JOY Magazine D

ecem

ber

20

15

Joy Tabernacle - Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters, Founder/Senior Pastor

Joy Tabernacle is a Community of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

"Where the Joy of the Lord is Our Strength."

7thAnniversary

Edit ion

2 Joy Magazine

4The founding of Joy Tabernacle

by Rev. Joreaner P. Stimpson

Pastor Mike <><

8Joy's Outreach

10Christ ian Arts Minist ries

Humble, Yet Dedicated Beginning

Poetry

by B Randall

What it Means to be a Part of Joy

Meditation

by Min. Tracy Washington-Tasker

When God Talks. . .

The outreach ministry of Joy Tabernacle

by Melvin (Mel) Stimpson

Joy's Outreach

Christian Arts in the worship experience

by Rev. B Williams Waters

Christ ian Arts

Laying a foundation for Christian living

by Rev. B Williams Waters

Children's Church

6

7

8

10

11

Pastoral Welcome

even years ago, sixteen people gath-ered in a living room in DeSoto and shared a vision of a new church to be

planted in the heart of Dallas. They consid-ered several logos to represent the church. After much dialogue, they agreed on one logo they felt best captured the vision. It displayed three f igures standing together, their arms raised in praise forming hearts. This represented the Trinity and God?s call for God?s people to form authentic com-munity. The heart- shaped arms repre-sented our joy in the LORD, which is our strength. The orange represented the dawn of a new day, for joy comes in the morning, the red, Christ?s blood which pur-chased our redemption. Each time we gather together in worship, for me it is as if our logo becomes animated and God?s vi-sion is fulf il led in us. I stil l believe the best is yet to come!

Happy Anniversary, Joy Tabernacle!

Table of Contents

S

3 JOY Magazine

16First Lady Yulise At torney-at -Law

12A month-by-month overview of Joy's ministry

events from Dec. '14 to Nov. '15

The Year in Review

FRANgelism Month: Friends, Relatives,

Associates, Neighbors, plus Evangelism

FRANgelism Month

First Lady of Joy is a woman on a mission,

by Rev. B Williams Waters

First Lady Yulise, At torney at Law

Sis. Lynn Bowen was selected as member of

the year by the Joy Church Family

Member of the Year

Known is in the community

by Rev. B Williams Waters

Pastor Mike

Brief pictorial of Pastor Mike's activities"Cry Freedom"

14

16

17

18

20

11Children's Church

12The Year in Review

18Pastor Mike

22Poetry

by Wayne Joshua

Reality 3

Joy is something "fresh", something "new"

by Jerry A. Kelley

What I Love About Joy

A tribute to those who are no longer with us

by Evelyn McGue

In Memory of . . .

Three members of Joy share the meaning of

Joy

The Joys of Joy

A profile of Florence A. Hawkins-Criss , artist

by Rev. B Williams Waters

My Journey Through Art

Forty-Five Views of Joy#WeAreJoy

24

25

26

28

29

4

4 JOY Magazine

Humble, Yet Dedicated Beginnings by Rev. Joreaner Stimpson

For me, it all happened sooooo suddenly and yet powerfully ? here goes: I was at the burial service of my dear friend?s mother and while stil l in my black robe, I received the news that Pastor Mike had been given an appointment at the 2008 North Texas Annual Conference to begin a New Church in the Greater Dallas District. AND behold,

Joy Tabernacle AME Church was born for me! After much prayer, my GOD propelled me to commit to the vision of Joy.

Key memories for me are related to the many planned and unplanned meetings the original 14 members of Joy had in prepara-tion for our inaugural service, which took place at The Black Arts Academy and Letters

4

5 JOY Magazine

greeters, etc., through it all we were all on ONE ACCORD! I believe and know that?s what made the dif ference!

An unforgettable part of Joy Tabernacle?s history is we truly functioned as a ?Taberna-cle?. A tabernacle, per the Bible, is a portable tent used as a sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant by the Israelites during the Exodus. Joy?s humble beginning included a season of being ?portable?. Every Sunday we would unpack our large rubber contain-ers f il led with various items used during the worship service and when service was over we would pack it up again. We also set up tables and chairs for worship and when it was over we had to put everything back the way it was, as if we weren?t there at all. AND yet GOD consistently met us in worship and blessed us. As time went on we were blessed with donations beyond our under-standing. The harder we worshipped and served our GOD the more He released His blessings on the Tabernacle.

