Joshua`s Journal Fall 2005

Reid
Temple
Christian
Academy
Opens!
Building
Kingdom Ministry
Community-Wide Revival
Sowing a Seed:
$100,000 in Scholarships Awarded
Joshua’s Journal
Contents
Have Faith
In
God
Fall 2005
Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington
Senior Pastor
Reid Temple
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Matthew Watley
4-5
Rev. David Clark
6-8
Executive Minister
11400 Glenn Dale Blvd.
Glenn Dale, MD 20769
Director of Ministries and Outreach
(301) 352-0320
Youth Minister
www.reidtemple.org
Rev. Cary James
Joshua’s Journal - A Reid Temple A.M.E. Church Publication
from the Commission on Public Relations
Editor-in-Chief: Sandra L. Thompson, Public Relations Commissioner
Opportunities for Worship
Sunday Morning
7:30 AM
10:30 AM
Sunday Evening
6:00 PM
Church School
9:15 AM
Holy Communion
1st Sunday
Baptism
2nd Sunday
Ministry of Instruction
Bible Study Classes for
Adults and Youth
Wednesday
7:00 PM
On the Front and Back Covers:
It’s the 1st day of school at the Reid Temple Christian
Academy. Photographs by Clifton Hoffler.
Editorial Staff: Janice Aycox and Sandra Daniel
IT/Graphics Staff: Vernon Jones, Jr. and Camille Chapman
Feel free to send your comments, suggestions and submissions, etc.
to: [email protected].
You may also place any correspondence in the Public Relations mailbox
addressed to the attention of Joshua’s Journal.
The Editorial Staff of Joshua’s Journal reserves the right to edit and/or
change a portion or exclude in its entirety any written or photographic
submissions due to space constraints or if it is determined to be contrary to
the mission and purpose of Reid Temple A.M.E. Church.
Copyright is pending. All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine
cannot be used or reproduced without written consent.
School’s In Session:
The Manifestation of A Vision
Preschooler Tackles First Day at Reid Temple
Christian Academy
Reid Temple Scholarships:
11
After the Storm:
12-13
Sleep & Health:
14-15
Reid Temple’s Annual Picnic Extravaganza
16-19
2005 Community-Wide Revival
Building Kingdom Ministry
Staff Photographers: Danita Delaney and Clifton Hoffler
Editorial Note: Joshua’s Journal aims to provide all members of
Reid Temple A.M.E. Church with an opportunity to convey scriptural
interpretation; to report on events and activities of the church; and to share
their unique gifts of creative writing. The views and opinions expressed by
columnists, staff and contributing writers are based on their knowledge and
personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington A Perspective On Change
9-10
Layout and Design: Scheré Johnson-Jordan
Staff Writers & Columnists: Lauren Phelps,
Nekeya O’Connor, Rev. Dr. Glenda Hodges,
Shawn Jones and Dewayne Washington
From the Pastor:
Twenty Students Blessed Through Record Giving in
Scholarship Program
Dana Clark Shares Her Hurricane Katrina Story
It’s Back to School Time – Are You Getting
Enough Sleep
Revivalist Rev. Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr.
2005 Community-Wide Youth Revival
Revivalist Rev. William Lee
20
Evangelism and Outreach:
21
I Am A Role Model:
22-23
Brothers In Arms:
24-25
And Now I See:
26
Creative Mortgage Products: Option Arms
27
School Time Tips:
Men of God Moving Out – The Master’s Touch
Showing Others the Way to Jesus Christ
Reflections of War: A Mother’s Story
Theater Arts Ministry Formed to Glorify God
Sound Advice to Make Your School Year Successful
2.
:
A Perspective On Change
During my two decades plus of serving as pastor, I have concluded one of the
hardest challenges in the life of the local church is to implement positive change.
Because it is my nature to be analytical, I have sought to get a basic understanding
as to why there exists such strong resistance to innovation and basic improvement.
My quest for answers took me back to my undergraduate studies in Behavior
and Social Science. From there I tried to integrate concepts learned from a course
titled, “People and Organization” with my experiences as pastor in several
congregations. Perhaps I should emphasize “Black Churches” because I think the structure and nature of this institution
warrants distinction at times beyond any social
scientific definition.
1.
In this article, I want to share some of my personal
pastoral observations. The structure of a church can
be as fragile as a house of cards, especially when you
are trying to implement change. But if you understand
why church members are resistant to change, you can be
successful at making the church a house of change.
As Black Folk, We are
Guardians of Traditions.
A part of our black self-identity is to
preserve the past, namely the ageless Church
traditions. That is not a bad thing. However, some of the
traditions have been handed down without any explanation
or understanding. Don’t be surprised if you hear in the
course of your church attendance, “We do this a certain way
because that is how Brother or Sister Jones used to do it.”
When you ask the question why did Brother or Sister Jones
do it that way, you are considered a radical or rebellious.
But remember this is the information age, and inquiring
minds simply want to know.
One might assume that because the church is in the
life transformation and conversion business, it would
also be adept at implementing organizational changes.
Unfortunately, quite the opposite is true.
If you study the psychology of change, you find
that people respond to innovation at differing rates.
Approximately 80 percent of people don’t look kindly at
change. Similarly, different types of organizations adapt
to changes at different rates. Among the slower types are
education, government, churches and denominations. I
have concluded there are reasons why the church tends
to be on the slower side of processing innovations. If you
ignore these organizational characteristics by assuming
that the people are faithless, carnal, or backward, you will
do little to move the congregation forward. Pastors and
leaders need to understand the idiosyncrasies of church
folk to minimize their avoidance of change and maximize
their strengths toward new things.
The challenge is in discerning between an eternal principle
and a familiar form. Distinguishing culture from
concepts, form from essence, and message from methods
is very difficult, especially when they are interlaced in
our black experience. The process becomes far more
emotional than intellectual—or even spiritual. Because
we do exist in part to preserve our African-American
religious heritage and to perpetuate the truths of Christ to
forthcoming generations, we inevitably confuse truth with
culture and thus strive to continue both sometimes losing
the former in the process. Bucking outside influences
that seek to compromise our message is valid, but in the
process we often reject ideas that would make us more
effective in communicating the message.
In this discussion, I want to share with you four reasons
why I believe the local church tends to adopt new ideas
more slowly than other organizations.
Black Church Business
Environment and Emotions
Our corporate goals in the Black
Church are primarily intangible.
We don’t manufacture widgets or sell our services.
The thing about Black Church life is that we
operate corporately—at least to a certain degree
to be good stewards - but we emote like family.
For example, if an employee isn’t doing their job
in the marketplace, a boss will more than likely
fire him/her. Typically you can’t do this in the
church without a lot of emotional bloodletting.
What is a non-issue in business and corporate life
can become a huge emotional ordeal in church
life. Change can often impact family life. When
emotions enter into the picture, improvement
ideas can become very messy and potentially
lethal when taken in large doses. Bottom line
is - we don’t want to rock the boat or step on
anyone’s feelings because it is too emotionally
laden; therefore, effective and efficient
accomplishment in a position is neutralized or
eroded through emotional affiliation.
4.
3.
Maintenance Mentality
Supercedes Ministry
Businesses have a very clear-cut
bottom line: profit. “How did
we do at the end of the last quarter or last fiscal
year?” Churches measure attendance and finances,
but our bottom lines are much more ambiguous.
How do we know if people are growing spiritually?
Our goals are far less tangible, even though more
important. The longer a church has been in
existence, the more its resources go toward its
own preservation rather than toward outreach
and evangelism. Our tendency is to design
ministries that meet our own needs as opposed
to the needs of those who have not yet entered
the kingdom. Thus a perceived need to change
what we are doing becomes potentially subjective,
controversial, and up for debate. Because we don’t
have stockholders who read detailed quarterly
reports, we are less clear on how we are doing in
reaching organizational goals.
