The Economic Stimulus Plan & You: The Bill Has Been Passed - What�s Next! There Is Money To Aid In Foreclosures,

Education & Tax Incentives! It Is Up To You To Make Sure It Flows To You!

Find Out How! Growing Weary In Due Season: During These Times We Will Have To

Rely On The Word of God!

Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.: The Controversial Pastor Who Preached

Our President Barak Obama Into The White House!

Becoming Jason Hageman Jason Fitzgerald Hageman Is A Man On A

Mission To Live By A Higher Standard Of Principles.

Mayor Douglas H. Palmer holds a map listing foreclosure properties during an interview at his office in Trenton, New Jersey January 4, 2008. Palmer, meeting with visitors at City Hall, points to a large map peppered with dark dots. Each one represents a home or group of homes on the verge of foreclosure, and there are dozens all over the city. Pic-ture taken January 4, 2008.

Attitude of Gratitude: In All Things - Give Thanks!

March 11-13, 2009 Sold Out Singles Conference 2009

Kingdom Church 200 Ludlow Dr, Ewing NJ

Jamal Bryant, Empowerment Temple Pastor Darius Dhaniels, Kingdom

7PM Nightly

What if everyone conducted themselves with the highest degree of principle? What if we lived in a world where we cared about who we are instead of who we can impress, who we can get over on or how much money we have? Do you believe it�s impossible�.I don�t! This action relies on one word�.INTEGRITY! Integrity is the quality of possessing and reliably sticking to high moral principles or profes-sional standards. It is the state of being complete or undivided and the state of being sound or undamaged. It does not come from another person. Your completeness relies on who YOU are�sorry Keyshia Cole! In life, we are all going to make mistakes�like taking advantage of situations and people or not doing the right things at the right times�.all of the time. There should be a point in our lives were we have to become accountable to who we are as people. We cannot change everything overnight but what we can do is take action each day by moving forward in a consistent manner. We were who we were for so long that our old behavior seems normal to us�.but is it? We have become so complacent with the way things are, our kids have to petition to have better conditions in school�what�s up with that? Where are we as parents? We are all better than

this! Now is the time to start holding ourselves on higher levels. Life is more than a new car, house or a hot pair of shoes! In this issue of IMPACT, we are highlighting people who are living with a high degree of in-tegrity. Our Cover Story focuses on an Attorney in the City of Trenton; Jason F. Hageman. Ja-son pride himself by living by the law and he continues to move in the promise he made to GOD while in college. Have you heard about the Economic Stimulus Plan? On February 13th, Presi-

dent Obama signed the Recovery Act to bring aid to America�s cities and people. In this Article, we discuss the fact that if you do not become re-sponsible for the change you want to see in your life, the powers that be will continue to run this city and America the way it has always been run! In our Church Spotlight, we focused on Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. The former Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago who preached Barack Obama into the Presidency. Come discover life in a way were we can get things done by holding who we are on a higher level. In doing so, we will begin to see how what has been going on around us is not acceptable. Hold yourself accountable to getting your life in order and then you will begin to demand your surroundings to come up to those standards as well.

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One of my favorite quotes is by Frank Outlaw which states: Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

While reading this great outline on character development, it put me in the mindset of Jason Fitzgerald Hageman. Jason is an Attorney with his own practice in the city of Trenton. I was

very intrigued with Jason�s story because here we have a young African-American man who decided to pursue a career in law and not be a statistic of it. During some difficult years in college, Jason made a vow to GOD to use his gifts to help people. In carrying out his vow, Jason acknowledges that there are great obstacles to overcome; but the vow is very important to him. �The obstacles are mere stepping stones,� says Jason. Ecclesiastes 7:1 says �A good name is better than precious ointment.� In his daily walk through life, following the promise keeps Jason in line with who GOD called him to be. This calling is more than being an Attorney, a Judge or Supreme Court Justice�it is about who he is while he is BECOMING!