Pastor always says during the invitation part of worship service that Joy isn?t a perfect church and that is true, but we are a church with dedicated believers seeking to do the will of our GOD and grow in GOD. These at-tributes were part of our beginnings and stil l hold true today. Happy Anniversary Joy! Let?s remain dedicated to the vision and purpose our GOD has assigned to the Taber-nacle.  

on December 7, 2008. There was an abun-dance of excitement in the atmosphere no matter where we met ? I knew GOD was there organizing it all. We all had a sense of ?This Joy thing is BIG ? Bigger than al l of us!? The spiritual gif ts, creative ideas, and determination of the God- ordained assem-bled team were evident. From administra-tive tasks like obtaining a Tax ID, Incorpora-tion, setting up Bank accounts, solidifying a worship space, to the creative tasks of mar-keting, music, instruments, amps and mics, and the worship service tasks of projectors,

"An unforget table part of Joy Tabernacle?s history is we t ruly funct ioned as a 'Tabernacle'. "

December 14, 2008 - Joy's second worship service at The Black Academy of Arts and Let ters.

6 JOY Magazine

What It Means to be a Part of JoyJoy for me has been clear space at the end of the landingwith arms outstretched right hands extended in unison wide enough to catch me.The place I prayed for God to lead meJoyIs far more than I could have ever imaginedMe The odd one out found a place where my wings would sproutA part of something greater than its greatnessBecause Joy recognizes the God that covers usJoywhere Jesus abides in the smiles of childrenJoyHave you ever watched Pastor Mike turn prayers into sermonsJoywhere you leave who you use to be, to become who God purposes you to beJoyHave you ever heard Rev Jo say "My God, My God"JoyHave you ever witnessed Sis. Destinee dance days after her body couldn'tJoyWhere castaways take refuge on our door steps and welcomed into serviceBeing a part of Joy is being in the midst of GodBeing a part of Joy is being free to worship freelyBeing a part of Joy is being with family

B. Randall

?Joywhere you leave who

you used to be, to become

who God purposes you

to be"

- B. Randall

joy

7 JOY Magazine

1

32

4 5

40

6

7 8

9

10 11

12

13

14

15

When God Talks..."I promise you what I promised Moses: ?Wherever you set foot, you will be

on land I have given you?'" Joshua 1:3

The Year of Divine Attainment, Joy Tabernacle's theme for 2016, will require us to trust and believe that God is Able To Do just what The Promise says. Not only collectively, as our church body but also individually, for our households.

The Word is more powerful than we realize. And if we ref lect over what has already been done, God is good to us. The Word for us in this next season is "Wherever You Set Your Foot, You Will Be On Land I Have Given You". Begin to intentionally think about every step you make when you walk. Talk to God as you take a step. Listen for God as you take a step. Open your heart and mind to receive direction as you take a step. Before long, you will be on The Path ordered just for you.

We should be the walking bil lboard for God, advertising The Power of God's Word; walking in The Promises of God; testifying that "When God Talked, We Listened"; and possessing the land ordained for us to bring God Glory. That's the ultimate goal - God's Glory.

God is greater than E.F. Hutton & Company. All creation was formed by The Word. Therefore, The Promises made shall come forth by trusting, believing, and operating in God's Word.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, there was a series of commercials advertising E.F. Hutton & Company - a large f inancial brokerage f irm. The slogan was "when E.F. Hutton talks, people listen". In the commercials, every time someone said the name E.F. Hutton, t ime stood stil l and all movement ceased so it could be heard, by all, what E.F. Hutton said.

What if we, as believers, took God's Promises just as seriously that everything, which does not l ine up with The Promise, ceases to exist and we walk in tandem with what The Word says, "Wherever you set your foot, you will be on land I have given you". God spoke this. God is able to perform this. Let us believe this.

