- Created on 11 March 2013
Who is Cardinal Robert Sarah?
Who is Cardinal Robert Sarah?
Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea is currently the President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum (the Vatican's charitable arm) and a strong candidate for pope in the upcoming March 2013 papal conclave. He would be the first African pope in history.
His origins: Cardinal Sarah was born June 15, 1945 in French Guinea. After studying in a seminary in the Ivory Coast, Sarah returned to Guinea after it achieved independence in 1958. He soon left for Paris, then Senegal, then Rome to complete his studies. He received his ordination in 1969.
His career track: In 1979, Sarah was named Archbishop of Conakry, the capital city of Guinea. John Paul II appointed him secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2001. Then, less than a decade later, Sarah was chosen to lead "Cor Unum," which organizes the Catholic church's relief effort. That same year, 2010, Benedict XVI made Sarah a cardinal.
His beliefs: Cardinal Sarah is a conservative in theological matters, but progressive on issues like social justice and economic equality. He's also an outspoken critic of authoritarian regimes.
Why he might be pope: Many experts believe the next pope will be non-European. Cardinal Robert Sarah bridges the Vatican to Africa, where the Catholic population is exploding. Yet, he's also a Vatican insider with a strong record of governance.
- Created on 08 March 2013
Zion Hill's Outreach Ministry Has Broad Impact in Atlanta
From helping Atlanta's homeless, through support of Community Concerns' Odyssey III Program, to women and children seeking refuge in the shelters provided by Sister's Against Domestic Violence and the Atlanta Union Mission's My Sister's House, Zion Hill Baptist Church leaders and members are serving and making a difference, says the Rev. Aaron L. Parker, Ph.D., who is the pastor.
"Over the past 18 years, the church has established more than 35 multi-generational outreach ministries; each attached to one or more of the auxiliaries and/or programs of the church and connected to local, national and international service projects," he said.
The annual Outreach Ministry Sunday Observance at Zion Hill Baptist Church planned for March10 will celebrate the outreach program.
Preachers for the two worship services will be the Rev. Dr. J. Allen Milner, pastor, Chapel of Christian Love Baptist Church Atlanta at 8:30 a.m. and the Rev. Ernest Andrew Brooks III, associate campus minister, at Atlanta's Morehouse College during the 10:30 a.m. service.
Both speakers are proponents of community outreach and actively engaged in outreach advocacy in their professions as well as volunteers in service and educational organizations and programs.
The public is invited to attend, be informed and inspired by messages on the theme "Changing Hearts, Changing Lives Through Outreach." Zion Hill is located at 6175 Campbellton Road, S.W. in Atlanta.
"True to its motto of 'Living to Love and Loving to Serve', our members are actively addressing the needs for essential goods and services to citizens throughout the metro Atlanta community, the nation, and other parts of the world," says Pastor Parker.
Some additional examples include helping those displaced by Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy. The Katrina victims were housed in Zion Hill or in properties provided by Zion Hill and nurtured through several years of reclaiming their livelihoods. Those recovering from Hurricane Sandy on the northeast coast received financial gifts from the church.
Zion Hill extends its outreach even farther to foreign missions, giving assistance to hurricane victims in Jamaica and Haiti; and in 2009, creating the African Initiative to provide support to families in Sub-Saharan Africa and Ethiopia.
Milner, executive director of Community Concerns Inc., the non-profit organization in downtown Atlanta geared to the needs of the homeless, spoke on behalf of the church.
"Zion Hill has been one of our most valuable allies in the fight against poverty. We appreciate their efforts by sending volunteers and financial support to our programs that serve the homeless," he said. "Members of Zion Hill participate in the Sunday morning breakfast services that we offer — actually preparing and serving meals. We are also grateful to have their members do outreach to Odyssey Villas, our apartment complex for formerly homeless families. Without the support of churches like Zion Hill and concerned citizens, we would not be able to operate and carry out our mission to the extent that we have."
For more information about Outreach Ministry Sunday, weekly worship experiences, ongoing learning and service opportunities at Zion Hill Baptist Church call 404-691-8025, go to www.zionhill.org or see the community bulletin at www.11alive.com.
- Created on 06 March 2013
Midway Missionary Baptist Church Celebrates Its Annual Women's Day
Midway Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2280 Godby Road in College Park, will celebrate its annual Women's Day Worship Service on Sunday, March 10, beginning at 10 a.m. The pubic is cordially invited to attend.
