa Street Centennial. “The various streams of
the movement are coming together in an unprecedented way.”
The Azusa Street Centennial celebration, which included more than
26,000 registered delegates from more than 100 countries, was placed in the
heart of Dr. Robert Fisher, of Tennessee, more than two-years-ago. It came
to fruition this April 25 -29 according to his wife Mary Fisher, 71, due to his
steadfast prayer and supplication. Dr. Fisher prayed to the Lord for direction as well as the opening of the hearts of church leaders to commemorate
an event that launched the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement
throughout the world, resulting today in more than 500 million Spirit-filled
Believers.
“The Holy Spirit doesn’t just belong to America,” said Angela Evans,
Centennial Operations Officer and President of Crenshaw Christian
Center (CCC). “The Holy Spirit is all over the world...[Azusa Street
Centennial] showcased that diversity.”
Crenshaw Christian Center, an initial supporter and faithful believer of
M
16
the Azusa Street Centennial celebration, according to Rev. Billy Wilson
provided not only the first $50,000 for the event and supplied more than 800
of the 1,500 volunteers for the week-long celebration, but became what he
jokingly referred to as Azusa Central.
“I would have liked to have been in Jerusalem, but that was 2,000 years
ago,” said Dr. Frederick K.C. Price, Pastor of CCC on opening night of the
Azusa Street Believers’ Convention. “But we get a chance to be involved
with this event…to experience a spiritual [event we] won’t experience again.”
CCC, joining in the week-long festivities, hosted the Azusa Street
Believers’ Convention at the FaithDome which included teachings from
Kenneth Copeland, of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Dr. Jerry Savelle, of
Jerry Savelle Ministries International, Dr. Creflo Dollar, of Creflo Dollar
Ministries and Dr. Price. Simultaneously around the city, services were
hosted at Angelus Temple (Dynamic Women in Ministry Celebration),
West Angeles Cathedral (William Seymour Memorial Rallies) and the Los
Angeles Convention Center (International Revival Series). Daily ministry
sessions were also held at the Los Angeles Convention Center which one
attendee described as a taste of what heaven is going to be like. In addition,
historical tours, youth services, a gathering of Spirit-filled Native Americans
and numerous other events were held throughout the week.
“We are celebrating 100 years [since] the Azusa Street event,” said Dr.
Savelle. “I believe as wonderful as that was, God has something better for
us. The God I serve is not regressive; He is progressive. I believe they will
write about our generation and say it overshadowed 100 years ago.”
Dr. Savelle explained to a crowd of more than 8,000 during the
Thursday night service that they hadn’t seen anything yet and that the best
was yet to come. The excitement was indescribable as high-fives circled the
Above: Azusa Street Revival
attendees praise and worship in
the FaithDome.
Bottom from left to
right: Creflo Dollar, Kenneth
Copeland, Dr. Fred Price, Ron
Kenoly.
FaithDome.
“It is time for us to tap into the immeasurable,
surpassing riches God has prepared for us,” he said.
“You haven’t seen anything yet…God has saved the
best for you and me.”
While Dr. Savelle described how 2006 has
been prophesised as a year of total fulfillment, Tuesday night’s congregation
went on a Holy Ghost hunt with Dr. Copeland as he taught on the blessing God has provided since Adam and how we are the harvesting generation.
“It is the same blessing in the beginning as it is today,” he said.
The blessing Dr. Copeland explained is trying to create a Garden of
Eden, which should be flowing out into the streets, but sin will prevent
blessings and bring the curse of death.
“Everything God calls sin is a blessing blocker,” he said. “Sin will bring
the curse.”
Remembering that CCC was hosting a Believer’s convention, on
Wednesday Dr. Price shared a message on the importance of faith. Dr.
Price explained that nothing is more important in the Word of God than
faith.
“In the Kingdom of God everything operates by faith,” he said. “Faith
was never a season, never a movement and never a wave…it was always.”
Faith, which comes through the Word, activates healing, prosperity
and revelations. As Dr. Dollar went on to teach during Friday night’s service it is the gateway to every one of God’s blessings.
“It’s one thing to get the Word of God and another to get a word from
God,” he said. “When you receive a word from God, that’s when you get
breakthroughs.”
Hearing God’s voice means getting into the Word and receiving wisdom through the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues means speaking mysteries, hidden secrets and wisdom,” said Dr. Dollar. Satan is defenseless when
spirit filled Christians speak in tongues.
“God gave us the Holy Ghost so …that we might be blessed,” he said.