By Tracy Washington-Tasker

Pho

togr

aphy

: Fr

ee 1

23

RF

Stoc

k P

hoto

s

8 JOY Magazine

Providing f ree clothes for men, women and children at our Community Closet .

Joy's OutreachBy Mel Stimpson

"I love being a part of a church body that hungers to bring the Word and work of God to the people."

9 JOY Magazine

ince its founding back in December of 2008, Joy Tabernacle AMEC?s (?Joy?) mission to cure the community has always been in effect. The impact that Joy has had on the South

Dallas community is nothing short of inspiring. The church as a whole has a passion for reaching out and showing what it means to serve and plant seeds of change. These seeds are used to feed and clothe the families that are in need of such necessities. These seeds are meant to uplif t the individuals whom society has labeled ?undeserving.? For this and many other reasons, when asked, ?What is your church home?? I am proud to say that I am a member of Joy. I?ve always seen Joy as the creator of a cure for suffering communities. The church never ceases to amaze me. Year after year, we never are satisf ied with what was done in the previous year. We always strive to do more, help more, shine more, and love more.

This year the church held a great deal of events that brought ?Joy? to the community. Rev. Dr. Michael Waters was given the privilege to serve as ?Principal for a Day? at Lincoln High School, providing his leadership skil ls and presenting himself as a role model for the students and faculty. During the summer, our very own Minister L. Meischelle Dillard directed this year?s Vacation Bible School outside of the church and in the community. The program was in an apartment complex. Min. Meischelle states that she observed ?a zeal for learning, a sharing of talents and an increased knowledge of Christ? while directing the program. Holding VBS in the community was so beneficial to those who came that the amount of persons in attendance increased gradually each day of the program. Also, Community Closet and Health Fair was held on-site at the church, which included a partnership with Parkland Hospital?s mobile mammography van performing free mammograms to the community. This event was an obvious necessity to the community seeing that over 30 women received the free screenings. The church also partnered with CitySquare Health Clinic to provide free f lu shots to those in need during the month of October.

I love being a part of a church body that hungers to bring the Word and work of God to the people. Together we can change a hurting community and show the world what it truly means to be a church without walls.

SJoy's Outreach

10 JOY Magazine

Unspeakable Joy, our mime ministry, is one of several Christian Arts groups that enhance the worship celebrations at Joy. Others are Simcha, our praise dance group, Ready Writers, our spoken word ministry, Joy Drama, as well as ReJOYce, our praise team and the Tabernacle Choir.

f there is one thing the Joy Church Family does, and does well, that is "rejoice

in the LORD"! To have a ma-jor ?praise break? in the mid-dle of a traditional Methodist Order of Worship is not un-usual for us. We will praise the LORD during the prayer. We will praise Him during the

offering. And even after the benediction is given, we will continue to praise Him.

When the Spirit of the LORD rests on the House, the Peo-ple of Joy will l inger in His Presence. And just as praise is an integral part of the wor-ship experience at Joy Taber-nacle, so is the expression of

that praise through our Chris-tian Arts ministries.

The Christian Arts are vital to the life of Joy for several rea-sons. Through the arts, our members f ind a means for the creative expression of their faith. Collectively, as a church, this artistic expres-sion of faith helps strengthen our steadfast belief in the providence, provision, pro-tection and promises of the God we serve.

Joy Tabernacle has several arts ministries whose mem-bers use their gif t ing and anointing to bless the House.

Praise Dance: Simcha and Ju-nior Simcha

Music: ReJOYce and the Tabernacle Choir

Mime: Unspeakable Joy

Drama: Joy Drama

Spoken Word: The Ready Writers (see Psalm 45:1)

Truly "the Joy of the LORD is our strength."

Christian Arts at JoyLet the people rejoice in their Maker, let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:2,3

Children's Church

Iby Rev. B Williams Waters

Each Sunday morning around 12:00 noon, Pastor Mike calls youth, ages 3 to 12, to join him at the front of the church. On any given Sunday f if -teen to thirty youth answer his call. Some of them approach the front slowly and timidly; some walk forward quickly and excitedly; stil l others break into a run. It?s time for Children?s Church.

