an Interview with Executive Pastor Joseph Robinson

1. O
IT’S NOT A
JOB
IT’S MY
LIFE
A CLOSER LOOK
AT EXECUTIVE PASTOR,
JOSEPH C. ROBINSON
By Tamaya Petteway riginally, when our Editor asked me to
interview the City of Refuge Executive Pastor, the interview was slated
to be a brief profile. Unexpectedly, so much information was commu-
nicated during the interview, that not only did it take four mini cassettes
and half a notebook to capture all the commentary, but the informa-
tion was so in depth, that an article seemed to write itself. It w like the
as
assignment was to write a book report, but the professor gave a lecture
that was so informative, I accidentally wrote a term paper. (Or, maybe
it was just because Pastor Joe talked too much!) Either way, we realized
that not only was an article fitting, but the information reveled was so
( )
superfluous, it was necessary to split it into two parts.
I hope you gain significant insight, and a better understanding
of the person in Pastor Joseph C. Robinson.
I invite you to share in Part I of It’s Not a Job. It’s my Life. I hope that
you will gain significant insight, and a better understanding of the
person in Pastor Joseph C. Robinson, and its transparency allows you
Photograph By Nicola Goode
to feel as if you were there, listening and witnessing for yourself.
—Tamaya Petteway
40 INSIDE THE CITY SPRING/SUMMER 2006

2. LOS ANGELES, CA, 8:15am—It’s a breath- the last person to file an application the African Methodist Episcopal or point, I was pretty cynical about the
taking morning in December. Contrary to would be the person selected for the A.M.E. Church) preached when I was whole thing, as I could not separate godly
the 37-degree temperature in Joseph position, and even more surprisingly, 11 years old. The sermon was called “A judgment from a self-serving decision of
Robinson’s hometown of Brooklyn NY, no one imagined that the person who Saga Of Sterling Stability,” and I still a man with a clergy collar on. Due to the
the morning is equivalent to that of was selected, had a completely different remember today how those words constant moving, I really think I was
summer. A car pulls up to the valet, and background than anyone expected. transformed that atmosphere way robbed of so much of my childhood, as
out steps a tall figure. “Pastor Joe,” as we Born a third generation preacher, back then. I think I was always trans- we never knew if the Bishop was going to
fondly call him, arrives on time, main- Joseph Carlos Robinson, knew early on fixed by words, even before I realized move us at the next church meeting! But
taining a low profile under a bucket that ministry was his inborn destiny. He I had been called to the ministry.” again, that profound disappointment
‘Kangol’ hat, wearing brown from head to grew up with an affinity for ministry, and Although Pastor Joe has many affec- taught me a lot about people. It's funny, I
toe, enriched by an earth toned multi- had a particular love for preachers, many tionate memories of his childhood, and have 3 brothers, and although we all grew
color blazer. He quickly waves, and up AME, one is now a United Methodist,
perambulates with a swagger of confi-
dence and zeal. He is a morning person, “BOTH ANDMYTHINK I GOT THE IMPETUS TO IMPROVE
LIVES,
OF
I
PARENTS LEFT THE SOUTH FOR BETTER one was a Muslim, and now I'm a
Pentecostal. So perhaps that is what we
who typically begins his day at 5am, so as
he approaches, he’s bringing a full signal MYSELF FROM BOTH OF THEM.” think of the whole enterprise.”
