Black Church Leaders
Call for Support of President Obama’s Health Care Reform
Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. released the following statement:
President Obama’s historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was passed by Congress last year, has greatly benefited many in the United States, and in particular those among us who have not previously had health insurance. As the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, one of the oldest and largest Holiness-Pentecostal denominations in the world, with an estimated membership of six million people in fifty-seven nations across the globe, I write in support of the law and urge Congress not to repeal the law or pass any amendments that will weaken it. I am joined in this position by our ruling council, our bishops and their Chairman. As I have argued before, based on our understanding of the Holy Scriptures it is not only our mandate to encourage men and women to come into right relationship with their Creator, but also to proclaim and advocate justice and compassion throughout all creation.
“Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 NKJV
Therefore we petition Congress today, speaking on behalf of millions of Americans who have benefited from the health care law.
There are several historic provisions that we seek to preserve: the current restriction on insurance companies’ ability to deny coverage to children on the basis of pre-existing health conditions, the extension of coverage to children under 26 through their parents’ health insurance plans, the mandate for every American to have health insurance by 2014, and the provision of subsidies for the needy to cover health insurance are among the most important.
Page 02
Bishop Blake’s Statement
In this, the richest country in the world, thirty-two million Americans were without health insurance coverage prior to the passage of this law. Today the elderly benefit, as the law will close the “donut hole” in prescription drug benefits through Medicare by 2020. And the poor, who are of particular importance to us as Christians, benefit immediately from the expansion of Medicaid coverage to those within 133% of the poverty level and ultimately from the expansion of coverage to childless adults by 2014. Because of this law many will be spared untold hardship and unnecessary suffering due to ill health and death.
It is of particular importance to us as Christians that the law does not require any health care plan to offer coverage for abortion, and requires that taxpayer funds not be used for fees related to the provision of abortions.
As Christians is also critical for us to urge fiscal responsibility among our national leaders. For this reason we support the health care law as currently enacted which will reduce the national deficit by $143 billion over the first 10 years.
We urge the members of Congress, and in particular the leadership, to resist the temptation to make this vitally important piece of legislation, which has such important benefits for needy Americans, the subject of divisive, partisan attacks. Finally, we call upon all Americans of faith and on all Americans of good will to stand with the President in support of this historic legislation.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Bishop Noel Jones Speaks @ The Holy Convocation!
Bishop Noel Jones
Some may know him as “Bishop,” others as an astute intellectual, a columnist, prolific orator, theatrical producer, and still others as a beloved father, grandfather and loyal friend. No matter your point of reference, his name is well known throughout the world. Bishop Jones was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica on January 31, 1950. One of seven children born to Bishop Robert and Marjorie Jones, Noel Jones was raised alongside a diverse array of siblings (one of whom is the famed actress and singer Grace Jones). He once mused, “If I could reconcile and keep peace among us, I can reconcile the Church through the power of God.” Add to this skill of mediation, a strict rearing under Pentecostal tenets, and the enduring of an early childhood abuse and it should become increasingly clear why God called Bishop Jones into the ministry at the tender age of nineteen. His experiences nurtured his unique call to the ministry of reconciliation and honed his distinct ability to transcend tradition in his delivery of the gospel, through widening spiritual parameters in order to reach diverse people of manifold backgrounds, cultures, and denominations.
A preeminent scholar, Bishop Jones attended St. Jago High School and went on to attain a Bachelors of Science in Theology from Aenon Bible College. At the age of twenty-six, Bishop Jones accepted his first pastorate at Bethel Temple of Longview in Longview, Texas. In June of 1994, Bishop Noel Jones was chosen to succeed the venerable Bishop Robert W. McMurray as Shepard to approximately 1,000 members of Greater Bethany Community church in (South Central) Los Angeles, California. During his tenure, the membership of the church has increased so significantly that in 2003, a new edifice was acquired in Gardena, California. The new sanctuary, now known as “The City of Refuge” accommodates a growing membership of 17,000 who jam the sanctuary five times a week to be invigorated and transformed by the uniquely powerful preaching of this awesome man of God.
A columnist in the nation’s premiere gospel publication, Gospel Today Magazine, Bishop Jones is also a frequent guest on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). and has appeared as a panelist on both C-SPAN and NPR. He has traveled across the world, preaching, lecturing, teaching, encouraging and strengthening the faith of people across the globe from Los Angeles to New York and from London to Africa.
His writings and keen insight continue to be featured in a host of publications worldwide, and he has recently published, The Battle for the Mind, (How You Can Understand the Thoughts of God). His second book, God’s Gonna Make You Laugh, is currently available, along with a book he co-authored with Atty. Scott Chaplan, Vows of Prosperity (Barnes and Noble; Amazon.com).
