catalyst magazine jan 2012

2 CityLight.org january 2012

Sam’s Ad

january 2012 CityLight.org 3

CO N T EN T SCO N T EN T S

Th e Miracle Birth of CityLightJoe Grimaud..............................................................................................Page 4

Being an Esther Woman of Infl uence..............................................................................................................Page 5

Miracles & FaithGladys Grimaud.........................................................................................Page 6

CityLight Director’s ReportRedfern II .............................................................................................. Page 8

Pastor Sylvia Mickens............................................................................................................Page 16

Arts & Entertainment............................................................................................................Page 20

CityLight’s Fourth Missionary Journey to East Africa............................................................................................................Page 22

Newton’s Laws of Infl uenceChakisse Newton.......................................................................................0

CityLight Mission Statement............................................................................................................Page 35

I’ve Been Th inking About... ExcellenceJed N. Snyder, D. Min..................................................................................Page 42

Jesus PusherStephen Manley.........................................................................................Page 43

Local Events & Points of Interest.............................................................................................................Page 4

CityLight Prayer BreakfastOrder of Service............................................................................................Page 7

Table Sponsors........................................................................................................... Page 21

Seniors Serving in the Ministry........................................................................................................... Page 38

Midlands Prayer Opportunities................................................................................................... Page 37 & 41

Noteworthy Community Leaders..........................................................................................................Page44

ARTICLES

January, 5 • 2012

FEATURES


It was May 20, 1997, the third night of the Tony Evans Crusade in W il l iams Bryce Stadium. A good deal of controversy was taking place over

the Confederate Flag fl ying over the South Carolina Capitol. Th ere were a number of reports of Black Church burnings across the state, and some in other southern states, as well. But a city wide revival was taking place in Co-lumbia in Williams Bryce Stadium. It was quite a miracle that this event was taking place with attendance esti-mated to be 60 per cent white and 40 percent African American, basically the make up of the area. Joe Grimaud and Rev Eddie Guess were co-chair-men of the event, but the numbers of leaders who had a major part of this undertaking are too numerous to mention by name. Th e event had its genesis in a call from Linda White, then manager of WMHK. She want-ed to meet with Joe and Gladys for breakfast. In that meeting she asked if we might suggest a keynote speaker for WMHK’s 20th Anniversary Cel-ebration. We looked at each other and in unison replied, “Well, of course, get Tony Evans. His has the best mes-sage on your station, and the message our nation needs.” Linda expressed doubt that we would be able to get him. Th e celebration event was only about four months away, and he was in great demand.

Local Events &Points of Interest

JAN 1st - MAY 12thRELIGION IN THE CIVIL WARLOCATION: SOUTH CAROLINA CONFEDERATE RELIC ROOM AND MILITARY MUSEUM1800 12TH STREET, CAYCE, SC

JAN 27th - JAN 29thTHE CITYLIGHT WOMEN’S CONFERENCEHosted by the Esther Women of InfluenceTHE LANDMARK RESORT1501 SOUTH OCEAN BLVD. | MYRTLE BEACH, SCVISIT CITYLIGHT.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS

SATURDAY • JAN 28thFirst Baptist Women’s Conference:COMING TOGETHER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF COLUMBIA1306 HAMPTON STREET | COLUMBIA, SC

This one is for the ladies! Join us as we welcome Angela

Thomas and Kelly Minter to Columbia for a weekend

where women of all ages can come together to learn

more about Christ. Sessions are: Friday, Jan 27 7pm-9-

pm and Saturday, Jan 28 9am-12pm Tickets for this

event are $27 for the whole weekend! For more informa-

tion please call our office at: 803-256-4251. SATURDAY • JAN 28thARTS AT SHANDON: SQUARE/LINE DANCE SHANDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH607 WOODROW STREET | COLUMBIA, SC

-------------------------------------------------------------

FOR A FULL LIST OF LOCAL EVENTS VISIT:

www.ColumbiaCVB.com

Th e Miracle Birth

of CityLight

Continued on pg 32

By Joe Grimaud


Being An Esther Women Of Infl uence

Being An Esther Women Of In-fluence. I was a very shy young lady growing in my faith with

lots of questions. I knew that God had called me but was not quit sure what he had called me to do. With emptiness and an unfulfilling yearning to know his divine plan and purpose for me, I worked with my husband supporting him in ministry. As I look back over my life, I am proud to say that I have but one fear. The fear of God. Finally, I have no other fears. Not long ago, I lived in complete and constant fear. I was afraid of everyone and everything. I worried all the time. When I didn’t have anything specific to worry about I created things in my head to worry about. I made myself sick worrying. I was afraid of being alone and afraid of divorce, so I stayed in a bad married for 20 years. I was afraid of losing my par-ents, my dad died. I was afraid of los-ing my job, the company closed. In fact, seven companies closed. I was afraid of dying and too afraid to live. Not only could I not speak in public I couldn’t speak in front of my family, friends or co-workers. I was a total mess. I hated myself and everyone else. As a Chris-tian, I attended church regularly and no one knew my pain.

Th en, I met a man named Redfern, II. Th is man with no fi rst name changed my life forever. Or so I thought. Later I realized that it was the Jesus in him that changed me. Redfern gave me an introduction to Je-sus that I had never experienced. He taught me of a Jesus that dwells within. He help me to learn that the outside God of the old testament is now the inside God called Je-sus. He taught me that I can be holy under-standing that with Jesus living inside of me I can’t be anything else but Holy. In meet-ing this man God had set aside for me, we entered into a whirlwind relationship with Christ. We were married in less than six months. I didn’t know what was happening to me. I was caught up in the clouds and blindly walking by faith. It was all God, be-

Of Influence

Esther Denouncing HamanErnest Normand c. 1915

Continued on pg 28


Rev. Redfern, Executive Director of CityLight and Publisher of the Catalyst Magazine, wanted my per-

spective on Tony Evans’ publication, “Th e Storm.” Th e miracle of the storm is embed-ded in my memory forever, but time was running out on the submission deadline and I just couldn’t get it together. What could I say that had not already been said? I went to bed about midnight, tossed and turned… my brain wouldn’t turn off ... still inspiration would not come. Got up and went to the offi ce. Nothing. Went back to bed at 3:00 AM, tossed and turned…

Miracles&Faith

Gladys Grimaud

Continued on page 34

“Th e purpose of miracles is to authenticate God’s authority, demonstrate

the Kingdom of God, and illustrate God’s care and compassion.”

have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ God proved over and over that Jesus was His Son. All the people who saw Jesus’ miracles and heard His words had enough evidence that they could have believed, including the religious leaders who rejected Him. Th e purpose of miracles is to authenticate God’s authority, demonstrate the Kingdom of God, and il-lustrate God’s care and compassion.

Quoting C.S. Lewis: “Seeing is not believ-ing. Th e question whether miracles occur can never be answered simply by experi-

ence. Every event, which might claim to be a miracle is, in the last resort, something presented to our senses, something seen, heard, touched, smelled, or tasted. And our senses are not infallible. If anything extra ordinary happens, we can always say that we have been the victims of an illusion. If we hold a philosophy, which excludes the su-pernatural, this is what we always shall say. What we learn from experience depends on the kind of philosophy we bring to expe-rience. It is therefore useless to appeal to experience before we have settled, as well as we can, the philosophical question.”

Why Miracles Do Not Happen (Matt 13: 54 – 58)

Jesus is rejected at Nazareth and, “He did not do many mighty works there because

prayed some more… this time asking God to just let me sleep. Finally went to sleep... must have been 4:00 AM. About 8:00 AM, I was awakened by an alarm clock going off . But how? I was upstairs sleeping in the grandchildren’s playroom and there is no alarm clock there! Amazingly, I woke up knowing exactly what to write. I think I experienced a miracle while trying to write about another miracle.

Is Seeing Believing? ( John 20: 24 – 29) What about hearing an alarm clock ringing that is not there? Do you believe I had a miracle? Are you a doubting Th omas? Th omas would not believe the resurrection until he put his fi nger and hand in the wounds of the res-urrected Lord, which he did, but Jesus said, ‘Th omas, because you have seen Me, you


Columbia Prayer BreakfastJanuary 5th • 2012

“Fulfi lling the Purpose With-in, Serving the Least of Th ese?”

Breakfast Music ..................................... Pastor Sam Perry, Martin Mickens

Praise and worship ............................................................ Mr. Henry Flowers

National Anthem .................................................................... Gloria Qualls

Prayer ..................................................................... Bishop Sheldon Hudson

Welcome ............................................................................ Gladys Grimaud

Introduction of Host Committee ............................................ Luella Redfern

Introduction of Speaker ......................................... Attorney Debra Galloway

Song ....................................................................................... Gloria Qualls

Speaker ..................................................................... Pastor Sylvia Mickens

~Prayer Time Leaders~

Bishop Darrell Croft • Ginger Simmons

Pastor Chester Gray • Bonita Britt

Pastor Gary Walton

Remarks ..................................................................................... Redfern II

CityLight


THE YEAR 2011 WAS A GOODone. Jesus has been active in our lives and in our world. We have re-

sponded to Him in faith which has given us the measure of hope we needed. It turned out to be a good year for Ann, a widow in Uganda. Her husband was murdered and she was raped by the same rebel soldiers who killed him. Because she was violated, her husband’s family threw her out of her home and would have nothing to do with her. She wanted to commit suicide but a lo-cal pastor intervened and off ered her hope. He told her he could not change what had happened to her but they could pray with her about the future. He told her about Je-sus and what it meant to be apart of the family of God. She came to the church but still had no place to live. Th e pastor with the help of a CityLight prayer groups raised the money to build Ann a home and helped her start a new life in Christ.

In the midst of turmoil and political up-heaval worldwide, God has been and is faithful to his Word and his people. Cit-yLight was founded by Joe and Gladys Grimaud with Pastor Eddie and Mattie Guess, as a local Christ centered response

to the call for Christian unity and prayer. CityLight invited Rev. Tony Evans and his wife Lois to come to South Carolina for a Crusade in Williams Brice Stadium in the middle of the Confederate fl ag controversy. Over 80,000 attended the three day event. Dr. Evans has recorded a Youtube video about the Storm that threaten the Cru-sade and the prayer that stopped it. Since then, CityLight has become an Interna-tional ministry with servant leaders from all races and denominations responding to the spiritual and physical needs of families worldwide. Th is has been a good year be-cause men, women and children worldwide have been touched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are a few of their stories.

