Rhema Magazine Issue 15

Visionary, Founder, and Pastor of Empowerment Temple A. M. E. Church of Baltimore, MD

20 Cover Story Dr. Jamal Bryant

18 Debbie Mitchell-Dozier: God’s Answer to Prayer23 The Church: An Agent of Change28 Life Insurance: Are you prepared?31 Let the Boys Live

Disclaimer Rhema is published every other month. No part of this publication is to be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The Magazine can not be held liable for any error in any advertise-ment and any liability is limited to the total cost of the advertisement in error. The publisher however reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed offensive or inappropriate. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are strictly those

of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rhema Magazine. Rhema Magazine takes reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of the information. However we will not assume liability for the opinions or statements nor the accuracy of the authors. We also reserve the right to edit information we deem inappropriate for this magazine.

SECTIONS04 Editor’s Note09 RHEMA Health16 RHEMA Music24 RHEMA Spotlight30 RHEMA Puzzle33 RHEMA Showcase34 RHEMA Word

12 Stemming the Tide of Pastoral Suicides: Combatting Depression in Pastors15 The Urgency of Prayer

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By Michele Saunders

The words “rise in pastors committing suicide” are shocking and somewhat oxymoronic. However, this suicide rate increase is real. How could this be? One reason: our pastors are human beings with a spiritual focus who, encountering many similar a�ictions, situations, struggles, and emotions as other human beings, are succumbing to the constant stress and scrutiny of being in ministry.

Research by the Francis A. Schae�er Institute of Church Leadership Development and research culled from Barna, Focus on the Family, and Fuller Seminary found that:• Seventy percent of pastors surveyed �ght depression on a continual basis;• Ninety percent of pastors surveyed worked more than 60 hours per week;• Seventy-�ve percent of those pastors were “highly stressed;”• One out of three pastors stated that being in ministry was “hazardous” to their families;• One out of three pastors were “totally burned out” after �ve years of ministry .

How to Discern DepressionNow, given these sample statistics, does your pastor �t in them?

Does your leader �ght depression on a continual basis? Is your pastor “highly stressed?” Does your pastor work more than 60 hours per week? If your pastor could answer you honestly, would he or she admit that they were “totally burned out” from ministry?

The Mayo Clinic de�nes depression as “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. ” There are many symptoms of depression that may vary in manifestation and are less obvious in older adults. A whole host of life issues could be named as the initial causes of depression. All depressed persons do not

commit suicide. However, you may want to take extra care for those who have admitted to being depressed.

Ministering to Our PastorsHow do you minister to your pastor who may be �ghting depression?1. Fast and pray for your pastor;2. Have your church pay for your pastor to get the necessary mental-health and wellness assessments, treatments, and /or follow-ups;3. Give your pastor time o�;4. Minister to your pastor’s family by giving time and sharing talents to help ease household loads;5. Learn more about how to minister to your leader. Is your pastor doing the work that the congregants could and should do? Is this contributing to your pastor’s burnout? Is there a church �nancial load your pastor is carrying? How could you help in lifting some of those burdens?

Appeal to PastorsWe can be at times out of balance. Mental-health issues could be manifestations of other health issues. Pastors, if you know you are battling depression, in addition to seeking Jesus, Our Great Physician and Healer, please dial 9-1-1- for immediate emergencies, or seek your local physician and /or mental health counselor. You do not have to do this alone. As mentioned in a previous edition of RHEMA Magazine, one resource skilled in ministering to pastors is:

Still [email protected] Dorchester AvenueSouth Boston, MA 02127(617) 682-0259

www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36562

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/symp-

toms/con-20032977


Combatting Depression in Pastors




Prayer is simply communicating to God. We need neither a lofty vocabulary nor lengthy words to sincerely connect with the Lord. It is a monologue with the expectation of a dialogue. When we talk to God as believers we should pause to hear what He has to say to us.