Because of his parents’ background
of energy to the quiet atmosphere. “God with the AME Church, Pastor Joe received
Bless You,” he says ceremoniously, and of whom were defining figures in his wouldn’t trade his upbringing for the a broad exposure to the things of God and
marvels for a while at the style and décor community. “I grew up loving church, world, growing up a preacher’s child in the Spirit, which influenced his develop-
of the place before taking a seat. Since I’m and loving preachers. “I loved church,” the AME community wasn’t always fun ment as child. He also grew up with an
certain that he has never experienced a he says delightfully. He began to recall and games. In fact, there were multiple emphasis being placed on education,
December so nice on the east coast, we fond memories, such as being kissed each challenges he and his family had to deal community, and political involvement,
chat for a little bit about the similarities week by a particular church mother who with in his early years. “In the AME which he considers genetic to the person
and differences between New York and had a mustache, loving to eat pound cake Church, pastors are assigned by Bishops, he is today. “I was blessed with great
Los Angeles living. After I share my that wasn’t completely cooked at church with minimal involvement of the parents,” he says while smiling. “They are
opinion, he brings the conversation to a receptions, and being enthralled with churches themselves and almost no input both radicals who both decided to devote
humorous halt, by delivering one of his trying to figure out which soprano was from the pastors or their families. The their lives to raising their children. My
signature replies, reminiscent of other dating which tenor. He laughs, and logic behind this is that the Bishop is to mother was a career woman before that
clever antidotes he’s known for. “This is begins to remember how he and his exercise godly judgment in deciding was vogue. Back in the 60’s, she worked
incredible,” he says, as he surveys the younger brother Jason would “play” which pastor fits best with which church. for the FAA as an accountant before
landscape. “If you would have told me church. “My father would wear a robe Sometimes this works, sometimes it deciding to marry a preacher. She has
this time last year I’d be sitting in 70 every Sunday, and a guy named Bro. doesn't. I still haven't figured out what quite a mind, and was the glue that held
degree weather being interviewed as the Smith would follow him around with a godly judgment is, and as you can our family together. She use to read the
Executive Pastor of the City of Refuge, I handkerchief. So, me and my little imagine the godliness of the judgment Atlantic Monthly magazine when I was
would have told you that you were
crazy!” As he thinks about his reply, he
brother… he would follow me around…
and I’d be preaching…
varies, according to the godliness of the
Bishop.” As a result,
like 5 or 6, and is an intense intellectual
with a keen eye into human motivation.
“I am grateful for my diverse
literally becomes overwhelmed with we’d get the Holy Pastor Joe and his
laughter for a brief moment, and an Ghost… jumping all family moved to 8
She is the pragmatist of the house. My background. I grew up AME,
Father is the prophet-poet. He is has an
extensive interview immediately begins. over the bed!” He different places, before infectious sense of humor, and genuinely
laughs. “I have always he was 18 years old. “I loves people. He would quote lines from
went to a Catholic elementary
just loved church! I remember one instance Plato and was always talking about
THE JOURNEY TO THE DESTINATION have always loved where I felt as though Socrates drinking hemlock for standing school, attended a high school
In the winter of 2005, the City of Refuge preachers, was fasci- my father was treated up against injustice. I have a picture of
church bulletins included an ad adver- nated with the power particularly harshly. him marching in the street during the civil run by Franciscan monks, went
tising that the church administration of words, and how The effect of this rights movement in the 1960’s. Both of
was searching for an Executive Pastor. they can inspire particular move was
Applications from around the country people to live better wrenching on my
my parents left the South for better to a Baptist college, and now I'm
lives, and I think I got the impetus to
poured in, as interested men and lives.” He becomes family, in every sense of improve myself from both of them.
women from across the denomina- more serious as he that word. I simply They really did a good job of protecting
serving an apostolic church. It’s
tional spectrum rushed at the opportu- continues in reflec- could not believe that us from the madness of things.”
nity to be a part of one of the greatest tion. “ I remember a he accepted it as "God's Pastor Joe also shared many positive apparent that God was
ministries of our generation, and to eulogy that Bishop will" expressed through elements of growing up in the AME
work for our legendary leader, Bishop Frank Madison Reid the godly judgment of Church, beginning with amazing travel preparing me for something.”
Noel Jones. Little did anyone know that (a one-time Bishop in the Bishop. After that experiences he had the opportunity to
JOSEPH ROBINSON, AGE 8.