Change Challenges at
Work and Church
People who wrestle with the stress of change and innovation Monday through
Friday and sometimes Saturday and Sunday as well—long for a place of tranquility.
Unfortunately, many of the change issues at work are very similar to organizational improvement
issues within the church. The last thing many of these stress-laden people want to do is struggle
with these issues on their day off. When several things in life are in transition, stress feels
overwhelming. Profit driven organizations know in order to survive they must improve. Churches
therefore, become the designated safe zones where change weary people can settle in and avoid the
stress of an ever-changing world. Like a hot tub at the end of a tough day, attendees anticipate the
unchanging nature of many churches.
The four observations I have shared are in no way absolute when it comes to change. The point of
the discussion is to provide flames of hope for those involved in the challenging process of change.
There are times when one can grow weary from pushing improvement ideas forward. Nevertheless,
be encouraged because reading this will help you understand more clearly what you are up against.
Hopefully, this article has helped you move forward and provided you with some common rationale
behind the difficulty we call change.
In an effort to meet its commitment
to help students succeed, the Academy
recruited a highly qualified staff.
Currently, 63% of the Academy’s staff
holds an advanced degree. Four of the
six classroom teachers, have teaching
certifications. To God be the glory,
the Academy was able to hire three
male Christian teachers. All of the
teachers have professed Jesus Christ as
their personal Lord and Savior and are
committed to teaching and modeling
a life worthy of God’s calling to their
students.
By Camille Chapman
Photography by Clifton Hoffler
O
n Monday, August 22,
2005, Reid Temple
Christian Academy
(The Academy) opened its
doors for the first day of school.
This was a much anticipated
event in the life of the Reid
Temple Family. The Academy
was no longer a concept on
paper but the manifestation
of God’s vision set forth years ago
by Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington. As a
result of the unwavering commitment
of Dr. Dais who worked tirelessly with
the Reid Temple Educational Focus
Group and Rev. Matthew Watley,
Executive Minister, the Academy
began its journey.
The Academy’s enrollment consists
of 61 students in pre-kindergarten
through second grade. Every year,
one academic grade will be added
until the school serves students in
Pre-Kindergarten to Eighth Grade.
Currently, more than 80% of the
students are male. The parents of
many of the young men attending the
Academy expressed similar reasons for
enrolling their children:
• A belief that public school systems
do not sufficiently meet the needs
of African American males
• A desire for a more structured
Christian environment
• A desire for higher quality
education
The Academy is committed to
providing a holistic Christian
education which ministers to the
whole child—body, mind and spirit
through the development of biblicallybased values, promotion of intellectual
curiosity, and reinforcement of cultural
awareness and social responsibility.
The Academy encourages its students
to engage in continual self-evaluation
and reflection to equip them for a life
of service to God and commitment to
their fellow man.
The pedagogical approach used is
based on the tenet that knowledge is
constructed rather than transmitted.
Students are provided opportunities
to use their prior knowledge and
experiences in school and to
apply the new knowledge and
experiences they obtain in school
in their daily lives. Students are
allowed to work collaboratively
to improve self-esteem, increase
persistence to achieve, develop
social relationships, enhance
listening skills, and improve
willingness to share ideas.
The Academy’s director, Dr. Donnette
T. Dais holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics
Education and an Administration I
Certification from the University of
Maryland College Park. She began her
career as a teacher in the Montgomery
County School System teaching middle
school mathematics. In an effort
to decrease after school delinquent
behaviors, Dr. Dais developed and
implemented the Challenge Grant
After School Program that offered
tutorial, enrichment and intramural
sport activities to more than 300
students. She also served as a research
assistant with the National Science
Foundation providing curriculum,
assessment, and professional
development for the Baltimore City
Public School System to improve the
teaching and learning of mathematics.
She later worked as an adjunct
professor at the University of Maryland
and a teacher trainer with McGraw
Hill until Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington
commissioned her to be the catalyst
God would use to bring His vision to
fruition. The road that the Lord has
allowed Dr. Dais to travel has prepared
her “for such a time as this.”
The Academy’s five year plan includes
the following elements:
• Achieve dual accreditation from
Middle States Association of Colleges
and Schools and the Association of
Christian Schools International
• Provide before and after school
programs for students of the
Academy and the surrounding
communities
• Develop a learning center for
children ages six weeks to three
years old
• Increase scholarship offerings
• Establish a Saturday academy for
students from the surrounding
communities
• Create educational partnerships
with local colleges and technology
firms
• Continue to support the
community through mission
activities
The Reid Temple Family supports
the Academy through their prayers
and their tithes and offerings. In
a time where educational funding
has not grown to meet the needs
of our changing society, Reid
Temple A.M.E. Church
has allowed the Academy
to become trail blazers
in its commitment
to excellence,
recruitment power,
curricular selection,
technology
acquisition, and
implementation of
visual arts, music,
foreign language,
library, and physical
education programs
too often eliminated by
other institutions due
to budget constraints.
When asked how else the
Reid Temple Family could support
the Academy, Dr. Dais suggested the
following:
• Technological mentors to
members of the Academy’s
faculty and staff
• Volunteers (reading buddy, tutor,
ESL supporter, office aide)
• Corporate partners
Everyday begins with
Chapel taught by Rev. Cary
James. Chapel provides an
opportunity for every class to
lead devotions through prayer,
songs, and skits. Rev. James peaks
students’ attention and increases
their spiritual knowledge through
riveting object lessons where he uses
common items to relay spiritual
truths.
A
s you walk the halls
of the Academy you
cannot help but sense
the excitement everyone is
feeling. The students adorned
in their wonderful uniforms
give you a sense of nostalgia
as the memories of your
school days come back all at
once. But as you walk into
their classrooms, this is not
your old classroom. Yes, the
place is alive with pictures,
art work, classroom libraries,
Smart boards, computers,
leap frog personal learning
devices, and many other
educational tools needed to
enhance learning. The science
lab is equipped with all of
the equipment needed to
teach Earth Science, Physical
Science, Chemistry, Biology,
and Physics to elementary
students. There is an Art
room, Music room, and a
wonderful school library.
Even recess time is not just
limited to jumping rope
and playing kick ball. The
Academy’s own playground
identified by Game Time as
one of the best playgrounds
in Prince George’s County
includes multiple swings,
slides, physical challenge
equipment and a climbing
wall. The Academy definitely
has all of the components
needed to educate a child—
body, mind, and spirit.
The graduates of Reid
Temple Christian Academy
will be successful citizens,
missionaries, and witnesses to
the power of God.
For more information
regarding Reid Temple
Christian Academy, visit
www.reidtempleacademy.com
or contact the Academy office
at (301) 860-6570.
Pre-Schooler
Tackles First
Day at
Reid Temple
Christian
Academy
By Gwen Vample
Photography by Clifton Hoffler
By Sharon L. Ricks
Photography by Clifton Hoffler
take home nice things like
a LeapPad Learning System
to help her learn to read
and a music box filled with
activities.
Nothing and no one could make
Tyler Ricks smile that Monday
morning when she rolled her pink
backpack across the long parking lot
on her way to Reid Temple Academy.
She was drowning in her too-long
jumper and insisting on holding her
own stuff. It was clear that this fouryear-old wasn’t a baby anymore. She
was ready for serious business, and
from the look on her face, it seemed
as though she were preparing to face
her own little Goliath.
Tyler had been in other pre-schools
before, but this one was very different.
She had real school supplies, a
uniform, and her very own lunch bag.