The reason why we need to pray with a sense of urgency is because of the adverse issues that we are dealing with today. Most of us recognize the things that are going on in the world. We have read headlines like: “Young Man Beheads Coworker;” “Fires, Earthquakes Cause Loss of Lives and Homes;” “Deadly Ebola Virus Spreads Beyond Liberia.” We live in a day where there is a great onslaught of demonic activities. We therefore need to make a very conscious decision to either pray or to completely give up.

The Church should never be in a posture of relenting. We are the salt of the earth and we are the City that is set upon a hill according to Matthew 5:13-14. We need to go back to the early model that was set in place by the original disciples of Jesus Christ as recorded in Acts 2:38-47.

When we pray we must do so with the following in mind:

1) Faith;2) Conviction;3) Determination;4) Obedience, and;5) Agreement.

As we deal with the urgency of prayer, we need to make sure that we are doing things decently and in order, especially when we are

praying corporately.

Let us consider these basics in regards to prayer:

1) The foundation of prayer is essential.Luke 11:1-2 (New International Version): “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ 2. He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.”’”

2) There is an urgent need for prayer because The Bible admonishes us to be cognizant of the last days. 2 Timothy 3:1 (NIV): “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.”

3) Developing a praying spirit is very key.I Thessalonians 5:17 (King James Version): “Pray without ceasing.” If we as Christians are always praying, we are better able to stay in the right frame of mind when dealing with adversity.

4) We must be committed to pray into a greater dimension of strength and victory.Acts 4:31(NIV): “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

It is time to shake things up through the power of faith-filled prayers! As Christians, we should always be in an urgent posture of prayer because the world is full of chaos and confusion. Nonetheless, we have the answer to all of life's social ills through Jesus Christ. Remember, Christ alone is the answer.

BY Pastor William E. Dickerson, Jr.



As told to Michele Saunders

Recently, Rhema Magazine participated in the celebration of the eighth anniversary of Fountain of Grace Church, of Canton, MA, shepherded by Pastors George and Gloria Irabor. While there, Rhema had the opportunity to meet and to talk with guest recording artist and worship leader, Bumie Dada, of Baltimore, Maryland.

In 2013, Bumie released her worship CD entitled My All, which features rhythmic beats and lyrics reminiscent of traditional West African sounds. Bumie took the time to share with Rhema Magazine her reason for being a worship artist.

Rhema: Tell us about Bumie Dada.

Bumie: Born in Lagos, Nigeria, I was brought up in a Christian family that always acknowledged the sovereignty of God. We didn’t have much, but we had our faith in God. My mother was a major pillar in the development of our family spiritually. She was dedicated to much prayer and fasting. She also exposed us to a lot of kingdom statutes. We moved to the United States with my family in 1998.

Rhema: What inspired you to become a worship leader and recording artist?

Bumie: As I got older, I became overwhelmed with many youthful desires. It took me a while to come to an understanding of who I was in Christ. God literally pulled me out of the midst of many and began to work on me. I realized quickly that there is more to a praise

and worship leader than their voice, skills, or abilities. I knew I was called to this because I always caught myself thinking, “What will happen if the entire congregation lifts up one voice to God?” I wanted to in�uence the way people reverence God positively.

Rhema: How did you get to select the songs on your album?

Bumie: I prayed for the peace of God concerning every song selected. I had recorded over 20 songs. I had to narrow it down to 12 that God wanted released in this season.

Rhema: Where can we get your CD, My All?

Bumie: My CD is on iTunes, Cdbaby.com, Google Play and most online CD retail stores. You can also order directly from us via [email protected].

Rhema: What can we look forward to from Bumie?

Bumie: Wow. You can look forward to songs that usher in the glory and presence of God and Mega worship seminars. You can also look forward to my ministry in�uencing change in the society through the platform God has given. You can look forward to history in the making as God gives me the grace to spread African Gospel music to all cultures. And also as I lead praise and worship, you can look forward to the rise of many young people – a Joshua generation – that will pick up the mantle and lead many in the ways of God.