Dr. Dollar concluded the Believers’ convention on Friday night with
an invitation that saw the FaithDome’s stage encircled by three rows of people coming forward to receive salvation and or the Holy Spirit.
The culminating events of the Azusa Street Centennial were held on
Saturday, April 29 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena with overflow in the
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the anointed leaders from the
Centennial Ministry Team came together to celebrate the greatest revival
in the history of Christianity. While all Believers were welcomed to the
Azusa Street Centennial Assembly, it was the International Youth
Convocation for ages 13 –30 which was the climatic event of the Centennial
celebration as an army of mighty young warriors were raised up to continue
the good fight of faith.
“I believe you were born to change this nation,” said Jerome Ocampo,
pastor of the Jesus Revolution revival crusade of the Philippines.
With a call to challenge their communities, nations and churches, more
than 20,000 youth came forward to have hands laid on them by the
Centennial Ministry Team, which included Drs. Fred and Betty Price, in
an anointing service that passed the fire of the Holy Spirit to the next generation. —EIF
Photos By: Richard Ventura
17
the message
Let Your
Light Shine
By Adrian M. Evans
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see
your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
— Mathew 5:16
ost teens who have seen me or know me
designs
personally often assume that because Original
by Adrian
my grandfather—Dr. Frederick K.C.
Price—is the great man of God he is,
I’ve automatically lived a sheltered life;
attending private school with an extra eye on me at
ALL times. However, what I find interesting and liberating about my experience as a “PGK” (pastor’s grandkid) is that by simply being me, I’ve broken the generic
mold applied to first families—that they are overtly
demure and almost prudish.
When you’re younger and forced to listen to the
Word on Sundays, you miss so much because you’re
constantly wondering when church is going to be over,
or you flat out just can’t fully appreciate the depth of the
Word the Pastor is speaking. As I’ve grown and
matured in the Word, with open ears and a receptive
heart, I’ve been able to unreservedly apply the principles
I’ve been taught by both my grandfather and uncle
Pastor Fred Price Jr. to my life. They are both wonderful examples—publicly and privately—because I have
learned much more than I could have imagined
through watching them live the Word they teach.
Neither my grandfather nor my uncle teach “cookie cutter” messages or messages that leave you feeling good for a moment, yet
don’t convict your spirit. With them as my examples, I’ve been able to act
on what I hear in church and apply it to my personal life, in school and at
work.
Ever since I was a young child I have always had a distinct sense of
style. In my early teens my parents didn’t understand my eclectic style of
dress and animated personality. They assumed it was my way of gaining
attention when it was really how I felt most comfortable. I was simply
dressing to display how I felt on the inside—creative and colorful. I want
young ladies and even young men to know that you do not have to submit to the pressure of what’s deemed “normal” to those around you. You
can find a way to fit in while maintaining your sense of self. I appreciate
when young men and women can speak for themselves, walk and talk for
themselves and most importantly think for themselves. It shows you are
not moved by how others want to see you, but how you want to see
you—as long as it is in right standing with our Heavenly Father.
I have been able to find incredible joy in fashion designing because
it gives me the liberty to make someone else feel good about themselves,
both physically and emotionally. In the market of plus-size clothing, it is
extremely difficult to receive accolades because critics believe that
designing clothes for plus-size young adults encourages them to remain
overweight. In actuality, my clothing is simply a means of inspiring them
to dress appropriately for their sizes while helping to build their self-
M
18
esteem, so that when they are ready to lose the
weight they have the attitude to go along with
it.
It doesn’t feel good to be un-appreciated
and not feel beautiful, especially at a young age
and in a time where the typical vision of beauty
is the seemingly “perfect” woman set before us
in television and print. Beauty comes in all
shapes, sizes, colors and styles!
I also want to encourage those parents
who have teenagers in middle school and high
school especially to allow their children to display their natural talents as opposed to forcing
them or persuading them to partake in activities their hearts do not desire. It’s one thing to,
“train up a child in the way he should go…..”(Proverbs
22:6), yet it is another to persuade them to be someone
other than themselves. Ultimately, you the parent, become
like those teenagers who apply peer-pressure.
Young people who exude confidence are more likely
to believe in themselves and have a sense of importance
and self-respect. Self-esteem affects how your children will approach new tasks or challenges and how
they interact with others. One thing about me is
that I love myself with the God kind of love—agape
love. With that self-love, I’ve been able to preserve a
level of high self esteem for myself, garnering a sense
of trust and an acceptance by others and for others.
I am able and enthusiastically take on demanding
tasks because I’m always seeking the next best thing
for my life.