42 INSIDE THE CITY SPRING/SUMMER 2006 SPRING/SUMMER 2006 INSIDE THE CITY 43

3. embark upon early in life. “Because every New York. He got married that same about their new all-star player. Strike
AME church is connected to every other summer, and became the pastor at Allen One…when he was assigned, he wasn’t
AME church, I got the chance to travel the Chapel AME Church in Hartford, even pastoring a church at the time, and
world, preaching and doing mission Connecticut. “The church was smaller was now assigned to a church which was
work at a very young age. I remember than this room, and it was really chal- a marquee pulpit within the AME
preaching a revival in South Africa when lenging. On my first Sunday, I actually denomination. “Many people thought
I was 21 years old because the AME drove by the church it was so small! that they deserved that church, and could
church has been in South Africa since the Then, when I went into the church, there not believe a neophyte like me was
early 1900s. So I was exposed to a lot of were only about 14 people inside, and 10 assigned.” Strike Two…He was only 30 yrs
different environments, and literally have of them came with me!” He laughs as he old, and considerably younger than most
been all over the world.” He continues by recalls the memory. “ But I appreciate the pastors there. “When I got off the plane
sharing several positive aspects relating to experience, because the Bible says, ‘Don’t and met the chairman of my board, the
PASTOR JOE AT THE 2005 HOMECOMING WEEKEND WORSHIP SERVICE WITH SON MALACHI, MOREHOUSE PRESIDENT, DR. WALTER MASSEY, PASTOR JOE PREACHING AT ST. JAMES AME CHURCH,
scholastic achievement and being active WIFE SHIRLEY MASSEY, AND DR. LAWRENCE E. CARTER DEAN OF MARTIN LUTHER KING INTERNATIONAL CHAPEL. IN ST. LOUIS MISSOURI. despise the days of small beginnings.” first thing he said to me was…how you
in the community as well. “The AME Pastor Joe later worked in the Strategy gonna be my pastor? I got grandchildren
church has always emphasized education tially, Richard Allen (the founder) walked “In any event, I am happy to be in a place gift was birthed. His last year of high Consultant Practice of Cap Gemini Ernst older than you!” Strike Three…his style of
and community involvement, so my out a Methodist church in Philadelphia where we preach and seek to live out of school, he traveled around the world and Young where he had the opportunity ministry was utterly aberrant from the
interest in those things are almost because the white parishioners would the fullness of Christ, and not the acci- preaching, and on April 13, 1987, he to travel all over the world, building norm, and to add insult to injury, his
genetic. AMEs are adamant about not let him pray. Thus, the primary dental, temporal preoccupations of preached his first trial sermon. Although websites and performing strategic personal style was a little too contempo-
academic preparation. In fact, the first impetus for his leaving was racial denominations. We are living in a post- he received a full undergraduate scholar- analysis for Fortune 500 companies, rary for the environment. “I wore
black college in America was Wilberforce discrimination, not doctrinal disagree- denomination age, where people really ship to a prestigious Ivy League univer- while also securing his MBA from the Timberlands and Sean John sweat suits in
University in Ohio, which was founded ment. If you read the doctrinal statement don’t care where you came from, but sity, he was propositioned by a mentor to University of Connecticut in Marketing the pulpit! Of course, the young people
by the AME Bishop Daniel Alexander of the AME Church, it is essentially no whether or not you are seeking to live out visit Morehouse College in Atlanta, and International Business. loved it! The church was packed, but many
Payne in 1856, and you must go to different from the doctrine of the biblical Christianity. I am grateful for my Georgia. After one visit to the campus for In the year of 2000, Bishop John of the older members, older preachers in
school to be ordained as a minister. Methodist church that Allen left, which diverse background. I grew up AME, went a Perspective Student Seminar, his mind Bryant, was head of an AME region, and town, and more traditional AMES thought
That's why my father left the Baptist means that the church, at its core, is an to a Catholic elementary school, attended a was instantly made up. “It was over! I was asked Pastor Joe to join the region. He it was blasphemy.” With 3 strikes against
Church. He did not want to be a jackleg expression of protest against racism. I high school run by Franciscan monks, went like…I’m going here!” he says with exhil- agreed, because he knew the district him immediately, whether called fairly or
preacher, (a traditional label for a found this core identity to be somewhat to a Baptist college, and now I'm serving an aration in his voice. At the time, his included California, where Pastor Joe had not, he didn’t quite help things with his
preacher who has no formal training.) problematic, and in my view, a lot of apostolic church. It’s apparent that God was parents, family friends, and other aspirations of going. Instead, Bishop innate penchant for being outspoken.
