Category Archives: Church

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Bishop T.D. Jakes Introduces Interactive Bible App!

New Mobile Tool Puts Enhanced Bible Experience at the User’s Fingertips

app

Hello World,

Global spiritual leader, entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling Author T.D. Jakes has partnered with content provider Inspired Properties to introduce the T.D. Jakes Ministries Bible App to his millions of followers and others worldwide. With the official mobile application, users will be exposed to a multi-sensory, interactive experience that presents the entire Bible — Genesis through Revelation — in an engaging and entertaining format.

What differentiates the new Bible resource from other apps currently on the market is the unique assembling an international cast of award-winning actors, musicians, notable personalities and members of the clergy within the app’s audio Bible feature that brings key passages and well-known stories to life in a vivid engaging way. It also includes pastoral study notes from Bishop Jakes himself together with videos and other tailored content to enhance the experience.

Users will also be able to watch Bishop Jakes deliver his illustrative Sunday sermons each week live from The Potter’s House, stay in tune with his branded conferences like the International Pastors and Leadership (Orlando, April 21 – 23, 2016) and MegaFest (featuring Woman Thou Art Loosed, ManPower) in 2017.

“The key to biblical understanding is accessibility,” says Bishop T.D. Jakes, senior pastor of The Potter’s House of Dallas, Inc. “It’s critical to get Bibles in the hands of the people in an easy, user friendly way so that they may experience its power to transform lives in a personal way. Technology allows the Word of God to be experienced fully against the backdrop of the digital language.”

Rolled out to the congregation, partners and e-church members in late December 2015, the T.D. Jakes Ministries Bible App has already clocked more than 10,000 downloads, with plans to further extend the reach of one of the world’s most prolific teachers of the Gospel with new themed curriculum plans, additional biblical translations, live podcasts and other tailored materials and content.

To download the app, go to tdjakes.org.

Any thoughts?

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7 Ways Churches, Celebrities & More Are Celebrating Black History Month in 2016 Despite Stacey Dash…

black history month 2016

Hello World,

I’m so glad churches and other worthy organizations aren’t paying attention to the notion that Black History Month is no longer needed, an inane idea proposed by FOX commentator Stacey Dash…

Below are 10 activities that churches and more around the country are hosting to celebrate Black History Month, the one month of the year that the accomplishments of black people are consistently celebrated…

1. Alabama Music Hall of Fame Celebrates Black Gospel Music for Black History Month

Excerpt:  On Sunday, Jan. 31, The “Amen To That” event is set to honor and revive black gospel music which served as a focal point for many songs and artists who left their mark in musical history of Muscle Shoals. Performing during the show will be St. Paul Choir, Russellville, Howell Sledge of Leighton, Rev. Jerry Reeves and The Galilee Missionary Baptist Church of Leighton, James Brown Gospel Choir of Tuscaloosa, and The Gospel Imperials of Huntsville. See more at: wbrc.com

2.First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Virginia Restores Bell for Black History Month

Excerpt: On Monday, Feb. 1 through Feb. 29, First Baptist Church is allowing visitors to reserve a time to go to the church and ring its historic bell. The church, which was founded by slaves 240 years ago, acquired the massive steel bell in the late 19th century, but it has been inoperable since the days of racial segregation. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has returned the bell to working condition so it can be rung every day in February. Also, celebrities including hip hop mogul Russell Simmons and legendary vocalist Aretha Franklin will be a part of this church’s effort, according wtop.com. See more at: wtvr.com

3. Rice University in Houston, Texas to Host Discussion of ‘The Black Church and Politics’

Excerpt: On Monday,  Feb. 1, Rice University’s Religion and Public Life Program will host “The Black Church and Politics,” a panel discussion featuring commentary from Marcus D. Cosby, senior pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church; Korie Edwards, associate professor of sociology at Ohio State University; and Omar McRoberts, associate professor of sociology at University of Chicago. See more at: news.rice.edu

4. Stamp Will Honor Philadelphia’s Richard Allen, a Founding Father of America

Excerpt: On Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the church Allen opened in 1794 and the first home of the A.M.E. denomination he founded in 1816, the U.S. Postal Service will formally unveil its Richard Allen Black Heritage stamp, the 39th stamp in a series honoring African American leaders and “culture-shapers whose lives changed history.” The ceremony is timed to kick off the A.M.E. church’s bicentennial year and, by coincidence, comes less than two weeks before Allen’s 256th birthday, Feb. 14. See more at: philly.com

5. Jennifer Pinckney, Charleston Church Shooting Survivor, to Speak at Duke University in North Carolina

Excerpt: On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Jennifer Pinckney, widow of the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, who was among nine killed last year in the shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, will take part in a roundtable conversation at Duke University. The event, “Reflections on Charleston: A Conversation on Faith and Race,” takes place at the Page Auditorium.  See more at: today.duke.edu

6. CEO of Greening Forward to speak at Black History Event at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Greenville, South Carolina