She would learn religion, language
arts, social studies, physical education,
Spanish, music, library science and
art. She would have homework and
go to chapel, and she would get to
She glanced at her name on
the door of the Abraham
and Sarah classroom,
marched inside, and literally froze
in the middle of the room. Luckily,
the librarian sensed her distress and
sprang into action. She grasped
Tyler by her hand, smiled at her and
showed her where to leave her pink
backpack. As I left, Tyler found the
seat with her name on it. That day,
she colored, listened to stories, and
met a new friend. She ate lunch, had
recess, took a nap, and sang songs.
By the end of the day, as I peaked
through the classroom window, I
didn’t see the frozen statue that I had
left that morning. She had warmed
to room temperature, and she was
smiling. It wasn’t a big smile, but it
was enough for me to know that her
Goliath had been conquered, that
she was comfortable, and that Reid
Temple Christian Academy was the
place for her to be.
An often-quoted scripture says: “For
everyone to whom much is given,
from him much will be required; and
to whom much has been committed,
of him they will ask the more” (Luke
12:48b). Having been given much
over the last year — from greater
spiritual blessings to a grand church
edifice -- Reid Temple has chosen not
to just store up its “crops”, rather, it
has given back even more in many
ways, including our youth, the future
of the church.
On Sunday, August 7th, 20
high school graduates received
approximately $100,000 through
the Reid Temple AME Church
Scholarship Program. To apply
for this scholarship, students were
required to be members of Reid
Temple, they had to submit their SAT
scores and grades, and write an essay.
The evaluation also considered the
students’ level of involvement in the
church and community.
During the awards ceremony,
the proud scholarship recipients
— as well as recipients of the Lee
P. Washington Book Scholarship
— lined up across the altar. The
congregation viewed a video from
the Reid Temple Scholarship
Committee where the Committee
congratulated the recipients for their
scholastic endeavors and church and
community work. They thanked
Pastor Washington for his vision and
commitment, as well as the church
for its support. The Committee then
asked the congregation to pray for
20 Students Blessed Through Record Giving in
Scholarship Program
and support the young people, who are the church’s future. Each recipient then
shared a little bit about themselves and their future goals, and thanked the
church for their award. Pastor Washington personally presented the scholarship
awards to each student, and requested that each parent also stand as his or her
child received their award.
Pastor Washington strongly emphasized during the ceremony that, “Our
church is an investor — not a consumer as many n the black community
are portrayed. Reid Temple has invested in its young people through the
scholarship program for many years. This was readily apparent at the 10:30
service when Pastor Washington asked past recipients to stand. Award
recipients also received a Reid Temple backpack to carry around campus. At
the close of the ceremony, Pastor Washington thanked the church and the
community. A reception was held in the fellowship hall for the recipients
after the 10:30 service, which gave the entire congregation the opportunity to
personally congratulate the awardees on their achievements.
The community at large learned of the scholarship program, the students’
accomplishments and the awards through articles in the Washington Post,
Bowie Blade and the Prince Georges County Gazette. When the program
first began, monetary donations were made in remembrance of deceased
family members. Over time, the financial resources for the program came
solely through tithes and offerings. In recent years — including last year
— Reid Temple awarded approximately $50,000 in scholarships.
This year, Pastor Washington
and the scholarship committee
doubled that amount.
Malachi 3:10 says that the
Lord will “pour out so much
blessing that you will not have
room enough for it” if we just
bring the “whole tithe into the
storehouse.” The Reid Temple
scholarship program is just one
example of how our obedience
to God’s Word allows us to
greatly bless others — not just in
financial terms, but also through
a ministry of supporting the
dreams, goals and talents of our
young people.
The Scholarship Committee – Dorcas Hart,
Joe Smith and Katherine Fisher
Scholarship Recipients
Walter Charles – $7,000
North Carolina A&T State University
Christina Jenifer – $2,000
Salisbury University
Dana Clark – $10,000
Xavier University
Emmanuel Johnson – $9.000
Frostburg State University
Kevan Creppy – $5,000
Bethune Cookman College
Linda Johnson – $7,000
Salisbury University
Jessica Dailey – $5,000
University of MD Eastern Shore
James Mobley – $5,000
North Carolina A&T State University
Marita Gethers – $9,000
Barry University
Jacqueline Payne – $5,000
University of Maryland
Brian Gibson – $3,000
Montgomery College
Tanea Richardson – $3,000
Virginia State University
Tia Higgins – $5,000
Howard University
Janeen Thomas – $3,000
University of Maryland
Janai Jackson – $3,000
Johnson C. Smith University
Tiffany Waldon – $2,000
Spelman College
Kevin Jackson, Jr. – $5,000
Pennsylvania State University
Andre D. Warner – $3,000
North Carolina A&T State University
Joshua James – $1,000
Morgan State University
Jayna White – $3,000
Howard University
James and Sheila Mobley:
Reid Temple not only provides us
with our spiritual needs but has taken
the time to love, support and invest
financially in the lives of our children.
Rene Warner:
I am truly inspired by our young
people. This is just the beginning
for them; God has so much more in
store for those who are faithful.
James R. Mobley:
I am blessed to have my church along
with my own family standing with me
and giving me the added confidence
and support I need to be successful.
Andre Warner:
Reid Temple has helped me grow
from a little boy to a young man
on a path to success. I am so
appreciative of all that has been done
for me.
Reverends David and Patricia Clark:
This is a modern day example of a
community; the church community
coming together to help raise and
empower our children to step into
their purpose and destiny.
Brenda Richardson:
I am prayerful that this scholarship
will give my daughter, and the other
recipients, strength in the knowledge
that God and their church are
behind them all the way.
Dana J. Clark:
I am extremely grateful to God for
his blessings and to my Reid Temple
family. I personally want to thank
Pastor Washington for his awesome
support of the young people!
Tanea Richardson:
Receiving a scholarship from Reid
Temple made me feel like my church
family is truly invested in my future.
I am forever grateful.
10
W
hen describing the process of leaving your high school years behind and moving on
to college, the word transition is an understatement. Yet, I was ready. Filled with
anticipation and great expectations, I arrived at Xavier University of Louisiana, settled
in and prepared to become a productive member of the freshman class. It wasn’t long
before all of the best-made plans went awry.
Hurricane Katrina was on her way to wreak havoc on us. We were warned to evacuate the city as soon
as possible. I evacuated New Orleans the Sunday before the hurricane made landfall. My flight left New
Orleans at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. The airport was beyond crowded. I flew from New Orleans, to
Memphis, to Atlanta, and finally to Baltimore. I thank God for allowing me to get out of the city safely!!
However, over four hundred students stayed on Xavier’s campus and rode the storm out and were evacuated
the next week.
Under the power of unrelenting winds, Hurricane Katrina ripped, roared, and rained throughout parts of
the gulf state region causing massive damage primarily from floodwaters. Xavier was hit pretty badly by the
hurricane. Our website wrote the following, “By any measure, Katrina dealt the University a staggering
blow while sparing “varying” parts of New Orleans otherwise.” Buildings on campus took on 4 to 6
feet of water leaving behind mildew and mold which carry with it serious health concerns. The Central
Plant was destroyed and books, furniture and equipment were ruined. The long process of restoration is
now underway.
While I await the re-opening of Xavier University, I am attending the University of Maryland College Park
where I’ve met other students who also evacuated and are waiting for the re-opening of Tulane University,
which is also located in New Orleans. Many of the students in my classes know that I attend Xavier.
However, due to the large campus, most of the students are
unaware of my situation. I have been received very well at the
University of Maryland. The faculty and staff have been very
accepting. They have also taken a lot of precious time to help
me get adjusted to the campus.
Xavier University of Louisiana plans to re-open on January
17, 2006. Xavier will complete two terms between January
17th and mid-August with a short break between semesters.
