Keep the faith issue 90 xmas 2014 by Keep The Faith magazine

Britain’s leading Black communityfocused publication

ISSUE 90

Celebrating a decade of spreading good news

promoting and supporting faith and family values

SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO: DR MYLES MUNROE

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE OF HOPE By Rev Les Isaac

WANT CHANGE IN 2015?

CHECK OUT

SHAUNA MUAMBA’S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Make it happen with Jacqueline Peart’s tips

SPECIAL

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KTF INTERVIEW WITH:

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WELCOME 03

CONTENTS ISSUE 90 11 Dear Reader

Can you believe it? We are almost at the end of 2014, and Christmas – that special time of year - is drawing near. Our Christmas/New Year edition is filled with articles, and packed with tips to help you enjoy a blessed Christmas season, as well as provide spiritual and practical suggestions so that you can start planning for a great and prosperous 2015. In recognition of the major impact the late Dr Myles Munroe’s teaching and preaching ministry has had on the lives of numerous believers, we’ve paid special tribute to him in this edition. We’ve interviewed the new National Overseer of the New Testament Church of God, Bishop Bolt, and have got the inside scoop with American actress, Kee Broussard, who stars in the faithbased Christmas film, Christmas with the Karountzoses. Contributors to this month’s edition include: Rev Les Isaac, who has written a moving Christmas message for Keep The Faith readers; Jacqueline Peart, who shares advice on how to make positive changes in your life for 2015; author and careers expert, Mildred Talabi, who provides tips on how to move forward in your career; Shauna Muamba has provided some delicious recipes for a sumptuous Christmas meal, and Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts reminds us that Christmas is about the Prince of Peace – Jesus. And, of course, we have all our regular contributors and columnists, who have made this edition special. I just want to take this time to wish you a happy and blessed Christmas, wish you God’s best for 2015, and pray that He will give you the grace, strength and wisdom to deal with whatever life might bring you in the year ahead. Happy reading

Editor, Keep The Faith Magazine

13 19

28 41

WELCOME

04 Food 4 Thought by Marcia Dixon 06 Readers’ Letters

NEWS

07 News pages

GOSPEL

10 Gospel News by Marcia Dixon 12 Gospel music history - it’s a family affair by Juliet Fletcher

OUT AND ABOUT 14 People and Places

INTERVIEW

16 Interview with Bishop Donald Bolt 18 Interview with Kee Broussard

FEATURE

19 The man of God who lived his life with purpose - Tribute to Dr Myles Munroe 20 Don’t give up on hope by Rev Les Isaac 22 Christmas - The season of giving by Dionne Gravesande 24 One dream can change the world: SELMA... coming soon by Shirley McGreal 26 Perfect places to gather together, worship, retreat and relax by Christian Conference Trust 28 The Boys’ Brigade Keep The Faith Limited Suite 48 88-90 Hatton Garden London EC1N 8PN Tel: 0845 193 4433

COMMENT

30 Impact your world in 2015 by getting more involved by Rev David Shosanya 31 New Year doesn’t mean New Age by Rev Stephen Brooks 32 The misuse, glory and beauty of power by Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts 34 Whom can we trust? by Richard Reddie

LIFESTYLE

35 Pastors’ Column: Setting plans for a new year by Marcia Dixon 36 Tips for making a change in 2015 by Rev Jacqueline Peart 38 Business Matters by Denise Roberts 39 How to achieve greatness in your work and life by Mildred Talabi 40 Cyber Corner by Keno Ogbo 41 Recipes for Christmas by Shauna Muamba 42 Mind, Body & Soul by Lola Olarewaju 43 Heart to Heart by Esther Fenty

MISSION

44 Israel and the Church: What is God’s Plan? 46 Finding Hope by Bekah Legg

Founder/Publisher: Shirley McGreal FCMI, admin@keepthefaith.co.uk Editor: Marcia Dixon editorial@keepthefaith.co.uk Advertising: advertising@keepthefaith.co.uk Admin and Subscriptions: admin@keepthefaith.co.uk Twitter: @keepthefaithmag www.keepthefaith.co.uk www.blackchristiandirectory.com

The Publisher would like to thank Rev David Shosanya, Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts, Rev Stephen Brooks, Rev Jacqueline Peart, Marcia Dixon, Juliet Fletcher, Dionne Gravesande, Richard Reddie, Keno Ogbo, Lola Olarewaju, Esther Fenty, Rebekah Legg, Mildred Talabi, Denise Roberts, Anna Shaw, Jackie Raymond, Becky Wybrow our advertisers and all our supporters. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Publisher.

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04 WELCOME

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

PRAY FOR

PEACE

IN 2015

YOU CAN BE SOMEONE’S GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS

esus Christ is often described as God’s Gift to the world. The Baby Jesus, born to the Virgin Mary, in a stable and laid in a manger, grew up to be the Saviour of the world, who reconciled men to God by sacrificing His life on the cross, and rising from the dead via His glorious resurrection. Those of us who are Christians, who have embraced God’s gift of salvation, can definitely say it’s one of the best presents that we’ve ever received. Not only has that gift brought us into a meaningful relationship with our heavenly Father, it has made us better people, so that we can be a blessing to humankind. I wonder, has anyone ever given thought to the fact that God wants us to be a gift in the lives of our fellow human beings? One of the great things about Christmas is that most people, whatever their faith - and even those who have none - make an extra special effort to be a blessing to others during this time of year. You get the impression that people dig deep into their psyche to be the best person they can be. People will check on their vulnerable neighbours; volunteer to work in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, hospitals, old people’s home and child care centres; buy gifts for people they don’t know; donate money to charity; make an effort to be reconciled with estranged family and friends, and generally just try

As I write the final Food 4 Thought column for 2014, news of the decision by the grand jury not to indict Police Officer Darren Wilson for shooting dead 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, is flooding the news channels.

to be nicer, more generous, more giving people, even if it’s just through the Christmas season. So, as Christmas approaches, recognise the good in yourself and in others; seek to be a blessing in the lives of others – both to those you know, and to people that are strangers to you. Extend a hand of help, love sacrificially, and show people that you care. Jesus came to reconcile humanity to God, and humanity to each other. Let Christmas be that time of year where we share our common humanity, and where we can be that special, unique and welcome gift in each other’s lives.

Live your life with death in mind One thing every person can be sure of is that one day we will die. This is one fact of life we can’t avoid, no matter what we do.

And the truth of the matter is, there’s nothing like the subject of death to concentrate the mind. The writer of Ecclesiastes 7:1-2 put it like this: “A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” And he’s right. If Christians lived our lives mindful that we will die, most of us would live our lives differently. We would make it our duty to be people of faith, who believed what God said about us; we’d be doing what He’s called us to do, by utilising our God-given talents; we’d be aiming to be more like our heavenly Father, rather than believing satan’s lies, being distracted by people’s negativity, and having our time hijacked by draining relationships. Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/keep-the-faith-magazine

Of course, living our lives with death in mind is easier said than done; however, as 2014 comes to a close and 2015 approaches, let us aim, with God’s help, to live our lives purposefully or, in the words of the recently-deceased Dr Myles Munroe: to ‘die empty’, knowing that we have used up every ounce of gifting God has placed within us to serve humanity. Have a great 2015.

Following the announcement, parts of Ferguson erupted in violence, whilst peaceful protests, featuring people of all races, took place in 90 US cities, as a sign of solidarity with the Black citizens of the town and with the Brown Family. My prayer for America is that, in 2015, it finds a way to bring about a peaceful resolution to its insidious problem of racism within its law enforcement agencies, which seem to have been given a licence to cut short the lives of young Black males for seemingly minor infringes. And it’s my prayer that, in 2015, citizens of the world pursue peace – both in our personal lives and in the wider world, so that we can live in communities that exude tranquillity, restfulness and are free from conflict and war. The peace the world needs can be found in God. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

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06 LETTERS

The Black Church is our fourth emergency service Ronald Nathan must be commended for his excellent article, ‘The Role of the Black Church in Black History’. I hear many negative comments about the Church and, whilst some may be justified, on the whole the Black Church has made a great contribution to the lives of Black folks and wider British society. Many of the Black community’s most educated and leading professionals, as well as community-minded individuals, are from the Black Church community. Our Black churches have helped its members to overcome racism by reminding them they are created in God’s image, and also fuelled them with passion and ambition to achieve their goals. That’s why, when somebody becomes a Christian, it’s not only their character that gets transformed; they find themselves setting new goals, and achieving their ambitions. And let’s not forget, Black worship styles have influenced the wider church, as has our commitment to prayer and Bible study. I don’t know where I would be without my church – I call it my fourth emergency service and I thank God for it. Long may BMCs continue. Sonia Regis, London

Readers’ Letters ISSUE 89 Britain’s leading Black communityfocused publication

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promoting and supporting faith and family values

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH ISSUE

OLD AGE:

The role of the Black Church in Black history

The essential part of God’s plan

WHAT’S YOUR VIEW ON

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STEVE

THOMPSON

A worship leader with a powerful cultural heritage

PEOPLE & PLACES

BELIEVERS IMPACTING

STEVE THOMPSON INTERVIEW WAS ENCOURAGING

What an encouragement to read about Steve Thompson’s ministry as a worship leader that takes him throughout the world. Oftentimes, we fail to recognise that we have such talented individuals within our communities, who are doing great things and touching the world with their God-given ministries. It was also a pleasure to read that Steve is the son of a pioneer within the New Testament Church of God; it’s obvious Steve has inherited his father’s pioneering spirit, but in a different field of ministry. My prayer is that his ministry continues to grow and grow, and that more people are touched by it. Olu Ojo, Birmingham

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BRING BACK CHOIRS

Inspirational Black History Month Edition I absolutely loved the Black History Month edition of Keep The Faith, which included the BHM supplement. It was filled with informative, inspirational articles and also reminded me of the role Britain’s Black majority churches have played in shaping and influencing British culture. I specifically enjoyed reading Ronald Nathan’s article, ‘The Role of the Black Church in Black History’, which chronicled the role that Black Christians play throughout society. Keep up the good work. Peter Samuels, Leicester

I read with interest Rev Stephen Brooks’ article about church worship, which posed the question whether it has become a ‘spectator sport’. I’m not too sure if I agree with him. I like the fact that churches have worship teams – and, after all, they aren’t really different from the praise team or praise bands that churches used to have leading worship; it’s just a different name. What I do miss, though, is a choir. Too few churches have them, in my opinion. I remember the days when a choir used to sing, the songs they sung were messages in themselves and, in most instances, used to prepare the congregation for the preachers. What I would welcome is a restoration in choirs, particularly within AfricanCaribbean churches, who seem to have disbanded this important ministry and replaced it with worship teams. Let’s encourage many people to be a part of the worship ministry, of which choirs are a part. Rodney Peters, Bristol

New School/Old School Church Marcia Dixon’s article, ‘New School and Old School Church’, had me laughing, reminiscing and shaking my head. I grew up in the old school church, and much of what was mentioned in the article is true. I remember the dodgy outfits we sometimes wore as young women, but I have to confess I did love my beret. Then there was the preaching. It was hard-core. There was none of this ‘one foot in, one foot out the church’ business, and believers knew right from wrong. And the insight about relationships was spot on. Brothers weren’t given the opportunity to mess about; they had to be serious in their intentions with a sister. There was none of this long-dating malarkey that’s now become very common. It must also be said there has also been much positive change as well, but I loved the fact that the article took me down memory lane – a great place to visit every once in a while. Jocelyn Andrews, Manchester

NEWS 07

ENERGY COMPANY AIMS TO SHARE POWER THIS CHRISTMAS

ward-winning Christian entrepreneur, Nathaniel Peat, and his business partner, Dowadoneye Ojarikre, aim to spread light and power during Christmas via their company, Gennex, set up in 2012 to provide inexpensive electricity to some of the world’s poorest people. The concept of the company is simple. Nathaniel explained, “Myself and co-founder Dowadoneye Ojarikre discovered that 1.3 billion people had no electrical power. In Africa, only 18% are connected and many are left without power. Having a mobile phone charged is essential to many in rural areas, but charging stations are sometimes located up to 15km away from villages, and young children were still being burnt by kerosene lamps in homes. We both thought that in this decade that was unacceptable.” Through sheer determination, making sacrifices, and with support from Virgin Unite and Virgin Start-Up, Gennex has developed a number of affordable products for disadvantaged people in the developing world. Nathaniel shared, “We have solar home lighting and charging systems that can power small devices, which are affordable through bank partners that purchase the products, and the rural people then pay them off in instalments.”

The unique payment system, devised by Gennex, not only makes their products affordable for their target audience, but the company has also ensured that their customers, who utilise this payment system, receive financial literacy training, so they know how to handle money. To date, Gennex products have been tested in Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Haiti and Jamaica, and the company has partnered with Kenyan company, Greening Kenya Initiative, to run a project there. Gennex is run on Christian principles, and is keen to raise money for other charities through its work. It has partnered with the Shai Foundation, which supports families in Haiti. Nathaniel has big plans for the charity in 2015. He shared, “We are aiming to run a solar lighting project with schoolchildren in Ghana. In addition to that, in Kenya we are hoping to scale to a full operation in at least six places around rural Kenya. We have a team of great people on the ground, both here in the UK, in Africa and the Caribbean. Doing good is at our heart, and may God be glorified in all things.”

December campaign aims to raise money for Ebola orphans

Remembering sacrifices and celebrating peace

Visit www.gennex.info for more details.

elqosh Mission International (MMI), a UK-based charity run by Faith Okrafo-Smart, is preparing to launch its Colour Purple International (CPI) Week, which will take place from 1 to 7 December. CPI aims to raise global awareness of the effects of Ebola on marginalised people, and to raise funds for children orphaned by the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone as a result of their parents/guardians dying of the disease. MMI is planning to open an orphanage in Sierra Leone for children orphaned by the Ebola Virus, but needs funds to do so, hence the Colour Purple International Week’s #PurpleToStopEbola Campaign. MMI wants people across the world to join this Campaign by: wearing purple during its

Silent Night:

Colour Purple International Week; posting pictures of themselves with their purple outfits on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites and with the hashtag #PurpleToStopEbola, and by donating £3 or more via http://melqoshmissioninternational.org. The #PurpleToStopEbola Campaign is just a continuation of work MMI has carried out over the past year, which has included running an Ebola Crisis Food Aid programme that donated 60 bags of rice, 50 gallons of oil, 2,000 packs of clean water and monetary gifts to amputees, their families, orphans and widows at 10 amputee locations/camps. For more details visit: www.melqoshmissioninternational.org

his Christmas, choirs and football fans all over the country will help communities to remember a remarkable event that took place in the First World War. On Christmas Day, peace broke out in the trenches and there was no fighting for 24 hours. Enemies sang the much-loved Christmas carol, Silent Night, then they ventured out across No Man’s Land to exchange gifts – some even played football. To mark the 100th Anniversary of this 1914 Christmas truce, Silent Night Carols events are being held all over the UK at football grounds, schools, cathedrals and churches, using a specially-commissioned, contemporary version of Silent Night, with a new verse and chorus. These events are inspired by HOPE Together, a national Christian mission movement, and have the backing of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, who is President of the Football Association, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby. In the introduction to the Silent Night Carols programme, Prince William says: “Even in the bleakest of times, Christmas offers peace and hope. This Christmas, the Silent Night carol services are a powerful way to remember the sacrifice made by so many in the Great War, and to celebrate the peace we enjoy.” Sports Chaplaincy UK and HOPE Together have planned Silent Night Carols as part of HOPE’s Greater Love campaign. Roy Crowne, HOPE’s director, says: “The Christian churches, military chaplaincies and sports chaplains, who have met to plan Silent Night Carols, want people to celebrate, reflect and join us as we pray that this Christmas, people will find fresh hope for the future. Most of all, we want people to discover the peace and hope found in knowing Jesus personally – supernatural peace that anyone who knows Jesus can experience, even when you are surrounded by fighting.” Through Silent Night Carols, HOPE is linking with the charity Tearfund to help bring hope to those affected by the war in Syria, particularly women and children. Find out more at www.hopetogether.org.uk/christmas

www.keepthefaith.co.uk

08 NEWS

More priests to come from ethnic communities The Catholic Church in Britain is set increase the number of men studying for the priesthood by targeting ethnic minorities. This course of action follows a fact-finding trip to the US, where a UK delegation learnt about the steps that have been taken to encourage more Hispanics to consider the priesthood as a vocation. Fr Stephen Langridge, Chairman of the Conference of Diocesan Directors of Vocation of England and Wales, was a member of the group that visited the US in September. He said, “The Catholic Church in our country has been greatly enriched by immigrants in recent years. Many families from Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa are very strong in the faith. We want to help the young men in these families to recognise that God may be calling them to serve as priests in their new homeland. Sometimes, if they don’t see priests from their ethnic group in their parishes, they can lose heart. We need their ministry!” Other ways of encouraging more men to take up vocations were looked at during a recent annual meeting of Catholic vocation directors. These included: relaunching the popular ukpriest.org website; special assemblies for 10- and 11-year-olds, and resourcing parish priests, who are seen as the main promoters of the “culture of vocation”.

Ban on Left Behind movie being shown in UK churches The top 10 US hit movie, Left Behind, starring Nicolas Cage, has been banned from being shown in UK churches, as part of a campaign to increase the evangelistic reach of Christian films by making them big box office hits in the UK.