Excerpt: On Saturday, Feb. 13, Charles Orgbon III, who is studying environmental economics management at the University of Georgia, will be the featured speaker during St. Philip’s Episcopal Church’s Black History Month celebration. In addition to being a college student, Orgbon is also the CEO of Greening Forward, a nonprofit organization that “establishes, engages and empowers a diverse environmental movement powered by young people.” Greening Forward was founded in 2008 by Orgbon when he was 12. See more at: greenvilleonline.com

7. Church, Faith and the New Hampshire Community: A Black Woman’s Perspective

Excerpt: On Sunday, Feb. 14, Discover Portsmouth is hosting a “Tea Talk” panel discussion featuring: Rev. Lillian Buckley, Rev. Lauren Smith, Minister Olga Tines, Mrs. Florine Hilson and Mrs. Nadine Thompson. The black church has historically been seen as the backbone of the black community and the center of political and social life for African Americans. These church leaders will discuss the role of the church in their lives. Through their experiences in ministering and serving in a predominantly white state we will learn about the role of faith as a strong guiding force in their lives. What they give and receive from their spiritual communities and why church life continues to be so important to so many black women will be highlighted. See more at: portsmouthhistory.org

Any thoughts?

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Oprah Winfrey’s New Megachurch Drama ‘Greenleaf’ to Have a Two-Night Premiere May 24 and May 25!!!

Will You Be Watching?

Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge) and her father Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David) Photo by Eli Ade; Courtesy of OWN

Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge) and her father Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David)
Photo by Eli Ade; Courtesy of OWN

Hello World,

The new original series “Greenleaf,” featuring Oprah Winfrey’s first recurring scripted television role in two decades, will launch with a two-night premiere on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network on Tuesday, May 24 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and Wednesday, May 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The megachurch drama from Emmy nominated writer/producer Craig Wright (“Lost,” “Six Feet Under”) and Lionsgate Television will regularly air on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT for the remainder of its 13-episode first season.

“Greenleaf” centers on the journey of estranged daughter and disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge, “The Night Shift”) who has returned home after 20 years on the occasion of the mysterious death of her sister, Faith.  As she reenters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis megachurch run by her powerful parents Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David, “Enlisted” and “Community”) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Lynn Whitfield, “The Josephine Baker Story”), it becomes evident that things are not as virtuous as they seem and that the family’s outward display of faith hides sin and misdeeds.

In the season premiere, directed by Clement Virgo (“Book of Negroes”), Grace and her teenage daughter Sophia (Desiree Ross, “Falling Skies”) are warmly welcomed home by Grace’s father, Bishop James Greenleaf, but tensions quickly rise soon thereafter at a family dinner in the Greenleaf mansion.  Grace’s mother is cold and hostile; her sister-in-law Kerissa (Kim Hawthorne, “Rake”) questions her about her faith; and sister Charity (Deborah Joy Winans, “Whitney”) erupts with jealousy at the suggestion that Grace might preach at Calvary.

Later, blues club owner and Grace’s aunt Mavis (Oprah Winfrey, “Selma”) discuss the circumstances of Faith’s death and Mavis reveals some shocking information about Grace’s uncle “Mac” (Gregory Alan Williams, “Terminator Genisys”). Mavis is still estranged from the Greenleaf family and it starts to become evident that she intends to use Grace to sow the seeds of its destruction.

The new original drama series “Greenleaf” from award-winning writer/producer Craig Wright (“Lost,” “Six Feet Under”) takes viewers into the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful.  Like so many megachurches in America, Calvary Fellowship World Ministries is more than just a house of worship. It’s a home. It’s the center of the community for the thousands of predominantly African-American members who attend services there.  But beneath its steeple lies a den of iniquity — greed, adultery, sibling rivalry and conflicting values — a multigenerational matrix of deception that involves the church’s founding family, but also extends to the congregation and prominent members of the Memphis community and beyond. Yet, amidst all of the mayhem and deception, the power of something greater persists, calling everyone to conscience for their sins.

“Greenleaf” stars Merle Dandridge (“The Night Shift”) as Grace Greenleaf; Keith David (“Community”) as Bishop James Greenleaf; Lynn Whitfield (“The Josephine Baker Story”) as Lady Mae Greenleaf; Kim Hawthorne (“Rake”) as Kerissa Greenleaf; Lamman Rucker (“Meet the Browns”) as Jacob Greenleaf; Tye White (“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) as Kevin Satterlee; Deborah Joy Winans (“Whitney”) as Charity Greenleaf-Satterlee; Desiree Ross (“Falling Skies”) as Sophia; and Oprah Winfrey (“Selma”) in a recurring role as Mavis McCready.

“Greenleaf” is produced for OWN by Lionsgate Television.  Executive producers are Oprah Winfrey, Craig Wright and Clement Virgo.

I’ll be watching this new show, but I wonder why novelists such as ReShonda Tate Billingsley (whose movie “Let The Church Say Amen” debuted on BET last August), Victoria Christopher Murray, Kimberla Lawson Roby and Tiffany L. Warren, who have written books about similar themes, aren’t consulted for projects like these…

Any thoughts?