CROSS STYLE

S TEPHEN MANLE Y IS Apreacher’s preacher. For over forty years

he and his wife Delphine have preached in a diff erent church every week. Th ey have traveled the world preaching the Cross Style Gospel of Jesus Christ. Th is year God has given Stephen a glimpse of ministry in a local church with international Bible train-ing centers worldwide. As a Cross Style

Director’s ReportRedfern IIExecutive Director CityLight Worldwide

CityLight.org

Pastor Eddie GuessCityLight Co-Chair

january 2012

Brooklyn Teen Challenge:JImmy LaRose, Ken and Valerie Cleland, Don Wilkerson, Jimmy Jack and Redfern II


Partner, CityLight has been blessed annu-ally to take over 100 prayer group leaders and their children to the June Cross Style Training Conference. Th is year we worked with Sean Patrick and the Cross Style Mu-sicians to produce “Source Me,” the music CD with newly written Cross Style Music. Ellen and Byron Bailey are now sharing international oversight on CityLight Cross Style Prayer Groups. Over the past twelve months the great needs of the people in Tennessee have exploded. With many folks out of work, or not making more than a minimum wage, Cross Style has expand-ed their feeding ministry. On an average day they serve from 20 to 50 people a hot

CITYLIGHT TEEN CHALLENGE

IT WAS LAST YEAR THAT I MET Don Wilkerson. Don is the brother

of David Wilkerson, the founder of Teen Challenge. Over the last 50 years David and Don have ministered to gang mem-bers and drug addicts with amazing suc-cess. Th e secret to their success is Jesus and the power of grace from a loving God. Th ere are over 1300 Teen Chal-lenge Centers around the world. Th ey bring hope to those who have nowhere else to turn. I saw the results of their ministry and knew we had to have a cen-ter in South Carolina.

cooked meal. Th ey give out food boxes on a weekly basis. Th ere are many people who come daily to eat at Cross Style Cafe. Lazarus Project is new to Cross Style this year. Presently they have 9 men enrolled for one year in this ministry. Th ese are men who are coming out of prison, addictions, or homelessness. Th ey live at the church or in the Lazarus House. During their year with Cross Style they learn life skills, acquire their GED, and attend classes in both their area of need as well as Respond-ing Recovery (which is a Christ centered 12 step program). Th ese men are a vital part of what is happening in Lebanon, TN. What a joy to watch them grow and seek Jesus. We love these folks and praise the Lord for bringing them into our family.

Th e CityLight Men on the Wall prayer groups started praying for a Teen Chal-lenge center to be established in Colum-bia. Th ey sponsored a trip to the Brooklyn Teen Challenge in New York to witness fi rst hand how the program operated. While there, Don Wilkerson recom-mended a Director to head the Citylight Teen Challenge in Columbia, SC. Th e men returned to Columbia determined to start the Center.

Jimmy LaRose and the CityLight Men on the Wall prayer groups raised the money to hire the Director and brought him to Columbia. Addiction, especially crack and alcohol addiction, destroys the per-son, his family and the community. Under

es ee

Th e CityLight Men on the Wall prayergroups started praying for a Teen Chal-lenge center to be established in Colum-

The men of CityLight Teen Challenge: Changed Lives,Changed Destinies

eal. Th ey give out food boxly basis. There are many peop

Stephen Manley


the leadership of the new Director, over 100 homeless men with drug and alcohol problems found hope in daily prayer and Bible instruction. CityLight Teen Chal-lenge off ered them a new life as disciples of Jesus Christ. It was a year of miracles, six houses completely furnished, 5 vans and cars, a bus and full time volunteers from Boston, New York, Pittsburgh and even Cameroon, West Africa.

After spending 6 months in CityLight Teen Challenge, one man was reunited with his year old daughter and is able to spend Christmas with her and his mother. Another young man has graduated from the program, has a job, his own apartment and is drug and alcohol free. Th ese are just a few of the many stories of restoration and reconciliation to come out of Cit-yLight Teen Challenge.

Th e CityLight Teen Challenge Director has a pretty incredible story of his own. After years of living of life of crime and drug addiction, he bounced from one Teen Challenge program to another try-ing to get his life together. He would get great jobs and have great opportunities but would always fall back into the dark-ness of addiction and sin. He ended up at Brooklyn Teen Challenge where Don Wilkerson saw something special in him. Wilkerson discipled him and prayed with and for him. Don Wilkerson and Jimmy LaRose, National Director of Men on the Wall, opened the door for him to get the position as director of CityLight Teen Challenge in Columbia, SC.

It has been an amazing year. Th e new di-rector with the support of CityLight and Men on the Wall was able to established the CityLight Teen Challenge program in Columbia and helped initiate two other lo-cal drug rehab programs. With help from

Rev. LaRose, and the Ecumenical Church underwriting salary and expenses, the new director bought a personal car, moved into a new home and developed a closer rela-tionship with his children.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE national Teen Challenge offi ce con-

tacted CityLight and suspended its agree-ment to operate under the name Teen Challenge. Th e ECC Program Review Committee in their annual review of the program approved the recommendation that the program should continue as a new organization with a new board of direc-tors. Th e ECC Program Review Commit-tee voted unanimously to gift the assets of the CityLight Teen Challenge program to the director and his new nonprofi t board after all incurred expenses were met. God has opened a door that no man can close.

CITYLIGHT STAFF

REV. THEODORE CUNNINGHAM is a minis-ter’s minister. He is a renaissance man. He has served as pastor of several large churches for over 20 years, traveled all over the world,

speaks several languag-es, has held elected and appointed public offi ces and is retired military with his beautiful wife, Toni. Ted has had an il-lustrious corporate and small business career

where he excelled because of excellent mana-gerial skills. Ted joined CityLight because he wanted to make a diff erence. Ted was ap-pointed as the CityLight Chief of staff . Th e fi rst questions were from his wife Toni. “Chief, where is the staff ? Are you a volunteer or were you drafted? Th ere is no one but you.”

Over the last year, Rev. Cunningham has re-cruited an all volunteer staff of over 60 individuals


worldwide who serve as the program directors of Citylight ministries. Rev. Cunningham has secured real and virtual offi ce space with the latest technology to advance the ministry. Cit-yLight is a leader in using video and telecon-ferencing to meet monthly with staff members in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Rev. Cunningham has recruited and developed administrative support services for all CityLight ministries. To help with managing our ever growing organization, Cunningham has selected Bruce Trezevant as Deputy Chief of Staff and Technology Administrator.

BRUCE TREZAVANT loves his mother. Ev-ery Sunday you’ll see him having dinner in some nice restaurant with his mother. A former police offi cer with the L.A.

Police Dept., Bruce hates crime. He is the President of Project Unity, a crime fi ghting organization that uses high powered video surveillance to fi ght local crime. When

thieves broke into his mother’s house and stole her television and jewelry, Bruce used this technology to capture them be-fore sundown. Trezevant, with the help of Calvin Breeland, manages all the com-munication and internet technology for CityLight and has provided leadership in establishing Prayer vigils around the city for murdered teenagers.

SYLVIA MICKENS’ heart breaks every time she hears a story of an abused child or

one born to parents with drug and alco-hol addiction. Pastor Sylvia is one of 14 children born to James and Hattie Mickens. She has a heart for the poor and broken.

She serves as the Director of the Christ Central mission station for the homeless. Serving more than 100 meals a day she has touched the lives of thousands. She shares her home with the homeless and 5 years ago God gave her the greatest gift of her life. She adopted a beautiful little girl who was born in diffi cult circumstances. She is now the mother of three more chil-dren and is looking for more ways to serve. She is planning to open Shakira’s House as a refuge for children born to homeless mothers, drug addicts and anyone with diffi cult circumstances. She wants to have a place where mothers can have their chil-dren while they get their lives together. In addition to these projects, Pastor Sylvia di-rects the Citylight monthly Prayer Break-fast where Prayer Group leaders pray for our city, nation and the world.

REV. SAM PERRY AND HIS WIFE, REV. PAULA PERRY, were appoint-ed to pastor the First Ecumenical Church. As with most of Cit-yLight volunteers Sam and his wife wear

many hats. Rev. Perry serves as the Chief musician for choirs of Daniel Circle Cha-pel at Fort Jackson, SC. An avid gardener, he supplies collard greens and fresh veg-etables to local soup kitchens and under-privileged families. Rev. Sam with his wife and co-pastor, Paula, are the founders of CityLight Prayer group #1 and #2. Th ese are the prayer groups that started them all.

Rev. Perry is a small business owner. He used his Lawn maintenance business to clean the yards of the elderly and widows who couldn’t aff ord his services. He also used his home improvement business to help non profi t organizations with repairs and renovations. As pastors of Th e First Ecumenical Church,


the Perrys have continued the church’s long legacy of serving the poor and hurting. For the Perrys, 2011 was a good year of ministry and servant leadership.

REV. RAMON AND ANNETTE BALAGUER | Ramon is the Chief Development offi cer

of CityLight. He is responsible for raising funds for the outreach programs of CityLight and partner ministries. He and his wife, An-nette, have committed volunteer time and

eff orts making a diff erence in the lives of the homeless and less fortunate. Ramon preaches at Christ Central Columbia Mis-sion Station every Friday at noon while Annette volunteers as CityLight’s Chief Administrative Offi cer at the homeless mission. Th ey are both retired military.

Ramon traveled to East Africa in December to visit CityLight Prayer Groups and Cross Style Bible Institute students. He presided over several graduations of students who have completed Cross Style training. Ramon is charged with raising funds to complete the CityLight Cross Style training Center being built to serve the 13 countries in East Africa.

ALEXIS TSINGNING is from Cameroon. He spent eight years in China teaching stu-dents to speak English. Alex joined CityLight as an answer to the call of ministry God has on his life. Th is past year opened the door

of serving for Alex. He has been a daily volunteer at a drug recovery ministry. He has been working with the men on basic language skills and anger management. Alex has also established the national Cit-

ylight Prayer group in Cameroon and is working to establish one in China. Alex and his wife, Mandy, have also initiated a new project of collecting and distributing food to poor families in the Midlands.

STEPHEN GIBBS is an urban farmer and a CityLight Partner. Stephen has led the movement to establish community gar-dens in the metropolitan area. Th is year

there were gardens producing vegetables for the poor in sev-eral neighborhoods around the city of Columbia, SC. Ste-phen has facilitated discussions with sev-

eral organizations including the home-less on the impact of creating commu-nity based food supplies for the poor.

DR. HATTIE MICKENS is 85 years old and is the mother of 14 children who are all involved in minis-try. She is the pastor of Holy Light Tab-ernacle in State Park and the Prayer Leader for the monthly Cit-

yLight Prayer Breakfast in Columbia, SC. She is known for spirit fi lled singing. She has passed this passion to her children and grandchildren who have formed the group Ya’acov to honor her late husband. CityLight is partnering with the group to record a new CD. Th e groups sings at the annual citywide dinner for the homeless.

ANTHONY AND TANYA BRYANT have served as the directors of CityLight Cross Style. Th e Bryants are celebrating a year of mar-riage, new job opportunities and added re-sponsibilities at First Church of the Naza-rene. Anthony has worked with Gang


Out, Boys and Girls clubs and has his own ministry, Split Sec-ond. Th e Bryants pio-neered the model of CityLight Cross Style Bible training with the Internet Video series

of Dr. Stephen Manley, “Being what you have become.” As a result of their eff orts the CityLight Cross Style Bible Training Institute is open and accepting students. Th e Bryants have had a year where their dreams have become real.

ERIC BOWDEN and his wife Renada have overcome sickness and adversity to serve as an example of a fam-ily praying together to seek their destiny. Eric is the volunteer Direc-

tor of CityLight Family Vision. Eric saw the need for every family to have a mis-sion and vision statement from God to guide their lives. The Bowdens hosted the first SC Family Vision Conference at Christ Central. Gregg Gunn and Mark Naylor, founders of Family Vi-sion were the speakers.

Eric is also a CityLight Partner with his nonprofi t organization, “Eternal Release.” He is a mentor to boys and men between the ages of 16 to 29. Eric and Eternal Release have a program called “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” where they distribute hats, gloves and clothing to the poor and homeless.