Left Behind, scheduled to be released in the UK next month, is based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:37-41 concerning His second coming. “We want to see films like Left Behind, with Christian themes, having success in the mainstream. This means Christians breaking out of their ‘holy huddles’ and going to the cinema - taking their non-Christian friends with them rather than waiting for the DVD release so they can illegally watch them for free in their churches. The sad thing is that most churches are unaware that they are breaking the law when they screen our films,” says Left Behind’s distributor, Rev George Hargreaves (CEO of Kingdom Cinemas). Whilst movies produced by the big Hollywood studios can be legitimately screened in churches, under the Church Video Licence scheme, most independently-produced Christian faith-based films, such as Left Behind, are not covered by the licence. As a result, church screenings can breach copyright law. Rev Hargreaves believes the Church Video Licence scheme has enabled ministers to screen films in their churches and collect a contribution from their congregations, which does not benefit the movie producers or contribute to the box office takings. He said, “Why would a church minister encourage his or her congregation to go to the cinema, when they believe that they can legally wait a few months and show the movie ‘for free’ and raise funds for their church at the same time? Regarding Left Behind, we are bringing clarity to the situation, by announcing what is actually the legal status quo.” Kingdom Cinemas has written to Christian Copyright Licensing International, the body that administers the Church Video Licence, asking them to inform all their licensees that Left Behind, as well as all other Kingdom Cinemas Limited film releases, are not covered by the licence. The ban will be enforced in a biblical, Christian manner, in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17. Left Behind opens in cinemas across the UK on 19 December, and will be part of the Cinema Pastors initiative. Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/keep-the-faith-magazine

NEWS SNIPPETS THE BIBLE VOTED MOST VALUABLE BOOK TO HUMANITY In a survey conducted by YouGov on behalf The Folio Society, the Bible topped the poll as the most valuable book to humanity. Of the 2,044 people surveyed, 37% picked the Bible as the most valuable book, followed by On The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, which received the votes of 35% of those polled, and Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time came third, receiving 17% of the vote. When asked why they chose the Bible, those surveyed stated they chose it because it “contains principles/guidelines to be a good person”.

BIRMINGHAM CHURCH HELPS IN HEALTH DRIVE Birmingham City Council has placed state-of-the-art health monitors into churches – including New Jerusalem Church in Aston, Birmingham - and into community groups to help provide preventative healthcare and advice to the African and African Caribbean communities. The monitors give users details about their blood pressure, weight, body mass index, and provide print-outs with information on illnesses like heart disease and diabetes and tips on how to lose weight.

BBC SONGS OF PRAISE TO REFLECT CULTURAL DIVERSITY The BBC’s flagship religious programme, Songs of Praise, has changed its format so that it reflects the changing face of Christianity in Britain. The programme will feature more worship styles across the denominational spectrum, including Black Pentecostal churches, and have more of a magazinetype format. Aaqil Ahmen, the BBC’s Commissioning Editor Religion and Head of Religion & Ethics, stated: “We want to appeal to a different Christian audience, who may not necessarily have seen themselves every week on Songs of Praise in the past. Sometimes you have to find a way of reaching out to that audience to say, ‘This really is for you.’”

WOMEN’S MINISTRY RECEIVES CITIZENS AWARD JustBe, a women’s ministry with a difference, was the recipient of the 2014 BME Active Citizens Award for an outstanding community organisation, at a ceremony held in Bromley. The Award is recognition of the work this unique women’s ministry, founded by Yvette McDonald, carries out, which includes running film nights, health awareness campaigns and Black History Month initiatives.

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10 GOSPEL NEWS

GOSPEL NEWS Meet the Artist:

Youth worship album set to create a storm One of the big album releases of 2014 is Midnight Oil: Live in Worship. The album was recorded at the Birmingham’s Royal Symphony Hall during the 2013 Midnight Oil youth event. Over 1000 people gathered at this recording to hear Seth Pinnock and his worship singers, which included Ricardo Williams, Carla Ellington and Patrice Alisha Copeland, sing in unison. They didn’t disappoint. The album features songs written by Seth, and has been recorded on Kingdom Boy Records, a label he set up last year. Midnight Oil: Live in Worship is the result of one of Seth’s long held dreams. He shared, “This is a project I have wanted to do for some years, and to see it come to life is so exciting. I believe the songs are timeless, and are blessed to be a blessing. I want to thank everyone that has teamed up to bring this together.” The album was released on November 17, and has already won high profile fans, including Bishop John Francis, Muyiwa and US gospel star, Marlon Butler. Seth & A New Thing have a busy few months ahead promoting the album, and are set to embark on the ‘Midnight Cry Tour’, a 25-date tour of churches. Cities they’ll be visiting include Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham, Ipswich, Peterborough and London.

Visit www.godsbride.org.uk for more details.

DAVE ELLIS After a long break, the artist formerly known as Prodigal Son UK, is back on the gospel scene with a new name, Dave Ellis, and a new album entitled ‘To Whom It May Concern’. Dave gave Keep The Faith the lowdown on his new project, and also gave us an insight into his plans for Christmas. KEEP THE FAITH (KTF): You used to be known as Prodigal Son UK. Why have you changed your name? DAVE ELLIS (DE): During my break from the music scene, a myriad of challenging life experiences have led me to discover more of who I am in Christ. This has given me a new direction and confidence to be myself, namely, the ‘Dave Ellis’ God intended me to be. KTF: The title of your new album, To Whom It May Concern, is unusual to say the least. What inspired you to give your release this title? DE: Disc One is ‘To Whom It May Concern’ because there’s hopefully something for everyone on it. The opening track states,“If the cap fits...”This sums up where I am coming from with this album. It’s been a journey of over ten years’ production, meaning I bring a breadth of life experiences into my writing, with the aim of causing listeners to question their life and its meaning. Disc Two is ‘Yours Faithfully’; the stories here are more personal. Listeners get a glimpse into life events that have come my way, and hopefully see the impact God has made. KTF: What is the main theme of this release, and what is the main message you want to convey? DE: It has always been my intention to create music , which addresses issues that all people can relate to, such as relationships, gun and knife crime, growing up, love, death, parenthood and more. Whilst some music on this album is explicitly gospel, most of it is stories of life experiences from different perspectives. It brings Christian values to the table for discussion, for listeners to question their own lives.

KTF: You’ve got some guests on your album, including Wizdom formerly of Green Jade, and some newcomers. How did you go about choosing them? DE: Wizdom featured on the original remix of ‘Things People Do For Money’ and it was only right that he should feature on the album version, as he’s a great lyricist. The album also features a talented musician from New Zealand called Shane Mclean. Sarah Burke, Kevin Clarke, Gemma-Dawn Shaw, Kat Regester, Drew & Sam McDermid are all very creative and talented folk from Nottingham, and I wanted very much to work with local artists, as they all have voices that need to be heard. KTF: What’s your favourite song on the album, and why? DE: That’s a hard one… It would have to be MEMC. The first two verses of this track were actually written by a very close friend of mine, John Lacey, whilst he was fighting cancer. John is an inspiration to me and to so many people; he leaves us with a huge legacy and challenge to ‘Make Every Moment Count’. It’s an honour to have known such an amazing man of God; this is why the album is dedicated to him. KTF: What will you be doing over the Christmas season? DE: Resting! I will be making a few appearances at various events over the festive season but, other than that, I’ll be enjoying spending time with my family. KTF: Describe yourself in five words DE: Hmm… Cool, Calm, Collected, Blessed and A lover of the truth! - does that count? ;-)

‘To Whom It May Concern’ is out now. Visit www.thedaveellis.com for more details. Like on Facebook at The Dave Ellis, and follow on Twitter - thedaveellis Photos courtesy of Pamela Raith Photography

GOSPEL NEWS 11

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR MOBO WINNERS

ARTIST WATCH Andrea Louise

2014 has been a great year for the Living Faith Connections Choir (LFCC), who became the first ever church choir to win a MOBO Award in the Gospel category. In June this year, the video LFCC produced for ‘Yahweh’, the song taken from their album, ‘Beyond the Norm’, won an award at the first ever JUMP Awards, and now they have a MOBO to add to their collection. As you can imagine, the Choir are ecstatic. Evans Ogobi, LFCC’s music director, said of the Choir’s MOBO Award win: “We’re really encouraged by it. We believe it’s God rewarding us for our little efforts that we’ve put in so far.” LFCC, which comprises of approximately 40 singers, can be heard every Sunday ministering at Living Faith Connections Church, based in Barking, Essex. It is part of the UK’s fastest growing church denomination, the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Following their historic win, the Choir plan to finish 2014 with a bang, and hold a celebratory Beyond the Norm concert, which they first held last year. They also have big plans for 2015. “We are looking at doing a world tour. We just want to share this music everywhere. We’re going to start with the UK, then take it to Europe.” All Keep The Faith can say is: Watch this space.

f you mix the fresh simplicity of 90s singer Des’ree, with a spoonful of joy and a cup of heartfelt worship, you’ll get soulful gospel rock singer, Andrea Louise. Bringing an uncontrived and organically acoustic sound to the UK Gospel circuit with her debut EP, ‘Love Rain’, Andrea’s focus for the project was intentional: “I wrote these songs with the church in mind. I wanted them to be songs that any church congregation could sing during times of worship,” she says. With honest and inspiring lyrics, Andrea’s heart for leading worship and ministering God’s Word is evident. Describing her sound, she says, “My music is about the joy, freedom and healing that comes from God.” From choir member to worship leader, throughout her teens and adult life, Andrea went on to launch her first single, ‘The Miracle’ in 2010, and later featured on UK gospel albums, ‘Break These Chains’ by I=Change and ‘Declaring His Name’ by Muyiwa Olarewaju, who is also her mentor and ministry inspiration. With plans of a 2015 album release and a Love Rain UK tour next year, this solo singer is headed for harmonious heights. Watch this space! Visit www.andrea-louise.com for more details. Follow Andrea Louise on Twitter @ms_andrealouise or watch ‘My Hope, My Song’ on YouTube. By Tamela Caeser

GOSPEL NEWS BITES Looking for somewhere to go during the Christmas season? Why not attend The Tehillah House of Praise Christmas event at the Croydon Park Hotel, 7 Altyre Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 5AA on December 21? You’ll enjoy a three-course meal, comedy from the host, Anthony ‘Pass Da Mic’ King, and entertainment from Natalie Phillips and the Tehillah Praise singers. DJ Gospel Kid will be spinning the sounds. Phone 07946178524 or email admin@tehillahhouseofpraise.com for more details.

If you are part of the worship ministry at your church, then you need to make 30-31 January a date so that you can attend London Renewal: Worship Encounter 2015, the annual event organised by the Kingdom Worship Movement hosted by Noel Robinson and Madeleine Kerzner. Enjoy teaching, worship sessions and times of prayer. Special guests include Mark Beswick and Steve Thompson. Visit www.kingdomworshipmovement.com for more details and to register.

Congratulations to Andrea Encinas, who was the recipient of the Lady Hilary Groves Prize for her work at British Gospel Arts one of the UK’s leading organisations for training gospel tutors and providing vocal training. Andrea, who played a major role in establishing the London Community Gospel Choir during its early years, was a nominee at the 2014 Wise Women Awards in the Woman in Gospel category, and The BIG Sing Choir, which she directs, were finalists in this year’s Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year. Visit www.britishgospelarts.com for more details.

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12 GOSPEL NEWS

Gospel music history it’s a family affair

JULIET FLETCHER is a former BBC Producer and founding Executive of the GMIA

In this special feature, Juliet Fletcher looks at the role family dynasties have played in developing the UK gospel scene, focusing on families whose impact has passed through

the generations.

The Christmas season is one where there is a focus on family and, in this special piece, I’m reflecting on British Gospel Music through the eyes of families that have made a difference to the sound and profiling of this world-class genre. We know that, in reality, our churches have been built on families and, like the branches of a genealogy map, I’ve found that gospel music

can be traced to show distinctive family clusters. It would seem that the best of our music is built on the close-knit commitment that these families have to each other and to the Church. To get a personal perspective, I spoke to members of three key families and asked two members – an elder and a younger – to provide a quote on what it’s like being part of a musical family. They all had a lot to say – more than could ever fit into this column.

Crossing decades - The Francis Family

y main example is The Francis Family: The late Bishop Tesley Francis and Mother Elfreda Francis (who is still doing well at 90 years of age) founded the First Born Church Of The Living God in the 1960s and without a doubt this family’s overall musical contribution has reverberated across the generations. Bishop John Francis

Roy Francis

As the youngest member of the immediate family, Bishop John Francis is known to most of us as Senior Pastor of Ruach City Church Ministries, and for his pioneering contribution to British Gospel as director of the Inspirational Choir and co-host of the groundbreaking television series, People Get Ready, broadcast in the

late 80s and early 1990s. Lesser known is the fact that his eldest brother, Roy Francis, managed The Inspirational Choir, produced People Get Ready, and became an award-winning BBC Producer for Songs Of Praise. It is an even lesser known fact that Roy was one of the first young musicians within the then Pentecostal Churches in the 1960s and was a keyboardist in the group The Soul Seekers – the most successful early British Gospel band of its time (1958-1967). Other musical and creative family members within the Francis clan include: cousin and choir director extraordinaire Peter Francis (Peter Francis & The Jabez Family), who has shaped the sound of many choirs; cousin Howard Francis (songwriter, musician and music director), who wrote the original hit single for LCGC’s Fill My Cup and co-wrote numerous praise and worship songs with Mark Beswick, including Sing Unto The Lord. The younger generation of this dynamic family includes: Natasha Francis (aka inspirational

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performing artiste, Rene Byrd), daughter of Roy’s brother, Tesley (music producer/manager), and cousin Volney Morgan who has been creating a sensation on the scene with the high-octane performances of his contemporary choir, New Ye. Roy says: “Dad played piano, his brother guitar. None of us are musically trained, but it’s surprising that, as we get older, to see it in all the children. For example, my son Hassani is a drummer, and showed this interest from the age of three, and Demani has picked up the guitar. We are all blessed that way; it’s the spiritual DNA and natural DNA.” Natasha says: “I’ve grown up seeing so much with my Dad in the recording studio and my uncles in music activities. If there is a disadvantage, it’s the challenge of being surrounded by so much experience and knowledge with high standards. Where one person may say ‘Great’, another will say ‘You can do better’. Who do I listen to? (laughs) Yet I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Rene Byrd

GOSPEL NEWS 13

Family nurturing a future for British Gospel

THE CAMERON FAMILY

ioneer Evangelist Icilda Cameron was known as the ‘British Mahalia Jackson’ during the 60s, when she sang with the Gospel group, Touring Harmonizers. Now three generations of children and grandchildren sing and play instruments together at family gatherings and special

events under the name ‘Kindred Spirit’. Her sentiments are similar to Roy’s: “My husband plays guitar, and both our parents were musically inclined. My children Leon, Marlene, Pauline, Sharon and the youngest Christine took to music well, mainly playing by ear. Christine is married to musician and songwriter Duke Kerr, famed for the song ‘It Is To You I Give The Glory’, and Duke’s family is also full of music makers.” “In my view, there is no disadvantage being part of a family like this,” Evangelist Cameron shared. Her granddaughter, Vanessa Wilkes, spoke up for the younger generation: “My mum pushed me into formal piano lessons. I did a few, but didn’t like it and gave up. However, when I started to play in church, everything related to music changed for me; God was playing through me and I found chords I didn’t know!” When Vanessa shared her plans and future ambitions I was truly moved by her clear thinking on how she sees the musical

Close-knit families for tough times

THE WADES

enis, Derek, David and Lloyd made-up the renowned 80s hit group The Wades, hailed as the UK’s answer to The Winans and they were! Denis Wade recalls: “We got saved one after the other reasonably quickly and, because we all sang in the church choir, it wasn’t long before folk started to encourage us to sing as a quartet. We did receive parental support, and obviously it transformed how close we all became. We thank God for the positive influence we’ve had on other family members.” Sadly, last year Derek Wade went home to glory, but his life was truly celebrated through his sons and nephews during the Homegoing Service. They sang and stated that they represented a continuance of the musical, entertainment and entrepreneurial spirit that is evident in the family. Dean ‘DeanyBoy’ Livermore

Jovian Wade

Among the brothers’ various offspring, Derek’s son, Jovian, is a singer/actor; David’s son, Varren, is a hit songwriter, and Dean “DeanyBoy” Livermore, son of The Wades’ sister Sonia, is considered one of the top emerging young UK music producers. Dean truly believes that the Church has provided an excellent grounding for talent, but the gospel scene lacks the support it deserves. “For me, to look around my family and to see what we do in church, it’s an incredible inspiration for my life. Our musical family has opened doors for us that others can only dream of, and we have the additional spiritual covering from pastors in the family. I’m determined to give a lot to the gospel scene, as I succeed elsewhere; I’m absolutely passionate about that!” He concluded, “The only disadvantage I’ve experienced is when one of us dies; because we are so close, so connected, the break seems to hurt so, so deep… but then there is JESUS!”

Vanessa Wilkes (right) granddaughter to Evangelist Cameron

impact of her family, past and present, on her life: “As a family group (Kindred Spirits), most times we don’t practise, but I’m amazed when we get up and sing, something special happens – and people tell us so.” Vanessa has just begun a full-time three-year Music Technology and Business Management course at Keele University. “I’m so convinced that gospel music in Britain has great potential. I felt compelled to invest into it as my career. I want to be able to be proficient in the business as well as on the creative side.”

THE SIMPSONS

n addition to the loss of Derek Wade around this time last year, another key British Gospel family - the Simpsons - said ‘Goodbye’ to their brother, Ronnie Simpson aka Ronnie Jordan. Ronnie was world renown for establishing a new strand of music called Acid Jazz. The whole Simpson family of seven siblings (Ronnie plus Clive, Ricky, Denise, Darren, Fay and Gaynor) learnt to play instruments and sing together in church and at home. Their contribution to the sound of some of the most celebrated British music performers - both in gospel and mainstream popular music - is now a part of our Gospel Music story. Ronnie Jordan

Talking to both the elders and the young brought out to me the richness of our families in the Church - the wealth and the continuity, in particular. My prayer, as we go forward into this year, is that we will recognise and celebrate more than ever before the legacy and stability that talented families bring to our churches – especially in music!

