Christ Our Redeemer AME Church – Page 2

Watch: He’s Coming Back!

Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., Contributing WriterDecember 19, 2018

The content and context of the sacred text is known as the Olivet Discourse as Jesus gave it on the Mount of Olives. This is a prophecy by Jesus about the end times. The celebration of Advent is to provide eschatological hope for believers that Jesus is coming back for us. We are watch for the return of Jesus, but serve until Jesus returns. Lesson one is to be on guard! The Bible says in Mark 13:32-33, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be

Religion

Burns Releases ‘A Prayer Book for Healing’

December 5, 2018

Author Tierra Burns offers a timely resource to help people tap into the power of prayer. Her new work, “Bombarding Heaven in Unity: A Prayer Book for Healing” aims to assist those who may be uncomfortable communicating with God. Explaining her reason for addressing this topic, Burns said her two-fold goals are to encourage people to increase their prayer life and learn to pray before a crisis occurs. “My ultimate goal is to express the power of prayer in God’s healing process and introduce prayer as a lifestyle to build a relationship with God,” said Burns. “I felt called to

Religion

Words of the Week – Watch, Fight and Pray to God

Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., Contributing WriterDecember 5, 2018

We are living in the last days. In a real sense, God expects Christians to be equipped for the return of Christ. We know not the time or date, but be prepared. Jesus prophesizes a period of great tribulation – a period of great adversity and anguish; intense oppression or persecution; wars and rumors of wars; natural and man-made disasters and crooked leadership in high places. Tribulation is linked to God’s process for making the world right again. This tribulation has its source in the conflict between God and the devil, which will end with the devil being cast into

Religion

Whitlock Urges Fast for Spiritual Renewal and Ending Gun Violence

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorNovember 21, 2018

Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, Jr. of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church invited the faith community to join him in fasting for spiritual renewal and an end to gun violence. Through the fast, which started Nov. 11 and continues until Jan. 21, Whitlock believes God will heal “our lives, our land, our churches, our communities, our nation and world.” Among the incidents spurring Whitlock to action are the mass killings in Pittsburgh and Thousand Oaks as well as the recent murder in Las Vegas of the 25-year-old son of the Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard, pastor of Word of Encouragement Community Church

Religion

In Response to Kentucky and Pittsburgh Shootings, L.A. Clergy Preach Love and Reject Hate and Fear

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorOctober 31, 2018

Religious leaders of every faith united in extending prayers of sympathy along with condemning the shocking killings of 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27. The murders occurred three days after a White man shot two African Americans in Jeffersontown, Kentucky on Oct. 24, after unsuccessfully attempting to enter a nearby Black church. The appalling hate crimes stirred memories of the mass murders of 26 people at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas in Nov. 2017, nine people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina in June 2015, and the four

Religion

Local Pastors Encourage African American Men for Father’s Day

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorJune 13, 2018

African American fathers play a special role in the life of their children. While America has not always portrayed or treated Black males fairly, to many in their families, they remain number one! In celebration of Father’s Day, the L.A. Sentinel asked three local pastors to respond to the following question: “What spiritual words of encouragement can you share with Black fathers in these challenging times for African American males?” Pastor James K. McKnight, Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship – Los Angeles: To the brothers in our community who are fine fathers; fathers who love, teach, protect, provide for and

Religion

Shegog-Whitlock Helps COR Church to be a ‘Community Changer’

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorMay 2, 2018

What is your name and what is your ministry? I am the Rev. Hermia Shegog-Whitlock, ordained Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church; serving in ministry as associate minister and employed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Christ Our Redeemer AME Church (COR) and its affiliated non-profit, COR Community Development Corporation. How long have you been in this ministry? Before entering the five-year formal ministerial training in the AME Church in 2008, I served with my spouse, the Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., upon his assignment to COR in 1998. In addition to being the first lady, I was the

Religion

Sacred Arts and Music Training Institute Opens March 23

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorMarch 14, 2018

Liturgical performers, singers, poets and dramatists will convene at the Dancer in Me Sacred Arts and Music Training Institute opening Friday, March 23, and continuing through Sunday, March 25. The theme is “Cover the Earth” based on Habakkuk 2:14. Sponsored by the nonprofit Long Beach Unity Festival, the gathering offers technical instruction in several disciplines such as dance, flags/pageantry, theater/mime and music/worship. Sessions will also focus on media, leadership and prophetic ministry. The agenda kicks-off on Friday at 11 a.m., at Cabrillo High School, 2001 Santa Fe Ave., in Long Beach and includes a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday’s activities