The beginning of the fall 2006-2007 academic year will be
postponed to as late as mid-September to allow everyone to
catch their breath. I am definitely returning to Xavier in the
spring!! As Xavier’s Student Government Association President
stated, “there’s no place like home.”
11
get out of bed in the morning, falling asleep while watching
television, nodding off while attempting to complete
homework assignments or constantly exhibiting “sleepiness
behavior,” you might conclude that you are sleep deprived.
There are a number of things that might interfere with your
sleep, including restlessness, physical discomfort, excessive
consumption of liquids and sleep apnea. We should also
add to this list those things that teenagers enjoy such
as talking on the telephone, after school activities and
watching late-night television.
© Caitlin Cahill, Dreamstime.com
It’s Back to School Time – Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
By Rev. Dr. Glenda Hodges
It is estimated that approximately 17 million Americans have sleep apnea, a condition
characterized by brief interruptions of breathing caused by obstruction of the airflow to the
lungs. This condition can occur hundreds of times during the night while you are attempting
to sleep. It can lead to daytime fatigue, lapses in memory and general irritability. It may
lower the blood oxygen levels, strain the cardiovascular system, induce strokes and cause heart
problems. Research has indicated that sleep apnea and other sleep problems are very common
in teenagers and scientists are conducting more and more studies to determine why pre-teens
and especially teens, cannot seem to get enough sleep. As such, this article addresses our pre-teen and teenage population’s
“sleep problem” and the connection between necessary sleep and good health.
Nearly every parent with teens has probably heard the
following scenario: “Mom, why do I have to go to bed so
early? It’s only 10:00 p.m. I can’t get to sleep this early. This
is the time that 9 and 10 year olds go to bed. I’m 16 so I
should get to stay up later.” Consider this exchange: “Dad,
why do I have to get up now? It’s only 6:30 a.m. Please let
me sleep. I didn’t really close my eyes until 2 a.m. I’m just
too tired to go to school today. I really just need about 3
more hours of sleep!”
Why do teenagers have difficulty falling asleep on school
nights and then difficulty awakening on school mornings?
What accounts for the fact that so many teenagers are
sleepy in morning classes? Is it that they are asserting their
independence, rebelling against authority or merely being
obstinate? Could it be that there are medical reasons that
explain why teenagers have difficulty falling asleep at a
“reasonable” hour and awakening early enough to start
their day on time?
Researchers at Stanford University in the late 1970s did a
series of sleep experiments on children attending the Stanford
Summer Sleep Camp. They studied the sleep patterns of preteens and teens. They concluded that pre-teens, between the
ages of 9-12 are typically able to maintain excellent daytime
alertness with 9 to 10 hours of sleep per night. However,
teens included in their study provided interesting data.
The average teenager gets about 6 to 7 hours of sleep per
night. Under these circumstances, studies indicate that they
demonstrate significant sleepiness in the daytime. Teenagers
who get less than 6 hours often exhibit severe sleepiness akin
to persons with narcolepsy, a disease characterized by extreme
sleepiness requiring multiple naps.
More recent studies that have examined teenagers and
their sleep cycles have indicated that sleepiness affects
memory retention. Further, these studies indicate that
teenagers are falling asleep while attending classes, sitting,
reading and even driving.
They are the sleepiest members of society and this sleepiness
has been associated with poor school performance, increased
drug and alcohol use and increased automobile accidents.
The conclusion of these studies indicate that teenagers require
more sleep, by 1 to 2 hours, than do their younger 9 and 10
year old counterparts, yet most teenagers get 1 to 2 hours less
sleep than they actually require.
Facts You Should Know About Sleep
While you are sleeping, your body renews itself. Your red
blood cells are rejuvenated and your senses are recharged
and refreshed. Sleep affects your energy level and helps
promote good health. It supports your immune system
so that you can effectively fight off diseases. Ultimately it
improves your alertness and concentration. Quite often the
question is asked, “How much sleep do I need?” Individual
sleep needs may vary but the average teenager needs
approximately 9-10 hours of sleep per night. Contrary to
the opinion of many, the need to sleep does not diminish
with age, only the ability to get it!
How can you tell if you lack sleep? If you are struggling to
12
Of serious consequence is the manner in which sleepiness
affects young persons who are newly licensed. Recent studies
suggest that driving tired accounts for 8-10% of all car
crashes. Young people 25 years old or less account for 55%
of these crashes. The peak age for tiredness related crashes is
18 years of age. The decreased alertness, slower reaction time
and poorer judgment that occur in teenagers who have had
insufficient or poor sleep literally set the stage for an accident.
Paying attention to the teenager’s sleep can prevent some of
the circumstances that cause these accidents.
One of the crucial issues that affect the teenager’s sleep cycle
is the “timing of the biological clock.” This is the part of
the brain that keeps all the bodily functions synchronized; it
helps you determine when you feel sleepy and when you feel
wide awake. In addition, the biological clock helps us adjust
to the rotation of the earth around the sun. That is why we
feel sleepy (and are able to sleep) when it is dark outside, and
feel awake (and are able to be awake) when the sun is shining.
When pre-teens become adolescents, their bodies experience
numerous physiological and psychological changes. Stated
differently, their biological clock changes its settings. This
fact helps to explain why most teenagers resist an 8:00 or 9:00
p.m. bedtime; the onset of adolescence has delayed the sense
of sleep until later hours.
worrying about some of them is natural to the process of
maturing. If left unchecked, these pains of growing may turn
into feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness and ultimately
challenge the teenager’s mental health. Tired teens who are
sleep deprived are unable to appreciate the higher level of
brain functioning that accompanies the “well rested” body.
It is more difficult for them to remain energized, positive
and make good decisions. They cannot be their best because
the body is not at its best. Ironically, insufficient sleep in
some teenagers has often been misdiagnosed and treated as
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Before
concluding that your teenager who is sometimes irritable
and/or edgy is suffering from ADHD, it is recommended
that you simply permit him/her to go to bed! Make sure
that you discuss your teenager’s sleep patterns with the
treating pediatrician in order to ensure that any diagnosis is as
conclusive as is medically possible.
Sufficient sleep is good for your overall health and it is crucial
to the development of your mental health. It is one part
of a healthy lifestyle. Similar to eating well and exercising
regularly, it is necessary in order to take smart steps to a
healthier future. Just as you plan your class schedule and
your daily activities, plan your sleep time. If you are aware
that your body is not getting sufficient sleep, begin to
realistically modify your schedule so that you will not become
sleep deprived. The teenage years are precious times; it is
during these times that life offers so many opportunities and
challenges that require undivided attention. Make sure that
your teenager gets the sleep necessary to seize the moments
of opportunities that life presents -- to do anything else is
detrimental to his/her health!
PopQUIZ
Sleep and Mental Health
When you are a teenager, life can be tough. These years are
filled with challenges and adventure as well as worries and
problems. We say it all the time, we hear it everywhere -- the
pre-teen and teenage years are very difficult for adolescents
and family members. These are the years when young people
begin to form their peer groups and transition into their
perceived independence. Amidst all of the other mounting
concerns that come with these years, sufficient sleep is
often overlooked as not so essential to the teenager’s wellbeing. It is not given the attention necessary to appreciate
and understand its role in the development of the teenager’s
mental health. Simply stated, mental health concerns how
you think, feel and act in order to face life’s situations. It
includes things like handling stress, relating to others and
making decisions. If the body is lacking in required rest
because of sleeplessness, the mental health concerns will be
ineffectively managed.
Many of the stresses of the teenage years are unavoidable and
Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
Take the following quiz by checking yes or no to each question.