14 PEOPLE AND PLACES

PEOPLE PLACES AND

Welcome to People and Places, providing an insight into some of the things Christians are doing within the Church, and how they are sharing Gospel values in society at large

CATHERINE BOLDEAU

Making Bibles stories relevant for the 21st century

here are countless films and books that take their blockbuster themes from the Bible. Author of ‘Too Proud To Beg, Too Dumb To Steal,’ Catherine Boldeau, adopts the same approach. Creating a collection of stories that are loosely similar to biblical narratives, Catherine has written what she calls, “Bible stories for grown ups”.

Falling in love with storytelling at the age of four, Catherine Boldeau would sit at her grandmother’s feet and attentively listen to her read chapters from the Bible and tales from the Janet and John stories. At seven, she discovered that she wanted to be a writer after her family TV broke down and wasn’t replaced, leaving her to entertain herself with a simple pen and paper. Fast forward to the future, and Catherine is now a writer, lecturer and author of ‘Too Proud To Beg, Too Dumb To Steal.’ When asked how she came up with the name, she recalls “It’s from the song ‘It’s Probably Me’ by Sting. I heard the lyrics years ago and they seemed to fit in nicely

with (the mindset of) Job’s wife.” The collection includes stories such as ‘The Assassin’, a narrative about warrior and wife, Jael; ‘Too Proud To Beg, Too Dumb To Steal’, written from the perspective of Job’s ambivalent wife, and ‘Dubious Reputation’, which is based on the story of Gomer, Hosea’s notorious spouse. Written for women aged 35-55, Catherine wants her stories to encourage readers to explore their lives and personal challenges. Describing her writing as “spiritual fiction” that is “beyond reality”, Catherine’s faith is discreetly woven into her stories, as each carries the theme of salvation. When asked how she uses her writing to spread the Gospel, she states, “Ralph Waldorf Emmerson said, ‘Fiction reveals what reality obscures.’ This is my motto for writing. We can spread the Gospel in a more effective way, by using spiritual fiction instead of what is often seen by many as religious propaganda.”

KAREN GIBSON Teaching the world to sing gospel

hristmas is going to be a good one for Karen Gibson. Not just because she’ll be spending it with family and friends, but because she’ll most probably be reflecting on and thanking God for making 2014 a great year for her – one which has culminated with Lewes Sings Gospel, one of the many choirs she directs, winning the BBC 1 Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition in September.

A lover of literature and theatre, Catherine co-wrote ‘Pause’, which explores the Sabbath for non-believers. In 2010, she wrote and performed her play, ‘Praying Women (The Monologue)’ at the Watford Palace Theatre, which addressed prayer and death, with the intention of provoking unbelievers to think about spiritual matters. Inquiring where her inspiration and influences come from, Catherine responds, “Everything. Lyrics of a song, my family, nature, big issues, my father, the late Maya Angelou… the way she used words blows my mind.” Believing that writing is a powerful tool in communicating a message in today’s western society, Catherine is currently writing three new books, and will be running creative writing classes in London, Berkshire and Hertfordshire. Like many other Christians making an impact in society, Catherine is a prime example that our gifts are not only for the Church, but for the marketplace, too. by Tamala Ceasar Visit www.thestoryroom.org.uk for more details. Connect with Catherine on Twitter @cathyboldeau Tamala Ceasar is a journalist, blogger and author of children’s book, ‘Spaghetti and Cheese, Please!’ Visit www.spaghettiandcheeseplease.co.uk for more details. Follow on Twitter @Mz_Positivi_T

PEOPLE AND PLACES 15

PASTOR ALEX GYASI Providing love and support to the homeless

For the past five years, the Highway of Holiness has provided shelter for 600 people, representing 50 nationalities. Not only does the church provide spiritual support and pastoral care to the homeless that pass through their doors, they also help them apply for jobs and benefits using the church address, and provide food, internet access, shower facilities and GP referrals. Pastor Gyasi says he was inspired by God to start working with the homeless. He recalled,

“When our evangelism team went out one Saturday afternoon, my wife came across two homeless men and directed them to our church for help. They came, and we began to help them with a daily meal and then with an opportunity to shower, when we later converted one of our toilets into a shower.” He continued, “One day, there were 13 of them eating, and one came to me - very suicidal - saying that he wanted to kill himself due to so many things that were going on in his life at the time. The Holy Spirit told me that if I let him go I would not see him again! It was since that moment I realised I was called to work with the homeless.” Working in this ministry has not been easy. The church has had to use its own resources, and the team have learnt the ropes about working with homeless as they’ve gone along. Furthermore, whilst many they help are grateful for the support they’ve received, some aren’t. It’s one of the key lessons Pastor Gyasi has learnt on his unique journey. He shared, “Not everybody will appreciate what you do, and you have to learn to be what God wants you to be, in spite of criticisms or ingratitude. God has proven Himself faithful through it all, and has been able to sustain the shelter, supernaturally providing, as we have no substantial source of funding.” You can read about the experiences of the Highway of Holiness in The Test Room, written by Pastor Gyasi, which chronicles the history of his work with the homeless. With Christmas approaching, the church is set to host a special dinner for the 50 people it currently houses; distribute gifts that have been donated by a local church, and host a visit from the Mayor of Haringey, Councillor Kaushika Amin, who has heard about Highway of Holiness’ work with the homeless.

The competition, filmed in front of a packed audience at Hackney Empire, east London, was screen in September. Karen’s face was a dream, when Lewes Sings Gospel were announced the winners. She recalled, “We were over the moon! We seriously didn’t expect the reaction that we received from the audience, nor the comments from the judges. I remember that, after the first song, we received such an extended, rapturous applause that some of the choir were in tears. One of them said to me: ‘If that’s all we got by coming here, I could go home now…’! The win was the totally unexpected icing on the cake.” She has been directing Lewes Sings Gospel since its inception in 2009, and they rehearse up to 28 weeks in the year. They didn’t have much time to rehearse for the Songs of Praise Gospel

Choir competition, but obviously did enough, because they won, and highlights Karen’s ability to assist choirs in producing a winning sound. Karen’s talent was honed in the denomination that she has been part of since childhood: the Church of God of Prophecy, where she served as National Choir Director. She recalled, “I grew up in church, so gospel music was all around me. However, my sister and I are classically trained, so our first musical group was a gospel wind quintet, featuring one oboe, three clarinets and a bassoon. We were called Windsong. Not long after, we all sang together and were called New Dawn. We got into choirs through Noel Robinson, who got us to help him teach. He was a mentor to us.” As Karen’s skill and confidence grew, directing choirs at major church events, she formed her own

choir, Kingdom Choir, and then went on to be booked to run gospel seminars and direct choirs in places as diverse as Germany, Denmark, France, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland, Japan, Nigeria, the USA, Japan, Zimbabwe and Rwanda. She has also directed choirs in front of world figures, including Nelson Mandela, and is no stranger to winning competitions. In 2010, she directed the Maria Fidelis Convent School Gospel Choir, who won the Songs of Praise Senior Schools of the Year competition. The next few months seem set to be busy ones for Karen, which will include performing and touring, as well as launching a course for choir conductors and, of course, thanking God for His manifold blessings.

hilst most Christian leaders only allow services and special events to take place on their church premises, Pastor Alex Gyasi has gone one step further, and has allowed his church, the Highway of Holiness, in Tottenham, north London, to double up as a shelter for the homeless.

And this minister, with 20 years’ pastoral experience behind him, has exciting but simple expectations for 2015. “My plans for the homeless project are to raise funds to be able to purchase a hostel, in which our residents can live, and to attract more professional help in the areas of fundraising, property acquisition and volunteers.” Thankfully, with God, all things are possible. Visit www.highwayofholiness.co.uk for more details. Like on Facebook @Highway of Holiness Christian Love Centre; follow on Twitter @highwayofholine

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16 INTERVIEW

BISHOP

DONALD BOLT With 2014 coming to a close, Keep The Faith felt compelled to interview Bishop Donald Bolt, the recently installed National Overseer of one of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest Black Pentecostal churches: the New Testament Church of God (NTCG). Bishop Bolt took over from Bishop Eric Brown in September, following his election to the role in March 2014. He is a minister with long-standing experience. Ordained as a minister in 1981, he has served in the NTCG for over 40 years. Roles he has undertaken include serving as Senior Pastor of four NTCG churches, and was Overseer of the Aldershot District of Churches. He has been a member of the NTCG National Executive Council for 14 years, and was appointed as the National Secretary/Treasurer in 2009. Bishop Bolt spoke with Keep The Faith about his new role, his plans for the church in the forthcoming year, and his plans for Christmas.

KEEP THE FAITH (KTF): Congratulations on your new role as National Overseer of the New Testament Church of God. What kind of responses have you received from other church organisations following your appointment? BISHOP DONALD BOLT (BDB): Marcia, thank you so much for your well-wishes. I have received numerous well-wishes and messages of support from the ministers, members and friends of the church, as well as from para-churches and other non-church organisations from home and abroad. KTF: What, in your view, are the key issues facing the NTCG, and how do you plan to overcome them? BDB: We are concentrating our efforts on increasing spiritual growth, as well as diversifying the church, so as to reflect the make-up of the society that it is ministering to. Keeping the next generation of young people interested in the church must also become a priority if we are going maintain our place as a major church in this country. KTF: What is your vision for the New Testament Church of God during the next four years that you are at the helm? BDB: I intend to launch my vision document in February 2015 that will focus on the key points for the New Testament Church of God for 2014-2018. Part of that vision is to get the church to focus on its main priorities of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ministering to those in need. KTF: The NTCG is one of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest Black Pentecostal denominations, with a great spiritual heritage. What was your initial reaction when you learnt that you been appointed as the new National Overseer?

INTERVIEW 17

BDB: The New Testament Church of God has a great spiritual heritage; one that I am very proud of and will be doing my best to ensure that we maintain. I am anxious to ensure that our ministry is inclusive of all cultures, as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone on earth and we have a duty to proclaim that. I was actually elected in the first round of votes by the general body of ministers (including the National Executive Council), with a prescribed requirement of the two-thirds majority; in my case, 70% of the votes were cast in my favour. KTF: Britain’s Black Pentecostal churches have contributed greatly to church life here in Britain; however, some people are of the view that the Caribbean Pentecostal church is in decline. What’s your view on this? BDB: The Pentecostal message cannot be defined as Caribbean, European or assigned to any one culture. I am proud of the contribution that the NTCG has made and will continue to make to life in Britain - not just to churchgoers, but also to the wider community. However, we cannot afford to get complacent; we must strive to employ current and innovative ways of spreading the Gospel that will continue to have significant impact in this country and the world at large. All of the Pentecostal churches, including the New Testament Church of God, will need to ensure that what they offer is attractive not just to people of Caribbean descent, but to people of all nationalities. KTF: Do you think churches like the NTCG need to take steps to re-connect with Britain’s African and Caribbean community - particularly men – and, if so, how should they go about this? BDB: I believe the Church does good work in the society as whole: in the prisons, hospitals, food banks, senior citizens clubs, etc. However, we need to do more in terms of the disproportionate number of men of Caribbean descent in our prisons and mental institutions, more in terms of absent Black fathers, etc. KTF: With the recent publication of the first ever Black Church political manifesto, will the NTCG be getting more involved in politics and, if so, in what way? BDB: NTCG is blessed with people who are contributing to the political life of this country, and the church will continue to encourage and support those with the calling to serve in the political arena. KTF: Can you tell me a little bit about your background, ie. where you were born; how many brothers and sisters you have; what your parents did, and the role of Christianity in your childhood? BDB: I was born on the island of Jamaica, the seventh of ten children - six girls and four boys. My father was a farmer in his early days, then he went on to be the manager of a major estate in Jamaica. My mother was a housewife; with ten children she did not have time for much else. KTF: What inspired you to make the decision to become a Christian, and when did you receive the call to church leadership?

BDB: My mother was a committed Christian, who would always ensure that we went to Sunday school and to church. Although my father was not a practising Christian at that time, he would also insist that we go to church. My mother, along with other Christians in my community, played a part in me becoming a Christian. At the age of nineteen, I made a commitment to Christ and started my preaching ministry about four years later. The leaders of the church soon recognised that I had a calling on my life, and gave me opportunities to minister. I started my pastoral ministry in 1981, and have been in active ministry since that time to the present. KTF: What are the three key lessons you have learnt about being a Christian leader in your role as pastor, Senior Pastor, District Overseer and now as National Overseer? BDB: That when God calls a person to work for Him, He will always give them the tools to get the job done; that in ministry, it is the people that matter, and that without the support of the people you cannot succeed; and that, as a leader, you must be trustworthy, transparent, exercise good stewardship, and treat people with respect and fairness. KTF: Your role as National Overseer now means that your wife becomes the Head of NTCG Women’s Department. How long have you and your wife been married, and how has she supported you in your leadership roles? BDB: The women represent approximately 70% of the church, so my wife has a great task to give leadership to this group. I have been married to my beautiful wife, Joycelyne, for 38 years; our marriage has produced three children. I am very fortunate that my wife is my greatest supporter, and she has given me loyal support in my ministry over the years. I give God thanks for her life and for her dedication.

KTF: What, in your view, has kept your marriage long and strong? BDB: Some of the ingredients that are vital to a long and strong marriage are: Christ, love, trust, respect, compromise, good communication, and working as team rather than trying to compete with each other. KTF: Christmas is approaching. What does this season mean to you, and how do you plan to celebrate your first Christmas as National Overseer of the NTCG? BDB: Christmas is a very important time in the life of Christians. It is a time when we should reflect on the love of God for all of humanity. I personally like Christmas and use it as a time for reflection, rest and relaxation with family and friends. KTF: With 2014 drawing to a close, what should we expect from you in 2015? BDB: 2015 is the time when I intend to launch and begin to engage others in my vision for NTCG for the next four years. KTF: And finally, what message of hope would you like to share with your members and Keep the Faith readers? BDB: John 3:16 reminds us of God’s love for His people. That is what we should be celebrating this and every Christmas season. The love of God is universal in its scope: “He loved the whole world”. The love of God is sacrificial in its nature: “He gave His only Son”. And finally, His love is personal in its appeal: “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life”. It is my prayer for all Keep The Faith readers that you will experience the love, joy and peace that Christ brings this Christmas season and in the coming year.

Visit www.ntcg.org.uk for more details. www.keepthefaith.co.uk

18 INTERVIEW

Kee Broussard interview with:

New, up-and-coming actress, Kee Broussard, is being proclaimed as a scene-stealer in the film, Christmas with the Karountzoses, which is being considered a must-see this winter season.

s Broussard plays Althea, the fiancée of her ‘Greek teddy bear’, Angelo, who has been invited to a Christmas Eve dinner by his friend, Michael Karountzose, who has been told he’s in line for a promotion and wants to celebrate. When Michael learns that the promotion won’t materialise, he has to re-think his attitude to work, life, family and faith – in front of his dinner guests.

chance on a brand spanking new actress and hoped for the best. KTF: What does 2015 hold for you where your acting career is concerned? KB: More training and hopefully plenty of bookings!

‘I want people to realise that material things will come and go, but relationships with family, true friends and especially God are irreplaceable.’

Althea adds some fun into an evening that develops into an introspective affair and, in the process, helps the Karountzoses and the fellow guests get their life back into balance and re-connect with God and themselves. Keep The Faith spoke to Kee Broussard about her role in Christmas with the Karountzoses, her acting career and her plans for the future. KEEP THE FAITH (KTF): What was your reaction when you found out that you had won a role in the film, Christmas with the Karountzoses? KEE BROUSSARD (KB): Well, my first reaction was disbelief, because this was the first major audition I had ever had; at this point I’d only been acting for six months. KTF: Some people, who’ve seen the film, say that you steal the show. How do you feel about receiving such accolades for your performance? KB: I know I will say this word a lot, but it’s the only word I feel can truly answer these questions and that word is disbelief. It’s crazy that people love my performance this Follow us on Twitter @keepthefaithmag

Kee as Althea in Christmas with the Karountzoses

much; I knew the film was good, but I felt that all the characters played the heck out of their part. KTF: Can you tell me a bit about the character you play in the film? KB: Althea is an older, single woman, who decided to date outside the box and fell in love with her Greek teddy bear, Angelo. She’s hoping that he’s the one, she loves family and she wants so much to be a part of his family. KTF: Christmas with the Karountzoses has a strong faith-based element. How important is the role of faith in God in your own life? KB: My faith in my God is a VERY personal and important relationship. It’s a relationship that I take extremely seriously, and I know it might sound strange, but it’s also

a very private relationship I have with my God. KTF: What are the main things you’d like people to feel/experience from watching the film? KB: I want them to come away remembering the people they love, and how important they are to them. I want people to realise that material things will come and go, but relationships with family, true friends and especially God are irreplaceable. KTF: Can you tell me how and when you decided to get into acting, and how did you get your big break? KB: Well, as of today, I’ve been acting for about a year and a half and, on my big break, I would have to say Robert Krantz took a

KTF: How will you be celebrating Christmas? KB: Like I always do: with my best friend in the world, my husband Tony, and my two blessings - Jaidin (17-year-old son) and Leilani (7-year-old daughter). We get a huge tree, and on Christmas Eve we drink eggnog and play board games until the baby girl goes to sleep. Then the rest of us sit up and make sure Santa brings everything on baby girl’s list (lol).