H.L. AND JANIE ALLEN are the Volunteer Directors of Citylight Prayer Programs. Th e Allens are a Prayer resource for the whole country. Th ey plan or helped to plan all the prayer programs in our area. Th ey at-

tend the national con-ferences where prayer techniques and strat-egies are developed. Th ey coordinate our community response to national and inter-national community

prayer eff orts such as the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, the National Day of Prayer, Th e Global Day of Prayer and Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Th e Allens are also the leaders of the Greater Columbia Call to Prayer organization.

ADRIAN AND HOLLY MOLDOVAN are the Directors of CityLight Crusades. Th ey were the sponsor of the Heaven on Earth Crusades held at the Metropolitan Con-vention Center. This was a good year for

the Moldovans. Adrian has been fin-ishing up the website and preparing for radio, television and web video pro-duction. He has taken the Heaven on Earth Crusade across the Country with speaking and preaching events.

SANDRA TAYLOR worked as Offi ce Manag-er at Christ Central and served as special

assistant to Vanessa Frazier and Christ Teens. Sandra was responsible for the monthly Columbia, SC CityLight Prayer Breakfast. She con-tacted all of the persons

who served on the CityLight Prayer break-fast Host Committee. Sandra has a special gift of creating and preparing food for special occasions. Th is was a special year for Sandra. She opened her own catering business and is


working with Vanessa and Jackie Mckie in providing meals for neighborhood children. Both Sandra and Jackie have established their CityLight Prayer Groups.

VANESSA FRAZIER has a special love for teens. She spends much of her time organizing CityLight Teen Prayer Groups in our local public schools. She holds a Prayer Time

teleconference every morning at 5AM with teens from schools around the dis-tricts calling in before they go to school. She is a loving Christian mom to all the children. She takes time to help them with everything from homework to questions about sex, dating and marriage. Vanessa’s big moment came this summer with the Teacher’s Rally at the State House. Teach-ers from around the state joined her in Prayer for our children, schools and the future. Th is year’s event was a tremendous success. Local and state politicians joined the rally and off ered their support.

REV. LUELLA REDFERN fi nished her fi rst year as the volunteer Director of Volun-teer Services at Christ Central Columbia Mission Station. She is responsible for recruiting organizations and individu-al volunteers to serve the needs of the homeless. Th is opportunity to serve came

out of her CityLight Esther Prayer Group with Pastor Sylvia Mickens, the director of Christ Central.

As the Director of Cit-yLight Esther Women

of Infl uence, Luella has led the organiza-tion to new heights of achievements. Th e Esther Prayer Groups have taken respon-

sibility for organizing the monthly Cit-yLight Prayer Breakfast. Several new Es-ther Prayer Groups have been established around the United States as well as in Jamaica and East Africa. Th e Annual Es-ther Women’s Retreat was held in Myrtle Beach with increased attendance and sig-nifi cant program additions and changes. New Partnerships were established with women’s groups in Oklahoma, Kansas City and Charleston, SC. Rev. Luella Redfern and Pastor Sylvia Mickens are now working as a team. Th ey are organiz-ing CityLight Esther Women of Infl uence Prayer Groups across the country.

JAMES AND PEARL HOLLOWAY live in Saluda, SC. Th ey were high school sweethearts. It is quite evident how much they love each other. Th ere is only one thing that they love as much as they love each other and that is their

hometown of Saluda, SC. James and Pearl have committed their lives to making sure everyone in their community has a better life. Over the last 40 years James and Pearl have been active in their church, local gov-ernment and community organization. Th ey organized members of their community to buy their old high school when it closed and turned it into a community Center. Th ey use the center as the hub of volunteer social service for Saluda. Th e Center is the Food bank, the healthcare facility, after school tu-torial center and the clothes bank. Th e center provides a WiFi connection and a computer center for the residents.

CityLight Saluda has always been the lead Prayer Group for our annual vaca-tion bible trip to Lebanon, Tennessee. Pearl Holloway and the Saluda CityLight Esther Women of Infl uence have always


Photographer - VideographerZoe Warren | Pistuo Productions

Sponsorship ManagerSam Perry

ColumnistsJoe Grimaud

Gladys GrimaudChakissee Newton

H.L. AllenJed Snyder

provided leadership with the Esther Re-treat but this year was special. James and Pearl overcame some diffi cult personal situations, yet, they never wavered on their commitments to their community. Th eir faith carried them through.

JED SNYDER loves the Lord. He was born to parents who gave their hearts and lives to the Lord on the missionary fi elds of South Ameri-ca. Jed has served in the body of Christ bringing

healing, enlightenment, sound doctrine and the most excellent lesson of a living example. As a citylight staff member and partner, Jed has become our chief mentor and friend. Th e wisdom that comes from a life lived in the bosom of Christ off ers a wellspring of hope, instruction and direction.

CITYLIGHT INTERNATIONAL Charles and Agnes Mpagi, CityLight East Africa; Andrew and Jeyarani Dev, CityLight India; Andrew and Vania Staine, CityLight Belize; Andrew and Michelle Green, CityLight Jamaica; Rasheed Akther, CityLight Pakistan; Donald and Cyndi Kidd, CityLight Southeast Asia.

All of our ministry efforts have reflected the heart of Jesus. Whether it was serv-ing a meal in a homeless shelter, adopt-ing the child of a drug addict or digging a well in a remote village in the third world. We describe CityLight as a spirit filled, spirit led organization that seeks to be a catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change.

CATALYST STAFF

The Franciscan BenedictionMay God bless you with discomfort

At easy answers, half-truths,and superfi cial relationships

So that you may live deepwithin your heart.

May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression,and exploitation of people,

So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears

To shed for those who suff er pain, rejection, hunger and war,

So that you may reach out your handto comfort them and

To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you withenough foolishness

To believe that you can make adiff erence in the world,

So that you can do what othersclaim cannot be done

To bring justice and kindness toall our children and the poor.

Amen

PublisherRedfern II

EditorCasey Lowe

CityLight FoundersJoe & Gladys Grimaud

Creative DirectorGabe Lowe

DirectorSylvia Mickens

LogisticsSandra Taylor

CastingLuella Redfern

ITBruce Trezevant

CATALYST STAFF CON’T


Th e Call I was only 5 years old when my parents took me to a revival where Rev. A. A. Allen was preaching. It was at that meeting that God began to speak to my heart. It was at that meeting that God showed me a vision of my-self baptizing people in a large body of water.

I didn’t understand it then, but almost 50 years later, on a mission trip to South Africa, I stood in the Indian Ocean baptizing God’s people.

I know that God is always speaking to His creation. It was at the age of fi ve that I fi rst recall Him speaking to me. God has spoken to me many times since that mo-

already knew my faults and imperfections, yet still wanted me! Finally, after falling on my face, running into many dead end streets, and being beat down by sin, I found out His Way to be much better than mine.

Salvation I clearly remember the day I accepted Christ as my Savior. I grew up with par-ents who were real, parents who practiced what they preached. We went to church what seemed like every day. Th is particular day was no diff erent than any other day. Or, so I thought.

When I was dressing for church, I had no

I live by Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the thoughts that I think

toward you, says Yahweh (God), thoughts of peace, and not of

evil, to give you good hope in the end.”

ment. Being spoken to by God Himself is such an honor that I tend to be awe that He chose to create me. I am amazed that He chooses to speak to and use me. I of-ten feel inadequate when it comes to doing Kingdom Work.

Growing up in a Christian family, I still strug-gled with completely yielding to God. I, like so many of us, would prefer to do things my way. I learned that when God chose me, He

idea that would be the day my life would change. I went to church that day, but as soon as I got in and sat down, I knew some-thing out of the ordinary was going to hap-pen. I wanted to leave, but for some reason I couldn’t. I now know that it was God telling me that this was my new birthday.

When it was time for the BENEDIC-TION, I couldn’t wait to get out of the building. In the middle of the closing song,


Pastor Hattie Mickens, Pastor of Holy Light Tabernacle Church, stopped the song and said “Is there somebody else who wants to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior”?

Now, I had been trying to keep it together until then, but something broke in me and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was speaking to me through her. Th at was some 28 years ago. It’s been a long jour-ney, but Jesus has been right by my side.

On a Mission Shortly after being saved and working in the church, I felt an emptiness in my spirit as if I was just not doing enough for the King-dom. I was never satisfi ed just working in the church. Preaching, teaching Sunday school, directing the Choir, and serving in the kitch-en just did not fulfi ll the longing I had in my soul.

I took classes and went to confer-ences trying to become a better Christian. I accepted the call from God to preach the Gospel in 1985. Th rough my study in the Word, I realized that God wanted to share some of the deeper mysteries of the Bible with me and I had a hunger to know Him in a deeper, more in-timate way. God then revealed His Sacred Name, Yahweh, and the in-comparable Name of His Son, Yahshua, to me. I was honored and I give Him all the glory as He continues to give me insights into my Hebraic roots.

I live by Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh (God), thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you good hope in the end.”

Home Life I am privileged to be the mother of one adult son, three adult daughters, one ad-

opted baby girl, and four grandchildren. In 1991, I became a Licensed Th erapeutic Foster Parent for SAFY (Safe Alternatives for Families and Youths) and have gained much experience in shaping and enhanc-ing the lives of many children. I have fos-tered over 40 children during the last 20 years and I currently have a 15 year old that I am fostering. My experience as a Foster Mother would prove very useful when God would later bless me with a newborn baby and a new mission to take care of abused, neglected, and homeless infants.

Th e Christ Central Story In 1994, my spiritual father, Reverend S. A. Williams, invited me to come help a man who was feeding the homeless in the base-ment of a church. Reluctantly, I went out

in obedience and quickly realized that this kind of ministry was not for me. Th is was my beginning with what is now known as Christ Central Ministries, Inc., founded by Pastor Jimmy Jones.

Even though I tried to leave it alone, God would not let me turn this ministry loose. So, I started out serving plates, and from there I sang in the choir, worked with the women from Hannah House, and drove the bus for Kid’s Kamp. From there, I be-came associate pastor.


God spoke to me to leave my benefi ts and full time job with Richland School District Two, to serve full time in the inner city ministry of Missions for Christ Central,, without any salary. Talk about faith on trial! My faith was truly tested.

By this time, I had already witnessed so many miracles and seen God do so many wonderful things in the lives of people and even in my life. I chose to obey His call and become a full time local missionary. It was in my work at Christ Central that I learned to be a true servant in the King-dom of God.

When God spoke to Pastor Jimmy Jones to open mission stations all over the world, he handed the mantle of Pastor to me. Seven-teen years later, I continue to serve as Pastor and Director of Christ Central Columbia.

Christ Central is a 501(c)3 non-profi t organi-zation. Christ Central has continued to grow and expand its services to include: hot meals, food distribution, clothing distribution, tran-sitional housing for families, men, women and children, mentoring and tutorial programs for children from toddlers to high school students, entrepreneurial training in agriculture, life skills, and career education, and a coaching center for families dealing with autistic family members of all ages.

Christ Central is cross-denominational. Re-spect to all denominations is given as we serve our neighbors with help in our hands and hope in our words. We operate by faith and through volunteers and donors who willingly give of their time, talent and treasure. Our greatest joy is to witness the demonstration of the daily presence of the Lord we serve.

Today, Christ Central Ministries consists of 36 Mission Stations in South Carolina, the Christ Central Institute, which is a Bible Col-

lege, the Career Arts Institute, which is a faith based certifi ed recovery program, and the in-tern program.