Another benefit of growing up AME is contemporary churches suffer from the preparing me for something.” mentors were adamantly against the idea Bryant had St. Louis in mind. So for As he continues to reflect, it became
they have a rule for everything...hence fact that they are committed to social Pastor Joe didn’t grow up in a very strict of him attending Morehouse because it about 3 months, he commuted back and quite evident that living in St. Louis was
METHODIST! They have a method for protest more than they are to a relation- environment, as his parents wanted to was a “black school.” Pastor Joe shared
everything. They teach you the impor- ship with God, or they understand a rela- cultivate an awareness of life beyond the the reason why it was such a big issue.
tance of order, rules, processes, proce-
dures, etc. Then finally, I think I learned a
tionship with God in terms of social
protest only! At the end of the day, all
church, and therefore, encouraged him to
define himself outside of church. “I think
“Many of them felt as though I would be
limiting my future options. My parents “GOD MOVED INHAPPEN WITHOUT A REMARKABLE WAY,
BUT IT DID NOT
THAT MINISTRY IN
MANY TEARS.”
lot about the importance of tradition. denominations are a response to what because my father was a PK (preacher’s told me that they went to black schools
There is a difference in being traditional, someone has discovered, or maybe redis- kid), he had a keen appreciation of how because they had to, and if I had a choice,
and understanding the importance of covered, about God. Luther rediscovered far to the left you can go if you’re not I should go to a place where my gifts forth between St. Louis, New York, and more than a rocky road, or a tumultuous
tradition. I was taught all the old hymns justification by faith. Calvin rediscovered careful. So there really was no pressure to could really shine. I just felt that that Chicago, as he had intentions of keeping time. With all that he was experiencing, it
and the creeds of the church, and no one predestination. Wesley rediscovered sanc- do or be anything.” Due to the freedom place was Morehouse.” his jobs, and not preaching full time. He was like his life transformed into a
can do "high church" like AMEs! He tification. Seymour rediscovered he experienced in his upbringing, Pastor After graduating from Morehouse with would soon find out that this wasn’t penumbra, somewhere between exis-
begins to laugh. “I mean the pipe organ, speaking in tongues. Once you can set Joe initially had dreams of being a physi- honors, Pastor Joe received the Benjamin possible. Despite his dynamic degrees, tence and oblivion. “Howard Thurmond,
the liturgy, the regalia. It's almost your denomination in right context, it cian, a fashion model, a basketball Elijah Mays Fellowship to attend grad ivy-league education, lucrative positions a very influential African American writer
Catholic, which of course is the Anglican loses much of its power to control you.” player, or more excitingly, he would school at Harvard University, where he and prolific preaching experiences, what once said, ‘The challenge of life is to
influences on early Methodists. I heard Abruptly, Pastor Joe stopped speaking, pursue a career in rap music, as he was studied patristic exegesis. He then went to came next was incalculable. remain true in darkness to what you’ve
Donnie McClurkin once say that all of and began to stare into space as if he was recognized on the block, as “Almighty J- work for his mentor Rev. Floyd Flake, Interrupting a lucrative lifestyle, St. seen in the light’. St. Louis challenged
that old stuff teaches you to reverence the pondering his thoughts. He pauses for a Love” with the Triple Threat MC’s, known who was at that time, a Congressman Louis was incongruous for him. “If there every fiber of my being.” He began to give
mystery of God, and I think that is true.” quick moment, then finally, he to drop a rhyme or two, at neighborhood representing the 6th Congressional was ever a time God confirmed my examples, and by the time he finished I
But however much, Pastor Joe appreci- continued to reflect. “I used to argue house parties. But regardless of his other District in New York. He worked as a calling, it was there. The environment was intrigued, but experienced a
ates his background, and is thankful that with people all the time that what really interests, nothing interested him like legislative assistant, and in Public was hostile like you can’t imagine,” he poignant moment of melancholy. He
God allowed him to keep growing, made Richard Allen ‘Richard Allen,’ was ministry. In 1987, he entered an AME Relations for 2 years. Pastor Joe then took bemoans in retrospect. Now living full continues in his nostalgia, and shares
freeing him from what he espouses as that he left the place where he thought he talent scholarship contest, delivered a a job with the National Urban League, time in St. Louis, a city known for blues one of his more pleasant thoughts.