Once at the front, some of the children shuff le for a position near Pastor Mike who knows them by name. Others press to the front of the crowd knowing that they might be asked to lead the group as they march from the sanctuary.   At the back of the sanctuary, waiting for them, are their teachers for the day.

Children?s Church at Joy Tabernacle is not just a space in which our youth are enter-tained. It is a place where foun-dations of Biblical truths, princi-ples and knowledge are taught through stories, songs, Bible dril ls, art and scripture memorization.

Through Children?s Church, Joy Taber-nacle establishes the next generation of believers. It is here that the gif ts and graces of our youth are ?stirred up? and culti-vated. Ultimately, at Children?s Church our youth experience the love of God . . . while having fun along the way. - by Rev. B Will iams Waters

11 JOY Magazine

Children's Church

12 JOY Magazine

The Year in ReviewCelebrat ing the Blessings of the LORD!

December 2014

At our 6th Anniversary Celebrat ion,

the Joy Church Family wore black

to stand in solidarity with the Black

Lives Matter movement. We also

delivered food boxes to those in

need. (1)

January 2015

Rahiel Tesfamarian was our special

guest. She dropped by while in

town to deliver the keynote address

for the Awards Banquet during the

MLK Birthday Celebrat ion held at

the MLK Center where Pastor Mike

is chairman of the board. (2)

February 2015

Joy Drama presented a series of

vignettes called ?1960's Sunday?,

recalling the Civil Rights event of

that decade. Joy Institute held a

kick-off rally and registration for

next session. (3)

March 2015

For the second t ime in three years,

the University of Florida Gospel

Choir included Joy Tabernacle in its

spring tour. (4)

April 2015

Passion Week ended at Joy with a

powerful evening of worship

featuring the Seven Last Words of

Christ . Later in April, we offered

free health screenings and clothes

to our South Dallas neighbors. (5,6)

May 2015

Young Mother's were the honorees

at a Mother's Day Luncheon hosted

by our Daughter's of Lydia (DOL's)

ministry. The seasoned women of

DOL's have a special heart to

encourage our younger women. (7)

June 2015

Education was the theme for the

month of June. In addit ion to a

Graduate Recognit ion Service

which honored our graduates, Joy's

Outreach Ministry sponsored a

book give-away. (8)

July 2015

Joy took to the streets, for our

2015 Vacat ion Bible School, we

chose a nearby apartment complex

as the venue for this event. (9)

August 2015

Joy's first ever Missionary Sunday

was a highlight of this month. We

were bless by the message which

was brought by our First Lady,

Attorney Yulise Reaves Waters, and

by the presence of our conference

WMS/YPD officers. (10)

September 2015

More than twenty schools were

represented as Joy held its 3rd

Annual "Rep Your School Sunday".

College and University students

joined us and many wore their

school colors. (11)

October 2015

Friends, Relat ives, Associates, and

Neighbors were our special guests

at Joy for FRANgelism Month. We

held several special events during

this celebrat ion. (12, 13, 14)

November 2015

In the month of November, Joy

paused to recognized our members

who have served their country in

the United States armed forces.

(15)

13 JOY Magazine

1

32

4 5 6

7 8

9

10 11

12

13

14

15

14 JOY Magazine

FRANgelism Month . . . October was FRANgelism (Friends, Relat ives, Associates, Neighbors, plus Evangelism) Month! We made special efforts to reach out and invite others to join us in worship and ministry events. Our Community Closet and Health Fair provided free clothing for South Dallas. We partnered with Parkland Hospital to make free mammograms available. More than 30 women received poten-t ially life-saving mammograms(!). Our Purple and Pink Sunday presenter, Evan-

15 JOY Magazine

FRANgelism Month . . . gelist Robin Gray, encouraged us with her test imony as both a survivor of do-mestic abuse and breast cancer. Our Joy Baby Shower provided diapers and wipes to our 2015 newborns. Generat ions Sunday saw Joy members, from the ?Silent Generat ion" to the "Millennials" dressed in the clothes they wore in high school. The month ended with our HOLYween, our safe and fun- filled evening. And we were blessed because souls were added to the Kingdom.