Yes No
___ ___ 1. Do you easily fall asleep at inappropriate times
(i.e., at your desk, while studying, before dinner,
on public transportation)?
___ ___ 2. Do you often feel fatigued or depressed?
___ ___ 3. Do you lack the energy for activities in which you are
required to participate?
___ ___ 4. Do you routinely take more than half an hour to
fall asleep?
___ ___ 5. Do you snore a lot while sleeping?
___ ___ 6. Do you wake frequently during the night?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, your body
may be suffering from insufficient sleep. You might consider some
lifestyle changes that will permit your body to get the sleep it needs.
13
It was a day filled with fellowship, food, and fun for family and friends.
Photography by Clifton Hoffler
14
15
A Setup for a Comeback
The Mighty Men of Reid Temple Choir began the evening
by ushering in the presence of the Lord, and revered psalmist,
Rev. Douglas Miller, blessed us by ministering in song. Our
hearts and minds were instantaneously prepared to receive
what thus said the Lord through the anointed Rev. Dr.
Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr.
By Wanda L. Scott, Chandra Johnson and Renee Anne Edwards
Photography by Clifton Hoffler
You Just Don’t Know!
On the opening night of the Community Wide Revival, Rev. David
Clark kept the Spirit high as he encouraged the audience to “Praise
the Lord”. One of the selections that blessed us by The Combined
Voices Choir was a humming rendition of the unforgettable
spiritual Amazing Grace. The Reflections of God Dance Ministry
continued to usher our spirits higher with a beautiful worship-filled
dance to the song, “God is Here” by Martha Munizzi.
Rev. Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr.
Just when we thought worship was at its highest level, Rev.
Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., Senior Co-Pastor of Bethel
Baptist Institutional Church in Jacksonville, FL, brought an
invigorating, powerful Word from the Lord. The title of the
sermon was “I Am Sticking With God No Matter What”,
from Daniel 3:16-18. Rev. McKissick opened the sermon
with a profound statement that, “theologically you are in
a dangerous place when you think you have figured out
God”. We were reminded that God not only has the power
to do anything, He also has the prerogative. Essentially we
must understand that just because God has the power to do
something we want or ask for, does not mean that He has to
do it. It is God’s choice, and it is God’s will that will be done.
We were admonished that sometimes God decides not to do
things for our own good, or to teach us a lesson.
Rev. McKissick’s had three main points. He started by
stating that God needs to deliver you from dysfunctional
dependence. Shadrach, Meshach, and Ebed-Nego, were
dysfunctionally dependent on Daniel. Daniel always had
a Word from the Lord, and always knew exactly what they
should do. God wants us to have divine dependence on
Him, not on any man. In this chapter we see that they had
to lean on their own faith and understanding of the Lord,
without Daniel. Rev. McKissick then went on to explain
that God has divine resources for demonic response to your
Rev. Watley and Rev.Washington
Rev. David Clark
definitive resolution. We were warned not to ever think
that because we have made a definitive resolution of faith
that the enemy will leave us alone. The faith statement is
just the beginning of the testing the enemy will orchestrate,
as we go through the fiery trail. He ended by stating there
was a supreme Hallelujah moment, when God delivers
you, He will deliver you looking like you have not been
through anything! The congregation began to Praise the
Lord, telling their neighbor that “You Just Don’t Know
What I Have Been Through!”
16
The sermonic spotlight was on Luke 15:17-32. Most of us
were familiar with the story of the prodigal son that returned
home to his father after squandering all of his inheritance.
Rev. McKissick’s analysis of the text, however, called our
attention to several details that appropriately applied to the
evening’s sermon, “A Setup for a Comeback.”
Rev. McKissick admonished us to “be careful what you ask
for.” As with the father in the text, Rev. McKissick reminded
us that God loves us so much that sometimes he will give us
what he knows we cannot handle so that he can release us to
learn a lesson. The father knew that his son was not mature
enough to receive his portion of his inheritance but gave it to
him anyway. Just like the prodigal son, there are some lessons
that we have to learn through experience, not from revelation.
Even if it means falling on our face, God will sometimes
“release us to develop us.” He is not punishing us, but he is
“loving us enough to come to our own senses.”
“You Don’t Know Me Like
That.” Rev. McKissick used
Rev. Douglas Miller
his exegetical, analytical and
hermeneutical gifts to examine the scripture. He explained,
“To be barren means you’re doing what you are supposed to
do or what you need to do to produce what you want, but
you keep coming up with absolutely nothing.” He told us to
“give haters your hand and give your womb worship.” He also
said, “Become comfortable enough with yourself that you
don’t allow people to redefine your identity with their labels
about you. People label you in an effort to limit you.”
The revelation was revealed when Rev. McKissick showed us
in the text how the son finally came to his senses and decided
to return home to his father. He returned, as is, from the
pig’s pen – “funky, stinky, and dirty.” The father saw his son
coming, ran to greet him, met him where he was, and had his
servants bring the best robe to put on his son. Rev. McKissick
raised a good question when he asked, “why would anyone
put a clean robe on somebody that is “funky, stinky, and
dirty?” What we learned that night was that God, our father,
will meet us where we are, accept us just the way we are, and
like the father used the robe to cover his son, God will cover
our dirt, our sin, when we come to our senses and come
back home. Not only will God cover our sin, he will cover
our history. As Rev. McKissick pointed out, “Nobody knows
about the bones in our closet.” He added, “Sometimes you
have to learn how to praise over your progress. The enemy
will try to get you to wait on perfection.” We joined together
in shouting, “I’m not perfect but I made progress.” We
hugged three people and told them “Welcome home!”
Rev. McKissick was very intentional in illustrating his three
main points. The first point was “I will refuse to let you
come to an external indictment of me without performing
an internal investigation of me. Don’t judge me until you
check on me. Know my internal history before you make
external observations about my activity.” Secondly, “Don’t
deal with people who are unable to discern your distress.”
A “Due Season” Birth
Rev. Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., the powerhouse
preacher, operatic singer and homiletic teacher, closed out the
2005 Community-Wide Revival with a primetime delivery in
the sanctuary.
The text under introspection was I Samuel chapter 1 (The
Birth of Samuel to Hannah) with special emphasis on the
12th through the 20th verses. The sermon was entitled
Finally, “You’ve got to Trust Prophetically, Worship
Proleptically (Behave like you have already achieved your
goal), and Work Expectantly.” In order to break these down
and make them plain to us, Rev. McKissick expounded,
“Trust what the prophet speaks. The word of the preacher
was enough to change Hannah’s disposition. She went in
to the temple troubled and left with encouragement. Real
worship doesn’t wait to hear from God or to get a blessing
from God. Real worship is not about what you receive from
God, but about God’s nature. Participate in your anticipated
manifestation. You have to participate in the activity if you’re
going to claim your expectation. God opens wombs when
folk start to work. When you do what you can do, God will
do what He does with favor (everything that you can’t do
yourself and don’t deserve anyway). Get ready to do your
part. Get pregnant in the spirit. This is somebody’s due
season. You’ve been barren long enough.” With a sense of
urgency and expectancy, the people gathered at the altar to
receive their delivery and “to give birth to their dreams and
possibilities in their due season.” We were instructed to Praise
Until Something Happens – PUSH!!!
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generally four reasons why we sell God out.
• You’ll sell God out because you think what you’ll get is
worth selling Him out.
• You’ll sell God out by making decisions without putting
God in the picture.
• You’ll sell God out because you’re more afraid of what
other people will think than what God will think.
• You’ll sell God out because you’re not afraid of Him and
you don’t respect Him.