FEATURE 19

The man of God who lived his life with purpose Keep The Faith pays tribute to the late Dr Myles Munroe, and recalls a man who preached the Gospel and reminded people everywhere that they should live their lives purposefully

or a man who was denounced as stupid by one of his teachers whilst at school, the late Dr Myles Munroe more than surpassed his teacher’s low expectations – and demonstrated that God will always have the final say. Dr Munroe, 60, became a Christian whilst a teenager; graduated from Oral Roberts University in the US with a Masters degree, and was regularly invited to teach students there. He authored over 70 books; travelled the world preaching to believers and teaching leaders in every sphere of society. He also founded and led Bahamas Faith Ministries International Fellowship - one of the largest churches in his homeland, The Bahamas. Such was the impact of his accomplishments, he was awarded an OBE from the Queen in 1998. When it was announced that Dr Munroe, world renowned church leader, speaker and preacher had died in a plane crash on November 9, alongside his wife Ruth, and some members of his church leadership team, whilst travelling to his annual leadership conference, there was an outpouring of unprecedented grief from believers around the world. The Bahamian Prime Minister, Perry Christie, issued a statement describing Dr Munroe as his “personal friend and spiritual mentor.” The statement continued: “He was indisputably one of the most globally recognisable religious figures our nation has ever produced. His fame as an ambassador for the Christian ministry preceded him wherever in the world he travelled, whether in the Caribbean, North America, Asia, Europe or Africa.” World famous preacher, Bishop TD Jakes, with whom Dr Munroe shared numerous preaching platforms, took to Facebook and wrote: “There are few biblical clinicians whose view of ministry wasn’t enriched in some way by this tremendous Bible scholar. His voice changed the way we viewed the Kingdom! Dr and Mrs Myles Munroe and associates, gone but not forgotten!” Other prominent Christians and organisations that

took to Twitter to pay tribute included leadership expert John C Maxwell, who tweeted: “Saddened by the loss of my good friend Myles Munroe & his wife Ruth in the Bahamas. Praying for his family & congregation.” God TV stated: “We honour the life of #MylesMunroe - a great leader and humble servant whose example will continue to inspire.” And Pastor Mike White of The Tab in Lewisham shared: “He showed us Leadership, Perspicacity, Integrity & Humility, Thanking God for the life and service of Dr Myles Munroe. #LabourToReward.” There’s no doubt that preacher’s son, Dr Munroe, lived by the Christian teachings he preached and which brought him to fame: that people should live a life of purpose. In fact, he was one of the first preachers to encourage Christians to not just look forward to life in Heaven, but to discover their purpose here on earth. Dr Munroe was always encouraging people to find their purpose, use their talents and to ‘die empty’, ie. that believers should make full use of the gifts God gives them whilst here on earth. During his years of public ministry, Dr Munroe travelled to over 100 nations, where he spoke about leadership, relationships, family and purpose, and advised numerous Fortune 500 companies, captains of Industry, church leaders and politicians. He was also a regular visitor to the UK, and spoke at events organised by various churches, including Jesus House, in Brent Cross, north London, and the New Testament Church of God. Many questions have been asked following Dr Munroe’s unexpected and untimely death, but there’s no doubt his death has encouraged people to start thinking more deeply about life, and to ask themselves life’s perennial questions: why they were born: what is their purpose in life, and which God should they serve. Dr Munroe’s life and work answer some of those questions. Dr Myles and Ruth Munroe are survived by their daughter, Charisa, and son Chairo (Myles Jr).

QUOTES FROM DR MYLES MUNROE

“The poorest person in the world is the person without a dream.” “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose.” “The wealthiest places in the world are not gold mines, oil fields, diamond mines or banks. The wealthiest place is the cemetery. There lies companies that were never started, masterpieces that were never painted… In the cemetery, there is buried the greatest treasure of untapped potential. There is a treasure within you that must come out. Don’t go to the grave with your treasure still within YOU.” “Every human being has the instinct and capacity for leadership, but most do not have the courage or will to cultivate it.” “The greatness of a man is measured by the way he treats the little man. Compassion for the weak is a sign of greatness.” “You must decide if you are going to rob the world, or bless it with the rich, valuable, potent, untapped resources locked away within you.”

www.keepthefaith.co.uk

22 FEATURE 20

DON’T GIVE UP ON HOPE Despite turmoil throughout the world – both at home and abroad – Rev Les Isaac entreats everyone - whatever their faith or lack of it - to not give up hope this Christmas

REV LES ISAAC

is CEO of the Ascension Trust and a co-founder of Street Pastors. For more details visit www.streetpastors.co.uk

espite turmoil throughout the world – both at home and abroad – Rev Les Isaac entreats everyone - whatever their faith or lack of it - to not give up hope this Christmas. This year has got to be one of the worst for bloodshed for many decades – with so many disturbing scenes on television, articles in newspapers, and news reporting of bombings, killings and war. We have seen the senseless killings of many young people on the streets. Natural disasters around the world have caused great devastation to families and communities. The shooting of young children in their classrooms; schoolchildren witnessing the death of their teacher, and the televised beheading of Western journalists, show us the potential for depravity in human nature.

Ann Maguire

We are also living in a time of great uncertainty in the global marketplace. More and more young people are still living at home, because they cannot afford to buy a flat or a house; young couples are worried about childcare for their children, and there is an increasing number of young children, who are still without a place in a local school. There are many young people who aspire to go to university, but making this a reality is a challenge with the high cost of tuition fees.

All this, and I haven’t even mentioned the Ebola virus. It’s depressing to take stock of all that is happening in the world today. It makes us ask the question: Is there hope? In the Gospel of John, Chapter 14:1–4, Jesus said: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” He continues in verses 25–28: “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.” It is a source of great confidence to us as Christians to know that Jesus loves us, and that one day He will redeem us fully from this corruptible world. He challenged us not to seek to escape from the trials and the difficulties of living in this world, but to look to Him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith, because it is in Him that we live and move and have our being. Again,

we are reminded in Scripture of the fact that His grace is sufficient to keep us. When we pray for our world and our communities, when we serve our world and our communities, when we love our world and our communities, we demonstrate to mankind, to society and to our community that there is hope. I’m encouraged to know men and women who are serving, helping, caring and loving those who feel a sense of hopelessness. I’m encouraged to know that men and women are volunteering to go to West Africa to serve in the clinics to fight against the Ebola virus. I’m encouraged that thousands of people are volunteering in the rain and the cold through a long night to serve people as street pastors. I also remember the youth workers, who are volunteering to help young people all over the country.

“When we love our world and our communities, we demonstrate to mankind, to society and to our community that there is hope.” In the words of the hymn writer, “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and His righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name. On Christ, the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Jesus is the Hope of the world. Don’t give up on hope this Christmas.

22 FEATURE

CHRISTMAS – THE SEASON OF GIVING… Dionne Gravesande looks at the reasons for the Christmas season, and concludes that it provides us with great opportunities to give and to share and, in so doing, we reflect the heart of our heavenly Father

DIONNE GRAVESANDE

is Head of Church Advocacy at Christian Aid

he Christmas season is upon us again. The stores are packed with shoppers trying to find the perfect gift; Christmas trees are decorated with every imaginable colour, and Christmas music is heard everywhere you go. I have the feeling of “Here we go again”. The quest to accumulate can become highly competitive, and sometimes pits brother against brother, friend against friend, and employer against employee. It doesn’t have to be that way, however; one custom that is shared across religious and cultural traditions from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa is the act of giving to others. For instance, we often hear the phrase that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) quoted a lot during this time of year. Although Christmas gifts have often become associated with shopping frustrations, there is considerable evidence in support of this frequently cited biblical passage. For me, this is somewhat refreshing to read, since society’s default setting seems to suggest we are living in a selfish and uncaring society. It seems, in this case, the science supports the benefits of giving. For example, research by a social psychologist, writing in the Journal Science, shows that people’s sense of happiness is greater when they spend relatively more on others than on themselves. In one survey of over 600 people, the study found that spending money on others predicted greater happiness, whereas spending money on oneself did not, and this pattern was found across all income levels. In other words, even those with little money reported greater happiness when their proportion of spending on others, relative

to the self, was greater. When the dominant culture suggests people are becoming more self-occupied, this study sends a counter-cultural message. That’s an important thought to hold when reflecting on the reason for the season, because it proves that human behaviour has natural tendencies to give to others, and this is evident, particularly in times of great need both at home and overseas. So, how do we as Christians understand and reflect upon the act of giving (and I’m not necessarily talking about money)? And, alongside that, how do we see those who are in receipt of the giver’s gifts? Do we have a lens to unpack thinking, or are we in danger of falling into the trap of labelling people who present as being in need of our giving? Interestingly, I asked a couple of friends their thoughts. One said, ”The poor will always be with you,” so it’s can act of charity, and the other said, “Givers often give with a motive,” meaning they expect something in return. These are very different starting places, but might represent how we think about such things.

“Christ’s birth represents a supreme act of giving to humanity; the means to finding the true meaning of life, and the path to everlasting happiness.” Perhaps it is right to say that ‘giving and receiving’ are both part of the grace of human life and is dignified. It is not the case that we shall ever, or should ever, reach a time in which no giving and no receiving are ever necessary. We are actually made to be dependent and interdependent on one another, and mutual giving and receiving are part of our being as persons in relation to one another. Human dignity is not about becoming

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autonomous individuals at all, but about growing in appreciation of our inter-relatedness. Husband and wife, best friends or sisters and brothers. Giving and receiving are thus part of flourishing human life and should be celebrated. Indignity and sin happen when some are seen only as recipients (who must be grateful), and some are praised as ‘givers’, but this does not mean that giving and receiving are anything other than good things, which characterise redeemed human life. Christmas is an exciting time for many families, but not all. For those with loved ones or friends that they are able to share Christmas with, it is a happy time. It offers an opportunity to get together and enjoy each other’s company. But Christmas also alerts us to the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves, and many organisations and individuals make special efforts to bring the Christmas joy to them. In so doing, we symbolise the essence of the Christian understanding of Christmas as reflected in the Gospel of St John. Christ’s birth represents a supreme act of giving to humanity; the means to finding the true meaning of life, and the path to everlasting happiness. It is important that we note that God`s giving of His Son sprung out of love, a love that is selfless, all-embracing and unconditional. Christmas affords us the opportunity to slow down, take stock, reflect on the reason for the season, and to make new attempts to be Christ’s disciples. The great Winston Churchill once scribed, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Though there is nothing wrong with sharing and giving to those we love, the opportunity to give to others outside our inner circle provides us with a blessing greater than anything we will feel or receive from any gift under the tree. So, this Christmas, if you can give more than you receive, I’d be interested to hear how you got on!

LifeLines supports and befriends prisoners on Death Row throughout the Unite through letter writing. It is the first organisation of its kind, established 25 years, a spread both nationally and internationally, with members all over the world. LifeLines urgently seeks pen friends for many waiting prisoners.

If you think yo time and the commitment, please visit our website www.lifelines-uk.org.uk to join o information.

Thinking about adopting? Have you got what it takes to transform a child’s life? TACT welcomes adopters from diverse backgrounds.We are particularly keen to hear from black and minority ethnic adopters and those able to consider sibling adoption.

Benefits of adopting with TACT • Child-focussed charity • High level of support • Ongoing training • Therapeutic services • Regular activity events

For more information* T: 0203 642 9235 E: adoptionduty@tactcare.org.uk * TACT works with adopters in London and the surrounding area, the East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and Buckinghamshire plus Milton Keynes, Oxford and Swindon.

tactcare.org.uk

LifeLines supports and befriends prisoners on Death Row throughout the United States, through letter writing. It is the first organisation of its kind, established 25 years, and has spread both nationally and internationally, with members all over the world. LifeLines urgently seeks pen friends for many waiting prisoners. If you think you have the time and the commitment, please visit our website www.lifelines-uk.org.uk to join or for more information.

Registered charity numbers: England & Wales 1018963. Scotland SC 039052.

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24 FEATURE

One dream can change the world: SELMA . . .

coming soon

SELMA, the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic struggle to secure voting rights for AfricanAmericans, will open in cinemas on 6 February next year. 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of this pivotal moment in the US Civil Rights Movement.

ocusing on one specific period in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the film tracks a dangerous and terrifying three month campaign led by Dr King which culminated in the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. On 25 March 1965, Martin Luther King led thousands of non-violent demonstrators to the steps of the capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, after a 5-day, 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama, where local African Americans, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) had been campaigning for voting rights. King told the assembled crowd: ‘‘There never was a moment in American history more honourable and more inspiring than the pilgrimage of clergymen and laymen of every race and faith pouring into Selma to face danger at the side of its embattled Negroes’’ (King, ‘‘Address at the Conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March,’’). The three 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, that led to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, a landmark achievement of the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement. The first march took place on March 7, 1965; it gained the nickname “Bloody Sunday” after its 600 marchers were attacked by state and local police with billy clubs and tear gas.

The second march took place March 9; police and marchers stood off against one another, but when the troopers stepped aside to let them pass, King led the marchers back to the church. The third march started March 21. Protected by 2,000 soldiers of the U.S. Army, 1,900 members of the Alabama National Guard under Federal command, and many FBI agents and Federal Marshals, the marchers averaged 10 miles (16 km) a day along U.S. Route 80, known in Alabama as the “Jefferson Davis Highway”. The marchers arrived in Montgomery on March 24 and at the Alabama State Capital on March 25. The campaign galvanized American public opinion and persuaded President Johnson to introduce the Voting Rights Act, protecting AfricanAmericans’ right to vote. The civil rights movement has of course been chronicled extensively in books, documentaries and television films, but few feature films have depicted this rich history. The route is memorialised as the Selma To Montgomery Voting Rights Trail, and is a US National Historic Trail. SELMA stars British actor David Oyelowo (Middle of Nowhere, The Butler, A Most Violent

David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King and Carmen Ejogo as Coretta King

Year) as Martin Luther King Jr. and is directed by Ava DuVernay (Middle of Nowhere). The supporting cast of SELMA includes Tom Wilkinson (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Michael Clayton) as President Lyndon B. Johnson; Carmen Ejogo (Alex Cross, Ride And Glory) as Coretta King; Tim Roth (Arbitrage, The Incredible Hulk) as Governor George Wallace; and Oprah Winfrey as Annie Lee Cooper. The film is produced by Oprah Winfrey (The Hundred-Foot Journey, Beloved) through Harpo Films; Christian Colson through Cloud Eight Films (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire); and Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B (12 Years A Slave). Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes, Cameron McCracken (for Pathé) and Nan Morales are executive producers. The behind-the-scenes creative team includes cinematographer Bradford Young (Mother of George, Middle of Nowhere), production designer Mark Friedberg (Noah, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Mildred Pierce), and costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Amistad, Malcolm X). The film was shot in Atlanta, Georgia, and in Montgomery and Selma, Alabama. Pathé has announced SELMA will be available in cinemas across the UK on 6 February 2015. By Shirley McGreal

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CHRISTMAS 2014 ISBN - 65 7569MI KOVE143 STEF 1975 A Copyright 2008-2018. Except where explicitly stated, all content of this magazine is A Copyright Open Heavens Media Ltd, all rights are reserved, and content should not be copied, adapted, redistributed, or otherwise used without the prior written permission of Copyright Open Heavens Media Ltd. Any unauthorised publication, copying, hiring, lending or reproduction is strictly prohibited and constitutes a breach of copyright.

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| SEASONS GREETINGS

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Hair and Beauty

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THANK GOD FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

passing serves as a constant reminder that, this life is a gift, death is certain and it is important to live a life of purpose.

It is a month where the year itself begins to wind down but it also happens to be our busiest month of the year. Our team and myself have just returned from the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Calabar, Nigeria where I was an invited panelist and OH TV was a production partner for the event.

The advent of a new year always offers hope and so, even if we have missed out on a few things this year, let us thank God for life and then start putting the finishing touches to our plans for 2015. I see it as a year of accomplishment.

2014 has been quite an eventful year with regards to production here at OH TV and we have seen our team develop into a true world-class production team. We filmed a new series, HOME SWEET HOME with Angie Le Mar in Jamaica and also completed post-production for the movie, Hard Time Bus. In association with the UN1TY IPTV platform team, we also pulled off some of the most memorable events in UK gospel such as the entire season of TIME2SHINE Gospel Talent Show and its epic live final. On our platter this December, we have a few live events which include the OVATION RED CAROL from Ghana, the one week long RCCG HOLY GHOST CONGRESS from Nigeria and the annual House on The Rock event; THE EXPERIENCE also live from Lagos Nigeria. I am also quite excited about the new seasons of one of our flagship shows, NAIJA BITES which have been filmed in Los Angeles, New York and now it is coming home to Nigeria! In June of this year, our channel became available on the UN1TY TV platform for IPTV distribution to over 400,000 TV sets, computers, phones and tablets worldwide. In November, we launched our channel on the VISION TV platform on FREEVIEW channel 244 and also on the IPNX TV platform in Nigeria. We feel blessed this year, to have had the opportunity to work with some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest talents and also to be established as a world-class international production outfit.

WE THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES AND DOORS OPENED At this time of year, which is all about celebration and getting together with the family, my mind is drawn to the loved ones who are no longer with us, both those near and dear to us and those who have touched millions such as Maya Angelou and Dr. Myles Munroe. Their

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SO WHAT DOES 2015 HOLD FOR YOU? Our channel will be accessible to an additional 20 million viewers in Africa via the UN1TY IPTV platform and this will enhance our reach and give value to our content partners. The TV landscape is changing with the traditional delivery methods no longer sufficient; OH TV is poised to take advantage of the new TV distribution methods. We are excited about our new shows, new channels, new partnerships but most of all, about becoming a part of the lives of not only our audience but also the wider community that we serve. At OH TV, it is more than just being a TV channel and it really is about truly making a difference in peoples lives. Our aspirations include being that place where your voice, and the voice of others can be heard and heard clearly. We want to be that place where good news is exciting and definitely engaging; a corporation where the youth are trained, nurtured and empowered to be the best in their chosen fields; a place where we offer positive alternatives to disaffected young people; and so, we intend to expand our internship opportunities so that more young people can take advantage of placements. We want to hear from you, I want to hear from you. Lets explore how together, we can make 2015 the year of great accomplishments.

