Issue 4April 2011
In This Issue
What's Happening
On the Move
Ministry Tidbit
Money Matters
Monthly Emphasis
Pick of the Month


The Mississippi Mass Choir was founded 22 years ago by the late Frank Williams. Since 1989 the choir has won or been nominated for every major music industry award. They have performed in Japan, Italy, the Bahamas, Greece and Spain. In June they will perform in South Africa. Their tenure in the gospel music industry has already reached legendary status and continues to grow. On February 1 they released their ninth project, a 2-disc set entitled "Then Sings My Soul." Recorded June 19, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Jackson, a predominately white church, one of the songs (God Gets the Glory) was performed by MMC and First Baptist's Sanctuary Choir combined to dispel some of the old misconceptions about Mississippi.

For the first time in over five years auditions were held for new members in preparation for the project. However, a lot of familiar members however are featured all over the album. Seventy-seven year old Mama Mosie Burks lends her traditional vocals to I Love To Praise Him and Benjamin Cones, Jr. tells one of his great stories as a prelude to I Can Make It. Other MMC favorites include Dathan Thigpen (Bless the Lord), Lillian Lily (Lord You're the Landlord), Venora Brown (We Remember), Seleta Husband (Amen), Emma Curry (Don't Stop Praying) and Lannie Spann McBride (He Didn't Have To Do It).

 

If you love Mississippi Mass Choir (and who doesn't) "Then Sings My Soul" is a must have.

Zacchaeus Hayslett
Contributing Writer

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Welcome! It seems like just yesterday that 2010 began; now we are navigating through 2011.

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 The World Around You"! Jesus said in Mark 16:15 "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel..." Each of us is strategically placed where we are but we must have discernment in order to see the needs of those around us. This year, I challenge you to be the light of your community!

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

 

 

 

 

 

What's Happening

E3 Youth Ministry
E3 - Educate, Edify & Empower

 

GO GREEN GO GOD!

Gracefully

Reaching

Every

Environmental

Need


Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The Public Relations Ministry has reached out to the E3 Ministry to develop a Junior Marketing Team (JMT). The JMT consists of ten (10) team members with participants from grades 6th - 12th and one young adult. The JMT was developed for the expressed purpose of providing a platform for the teens' ideas and concepts to be heard. The JMT will be an intricate part of the following upcoming community service effort:

Neighborhood Clean-up

May 21, 2011

9am-1pm

Community Partners 

 

Clean Memphis, Memphis City Beautiful, Zeta Phi Beta, Southeast Neighborhood Partnership (which includes Latino Memphis), BANA - Burlington Neighborhood Association, Colonial Acres Neighborhood Association, Harvest Knoll Neighborhood


The JMT participated in the first church wide marketing meeting and gave some excellent ideas about various items they would like to see sold in our bookstore. The JMT is currently working on the following items:
o Developing ideas and concepts for the GO GREEN initiative
o Designing a (t-shirt and possibly key chain as a fundraiser) with a portion of the proceeds going to Clean Memphis, our partner in the Neighborhood Clean-up on May 21st.

We would like to thank everyone for their continuous support of the E3 Youth Ministry and the Junior Marketing Team.

 

 

 

 

 

On the Move

Men's Ministry

 

The primary goal of Men's Ministry for this year is to bring the men back to church. We will place a heavy concentration on "reaching out to extend a hand" of encouragement and guidance to let them know that no matter what, Jesus is still with them and He is greater than any situation they may be enduring. There is a large epidemic of men in the church who are not in the church.

One way to accomplish this is through the assignment of site coordinators. The men of God are in place to ensure that the information regarding the Men's Ministry is adequately distributed to every man every time. The Morning Glory Coordinator (8am) is Elder Terrence Houston; Mid-Morning Worship Coordinator (10am) is Elder Corey Knight; the North Location Coordinator is Elder Travis Copeland.

Men's Ministry provides an opportunity for brothers to serve, understanding that it's not about what's in one's wallet but what's on the mind. There are a number of activities, events and fellowship opportunities available in Men's Ministry. Our plan is to create an atmosphere for out of the norm ideas and concepts to flow. The Men's Ministry will blend with other ministries in our church to launch several unprecedented, new initiatives. We will conduct our first Strong Connection but this year we will invite the women for a 'real talk' session entitled "When the Head Turns Around ". Additionally, this summer in conjunction with the Youth Department, the Men's Ministry will initiate a Boot Camp for teenage boys.

In order for us to do effective ministry, men are required to put their hands to the plow to help make things work and operate smoothly. Contact a site coordinator, elder or deacon to get involved in Men's Ministry. Once a man has been brought into this area of ministry, his life will never be the same.

Ministry Tidbit

Fashionable Women in Hats Luncheon

The Greater Community Temple Scholarship Ministry will host a luncheon on Saturday, May 7th at 11am in the Ida M. Porter Fellowship Hall. The women of Memphis are invited to come out in their glorious hats and take the 'Women of the Bible' quiz, hear three speakers minister about the power "Under the Hat" and see an array of beautiful hats. England is not alone in their love for hats; neither are the women who grace the tracks of the Kentucky Derby. But none can be compared to the women of the church who adorn their hats so much more beautifully. Psalms 139:14 says; I praise you; [because] I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

Tickets go on sale April 1st and will be available at both locations. Get your tickets quickly at only $10 per person. Yes, men are invited too. For additional information regarding this event, please contact lindabolden@hotmail.com.

This event helps the Scholarship program raise funds for deserving students. Remember we cannot be successful without you. We expect to have a wonderful time.

Money Matters

God's anointing for your finances

 


Having a clear understanding of how anointing and finances work together is a key concept for anyone who handles money. The importance of having an anointing stems from the process one experiences when they learn how to manage their finances. God's anointing guides us in all things: 1 John 2:27 "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him". This passage of scripture clearly indicates the teaching process associated with being anointed. Even though we all learned how to count pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollar bills in elementary school, the knowledge of being able to correctly distribute the money we have earned comes from the Lord.

It is God who imparts wisdom which helps us make the right decisions when allocating our finances. Dictionary.com defines anointing as "to dedicate to the service of God". This definition, like the scripture above, further illustrates the relationship that exists between God, anointing and service. When we serve God fully [with our whole hearts] the process of paying off debt is no longer difficult. Trips to the casino cease and the purchase of lottery tickets also comes to a screeching halt, freeing up money to pay those who are owed. Wasteful spending on things like the new Air Jordan's also ends and a pair of Keds or K'Swiss becomes sufficient. If we have no money left over after paying tithes, giving an offering and paying all of the current month's bills, it's ok because we understand with God's anointing we have successfully completed our financial responsibilities.

The chorus of one song says "anointing, fall on me; anointing fall on me; let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me; anointing fall on me". If we pray for a financial anointing that coincides with our spiritual anointing, God will continually teach us the process of proper financial management. Anointing, service and teaching are related and each should be considered individually and collectively before financial decisions are made. Let's keep the anointing God provides in line with everything He has for us.


 Tamara Smith
 Contributing Writer

 

Monthly Emphasis: Anointing

Luke 4:18

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

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