Christ Central Columbia, located at 2401 Main Street in Columbia, started out as a soup kitchen serving about 20 people a lunch meal each day. Today, we are a DHEC Certifi ed Kitchen with an ‘A’ rating, serving over 150 healthy, nutritional meals daily.

Additional services off ered at theColumbia mission station include:

Over 3,000 healthy meals served800 snacks to after school programs90+ families served groceries Clothes: men, women, childrenWorship ServicesJobs/community service hoursSnacks for day-care Personal hygiene packsBus ticketsPampersA/A meetingsPrescriptions GED classesSupport classesHealth educationExercise classes Medical Services Prayer Meetings Benefi t BankFoot Care ClinicWomen’s meetingsN/A meetings

Shakira House Th e vision of Shakira House was birthed in my heart about fi ve years ago when a beauti-ful baby girl was born to a homeless woman who was volunteering at Christ Central. Th is young lady just wanted a place to belong.

After working with her, I found out that she was HIV positive, addicted to crack,


suff ered from Hepatitis C, and was in an abusive relationship. Immediately after giv-ing birth, the little girl, whose name was Shakira, was taken into protective custody.

I was called to the hospital by the mother and asked if I would help her. I looked into the eyes of a baby who was only 3 hours old and her pain spoke to my heart. I was so broken that this beautiful little girl had so much going against her in the world she had just entered.

In her brokenness, her own mother could not even help. I left the hospital that day knowing that I could not save all the hurt-ing babies, but I sure was determined to save this one.

After three appoint-ments with Th e Depart-ment of Social Services and two court appear-ances, exactly thirty eight days later, I brought that precious little baby girl home to my family. Sha-kira is now a healthy fi ve year old, full of life and love, with a bright future.

Th e ultimate goal of Shakira House is to pro-tect and care for at-risk infants and help them grow up in a loving home. “Suff er the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven”.

Th e greatest investment one can make is to sow in the life of a child. Shakira House is a great opportunity for you to make a diff erence in the life of a child.

Community Service In addition to my responsibilities as Pas-tor and director of Christ Central, I serve beside my mother, Pastor Dr. Hattie Mae Mickens, as the Assistant Pastor of Holy

Light Tabernacle, a Messianic ministry that embraces its Jewish roots. In 2010, I was licensed in the First Ecumenical Church Worldwide. I also serve on the First Ecumenical Council and have served for over ten years in local missions at the House of Praise under the leadership of Bishop Darrell and Mary Croft. I am the Program Coordinator for the City Light monthly prayer breakfast.

Ministry takes you in many directions. When God leads me, I have to follow. As such, I serve on the following boards:

Holy Light Tabernacle Church Executive Board, Christ Central Executive Board, Esther Women of Infl uence Executive Board, First Ecumenical Council, and the Eternal Release Executive Board.

I am the fi fth of four-teen children born to Pastor Hattie Mae and the late Deacon James Mickens. I have one adult son, Rick; three adult daughters Debra, Crystal, Alita, and one baby girl, Shakira; four grandchildren; Detrick, Kelcey, Christofer, and Marketta and 1 great grandson; DJ. My ulti-

mate goal in life is to record a True Name Gospel CD and to continue to fulfi ll God’s purpose for me. In my walk, I have been privileged to meet some of the most powerful, loving and giving people. I’m just honored to be a vessel used by God and it’s an even greater honor to serve His people.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty working power at work within us, to accomplish infi nitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!” Ephesians 3: 20-21

“Suff er the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not for of such is the

Kingdom of Heaven”.


MaDaddy is the patriarch of the Mickens family and has fathered a tribe of children as well—Th irteen to be exact...

Th ere are numerous James’ recorded in biblical text. Th ey were James the son of Zebedee and brother of John and an apos-tle (Matthew 4:21; 10:2; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10), James the Less, son of Alphaeus and also an apostle (Matthew 10:3; Acts 1:13) and James the brother of our Savior (Mat-thew 13:35; Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:18, 19). But, it is for the New Testament epistle which bears his name that James is most remembered.

James understood the relationship between faith and works (obedience) in regard to man’s relationship with the Creator. His book, which is addressed to the twelve tribes of the dispersion, touched on many themes to include the nature of tempta-tion and its source (1:2-18); pure religion (1:19-27); the dangers of the tongue (3:1-12); true and false wisdom (3:13-18); the source of discord among brethren (4:1-10); the future and how to face it (4:11-17); the dangers of wealth (5:1-6); and patience, prayer and confession (5:7-20). His goal was to teach the tribes some well needed information to bridge the gap.

ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT

YA’ACOVW

e are named after our father and

grandfather Deacon James Mick-

ens. “MaDaddy,” as we loving know him

as, kept his family in church and instilled

music in his family. Th is group is named in

his honor as a tribute to the great man he,

along with his wife Hattie, are.

MaDaddy went to be with our Creator on

the fourteenth day of the fi rst month of

the year 2000.

Did you know that James is the most com-

mon name for a male in the United States?

Did you know that “James” is derived from

the same Hebrew name as Jacob, meaning

“grasps by the heel”?

ABOUT YA’ACOV,THE BIBLICAL PATRIARCH...Ya’acov, who is also known as Israel, is the

third Biblical patriarch. His name, Ya’akov

derives from the Hebrew root “בקע,” “heel.”

Jacob was the son of Isaac and the grand-

son of Abraham. Jacob played a major part

in the biblical events we read about in the

Five Books of Moses. Jacob had twelve

sons and thus fathered the twelve Tribes

of Israel.


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TABLE SPONSORS

It is in honor of MaDaddy, who is the pa-triarch of the Mickens family, like Jacob is the patriarch of the Israelite nation, that we are named Ya’acov. It is in honor of MaD-addy, the man who not only taught us mu-sic, but also like James in the bible, taught how to live that we are named Ya’acov.

Each member of the group is a direct de-scendant of MaDaddy. He is either the father or grandfather to each singer and musician.

JAMES E., lead singer and daughter of James and Hattie Mickens. James is named after her father.

TASHIA, background vocalist and grand-daughter of James and Hattie Mickens.

DEBRA, background vocalist and grand-daughter of James and Hattie Mickens. Debra is also the sister of Tashia.

MAYA, second lead singer and grand-daughter of James and Hattie Mickens. Maya is also the daughter of James E.

MARTIN, lead guitar player and the young-est son of James and Hattie Mickens.

JOSEPH, bass guitar player and the grand-son of James and Hattie Mickens.

TERRENCE, drummer and the grandson of James and Hattie Mickens. Terrence is also the son of James E.

Ya’acov is on their way to releasing their fi rst album.


EVERY DECEMBER CITYLIGHT sends a missionary team to East Africa for

21 days to assist and assess the progress being made with the Cross Style Bible Training Pro-gram and the establishment of CityLight Prayer Groups. Students who have attended the Bible Training classes over a two year period and have satisfactorily completed their course require-ments, have their graduations in December. For the last four years Rev. Redfern II, representing both CityLight and Cross Style has offi ciated at these graduations and presented the students their one year certifi cates and the second year students with their diplomas.

purchased several acres of land to build a fa-cility to train pastors and church leaders from the 13 countries in East Africa. Th e campus will serve as the administrative complex for CityLight Africa. A health center is planned for the campus for primary health care and the treatment of HIV/AIDs and Malaria. Guest houses and dormitories for international guests and mission teams are also planned. Th e campus will also be equipped as a major communications hub for the region.

Th e trip began on the 1st of December with a 2PM fl ight from Columbia airport to Wash-ington, DC, then a short layover before tak-ing the 8 hour fl ight to Zurich. We arrived in Zurich at 7:43AM CET the next day. After spending a couple hours in Zurich we boarded an 8 hour fl ight to Nairobi, Kenya. We spent 4 hours at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Ke-nya before boarding a plane for our last hour of fl ying to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, East Africa. We arrived at midnight.

Th e CityLight Cross Style partnership is designed to provide a Biblical education and training for pastors who can not attend a con-ventional seminary. Cross Style provides the pastors with a generator, CD player, television monitor and 250 DVDs of course materials. Th ese are necessary for pastors in rural areas where there is no electricity. After graduation

CityLight’s Fourth Missionary Journey to East AfricaBy Redfern II

Th is year Rev. Ramon Balaguer, Chief De-velopment offi cer of CityLight, accompanied Rev. Redfern so he could visit the site of the CityLight Cross Style Campus under con-struction in Magamaga, Uganda. Working with the local Ugandan Leadership CityLight

designetrainingventionpastors

ev. Ramon Balaguer, Chief De-offi cer of CityLight, accompaniedn so he could visit the site of the

2011 Cross Style Bible Graduates


each student is then expected to select 12 lay members to disciple, teaching them what they learned as a Cross Style Student.

CH A R LE S M PAG I I S T H E Pas-tor of Victory Celebration Centre in

Magamaga and the director of the CityLight Cross Style initiative. Pastor Mpagi is re-sponsible for 25 Cross Style Bible training Centers and he developed the fi rst Citylight Prayer Groups in East Africa. As the local host, Pastor Charles has taken responsibility for our itinerary each year.

Pastor Charles and his team met us at the airport and took us in a new Cit-yLight van to the Millennium hotel in nearby Kampala, the capital of Ugan-da. Th e van was no t a b r and new van. It was purchased used

with money from the local CityLight Prayer groups and matched money from CityLight worldwide. Each year we spend a consider-able amount of money on van rentals but now we have our own van. After a quick, but good, night’s rest, we were having breakfast at the hotel and preparing to meet Pastor Leon from Democratic Republic of Congo. It was Saturday morning, December 3rd and Pastor Leon had traveled several days to meet with us about organizing CityLight Prayer Groups in the major cities of the Congo. He explained that they just had elections and there was vio-lence and demonstrations in the country. He felt that Jesus could make a diff erence in his country through CityLight Prayer Groups. We explained the CityLight Cross Style plan of Biblically training Pastors and church members to disciple others in Prayer Groups. Pastor Leon committed to organizing a group of 12 Pastors from around the Congo to im-plement the CityLight Cross Style strategy.

new vapurchas

with money from the local CityLighgroups and matched money from C

Pastor Charles & Agnes Mpagi

We left Pastor Leon in Kampala and headed to the town of Jinja and the Paradise Hotel, which is located at the mouth of the Nile river. Later in the day, we were scheduled to offi ciate at the wedding of one of our Cross Style graduates and Citylight Prayer Group leaders in nearby Magamaga.

Arriving in Jinja, we were greeted by the own-ers of the Paradise hotel, Francis and Margaret Otile. Th ey have been married for 47 years and are two of the fi nest Christians you could ever meet. Th ey have written a book entitled “Mar-riage: Th e Biblical Approach.” Th e book is a pro-found set of biblical instructions for prospective married couples. Th e hotel served as our base of operations for fi rst fi ve days of our trip.

Later in the day, we offi ciated at the wed-ding in Magamaga and attended the recep-tion on Saturday afternoon, then spent the evening meeting with Pastor Charles and his team of Prayer Group leaders and teachers of the Cross Style Centers throughout East Africa. Th e leaders shared stories about how their Prayer groups operated in the villages and towns. Some met daily while other met weekly or monthly. Th ey told us about Prayer groups who served as security for their villag-es and communities. Some even had Prayer groups who double as medical teams and di-saster relief groups.