Religion

Faith Community Unites to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorSeptember 6, 2017

The historic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey galvanized the Los Angeles faith community into action with multiple efforts underway to assist hundreds of thousands in Houston, Texas and surrounding areas. The various donation drives, conducted by denominational and independent ministries, urge L.A. residents to contribute bottled water, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other items to help victims rebound from the wide-ranging destruction. Agape Church of Los Angeles Calling their effort “Houston: We Are Standing With You,” Agape L.A. will accept donations on Friday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the corporate office located at 4602 Crenshaw Blvd.,

Religion

Price Chapel AME Holds Steward’s Annual Day

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorAugust 9, 2017

The Steward Board of Price Chapel AME Church will hold their Annual Day service on Sunday, August 20, at 4 p.m., in the edifice located at 4000 West Slauson Ave., in Los Angeles. “We invite the community to join us on this special occasion as we salute the dedication and contributions of our Stewards,” said Pastor Benjamin Hollins. “In addition, you will be enlightened and uplifted by our guest preacher, Pastor Mark E. Whitlock of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine.” Whitlock is the spiritual leader of the largest predominantly African-American church in Orange County. Under his leadership, the

Religion

Show Me the Money: Applying for Government and Foundations Grants

June 28, 2017

The offering plate is no longer a viable source of revenue to scale a church. The church must research and apply for multiple streams of income. The church may consider establishing a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. Government, foundations, and wealthy donor may give to a church, but a separate 501c3 nonprofit corporation is preferable. Please consider the following steps when seeking funds from government, foundations, and wealthy donors: Research by using Google, Yahoo, and non-profit fundraising blogs and websites for government agencies, private foundations, and wealthy donors willing to fund social service programs. Use keywords to improve the search. For example:

Religion

Financial Resources for Churches – Online Giving Works!

Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., Contributing WriterJune 21, 2017

Online giving is one of the fastest-growing methods of giving to churches. Online giving is a way of donating money via the internet and cell phone. Online giving is a safe, secure, easy, and a swift method of tithing and giving offerings to God’s church. Online giving works! Many church members are addicted to writing checks, touching cash, lifting coins and filling out donation envelopes. The church may consider starting a 12-step program for people afraid of giving online. Some persons truly enjoy placing money in the offering tray, but they don’t give to the church unless they are physically

Religion

A New Pitch for God’s Resources

Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., Contributing WriterJune 14, 2017

Church Stewardship is raising, expending, and managing God’s funds and property. This is the fundamental principle of biblical stewardship. Too many church leaders use the same pitch for money every week, but expect better results. Church leaders must keep up with the times by perfecting a new pitch for raising resources: The Pitch The pitch is the primary method of connecting with a donor. The pitch is informational and emotional. Donors connect with persons making the pitch. If a pitch is just informational, it lacks passion. If a pitch is just emotional, it lacks content. The pitch must have a

Religion

Christ Our Redeemer Sponsors Christian Sports Camp

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorJune 7, 2017

Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine offers children and youth a unique experience at its Christian Sports Camp. The two-day event starts Friday, July 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The camp will be held at Mater Dei High School, 1201 West Idinger Ave., in Santa Ana. “God gave us a vision to have a Christian Sports Camp, which is the first black faith-based sports camp in the history of Orange County,” said Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, Jr. “We have 30 open spots and invite girls and boys

Religion

Words of the Week – Empowering Poor People

Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., Contributing WriterJanuary 26, 2017

The church has a dark hidden secret. It has been a secret for centuries. The secret is churches have a number of the same people regularly asking for financial assistance, treating the church like a bank rather than a place of worship. The church pays their rent, utilities, car notes, telephone service, and groceries on a monthly basis. These are not seniors on fixed income, but these are young and middle aged adults. Some of them are unemployed, living on the streets, but a large number of them go to work every day. The church may consider changing the “benevolence”