Throughout life, we are all going to face obstacles. It is what we learn while going through which makes us who we are. Either we will use our tribulations as set backs and linger in pity or we see them as set- ups for our destiny!

IMPACT spotlights Jason for more than what he does; it is because of who he is�.since a good name is better than precious o i n t m e n t ! E z e k i e l 7:1.

The Economic The Economic The Economic Stimulus PlanStimulus PlanStimulus Plan

And And And YOUYOUYOU!!!!!!!!!

On February 13, 2009, Congress passed the �American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009�. This Act was passed to preserve and create jobs, and promote eco-nomic recover. To assist those most impacted by the recession. To provide invest-ments needed to increase economic efficiency through technical advances in sci-ence and health. To invest in transportation, environmental protection and other in-frastructure that will provide long-term benefits. To stabilize State and local govern-ment budgets in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive State and local tax increases. You may be asking yourself what does this have to do with you�EVERYTHING!! This recession means much more than you spending money or about you getting a job; it is about your household�s future! President Obama�s Recovery Act was passed so that we can take action on rebuilding our households and hold the powers that be accountable for the rebuilding of the city! This Act was not passed for you to just get an additional check to spend; it was passed so that Mayor Palmer can be liable for the actions he makes towards the rebuilding of the ENTIRE city�not just a selected few blocks. It is up to us to make sure this money that is about to flow into this city goes where it is supposed to go; if it doesn�t, President Obama has a website in place for us to re-port the misuse of the funds. The website is www.recovery.gov. If we continue to be complacent about situations in this city, we are to blame for the future of it; but the devil is a LIAR! We have to stop putting our interests in the hands of others and take responsibility for what is going on in our lives and in this city. In a recent article in a local newspaper, it showed the horrendous conditions one of the public schools in Trenton was. This should have made Mayor Palmer and us as parents embarrassed because these conditions did not happen overnight. We have to care more about the education and environmental issues we face than how we look and what we can get. In this Act, there is money allocated to the States who are in need of restructuring. It is up to the Mayor to use it for those purposes. If you desire to go back to school, Pell Grants for eligible students for the 2009-2010 year is up to $4,860. If you are a homeowner, there is money allocated for you through the State or you may contact your bank to ask for a modification. Whatever we have to do to move forward in this city or in our individual lives, we need to do it�NOW! Hold yourself liable if not any-thing changes. This is the time�if you voted for President Obama; this is what you voted for. You voted for a change in your life. Not for a stimulus check�but for a change in our household, our neighborhood�.our lives! We have to become ac-countable for ourselves and this will give us the strength and authority we will need to hold the powers at be responsible as well.