I recommend all parents and teens/young
adults study the Word and listen to the messages
your pastor ministers because they are rich with the
vitamins and minerals our spirits, souls and bodies
need to fulfill our destiny here on earth. Because
we’re not perfect, you may not get it right the first time, but know that
with perseverance, an open heart and most importantly the Word of
God and the confession that, “ I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), you have the power and authority to
name it and claim it!
I’ve received my Bachelors of Fine Arts in fashion design and am on
the ever increasing journey to fulfill my destiny. If I can do it, so can you!
Therefore, nothing is unattainable and nothing is out of your reach. As
you grow in your passion and continually live your life for God and confess the desires of your heart, you’ve already set a foundation for great
things to come! —EIF
19
you are helping to make it happen
Let the
Little Children
Come to Me
Drs. Ray &
Joycelyn Johnson
By Nicolla Moore
issionaries
are
called to all parts
of the earth to
reach the world
with the gospel of
Jesus Christ. For Drs. Ray and
Joycelyn Johnson, God’s call on
their lives led them to the missions
field of West Africa.
After completing Bible
College in 1987, the Johnsons were
lead to begin missions work in
Drs. Ray & Joycelyn Johnson
ministering in the FaithDome.
Liberia. Three years later, they received a definite word from the Lord to move to Ghana,
West Africa. Initially, the focus of their ministry work was on the
development of Bible Training Schools and Leadership Centers.
Then, in 1991, God spoke to them to begin teaching the Word
of Faith in Africa and, in 1992 they started their first Bible School in
Tema, Ghana. Over the next 10 years, they developed 60 Bible
Schools throughout West Africa and today they oversee Crenshaw
Christian Center Global Ministries, Ghana.
From the very beginning of their missions work in Africa they
were touched by the realization that there were so many children
who needed to know about the love of the Heavenly Father. Not
only did the children need to hear about and receive Jesus, they needed to see a demonstration of His love.
The Johnsons organized Bible School students to go into the
public schools of the district to teach the Bible to the children. While
this assignment was exciting for them and their students, it was even
more exciting for the school children and their classroom teachers. It
led to a tremendous work in the public schools that spread throughout 60 junior high schools in the district.
Their next undertaking, the creation of Bible Training Centers
for adolescents and teenagers, was also very successful among the
students. So much so that the students themselves decided to start
neighborhood Bible clubs, called Victory Clubs. Many of these
clubs remain active and continue to be run by former Bible College
students.
Through their work in the public schools, the Johnsons discovered that many children could not afford even a pair of slippers to
wear to school. With no money for school fees or uniforms, many
children were left on the outside looking in. The plight of the children prompted them to start a fund to sponsor children to go to
school.
Because donations were scarce in those years, Dr. Joycelyn sold
her shoes to pay for children’s school fees. They bought uniforms
M
20
and school supplies for the children. They even adopted one of
the children while he was in junior high school. Their adopted
son, a former Bible School student, graduated from college in
June.
Over the years, the Johnsons
have helped numerous children
far beyond their junior high
school years, paying for the education of well over 300 children.
Some of those students have completed teachers’ training colleges,
while others have gone on to earn college degrees. The Johnsons
devoted themselves to making certain that the children they supported received material help as well as spiritual guidance.
As most of the children they sponsored had no father to take
care of them, their role in educating the children of West Africa has
had a tremendous impact in the lives of their family members. The
Johnsons preached the Gospel to the children, and the children, likewise, ministered Jesus to their loved ones at home. Often their students were the first members in their families, throughout generations, to finish school.
In the 14 years of their diligent ministry efforts, the Johnsons
have seen a tremendous impact on the communities they minister in
and have received occasional recognition from those in government
for their work.
Going forward, they plan to set up a more formal educational
trust fund to help many more youth attend secondary school (high
school) and universities. By sending fully committed Christian
youth into the secondary schools and universities, revival will again
visit the nation of Ghana and spread though out Africa. Dr. Joycelyn
wholeheartedly believes that the children and youth of these nations
can change the spiritual environment of the country.
The Johnsons desire to represent the wholeness of Christ to the
people of West Africa. Christ’s purpose for coming was for the
entirety of man’s need to be met and this is the legacy they hope to
leave behind. Says Dr. Joycelyn, “As we show the love of Christ,
teach children and youth about Jesus, and educate the nation, we as
a people will prefer dialogue rather than guns in the future. We must
leave an uncluttered path for others to follow.”
When you support the God-directed missions work of devoted
missionaries like Drs. Ray and Joycelyn Johnson, you help make it
happen in places like Ghana, West Africa, and you play an important
role in the Great Commission that represents the heart of God.—EIF.
