Issue 7
July 2012
In This Issue
Highlight
Money Matters
In The Mix
Monthly Emphasis
GCT Career Corner

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Pick of the Month

Although the title of his debut project is The Introduction, Zacardi Cortez needs no introduction to the gospel music fan. The Houston area met him as a 5-year old singing with his family's group, The Cortez Singers. He was spotlighted with a solo on John P. Kee's 2001 CD, Live at the Fellowship. He has also made guest shots on recordings with Kurt Carr, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Pastor Gregg Patrick and most recently with James Fortune on his #1 Billboard Chart hit "I Believe."

So you see, The Introduction is really not an introduction at all!

The lead single from his new project, "One More Time" featuring mentor John P. Kee, has already reached #5 on Billboard's gospel chart.

I know I risk sounding clich�, but this album really does have something for everyone. If you love the Gospel quartet sound, "He Brought Me" with the Williams Singers is your cut. Contemporary Christian ballad lovers will put their player on repeat when they hear Cortez's duet with Lalah Hathaway, "Every Promise."

"Praise You" featuring Fred Hammond and the Kierra Sheard collaboration "For Me" both infuse a little hip-hop influenced R&B to the Gospel sound for those that like that kind of groove.

He's been around for years as the "sidekick" of Gospel music. The Introduction brings Zacardi Cortez to the front and there's no doubt he's gonna do well there.

Zacchaeus Hayslett
Contributing Writer

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Welcome! It seems like just yesterday that 2012 began; now summer is here.

Once again we have the privilege to greet you in our monthly Inspirer newsletter. Take your time and peruse each article because there is a lot of good information for you and yours. We have tidbits from many areas of ministry we know you will enjoy. So don't just scroll down to the end and look at pictures; you'll miss some very valuable information.

Our theme this year is "Embracing Perfection Through Passion." To us, EMBRACE stands for Empowering Ministry, Building Relationships and Advancing Christians Everywhere! In Ephesians 4:11-13 Paul expresses that God gave passionate ministry gifts "...For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." I believe that the foundation of successful ministry begins with a true love for God and His people. Yes, where there is true Passion, there can also be Perfection!

Always remember, if ever you are in our area, we would love to have you and your family come by and visit with us.  

 

 

EMBRACE,

Bishop Brandon B. Porter
Senior Pastor www.bbporterministries.org

 

 

 

Highlight

31st Annual Holy Convocation

Beginning July 30, 2012, Tennessee Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, one of the largest jurisdictions within the Church Of God In Christ, will host its 31st Annual Holy Convocation in Jackson, Tennessee. Delegates from over 90 churches within the jurisdiction are expected to attend the five-day conference, which will include day sessions as well as evening worship services. Bishop Brandon B. Porter, conference host and Jurisdictional Prelate, has chosen "Embracing Perfection Through Passion" as this year's theme.

This highly anticipated and much talked about state convocation will feature a lineup of renowned speakers and anointed music guests, including Pastor Marvin Winans, Prophet Todd Hall, Evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole, and many others. On Friday evening, August 3, 2012, Bishop Porter will bring the final message for the culmination of the week-long event.

Everyone is cordially invited to join Bishop Porter and the congregations of Tennessee Central Jurisdiction, who are looking forward to a dynamic, empowering and life-changing convention. Day sessions will begin at 10am at the State Headquarters, 369 Lexington Avenue. The evening worship services will be held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, 400 South Highland. Evening worship service will begin at 7:30pm nightly.

 

 



Contributing Writer: Sis. Phyllis Dearing
Money Matters

Deliverance from Debt

We all need deliverance from something. Some of us need to break bad eating habits. Others may struggle with an addiction of some kind. Then there are those who are in bondage to debt. Our focus this month is on the latter. Deliverance from debt can be an insurmountable process, but it is achievable with discipline. A concept as simple as prioritizing can catapult you into the world of financial freedom!