�I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.� Psalm 27:13

In life, we are going to experience highs and a tremendous amount of lows. I In life, we are going to experience highs and a tremendous amount of lows. I In life, we are going to experience highs and a tremendous amount of lows. I don�t care what it may seem to be, our lows always seem to out weigh our highs. don�t care what it may seem to be, our lows always seem to out weigh our highs. don�t care what it may seem to be, our lows always seem to out weigh our highs. For example, you pray to GOD for a job; the one you actually get Blessed with For example, you pray to GOD for a job; the one you actually get Blessed with For example, you pray to GOD for a job; the one you actually get Blessed with doesn�t pay enough for you to cover your bills�or say, you are making the doesn�t pay enough for you to cover your bills�or say, you are making the doesn�t pay enough for you to cover your bills�or say, you are making the money to cover your bills and you are all right financially but things just start money to cover your bills and you are all right financially but things just start money to cover your bills and you are all right financially but things just start happening�one after the other, this is what is called the �Stoning Affect�. What happening�one after the other, this is what is called the �Stoning Affect�. What happening�one after the other, this is what is called the �Stoning Affect�. What do we do?do we do?do we do? When things begin to overwhelm us, we are going to have to encourage ourselves. When things begin to overwhelm us, we are going to have to encourage ourselves. When things begin to overwhelm us, we are going to have to encourage ourselves. Oftentimes, we look to the Church, our Pastors, our families and friends for an-Oftentimes, we look to the Church, our Pastors, our families and friends for an-Oftentimes, we look to the Church, our Pastors, our families and friends for an-swers when what we need to do is take time out and get with GOD�s Word. In swers when what we need to do is take time out and get with GOD�s Word. In swers when what we need to do is take time out and get with GOD�s Word. In GOD�s Word, we will find peace, solace and rest. Jesus said for us to be of good GOD�s Word, we will find peace, solace and rest. Jesus said for us to be of good GOD�s Word, we will find peace, solace and rest. Jesus said for us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. How are we going to let that Word cheer because He has overcome the world. How are we going to let that Word cheer because He has overcome the world. How are we going to let that Word rest in our hearts if we don�t take time for meditation? Jesus gave us plenty of ex-rest in our hearts if we don�t take time for meditation? Jesus gave us plenty of ex-rest in our hearts if we don�t take time for meditation? Jesus gave us plenty of ex-amples of this meditation with GOD.amples of this meditation with GOD.amples of this meditation with GOD. In Luke 22:41In Luke 22:41In Luke 22:41---46 in the Bible, Jesus gave us a great example. He showed us that 46 in the Bible, Jesus gave us a great example. He showed us that 46 in the Bible, Jesus gave us a great example. He showed us that we must pray through our roughest moments. He did; Luke 22:41we must pray through our roughest moments. He did; Luke 22:41we must pray through our roughest moments. He did; Luke 22:41---46 gives us a 46 gives us a 46 gives us a great illustration of what Jesus was going through. At this point, Jesus was at His great illustration of what Jesus was going through. At this point, Jesus was at His great illustration of what Jesus was going through. At this point, Jesus was at His greatest position in life and He faced His greatest opposition�fulfilling His Pur-greatest position in life and He faced His greatest opposition�fulfilling His Pur-greatest position in life and He faced His greatest opposition�fulfilling His Pur-pose; no matter what! During this time, Jesus was on His way to die for our sins. pose; no matter what! During this time, Jesus was on His way to die for our sins. pose; no matter what! During this time, Jesus was on His way to die for our sins. He was on His way to suffer the greatest pain any man could bare! He faced pain, He was on His way to suffer the greatest pain any man could bare! He faced pain, He was on His way to suffer the greatest pain any man could bare! He faced pain, rejection, fear, humiliation; He faced all of these great things alone! Before Jesus rejection, fear, humiliation; He faced all of these great things alone! Before Jesus rejection, fear, humiliation; He faced all of these great things alone! Before Jesus faced this great feat, He went to Gethsemane in the Mount of Olives, to spend faced this great feat, He went to Gethsemane in the Mount of Olives, to spend faced this great feat, He went to Gethsemane in the Mount of Olives, to spend time with GOD. By spending time with GOD Jesus received the strength and time with GOD. By spending time with GOD Jesus received the strength and time with GOD. By spending time with GOD Jesus received the strength and courage He needed to accomplish His goal. Jesus made up in His mind that it was courage He needed to accomplish His goal. Jesus made up in His mind that it was courage He needed to accomplish His goal. Jesus made up in His mind that it was not His will but GOD�s will that would prevail.not His will but GOD�s will that would prevail.not His will but GOD�s will that would prevail. Spending time with GOD in His Word brings clarity to our minds about our situa-Spending time with GOD in His Word brings clarity to our minds about our situa-Spending time with GOD in His Word brings clarity to our minds about our situa-tions. If we meditate on what the Word says, it will direct us on what to do in our tions. If we meditate on what the Word says, it will direct us on what to do in our tions. If we meditate on what the Word says, it will direct us on what to do in our lives. In the Book of the Month lives. In the Book of the Month lives. In the Book of the Month --- �Battlefield of the Mind��Battlefield of the Mind��Battlefield of the Mind� Joyce Myers says Joyce Myers says Joyce Myers says that we should think about what we are thinking about. We should take time to that we should think about what we are thinking about. We should take time to that we should think about what we are thinking about. We should take time to meditate on the Word to think about what it is truly �saying� to us! Meditate on meditate on the Word to think about what it is truly �saying� to us! Meditate on meditate on the Word to think about what it is truly �saying� to us! Meditate on the Scripture and ask GOD for clarity on His Word.the Scripture and ask GOD for clarity on His Word.the Scripture and ask GOD for clarity on His Word.