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21
health & healing
Focusing
on Faith
Dr. Williams reviews excellent
report card with Michael W.
By Nicolla Moore
or some, faith and medicine are not viewed as complementary practices. For Dr.
Alton Williams, the first African-American optometrist in Delaware, faith is the
foundation of his life and his medical practice.
As the founder and pastor of All Nations Christian Center, Dr. Williams
has led thousands to Christ. In his practice, Dr. Williams talks about the lifetransforming power of Christ with those who are open to hearing this message.
Through his thriving optometry practice and the use of Vision Therapy, he has helped numerous young patients overcome learning disabilities and challenges with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Dr. Williams credits the Holy Spirit with leading him to use Vision Therapy as a tool
to reverse the effects of ADHD in children. The therapy involves a series of exercises that
retrain the eyes and brain to enhance focus, depth perception and hand-eye coordination.
Although this treatment is considered controversial by those who adhere to statements which
purport there is no scientific evidence to support Vision Therapy’s ability to correct learning
disabilities, many of Dr. Williams’ patients have been helped by this treatment.
Michael, a patient of Dr. Williams, describes his experience with Vision Therapy
treatment as a great benefit. “Before my therapy sessions, I was having trouble with my
depth perception. I was struggling in my favorite sport—baseball—because I was unable to
track the ball from the pitcher’s hand to my bat, and I had difficulty judging balls hit to me
in the outfield. After therapy, I could see easily and my hitting improved significantly. I
earned a starting outfielder position and had the highest batting average on my team,” says
Michael.
Many parents view Dr. Williams’ Vision Therapy treatment as an answer to
prayer. Jaci, the mother of another of Dr. Williams’ patients, Carlton, saw improvement
in her son within three months of his treatment. Says Jaci, “When he first started treatment, Carlton was unable to focus on tasks for very long and had poor concentration.
Since going through the treatment, Carlton has been finishing classroom projects and
is more attentive in class. My son’s life and his opportunities for the future are changing. Carlton is a bright child who just needed a program like (Vision Therapy) to give
him a chance to develop into a productive member of God’s Kingdom.”
Although Vision Therapy may not work for everyone, it can be a viable alternative
to medication for the 25 percent of children who suffer from eye disorders and learning disabilities. Accessing treatment can be challenging for some families, as the therapy costs
between $3,000 and $5,000 per child and medical insurance rarely covers the cost of treatment.
To assist families in affording treatment, Dr. Williams has applied for grants and
sought sponsors to help offset the costs of treating as many children as possible. With the
assistance of his wife, Bonnie, Dr. Williams also ran a free vision therapy clinic on Saturdays
for 18 months, serving patients without the means to pay for therapy. Ultimately, the
demands of full-time practice along with conducting the free clinic on Saturdays, became too
much and when Bonnie saw that her husband was overworked, she encouraged him to slow
his pace.
Dr. Williams persists in his efforts to increase awareness of Vision Therapy’s effectiveness and continues to work toward raising the funds necessary to establish additional
vision therapy centers. In addition, he does not neglect to share with his patients God’s faithfulness to answer prayer and provide deliverance from life’s challenges. —EIF
F
Dr. Alton and Bonnie Williams
22
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23
ficwfm focus
A Vow of Purity
nyone
entering
the
Harmony
Ministries
USA, Inc. in Lakehurst,
would have thought they
were attending the wedding of a very special couple.
The church was festooned in white with
ropes of flowers, bells and hearts adorning
the rafters giving it an ethereal glow.
However, the church was decorated for
what the church considered an even more important
event—the Purity Service. In April, 39 young people were participating in the first Purity Service held at the church.
Over the last several years, Pastor Owen L. Alston, Youth Pastor
Dennis Adams, his staff and the congregation have become greatly concerned with the increased sexual activity of their young unmarried members and have been making a determined effort to change the tide. The culmination of these efforts resulted in a program of encouragement and a
service of commitment to purity until marriage. Participation in the ceremony was completely voluntary. Each participant was reminded that there
was no pressure to make this commitment and that it would be better not
to participate than to take the vow if they had no intention of keeping it.
Thirty nine young people decided to take part.
At 7 pm the candidates proceeded into the church, a dazzling group
of white robed and gowned young men and women, to the joyful music of
Minister Michael Singletary. The dignity and pride of what they were
about to do was evident on the faces of each candidate.
Visiting Pastor Tim Simpson of Lakewood, spoke to the students,
congregation and parents about the responsibility each was assuming.