Some bills, by nature, take precedence over others. For instance, the mortgage is always more important than, well, anything else. But for arguments sake, why risk losing your home over keeping the lights on? I'd much rather sit in the dark and stop the utility bill from going up until I can pay it, than to keep putting off paying my mortgage, which will continue to increase in obligation each month, making it impossible to catch up! Each time you skip paying a collateralized debt, such as a house note, car note or student loan, the bill continues to grow. Contrarily, if you skip paying the phone or cable bill, the service provider will likely discontinue services until you pay the delinquent amount. I am not a proponent of skipping any bills. I am merely demonstrating priority. Making alternative arrangements to pay bills should always be attempted when funds are tight.

  



Necessities take precedence over luxuries. Look over your budget and determine which expenses you can live without temporarily. It is surprising that many people feel the "need" for cable television. In order to begin attacking the mountain of expenses related to debt (borrowed money), it is necessary to minimize expenses related to services such as cable, storage, memberships, etc. Once you end those services, you may find extra cash on hand. Use that money to make additional payments on debt obligations, paying off the smallest first, and so on.

It takes discipline to be delivered from debt and it takes faith to believe you can get there. Becoming debt free is a biblical principle we all should strive to achieve. Romans 13:8 says, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another, for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."

Sis. Ramona Coe,
Contributing Writer
In The Mix

Current Events

Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center

July 3, 2012
3663 Appling Road
Bartlett, TN 38134
Tel: 901-385-5589

Enjoy the Star Spangled Fireworks Extravaganza in celebration of the nation's birthday. Start the night with live musical entertainment provided by the Bartlett Community Concert Band and 240 Loop. There will be activities for all ages, car display, concessions and more. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the sky over Bartlett. All activities will take place on the lawn of BPACC and Appling Middle School.

This event is free and open to the public.

Free Resume Preparation Orientation

When: July 4, 2012 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm (Wednesday)
Where: Memphis Public Library - Whitehaven Branch
4120 Mill Branch Road Memphis, TN

Conference for Single Parents

The Pursuit of God Transformation Center 7P's Ministry, Successful Single Moms Memphis and Boys. Inc. announce The Conference for Single Parents - the first conference for single parents that will embrace, equip and encourage single parents to embark on enhancing their families lives.

Through community collaboration, our organizations are confronting a time of many changes and we're meeting these changes during a time of larger nationwide and global change. Workshops include 4 tracks: Money Management, Personal Development, Professional Development and Healthy Relationships; and a Special Single Parents Expo that includes Colleges, Careers, Health and Wellness for Single Parents.

Pursuit of God Church Memphis
3171 Signal Street
Memphis, TN 38127
Saturday, July 21, 2012
8:00am until 5:00pm
Cost: FREE

To register visit: http://theconferenceforsingleparents.eventbrite.com/

Contributing Writer: Sis. Beverly Parish
Monthly Emphasis

Faith and Deliverance

The monthly focus for July is faith and deliverance. Hebrews 11:1 says now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith is needed for everything a child of God experiences on the earth; salvation, forgiveness of sin, eternal life, answers to prayer, etc. The struggle is in believing that God wants to answer us today like the Bible illustrates.

Each year, children of God strive to fulfill God's will for ministry and personal lives by faith. His love and help is available because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus is still all powerful, compassionate and loving today and in the future. Whatever you are praying for, He is able to bring it to pass, as long as it is in His will (1 John 5:14-15). However, God will not answer your prayer if it is inconsistent with His character or if you ask with selfish motives. James 4:3 says, "When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

The devil uses fear and frustration to stop us from receiving God's answer. Philippians 4:7 says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The promises of God are available to all believers who seek Him and who refuse to give up. Our confidence is in God, who delivers, helps, and saves us because He is loving and faithful.

Contributing Writer: Minister Sylvester Person

GREATER COMMUNITY TEMPLE'S mission is to impact its community through evangelism, discipleship in order to change the world. We are committed to developing the believer in their faith of the Lord Jesus Christ through the consistent and systematic study of God's word. We exist to celebrate God's presence, to demonstrate God's love, to communicate God's word, and to educate God's people.

Bishop Brandon B. Porter
Senior Pastor