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In March 2012, Bishop J. Kevin Harris was ministering during a revival service at Greater Love Tabernacle, in Boston, MA, shepherded by Pastor and Overseer William E. Dickerson, II. It was during this service that Bishop Harris shared with the congregants and revival attendees his petition to the Lord for a new kidney, for he would soon mark his fifth year of enduring the harsh ordeal of three-times-a-week dialysis due to kidney failure.

God’s Plan Revealed

Debbie Mitchell-Dozier is a long-stand-ing member of Greater Love Tabernacle. She is a licensed missionary and coordinator of Greater Love Taberna-cle’s Health Ministry. She also is an award-winning registered nurse, who was named recipient of the national 2014 GEM Award for Nursing Excellence in her area of Home, Community and Ambulatory Care. She will be bestowed this honor in November.

As a RN, Debbie has worked in the direct care of patients on dialysis over a span of 16 years, from 1992 to 2008 in various capacities. For the past nine years, Debbie has worked in the Chronic Disease Clinic at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Inspired by her family members who lost their battles to kidney failure and by the Chief of the Division of Nephrology, Andrew Levey, MD, who donated a kidney to his wife in 2008, Debbie began her process of becoming a kidney donor in 2009, which was sidelined until 2012, when she got a clean bill of health to move forward as a donor.

Debbie tells her story from here:

“I was excited that Prophet J. Kevin Harris of Victory Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, VA would be ministering at our church. This worship service, was, however very different. After ministering to the crowd, Prophet Harris revealed his own area of need. He shared with us all that he was in dire need of a new kidney. I was touched by his appeal and the degree of transparen-cy he showed,” she said.

Debbie continued, “My husband Wayne and I immediately made eye contact …, I can truly say that this is one instant in which I was certain that the Lord was speaking to me. This was without a doubt the time and the person that I would donate my kidney to.”

The Process

“The rest is history,” Debbie surmised. Bishop Harris and Debbie were both a blood and tissue match – rare on the first try. From 2012 to 2013, Bishop Harris endured a rigorous organ recipient preparation process for the kidney transplant surgery, which took place on July 10, 2013 at the Virginia Transplant Center in Richmond, VA.

One Year Later

“Looking back over the process,” said Debbie, “I can see the hand of God over all [of] this journey. My experience has served as a reminder to me of the true reward of allowing one’s self to be led by the Spirit of God. To God be the Glory for the things He has done! ”


Debbie Mitchell-Dozier: God’s Answer to PrayerBy Michele Saunders



Cover Story

r. Jamal Harrison Bryant is the visionary, founder, and pastor of Empowerment Temple African Method-ist Episcopal (A. M. E.) Church of Baltimore, MD. He is an alumnus of Morehouse College, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Studies from Morehouse College of Atlanta, GA; his Master of Arts in Divinity degree from Duke University of Durham, NC; and an honorary doctorate from the Graduate Theological Foundation of Mishawaka, IN. Pastor Bryant is an anointed author, teacher, preacher, pastor, and speaker. He is the father of five daughters and the former husband of Ms. Gizelle Bryant.

Local Ties

Pastor Bryant was born on May 21, 1971 in Cambridge, MA to Pastor (now Bishop) John Richard Bryant and The Reverend Cecilia Williams-Bryant. At that time, Dr. Bryant’s father was the pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Cambridge, and his parents were continuing their work and studies at Boston University in Boston. The Bryant family lived in the Boston area until Dr. Bryant was in the second grade, when his dad was reassigned to pastor a congregation in Baltimore.

Rising Star

Empowerment Temple began in 2000 as a 43-member home Bible study that quickly grew into a 12,000-member church over a seven-year period. Since the age of 29, Pastor Bryant was in demand, being a national televangelist and TV and radio personality, in addition to pastoring newly minted

Empowerment Temple and a burgeon-ing, technologically advanced social media ministry.

Wrong Choices Revealed

All seemingly was going well within Pastor Bryant’s private and public worlds, until 2007 when he publicly admitted to having an extramarital affair. This admission led to the demise of Dr. Bryant’s marriage and to the loss of many Empowerment Temple mem-bers. Dr. Bryant was publicly criticized and castigated. However, he remained faithful to the call of ministry and to the pastorate.