Pink and Purple Sunday: Wearing Shades of Purple and Pink Joy stood in in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

16 JOY Magazine

Recently, Sister Yulise was given a new assignment as the community prosecutor for Dallas' three community courts and two specialty courts. These courts are designed to not only prosecute criminal behavior, but also "to help people address the underlying problems that lead to crime.

The First Lady of Joy, Attor-ney Yulise Reaves Waters, is on a mission, and that mis-sion is to help people.

Since 2011, Attorney Waters ? Sister Yulise to the mem-bers of Joy - has served as an Assistant City Attorney and Southwest Division Commu-nity Prosecutor for the City of

Dallas. In this position, she worked with the Dallas Police Department and Code En-forcement to increase safety, decrease crime, and improve quality of l ife in neighbor-hoods. Because of her tire-less efforts in this commu-nity, her name was placed on the Wall of Honor at Dallas

City Hall in 2013, and again in 2014. In 2015, she was honored by the Oak Clif f Community Development Corporation for her service to the Oak Clif f community.

Sister Yulise was a part of a team that developed the Sec-ond Chance Community Im-provement Program for low-level drug offenders "that gives [them] a chance to re-deem themselves (Dallas Morning News).? This pro-gram diverts them away from the courts and gives them tools to make better choices.

Recently, Sister Yulise was given a new assignment as the Community Courts Prose-cutor. The Community Courts are designed not only to prosecute criminal behavior but also "to help people ad-dress the underlying prob-lems that lead to crime".

As you can see, Assistant City Attorney Yulise Reaves Wa-ters? mission to help others is being fulf il led. Amazing how God works!

First Lady YuliseAttorney at Lawby Rev. B Williams Waters

17 JOY Magazine

Joy Tabernacle?s Member of the Year is Lynn Bowen. Sister Lynn, as she is known, is serious about Kingdom building and dedicated to the work of Joy.

She is president of the stewardess board, and of the Daughters of Lydia, our ministry for women forty and up. A former caterer, Sister Lynn is the head ?chef? for Joy?s Culinary Crew.

When we asked her, ?What motivates you to do all that you do?? Sis-ter Lynn replied, ?Joy is a church that makes a place for you and your gif ts. I love God and I love my church and I want to do all I can to-ward the vision.

Lynn Bowen

Member of the Year

Top: Pastor Mike, Sister Yulise, Jeremiah, Liberty and HopeMiddle: Sister Yulise and Mayor Rawlings

Bottom: Sister Yulise and others at Operation Blue Shield.

18 JOY Magazine

An Emerging Leader

The Rev. Dr. Michael W. Wa-ters lives in ?Sunny? South Dallas, a community just south of downtown Dallas. This is where Pastor Mike - as he is known - l ives, works, and worships.  

Recently, Pastor Mike served as Principal for the Day at Lincoln High School. The principal was amazed at how many of her students knew him by name. Even the homeless in the area know Pastor Mike. More than a few have slept on the porch where ? litt le do they know - Pastor Mike prays that the presence of the Holy Spirit will provide extra warmth for them on cold nights.

Pastor Mike is known for his work in the South Dallas community. Because of his service he was selected by the City Council to serve as

the chairman of the board of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. Located in the heart of South Dallas, it is the largest social services facil ity in the City of Dallas, serving over 350,000 per-sons a year. Serving on sev-eral other advisory boards, Pastor Mike is involved with groups who have an in inter-est in the economic and so-cial development of South Dallas.

Pastor Mike is known as a powerful preacher, gif ted speaker and advocate for jus-tice. This year, alone, he trav-eled from Seattle, Washing-ton and San Francisco, Cali-fornia to Charleston, South Carolina and Orlando, Florida bringing his message of hope and reconciliation. Also, in 2015, he was interviewed by BBC Radio, twice.

Pastor Mike's tour promoting his award- winning book, FREESTYLE: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice and Pop Culture, led him to Canada. And he was a frequent con-tributor to the Huff ington Post where his blogs often make the front page.

Pastor Mike?s hard work has

PastorMikeby Rev. B Williams Waters

19 JOY Magazine

Even the homeless in the area know Pastor Mike.

not gone unnoticed. The Dal-las Business Journal chose him as a 2015 "40 Under 40" honoree. In September, he received the Emerging Young Leader Award from his alma mater, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX.