On Sunday we celebrated and worship with Pastor Charles at his Church, in Magagmaga. Over three hundred people were in attendance. Several Prayer Group leaders from outlying districts came to welcome us and report their progress. Among them were Pastor Hunning-ton, who expressed great disappointment in not seeing Ellen and Byron Bailey of Cross Style. Rev. Balaguer preached at the service from the Gospel of Luke sixth chapter and verses 12-18. His message centered of the fi rst and original Prayer Group of Jesus.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we traveled to Iziru, Kityerera, Mayuge, Bulum-ba and Bugiri to offi cially launch CityLight Prayer Groups started by last year’s Cross


Style graduates. At each location, there was a formal program with Rev. Ramon and Redfern preaching the CityLight Cross Style message of Jesus and servant leader-ship. Each host prepared a full course meal for the gathering with special local recipes. Th ere were songs and dances led by the dif-ferent Prayer Group leaders in each of the villages and Towns. In Bugiri, we awarded certifi cates to those fi rst year students.

We spent the Th ursday traveling to Mbarara for a Cross Style Graduation on Friday. Th e trip is over eight hours but the most of the travel was on good roads. We arrived late and checked into the Rwizi Arch hotel. We al-ways stay here when we travel to Mbarara. Th e desk clerks, maids, waiters and hotel

staff know us and expect us to come every December. Th e hotel is comfortable with all western conveniences. It is our second base hotel, we stay here for a couple of days.

In Mbarara, the graduations are held at Eden Revival, the church of Pastor Asiimwe Evans. Th is is a very strong Cross Style Center pro-ducing some of the best students and Prayer Group Leaders. Pastor Evans is the Dean of Students for the Cross Style Centers. He travels to the centers in Western Uganda and spends a week at each one teaching. Th e travel is tedious and dangerous but he per-sists. Besides the general perils of the road, he faces the threat of robbers and bandits.

Most of the classes are held in churches. In the towns where the centers are located he will sleep on the fl oor of the church, or at one of the student homes. Prayer group lead-ers provide his meals and other needs. Due to his dedication, leaders are coming from adjacent countries to the centers in Uganda for training, so that they can set up centers in their home country.

From the Friday Mbarara graduation we travel to Rukungiri for a graduation and two weddings of CityLight Prayer Group leaders. Th e graduations and wedding were held at the Bible for the World Church. Th e Pastor is a Cross Style graduate and a strong supporter of cityLight and she is a Prayer Group leader. We spent the night in the Rukungiri Inn.

Th e next morning we traveled up the mountain, on the worst roads I have ever experienced in my life, to get to the next graduation. Th e trip was so dangerous, the roads so rough, and the center so remote, that we asked Pastor Charles why he would even consider having a center in this God forsaken place. He answered, “if we didn’t come here, who would?” Th e Gospel is not just for those in convenient locations. Th is is the heart of car-rying the Cross Style message. In this remote village, in the middle

of a fi eld under a tent, 20 students with caps and gowns were recognized for their study and hard work. Th ey became the servant leaders in their community, entrusted with the Biblical training to change a generation.

We returned to the Rwizi Arch hotel that night to meet with the Pastors of several Ministe-rial Associations from the countries surround-ing Uganda. Each Pastor present represented 25 churches or more in his area. Most of the pastors traveled great distances to attend the meeting. Some had traveled for days using bus, train, car and motorcycle to get to the meeting. One Pastor from the Sudan had traveled for eight (8) days to get to the meeting.


Pastor Charles and Pastor Evans chaired the meeting and introduced Rev. Redfern and Rev. Balaguer, they discussed the importance of providing Biblical training for Pastors and or-ganizing CityLight Prayer Groups. It was de-cided that we form a coordinating Council to plan the implementation of CityLight Cross Style Centers in Africa. Several of the Pastors requested CityLight Cross Style Centers be placed immediately in their countries.

After the meeting, we were to meet with Pastor Nestor from Kabuyande. He traveled 4 hours by Motorcycle to meet with us. We did not schedule a trip to Kabuyande because they had graduation last year and there were no new students for this year’s graduation. Pastor Nestor had one request. “Come to Ka-buyande and see our Prayer Groups.”

We explained to him that our schedule did not allow enough time for us to go to Ka-buyande. Nestor responded, I only want you to keep your word. You promised us last year that you would come back to Kabuyande and see our Prayer Groups. What could we say?

At 5AM Monday morning we left Mba-rara for the 4 hour trip to Kabuyande. We

told Pastor Nestor that we would only stay an hour because we had a days travel ahead of us to get to Masindi. We arrived at 9:30 AM Monday morning and there were over 300 people in the church waiting for us. Th ey were singing praise songs and worshiping God when we drove up to the Church.

Pastor Nestor lined his leaders up with their Prayer groups and they took turns singing verses of praise songs. Th ey marched around the church and danced in celebration and victory. Th ey served us a full course meal and welcomed us as brothers in what seemed like a family reunion. Pastor Nestor said they have outgrown their old church because of the CityLight Prayer Groups.

After traveling all day Monday we arrived in Masindi late and checked into a hotel. On Tuesday and Wednesday we conducted two graduations, and offi cially launched several Citylight Prayer Groups started by last year’s Cross Style graduates in the area.

While traveling to one of the Masindi gradu-ations our van became stuck in a foot of mud. Over a dozen people came to help push us out of the mud, but to no avail. Th en Rev.

Th e trip was so dangerous, the roads so rough and the center so remote that we asked Pastor Charles why he would even

consider having a center in this God forsaken place. He answered, If we didn’t come here, who would?”

ns chaired the dfern and Rev

told Pan hou

Pastor Charlesfrom Sudan

astor Nestor that we wr because we had a day

Pastor David

uld only stay ays travel aheadwouays

Pastor George

Pastor Charles and Pastor Evmeeting and introduced Rev R

Pastor Asiimwe Evans


Redfern got out of the van, stepped down in the mud, and organized our help. He led the team by taking the front end of the van with his body yelling. “PUSH!” With everybody working together we moved the van out of the mud. He said this is how God uses Prayer Groups. We pray for direction and guidance, then we work like we expect the miracle. On this same road, we encountered a river over-fl owing and covering the road with 3 feet of water. We were not stopped or delayed.

On Th ursday and Friday we launched Cit-yLight Prayer Groups in Busia, Tororo and Malaba. We crossed the border into Kenya on Saturday morning to get to Bungoma for the wedding of CityLight Cross Style Director, Daniel Juma. We arrived at the Church for the 11:00 AM wedding. Th e groom didn’t ar-rive until 4:00 PM and the Bride didn’t arrive until 6 PM. Th ere was nonstop music and dancing the entire time with no breaks. Th e cooks prepared the wedding feast outside the church in huge pots cooking on open fi res. Th ere were nearly 500 people in attendance. Bishop Juma, the father of the groom had re-quested Rev. Redfern to conduct the wedding service. Rev. Redfern had to preside over the ceremony in the dark, with only candle light to read by, after the generator broke.

We left Kenya and drove to Gabba, a village outside of the capital city of Kampala. Th e Cross Style graduation is always held at Pas-tor Larry’s church, Garden of Peace. Cross Style director, Donal James and CityLight Prayer Group leader, David Eyoma are the leaders in the Kampala district. Th ere were 12 graduates who will become the new Cit-yLight Prayer Group leaders of the District.

We returned to Jinja to spend our last night at the Paradise Hotel with the Otiles. We talked with Mrs. Otile about the possibility of jointly publishing their book on marriage as a CityLight resource in the U.S. We told her we would discuss it with the leaders of CityLight when we returned home.

ON MONDAY, O UR LAST DAY in Uganda, we traveled to the construc-

tion site of the CityLight Cross Style Cam-pus to see for ourselves what had been ac-complished. Upon arriving we saw a fi eld of corn growing across the front of the property. Pastor Mpagi explained that they have been growing crops on the land where no construc-tion was taking place, as a way to raise money for ministry projects. Moving back beyond the crops we saw the foundation and fi rst fl oor of the fi rst building under construction.

“this is how God uses Prayer Groups. We pray for directions and guidance and then we work like we expect the miracle.”


There were piles of bricks, sand and rock aggregate for floors and walls. The first building is to have four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a common area. It will be used as an office and a dormi-tory to house ministry staff from other parts of the country. The plans call for two more of these buildings to be built, in the first phase of construction, along with the Citylight Auditorium and Chapel.

The Auditorium will be used for assem-blies and leadership retreats. It will also be used for church services, wedding and special events. With the two additional

buildings we will be able to accommodate the training of at least two leaders from each of the 13 countries of East Africa. The training would prepare them to set CityLight Cross Style Training Centers in their Countries. We were impressed with what had been done and the time line for completion. The fact that the local CityLight Prayer Groups have matched the money we have invested in the project was also impressive. Rev. Balaguer thought that $100,000 could complete the project.

WE LEF T THE CAMPUS AND headed for Entebbe to catch our

fl ight home. Our fl ight was delayed and our fl ight home had a rough start, which caused us to miss our fl ight in Washington, DC. We fi nally got home four hours later than planned. Th e trip was long, diffi cult and ar-duous but worth every minute. We saw what God can do with dedicated men who pray and encourage others to study and Pray!

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Est

She taught me a further understanding of Jesus, who is not by my side but dwells within me. Gladys not only taught me how to pray, she taught me why we pray. Intro-ducing me to the style of the cross, through prayer and bible study, I learned that God is equipping me with gifts and abilities to use in His service. Gladys encouraged me to develop my spiritual gifts of speaking and teaching. God’s ultimate purpose for all of us is that He would be glorifi ed and that the gospel and God’s kingdom would be advanced. Th e Bible tells us that there is a peace that comes when we are pleasing God with our lives.

Pastor Syl-via Mick-ens and her mother the Rev. Dr. Hat-tie Mickens together as a team are teaching me c o m p a s -sionate min-istry. I work along side Pastor Sylvia daily as vol-unteer coordinator at Christ Central Co-lumbia Missions Station. She is teaching me the primary needs of the poor. Teach-ing me how to serve the least of these with love. She says “just love them”. I am learn-ing when to just love and when to evange-lize. I am also learning how to be thankful. Pastor Sylvia is training me how to bless those in need by meeting their practical needs for food and clothing, while reserv-ing dignity. Anticipating that Jesus will use me to create an opportunity for those we serve and for those that volunteer to assist us in serving to experience the Holy

cause there is no way I would have chosen this man for myself. He is truly the answer to my prayer. A man after God’s own heart. God brought two broken vessels together and made us whole again in preparation for the ministry he had set aside for us. You see, as babies, we come into this world with all the characteristics needed to become the person God created us to be. Th at tiny little seed planted in our mother’s wombs had exactly the right genetic makeup to create us for the purpose God had in mind. Nev-ertheless, character is not something we are born with. Like a piece of clay, our charac-ter is molded by nature and the nurture of those who raised us and those we choose as role models. We have been molded and shaped by the things of the world and the world has taken control of our lives.

God places godly men and women in our lives to give us guidance and to disciple us. Redfern and I listen to the advice of these godly men and women. Th eir wisdom helps us to understand the plan God has for us. We were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. Just as God set apart from birth Isaiah (Isaiah 49), Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 1:5) and Paul (Galatians 1:15) for a specifi c purpose, he also has a specifi c plan for us. We are committed to following God’s will daily, whatever the cost. “Being confi dent of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

God placed a woman named Gladys Gri-maud in my path or me in her path. What-ever the case, we crossed paths. She invited me to an Esther bible study class. It was in that bible study that I learn that God does not give me strength, He is my strength.