Resolute Redemptive Recovery RHEMA Magazine recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Bryant about this process of recovery that showed forth God’s glory. Dr. Bryant shared wisdom on what he learned, what he could improve, and what he could impart to other leaders from all of his life events. Dr. Bryant in his own words:

“Many people forget that Noah was stuck on the boat for longer than it actually landed. The process was over 100 days when the rain was only for 40. And a whole lot of people want your healing to be as quick as the storm. It always takes longer for the rebuilding. Even now in Detroit, after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and even now Haiti is still being rebuilt. The rebuilding is always longer than the storm itself. And so what it always shows you in recovery as you would say is a process.

There are a number of veterans who have to go through physical therapy. The pain of that. But it is a process of having to learn how to re -walk. And for the last six or seven years, my life has really been a protracted spiritual therapy of God teaching me how to walk again - all the more how to walk with thee.

Life is a balancing act. Shakespeare has a line that says, ‘To thine own self be true.’ Do you remember when Jesus asked the disciples, ‘What are you saying about me?’ And He recorded it. And He said, ‘What do YOU say?’ And a lot of times we define ourselves by other people’s percep-tions without ever asking ourselves, ‘Who am I when nobody’s looking?’ And finding that balance and finding the integrity with myself - not with my gift, not with my reputation or my ministry, manage being when I am home alone, recognizing being who I am. But it has been a long and difficult journey in separating the two.

I’m failing still at time management. I’m trying to find time for myself, some alone time sitting down - of being, developing. I failed at being a husband and trying to master being a father. Because you failed at one doesn’t mean that you have to fail at both. And so I have been putting a whole lot

of energy, effort, and time on trying to polish and hone in my parenting skills, understanding what my needs are as a man - not as a pastor, not as a father, but who I am is an ever-evolving, ever-human being … But what am I doing to help better myself. So I’m learning and relearning the process of dedication. I now practice yoga. So you can do a whole lot of things for self- improvement. Not just improving the craft, or the ministry, or your reputation.

Yes, you have to be more selective about who’s in your space. The people who go through the greatest levels of background checks are the security for The President (of the United States). The people who work Secret Service go under the greatest scrutiny than the people who are Congressmen or Senators. Why? Because they have access and because they have a need. And one of the things I had to learn through this process was scrutiny of safeguarding my space. And had to really be jealous of my time, that I can’t just loan it out to everybody and to have my own inner vetting process and what that means and knowing that solitary is not a punishment. Some-times being by yourself can be your greatest joy if you know how to master it.

What I want to say is one of my favorite lines from an Afghan proverb, ‘You are not a leader if nobody is following you. You’re just taking a walk.’ So in dealing with leadership: Making sure that you are in tune and in touch with your ‘followship.’ Who are the people that are following you? Why are they following you? And all the more, where are you leading them? Just because you’re a preacher doesn’t mean you’re a leader. You have to have direction. You have to have aim. You have to have a focus.”


r. Jamal Harrison Bryant is the visionary, founder, and pastor of Empowerment Temple African Method-ist Episcopal (A. M. E.) Church of Baltimore, MD. He is an alumnus of Morehouse College, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Studies from Morehouse College of Atlanta, GA; his Master of Arts in Divinity degree from Duke University of Durham, NC; and an honorary doctorate from the Graduate Theological Foundation of Mishawaka, IN. Pastor Bryant is an anointed author, teacher, preacher, pastor, and speaker. He is the father of five daughters and the former husband of Ms. Gizelle Bryant.

Local Ties

Pastor Bryant was born on May 21, 1971 in Cambridge, MA to Pastor (now Bishop) John Richard Bryant and The Reverend Cecilia Williams-Bryant. At that time, Dr. Bryant’s father was the pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Cambridge, and his parents were continuing their work and studies at Boston University in Boston. The Bryant family lived in the Boston area until Dr. Bryant was in the second grade, when his dad was reassigned to pastor a congregation in Baltimore.