“the narrow confines of denominational was being treated unfairly. So the most speech with no preparation, and won. and was commuting between Boston and and baseball, Pastor Joe’s atypical pres- “Eventually, St. James was transformed,
myopia.” He states, “ If you trace the AME thing I ever did was to leave my old From this experience, an awareness of his New York, while serving as an assistant ence became a triple-header controversy, and not only did the church grow, but
origin of the AME denomination, essen- church!” He begins to laugh hysterically. calling based upon a confirmation of his pastor for Bridge Street AME Church in as the home team wasn’t exactly thrilled probably about 2000 people got saved
44 INSIDE THE CITY SPRING/SUMMER 2006 SPRING/SUMMER 2006 INSIDE THE CITY 45

4. and joined the church in the four and a It wasn’t until December 2004, that Joe, now sitting in the warm weather of
half year period that I was there. We were Pastor Joe and about 30 others attended a Los Angeles, California, as Executive
really avant-garde in terms of ministry.” fellowship for pastors in Las Vegas, hosted Pastor for the City of Refuge.
While in St. Louis, Pastor Joe hosted a by Bishop Noel Jones, and discovered that In April 2005, while preaching a revival
weekly talk show, his ministry was broad- Bishop Jones was looking for an Executive in East Orange, New Jersey, he received a
cast locally and internationally on the Pastor. Pastor Joe became curious, and call from one of his best friends, Pastor
Word Network, and his church launched approached Bishop Jones about the posi- Jamal Harrison Bryant, telling him to call
many exciting ministries and opportuni- tion. Bishop Jones referred him to Les Bishop Jones. He was shocked, because as
ties. “One year we brought Dr. Cornel Johnson, head of S.E.A.M, who informed another one of his best friends, Elder
West to the city, and Kenneth Moales Jr.,
brought Al Sharpton a reminded him, “Dudes
different year. We were like him, don’t call dudes
always doing something like us!” Pastor Joe
different. One time, we returned the call, and was
even had a dating game! doubly shocked to find
Now that was something! I that Bishop Jones wanted
really saw lives changed in to know if he was still
that city. God moved in that interested in the position.
ministry in a remarkable “Still interested? Is Jesus
way, but it did not happen Lord?,” he laughs, and
without many tears.” says as if there was any
Although he loved being doubt concerning his
the pastor of St. James the interest. Pastor Joe shared
church, on other levels, his his reservations, however
experience in St. Louis took Bishop replied by saying,
its toll, and during this time, “Man… just send in your
his marriage ended. “But, stuff!” He formally
God is good; I have 2 beau- expressed his interest, and
tiful children, Malachi and the wheels began turning
Caleb,” he says beatifically. quickly. Somehow, word
In 2004, when word leaked that Pastor Joe was
spread of several AME interested in the position,
pastors planning to retire in and unbeknownst to him,
California, he assumed he’d it soon became apparent
be in the running for one of that numerous people
the positions. It only exacer- from the AME community
bated things further to did not want Pastor Joe to
discover that Bishop Bryant leave their assembly.
once again had a different “Many people from the
objective in mind, and AME Church called and
asked him to stay in St. wrote Bishop Jones,
Louis. Although he loved his
“ I DON’T CARE HOW GOOD YOU ARE AT WHAT telling him he was making
ministry, being in St. Louis YOU DO, IF YOU DON’T LIKE WHERE YOU a huge mistake. And you
was the crux of his unhappi-
ness. “I felt like I was dying
ARE, YOU AREN’T GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE must remember, we're talking about people who
on the inside,” he says as he LONG TERM.