Yes, Pastor Mike is known in the schools and the commu-

nity, among the homeless and the disenfranchised. He is known in the mayor?s of-f ice and by religious leaders and corporation heads, alike. Most importantly, Pastor Mike is known as a humble, dedicated man of God, com-mitted to serving the commu-nity in which he lives, he works, and he worships.

Cou

rtes

y of

The

Dal

las

Bus

ines

s Jo

urna

l

20 JOY Magazine

Pastor Mike is lecturer for the 2015 Hayes Dist inguished Lecture Series at

Wiley College in Marshall, Texas

Lecture Series at Wiley College

Pastor Mike speaks

to the crowd at the

Frank Crowley Court

Building, Dallas, TX.

50th Anniversary Selma Commemorat ion March and Rally

21 JOY Magazine

Cry

This year, Pastor Mike has traveled the country, preaching and teaching and lecturing. The common refrain in messages is FREEDOM in the spirit. FREEDOM in hope, FREEDOM in love, FREEDOM to all mankind. FREEDOM that can only be found in God. FREEDOM . . . FREEDOM . . . CRY, FREEDOM!

Pastor Mike "energizes

the crowd". at Belo

Plaza, Dallas, TX

Black Lives Mat ter Rally

Freedom!

.

22 JOY Magazine

Fill us with your spirit ,

Let 's us really learn your writ ten text ,

Please inject our bodies with the things we just ain't seeing yet ,

Lord we need refreshing,

Our life we just let it fade away,

Which makes us stay in place,

And feel this pain we feeling day to day,

Your amazing grace,

Can heal it all but we don't see a way,

So we lean to our own understanding,

causing greater pain,

Thinking we in charge,

You're the soldier and we major Payne,

But every knee will bow before the maker when he come again,

Lord we need revival,

It 's vital for all your people,

Recit in the bibles nice,

But them demons recite it equal,

Knowing the word is cool,

But not living it causes evil,

Reality 3 Praise God he removed the pride so this message could reach his people,

I only speak what I know,

The spirit tells me to flow,

I pour my heart on the t rack to give hopeless vessels some hope,

My mission is just to serve,

Uplift you with every word,

If you catch some convict ion,

I pray you hold to it firm,

Cause,

once you embrace it ,

You enter into his presence,

Cannot live in his kingdom if you can't accept a lesson,

There's a way right to man,

That surely leads him to death,

So why not walk in the spirit instead of runnin wit flesh,

Be an opportunist ,

Make the devil mad and show him you can do this,

Read the word && meditate with others t il you walk it fluent ,

Scholar student ,

Failing test but pressing on wit forward movement ,

Never scared to ask for help cause anyone

By Wayne Joshua

.

23 JOY Magazine

can give improvement ,

You can do whatever,

Sayin can't ain't from heaven,

He won't give us more than we can bare,

So make a solid effort ,

Don't focus on the worldly status,

Heaven holds ya t reasures,

Our mission is plant ing seeds && living lives that shows he's in us,

Create a new heart ,

Break every chain of bondage,

These shackles only will harm us,

And makes us have poor performance,

Plus this world is in shackles,

&& God said ain't no conforming,

Anointed means set apart ,

So why are we looking normal...

Transparency is needed when you're speakin t ruth,

Act ing like you're bet ter feeds pride,

Now them demons loose,

We should work together,

Let 's ride,

On them demons who,

Wanna split what God wants t ied to make them demons lose,

WAKE UP!!!

Quit hit t in that snooze but ton,

You can have the whole world but you st ill can lose something,

That breath within your lungs is in you to prove something,

Which is God can do it all if we get up and move something, (yea yea)

We got ta purpose,

You are far from worthless,

Man these t rials they always come && go but t rust the lord && keep working,

Don't understand the scripture tell the lord && keep Searchin,

If you ask you can receive if you believe and that 's for certain, (yea yea)

We out here fight ing what 's already won,

Keep the faith && please stand firm unt il the savior come,

Yea,

We out here fight ing what 's already won,

Keep the faith && please stand firm unt il the savior come ..