He expressed his regret that such a program was not available when he
was a teenager, had it been, he told the assembly, his life would have
been happier and less stressful. He informed the participants that the
public vow they were taking was going to be hard to keep, due to peer pressure and the media. He emphasized that it could be done, however, if they
were responsible to and supportive of one another. Pastor Simpson also
chided the parents, “You have the responsibility to make sure that your children are properly attired. You buy most of their clothes,” he reminded
them, “don’t allow them to purchase clothes that are too tight, short or suggestive.”
Among his remarks, Pastor Simpson surprised the assembled congregation when he informed them that in any 24-hour period 8,000 people
become infected with a sexually transmitted disease.
They were equally shocked
to learn that in the fiscal year
2002 the United States government spent $1.7 billion
dollars to provide contraceptives to young people
but only $147 million to promote abstinence. “That,”
said the Pastor “is sending
the wrong message.”
Following the sermon,
A
Participants of the Vow of Purity ceremony.
24
the candidates were given a
certificate, asked to rise and take the Vow of
Purity by Pastor Alston. Each repeated the
vow after him:“With confidence in His
power to strengthen me, I make a promise
this day to God, my family, myself, my
future spouse and my future children to
remain sexually pure until the day I
give myself as a wedding gift to my
spouse. I know that God requires
this of me, that He loves me and that
He will reward me for my faithfulness, in this life.”
Having publicly made this
vow, each participant was asked to
sign their certificate, take it home and
hang it in their room as a constant
reminder of their vow. This was followed by
the Presentation of Rings. Pastor Alston
reminded the candidates that while in the past
we have insisted on female virginity, male virginity is just as important. Following the consecration prayer, the young people placed the
ring they had received on their own finger as
an outward sign of their purity. The service
was completed with benediction and the recession of the purified recipients.
Following the service, several of the recipients were
asked why they decided to make this Vow of Purity. Their
responses were illuminating:
Tamiya T. Mc Rae, 14, said, “I decided to go beyond my
friends and do something different by remaining pure until I’m
married.”
Denzil Taylor, 13, responded, “The reason I decided to do
this is because most of my friends already have had sex and have
diseases and I want to be different.”
Eboni Jones, 14, “This was the call of God. I had this special feeling
inside me to go for what I want and I wanted God.”
Alexus Porter, age 10, “I decided to do this because I did this for the
love of God.”
Darisha, age 12, summed it up, “I decided that I wanted to do this
because I felt that this was the right way to go. I think that all kids and
adults should become pure.”
This program has the potential to slow down the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases, AIDS
and teenage pregnancies. To
ensure its success, the staff of
Harmony Ministries USA, Inc.
has made themselves available
to these young people 24/7 to
assist them in maintaining their
vow of purity.
Any group interested in
learning more about this program should contact Harmony
Ministries at 732-657-9660.—EIF
on the air
Ever Increasing Faith Ministries’
Broadcast Schedule
Sunday
Lifetime
(7am EDT for cable, Dish Network & DirecTV subscribers)
8:00amPDT
Church Channel
(Dish Network & DirecTV subscribers)
9:00amPDT
KTLA the WB
9:30amPDT
Crenshaw Christian Center Live
at StreamingFaith.com
11:00amEDT
The Word Network
5:00pm
Daystar
(CST on DirecTV on channel 369 or check local listings)
Tuesday
3:00pm EDT
The Word Network
Friday
6:30pm PDT
TBN
Everday
24 hours
Ever Increasing Faith Network at
StreamingFaith.com
AFOIV
(800) 927-3436
www.faithdome.org
25
parenting matters
Speak Life Into
Your Kids
By La Verne Tolbert, Ph.D.
“I was trying to
concentrate on taking
the test,” one student
confided. “My grades
are important to my
Mom, but all I could
think about was that
she called me a ‘b…’
before I got out of the
car…”
ticks and stones may break my bones
but words will never harm me. This
childhood rhyme could not be farther
from the truth. Words do harm, and
sometimes their pain goes deep within
our psyche. The long-term effect can
be more penetrating than any stick or stone…
Children are impressionable. The words they
hear help shape their personality and mold their
character. What comes out of our mouths leaves a
stamp on their minds, which means that parents
and teachers have a major responsibility to speak
life into those whom God entrusts to us.
“Death and life are in the power of the
tongue,” (Proverbs 18:21). Our evaluation of our
children weighs heavily on their self-esteem, and
here lies the power of the tongue. It can be a whip
that cuts and harms or it can be a yardstick by
which children measure their own self-worth.