continues to resurrect the
” have known me my entire
life...invested in me…
memories. “When I was in church I was him that the position was permanent. helped me grow…and knew all there was
great, but outside of church I was miser- Because of his own calling to pastoral to know about me!” He continues the
able, and you can’t be in church all the ministry, this piece of information disillu- story by expressing their thoughts. “Now,
time. I just didn’t like St. Louis, and I sioned Pastor Joe. “I never really saw you talking about leaving after we've put
don’t care how good you are at what you myself as anyone’s assistant, and certainly so much in you, and know so much
do, if you don’t like where you are, you not for the rest of my life. So in my mind, about you? I don’t think so buddy…you
aren’t going to be effective long term.” that was the end of that!,” laughs Pastor ain’t that great anyway! Continued on page 51.
46 INSIDE THE CITY SPRING/SUMMER 2006

5. could aid them with the IT’S NOT A JOB. IT’S MY LIFE. CONTINUED
reality of their biological
fathers not being present. Oh, and by the way, here is a list of his
Pastor Bryant then called for shortcomings…” Pastor Joe continues to
all married men to join these reflect on the experience. “In addition,
young people at the alter. there were many people in the PAW
Instantaneously, the pulpit denomination who thought that they
was filled with an abun- were going to get the position. They
dance of married men, simply could not believe that someone
befriending, embracing, who did not grow up in the PAW church
praying, and fortifying every was being considered for such a high
child. The sight was profile position, in such a high profile
emotionally riveting, and church, for such a high profile pastor. It’s
ABOVE (LEFT TO RIGHT): NIELE ANDERSON, PASTOR JAMAL BRYANT,TIFANI JONES ABOVE RIGHT: JOSH CHAVEZ AND TEAM GRACING THE HOUSE WITH PRAISE AND WORSHIP tears were inescapable by really revolutionary, what Bishop Jones
all. Elation filled the eyes of did,” he began to break it down in a
presentation was unforgettable, and set generational curses, set backs and/or failures. He encouraged them not settle for mediocrity, the youth, and if for nothing manner were I couldn’t help but grasp
the atmosphere for the speaker of the or to allow themselves to become habitual to negative environments, but to understand that more than a shear moment, the magnitude of what had occurred. “A
night, the Senior Pastor of Empowerment as a child of God, they have been born to succeed.“Despite what your family members may enmity was replaced with third generation PAW reached halfway
Temple AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland, have, or may not have done,,”” he said, “You will be, the first! You will be the first to go to love, despondency was across the country to hire a second gener-
the eminent Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant. college,the first to own a business,the first not to go to jail,the first not to have a baby’s daddy, replaced with hope, and ation AME…Wow!” In spite of all the
Introduced by his friend since the age of the first not to be on drugs!” He then continued to decree to them,“God has supernaturally emptiness was replaced commentary against him receiving the
five, the Executive Pastor of the City of protected you and has placed value on the inside of you, and tonight, what God is saying, is with encouragement, Executive Pastor position, two weeks
Refuge, Pastor Joe Robinson, and accompa- that because you came into the house…I will give you what you need!!!” through the gentleness of later, he received a call from Bishop Jones
nied by his parents, the honorable Bishop The entirety of Pastor Bryant’s message was fundamentally impacting, and provided an intense an endearing embrace, asking him to come to LA. He came to
John Bryant and Rev. Dr. Cecelia Bryant, this examination of the need for God’s children to aim high, strive for better, and recognize that there ABOVE: “YOU WILL BE THE FIRST!” EXCLAIMS PASTOR JAMAL BRYANT combined with the incon- LA, and hasn’t been back yet. “After the
third generation prodigious Pastor, quickly are no limits or boundaries to what all are capable of achieving.He elevated the youth in such a way, ceivable power God. City of Refuge FBI checked me out,” he
delved into a vehement message, imparting that by the time he finished, the atmosphere had changed from self-doubt to empowerment. call, so specific to countless young people, it
Before the event began, I asked event jokes as he remembers the intensive
to our youth that they are destined to Revelation was swinging from the rafters, inspiration was jumping on the seats, motivation was couldn’t of been anything but the Spirit of God,
directors, Niele Anderson and Tifani Jones, screening process he endured, “I guess
achieve “supernatural success,”regardless of running up and down the aisles, and essentially, (to quote Pastor Bryant), we gave the devil “a that lead and authorized his action.