Phot

ogra

phy;

123

RF F

ree

Phot

ogra

phs

Wayne Joshua is a 24 year old Gospel Rap Artist. He is also a medically retired Combat Veteran, Husband, & Father of two! He has been in Ministry Since the age of 16 (2007) and God has been leading "Blessed Boy Swagg" (BBS). BBS's foundation was built upon Matthew 28:19 & Matthew 6:33

24 JOY Magazine 24 JOY Magazine

1

32

4 5

40

6

7 8

9

10 11

12

13

14

15

What I Love About Joy"Yet three years ago, I realized that my spirit had a desire for

something fresh, something new. "

I immediately felt the presence of God and felt welcomed by the members. Each time I was present I was blessed with a ?word? which I had never experienced before, by a young preacher name Michael Waters. My soul was f il led. I was inspired. And I wanted to be of service to others. But most importantly, it was my walk in the direction of God's voice that led me to Joy Taberna-cle, a place that I now call home, where I joined in May of 2012.

I love my Pastor, I love my fellow members, I love the diversity that the congregation brings. I love our worship. I love our praise. I love our vision. I love our story? I love my church.   

have been in the A.M.E church all of my life and do not know anything dif ferent. I have been involved in organizations

and in leadership roles within various levels of the church and I am familiar with changes that often take place with the organiza-tional structure of the church.

Throughout my years, I would consider my-self a loyal member to my former church were I had worshiped for twenty-one years. Yet three years ago, I realized that my spirit had a desire for something fresh, something new. I prayed for revelation as to where I should go. I was patient and waited for Gods' direction, and on the f irst Sunday of January 2012 He led me to Joy Tabernacle.

by Jerry A. Kelley

I

In Memory Of . . .

Let us pray . . . Father you have chosen to take some of the greats home to be with you and we miss them daily. I ask that you give the families of those you called home peace to know they are in a much better place. Now they can watch over us keeping us on track. In Your mighty name we pray, Amen.

In the seven years since our founding, five

members of our church family have been

called to their reward. Three woman and

two men are Joy's fallen angels. The three

woman are very different , yet their love

of God and their dedicat ion to the work at

Joy created a bond that could not be

broken.

Mother Deion loved to share her wisdom

with whoever would listen. And as she

spoke, she always kept it humorous -

never bit ing her tongue. I certainly miss

our talks. Minister Tenolia Sowells,

affect ionately called ?Min. T?, was always

the kind and loving doctor. She shared her

life lessons both doctor-wise (she had a

PhD in naturopathic medicine) and

life-wise she was always a joy to talk to no

mat ter the situat ion. And she always

made you feel at ease with her terrific bed

side manner.

Mother McGue, my mom, also talked to

whoever was near; mom never met a

st ranger. She loved to talk and share her

life lessons. But most of all, my mom loved

to talk about her family, and how each one

of her children have taken different paths

in life. I thank each one of these women for

giving of themselves. They have deposited

so much in me and in the Joy Church

Family. I love and miss all of you. You may

not answer me the way I want , I st ill talk to

all of you.

Although they were not with us long, Bro.

Reggie and Bro. Tenyat ta had one common

factor: Min. Barbara brought them to Joy.

Both men were experiencing difficult ies in

their lives. One was very ill and the other

was seeking deliverance. She brought

them to Joy for us to love on and pray over

and encourage. Min. Barbara knew the

doors of Joy are opened to all. She knew

that Pastor Mike and the Joy Church family

would welcome them with open arms. And

we did.

by Evelyn McGue

25 JOY Magazine

26 JOY Magazine

7 Years of Joy

The Joys of JOY

"On any given Sunday you may find a three-piece suit seated next to jeans, a tee shirt and flip-flops."

he JOY Church Family is made up of persons from all walks of life. On any given Sunday you may find a three-piece suit seated next to jeans,

tee-shirts and flip-flops. Dresses and 6-inch heels are just as likely to walk thorough the door as is a bohemian-style skirt , sandals and sister locs. Even the homeless feel welcome to join us in worship.

Despite these differences, the members of JOY are bound together by a love of God, a heart to serve, and an unapologet ic praise(!).