Research indicates that moms and dads are
the most significant individuals in a child’s life.
Children value their parents’ opinion and seek their
approval over their peers, especially during the
teenage years. Most parents think the opposite—
that peers’ influence is greater, but no matter how
young or old the child is, parents and foster moms
and dads are primary role models to both children
and teens.
S
What is Verbal Abuse
Behind closed doors in the home, some children regularly experience what experts identify as
“verbal abuse.” These boys and girls are called
names, ridiculed, belittled and humiliated by their
significant role models—parents and foster parents— who are supposed to love and protect them.
These kids may show up in the children’s and
youth ministry confused and angry. Some may
even question the reality of God because He didn’t
rescue them from their verbally abusive home. And
they doubt the reality of the Gospel because they
26
didn’t see it modeled in the people who took them
to church every Sunday and who called themselves
“Christians.”
In the heat of a disciplinary action, a parent
may unintentionally lash out verbally as a result of
his or her frustration and anger. More often, mothers and fathers may have been bullied by their own
parents when they were a child so in return, they
bully. It’s easy to see why this pattern continues.
For the bullying parent, children are easy targets because their cognitive skills are so undeveloped that the child cannot verbally retort. This
may give the bully a sense of power, especially if
that power is lacking in other areas of his or her life,
such as career or education for example. Barking
at children, dismissing their concerns by telling
them to “shut up” and treating them in ways that
would never happen if Jesus were physically present is an unfortunate reality in too many homes
where Believers live. My brethren, these things
ought not to be!
Verbal abuse may have long-term effects and
leave emotional wounds similar to the effects of
physical abuse. According to the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
(AACAP), children who have been physically or
emotionally abused may display:
· A poor self image
· Sexual acting out
· Inability to trust or love others
· Aggressive, disruptive and sometimes illegal behavior
· Anger and rage
· Self destructive or self abusive behavior, suicidal thoughts
· Passive or withdrawn behavior
· Fear of entering into new relationships or activities
· Anxiety and fears
· School problems or failure
· Feelings of sadness or other symptoms of depression
· Flashbacks, nightmares
· Drug and alcohol abuse
This does not mean that parents should not
discipline their children. But to do so with respect
values the child while disapproving of the behavior. For example, children should not be told that
they are “bad,” but that their actions are “unacceptable.” In this way, we are not attacking the child
personally, rather we are pointing to the action that
needs to be corrected. Explaining how to correct
behavior gives children options when they are
faced with decisions the next time.
Screaming and yelling is an additional form of
verbal abuse. It may stem from the desire to terrorize, to control and to punish which are as emotion-
ally devastating as physical abuse. The tone of our
voice and the volume with which we speak communicate how we feel about our children and children are quick to internalize these feelings.
These same children go to school and bully
and terrorize other children because this negative
behavior—uncontrolled reactions—is what they
have learned at home. Because of their deep-seated anger, they may lash out even more and become
teenagers who engage in physical altercations at
the slightest provocation.
Parenting is Difficult
Raising kids today is no easy task, and it’s normal to feel frustrated at times. For the single parent, financial and emotional pressures may be magnified. What makes parenting difficult? Moms
and dads, foster parents, grandparents, or aunties
and uncles who are raising children all experience
these pressures: job demands, sibling rivalry, too
many activities for kids, financial pressures, pressure to buy things, or pressure from being a single
parent.
Here’s where being a Believer makes a difference! Casting our care upon the Lord (I Peter 5:7)
means that we rely upon Him to guide us through
the daily challenges of life. We all face similar
struggles. We can either respond victoriously,
speaking grace and peace to our children, or we
can respond viciously out of unresolved frustration,
anger, and insecurity.
It’s never too late to correct our own behavior
as adults. We have a biblical responsibility, in fact,
to do so. The Bible assures us that our minds will
be renewed by His Word (Romans 12: 1, 2) so here’s
where we begin. Spending time daily reading the
Bible and praying, if only for 10 minutes at a time,
reminds us of our dependency upon God. We seek
His help and direction and pray for wisdom and
self-control.
Family counseling is a positive step in helping
to resolve issues of tension between parents and
children. Proverbs tells us that “in the multitude of
counselors there is safety,” (Proverbs 11:14) and that
“he who seeks counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).
Finding a godly counselor who is knowledgeable is
a healthy step in the right direction.
If we know that we’ve responded in a way that
was out of control, we must apologize to our children. It’s time to humble ourselves before God—
and before our children—and ask for their forgiveness.