God Bless You Akin Salami CEO

26/11/2014 22:11

OH TV - THE HOME OF BLACK FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT |

OH NETWORKS YOUR TOP CHOICE IN BLACK FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT They say that oak trees grow from acorns, and OH TV has certainly come from very humble beginnings. With very little fanfare OH TV started with just three people, in one small room six years ago. The vision then as it is now was to create a channel with Christian values at its core but aimed at a mainstream audience.

ground breaking movie, The Mirror Boy; OH Creative, a TV production company responsible for creating successful TV shows, programme formats and covering major live events formats; and 2gether magazine, a quarterly publication reaching an estimated 40,000 readers.

Our mission was to entertain, inform and educate you, as well as bless the souls of every viewer. Since that time, we have grown to become an international network with a family of channels, brands and services aimed a bringing people closer together.

From our small beginnings we have progressed and currently have production outfits in Central London and in Lagos, Nigeria with scores of people and sometimes hundreds working to create our content.

This has included OH TV a 24/7 channel on SKY 199 and also on VisionTV via channel 244 on Freeview, where we have created flagship shows such as Real Talk, a programme that has become part of the national conversation within the Black community; OH Africa, a channel broadcast to Sub Saharan Africa; UN1TY, an app and IPTV platform; The OH Card, a pre paid Mastercard; OH Films, a multi-award winning film company responsible for producing the

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We truly believe that we have something for everyone from content that feeds the mind, body and soul, though to products and services that makes life easier. This year 2015, we want you to be part of the OH TV family. Come and Join us.

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| SEASONS GREETINGS

MAKE OH TV PART OF YOUR

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

AS YOU GET TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND LOVED ONES THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE ENCOURAGE YOU ENJOY HEAPS OF WHOLESOME FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT. THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR LET US ENTERTAIN, INSPIRE AND UPLIFT YOU, WITH OUR SELECTION OF CHRISTMAS THEMED SHOWS, MOVIES, TV SPECIALS AND MINISTRY PROGRAMMES.

LASTING LOVE TUESDAYS 2PM Fall in love with this weekly chat show hosted by Funmi Adeyi, exclusively filmed in Atlanta, USA. This show will help you enjoy the fullness of marriage. Stay committed to Lasting Love!

DEVELOPING LEADERS - TRINITY CHAPEL TUESDAYS 11AM & 6PM, SUNDAYS 6PM

TURNING POINT SUNDAYS 4PM

Enjoy a series of thought provoking lessons and biblical teachings from Dr. Sola Fola Alade of Trinity Chapel, London. Discover more about the word of God and discovering your purpose.

Tune into the inspirational show that spotlights the voices and insights into the lives of Africans and people of African descent from around the world. Hosted by Muyiwa Olarewaju.

FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL SUNDAYS 4.30PM

SUCCESS POWER SUNDAYS 6.30PM

ITS SUPERNATURAL SUNDAYS 7PM

Join Tony Moore for a fascinating journey back in time and explore the historical and cultural world of the Apostle Paul. Filmed entirely on location in Turkey, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Greece and Italy.

What does it take to reach your true potential and tap into your God given destiny? Find out the answers with this series of motivational and inspirational messages from Pastor Sam Adeyemi.

Prepare to be amazed by the wonders and signs investigated in the hit series presented by veteran TV host Sid Roth. An insightful show fuelled with the desire to share Jesus with all people.

RIOT SUNDAYS 7.30PM

TIME2SHINE SEASON 4 SUNDAYS 8PM

OH MUSIC CHRISTMAS SHOW CHRISTMAS EVE 11PM

RIOT Reloaded (Radical Impartation Of Truth) brings you a fun but factual show, highlighting and debating on some of the key issues faced as a Christian.

Time2shine is back! Featuring host Richard Blackwood and judges including Time2Shine founder Mercy B; US gospel star Angel Taylor; Artist agent Clive Ennis and UK rapper Guvna B.

To celebratie the festive period, why not enjoy a playlist of special music videos from a selection of gospel musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top artists and countdown to Christmas Day 2014 (11pm - Midnight).

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OH TV - THE HOME OF BLACK FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT |

HOLY GHOST CONGRESS DECEMBER 8TH TILL DECEMBER 13TH 7PM - MIDNIGHT

RCCG FESTIVAL OF LIFE DECEMBER 21ST 9AM

THE EXPERIENCE LIVE DECEMBER 5TH 6PM

Another chance to enjoy this year’s Festival Of Life event held at the ExCel Centre in Docklands, London. This time themed ‘The Greatest Gift’, led by RCCG General Overseer Pastor E.A Adeboye.

Catch all the excitement of The Experience 2014 broadcast live from Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. Artists performing on the night include Israel Houghton, Tye Tribbet, Yolanda Adams and more.

AN EVENING WITH YOLANDA BROWN SUNDAY 14TH DECEMBER 9:30PM

OPEN HEAVEN REFLECTIONS CHRISTMAS DAY 5:55PM

Join us for an evening with the talented MOBO award winning saxophonist, YolanDa Brown as she performs in concert showcasing her critically acclaimed debut April Showers May Flowers.

Be blessed and watch reflections from the Open Heavens Daily Devotional for December. This episode’s topic: Right Choice in Marriage, led by Pastor Edith George of RCCG Bethel’s Court, Kent.

Don’t miss out on this special christmas episode of Real Talk! Hosted by award winning journalist Trish Adudu. The UK’s number one Black debate show - Your Show, Your Views!

MOVIE: 6 HOURS TO CHRISTMAS (2010) FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER 9PM

MOVIE: SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS (2013) CHRISTMAS DAY 9PM

MOVIE: BLESSED AND CURSED (2010) BOXING DAY 3.30PM

Not your typical Christmas for suave creative director, Reggie and perhaps a slightly more memorable one as his girlfriend promises him dinner and fireworks before the stroke of midnight. However things take an exciting turn when an office colleague and the girl he’s lusted after for a long time gives him a Christmas present he finds impossible to refuse. Events lead to an unconventional type of Christmas, what will he do? Find out in this smash hit Nollywood meets Ghallywood movie starring Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite.

In a modern day story of choices and consequences, a troubled teenager Ashley is headed down the wrong path, living life in the fast lane and seeking acceptance with her streetwise friend Nicki, shoplifting, following guys and alcohol. Just when it seems life couldn’t get any better Ashley encounters a number of situations that gives a new outlook on life. How does she find help and happiness when she least expects it? Find out in this Hollywood romance comedy and family drama, starring Vivica A. Fox, Eric Roberts and Lexi Ainsworth.

A modern retelling of the dramatic Biblical account of Saul and David, this film stars gospel music sensation Deitrick Haddon in his first feature film as Dwight Hawkins, a gifted young man searching for his purpose. Dwight must choose between family obligations versus his own dreams of gospel music superstardom. The film also stars Tony Award® nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph and a host of gospel music stars such as Karen Clark Sheard, Rance Allen, Kierra ‘Kiki’ Sheard, Dr. Bobby Jones, Damita Haddon and many more…

Join General Overseer of RCCG Pastor E.A Adeboye for six nights of worship and prayer, live from the Redemption Camp, Nigeria.

REAL TALK CHRISTMAS SPECIAL CHRISTMAS DAY 8PM

ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING, BUT SUBJECT TO CHANGE. VISIT WWW.OHTV.CO.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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| SEASONS GREETINGS

OH CREATIVE OH Creative is a key strand of the OH Network. We believe in producing content that showcases, celebrates, and reflects togetherness. We do this by creating, acquiring and delivering content, products and services that inspire positive change. Time2shine Season 4 was yet another successful production for OH Creative this year.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OH CREATIVE AND OUR AIMS TO REACH GREATER AUDIENCES... Here at OH TV we pride ourselves on producing the highest quality of content for the channel. Developing shows that ooze excellence and superiority in terms of picture quality and sound has always been at the forefront of our approach towards on air television productions. The consistency of our work has lead to us being commissioned to produce film and broadcast some of the largest Christian spectacles in the UK and Africa. This led to the OH Network strand, OH Creative being born. OH Creative is a key strand of the OH Network and the production powerhouse behind of some of the largest live events and television productions in Africa and in the UK. OH Creative has become a fully integrated agency that provides 360Â° creative solutions. Part production company, part creative agency, we produce adverts, promo campaigns and branding for external clients and produce content for all media platforms. We are responsible for producing Time2Shine which is the largest gospel talent show in the UK and The Experience which is one of the largest gospel concerts held in Africa. We also have

exclusive broadcasting rights to Festival Of Life which is the largest gathering of Christian worshipers in the UK and host 50,000 people in one sitting. This is just a few of the prestigious accolades we have under our belt.

TIME2SHINE - UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NO. 1 GOSPEL TALENT SHOW Since 2012 OH TV have broadcasted three successful seasons of Time2Shine. For seasons three and four OH Creative managed the production of the competition through every stage from auditions; which this year were filmed to a live audience at the prestigious Backstage Centre venue in Essex; right through to the grand live finals, which which took place at the Indigo at The O2 in 2013 and the Hackney Empire in 2014. Time2Shine is the biggest televised talent competition in the UK and the rest of Europe focused solely on Christian and gospel music.

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OH TV - THE HOME OF BLACK FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT |

We have been the producers of Time2Shine for the past two years and have broadcasted three successful seasons. Earlier this year we filmed the auditions in front of a live audience at the Backstage Centre venue in Essex and round off the season an amazing live final held at the Hackney Empire in London.

THE EXPERIENCE - AFRICA’S LARGEST INTERDENOMINATIONAL GOSPEL MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA The Experience, is a live gospel music event that takes place annually from Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos with host Pastor Paul Adefarasin, founder of the House on the Rock church. The event is arguably one of the largest gospel music events held in Africa, featuring a selection of exceptional Nigerian and International gospel musicians. Past years have seen big names such as Cece Winans, Don Moen, Donnie McClurkin, Mike Aremu, Midnight Crew, Micah Stanley, Tye Tribbet and many more grace the stage. Since 2013 OH creative have been behind the film production of the event and broadcasting it live to the UK audience.

RCCG FESTIVAL OF LIFE - UK’S LARGEST GATHERING OF AFRICAN - CARIBBEAN CHRISTIANS IN ONE PLACE. The annual RCCG Festival of Life is a major event held twice a year at the ExCel Centre in Docklands, London. This event attracts over 40,000 African and Caribbean Christians for prayer and rival with ministration from a number of notable Christian leaders from Britain and overseas Through our live coverage we have been able to expand the sphere of the Festival of Life audience. OH TV attracts in excess of 25 million viewers worldwide, with OH Creative’s Live transmission service, RCCG Festival of Life has reached many globally.

We truly belive in making a difference in people’s lives. We are well on way to becoming the world’s most trusted and best-loved organisation serving and connecting the global Black diaspora to each other and the wider world. It is for this reason that we undertook production for The Experience. We believe it is an inspiring event that truly lifts the essence of bringing people together.

STRATEGY FOR 2015 - LET US WORK TOGETHER As we near the end of 2014 and prepare for 2015, OH Creative is expanding its reach further and developing new marketing strategies that will enable us to offer our services to charities, the local community and church ministries. We want to work alongside your organisation and help you grow by adding value for money services with the highest quality of production. We can film your live events, advertising campaigns, create your branding and even give you a platform to reach your audience via our TV station, website, social media platforms and flagship quarterly print publication 2gether magazine. OH TV is now here for you, to help and support growth and exposure to charities, ministries and communities across the UK and beyond, using our gift of TV, media and production. Each year we broadcast live coverage of the annual RCCG Festival of life, held at the 500,000 square feet ExCel Centre venue in London. The all night event attracts an overwhelming 40,000 people from across the capital for prayer and rival with ministration from a number of Christian leaders from Britain and overseas.

OH CREATIVE 2014 OH TV Sky Channel 199 +44(0) 20-7720-8210

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www.un1ty.tv

ENJOY SERMONS FROM PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE INSTANTLY ON YOUR MOBILE AND TABLET DEVICES

Why not try out the UN1TY Smart stick and convert your TV into a Smart TV, and have content from Africa and the Caribbean all at the click of a button. F

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A T

26/11/2014 22:12

Perfect places to gather together, worship, retreat and relax With over 100 years of service, the Christian Conference Trust (CCT) have been providing excellent conference and event solutions to Christian organisations, charities and businesses.

Operating three centres in the UK, The Hayes, High Leigh and Belsey Bridge, CCT‘s focus is on offering high quality and affordable facilities for any occasion. With flexibility built in and the capability to host the full spectrum of events, whether a conference for 400 delegates, a charity or business meeting, church weekend away, gospel evening or small group gathering – you are guaranteed to be well looked after. Over the years CCT has had the pleasure of hosting large events for many of the leading churches in the UK and from overseas and also many other Christian organisations including Evangelical Alliance, Christian Aid, Scripture Union, Christians Against Poverty and many, many more! Last year around 100,000 overnight stays took place during 1,000 separate events.

“CCT is about delighting our customers, and welcoming all. We take great care to ensure we provide the best possible service for Christian families, churches and organisations alike, in comfortable, relaxing surroundings” John Harrison, Chief Executive

Discover your sanctuary

Food tailored to your needs

All three centres are set in acres of beautiful countryside in easily accessible parts of the UK with easy and extensive free car parking. Here you will find beautiful gardens, parkland and woodland in which to wander, relax and be inspired!

Whether you require a fully catered weekend for 400 guests or just a simple light lunch for you and a small group of colleagues, specialist chefs will create delicious food and menus to satisfy all dietary requirements. With plenty of choice and variety, they are known for providing balanced and nutritious food. All tea and coffee is Fairtrade or ethically sourced and through a partnership with Kingdom Coffee is enabling the work of Toybox to be supported.

A home from home With CCT, you’ll find a great selection of bedrooms of an exceptionally high standard. Each venue has a range of en-suite single, double, twin, family and accessible rooms which are flexible enough to accommodate the widest requirements of groups. Complimentary towels, as well as free tea & coffee facilities and extensive, reliable Wi-Fi throughout each centre ensure your stay is as comfortable and convenient as possible.

Fantastic prices Affordability is vitally important to CCT and pricing is very competitive. Accommodation is charged per person, with no supplements applied for single occupancy of bedrooms. To assist families further, there is no charge for children aged 5 or under and a 50% discount applies for those aged 6-16 years.

Bursary fund

State of the art facilities All conference halls have modern, integrated, AV equipment, including high quality data projectors, and sound equipment. Breakout and syndicate rooms are also available and in smaller meeting rooms, portable data projectors or large flat HD screens are provided as part of the all-inclusive price.

CCT are committed to assisting delegates who are in need of financial support. Each year, 5% of any retained surplus is transferred into a Bursary Fund which is targeted to assist those delegates who otherwise could not afford to attend. Any Christian group can apply. Last year CCT were able to support 45 applications to the Bursary Fund with over £21,000 being granted. To find out more about CCT visit www.cct.org.uk

ALL INCLUSIVE CONFERENCE AND EVENT FACILITIES With three well equipped venues across the UK, CCT offers flexible conference and event solutions for all occasions, big or small.

THE HAYES

Accommodation for up to 400 people

Hotel quality en-suite bedrooms at affordable prices

Free Wi-Fi and AV equipment available

Large range of sport and leisure facilities

Fully catered packages tailored to your requirements

Bursary Fund to assist delegates who otherwise could not afford to attend

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Swanwick, Derbyshire DE55 1AU

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INTRODUCING CCT EVENT MANAGER Event Manager is CCT’s exclusive web-based facility that helps with the administration and organisation of your event, free of charge.

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Find out more or watch a video tour at www.cct.org.uk/eventmanager

0300 111 4444

info@cct.org.uk

www.cct.org.uk

The Christian Conference Trust, Registered Charity No. 1056604. A company registered in England, No. 3203917 limited by guarantee.

28 FEATURE

THE BOYS’ BRIGADE

“Having a Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association at our Church has given us a whole new perspective on how we deliver children’s and youth work to not only our Church-based kids, but also for reaching out to our wider community in Bradford. Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association provides us with a tool for delivering programmes and activities that are fun, challenging and rewarding for children and young people, as well as helping to develop young leaders for the sustainability of our BB Company”. Adeyinka Adeyemi, Company Captain, 2nd Bradford BB Company, RCCG Chapel of His Glory Church.

The leaders are reinforcing biblical and gospel truths to their children through the leaders. The BB sections are like discipleship groups where the children find out that they can have honest conversation and prayers with leaders. It’s also an avenue that the church is using to equip the young ones through training and activities such as the company group attending band training. Pastor Mrs Esther Oludipe, New Covenant Church - Manchester 1st Hackney operates in a very deprived area which was at the centre of the riots in London back in 2012. The BB was instigated by a vision from Bishop Brian Robinson, whose focus is for the Church to engage with the community, with special focus on an extensive estate directly in front of the Church. With God’s help, we hope to maintain the close contact with the community and keep children from the community engaged, through the BB. New Testament Church of God – Hackney The desire to see young people fully engaged in the things of God led us to explore a variety of opportunities, including Boys Brigade. Introductory session was an eye opener on presenting the Gospel in a way that keep children coming back for more. Signing up was easy. Since May, the excitement in the different sessions continues to grow with children gaining new skills while discovering more about God. We are now reaching out to others in the community. Pastor Paul Solodemi – RCCG Jesus People Church – Dagenham For a long time I had been thinking about how to make an impact on my local community and influence them. I came into contact with a friend who introduced me to The Boys’ Brigade. After meeting with the BB development worker and learning how the BB could help with this my church decided to partner with The BB in our outreach to the local community. Pastor Ayotunde Oluwamakinde – RCCG City of Goshen Church – Dagenham.