When you feel like you can�t go any further�keep going! When you begin to be-When you feel like you can�t go any further�keep going! When you begin to be-When you feel like you can�t go any further�keep going! When you begin to be-come overwhelmed with all of the voices that seem to hinder your mind, get to a come overwhelmed with all of the voices that seem to hinder your mind, get to a come overwhelmed with all of the voices that seem to hinder your mind, get to a place in peace where you can meditate on the Word. In this place, pray to Him place in peace where you can meditate on the Word. In this place, pray to Him place in peace where you can meditate on the Word. In this place, pray to Him and wait for an answer�because we will grow weary in due Season but we will and wait for an answer�because we will grow weary in due Season but we will and wait for an answer�because we will grow weary in due Season but we will reap if we faint not reap if we faint not reap if we faint not --- Psalm 27:13! Psalm 27:13! Psalm 27:13!

Book of the Month

Kim Myles, the winner of HGTV's "Design Star" reality show, came to New York to be an actress. Fortunately for the design world, she was-n't any good. "I was a terrible actress," says Myles. "I was really good at playing myself and really bad at having to be another person." That was 12 years ago. The California-raised Myles stepped off a plane at JFK with $200 in her pocket and a degree in performing arts. After the realization that she would not be an ac-tor, Myles became a freelance makeup person, working with Debbie Harry for Blondie's "No Exit" album cover. Wanting to work more with real people and less with demanding celebrities, Myles turned her visual eye toward hair, working for al-most a decade at New York hair salons. It was when Myles was working at In Situ in Gramercy Park that she entered HGTV's "De-sign Star" con-test. Since then her life has been a blur. Beating out the other contestants with a style that mixes street-savvy urban cool with bold, fearless, colorful styling, Myles is loving every second of her new life. Her new design show, "Myles of Style," airs Thursdays on HGTV at 8:30 p.m.

Part singer, songwriter, producer, and vocal arranger, Canton �CJ� Jones, a Deerfield Beach, Florida native, has entertained over 500,000 people in the past few years, sold nearly 100,000 units inde-pendently; and has several songs in regular rotation in the U.S. and abroad, including the steppers groove

�Love Song,� the cleverly penned �Stay Saved� and the uncom-promising street anthem �The Password.� On any given day he can be found sharing the stage with hip hop heavyweights like T.I., David Banner and Ludacris to name a few; established crea-tive geniuses like John Legend, Kirk Franklin and Patti LaBelle; and Gospel powerhouses like Smokie Norful, Dr. Bobby Jones and Kiki Clark-Sheard � the youngest member of the Clark dy-nasty. Canton�s unlimited repertoire, massive crowd appeal, and global fan base have set him on a course destined to shake the very core of hip hop, urban gospel, and R&B. Jones is signed to Arrow Records, a label owned and operated by Pastor Taffi Dol-lar, World Changers Church International in College Park, GA. With three albums (20 Years, 3 Months, 12 Days, Love Jones, and The Password: Access Granted), a Grammy nod, a Stellar Award nomination, and three Gospel Choice Awards to his credit, Canton still maintains the unshakable confidence of some-one who knows the tide is turning his way. More than an artist, CJ represents a philosophy, a movement, and a generation relent-lessly advancing a positive new sound in the industry. He under-stands that it is not just about the music, but about a lifestyle that offers peace and prosperity for anyone bold enough to pursue their purpose.