Whoever causes one of these little ones who
believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a
millstone were hung around his neck, and he were
drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6)
Here, Jesus uses hyperbole—exaggerated language—to demonstrate how much He values children. A millstone is a very large stone used for
grinding meal. To picture this happening is to
remind each of us that children are indeed gifts
from God (Psalm 127:3), which He has entrusted
to us.
Dr. Tolbert is Director of Christian Education
Ministries at Crenshaw Christian Center, where she oversees
the ministries to children, youth and young adults. —EIF
Te ac hing Like Je su s
[English] 0-310-22347-4
A Practical Guide to Christian
Education in Your Church
By La Verne Tolbert, Ph.D.
This training manual is just what you’re looking for to
improve your children’s, youth, or young adult ministries. When teachers teach effectively, students’ lives
are changed! This book is designed to equip Christian
education directors, Sunday school superintentendents,
teachers, volunteers, and helps ministry workers.
“Teaching Like Jesus is the best book on
Christian education I’ve read in 20 years. If a
person were able to buy only one book on teaching ministry, I would definitely recommend
this one!”
— Lawrence O. Richards, Ph.D.
In addition to the easy to read curriculum, this manual also
includes various forms that are reproducible … and much more!
[Spanish] 0-8297-3368-X
To purchase online, visit www.zondervan.com or order from your local Christian bookstore.
27
faith partner letters
POWEROFFAITH
March/April issue
Purpose-Driven Single
and the show went on.
Thank God He heard my prayers and
answered. I thought I was losing at times,
but Jesus stepped in every time. I really don’t
know if God was present in our marriage in
the beginning. I do know the closer I got to
Him. The more I prayed for strength, the
better things got with me. The Lord
answered my prayers. He was always with
me. He never left me.
I’ve shed a lot of tears and they still fall,
but I know that God is still on the throne
and He watches over me. I’ve been alone for
more than 10 years. My issues with anger,
bitterness, guilt and forgiveness are gone. I
know who I am in Christ and I’m ready to go
on with my life. If God doesn’t send me a
mate, that’s okay, I still have Jesus.
—Agnes Roberts (Williamsburg, VA)
We Want To
Hear
From
You!
Write to us at:
Ever Increasing Faith
Magazine,
P.O. Box 44185
Los Angeles, CA
9000 9-4871
or e-mail your letters,
Waiting On GOD
feedback or testimonies to
eifmagazine@faithdome.org
Include your name,
address and phone
I’ve read the article “The PurposeDriven Life for Godly Singles” in the
March/April issue. I could relate to it. I
thought we had a good marriage, but after
32 years of marriage my husband left me
for another woman—he is 17 years older
than her. We were separated for 10 years
before we divorced.
When
I read Cheryl’s story
I
thought I was reading about my own
life. My abuse was also mental. No one
knew what was going on behind our
closed doors because I told no one. When
we were out in public the curtains went up
28
number. Letters chosen
for publication may be
edited for length and
clarity.
All submissions become
the property of
I was really blessed with your article
“On Believing God for a Mate.” I have been
standing on faith for a husband for 10 years.
I am getting a little discouraged, but I have
been praying and asking God to help me
stay strong because two of my friends are
Ever Increasing Faith
Magazine.
TESTIMONIES
getting married this June.
I know God hears my prayers and I am
very faithful. I have not had a date since I
have given my life to the Lord. Now I’m
ready to date, but I don’t see any fruit. I was
beginning to feel barren, but when I read the
March/April issue, I was truly blessed. I
have been praying Mark 11:24 and the opening scripture on the article “How to Believe
God For a Mate” by Dr. Fred Price was
Mark 11.24!
Your ministry is a really a spiritual tool
that God is using in this time. I was also
blessed by Cheryl Price’s testimony about
her divorce. God wants us to have the best
so I don’t mind waiting for God to send me
my promised man of God.
—Debra Hampton (Houma, LA)
All Things
nant in other aspects of my life. Even though
I felt that I’d forgiven him and the other
woman for their role in our divorce, I realized about two weeks ago that I haven’t
totally given up the ghost and released it to
God. I became increasingly bitter and angry
all over again and I didn’t know how to move
past him, the failed marriage or the divorce
and everything that came with it.
After my ex finally walked out May
2004, the divorce process finally began.
Parts of me wanted to die and other parts of
me knew I had to live. I knew in my soul that
no man is worth my life. I knew everything
would be alright and work out for my good,
whether we’d reconcile or divorce.