Being an EstherWoman of Infl uenceContinued from page 5


Spirit working in our hearts. In hope that this will give them a clear understanding that the same Holy Spirit wants to make His home in their Hearts.

Rev. Dr. Hattie Mickens, Mother Mickens as she is passionately called, is teaching and training me how to be a godly wife. My pri-mary role is to obey God’s will for me as a pastor’s wife. Giving my husband spiritual and natural support, remembering that we are no longer two but one. I am a help mate to my husband at home in private where no members see as well as at the church.

Helping my husband to successfully l e a d t h e people with encourage-ment, a lis-tening ear and prayer, much prayer. M o t h e r Mickens is a very power-ful woman of God, dem-ons t ra t ing humbleness and meek-

ness. She is teaching me how to share my husband with all, saint and sinners. I am confi dent in her prayers for my husband and for me. I am thankful that God gives us natural and spiritual mothers.

I had become a mother by the time I real-ized how much my mom had infl uenced me. She was a very important role model for me growing up. Th e things she instilled in me as a child built the Christian char-acter that has sustained me through my adult life. She taught me the importance of confi dence, to love and care for my fam-

ily, to work hard and how to be a lady. I can remember her taking us to church and sending us to vacation bible study every summer. We were allowed to watch very little TV, Paul Harvey promptly at 6:00 PM, and watched every Billy Graham cru-sade that was ever on TV. She is still teach-ing me how to raise my children today.Esther of the bible is an encouragement to all of us to use whatever talents, position, popularity, or wealth we have been blessed with to tell a lost world that our King gave His life to save us from the eternal torment of hell. “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8:35)

Th ough God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, he was working behind the scenes in Esther’s life to deliver His people. We may not always recognize His presence in our situation, He is always working on our behalf for his divine plan and purpose. Wherever He chooses to strategically place us, we come into the kingdom as we are, but He transforms us into the women we are destined to be for his glory, “for such a time as this”.

I am honored to say that I chose to be an Esther Women of Infl uence. Whether you know it or not, you are always infl uencing someone. You can decide if you are a godly role model or a negative role model. Being an Esther Women of Infl uence requires a close daily walk in Christ, a humble spirit and dependence upon His power working in and through me. It is both a privilege and a responsibility because it allows me to infl uence other women in a godly direction and gives me the privilege to be a godly role model making a diff erence that mat-ters for eternity. With prayer and the study of God’s word you too can become an Es-ther Women of Infl uence.

ons t ra t ing humblenessand meek-

ness. She is teaching me how to share my husband with all, saint and sinners. I amconfi dent in her prayers for my husbandand for me. I am thankful that God givesus natural and spiritual mothers.

ther Women of Infl uence Executive DirectorLuella Redfern with her mother.


NEWTON’S LAWS OF INFLUENCEC H A K I S S E N E W T O N ’ S

Tools and Tips to Improve Professional and Personal Success

1. IDENTIFY YOUR INTENT:Before you call or type, identify the purpose of your communication. Do you want to inform, request informa-tion, inspire action or achieve a diff er-ent objective?

2. EXPRESS YOUR INTENTION IMMEDIATELY:Get to the point. Th en, only provide the necessary background information for your recipient to take action.

- For Email, your subject line and the fi rst line of your email body should address your intent. “Please Review,” “Feedback Re-

quested,” making a direct request or using headings that request specifi c action are most helpful to your reader.

- For Voicemail, after you identify yourself (and, if necessary, who re-

ferred you), begin your voicemail with “I’m calling because” or “I’m calling

to” so the listener understands your purpose in the fi rst few seconds.

Chakisse NewtonCardinal Consulting803.753.1311 | CardinalConsulting.net

When you think of inspiring action through powerful communications, do you think of email and voicemail? You can use those tools to infl u-

ence and clearly communicate with others if you use these simple techniques:

Practical Influence:Get Results with Voicemail and Email


conclusion. If you review what you need

to say instead of “winging it,” you’ll be

more concise and eff ective.

6. FORMAT FOR FUNCTIONALITY:

With email, use bullet points, bold

formatting and headlines to empha-

size key information and make it easy

for the reader to follow your points. In

voicemail, if you have multiple points,

tell the listener how many points you

have then enumerate them so the lis-

tener can follow. Daily voicemail and

email are so commonplace that it’s easy

to take them for granted. But if you’ll

use these six techniques, you will stand

out from the crowd, increase your eff ec-

tiveness and make it easy for people to

interact with you. Everyone will appre-

ciate the results.

3. USE “YOU-FOCUSED” LANGUAGE:

Use the word “you” more than “I.” Men-

tion how your request or information is

benefi cial and you’ll increase your infl u-

ence. Even routine communications like

changes to an expense report form have

clear benefi ts like getting faster reimburse-

ment for corporate travel.

4. NAME NEXT STEPS:

Explicitly state what, if anything, needs

to be done. Make sure next steps stand

out and provide any necessary informa-

tion to enable quick action. If you have

a long voicemail or email, reiterate those

steps at the end.

5. STREAMLINE YOUR STRUCTURE:

Like good speeches, voicemail and email

can also have a clear opening, body and


Th e Miracle Birth of CityLightBy Joe Grimaud

It just so happened that we had been working

with Dr. Evans in the Washington DC Area,

and he had invited us to meet with him and

some of his supporters in a couple of weeks

at Billy Graham’s Cove in Asheville. We in-

dicated, that while at the Cove, we would ask

him if he would do it. WMHK’s celebration

event was scheduled for the Township Au-

ditorium. We convinced Linda to move it to

the Carolina Coliseum even though getting

a less than signifi cant crowd in the Coliseum

would be an embarrassment. Despite her

trepidation, Linda scheduled the Coliseum.

For reasons I can’t

explain, I had said

to Linda, “Linda,

my dream for Dr.

Evans is not even

the Coliseum.

It is the Caro-

lina Stadium. His

message is that

good!” She said,

“If you feel that

way, you ought to

meet Rev Pete Canon. He works with a lot

of cross cultural ministries.”

Skipping over our soon encounter with Pete,

when we met with Tony we asked for a spe-

cial meeting where we prevailed on Dr. Ev-

ans. Although he was already fully booked,

he agreed to work us in. Th e meeting was

on and would be in the Coliseum. Having

made that push for the Coliseum, I must

say my faith was being tested as we drove to

the Coliseum that night. But God was in it

and 8,500 showed up for a glorious evening.

Linda allowed me to take up the off ering

that night and she told me to expect an av-

erage of one dollar per person. But I chal-

lenged the audi-

ence. I told them

of my dream of a

city wide revival

with Dr. Evans in

the Stadium and

asked them to vote

with their pocket

book if they felt

the same as I did.

If they were going

to put in a dollar,

put in three. If they were going to put in

twenty, put in sixty. By doing so they would

be voting with their pocket book. Th at night

Continued from page 4


we took in $34,500, over four dollars a per-

son, which went to support WMHK’s minis-

try. Th e stadium crusade event was ON!

CityLight Coalition Inc. was formed from

about twelve strong believing attendees at the

Coliseum event but no one knew who this small

band of believers were. God made his presence

known continually in one impossible event after

the other.

Gladys usually stops me at this point, when I

get excited and begin to tell someone about

this period of our life, because all of the hap-

penings fi ll at least a two hour conversation.

And when I drive by that large Carolina Sta-

dium today and think about doing such an

event with 80,000 in attendance over three

days, it just doesn’t seem like it would be in

the realm of possibilities. But our God spe-

cializes in impossibilities when we know His

name, follow His will, and act in demonstra-

tion of our faith.

Over two hundred churches participated and

forty thousand people came out on the Sun-

day night of the opening service. Many came

forward and accepted Him as their personal

savior. On the third night, we were in a police

escorted caravan with Dr. Evans from the ho-

tel to the stadium. I suddenly received a call

on my cell phone from our publicity agent.

He said, “Joe, I am driving to Columbia from

Charlotte and I am in the heaviest rain storm

of my life. It is lightening, thundering and

coming down in buckets. It looks like tonight

is going to be a catastrophe.” I closed off the

conversation and immediately called Ander-

son Flight Service, where pilots call to get the

latest weather advisories. I identifi ed myself

by my airplane number and asked for the cur-

rent weather conditions for the South Caro-

lina area. His report was, “Th ere is a massive

frontal line of storms running from around

Lancaster southwest through Newberry. It is

solid and it is moving southwest at about ten

to fi fteen knots. It should arrive in your area

in about an hour.” “Is there anyway it could

miss Columbia?” I asked. “I don’t see how,”

he replied. “It is absolutely solid and about

twenty miles thick.”

With that bit of information we went into our

preparation room at the stadium and briefed

everyone on the actions that must be taken

with the approaching storm. For safety, the

stage would have to be lowered and everyone

would have to take cover under the stands,

including the crowd. Th en we gathered hand

in hand for prayer. I was one of the ones who

prayed, “Lord, if it be thy will, let this storm

go around us….” But then a little four foot

six inch tall bundle of faith named Linda Fir,

began to pray in a loud, commanding voice…

..”Storm!!! Storm!!!, In the name of

Jesus I take CHARGE of you! YOU WILL

GO AROUND THIS STADIUM!!!....” For

Dr. Tony Evans’ perspective of this event go

on the web at http://vimeo.com/33233269.

You will hear a great message from Dr. Evans

giving his perspective of this miracle.

You now have the miracle of the beginning of

City Light and you can see why miracles are still

happening, not just in City Light, but in all of

the ministries that City Light encourages and

supports. Let’s pray and believe that God will

perform a miracle across our nation in 2012.


of their unbelief.” Th eir knowledge of Him was one of the things that kept them from believing on Him. Th ey would not listen to Him because they knew his father and mother, brothers and sisters. Th ey could not conceive that anyone who had lived among them had any right to speak as Jesus was speaking. Th e prophet, as so often hap-pens, has no honor in his own country; and their attitude to him raised a barrier, which made it impossible for Jesus to have any eff ect upon them.

Regarding the miracle of the storm, I too was there, sitting right beside Tony and Lois Evans on the platform in Williams-Brice Stadium. I was also there in the prayer room before we went to the platform, and I have an inside story that none other have. I think I was the only one who asked Linda, “Whatever made you pray like that… tak-ing charge over the storm in the name of Jesus and commanding it to go around the stadium?” She simply said, “Because that’s what Jesus told me to do!” Wow! Didn’t Jesus say that we must become like little children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven… and here was Linda, trusting Je-sus, no matter how foolish it might sound to all the ‘professional Christians’ who were in the room praying ‘safe prayers.’ Linda did exactly what Jesus did all the days of His life on earth. Jesus listened for instruc-tions from His Father and then responded in trust and obedience. He said these words to us, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he

will do, because I go to My Father.” ( John 14: 12) Th is is the way we are to live every minute of our lives.

When the Lord presented Joe and me with the plan for a three-day crusade with the message of Christ for racial reconciliation, Joe and I did not know how to go about it. We were clueless! We didn’t know the peo-ple or have the resources to pull it off , but the Lord already had prepared the way… a citywide prayer meeting had been going on for about a year before we got involved. Th e miracles for the crusade were already there

waiting for our response.