By Janice Aycox
Photography by Danita Delaney
Rev. William “Bill” Lee, Senior Minister to Youth
Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, MD
Living In Your Purpose
“If you really love God tonight, make some noise up in here!”
exclaimed Rev. Bill Lee as the first night of the Youth Revival
services commenced. The young people were challenged to
think about how they represent God. Check yourself. Are
you a 50% Christian—acting one way in the church and
another completely different way when you leave the church?
God is looking for 100% Christians who know and believe
that He has ordained a purpose for their lives.
Using the Message translation of the Bible, Rev. Lee
referenced Psalm 139:13-16 for his sermon titled “I Got
Purpose, You Got Purpose, We Got Purpose.” Rev. Lee
shared how difficult it is as a Youth Minister, observing young
people with so much potential and purpose but many times
they don’t realize or even believe it. This is true in schools,
communities, families and even our churches. Rev. Lee
imparted three points to enlighten and empower the youth.
• God’s Fingerprints Are On Me - God took His time
knitting us together. In order to knit something, you’ve
got to put your hands on it. In this life you can’t escape
other people leaving their prints on your life but you have
to remember that God put His prints on you first and
that supercedes everything.
• You Look Marvelous - So often people are quick to
make jokes and talk about you. No matter what you
look like, remember God does not make junk. If no one
else believes it, affirm yourself. Just say “I’m F.A.M.—
fearfully and wonderfully made!”
• Don’t Lose Your Secret Place - When you were in the
womb, God spoke to you letting you know just how
special you are. Once you were born, the devil began his
campaign trying to distract you from your purpose. Get
by yourself in your secret place where you can talk to
God and study His word. Have a womb experience.
When you understand your purpose, you’ll stop settling for
average status. You’ll want to attain and achieve the very best
God has for you. As Rev. Lee stated “You’re a King’s kid.”
Stand up and proclaim “I Got Purpose, You Got Purpose, We
Got Purpose!”
Jordan Garvin (age 9) – “We have a purpose and
can achieve anything. I learned that I should live like
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I can apply this
to my life because I can live a better life.”
Chanelle Hinton (age 13) – “We all have a purpose
on this earth. We need to be leaders not followers.
Young people need to stop being influenced by the
negative images we see in the media and by the
music we listen to.”
State Your Position
What would Jesus do? We have all heard or used this
question in topical discussions and also as a parameter for
making the right choices. On the second night of revival,
Rev. Bill Lee directed the youth to think about what
they would do if placed in compromising situations. He
wondered if they would sell God out and make a decision
based on convenience or popular consensus. The sermon
for the evening was titled “Are You Standing Up or Selling
Out?” referencing Daniel 3:4-6; 16-18; 27-28 (NIV).
Sometimes it can be easy to sell God out and compromise
your integrity especially if you think that no one will find out
or be hurt my your actions. Rev. Lee taught that there are
18
State your position. Are you trying to stand up for God or
will you sell Him out? Rev. Lee asked the young people, “If
you sell God out for small stuff how do you expect God to
bless you with the big stuff?” Using the story of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-Nego, Rev. Lee conveyed ways to solidify
our position and encourage us in our daily lives. When you
stand up for God:
• You’ve got to make it your lifestyle. Decide in your
mind that you’re going to do it God’s way, everyday.
Practice living the way God intended you to live. The
more you practice, the better you’ll get.
• You’ve got to understand—who’s your crew. Beware
of the company you keep. When you surround yourself
with folks that do dirt, eventually you will get dirty. Are
your friends for God or against God?
• God will stand up for you. God will never leave you.
He will stand with you. God will release you from some
stuff that the enemy tried to use to keep you bound.
God will give you the strength to stand strong in tough
situations.
Aaron Brown (age 15)
–“You have to beat your
own time. You can’t
look at others. They
may have stuff but no
substance.”
(Message translation) served as the scripture references. Rev.
Lee relayed, “Too many young people won’t run their race
because they are so concerned about what others will think or
say. You have to run your race.” In order to run your race:
• You’ve got to beat your time. Don’t compare yourself to
others. Examine yourself to identify your strengths and
weaknesses. Focus on making yourself better. God has
called you to be you. He has a race designed just for you.
• You’ve got to learn how to fall forward. There will be
times when you fall. Falling forward means you can still
look up ahead and see that you are still running the right
race. Don’t let your falls keep you down. They’re not
meant to break you. They’re meant to get you closer to
Jesus as you press toward the mark.
• You need to understand that you are not alone.
Sometimes it seems that you’re alone when you realize
that others have finished their race but remember God
will never leave you or forsake you. He will be there
with you.
Are you ready to make a decision? Will you stand up for
God? Consider the benefits. If you do what God tells you
to do, your friends will witness the blessings associated with
His will and way in your life. They’ll have to get with your
crew—God’s crew!
The Amazing Race
Picture it. The Olympic games have convened. The event
is the 110-meter hurdles. The call is made for the athletes
to take their position. The intensity is high as they await
that familiar sound. The starter’s pistol resounds and they’re
off. They clear the 1st hurdle, the 2nd, 3rd and then it
happens. One hurdler takes his eyes off his lane to glance at
the competition. He stumbles. That’s it. In the blink of an
eye it’s over. After what seemed like a lifetime of training and
preparation, that momentary lapse of focus cost him the race.
Without the proper mental and/or emotional conditioning,
his promise and hope for a successful career in track and field
could come to a halt that very day—but it doesn’t have to end
that way.
On the last night of revival, Rev. Bill Lee preached from the
subject “Run Your Race.” Galatians 6:4-5 and Hebrews 12:1-2
Rev. Cary James
You may have to run
your race during dark
and difficult times.
Rev. Lee exclaimed,
“Keep your eyes on
Jesus!” When you
feel like giving up or
giving in, keep the faith
and remember Jesus is
waiting at the finish line.
Stay on track—Run
your race!
19
By Robert Myers
Photography by Clifton Hoffler
On August 20, 2005, the Master’s
Touch Outreach Ministry held its
fourth annual revival at the Emery
House Men’s shelter. This year’s theme
was entitled: Men of GOD Moving
Out.” On the day of the revival, two
busloads of Reid Temple members
traveled to the shelter while singing
praises to the glory of GOD. In total,
more than 30 saints ministered during
the revival, including members of
Southern Baptist Praise and Worship
Center’s outreach ministry, which is
being mentored by Master’s Touch.
Brother James Mobley moved the
hearts and minds of those in attendance
through the ministry of song. Rev.
David Clark delivered the message
“I Ain’t Staying Here” from Luke 15:
11-23, which aptly complemented
the theme of the revival. During the
revival, five received salvation, five were
baptized and 75 meals were served.
The Master’s Touch Outreach Ministry
visits two locations on the third and
fourth Saturday of each month. The
first location is outside on the parking
lot of the Covenant House, located at
North Capital and New York Avenue
in Washington, D.C. At this location,
over 100 meals are served to the
homeless and disadvantaged people in
the surrounding neighborhoods. While
the meals are being served, members
sing praises to GOD, and minister
individually to those who come for the
meals. People often come for the food
but leave with salvation and/or prayer
Men of God Moving Out – The Master’s Touch
and a word of encouragement.
The second location is the Emery
House Men’s shelter where residents
receive food, prayer and worship as
well as a formal message. The thing
that makes the revival so special is
God’s announcement through his
theme of what he is about to do.
The Ministry fully expects GOD to
“Move Out” those who are obedient
to his commandments. Another
special moment of the revival is the
opportunity for those who have
accepted Jesus Christ to be baptized
right where they live, which is
reminiscent of the movement of the
20
early church. Several weeks have passed
since the revival and the men are still
glowing from the movement of GOD.
An official from Emery House recently
reported that one of the men who was
baptized really believes that he will not
continue to stay here.