He has served on the Board of Directors as a resident Bishop for the California District Council 16th Episcopal District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. At home, his ministry includes rehabilitative programs, flourishing ministries for the deaf, for singles, for the incarcerated, and for youth and young adults. These ministries also provide social activities for the congregation.
In 1994, Bishop Jones founded Noel Jones Ministries (NJM) (formerly known as Jesus Alternative Ministries), in an effort to address religion’s inability to offer real relevance to the changing climate of the times. NJM’s primary focus is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Word via media resources. Audio and video messages offer encouragement and salvation to individuals beyond the ministries immediate reach. Some of these same messages may be seen currently on Inspiration Network during his "Fresh Oil" broadcast that airs each Friday morning at 6:30 a.m. (ET).
Bishop Jones continues to make an indelible mark on the world, violently reclaiming territory for the Kingdom through his philanthropy, service and social justice efforts. In 2005, Bishop Jones partnered with Urban Holdings, et. al. and launched economic empowerment seminars designed to bring together executive leaders from the business, legal and faith-based arenas. The aim of the two-day workshops is to begin unveiling “spiritual solutions to financial freedom.” These seminars will perpetuate Bishop Jones’ mission to mold his congregation, and anyone who can benefit there from, into powerful mediators in the church, in their communities, and in the world.
Bishop Jones is the proud father of three children: Noel II (Cozzette ), Tifani (Bavu), and Eric (Angie), and three grandchildren, Lena, Ian, and Oliver.
T.D. JAKES SPEAKS @ The Holy Convocation
Bishop Thomas Dexter (T. D.) Jakes, Sr.
“Even in a profession peopled with multitaskers,
Bishop Thomas (T. D.) Jakes stands out.”
Time magazine, February 2005
Cover Article, “The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America
Bishop T. D. Jakes is founder and senior pastor of the legendary 30,000-member Dallas-based church, The Potter’s House. In a short number of years, his motivating messages have reached the world through best-selling books, award-winning music, critically acclaimed plays and record-breaking events. Named by Time magazine as “America’s Best Preacher,” Bishop Jakes’ message of healing and restoration is unparalleled, transcending cultural and denominational barriers within the church and beyond. His weekly television outreach, The Potter’s Touch, is a favorite throughout America, Africa, Australia, Europe and the Caribbean.
Bishop Jakes is the visionary behind several entities: the Metroplex Economc Development Corporation, a non-profit organization created to bridge the socio-economic gaps that exist in urban America; Clay Academy, a private, Christian school that offers studies from pre-K3 to eighth grade; MegaCARE, the global outreach missions arm of the church; the Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (TORI), an after-care program that provides intensive case management to former inmates; The Potter’s House Center for Counseling and Behavioral Health, which delivers powerful programs and services to those impacted by HIV/AIDS and mental/emotional maladies; and TDJ Enterprises, Jakes’ for-profit company which produces and distributes his books, plays, movies, music projects and economic conferences. Additionally, he has established numerous active ministries that work within the church and community to serve the people of God.
With must-attend conferences such as Back to the Bible; Pastors’ and Leadership; For Men Only and the highly-regarded MegaFest, Bishop Jakes has established himself and The Potter’s House as a leader in presenting religious conferences that speak to the heart of people. His conferences have been described as “life-changing” and have set national attendance records.
Few people can claim awards and honors as broad in scope as Bishop Jakes. In addition to holding both a Quill Award and Grammy Award, he is the recipient of several NAACP Image Awards, including the President’s Award, and the Best Independent or Foreign Film Award. For his outstanding leadership, he has received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award and the Trumpet Award. In addition, he has served as speaker at many prestigious events and ceremonies including the 2009 Presidential Inauguration in which President Barack Obama asked Bishop Jakes to deliver the morning service.
A prolific author of more than 30 books, Bishop Jakes has numerous best sellers, including his most recent books, Before You Do: Making Great Decisions That You Won’t Regret (Atria), and
Reposition Yourself (Atria), both of which reached No. 3 on The New York Times Best Sellers list. Reposition Yourself remained on the list for 23 weeks, and spent 20 weeks on USA Today’s best sellers list.
In January 2009, Sony Pictures released Not Easily Broken, Jakes’ second novel to be made into a motion picture. Starring Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson, the film was directed by Hollywood legend Bill Duke. Not Easily Broken ranked No. 9 nationally during opening week.
Bishop Jakes’ biblically-grounded knowledge allows him to administer sage advice to believers and non-believers when he’s asked to appear on the Dr. Phil Show, CNN, Oprah and MSNBC, or when called upon by U. S. presidents and international leaders. He also shares his wisdom when quoted or profiled in such notable publications as Forbes, The Washington Post, Essence, Time, Ebony, and D Magazine.
With a home base in Dallas/Fort Worth, Bishop Jakes is married to Serita Jakes. They have five children and one grandchild. For more information on Bishop Jakes and The Potter’s House, please visit: www.thepottershouse.org.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)