Rising Star

Empowerment Temple began in 2000 as a 43-member home Bible study that quickly grew into a 12,000-member church over a seven-year period. Since the age of 29, Pastor Bryant was in demand, being a national televangelist and TV and radio personality, in addition to pastoring newly minted

Empowerment Temple and a burgeon-ing, technologically advanced social media ministry.

Wrong Choices Revealed

All seemingly was going well within Pastor Bryant’s private and public worlds, until 2007 when he publicly admitted to having an extramarital affair. This admission led to the demise of Dr. Bryant’s marriage and to the loss of many Empowerment Temple mem-bers. Dr. Bryant was publicly criticized and castigated. However, he remained faithful to the call of ministry and to the pastorate.

Resolute Redemptive Recovery RHEMA Magazine recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Bryant about this process of recovery that showed forth God’s glory. Dr. Bryant shared wisdom on what he learned, what he could improve, and what he could impart to other leaders from all of his life events. Dr. Bryant in his own words:

“Many people forget that Noah was stuck on the boat for longer than it actually landed. The process was over 100 days when the rain was only for 40. And a whole lot of people want your healing to be as quick as the storm. It always takes longer for the rebuilding. Even now in Detroit, after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and even now Haiti is still being rebuilt. The rebuilding is always longer than the storm itself. And so what it always shows you in recovery as you would say is a process.

There are a number of veterans who have to go through physical therapy. The pain of that. But it is a process of having to learn how to re -walk. And for the last six or seven years, my life has really been a protracted spiritual therapy of God teaching me how to walk again - all the more how to walk with thee.

Life is a balancing act. Shakespeare has a line that says, ‘To thine own self be true.’ Do you remember when Jesus asked the disciples, ‘What are you saying about me?’ And He recorded it. And He said, ‘What do YOU say?’ And a lot of times we define ourselves by other people’s percep-tions without ever asking ourselves, ‘Who am I when nobody’s looking?’ And finding that balance and finding the integrity with myself - not with my gift, not with my reputation or my ministry, manage being when I am home alone, recognizing being who I am. But it has been a long and difficult journey in separating the two.

I’m failing still at time management. I’m trying to find time for myself, some alone time sitting down - of being, developing. I failed at being a husband and trying to master being a father. Because you failed at one doesn’t mean that you have to fail at both. And so I have been putting a whole lot

of energy, effort, and time on trying to polish and hone in my parenting skills, understanding what my needs are as a man - not as a pastor, not as a father, but who I am is an ever-evolving, ever-human being … But what am I doing to help better myself. So I’m learning and relearning the process of dedication. I now practice yoga. So you can do a whole lot of things for self- improvement. Not just improving the craft, or the ministry, or your reputation.

Yes, you have to be more selective about who’s in your space. The people who go through the greatest levels of background checks are the security for The President (of the United States). The people who work Secret Service go under the greatest scrutiny than the people who are Congressmen or Senators. Why? Because they have access and because they have a need. And one of the things I had to learn through this process was scrutiny of safeguarding my space. And had to really be jealous of my time, that I can’t just loan it out to everybody and to have my own inner vetting process and what that means and knowing that solitary is not a punishment. Some-times being by yourself can be your greatest joy if you know how to master it.

What I want to say is one of my favorite lines from an Afghan proverb, ‘You are not a leader if nobody is following you. You’re just taking a walk.’ So in dealing with leadership: Making sure that you are in tune and in touch with your ‘followship.’ Who are the people that are following you? Why are they following you? And all the more, where are you leading them? Just because you’re a preacher doesn’t mean you’re a leader. You have to have direction. You have to have aim. You have to have a focus.”