By Lauren D. Phelps
Back in the early 1990s, former
basketball star Charles Barkley boldly
stated in a Nike commercial, “I am not
a role model.” He said this in response
to the growing number of athletes
and celebrities whose real lives didn’t
match up to the clean-cut images that
they portrayed on TV. And when he
said this, he wasn’t excluding himself
because he recognized that his real life
didn’t match up to his TV persona.
Needless to say, his statement
outraged a number of people. Mostly
because of the irresponsibility of the
statement, “I am not a role model.” People were livid
because they knew that despite his disclaimer, young
people still looked up to him.
For us as Christians, it would be equally irresponsible for us
to boast, “I am not a role model” because as those called to be
the light and salt of the world (Matthew 5:13-16), God calls
all of us to be role models. We are to be living, breathing
witnesses of God’s grace and love. We are supposed to
draw men and women to Christ by the example of our
lives. Therefore, we are to be exhibitors of the fruit of the
Spirit. Remember those—love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol (Galatians 5:22-23). We possess the Holy Spirit
so we must demonstrate it by our walks—because we have
been called to be role models. We can either draw people
to eternal life or lead them to eternal death. We can
cause others to leave or stumble in their faith walks. In
Romans 14:15, Paul recognized that the behavior of some
members caused other members to abandon their faith or
to stumble in their walks. He reminded the church that
Christ died for these that they were causing to stumble, and
he wanted them to recognize the weight of their actions.
We destroy the work of Christ when we fail to be the role
models that Christ called us to be. We have to acknowledge
the weight of our actions in the body of Christ. We cannot
let what we eat, drink, say, do, buy,
listen to, watch, wear, not wear, drive,
etc. destroy our brothers and sisters in
Christ. We work against our Lord and
Savior when we fail to be role models.
Jesus calls all of us to be role models.
The Bible says that we are supposed
to go out into the world and make
disciples. We make disciples by taking
responsibility for their lives and showing
them the way. We have to model to
them the lives that Christ taught us to
lead. We are role models. If you take a
close examination of the Epistles of Paul, you will see that
teaching others and imitating one another’s faith walk are
reoccurring themes. Paul gives the churches instructions
on how to live a holy life and actually demonstrated to
them how to live because to many of the churches he says,
“Live as I lived while I was among you.” He recognized
that he was a role model. He tells the older men to teach
the younger men, and he tells the older women to show
the younger women how to walk with Christ (Titus 2).
He taught the people how to be true disciples of Christ.
He recognized that God called him to be the keeper of his
brothers and sisters. Jesus says it this way, “If you truly love
me, feed my sheep. Take care of my sheep” (John 21:15-17).
We take care of one another by showing each other the way,
the truth, and the light. We take care of each other by being
role models.
No matter how young or old you are, you are a role model.
You’re either modeling the path to life or you’re modeling
the path to death. No longer can we ignore how our actions
affect others and boast, “I’m not hurting anybody. I’m not
a role model.” If in Christ Jesus, we are all members of
one body. Instead of following the teachings of Sir Charles
Barkley, let us follow the examples of Sir Paul, Sir Timothy,
Sir Peter, and Sirs Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and
declare, “I am a role model!” and let us all walk as such.
21
they took the oath, we began to realize that there was
always the possibility that they could be involved in
some type of combat or war.”
Reflections of
War: A Mother’s Story
By Lauren D. Phelps
and Dewayne Washington
“You will hear of wars and rumors
of wars, but see to it that you are
not alarmed. Such things must
happen, but the end is still to
come,” Matthew 24:6 (NIV). So,
what would be your response if it
were your family member that was
called to serve in a modern day war
zone? Can you even image yourself
being in that situation as many
other families have had to endure?
For Reid Temple member Ann
Swann, it was just that reality she
had to face when three of her own
were called to serve simultaneously
within the war torn country of
Iraq. The news came during a
devastating time for Ann. Within a
period of less than one year, Ann’s
mother was killed, about four
months later she buried her father
and during this tragic time her
three sons Brian, Ryan and Henry
received orders to deploy to Iraq.
In just 10 months, a household
of six was diminished to just one.
“Those nights (after my parents
died and while my sons were at
war) for a year and a half, that
was the first time in my entire life
that I had ever been alone! I’ve
always had my parents, my sons,
and a husband but now—I was
home alone. In times like these
you have to develop a relationship
with God. It was through my faith
22
that I was able to make it,” said
the elementary school principal.
She had not only to deal with
the death of her mother but also
those responsible for her death.
“The faith I have in God was the
real reason I was able to make it
through . . . I then asked God to give
me strength to give to my sons.”
Marines Brian and Ryan, and Army
soldier Henry volunteered to serve
their country as many have before
because of the many benefits the
military has to offer such as money
for college, travel, leadership skills
and more. Ann said she never
really thought about her sons being
called to war because of the many
previous years of peace. “But once
the death of my mother and my father, but He also
brought my sons back home unharmed. That is, in
itself, truly a miracle—(especially) for one person to
have so much tragedy going on at one time. It’s only
through God that you can get through that type of
tragedy. God is the only way,” said a rejoicing Ann.
Then reality struck home and Ann had to deal with
it, alone. She spoke of the emotional rollercoaster she
experienced while watching war coverage on television.
“Once my sons were there, I went through many
stages. When I would see it on TV, my first stage
would be relief that it wasn’t my sons or their units.
The next stage was tremendous grief for those other
parents because they had lost a child or a child had lost
a mother or father or some other loved one,” admitted
Ann. “Many times I would try to get through to them,
and I couldn’t. They would e-mail me, “Mom, we
just want to let you know we’re OK.” Seeing images
of young Americans carrying weapons of war strikes
a cord deep within you and you have to face the fact
of what they had to do. Many of the young men and
women who served are having difficulties, even my
own sons. There are some medical problems because
they had to wear the armor and it kind of shifts the
body structure but compared to what others had to
endure; we are truly blessed.”
It has been difficult for the family to readjust after a
season of tragedies but Ann says they are blessed. Many
of the men and women who have served within the war
zone are dealing with readjustment and so are her sons.
Future plans for Henry III and twins Brian and Ryan
include completing their college degrees, “They want to
go into some entrepreneurial ventures,” said Ann. So,
what has God shown Ann and her sons through death
and war? “We are to stand fast,” she admits. “Talk to
God and have a personal relationship with Him. I
really have one prayer for my sons that they continue
to walk with God, know His word and believe His
teachings for as long as they live. With that, they will
live long and they will prosper.”
Ann Swann is an active member of Reid Temple AME
Church. Currently, she is the principal of Gladys Noon
Spellman Elementary School in Cheverly, MD.
Homecoming was a time of celebration. Ann
shared, “Their units returned home and didn’t lose
anyone. I was really praising God for that and I was
so happy.” Brian and Ryan are currently stationed
in Philadelphia and Henry is in Annapolis
completing their remaining obligated
service time. “It was difficult, but there’s
a reason I had to climb that mountain,
and God walked with me every step
of the way. I got over it—praising
Him all of the way. He’s an awesome
God because not only did
He take me through
Soldier’s
Prayer
By Sandra Reeder
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Lord please bless the soldiers
They’re so far from home
Please give them the strength
They don’t walk alone
Please give them the courage
To do what they do
Please give them the knowledge
To know they need You
Lord please bless their families
And help them stay strong
Give them understanding
A prayer, the right song
We ask You these things
In the name of your Son
For it is Your will
When it’s all said and done
By Dewayne Washington
Photography by Clifton Hoffler
Long before the anticipated move of Reid Temple
from Good Luck Road to Glenn Dale Boulevard,
there has been a call for members to “move up”
in the giving of their time, treasures and talents.
Many have answered the call resulting in new
ministries being formed.