We wondered what drew our members to JOY. How was it that persons from all over Dallas and its suburbs felt at home? How did persons from across the nat ion - New York and Chicago, California, Oklahoma, Louisiana - and across the State of Texas make their way to this place, in this t ime? So, we asked them to tell us in 50 words or less, what Joy means to them. And they told us.

# Joy is a Village

When I arrived in Dal las, I knew nothing about the city and I knew no one in it . I was t ruly a st ranger in a foreign land. Joy became the foundat ion of my vi l lage. I now have f riends, family, resources, etc. where I once had absolutely none? and that al l began with Joy.

Kiera D. Lyt le, Member since 2013

T

27 JOY Magazine

I am a God fearing woman who constant ly prays for my family and yours, as wel l . I love the Lord and have no problem doing His work without complaining. I go to the church when no one else is there working and spending t ime in the quiet with the Lord.

Evelyn McGue, Member since 2009

Joy Tabernacle is a group of people who love the Lord and each other. Joy is a place being perfected by God. Joy is a church that worships God with ?undignif ied? praise, sometimes our praise can get ?down right ugly?! Cause you can't praise God and be cute; it 's just out of the question! To me Joy means freedom to praise and worship my God in my own way.

Lynn Bowen, Member since 2008

# Joy is Freedom

# Joy is a Sanctuary

24 JOY Magazine 28 JOY Magazine

1

32

4 5

40

6

7 8

10 11

13

14

15

My Journey Through ArtThe inspiration for the "Listen to Your Heart" collection . . .was

her journey with having to wear a heart monitor.

he inspiration for the ?Listen to Your Heart? collection ? in the words of the artist, Florence A. Hawkins- Criss ? was

?her journey with having to wear a heart monitor.? The power of the collection was evident during its debut exhibit at the Jeanette Kennedy Gallery, in November. This exhibit spoke to the hearts of all those who saw it. They recognized the expression of hope and deliverance it represented.

?It is a powerful, artistic depiction of her personal journey to healing and whole-ness,? writes her pastor after viewing the exhibit. Sister Florence sees art as a non-verbal form of self-expression. Through art we can communicate clearly - for those who are "listening" - the desires of the heart and the imaginings of the mind.

We asked Sister Florence why she does what she does. Her response was, ?Because it keeps me alive. It keeps me breathing.? As with her latest collection, ?Listen to Your Heart,? Sister Florence speaks to the experi-ences of her l ife through the expression of her art. She shares her life- lessons with each stroke of her brush. She explains her world for those who would come behind her. And in it all, she gives God the glory.

By Rev. B Williams Waters

T

Florence A. Hawkins-Criss

"Listen to Your Heart"

Psalm 34:18

Proverbs 27:18

Joy Publications

Staff

Publisher Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters

Editor Rev. B Will iams Waters

Copy Editors Min. Tracy Washington-Tasker

Sis. Yulise Reaves Waters

Layout Consultant Sis. Florence Hawkins-Criss

Photography The Members of Joy*

Contributors

Bro. Wayne Joshua

Sis. Jerry A. Kelley

Sis. Evelyn McGue

Sis. Brenda Randall

Bro. Melvin (Mel) Stimpson

Rev. Joreaner P. Stimpson

Min. Tracy Washington-Tasker

Rev. B Will iams Waters

29 JOY Magazine

"Listen to Your Heart"

Psalm 34:19

Isaiah 35:4-6

Proverbs 27:18

30 JOY Magazine

#WeAreJoy

Joy Tabernacle A.M.E. Church, 3203 Holmes Street, Dallas, TX 75215Reverend Dr. Michael W. Waters, Founder and Senior Pastor

Phone: 214.565.8975 * Email; info@joytabernacleame.org * Web: www.joytabernacleame.orgFacebook: Joy Tabernacle AME Church * UStream: JoyTabJoynt

Joy in the Morning

Daily at 7:00 a.m.

Noon Day Devot ion Wednesdays at 12 Noon

Midweek Joy

Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m.

Joy Inst itute Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

Worship Celebrat ion Sundays at 10:45 a.m.

Children's Church Sundays at 11:45 a.m.

JOYn Us @ JOY