The Church: An Agent of Change In the era of Mass Incarceration

Rev. J. George M. Walters-Sleyon

In his critique, Karl Marx defined religion as responsible for the propagation of “false consciousness.” This consciousness he argues, is alien to the concrete economic problems of religious folks. In search of an “object” of reliance other than self, religion he argues, encourages the projection of one’s desire into the “realm of the fantastic.” Marx concludes that religion obscures the actual state of one’s existence. In other words, religion encourages the alienation of oneself from the concrete realities of this world to a world of illusion and fantasy. Thus, his famous definition of religion as the “opium of the people.” Marx’s critique of religion was largely an economic critique of capitalism and the tendency of religious organizations/lead-ers to be in cahoots with the establishment.

In contrast, Max Weber saw religion as a major asset towards social stability. While both men acknowledged religion’s potential to “legitimate existing social arrangements”, Weber was quick to assert religion’s potential to engender social change.

In fairness to their critiques, institutional religion including Christianity has granted legitimacy to slavery, “holy wars”, racial and tribal segregation, religious segregation in addition to religious fundamentalism, which have oppressed others.

But The Church has also been involved in ending slavery and human suffering. It continues to advocate for sociopolitical, economic transformation, and the way “things ought to be” for human flourishing. In the United States, The Church is responsible for the Great Awakening, The Abolitionist movement, The Society of Friends-The Quakers with its focus on egalitarianism, the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century,

and the Voting Rights Acts to name a few. Christianity’s inherent ability to recognize the respect for human dignity and human worth has been its main influence to engender social change. Central to the religious Spirit are the elements of redemption, restoration, and reconciliation. This conviction is rooted in the claim that all human beings are potential candidates for change.

It is within this context that we ask The Church in America to collectively and denominationally condemn mass incarcera-tion and human abuse in the American criminal justice system. Mass incarceration of human beings is morally wrong. Like slavery, mass incarceration negates every aspect of human flourishing and human wellbeing. The United States has 5% of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s incarcerat-ed population: With over 7.2 million in jails, prisons, on parole, on probation, or under some form of correctional supervision

The cumulative consequences of mass incarceration are reflected in the breakdown of family structures, breakdown of communi-ties, increase in various forms of mental illness, increase in concentrated forms of poverty, and intergenerational impoverish-ment. The Church in America cannot remain “silent.”

Holistic approach to punishment and discipline begins with sentencing reform, the end to racial profiling, and respect for human dignity in the criminal justice system. The Church in America once again has the opportunity to collectively advocate for those principles that are inherent to its identity-jus-tice, equality, and fairness for every human being.

Joshua L. JonesPastor


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When do you typically think about any type of insurance? Often it is usually after experiencing the loss of a loved one. Sometimes you may �nd yourself wondering whether you have enough coverage. After all, you may have some type of life insurance coverage through your employer’s bene�t plan at work.

How proactive have you been in understanding the proper amount of life insurance coverage you should have?

With life insurance, there are several factors to consider, including:

1. How to address the �nal disposition of one’s remains, either through burial or cremation;2. How to provide for those we leave behind, whether they be a spouse, partner, children, or some other �nancial obligation, and;3. How to select the appropriate policy to suit our individual needs, including Term, Whole Life, Universal Life, or Variable Universal Life insurance.

Once we determine that life insurance is actually needed, then we must assess just how much is needed. Many clients have told me that they need �ve times their salary to cover life insurance costs. While this may be a common assumption, I typically suggest that clients look at the economic loss �rst, and then attach a speci�c dollar amount to each of those �nancial obligations. For example, burial or funeral costs would total $15,000, with survivor /spousal income totaling $250,000, education costs totaling $150,000, and mortgage costs totaling $200,000.

Many of us have witnessed situations where people have either procrastinated in purchasing life insurance, or for whatever the reason have let their

own policies lapse. In each instance, many were faced with the possibilities of not having any or enough coverage. Realistically, many people may not have $615,000 sitting in their savings accounts designated for a loved one’s passing, but they can transfer that risk to insurance companies. The disheartening thing about personal and material loss is that they can - and often do - happen at inopportune times, and we just don’t think about these untimely events until they become our reality.