Theater Arts Ministry Formed To Glorify God
In A Whole New Light
The new Theater Arts Ministry provided a
glimpse of the wondrous things coming
forth at Reid Temple last Easter through
a short performance of the play “And
Now I See”. Derek Mark Stewart, the
play’s Director said the Lord revealed to
him in 2000 that something special was
happening at Reid Temple and his talents
would be required. “God gave me a vision
in 1990 to write, produce and mount
plays that minister to the heart of man,” said
Stewart. “I believe that I have been led here
by the Spirit to serve the masses through the
performing arts.”
Derrick Stewart is a graduate of Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University
with a Master of Arts in Theatre Education.
He comes to Reid Temple with many
accomplishments. He has varied skills that range
from performing, set designing, playwriting and
producing; Stewart understands the full scope of
producing and directing. He has been involved with
performances such as ‘Go Tell It’, ‘Eubie’, ‘Home’
and ‘A Soldier’s Play’. He has performed in widely
known productions such as ‘The Wiz’, ‘Dreamgirls’
and ‘Black Nativity’.
According to Stewart, story telling of the
Gospels through acting dates back to medieval
times. “Historians say that from the fifth to the
fifteenth centuries many people were illiterate so the
Christian church acted out biblical scenes as a way of
teaching morals and biblical stories to the masses,” said
Stewart. “Jesus used story telling to deliver messages
when he spoke parables
to the people. Imagine
the same Word being
performed on stage, it is
extremely powerful.”
Stewart’s vision is to
develop this art form
within the expanded
walls of the new Reid
Temple by allowing the
talents and gifts of our
members to be used to
glorify God. “Within my
heart God has placed a vision to bring productions to
Reid Temple that are down to earth, simple plays that
people can understand and actually see the teaching of
our Lord and Savior in a whole new light.” These can
be plays set in Biblical or modern times. It is amazing
to see the influence a well performed production with
spirit-filled performers can have on an individual, you
can even see the impact on children.”
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Throughout his career of theatre development, Stewart
testifies that God has ordered his footsteps to become a
seasoned director for the performing arts. He believes
God has intervened throughout his life, especially
during performances and throughout his college career.
He says that through it all he strives to have a God
fearing conscience and a prayerful life.
“Reverend Washington told me when he and I first
toured the new Reid Temple building that he believes
that ones gift will make room for them,” says Stewart.
It is God who commands the blessings where there is
unity among His people. This allowance will provide an
opportunity for everyone no matter how large or small
to make their unique contribution of time, talent or
treasure to the glory of God.”
The Theatre Arts Ministry will inaugurate its season
with a new Christmas musical play, ‘Go Tell It!’
to be held on Friday, December 16th. If you are
interested in contributing to this ministry, please
contact Derek Stewart via email at [email protected]
or call (301) 352-0320.
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Creative Mortgage Products
Option ARMS
By Sandra L. Thompson
There’s been a huge growth in nontraditional mortgage loans, the
typical 30-year fixed rate mortgage
is becoming a thing of the past
and borrowers are being inundated
with mortgage loan products such
as Option ARMS. These popular
mortgage products offer unprecedented
flexibility to homeowners because
they essentially are adjustable-rate
mortgages that let borrowers choose
how much they want to pay on their
mortgage loans each month. Option
ARMS are very complicated and many
borrowers may take them without fully
understanding the associated risks.
Option ARMS were originally
targeted towards homeowners with
irregular incomes, such as persons
on commission or those who have
seasonal employment (teachers who
do not work in the summer months,
salesmen, or self-employed contractors).
Option ARMS provide flexibility
because they allow borrowers to make
small payments when money is tight.
They have soared in popularity in the
past two years because in addition to
having flexible payments, high home
values have led borrowers to stretch
to buy homes that may not have
been affordable with a traditional
30-year fixed-rate loan. With Option
ARMS, the borrower can choose to
make low loan payments in the early
years of the loan and full mortgage
payments can be deferred. This sounds
great, however, mortgages with low
initial rates and payments may entice
borrowers who may not be able to
handle high mortgage payments later.
In many cases, with Option ARMS,
the interest rate changes monthly and
balance of the mortgage is not
reduced.
• 30-year amortized payment
– a normal mortgage payment
where the payment consists of the
current interest rate with 30-year
amortization.
• 15-year amortized payment – an
accelerated mortgage payment
where the payment consists of the
current interest rate with 15-year
amortization.
the payments change annually. At the
start of a new payment cycle, a new
payment will be generated that reflects
the higher interest rate and the higher
loan amount.
With an Option ARM, a lender will
typically send a monthly mortgage
payment statement with up to four
payment options where the required
payment is not a set amount each
month, borrowers can choose from the
following payment options
• Minimum payment – usually
based on a low “initial rate”.
With this payment, borrowers
are not covering the full amount
of interest due, unpaid interest is
deferred and then added to the
outstanding principal balance,
in many cases causing negative
amortization which means that
borrowers may end up owing
more money than they originally
borrowed.
• Interest only – consists of all
interest due, but the principal
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There are risks with Option ARMS,
first, they allow borrowers to put a small
amount of money in a property that is
expected to grow in value which can
result in a good return on investment,
but home-buying decisions that are
based on unrealistic rates of home
appreciation raise concerns. Another
risk associated with an Option ARM
is payment shock - which is a sudden
and sharp unexpected increase in the
borrowers mortgage payment. Under
certain conditions, the minimum
monthly payment could more than
double from one month to the next.
Borrowers need to be vigilant to be sure
that they are prudently managing the
incremental risk that these innovative
new products represent. Option ARMS
have complex structures, making them
hard to understand. Don’t get one
unless the lender has explained the risks
you take under various scenarios. Ask
what would happen if rates rise rapidly
and steadily for several years, or what
would happen if rates fluctuate. Get an
OPTION ARM only if you understand
both how it is structured and the risk
you are taking.
School
Time Tips!
Here’s some sound
advice to help make
your school year
successful.
By Linnette Palmer
Photography by Danita Delaney
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on
your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and
He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
7.
Begin each day with prayer and thanksgiving.
Pray for guidance and thank God for a brand
new day.
Create a vocabulary journal for words you don’t
know. Use a dictionary to find the pronunciation,
definition and how the words can be used. Write
down all of the information and practice using the
words in sentences. Parents can help Pre-K to K
by using pictures and helping them write the word
and create short sentences.
8.
As you prepare to get dressed, think about
your attire. Is your uniform neat and clean? If
you don’t wear a uniform, are you dressed in a
manner that is pleasing in God’s sight?
Use your free time wisely. Visit your school or
local library. Read and check out books to learn
new things or just to enjoy a good story. Expand
your mind.
9.
Write down a few scriptures and place them
in your notebook and/or folders. Read
them during the day if you need a little
encouragement.
Keep peers around you that are positive, want to
learn, and do the right things. Keep your behavior
in check. If you’re talking and playing in class, you
can’t learn and you are disruptive to others.
10. Help others when they don’t understand.
“If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God
wants you to do—ask Him, and He will gladly tell you.
He will not resent your asking.” James 1:5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
When
you can explain a skill or concept it shows what
you’ve mastered.
Come to school prepared each day. Complete
your homework assignments. If you have
questions about the assignment, write them
down so you can discuss them with your teacher
the next day.
11. Take time to sit down with your parents to discuss
your goals and their expectations. Talk to them
about what you’ve learned in school and subject
areas that you need help with. Be honest about
how things are REALLY going.
Make sure you have all of the necessary supplies
for each class.
12. Be an example.
Share the fruit of the Spirit.
“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He
will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
Participate in class. Show some initiative.
Raise your hand to answer questions and
also to ask questions if you need a better
understanding. Be specific.
27
Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
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