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30 COMMENT

Rev David Shosanya argues that BME Christians must seek opportunities to spread their influence within and outside of the Church REV DAVID SHOSANYA

is a Regional Minister & Director with the London Baptist Association

n 2015, the London Baptist Association (LBA) celebrates 150 years of serving and supporting churches in the capital city of our nation. The Association was founded by three men Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Charles Brock and William Landels - who had a vision to see Baptist churches across London acting intentionally to work together for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Under their leadership the Association was born, and funds were raised to plant and build churches and resource ministry, both in terms of human and financial capital. The Association has changed significantly since its inception. It is a far more diverse family of believers than any of its three founders would have ever imagined. The leadership of the Association has two non-White members - myself and my colleague, Rev Kumar Rajagopalan, a high-caste convert from Hinduism, who came to Christ as an atheist studying Chemistry at university. The founders of the Association would not have imagined that the largest Baptist church in the Association/Baptist Union would be led by a Ghanaian migrant, Rev Kingsley Appiagyei, Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in West Norwood, a past President of the Baptist Union. The contribution of African, Caribbean, Asian, Latin American and Eastern European Christians to the Association (and Union) life is immeasurable, not only in respect of spirituality and fidelity to the integrity of Scripture, tradition and orthodoxy, but also in the areas of strategic thinking, management practice, entrepreneurship, logistics, policy, ministerial formation, mission and leadership. Recording the significant presence of non-White Baptist Christians is not simply to ensure that the story is told, and that it is told correctly and through their own lenses. Rather, the more substantial point is to highlight the capacity of those communities to buy into a vision, while at the same time redefining it by their presence. The challenge that emerges from this particular example of reframing a vision is whether or not African and Caribbean individuals and communities have the capacity and courage to replicate this ability to belong to a community, understand its vision, mode(s) of operation and

“The Black Minority Ethnic (BME) community has the capacity to determine the outcome of over 100 Parliamentary seats” culture, to such an extent that we are able to make the kind of contributions that have the potential to bring to bear a positive change. In other words, are we willing and able to allow our personal vision(s) as individuals and communities to inspire us to rise to the challenge of appropriating these skills beyond the four walls of the Church, and to make a positive contribution in our communities and within wider society? This is and rightly should be a key concern as we approach 2015, which is an election year. It has been noted that the Black Minority Ethnic (BME) community has the capacity to determine the outcome of over 100 Parliamentary seats through tactical and strategic block votes, based on community interest, justice and representation of marginalised and invisible communities within society. Making that kind of contribution requires those making the contribution to have a developed and refined vision of their own, one that has the capacity and flexibility to retain its unique perspective and internal dynamics, while being able to hold on to and adapt the original vision of political parties and pressure or advocacy groups. Clearly, this requires individuals and communities that have strong convictions, relevant competences, and a consciousness that is able to streamline and amalgamate competing and contrasting ideas. I want to highlight three areas, where our capacity as African and Caribbean communities to amalgamate our unique cultural insights into

a vision that has its historical antecedents elsewhere is a high priority for 2015. Policing: Disproportionate numbers of stop and search, alongside a continuing and growing lack of confidence in the police, require a new vision that facilitates the historical principle of ‘policing by consent’, and that creates a new platform from and upon which relations with African and Caribbean communities can be built. Education: This is another area that calls for a radical overhaul in thinking and vision casting. Again, disproportionate numbers of temporary and permanent exclusions, underachievement and disengagement from the educational system require a new paradigm for addressing systemic challenges. Enterprise: Despite the significant contribution of African and Caribbean communities in many aspects of British society, we have yet to realise our potential in the arena of enterprise. In short, we need to expand our vision for enterprise and entrepreneurship, so that we can create a strong economic base for our communities. Three challenges for 2015. Each requires a new vision, and we have the ability to deliver it in partnership with others. We must act! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Blessings.

COMMENT 31

New Year doesn’t mean New Age As Christians make their plans for the New Year, Rev Stephen Brooks encourages believers to make sure it is Christ-centred, and that they don’t get lured by New Age philosophies

REV STEPHEN BROOKS

is National Development Manager for Excell 3 www.excell3.com

t the end of a year, clarifying your life purpose and intentions can help you to move with greater focus and clarity into the New Year. There are many ways to both find and develop your life purpose. Increasingly, Christians unwittingly participate in New Age practices. As author and church leader Rick Warren said, “I’ve never seen more people so hungry to discover and develop the spiritual dimension of their lives. That is why there is such a big interest in Eastern thought, New Age practices, mysticism and the transcendent.” There are three stages of change: traditional, transitional and transformational. This process is enabled by the use of “facilitators/changeagents”. The intended result is that people abandon the traditional and succumb to changing. In the initial phase, old values are discredited or broken down; new values, beliefs and behaviours are then explored during the transition phase, and then new values become firmly grounded, replacing the old, in the final transformational phase. The ‘New Age Movement’ is a general term for a diverse body of spiritual philosophies and practices. One could say it’s a mixture, in varying degrees, of Astrology, Eastern Mysticism, Buddhism, Transcendental Meditation, Feng Shui, NLP and many more. At its core, New Age spiritual maturity is achieved by gaining access to the hidden knowledge that we are god, and that we create our own reality, our own truth. Oftentimes, Christians are seduced by some of the more subtle and disguised expressions of the New Age Movement. Oprah Winfrey, ranked by a Gallup poll a few years ago as the 4th most influential woman in history, has contributed to the growth of New Age spirituality. Oprah, a deacon’s daughter, was raised in a Black Baptist

Church; sexually abused by male relatives; became a promiscuous teenager and gave birth to a baby boy out of wedlock, who died in infancy. But then, ‘repenting’, returned to the church and began to speak frequently in churches with a special emphasis on practical spirituality. When her television career began, Oprah frequently called her show “my ministry”. She gradually began to promote more and more New Age guests, such as Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, Shirley MacLaine and Gary Zukav, and she has frequently spoken of her own New Age convictions. For example, she related how she heard, as a Baptist, that God was a jealous God and now responds, “Come on, let’s get over it, a jealous God is an insecure God… I believe in a Force, whatever that force is I call ‘God’.” Because of the popular respect for Oprah, her endorsements make a difference. For example, when she announced she had purchased 1,000 copies of her Marianne Williamson’s book, Return to Love (a New Age version of the Bible), the publisher received over 200,000 orders by the end of the day. Deepak Chopra’s book sold 130,000 copies the day Oprah promoted it on her show.

“Oftentimes, Christians are seduced by some of the more subtle and disguised expressions of the New Age Movement.” When Paul warns the Church to be aware of satan’s deceptions, he goes as far as to say that satan “disguises himself as an angel of light” and “his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:3, 14-15). At times, it is hard to see clearly what is and what is not consistent with the Christian message. One doesn’t have to look far for the signs. Barna’s research (May 1, 2006) identified that “Harry Potter’s influence goes unchallenged in most homes and churches”; 78% of church-going teens have read and seen the movie/book series, but only 4% have experienced any teaching or

discussion in church about the occult themes embedded in this medium. The following questions may be the easiest way to discern some of the central elements of New Age thought and practice from a Christian standpoint. • Does the practice originate from within the Christian tradition, or is it influenced by pagan, New Age or Eastern religion? • Does it focus on the Person and life of Jesus Christ, or does it tolerate the worship of many gods? • Is the purpose of the technique union with God, or is it self-realisation/self-enlightenment? • Is the content of meditation the life and teaching of our Lord, or is it breathing techniques, mantras, etc? • Does the spirituality sufficiently value the role of grace, or does it claim to be a ‘shortcut’ for people to ‘get in tune with God’? There is nothing ‘new’ about this movement. It has its roots in the original fall of man in Genesis 3. Satan tempted man with the lie that if he stepped out to access the secret knowledge or wisdom (Gnosticism), his eyes would be opened (enlightenment), and he wouldn’t need to submit to the sovereign God anymore for he will be as God Himself. While we cannot fault anyone’s desire to have a more authentic experience with God, it is important they do not submit to listening to leaders/change-agents, who are apt to lead them astray by the simple fact that they are using other religious practices for the answers, not the Bible. As the Bible says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception according to the traditions of men, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). You can contact Rev Brooks at sbrookaui@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07940 237959

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32 COMMENT

The misuse, glory and beauty of power Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts reminds us that, although power is abused by some, Jesus, the most powerful Man in human history, used His power for good and encourages His followers to do the same.

REV WALE HUDSON-ROBERTS

is the Racial Justice Co-ordinator for the Baptist Union of Great Britain

t is difficult to define power. Is it influence, leverage, swagger, authority? Whatever it is, some people have it. It is indeed a manifestation of who they are; they ooze power and gravitas. When they speak, people are compelled to listen and act. They kind of redefine swagger. Jesus had power. He spoke with power and authority. His presence pulled crowds. There were even some within a crowd, usually the vulnerable, who were anxious to touch His clothing, believing that His powers would be transferred. Power can be dangerous if used improperly. Jesus teaches us that power should be used to equip and enable others to find their liberation. History reminds us that power can be used inappropriately - to desecrate the human soul, break the human will, and keep people ‘in their place’. The world is replete with examples of abuses of power. IS (Islamic State) is among the most striking contemporary examples. Who are they, exactly? Their shifting identity makes it difficult to define them. But, even within a movement so evil, so rapacious and so repellent, there are some constants which provide us with a glimpse into this bloodthirsty organisation.

For example, we know for a fact that its members are jihadists adhering to the extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam, considering them the only true believers. They are of the opinion that if you are not one of them you are against them, an enemy worthy of death through beheadings, crucifixions and mass shootings.

Their vision is clear: an Islamic state, ruled by Sharia Law, world domination, hegemony, and nothing less. In one sense, the term Islamic State is a misnomer, for their mission extends beyond the porous boundaries of Iraq and Syria. They covet the world, not just a state. There are, of course, other movements that have a penchant for power, predisposed to use power for their own ends. Another example, early this year, is when Russia sent troops and military equipment into the Ukraine in what has been termed a stealth invasion. In late February, unmarked Russian soldiers took control of the Crimea, and annexed it following a disputed status referendum, which further escalated the conflict. Regardless of how this conflict is dressed up and presented to the listening world, its origins and continued motivation are one of power - indeed the misuse of power. Just like Islamic State, they are driven to possess control, misuse their power and keep people beneath them. Jesus challenges this paradigm. His power is rooted in humility. He was not born in a palace but a manger. His mother was Mary, His father Joseph. He neither came from an aristocratic lineage, nor lived like an aristocrat. His was a humble upbringing. This might be one of the reasons why He was able to combine meekness with majesty; He was fully aware and appreciative of His very ordinary roots. The bottom line is, He was a Jewish carpenter, a colonial Jew who, in the eyes of Rome, was voiceless. Rome trumped up a subversive Jew, who had to be put in His place, and He finally was - at least so they thought - when they crucified Him. However, the fact that, on the third day, He rose again is testament to the power of God; He is powerful. What I find refreshing about Jesus and His Father, Jehovah God, is that they never misuse their power. Now whether this is because Jesus had lived with the reality of poverty - His own and the pain of others - I do not know, but what I do know is that even when He was tested, beguiled by the devil to use His God-given powers to His advantage, He refused. The power He had was used to resurrect others: the poor, weak and vulnerable. The Man, who had a super abundance of power, used His power to empower others. John 1:14, which states the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, is, I think, my favourite description of Jesus. Where nations and states, movements and organisations play power games with each other, looking to outdo each

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other, concerned about their rise and fall, Jesus is committed to using His power to serve others, as is Nobel Peace prize winner education activist, Malala Yousafzai. Her story is remarkable. Shot in the head by Taliban gunmen in October 2012 for campaigning for girls’ education, she has sought to use her new-found position to enable and empower children around the world. The misuse of power is a common trait today. It is hardly baulked at, and it is actually actively encouraged. TV programmes, such as The Apprentice and others, appear to exalt and encourage the phenomenon. Christ, however, does not discourage people from accessing power, but to use it with humility, grace and gentleness; indeed, to empower others to find their liberation in Christ. Church leaders can learn from how Christ used power as, increasingly, a new crop of leaders use power poorly - to bolster their ministries, to promote their names afar - oblivious to the power of humility. We do well to remember that Christ was at His most powerful when participating in the most humiliating of acts, the crucifixion. There again is the tension meekness with majesty - beautiful qualities, which we should covet.

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34 COMMENT

WHOM CAN WE TRUST? Following recent child abuse cases within wider society and the Church, Richard Reddie delves into the issue, and argues that more needs to be done to protect children within key institutions

RICHARD REDDIE

is a writer and religious commentator. His latest book explores the history of the New Testament Assembly in the UK.

n the build-up to this year’s FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Hull City, I happened to watch a television programme that left me troubled. It was a retrospective of Cup Final Day editions of World of Sport, a Saturday afternoon ITV1 sports show I used to watch as a boy in the late 1970s. This programme was replete with interviews and news footage, and my disquiet was caused by the fact that many of those it featured were famous pop stars, television presenters, disc jockeys and politicians, who are now accused, jailed or dead (child) sex offenders.

The death of Jimmy Savile, and the resulting revelation that he was, according to the NSPCC, “one of the most, if not the most, prolific sex offender that the NSPCC has ever come across”, has led to a number of arrests, prison sentences and major enquiries into historic sexual abuses. The Savile scandal has also led to a great deal of soul searching over the way our society values and cares for its children. The National Crime Agency’s Cyber Crime Unit has estimated that “50,000 people in the UK have been involved in sharing child abuse images online, [and that] in the past 20 years the number of images available has soared to tens of millions”. One shocking aspect of this scandal is the way it has encompassed those institutions that form the pillars of our modern society. Savile worked for the BBC over several decades, and allegedly perpetrated many of his ghastly acts on its premises, as well as on National Health Service property. Both institutions are carrying out investigations into these accusations.

“Any abuse of children has no place in the Church or society, and must be condemned and rooted out.” Parliament is also embroiled in this disgrace; firstly, in the corpulent form of the late Liberal Democrat MP for Rochdale, Cyril Smith, who was accused of abusing children in care homes. Moreover, it has been alleged that, during the early 1980s, the late Tory MP, Geoffrey Dickens, compiled a dossier detailing a Westminster paedophile ring. The Coalition Government has also promised a thorough enquiry into these allegations. There are also suggestions that the police were remiss in failing to investigate the allegations levelled against both Smith and Savile. When they did interview the latter, the television presenter appeared to run rings around his star-struck, hapless prosecutors. Conversely, several officers serving during the 1970s now allege that pressure was placed on them to drop certain investigations into well-connected, suspected sex offenders. (The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Yewtree to investigate the sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile and others.) In the lead-up to the new millennium, there was much talk about ‘postmodernist’ societies. Although this phrase was constantly being used, many were unable to provide a pithy

explanation for an idea, which arguably described societies that “questioned moral absolutes and age-old truths”, and were characterised by a “breakdown in trust of certain institutions”. While it would be wrong to suggest that our society is a truly postmodern one, the Savile outrage has created a real crisis of confidence in those authorities and institutions we are meant to trust. For instance, an exclusive poll carried out by Ipsos MORI found that 56 per cent of Britons do not believe that the authorities will carry out an impartial enquiry into historical child abuse, and that establishment figures would attempt a cover-up if such scandals happened today. It is said that the Church, which is arguably the oldest institution, is the only one that can be trusted today. Sadly, even our veritable establishment is not immune from the current controversy, as Pope Francis recently estimated that around one in 50 serving priests may be paedophiles, while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Justin Welby, suggested that the Church of England should steel itself for its own child sex scandal. Any abuse of children has no place in the Church or society, and must be condemned and rooted out. Christians should not be surprised to find the Church implicated in this scandal, as it often reflects the best and worst of society, and is full of sinners in need of God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s transformative power. The obvious difference between the Church and other institutions is that we tend to hold the former to higher standards. When Parliament endured its ‘expenses scandal’ and ‘cash for questions embarrassment’, many argued that this was typical of avaricious politicians on the take. However, even in our often cynical society, a scandal involving a local pastor or priest is headline news, because we expect more from those who claim to be working for the Lord. The pronouncements of the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury are both a sober warning and a sombre reminder that the Church is not insusceptible to practices and behaviours that ruin lives and undermine trust between adults and children. Our response should be to redouble our prayers, and explore practical ways to provide emotional and physical support to those who shoulder the burden of leadership in the body of Christ. Equally, we need to ensure that robust child protection policies are in place in all our churches, and that we adopt a zero tolerance attitude to anything that even hints at child exploitation. While this may not directly rebuild the trust that may have been lost in our institution, it will ensure that children are seen and not hurt within it.

LIFESTYLE 35

00 COMMENT

Pastors’ Column

Setting plans for a new year Marcia Dixon writes that Christian leaders should write down and start implementing their church objectives for 2015 now, in order to enjoy an impactful year in their churches

he drawing to a close of one year should motivate church leaders to seek God’s face for insight and inspiration about the objectives they should set for themselves and their congregations for the forthcoming New Year. The goals that church leaders set should include the following: (i) a desire to see church members grow spiritually and become more Christlike; (ii) longings to experience church growth via the addition of new converts, and (iii) the establishment of a social project that can be accessed by the local community. When listing goals, which can also include a whole host of other things, such as going on mission; purchasing a new building; finding new worship premises; devising income streams; compiling fundraising projects; and building relationships with specific institutions. Contingency plans for the unexpected things that occur during the course of a year should also be included and, once plans are finalised, they should be shared with the pastoral/ leadership team and church members to get their buy-in and support.

QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL CHURCH When setting out yearly plans, it makes sense for leaders to bear in mind the qualities that are a feature of successful churches, and devise ways to replicate them. Successful churches tend to feature the following: • an active and dynamic prayer ministry • a desire and passion to see God move supernaturally in people’s lives • preaching Word-based and relevant messages • making sure the worship experience is a good one • having visionary and respected leaders • containing members that love one another

and are generous • reaching out to the community

DEVELOPING THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF A CONGREGATION There is much that church leaders can do to help their members achieve spiritual growth during the course of a year. They can implement a preaching and teaching programme that addresses those areas where members lack knowledge and insight, and bring a biblical perspective to bear on those subjects where believers seem more attuned to what the world is saying as opposed to what God’s Word says. A church is only as good as its key workers, so it is beholden upon leaders to include a training programme in their yearly plans, This may involve bringing in skilled speakers and professionals, which will equip department/ ministry heads and workers with the necessary knowledge and skills they need to carry out their tasks effectively.