The guest preacher will be Evangelist Laura Pickett, co-pastor of Destiny Faith Church in Atlanta. The celebratory worship service will be preceded by the annual Women's Day Breakfast on Saturday, March 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the church's Fellowship Hall. The guest preacher for the breakfast will be Rev. Stacie Alexander, co-pastor of Restoration Christian Fellowship Center in College Park.
For more information and directions, please call the church office at 404-768-5648.
- Created on 08 March 2013
Big Bethel AME Will Present Annual Palm Sunday Concert
For more than 60 years, Usherette Board #2 of Big Bethel A. M. E. Church has led the "ushering in" of Holy/Passion Week by presenting the annual Palm Sunday Concert. The multi-talented Uzee Brown Society of Choraliers, will perform Sunday, March 24, 2013 at Big Bethel A.M. E. Church, 220 Auburn Avenue at 5:00 p.m.
The Uzee Brown Society of Choraliers was founded in 2009 by Uzee Brown Jr., who is an educator, composer/arranger, performer and chair of the Morehouse College Department of Music. The society is ranked as a top performing group and is admired both nationally and internationally.
- Created on 05 March 2013
Marvin Sapp and 'Real Housewife' Kandi Burruss Respond To 'Stay Prayed Up' Controversy
Marvin Sapp and Kandi Burruss have been surrounded by heated controversy over a song.
The controversy surrounding the song has been at fever pitch the last few weeks.
Pastor Sapp took to his Facebook page to answer fans concerns. He was explicitly clear:
Please read my only response to the song "Stay Prayed Up"
A fan sent in the below note Mr Sapp,
I was a big fan of yours however as a Christian I'm a bit confused about your motivation to record the record prayed up. I intentionally watched you on the HOA and was taken back by your conversation with Kandi at the studio. You continued to tell her not to try to explain herself, and that she didn't have to apologize etc. I'm just wondering is this the watered down version of the word you are teaching in your church? The bible says "my people perish because of a lack of knowledge." It also says "GOD would rather that we be hot or cold." Not trying to come off as judgmental but this is the type of thing that makes the church look no different than the world. So fed up with this new concept of stooping to the worlds standards to reach souls Jesus hung out in places with sinners to reach them but HE never comprised GIS standards nor GOD's word. Kandi is motivated by money just wondering what's your motivation? [sic]
Marvin responded:
Usually I don't respond to people about things like this however I must this time. The problem with many in the church is 1.) that we major in minors and 2.) ignorant (not well studied) of scripture. Lets deal with the first, This woman who was an ex R&B singer that sells sex toys and live with her man decided on a show that reaches 10 million viewers per showing (believers and unbelievers) to sing about,,,, Not sex toys, drugs or living with a man but PRAYER!!!!!! and the saints are upset. The lyric says, "I stay prayed up, that gets me by, that how I made it through my darkest time, see I'm a sinner and thats no lie, but thank God my prayers are heard because he knows I try" Wow!!!!! nothing elicit or comprising about the lyric.... So lets look at how Jesus dealt with the sinner..... From my study of scripture the only people he checked was the church (religious people of that day) however the sinner he consistently showed COMPASSION!!!!!!! Examples...... Woman caught in the ACT of adultery Also the Woman at the well....... Never exposed them publicly, dealt with them privately. We as believer major in minors...... So caught up in the messenger that we are missing the message "Staying Prayed UP". Now I close with this...Everyone that God used in scripture was flawed and or had struggles.... Let me call the roll..... Moses was a murderer, Rahab was a harlet (whore), David was a murder/adulter and still considered a man after Gods own heart, Peter was a cutting cusser however was in the inner circle of Jesus, Paul was a murderer and made many blaspheme against God however wrote 2/3 of the NT, He spoke through a Donkey and if we decide to be quite rocks will cry out... We say we are christians which means being Christ-like but question peoples motives that model his behavior....The bible speaks about witnessing and that you need to be wise to win souls and Paul says I became all things to all men that I might win some.... Compromise was never done here nor do I condone her life style or life choices and keeping 100 you don't know the off camera conversation we had. Again big picture 10 million people at 1 time were challenged to PRAY in difficult times WOW!!!! Thats Awesome and Ministy..... PS Didn't spell check because I'm late to a meeting.... Be Blessed [sic]