what they would like to see take place on this they thought that the good in me,
intricacies such as upbringing, environment, nervous breakdown!”However,the precocious Pastor wasn’t finished yet.He concluded with an alter He first called for all youth, under the age of
night.“We are expecting, of course a move of outweighed the bad. Whatever the
17, whose fathers were deceased, to join him
God,”Tifani said,“That is the ultimate expecta- combination of reasons, I am here…
at the alter. It was heartbreaking to observe
tion and goal. Just to see the alter filled with and grateful to be here.”
so many young people making their way to
youth and young adults wanting to turn their People ask him all the time, “how did it
the pulpit, yet as Pastor Bryant spoke
lives around for Christ.” Niele responded by happen?” Pastor Joe responds by saying,
prophetically and laid hands upon them, the
saying, “Tonight, we want to encourage “It was nothing but God…and as the
heartbreaking feeling turned into assurance
young people that having a relationship with psalmist declared, ‘This is the Lord’s doing,
that God is all the father they will ever need,
God makes life better, it makes life easier. A and it is marvelous in my eyes.” He
and He will continue to maintain custody of
relationship with God doesn’t take away the continues to reflect on what a great experi-
each one of them.“Although your father is not
struggle, it makes it bearable.” ence it has been up to this point. “From
here,”Pastor Bryant said with conviction,“You
The goal and purpose of the Worship day one, I felt very comfortable. It was a
are covered because of the anointing.
Xperience was fulfilled, and through the little eerie. I didn’t anticipate how well I’d
Whatever your father cannot provide, God
outcome of the incredible alter call, confirma- be received, or it being such a good fit. The
will meet the need. Never again should you
tion was given to the words Pastor Bryant Bible says, ‘The blessings of the Lord
profess to be fatherless. What no one in your
spoke during his message.“If you can just get makes rich and adds no sorrow.’ It’s been
family could accomplish, you have been
into the house of the Lord…God will meet like no sorrow. It’s incredible to me, as
anointed to do, and will accomplish this year.”
you, and your need.” I typically, it doesn’t happen this way. I
Next,he called for all youth,18 and younger,
think it’s a testament to the fact that God is
who do not know how to get into contact
GET SAVED OR DIE TRYIN WAS THE FIRST OF THE in it, to the enormous vision and sensi-
with their fathers, do not where their fathers
8 WORSHIP XPERIENCE EVENTS, SCHEDULED TO tivity of our Bishop, and the type of people
are located, or are simply unaccounted for.
TAKE PLACE IN VARIOUS CHURCH LOCATIONS we have in our congregation. I’m very
Although inexplicable to witness, it was
THROUGHOUT THE LOS ANGELES AREA. THE fortunate, and I feel very blessed.” I
encouraging to see the amazing strength of
NEXT ONE, THE BREAKTHROUGH, IS SCHED-
more than 300 children, uninhibited and
ULED TO TAKE PLACE AT WEST ANGELES Look for the continuation of this feature
fiercely determined, making their way down
CHURCH ON MAY 26TH, 2006. in the next issue of Inside the City.
the aisles, desperate to receive whatever
ABOVE (LEFT AND RIGHT): THE POWER OF LOVE, OUTWEIGHING THE PAIN OF LOSS
50 INSIDE THE CITY SPRING/SUMMER 2006 SPRING/SUMMER 2006 INSIDE THE CITY 51