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200920092009

GIVENCHYGIVENCHYGIVENCHY

For I have chosen For I have chosen For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his him, so that he will direct his him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the children and his household after him to keep the children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. what he has promised him. what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19 Genesis 18:19 Genesis 18:19

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. became Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) on March 1, 1972. Within a matter of months he demonstrated an understanding and deep commitment to help TUCC achieve its motto and vision. The motto, "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian", was a phrase coined by his predecessor, the Reverend Dr. Reuben Sheares, and was officially adopted by the con-gregation shortly after Pastor Wright began his ministry. Since 1972, under Dr. Wright�s leadership, the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ grew from 87 members; and currently exceeds 6,000! The membership continues to grow numerically and spiritually with large numbers of members tithing, studying in bible classes and serv-ing in over 70 ministries offered to enhance the Christian journey. In early 2008, Wright retired after 36 years as the pastor of his congrega-tion. Following retirement, Wright's beliefs and manner of preaching were scrutinized when segments from his sermons were publicized in connection with then presidential candidate Barack Obama. Obama ad-dressed the matter in his "A More Perfect Union" speech. To lay his ac-tual positions on various social issues before the nation, Rev.Wright gave a speech before the NAACP on April 27th, 2008, wherein he stressed that he was not "divisive", but "descriptive", and that the Black church ex-perience, like the Black culture was "different" not "deficient". President Obama met Wright and joined his church in the 1980s, while he was working as a community organizer in Chicago before attending Harvard Law School. Obama and his wife, Michelle, were later married by Wright, and both their children were baptized by him. The title of Obama's memoir, The Audacity of Hope, was inspired by one of Wright's sermons and he credits Wright with strengthening his faith. IMPACT gives honor to Reverend Jeremiah Wright who preached Barack Obama into his Presidency. We thank GOD for his many years in Ministry and in public service.

Attitude GratitudeOf

�In Everything Give Thanks: �In Everything Give Thanks: �In Everything Give Thanks: For This Is The Will Of GOD In For This Is The Will Of GOD In For This Is The Will Of GOD In

Christ Jesus Concerning You� Christ Jesus Concerning You� Christ Jesus Concerning You� 1Thessolonians 5:181Thessolonians 5:181Thessolonians 5:18

Have you thanked GOD for your life lately? Did you wake up this morn-ing? Do you have heat, hot water�a place to live? Have you said thank you for your bills being paid�no matter if they were paid with unemploy-ment benefits or if someone was put in position to Bless you. Have you told the LORD thank you? Have you thanked GOD for providing the resources? Each day brings new challenges, the Bibles says that in this life we will have tribulations; but we are to be of good cheer because Jesus has overcome the world � John 16:33. This means that when we face trials we are not to get depressed or stressed out; we are to face the reality of the situation, pray and keep it moving. Jesus has taken on the burden of our life. Being a Christian is more than speaking about your Pastor, how long you have been saved or quoting Scripture. It is about endurance and through the enduring we have to be thankful and appreciative for our lives; no matter the situation or cir-cumstances. In trying situations, if we thank and praise GOD for our lives, we will begin to see the revelation of how we are to overcome them. Giving thanks is about acknowledging your gratitude towards God to show your admiration in knowing that He has everything under control. In the book of Daniel in the Bible, it speaks about King Nebuchadnezzar (Neb-a-ke-nezzar) was an-gry with the men of Babylon whom he said was wise. Why? He had a dream and none of the wise men he surrounded himself with could interpret the dream. His decree was sent out throughout the country and Daniel found out about it. This means that he would be put to death as well. Daniel came home, told his friends who were going to be effected about the decree and they began to pray. They prayed, �I thank thee, and praise thee�Daniel 1:23.� After the prayer, GOD revealed to Daniel the interpretation of the King�s dream. Having an attitude of gratitude is more than seeking a desired result from GOD. It is acknowledging to GOD that He means more to you than what He can do for you. If we continue to give thanks, we will take the focus off of the situation and move forward in the things of GOD. Just remember, in all things give thanks�it is GOD�s will concerning us!