SHARING THE GOSPEL THROUGH EVANGELISM Numerical growth, as a result of people getting converted, should be a natural feature of church life, and any church vision must have this as a goal. When this objective is included in church plans, difficulties can arise in deciding what methodology to use in order to foster growth. Whilst seeking prayer and insight from the Lord is a must, there is much that can be learnt by observing what growing churches are doing, and maybe adopting some of their methods. There should also be a focus on developing evangelism teams, who can go out at specific times to share the Gospel in public. Outreaches and events focusing specifically on reaching

The say ing goe s ‘If you fail to plan, yo plan to u fail’, so every church should set its plan s in ord out er to achieve success .

new people with the Gospel should be a feature of a church plans, and it must not be forgotten that members have a major part to play in church growth: they must be encouraged to invite family, friends and neighbours to church. Not only that, but church members should be constantly reminded of the role they play in making new visitors to a congregation feel welcome and valued, as it’s a fact that people are more liable to join a church where they experience a loving welcome.

ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY PROJECT Every church leader should seek to run at least one social project that the wider community can access – even if it’s just personal counselling. Whatever community service a church decides to run, it should: (i) meet a social need; (ii) be accessible, and (iii) be run on a regular basis – whether it’s daily, weekly or monthly. If a church does not have the human resources necessary to run a project, it makes sense to develop relationships with churches that run social projects and initiatives, and ask whether it is possible for members to access them, and whether it’s OK to recommend their project to church visitors and individuals who need the services offered. The saying goes ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’, so every church should set out its plans in order to achieve success. Have a wonderful and successful 2015. www.keepthefaith.co.uk

FEATURE 23

36 LIFESTYLE

TIPS FOR MAKING A CHANGE IN 2015!

Rev Jacqueline Peart provides some helpful tips for people planning to make major changes in the forthcoming year, so that 2015 will be their best year ever.

REV JACQUELINE PEART

is an ordained minister and founder of www.jpiministries.org

014 has been a year of repositioning for myself and Ministry, and with that came many changes, challenges and successes. That’s why, as we prepare to enter a New Year, I want to encourage you to take the opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges of 2014, and make plans for change in the year ahead. CHANGE means to modify, adjust, make over and alter - so let’s look at Five Tips to help you make positive changes in 2015.

TIP NO. 1: MAKE A DECISION The Bible says a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). If you are going to make any lasting change in your life, you need to make a decision to change. In life I have met so many people that are one day going to leave their job, start a business, lose weight, go into ministry… only to see them in the same place year after year. If you want to change, it starts with a made up mind!

TIP NO. 2: HAVE A PLAN There is a famous management quote that says, “Fail to plan and you plan to fail!” This is so true: if you don’t plan to start your business/ministry/ project by putting in milestones and benchmarks for success, simply put, you won’t!

TIP NO. 3: BE SMART SMART is an acronym used for setting goals and targets. S = Specific M = Measurable A = Achievable R = Realistic and T = Timed So be Specific about what you’re going to change, give up or start. Planning to “start a business” is not specific; planning to “start a counselling service for women who have been through trauma” is. Measurable – How can you measure your success? Is it by deciding to start the counselling service in a particular area, and being able to take on ten clients a month? This makes it easier to measure your achievement/success. For example, if you have only taken on two clients instead of ten, you will be able to see clearly what work you need to do to make your change/vision/goal/ dream become a reality! Achievable – Can you achieve the goal, or are you setting yourself up for failure? DON’T SABOTAGE YOURSELF! If you decide that, in your first month, you are going to take on fifty clients and you currently don’t have any, the goal is neither achievable nor realistic, unless you are planning to take on other

counsellors to help. One of the quickest ways to fail is to set yourself goals that not even Superman or - woman could achieve! Realistic – Is it a realistic goal that you can achieve? It needs to be realistic on two counts: I. Can you realistically maintain it on a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly basis? II. Be realistic about how you approach it, eg. if you’re giving up a secure job to begin a business, you may need to think about first starting the business part-time to build up your client list, and give yourself a time when you will leave your job. Timed – Set your goals within a time frame. When will you start your counselling service? When will you take on your first ten clients (set yourself a date)? When will you review your success: after one month, six months or annually?

TIP NO. 4: COMMIT YOUR PLANS TO GOD Proverbs 16:1-3 (TLB) says: ‘We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God’s hands. We can always “prove” that we are right, but is the Lord convinced? Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed.’

TIP NO. 5: ENJOY THE JOURNEY As you make changes in 2015, don’t forget to enjoy the journey and be intentional about giving thanks! Change is a necessary part of our continued growth and development and, whilst it can feel overwhelming at times, it is worth the temporary discomfort when you see the fruit of some well-planned adjustments. You can follow Jacqueline on Facebook at Jacqueline Peart or follow her on Twitter @jacquelinepeart

I was not expected, I was selected

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38 LIFESTYLE

Business Matters

Knowing nothing about business didn’t stop Elizabeth DENISE ROBERTS

is founder of the Arable Woman business network and the editorial and publishing consultancy, Editor’s Chair

Denise Roberts interviews award-winning businesswoman Elizabeth Forbes-Stobbe

lizabeth Forbes-Stobbe was shocked when she was nominated for the Wise Women Awards in 2011, and even more shocked when she won in the Business category. As she stood there that day, clasping her glass trophy, she “felt like a fraud”. “I had no clue about business,” said the Trinidadian-born founder of Dial-A-Carer, who now lives in Billericay, Essex. “I am doing what I love and, in business, I think that is very important.” While she may see herself as knowing little about business, she certainly knows plenty about the business of caring. The registered general and mental health nurse has grown the seven-yearold Dial-A-Carer to a six-figure turnover. She provides end-of-life care and now employs 25 members of staff. The business has done well, and Elizabeth has been approached by two companies wanting to buy her out. “We may be few in number, but we focus on quality,” said Elizabeth. “With small, you can get quality, spend time with clients, and deal with hospitals, GPs and consultants. It’s much more personal.” Elizabeth has worked in both general and psychiatric hospitals. She was a union rep, and had reached the pinnacle of her profession as a ward manager when she felt that inner yearning for something new. “I used to slip into the linen cupboard and dream of doing more,” she said. “In a ward, you are serving people but, with the bureaucracy, there is only so much you can do. Now I can make decisions about my clients and implement them.”

The 50-year-old has had her fair share of toils along the way. She suffers from bowel inflammatory disease, and so oftentimes could barely crawl out of bed. She trusted the wrong people and lost money. She faced problems with the Health Care Commission, who thought it odd that she had no recorded complaints. “They said I was putting patients at risk, and put me in the local papers. At the time I just crumbled, but today I can laugh and say I was famous once.” To make matters worse, her 14-year-old marriage to her German Lutheran husband was also on the rocks. He did not expect her to make it, but now he is her biggest fan. “Many times I wanted to give up, to run away,” said Elizabeth. “There must be something that made him change. It has to be God.” As a Black woman, operating in a predominately White area, she says she has sometimes felt stereotyped. Once she went along to a Chamber of Commerce meeting, and someone asked her what she did for a living. When she said nursing he replied, “So, do you wipe people’s bottoms?” “Yes,” Elizabeth replied. “I get good money to wipe bottoms, and someday someone will be wiping yours.” Elizabeth is currently 11 chapters into a book she is writing to help others enter the caring business. It is aimed at nurses and carers, and will help them avoid some of the traps she faced, like “so-called gurus speaking business language I did not understand”, says Elizabeth. “I don’t want to just say, ‘Go away and create a smart plan’. I mean, what is a ‘smart plan’? I can say I know now but, at the time, I had no idea.” She is feeling that itch again to move onto something more. “I am thinking of party planning and event management,” she said. “I love organising.” Find out more about Elizabeth and Dial-A-Carer at www.dialacarer.co.uk.

HOW TO STRATEGICALLY ANALYSE YOUR BUSINESS FOR 2015

he New Year is a good time to review your business plans, and one of the most effective ways to do this is with a strategic analysis. Done well, it can help you to assess where you currently are, and map where you are going to go next. There are many ways to carry out a strategic analysis, but here are four suggestions: 1. Start with a SWOT analysis. Review your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. 2. Consider how social, cultural or even political changes may impact your business in the year ahead. 3. Don’t stop with just looking at the general market. Drill down by comparing your business like for like. For example, if you sell Ford cars, you should pay closer attention to others selling similar cars, rather than those who sell Porches or Bentleys. 4. Apply your SWOT to your operations, finances and customer services, as well as to your marketing. It will help you determine the actions to take to develop your business in 2015.

Put a little heart and soul into your business Join Rasheed Ogunlaru, life & business coach, and author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business, for a practical workshop to help you start or grow a business that you and your customers will love. Rasheed is partnering with the British Library to run ‘Soul Trader: Your Life, Your Business’, an event focused on helping you build a business in balance with your life. Choose from January 21, February 19 and March 18. Runs from 10am-12noon with opportunities for networking until 12.30pm. Location: The British Library, St Pancras, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB, London. Visit www.bl.uk/bipc for more details and to register.

LIFESTYLE 39

MILDRED TALABI

is an award-winning UK-based careers blogger, speaker and writer with over eight years’ experience in the industry

How to achieve greatness in your work and life If you plan to change careers or take your work ambitions to a new level in 2015, then take note of these tips provided by careers specialist and author, Mildred Talabi

f you want to succeed in your career – and in life in general – it’s a good idea to pay close attention to what you read, watch and listen to. Many of the most successful people in the world got to where they are by reading, watching and listening to things that fed the greatness that lay within them (and that lies within every single one of us). This same success principle also applies in employment. In my new book, The Science of Successful Job Hunting, I interviewed a jobseeker on how he survived six long years of unemployment, and here’s what he had to say: “One of the [things] that kept me focused was an audio series called ‘Job Domination’ by Dani Johnson, which I would listen to over and over again. This kept me positive when I felt like giving up and couldn’t see any alternatives.” I heard this same sentiment echoed in another jobseeker I also interviewed: “Staying positive over a tough and long job search is really hard. Two of the big things that really helped me was working out and reading a lot of books. I probably read 15 books during that time – non-fiction, biographies…other people’s stories. It gave me the advantage of a perspective – learning how people progressed from where they started to where they wanted to be.” If you want to be great, you must read, watch and listen. When you read, watch and listen to inspirational and motivational teaching material, you make the greatest investment you can make in life, which is an investment into yourself.

FIVE BENEFITS OF READING, WATCHING AND LISTENING

Reading, watching and listening to positive things has many benefits, including: 1. It exposes you to new ways of thinking and doing things

2. It aids your knowledge and understanding in areas of lack 3. It improves your communication and the quality of your interactions with other people 4. It boosts your imagination and inspires your creativity 5. It helps you to become a better version of you! If you’re now thinking there might be something in this after all, but you don’t quite know where to start, here are 10 books I personally recommend for boosting your work and personal life:

“If you want to be great, you must read, watch and listen.” 10 BOOKS TO READ 1) The Bible – the most life-changing Book ever, and the best place to start. 2) Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson – a great little book about dealing with change in your work and life. 3) Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – an essential read, even if you have no interest in growing rich (which, by the way, you should for the greater good of society!). 4) The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles – offers a great foundation on how to think yourself to success, whether financially or otherwise. 5) Focal Point by Brian Tracy – “a proven system to simplify your life, double your productivity, and achieve all your goals”, as the subtitle says. 6) An Enemy Called Average by John L Mason – a

great explanation of why we were not created to be average, and how to overcome ‘averageness’ in your life. 7) The First 20 Hours by Josh Kaufman – teaches you how to learn anything quickly! 8) Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath – an incredibly useful book which helps to identify your strengths. 9) What Colour is Your Parachute? by Richard N Bolles – the ultimate timeless manual for jobseekers and career changers everywhere, now in its 40th edition. 10) 7 Keys to a Winning CV: How to create a CV that gets results by Mildred Talabi – the only CV writing book you’ll ever need! In addition to books, you can also find lots of free teaching videos on YouTube, from inspirational people like Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Les Brown and Tony Robbins, and you can download free audiobooks of classics in the public domain from the awesome little-known site, LibriVox (www.librivox.org). If you make a commitment to yourself to read, watch and listen to positive and inspirational things this New Year, you’ll find that 2015 will be the year of your greatness in work and life! This article is an edited extract from Mildred Talabi’s new book, The Science of Successful Job Hunting, out now on general release. To download a free sample chapter, go to www.jobsciencebook.com. For more information and to contact Mildred, visit www.mildredtalabi.com. www.keepthefaith.co.uk

40 LIFESTYLE

Cyber Corner

KENO OGBO

is a Writer and Web Designer

Influence of the digital age on Christmas presents

hristmas presents are notoriously hard to get right, especially for children and even more so for teenagers. This is probably why more and more of us are resorting to gadgets as presents for our children, nieces, nephews and young friends, along with the fact that most teenagers absolutely prefer having gadgets as Christmas presents. An interactive visitor poll on an e-commerce website in 2014 identified the top five coolest gifts for teenage boys are technology-based, and topping the list are gaming gadgets and mobile technology, ie. tablets and game consoles. Added to this, technology suppliers churn out upgraded versions of their wares, making the technology present you bought last year completely obsolete. Social pressure plays a big part in teenagers’ wishes, so do not be surprised at their reason for wanting the latest Nintendo console or FIFA game is just because ‘all’ their friends have one. A Telegraph article in 2013, quoting a report by the comparison service uSwitch, predicted that collectively, parents will be splashing out over £3 billion on tech gifts for their kids, spending £243 each to fulfil their children’s Christmas wishes. Nearly a fifth (16 per cent) will go even further and shell out £400 or more on tech gifts for their children this year. They go on to say that many kids will be demanding the latest gadgets, whatever their age. That is very strong language - DEMANDING - but I tend to agree, young people now expect these technology gifts and may be highly upset if they do not get one, especially at Christmas. Should parents be giving in to the influence of the digital age despite the intense pressure? There are quite a couple of major reasons not to. 1. They are really more expensive than traditional presents, even with the advent of

Things to consider when buying a technology gift for your teenager Here are a few useful things to think about when considering technology gifts for your children this Christmas: 1. Does it encourage social interaction or is it isolating? Think about the board games/ jigsaws that families put together at Christmas, does your technology gift replicate this? A good game in this respect is the Wii ‘Just Dance’, which everyone can enjoy with friends and family. 2. Does your child or teenager have the wrong expectation for Christmas? Is it just about the present or does he (or she) have the right foundation of Christmas being about Jesus and people? If he expects a £400 gift for Christmas, what is he giving to other people? Is he as thoughtful in his giving (obviously older kids)? Think about the reason why you are buying the gift.

cheaper versions. And when it comes to some gadgets, such as headphones, teenagers prefer the branded ‘Beats’ or none at all. 2. Technology gifts are especially anti-social and directly contradict the Christmas spirit, which is about sharing, family, community and celebrating the birth of our Saviour, who came to unite all things. But, on the positive side, technology gifts ensure that children stay abreast of technology trends, and are more exposed to technological advancement, which is becoming more and more the norm in our culture. Hopefully it will keep children out of trouble and, thankfully, it keeps them quiet; the flip side is when the technology then replaces the precious time needed to build a relationship with that child or teenager. I would love to hear your views, and what presents you are thinking of getting for your kids this year.

Tweet of the month

Perhaps you feel an expensive tech gift will make up for the long hours spent working away from the family? 3. Are you just buying the latest model so your teenager can show off to his friends? Or are you buying a technology gift that is appropriate and functional? 4. Is it going to be a lovely surprise, or have you been getting hints over the year of what he wants or - even worse - ‘demands’? 5. Is this a gift that could help him interact more with technology as a producer rather than a consumer? Coding is set to be the language of the future. Why not help your teen become a writer rather than a reader when buying your gifts?

App of the month Find My Mobile I lost my mobile phone for a week, about four weeks ago, before I found it on the floor of my car. In that time, my one regret was that I had not installed the ‘Find My Mobile’ app for Samsung. Every smartphone comes with an app/installation that allows you to track your phone by GPS. Make sure you know what that is and how to access it.

KENO OGBO runs Spiral Web Solutions – and can help organisations with their fundraising strategies. To contact Keno call 07958 004 739 or email keno@spiralwebsolutions.com Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/keep-the-faith-magazine

RECIPES FOR CHRISTMAS INGREDIENTS

1 jar of Mrs Muamba’s Caribbean Curry Sauce 1 kg quality lamb shoulder, cut into large cubes 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 medium-sized onions, roughly chopped 2 red peppers, roughly chopped and deseeded 600ml/1 pint chicken stock Sliced chilli, coconut shavings and chopped coriander, to serve and garnish SERVES

MRS MUAMBA’S JERK ROAST CHICKEN

‘Jerk Chicken is a favourite in the Caribbean, and you can experience these amazing flavours in the comfort of your home.’

INGREDIENTS

1 jar of Mrs Muamba’s Caribbean Jerk Sauce 1 large whole chicken (approx 1.5kg) 1 x 473ml can of Budweiser or other lager

METHOD

Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6. Cover chicken all over with Mrs Muamba’s Caribbean Jerk Sauce and make sure you get the sauce inside and out. If you have time, let the chicken marinate for a few hours in the fridge, if not, move to the next step and pour out enough beer from the can so that the can is just about half full. Next, lower your chicken’s cavity onto the top of the can, so it looks as though the chicken is sitting on the can. The steam from the beer cooks the inside of the bird, so the meat ends up lovely and juicy. Carefully sit the chicken in a tray on the very bottom of your oven, and cook for around 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until it is golden and delicious. Once done, remove the can (carefully!) and serve. Delicious!