Typically, once you choose a speci�c life insurance company and complete an application, you may be required to answer a number of personal and lifestyle questions prior to being approved. Personal questions might include height, weight, and health history. Lifestyle questions might seek additional information about behaviors like skydiving and bungee jumping, and habits like smoking and even alcohol consumption. These questions are designed to learn if you are a good risk for the insurance company to underwrite.

Once approved, make sure that as you make life changes you inform each of your insurance companies of those changes in order to avoid cancellation or denial of payout of your policy. Finally, it is as equally important to discuss your wishes with your loved ones as you prepare to protect your personal, family, and �nancial interests.

Here is a rule of thumb we often share during our �nancial education workshops: “It is better to be prepared for a situation and not have one, than to have a situation arise and not be prepared.”

N i c h o l a s T . J o s e yF i n a n c i a l E d u c a t i o n C o n s u l t a n ti n f o @ v i n c i t a . o r gw w w . v i n c i t a . o r g

E n g a g e E d u c a t e a n d E m p o w e r



EUROPEAN COUNTRIES



By David Carruthers, Author, TV Host, Speaker

The above verse can be compared to a similar verse in the New Testament (Matthew 2:16) where Herod had all the boys who were less than two years old killed because he was threatened by Christ’s birth. These true stories point to an unparalleled importance of men and their potential. From the beginning, the devil has been detouring men from their destiny and he has used money, women, power, and even death to do it. Potential is a great resource because it is limitless.

Proverbs 13:22 states: “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.” If the enemy can get a boy when he is young, he will. A boy who �nds the right passage to manhood is dangerous to the devil’s kingdom. It is so important that we begin to lift men up in prayer because the demonic attack against them is severe. Since we wrestle not against �esh and blood, we need to be waging warfare against the enemy and speaking life into the lives of men.

We have two ears and eyes and one mouth- so let us be quick to listen (pay attention) and slow to speak.

“The kingdom of God su�ers violence and the violent take it by force,” please see Matthew 11:12. This means that we are to be praying relentlessly for answers to our problems in order to change our circumstances.

However, praying relentlessly does not always happen. This is evident in the high divorce rate for Christians and other ills facing the Church, which could mean that we are losing the war. This does not have to be.

We need to realize that couples are not in competition with each other and that every problem is looking for a solution. It is a slap in God’s face to have the answers and not use them. The healing of our land and of our men is in our mouths. God has given men a responsibility to lead, to govern, and to rule, but as you can see in the verse above, man’s destiny is threatened early by demonic activity. This is not the time for sexist games or for competition. Our sons’ lives are at stake. Sisters, we need you to pray for us.

Ebony magazine stated in its May 2013 issue that three out of every four boys in Chicago will end up in jail by the time they are adults. But our Bible says that we Christians, not the government can heal our land, if we pray and humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways.

In conclusion, regarding the scripture above, the Hebrew women disobeyed the king because they feared God and they let the boys live. As a result, God was kind to them and the people increased and He gave them families of their own.

“When you are helping the Hebrew women in childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.”

Exodus 1:16 (New International Version)


"Business Not As Usual Perseverance Award Recipient: Minister Andrew D. Gayle.

Elder Barbara A. Dulin, CEO and Found, Business Not As Usual

The BNU Team Of Experts: Left to right: Jacqueline McNeil, Shatasha Mayo, George Fraser,

Elder Barbara A. Dulin, Gloria Osborn, Elder Rodney Evans, Annette Powell, Cynthia Younger, Sidney Burton

Le Faith Massaquoi recipient of the Business Not As Usual

" Teenpreneur Award"

The BNU Workshop and Media Team: Jesse Jeter, Elder Barbara Dulin, Pastor William E. Dickerson, Natascha Saunders, Brenda Wornum Moore, Sidney & Denise Burton and Minister Anthony Toombs.

Business Not As Usual Hiring Yourself and Loving It: Business SeminarPh

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Hebrews 11 1-16NKJVBy Faith We Understand

rhemamagazine.com 34

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteous-ness which is according to faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had prom-ised.

12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.

15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.

16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

RHEMA MAGAZINE: Nov/Dec 2014



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Rhema Magazine Issue 15

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