And that leads us to the next point…

When Miracles Happen ( John 4: 46 – 54) Th is miracle happened in

Cana of Galilee and is the second miracle that Jesus did. Here an important royal court offi cial from Capernaum traveled 20 miles to beg a favor from a village carpenter. His son was sick… at the

point of death. He wanted help from Christ and was

humble enough to swallow his pride and not care what anyone said. Jesus has a way of mak-

ing sure that a person is in earnest, so He said to the man and the crowd, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” Jesus rewarded the offi cial’s persistent belief and told him to go home; his son was healed. Th e offi cial walked the 20 miles back to Capernaum in faith believ-ing even though he could not physically see his son healed until he got home. Are there any alarm clocks going off at your house? It is of the very essence of faith that we should believe that what Jesus says is true.

*All quoted Scripture from NKV.

Miracles & FaithBy Gladys GrimaudContinued from pg 6


n February 1996, Joe and Gladys Gri-maud, along with a group of Colum-bia area Christians began meeting and

seeking God’s direction for our city. Th e group included Pastors, community leaders, and lay people from diff erent racial, cultur-al and denominational backgrounds with diff erent talents and gifts. Each member of the group was concerned about the prob-lems and needs of the community, many of which are the result of the breakdown of the family unity. Th e group knew that there is a wealth of available talent and resourc-es, and that if mobilized, could be used to address the spiritual and physical needs of individuals, families, and the community. City Light Columbia organized as a non-

n February 1996, Joe and Gladys Gri-maud along with a group of Colum-

CityLight|compassion in our community and should work together in addressing the needs of the community. City Light serves as a liai-son and a facilitator between Churches, the public and private sectors, and the com-munity at-large to help identify needs and match those needs with available resources. We help Churches and the community to become more vibrant by encouraging them to become actively involved in community outreach and to experience the rewards of helping the less fortunate and those in need. City Light Columbia sponsored the Tony Evans Crusade at Williams-Brice Stadium in May 1997 which served as a catalyst for bringing God’s people together in a spirit of revival to empower us to begin the process of bringing moral, spiritual, and economic change to our community. Dr. Evans’ messages during the three nights of the crusade addressed racial reconciliation, one’s personal responsibility in helping to bring about change, family renewal, and the role of the local Church in reaching out to help meet the needs of the community. Th e vision that God has given to CityLight is unlimited. Every day, we are seeking new opportunities to reach out into the com-munity, to mobilize the body of Christ, and to match available resources with the needs of the community. As we grow and the op-portunities to serve Him increase, we need more volunteers and workers to help fulfi ll the Mission of CityLight. If you would like to join the eff orts of CityLight, you can begin by praying for us. You can become a contact person in your own church body to help us form a spiritually powerful and ef-fective movement of God in the Columbia area. You can help support us fi nancially. You can also volunteer to serve on one of the following CityLight Columbia.

I

Continued on pg 36

We believe that Churches and the body of Christ

should be the focal point of love and compassion in our community and

should work together in addressing the needs of

the community.

profi t 501 (c)(3) corporation in June 1996 to bring churches and the body of Christ together to make a positive impact in our community. Our Mission is “to unify the Christian community by lifting up Christ, evangelizing, disciplining, and impacting the community through the local Church”. We believe that Churches and the body of Christ should be the focal point of love and

a Catalyst ConnectingChrist to the Culture for Community Change


1. PRAYER NETWORKEstablish a citywide prayer network involving Pastors and laity.

2. FINANCESeek and develop ways to generate an on-going income stream to support the CityLight’s Mission.

3. COMMUNICATIONCoordinate a communication network within the community involving Churches, Christian ministries, and the community at-large.

4. VOLUNTEER COORDINATIONCoordinate and integrate CityLight volunteers based on their areas of interest.

5. EVENTS Coordinate information on Christian events taking place in the Columbia area and coordi-nate CityLight sponsored events. Citylight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change

6. MINISTRY COORDINATION Coordinate information on Christian minis-tries and outreach opportunities in the Colum-bia area and develop a “Ministry Directory” listing available ministries and resources in the community.

7. UNITY AND RECONCILIATIONPromote unity and reconciliation across racial, cultural, and denominational lines by encour-aging Pastors, laity, and the business commu-nity to work together to bring moral, spiritual, and economic changes to the community.

8. CHURCH AND COMMUNITYMOBILIZATIONMobilize Churches and the community to capitalize on available gifts, talents, and resources to address the problems and needs of the community.

9. CHURCH AND LEADERSHIP DE-VELOPMENTTrain, prepare, and equip Churches and com-munity leaders for maximum community outreach.

10. FAMILY RENEWALRebuild and strengthen families in the com-munity according too Biblical family principles, with an emphasis on targeting “at risk youth”.

11. EDUCATIONAL REVITALIZATIONWork with Churches and the community in the areas of youth tutorial, remedial instruc-tion, illiteracy, and other educational related problems.

12. HOUSING REDEVELOPMENTFoster safer neighborhoods, promote and provide aff ordable housing for the homeless and others with housing needs, encourage neighborhood property beautifi cation, and strengthen neighborhood relationships.

13. HEALTH REVITALIZATIONWork with Churches and the community to identify and address problems that are contrib-uting to the deterioration of the physical and emotional health of the community.

14. BUSINESS AND ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTWork with Churches and the community to promote business stability and growth using available resources to help the unemployed, underemployed, and others in need in the community.

If you would like tot be a part of the move of God in Columbia and volunteer to serve on one of the CityLight Committees or if you would like more information about the CityLight Mission, you may call or write to us at:

CityLightP.O. Box 8642 Columbia, SC 29202803.518.1257 | citylight.org

CityLight is a CatalystConnecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change

CITYLIGHTa Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culturefor Community Change


GREATER COLUMBIA CALL TO PRAYER9:30 – 11:30 amColumbia International University7435 Monticello Road Columbia, SC 29230Th e goal of GCCTP is to unite the body of Christ across ethnic, racial, and denominational lines seeking God’s face and asking Him to send transformation, revival, and spiritual awakening to the Greater Columbia area and across the world. Prayer Gatherings are held on the second Satur-day of each month in the Alumni Center at CIU.2012 GCCTP dates are: January 14, February 11, March 10, April 14, May 5, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8For information contact H. L. Allen at 803-513-2003 or at [email protected]

CITYLIGHT PRAYER BREAKFAST | COLUMBIAFirst Th ursday Each Month 7:00 – 8:30amCityLight is a worldwide network of Christ centered prayer groups. Th e Columbia chapter meets the fi rst Th ursday of each month to have Breakfast and Pray for Our City and Nation.Brookland Banquet and Conference Center1066 Sunset Blvd. (US 378) West Columbia, SC 29169For information visit www.citylight.orgOr contact: Rev. Redfern II at 803.7302758 | E-mail: [email protected] H. L. Allen at 803.513.2003 | E-mail: [email protected]

WALK THE LABYRINTH AND PRAYFirst Friday every month 10:00 am – 8:00pmWesley Hall at Lexington United Methodist Church309 East Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072.A labyrinth is a sacred path and space used for prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has a single path to the center and back. It is walked in an attitude of prayer and meditation. Come and spend as much time as you desire and as God leads.www.lexumc.com | 803-359-6838

FIRST FRIDAY PRAYER FOCUSA day of fasting and prayer each month for revival and for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1). Par-ticipants are encouraged to make Friday–especially the fi rst Friday of the month–a day of special emphasis on revival in the church. Th is emphasis is our modern expression of a National Prayer Accord. (For more information visit the website at www.ifapray.org.________________________________________________________________________

More Prayer Opportunities on Page 41

G C C

Prayer Opportunitiesmidlands


HONORING SENIORS STILL SERVING IN MINISTRY

Pastor Mickens (wife of the late Deacon James Mickens) has spent more than half of her life preaching the Good News of the Gospel. Pastor Mick-

ens was introduced to Messiah as a child when she felt the unction within herself that said, “you do not want to go to hell.” Shortly after marrying, she committed her life to helping others avoid going to hell.

Th e union between Pastor Mickens and her husband was the beginning of a “nation” that includes pastors, assis-tant pastors, prophets, evangelists, min-isters, ushers, singers, recording artists, pianists, guitarists, and drummers. Th e legacy didn’t stop at their children, but the legacy extended to the grandchil-dren and great-grandchildren.

Pastor Mickens and her husband gave life to fourteen children: Carol Mick-ens Williams, Tommy Jean Mickens, Reverend Cynthia Mickens Book-man, Reverend Matthew Lee Mickens, Pastor Sylvia Mickens Silva, Deacon John Frank Mickens, Minister Lavern Mickens Gilyard, Prophetess Annani-yah Mickens, Hattie Mae Mickens Horton, Minister James Etta Mick-ens Foulks, James Anthony Mickens,

Martin Luther Mickens, and Jacqueline Mickens (Timple Mickens was called home shortly after birth).

Pastor Mickens followed the call of Mathew 28:19‐20 which urges us to “go and teach all nations.”

Pastor Mickens was fi rst licensed to minister the gospel over forty-seven years ago on November 1, 1964 by the Elders of the Apostolic Holiness Church of America. On November 3, 1973, Pastor Mickens received her Layman license. Th e following year, on Novem-ber 1, 1974, she received her credentials of ordination for the offi ce of an Elder. Th e offi ce of Bishop was bestowed upon her on January 14, 2006 by the National Pentecostal Overcoming Churches of the World, Inc. and the International Overcoming College of Religion. On September 19, 2010, she received her credentials of ordination for the Ecu-menical Church Worldwide.

Pastor Mickens became the fi rst Pastor of Holy Light Tabernacle on October 27, 1982 when the ministry was founded by her late husband and herself. Her mission at Holy Light Tabernacle is to embrace and incor-porate the ‘Jewishness’ of our Savior into our every day lives. Th us, Holy Light Tabernacle is a Messianic congregation, who through the Holy Spirit, embraces it’s Jewish roots.

PASTOR HATTIE MAE MICKENS PREACHING OVER 50 YEARS


HONORING SENIORS STILL SERVING IN MINISTRY

Philip Simmons Jr. was born August 20, 1939 in Charleston South Carolina. He is the son of the late Philip and Earth Lee Simmons. His father

was the historical blacksmith, Philip Simmons Sr. from Charleston S. C. Philip moved to Columbia when he was 28 years old and married the late Hattie Th ompson. Th ey had eight children and ten grand children. After the death of his wife Hattie, Philip struggled as he continued to raise his children and grand children alone. Th at struggle led him to the front door of Christ Central Minis-tries in 1998. “I came to Christ Cen-tral to get something to eat while I was waiting to board a bus to Ohio at midnight. Someone had told me that they were serving supper to the public. I got there early and sat on the steps, thinking about how messed up my life had become. One of the ministers saw me sitting on the front steps and ask if I needed help, I said no, I’m just killing some time before I catch my bus”, Simmons recall.

A that time, Simmons was lost and confused and struggled with many tormenting demon in his life. After the worship service and supper, Philip

was asked to help with the Kid’s Kamp that weekend. Pastor Jimmy Jones and the Christ Central family took him in, showed him the love of God, and off ered him a new start. Th at was 13 years ago. Mr. Simmons’ life has been transformed and he is a dedicated vol-unteer at Christ Central Ministry, serv-ing God and His People.