METHOD

Heat a large saucepan, add the vegetable oil and then the lamb. Cook over a high heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the lamb is golden-brown. Reduce the heat and add the onions and red peppers, and fry until golden and softened. Add enough chicken stock to just cover the lamb. Stir well, and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any residue. Heat the mixture until simmering, then cover and cook on a low heat for about one hour, or until the lamb is tender and cooked through. Next, drain off the chicken stock and add the jar of sauce and heat through until the sauce is of a semi-thick consistency, so that the flavours of the sauce can infuse with the lamb. By now, the lamb will be succulent and tender. You can garnish with extra chilli, coconut and herbs, serve with rice and tuck in.

‘In Jamaica, our national motto is “Out of many one people” and Indian food has definitely influenced Caribbean cuisine.’

Rinse the rice in a sieve until the water runs clear. Bring a pan with 470ml of water to the boil with the gungo peas and its liquid, the coconut milk, spring onions, thyme, garlic, allspice, sugar and some salt, then simmer for 10-15 mins. The smell will be aromatic and flavoursome. Add the rice, bring up to the boil, and then lower the heat so that the rice can gently simmer. Add the scotch bonnet, but make sure it is not broken or bruised, as this will add heat to the rice; we just want the flavour. Put the lid on and leave to simmer for 20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. Plate up and serve 4 to 6 people.

Fried plantains are one of those Caribbean dishes that are served with almost every meal, so it had to feature in Mrs Muamba’s Christmas dinner.

INGREDIENTS

I personally prefer the taste of gungo peas, and the fact that they are easier to cook means that you can have tasty rice and peas without extreme hassle.

INGREDIENTS

3 spring onions, bruised with a rolling pin 1 garlic clove, crushed 4 sprigs of fresh thyme 400g can gungo peas, include liquid in the rice 440g (2 cups) basmati rice 400ml coconut milk

Hi. I’m Shauna Muamba, creator of Mrs Muamba’s Caribbean Cooking Sauces, and I’ve a prepared a traditional Caribbean Christmas dinner just for you...…ENJOY!!!

www.mrsmuambas.co.uk

METHOD

FRIED PLANTAINS

GUNGO PEAS & RICE

MRS MUAMBA’S CARIBBEAN LAMB CURRY

7 allspice berries (pimento crushed) 1 scotch bonnet, uncut 1 tsp brown sugar 1 /2 tsp salt 470ml (2 cups) of water

With any Christmas dinner, accompaniments are a must, and no true Caribbean dinner is complete without the classic fried plantain, coleslaw and rice and peas.

SERVES

SHAUNA MUAMBA

4 ripe plantains, peeled and cut diagonally or round, into 1/4-inch thick slices Vegetable oil

METHOD

Drizzle oil into a frying pan, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan, and place on medium heat. When oil begins to shimmer, add plantains, working in batches, and fry for 11/2 minutes on one side, flip and cook for one minute on the other side. Remove plantains from pan, and rest on paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Continue frying in batches until all the plantains are fried.

42 LIFESTYLE

Mind, Body & Soul

PROSTATE CANCER It is strongly advised to consult with your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms. Because these symptoms could also indicate some other diseases, such as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostatitis, a thorough check would need to be carried out to determine the underlying cause.

Prevention

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small, squishy gland about the size of a walnut. It sits under the bladder and in front of the rectum. The urethra - the narrow tube that runs the length of the penis and carries both urine and semen out of the body - runs directly through the prostate. Although the prostate is not essential for life, it affects reproduction. The term “cancer” refers to a condition in which cells accumulate uncontrollably - the ability to regulate cell growth or death is lost. So, instead of dying as they should, prostate cancer cells live longer than normal cells, and form masses of abnormal cells known as tumours. Primary tumours are the original tumours; secondary tumours occur if the original cancer spreads to other locations. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with more than 30,000 men diagnosed annually. Around 10,000 men die from it every year, making it the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer. For reasons yet unknown, prostate cancer is more common in men of African-Caribbean and African descent. Black men are three times more likely to develop this disease than White men. Researchers are looking into the reason why the disease is higher among Black men, but diet and genes are thought to play an important role.

Symptoms

Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer. For some, early signs of the disease are detected by a doctor during a check-up. Some men, however, do experience changes in urinary or sexual functions, which might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. These symptoms include: • a need to urinate frequently, especially at night • difficulty starting urination or holding back urine • weak or interrupted flow of urine • painful or burning urination • difficulty in having an erection • painful ejaculation • blood in urine or semen • frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs Follow us on Twitter @keepthefaithmag

Although significant progress has been made through studies of prostate cancer - and some clear findings show that factors such age, genetics, ethnicity, diet, and environment have a strong link to the disease - there is still not one conclusion to how we can prevent prostate cancer. There are, however, some preventive measures which could help delay the onset of the disease or reduce the risk. These include: • following a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and wholegrain foods, and exercising regularly • reducing excess fat and maintaining a healthy weight

LOLA OLAREWAJU

is a Personal Trainer, freelance Certified Lifestyle Coach and Owner of Final Measure - a fitness and lifestyle company

YOGHURTS ARE HEALTHY FOR YOU Yoghurts can be a healthy option, but you need to be aware of the sweeteners and the other ingredients added to them, especially those labelled as low fat or fat–free. Most flavoured yoghurts contain things like sugar, cream, corn starch, gelatine, aspartame and sucralose. Your best option - when it comes to choosing yoghurt - is plain. If, then, you fancy some flavour added to it, you have more control over what you put into it. Freshly chopped fruits can transform your yoghurt into a tasty healthy snack; adding some walnuts can also add taste, or a little drizzle of honey for those of you with a sweet tooth. Enjoy!

MOVE TO THE BEAT • eating oily fish – evidence from several studies shows that fish can help protect against prostate cancer because they have “good fats”, particularly omega-3 fatty acids. • not smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation (if at all) • reducing stress in your life • regular check-up at your doctor Finally, I would like to add to the above list: prayer. I was reminded of the power of prayer recently at a women’s breakfast meeting I attended. The guest speaker spoke of prayer and healing. She reminded the audience that prayer should be our first protocol for anything in our lives – including our health. Prayer gives us direct access to a God who knows all things and is able to do all things; therefore it should be our first stop as we face whatever mountain/challenge is before us. Pray to God, seek medical advice and get the treatments. In Hosea 6:4, it says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge”. God expects us to play an active role in taking responsibility for our health. Let us get knowledge, share the knowledge and act wisely on the knowledge. Let us begin now.

Tired of your same old workouts? In need of a workout makeover? Then why not try some dancing? Yes, you heard right. Dancing! Studies show that moving your body to some music for 20 minutes at least three times a week can improve your overall health. Not only does dancing help burn some calories, it helps tone your muscles, strengthen your bones, improve circulation, improve your mood and, best thing of all, it’s totally free. You don’t have to join a dance class, nor do you have to be a professional dancer. All you need is a little space to move your body and some great music. Happy dancing!!!

LIFESTYLE 43

HEARTTOHEART

ESTHER FENTY is a qualified psychologist and pastor’s wife

My Mum expects me to be as religious as her

My husband wants us to reconcile for Christmas

y Christian husband left me three years ago, when I was pregnant with our third child, to live with a former girlfriend. I was absolutely devastated, and it was only through the support of my family and church that I made it through. Through the grace of God, I’ve rebuilt my life. My children are settled, and I’ve even set up a thriving business. However, my emotions have been thrown into turmoil. My husband (I did not initiate divorce proceedings) has written me asking for my forgiveness, and if he can come back home and spend Christmas with us. I really don’t know what to do. I am happy to forgive, because I’ve moved on, but… I can’t forget my husband’s terrible behaviour. I had to go to the courts to get him to pay child maintenance and, although I left the door open for him to come and visit our children, he has never done so. You can imagine my family doesn’t want him back in my life, whilst my pastor is saying that, as a Christian, I should give him another chance. I’m a bit confused and don’t know what to do. Your thoughts on this matter would be welcomed. Elizabeth, London

Esther Fenty says:

Maybe your husband has explained in the letter why he did not make contact with his children, nor attempt to support them voluntarily over the last three years. If that is not the case, you may want to investigate. You may also want to explore why spending Christmas with you and his children is so important, as opposed to rebuilding a relationship. What is likely to happen at the end of the festive season? There is no doubt that the Word of God commands us to forgive those who have hurt us. It is clear that God will deal with the

perpetrators of injustice, as His Word declares that ‘Vengeance is Mine’. Furthermore, there is information from the secular world about the effects of unforgiveness on our health. Therefore, the biblical mandate is to forgive. However, forgiving your husband does not mean that you have to take him back. You could consider the following options: You can write to your husband informing him that, while you intend to forgive him because of the biblical edict, you have not reached that stage yet. Therefore, to consider taking him back, while you are feeling the way that you do, would not be a good idea as the relationship would be doomed from the start. Therefore, returning home anytime before Christmas is out of the question. You could also explain that when you reach that stage of forgiveness, ie. meaning that you no longer hold his behaviour against him, the outcome might be that you have moved on with your life, and you do not want him back. You could make it clear that while the door is still open for him to visit his children and rebuild a relationship with them, you are also concerned about their emotional wellbeing. You will therefore need to be assured that he is serious about his intentions. You may decide to take him back, and that is entirely up to you. You should not be forced to do so. You would need to ask yourself what is different about your husband this time. Does he want to come back because his present relationship has not worked out, or is he genuinely sorry about what he has done? Would you both benefit from marriage guidance counselling? This is a problem that only you can solve through much praying and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

My sibling and I (I’m 14, my sister is 16) live with our mother, who is heavily into the church. I don’t mind, as being a Christian has helped her since our father left home. However, what I don’t like is my mum’s insistence that my sibling and I go to every single church meeting with her. Sunday is fine, but weekdays are not good times for me, as it’s causing me to miss out on doing my homework, as well as spending time with friends. When I try and explain this to my mum, she starts accusing me of being ungrateful, and that I should welcome the opportunity to be in God’s house. My mum’s response is making me want to run away from home and be with my father, as I don’t know how else to deal with this problem. Your advice would greatly help. Jennifer, Manchester

Esther Fenty says:

It is possible that your mother is enjoying her new-found faith so much that she wants you to experience it as much as she does, without realising that your needs are different from hers. It is also likely that, although she has become a Christian since your father left home, she still has unresolved issues about her need for companionship and, without realising it, she is using you and your sisters to fulfill this particular need. Having her own group of friends would take the pressure off you. In any case, you will need to speak to your mother before ‘church night’, while you are both in a calm state of mind. Explain that, while you appreciate being in the house of God, you also need a church/life balance. Point out any deterioration in your work noticed by teachers. Show her your homework timetable, the amount of work you are expected to do, and the time it takes. Involve her in your work through discussions, research, etc. Invite your friends home, so that she can meet them, and gain her trust by being back home at the agreed time when you go out. Encourage and support her to have friends of her own.

Esther Fenty provides godly and practical advice on a wide range of issues. To contact Esther email editorial@keepthefaith.co.uk www.keepthefaith.co.uk

44 MISSION

Israel and the Church: What is God’s Plan?

here are many in our political correctness-obsessed, secular and so-called tolerant society, who see Israel – and, by extension, the Jewish people – as the source of all that is wrong in the present Middle East. And there are others who feel that actually all of the world’s problems should be laid at Israel’s and the Jewish people’s doorstep. Sadly, there are even some in the Church who hold such views - or similar. For those who support Christian Watchmen Over Zion (CWZ), our perspective is through a different set of lenses: the lens of the Word of God - all of it from Genesis to Revelation. We stand on the Word of God - the God Who spoke to a Mesopotamian businessman; the God Who called Abram (later to be renamed Abraham) to step out in faith and go to an as yet unknown land; the God Who promised that same Abram that whoever blesses him (Abram) will be blessed, and whoever disrespects him (and his descendants) will be cursed, and that in him (Abram) all the nations of the earth will receive blessing (Genesis 12:1-3). We stand on the Word of God - the God Who, by Himself alone, and without any condition whatsoever, made an eternal, binding covenant with this same Abraham and his descendants (through Isaac and Jacob) to give to them all the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession (Genesis 12:6-7; 13:14-17; 15:7-21; 17:1-8; 26:1-5; 35:10-12). We stand on the Word of God - the God Who eventually took Jacob and his family down into Egypt to rescue them from famine, through the leadership and saving intervention of his son, Joseph. This same God, Who then redeemed Jacob’s descendants, the Children of Israel, from slavery in Egypt over 400 hundred years later; the God Who brought them to Himself, Who gave them His Torah – His teaching and instruction for life – and Who entered into a marriage covenant with the Children of Israel at Sinai;

the God Who then brought these same Children of Israel forty years later into the Promised Land - all in fulfilment of His promise to Abraham centuries before (Genesis 15:12-16). We stand on the Word of God - the God Who warned the Children of Israel that, if they did not live according to His instructions, He would discipline them for their disobedience, with the ultimate correction being thrown out of the Promised Land. Yet even though God eventually did have to do this, still He promised that He would not cast them aside forever and, through the Hebrew prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel in particular, He promised and foretold that one day He would bring them back from their exile, never again to be thrust out of the Land He had given them (Deuteronomy 4:27-31; 30:1-5; Isaiah 11:11-12; 43:5-6; 49:22; Jeremiah 16:14-15; 29:11-14; 32:3741; Ezekiel 11:16-17). We stand on the Word of God - the God Who, right back in the Garden of Eden, promised that a Redeemer would come to undo the death and

decay brought about by Adam and Eve’s disobedience; the God Who reconfirmed the coming of that Saviour throughout the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament, and Who fulfilled that promise in the Person of Jesus the Messiah. Israel and the Church: What Is God’s Plan? is the title and guiding theme for a series of seminars and meetings planned by Christian Watchmen Over Zion (CWZ) for December 11th, 12th and 13th 2014 at the Dominion Centre, The Broadway, High Road, London, N22 6DS. As a relatively young ministry, CWZ is nevertheless bringing together a speaking team of international and national Christian leaders to address this theme, and to bring the truth of the unchanging Word of the Living God to bear on what has become an increasingly “hot topic” in many Christian circles and beyond. Christian Watchmen Over Zion is a non-denominational group of Christians, including many from different streams of the contemporary Church. As believers in the Lord Jesus the Messiah, we have received from the God of the Bible – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel – a love and concern for the Jewish people, and we want to bless them in Jesus’ Name. At a time when many in the Jewish community in the UK are genuinely fearful for their safety, and at a time when Israel, as a nation, is being demonised from almost every direction on a daily basis, CWZ seeks to build bridges of friendship with the Jewish community in this nation and in Israel itself. We stand on the Word of God…on the absolute and unchanging Word of the Only True and Living God. It is on that Word that CWZ’s Prophetic Prayer Conference 2014 will focus from December 11th to 13th. Come and join us.

46 MISSION

Finding Hope

alking to Vivian today, a vivacious bright- eyed woman with a contagious smile, you wouldn’t begin to imagine how her life began. Growing up on the outskirts of Arusha in northern Tanzania, she faced the same difficulties as many of her friends in the community. Born to parents with minimal incomes, she lived with her family in a single room in a house that belonged to her grandmother. But the hardship did not end there. As Vivian talks, her memories are those of arguments and fights, of a father who would not recognise or support his children and a mother who worked all the hours she could to provide for her two daughters. Life began to change for Vivian and her sister when Compassion opened a new project in her community. The hope that came with sponsorship, however, faltered just a few years later. Vivian’s voice quietens as she remembers, “It’s like it happened yesterday, but it was 12 years ago. I was 10. My younger sister was sleeping with our parents on a single bed in our room, and I was on the sofa. “In the middle of the night I woke up to go out for a short call. As I sat up, I saw my father hanging from the rafter. I went to touch him, but he didn’t respond. I went to the bed and tried to wake my mother to help him, but I could not wake her either. I didn’t know what to do. As I looked across the room, I saw an exercise book. My father had written’ ‘I, Adam, have decided to kill myself and my wife.’” Terrified, Vivian ran to her aunt next door and she, in turn, called the police. Vivian and her sister were all alone. The girls went to live with their aunt but, over time, this situation too turned frightening for the already traumatised children. “Going to bed with an empty stomach was the Follow us on Twitter @keepthefaithmag

order of the day, and my aunty was often drunk and angry. We confided in our pastor, and he talked with her, but the day came when she chased us from our home and told us not to come back.” Vivian explains. “I was so sad; I told my sister that I wanted to die like my parents, so I didn’t have to live through all these tortures.” Vivian’s sister found the words to encourage her to stay strong. The Compassion project worker, Upendo, stepped in and took the girls in to live with his family. Surrounded now by people who showed her love and care, Vivian gave her life to Jesus in 2006 and completed her high school education. Now, Vivian is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in social security and protection at the Institute of Finance Management in Dar Es Salaam and is enrolled on the Compassion Leadership Development Programme (LDP). “I applied to join the Leadership Development Programme when I heard that it works to create leaders who will bring change in their society.” smiles Vivian, “I want to be one of those people. I want to give back to society, to start an orphanage and help other children like me reach their potential.” Vivian has already started giving back; when she is in Dar, she volunteers at an orphanage and the local Compassion project. Reflecting on the path her life has taken, Vivian is full of thankfulness;“My story would have been so different without Compassion. I could not have got where I am without the kindness shown by Upendo and my sponsor. My parents died, but my sponsor treated me like one of her children. Even though she lived so far away, I knew I had a family somewhere who was looking out for me and praying for me. Her love touched me and kept me going. I cannot thank her enough.”

To look at her you wouldn’t know that Paola used to go to bed hungry, afraid of what tomorrow would bring.

EVIE JOHNSON, FROM BRISTOL,

TOLD PAOLA “I’M HERE FOR YOU” Could you do the same? There’s a child like Paola waiting for you to sponsor them.

SPONSOR A CHILD TODAY

www.compassionuk.org 01932 836490 COMPASSION UK CHRISTIAN CHILD DEVELOPMENT 43 High Street, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8BB Registered Charity No. 1077216 Registered in England No. 3719092 COM100679

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04/07/2014 13:33

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