I’m constantly praying to stay in God’s
will for my life. To know and understand
what He desires for it. I continually pray for
patience and at times it seems that isn’t the
best thing to ask for but deep down, I know
it is. My primary issue or concern is to know
when will this process end. When can I
wake up and not think or care about this
man and move on.
Thank you for your encouragement to
know that it will be alright and that all things
come in their time and season.
I saw Dr. Price on television for the first
time in 1976. I was affected by the simple
way he explained the Word of God. The
Word says, you shall know the truth and the
truth shall set you free. Because of Dr.
Price’s teaching, my husband is saved.
Additionally, Dr. Betty has given us
godly wisdom from above. Attending Dr.
Betty’s retreats and gaining her wisdom
truly set me free. By continuously having the
Ever Increasing Faith broadcasts on
Lifetime, the Word Network and TBN, my
faith has gotten stronger. With this, I have
learned to walk by faith and not by sight.
If there was a FaithDome here in
Illinois, I would certainly be a member. I
thank God for you, your wife and your ministry.
—Mary A. McAfee (Peoria, IL)
—Kerry Reed (Waldorf, MD
Set Free
I wanted to thank you for your insight
that many people are not coping well after
divorce. My best friend emailed this to me
after our conversation about how I was not
healing now after a year of being divorced.
Despite my professional accomplishments and obtaining most of my goals within my career, I’ve been feeling as if something
else is missing, as if I’m not whole and stag-
29
straight talk
Q&A with Drs. Fred and Betty Price
The Bible speaks of a “sin leading to death.” What is this sin?
First John 5:16 says that if we see a
brother sinning a sin, which does not lead to
death, we will ask and God will give him
life. However, the verse goes on to say there
is a sin leading to death, and we should not
pray for someone who commits this sin.
The sin leading to death is the total, irreversible denial of the blood of Jesus Christ by
a mature Believer. The conditions are established in Hebrews 6:4-6: For it is impossible
for those who were once enlightened, and
have tasted the heavenly gift, and have
become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and
have tasted the good word of God and the
powers of the age to come, if they fall away,
to renew them again to repentance, since
they crucify again for themselves the Son of
God, and put Him to an open shame.
Notice the conditions of the “sin leading
to death.” This verse is talking about a mature
Believer, who received salvation, is filled with
the Holy Spirit and grounded in the Word.
This Believer operated in the gifts of the Spirit
and then knowingly turned from God to serve
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations mentioned above
are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
30
Satan. The Bible says there remains no more
sacrifice for him. He has crucified Christ
again and put Jesus to an open shame. This
sin is explained in greater detail in Hebrews
10:26-29: For if we sin willfully after we
have received the knowledge of the truth,
there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
but a certain fearful expectation of judgment,
and fiery indignation which will devour the
adversaries. Anyone who has rejected
Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how
much worse punishment, do you suppose,
will he be thought worthy who has trampled
the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood
of the covenant by which he was sanctified
a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of
grace?
The sin leading to death is committed
when a Believer rejects the forgiveness and
eternal life offered by God through Jesus.
Without Jesus, no one can be saved. A person who rejects Jesus Christ rejects the only
means by which he can be saved.
Do you have a question on your mind? Write to us at: Ever Increasing Faith Magazine,
P.O. Box 44185, Los Angeles, CA 90009 or e-mail eifmagazine@faithdome.org.
Retreat speakers
Mrs. Brenda
Goudeaux
Mrs. Freda
Wilks
Dr. Lisa
Jacko
at the
2006 Women’s Retreat
JW MARRIOTT
AUGUST 9 – 12, 2006
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Dr. Betty Price
HOST DR. BETTY R. PRICE
& HER DAUGHTERS IN THE FAITH
Psalmist
Eneazer
Moore
Dr. Betty is offering you two of her life changing
teachings that will encourage and give you
Biblical based principles that when applied will
allow you and your loved ones to walk in victory.
Pastor
Rochelle
Nieman
Ms. Cheryl
Price
[Prayer CD] BPT6D (3 CD-Discs) $14.95
[Healing CD] BPT1D (4 CD-Discs) $19.95
(800) 927-3436
www.faithdome.org
EVERINCREASINGFAITH
MINISTER THE LOVE OF JESUS
CRENSHAW CHRISTIAN CENTER
The 2005 hurricanes left thousands in great need. If
you would like to be a direct blessing to the families
affected by the catastrophes, please use the envelope
insert inside this issue to make contributions.
Thank you in advance for ministering the love of Jesus.
MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 90000
Los Angeles, Ca 90009
(323) 758-3777
www.faithdome.org
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Crenshaw
Christian Center

Ever Increasing Faith Magazine

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