For the past 13 years, Mr. Philip Sim-mons, aff ectionately known as Pop, has supervised the daily operation of Christ Central Columbia. He is usu-ally one of the last ones to leave just to make sure everything is ready and set for the next day. Philip can always be found with a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone.

Philip is a two time cancer survivor and he truly believes in the healing and trans-forming power of Prayer. He has never al-lowed his sickness to keep him away from Christ Central very long. When he was unable to come to the center, he sent his tithes and requested prayer. As soon as his health allowed, he was back on the job. Philip is well known and respected by all the staff and clients at Christ Central.

“I know the Lord healed me and is keeping me and I’m going to serve Him and do His works as long as I live. You are never too old to do God’s work”, Simmons said.

CHRIST CENTRAL HONORS PHILIP “POP” SIMMONS JR.

FIRSTECUMENICAL

CHURCH

CITYLIGHT2401 Main Street

P.O. Box 8642 Columbia, SCCityLight.org

SAM AND PAULA PERRY

2401 Main Street • Columbia, SC

Sam’sHome Repair &

Custom Cabinetry

446.9155


FIRST NATIONS MONDAYTh e purpose of First Nations Monday is to encourage Native American leaders, prayer coordi-nators, independent intercessory prayer groups, organizations and churches to join together in prayer the fi rst Monday of each month for Native Ministry.For more information visit the website - fi rstnationsmonday.com Or contact Jeny Covill at jcovill@cyberport.

CALL TO PRAYER FOR THE POOR & SUFFERING December 12, 2011 - 12:00 PMTh ere are countless needs across the globe and the rising numbers of the poor and oppressed continue to grow rapidly. Join with men and women of faith from around the world as we lift up impoverished families and intercede on behalf of millions live from International House of Prayer, Kansas City, MOVisit www.prayforhope.com to learn more.

SEEK GOD FOR THE CITY 2012 Forty days of prayer from February 22, 2012 to Palm Sunday April 1, 2012Th ese forty days of prayer are anchored in God’s Word. At this hour in history, we stand at a crucial threshold. Now is the time to pray in step with God’s great passion to draw a people to Himself from every people, with outbreaks of his kingdom in every community on earth. For information contact H. L. Allen at 803-513-2003 or by e-mail at [email protected]. www.waymakers.org

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYERMay 3, 2012 - 12:00 – 1:00 pm State House StepsFor more information contact:Chris Smith at 803-422-6337 or by e-mail at [email protected]. L. Allen at 803-513-2003 or by e-mail at [email protected]

GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER May 27, 2012 In 2011, millions of Christians from 204 nations united in prayer on Pentecost Sunday, June 12. On May 27, 2012 the nations of the world will once again unite in the Global Day of Prayer. Th is prayer time will be preceded with 10 Days of Prayer from May 17 through May 26 followed by 90 Days of Blessing.

PRAYER FOR MEDIA AND INFLUENCERS:Ongoing - For more information go to www.mastermediaintl.org.

PRAYER FOR OUR NATION:Ongoing – For more information go to www.presidentialprayerteam.org

More Prayer Opportunities on Page 37

Prayer Opportunitiesmidlands


“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. Th e quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen fi eld of endeavor.”

- Vince Lombardi

Excellence can be seen in many aspects of the life of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, known through Biblical accounts. Some will remember that when Jesus changed the water into wine the servants of wedding host were surprised that the best had been kept to last. Th is excel-lence is in the area of physical needs.

When Jesus wept over the reactions to the death of his close friend, Lazarus, we see in him an excellence in the emotive part of life.

When Jesus gave the principles of his king-dom in the chapters (Matthew 5, 6, 7) that we now describe as the Sermon on the Mount, there is nothing in literature that is more exalted than this. Th is excellence in mental endeavor and philosophical thought process set Jesus apart and above the great minds of all human history.

Th e quotations given above by the legend-ary coach, Vince Lombardi, agree with the life of Jesus Christ. What the Lord Jesus Christ said and did gives us guidance in the correct direction as we seek to be the kind

of person that he was and that Vince Lom-bardi addressed.

Of course, there is the matter of spiritual nutrition and spiritual hygiene. People will fi nd it impossible to be excellent when their nutrition is seriously lacking. So feed your spirit on the best food, the Word of God. Hygiene spiritually speaking is often ignored or refused. In counseling when dealing with cleaning up some mess, we

often talk together about hygiene. Most of us clean our faces and brush our teeth at least once each day. We do so for physi-cal and social reasons. Cavities are less likely when teeth have been cleaned regularly. In the spiritual real of our lives dirt accumulates as well. Unhealthy attitudes, words, and

unwise actions bring “dirt” into our spiritual lives just as food residue and sugar get en-crusted upon our teeth. If this “dirt” (sin) stays in our spiritual life, we will be in pain. If the “dirt” continues, others will be pained by our dirt. Many are off ended by the spiri-tual halitosis blown their way from unclean children of God. Clean up. Eat well. Ex-cellence in all areas, physical, emotional, so-cial, and spiritual will follow good nutrition and good hygiene.

Happy excellence. Happy following of the most excellent of all, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT…

EXCELLENCEI’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT…

EXCELLENCEJED N. SNYDER, D. MIN.Founder/PresidentJesus Every Day Ministries, Inc. | www.jedministries.com


am a Jesus pusher!

When Jesus came

to Nazareth to

minister, they viewed

Him as Joseph’s

son (Luke 4:22). In

their Old Testament

framework, they

wanted Him to do

the same miracles among them He did in

Capernaum. Th ey thought in terms of the

Old Testament self-sourcing. How could a

carpenter’s son source any miracle? He would

have to prove it to them. Th e marvelous factor

was not based in Jesus’ heritage; it was based

upon His source. In the synagogue, Jesus read

from the Book of Isaiah: “Th e Spirit of the

Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed

Stephen Manleywww.jesuspusher.org

I

Me,” (Luke 4:18). Everything Jesus did was

sourced by the Spirit of God. Being Joseph’s

son did not source His activities.

As this passage unfolds the crowd from

Nazareth was irritated to the degree they

attempted to kill Him. If Jesus was sourced

by the Spirit of the Lord should they not

embrace Him as well? Was this the New

Covenant beginning in Jesus? Could we

also experience such a sourcing in our

personal lives? Sign-seeking demands an

individual prove who He is by His own

resource. Th e New Covenant is an entirely

diff erent approach. If one is sourced by the

Spirit, the power of the sourcing cannot be

used as he desires. Th e sourced individual

is not in charge but an instrument of the

Spirit. If Nazareth truly wanted the move-

ment of God, they would embrace Jesus

who was sourced by the Spirit of God. Th e

Spirit would reveal Jesus to them. I am em-

bracing Jesus and the Spirit of God is mar-

velously revealing Jesus to me ( John 15:26;

16:15). Th is is why I am a Jesus pusher!!!


NOTEWORTHY COMMUNITY LEADERS

BOSTON McCLAIN, JR.

THE ONLY black fee

commerc i a l appraiser in the state of South Carolina hav-ing more than thir ty plus years in the real estate profes-sion. Working in numerous positions to in-

clude Salesman, Sales Trainer, Sales Manag-er, Offi ce Manager, Broker-in-Charge, Ap-praiser, Department of Housing and Urban Development Area Management Broker, Property Manager, Contractor, Consultant and President/Owner of Boston McClain & Associates. Th e president of state and Co-lumbia chapters of NAREB (Th e National Association of Real Estate Brokers) for the past four years. CG- Certifi ed Residential Appraiser # 1555

Experience

2005-PresentAppraiser/ConsultantRichland Appraisal Group, LLC.

2003-PresentAppraiser/ConsultantInsigma Group, LLC

2002-PresentAppraiser/Consultant/Real Estate BrokerJohnny E. Ward/W & W Tractor and Heavy Equipment | Moncks Corner, SC

1995–PresentReal Estate BrokerWilliams & Williams Realty | Columbia, SC

1994–1995Appraiser/Real Estate BrokerTh e Taylor Company | Columbia, SC

1992–1994Appraiser/Real Estate BrokerMason Reality Company | Columbia, SC

1989-1992Real Estate BrokerColdwell Banker-Jenkins & Gallup RealityColumbia, SC

1988-1989Real Estate BrokerTh e Hayen Company | Columbia, SC

1986-1989Construction & Construction Manager/Part Owner - Dun-Rite Construction Co.Columbia, SC

1979-PresentAppraiser, Consultant, Real Estate Broker President/Owner Boston McClain& Associates | Columbia, SC

1978-1979Department of HUD Area Management Broker, Broker-in-Charge, Sales Manager, Sales Trainer, Appraiser, Part Owner

1975-1978Appraiser, Real Estate Broker, Sales Manager Dinkins & Associates Realty CompanyColumbia, SC

1974-1975Real Estate Salesman/Broker, Sales Trainer Abraham & Ruff Reality CompanyColumbia, SC


NOTEWORTHY COMMUNITY LEADERS

Chairman, House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Aff airs Committee

Democrat Richland District 76

Richland County

President, Howard’s Garage/Paint • and Body Shop/Wrecker ServiceResiding in Columbia, South Carolina•

Son of Wilbert and the late Minnie • Howard

Midlands Technical College, A.D.•

Attended General Motors Automo-• tive Training Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Numerous certificates for advanced• studies in Automotive/ComputerTechnology

Single•

Chairman, Board of School Commis-•

sioners of Richland County

School District One

Member, Midlands Technical College •

Automotive Advisory Board

Former member, Mayor’s Task Force •

on Small and Minority Businesses

Board of Trustees•

Antioch Baptist Church

City of Columbia Loan Review Board•

Irmo-Chapin Career Education •

Advisory Board

Agency Salary Head Commission, •

2006-Present

Immediate Past Chairman, South •

Carolina Legislative Black Caucus,

2007-08

Subcommittee on Other Occupation-•

al Regulation and Licensing Boards

Chairman, House Medical, Military, •

Public and Municipal Aff airs Committee

2007-08

Re-elected December 3, 2008•

SC STATE REPRESENTATIVE LEON HOWARD


HONORARY HOST COMMITTEE

PASTOR HATTIE MICKENS PASTORJIMMY JONES BISHOP DARRELL CROFT BISHOP REDFERN II

KAREN ALEXANDER

KATHY TEMPLETON

TERESA THURMOND REGINA DICKERSON

VANESSA FRAZIER PEARL HOLLOWAY

JUDY MYERS

BETTY FRANKS

ANGELA KITCHENS

ANNETTE BALLAGUER

GINGER SIMMONS

SANDRA TAYLOR

JACKIE MACKIE

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfi sh, ulterior motives;Be Kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

People may cheat you;Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;Build anyway

If you fi nd serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;Be happy anyway.

Th e good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the fi nal analysis, it is between you and God;It is never between you and them anyway.

-Unknown

For more information, visit CityLight.org CityLight worldwide on Facebook

CITYLIGHT 2401 Main Street | P.O. Box 8642 Columbia, SC | CityLight.org

One person starts a prayer group of 12.

CityLight Prayer Group Structure

Each personin that groupstarts a newgroup of 12

“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to

be had in rever-ence of all them

that are about him.”

Psalm 89:7 (KJV)

catalyst magazine jan 2012

Documents

th inking

williams bryce stadium

miracles faithgladys

citylight mission statement

numbers of leaders

noteworthy community

midlands prayer opportunities

esther woman of infl