the magazine

Let His Light Shine Through Your Gifts

Place Your Life Before God

Let His Light Shine Through Your Gifts Summer / Fall 2012

Bethel’s Lighthouse Christian Writers Fellowship



Place Your Life Before God

Young and AnointedWelcome from the Bishop and First LadyHistory of B.W.O.M.I

Featuring Laure-Edith ZokoMiatta Caine Janice McMillan

THE MAGAZINE

The Word Transformed Y.A.A.

Political Storiesand MORE...

Who We Are

PREMIERE ISSUE

Dear Bethelites and everyone in and out of Betheland,

OUR BABY HAS BEEN BIRTHED! Finally…after a long and laborious gestation! When I look at it, I see all of our DNA’s, so beautifully interwoven in every line, paragraph and exclamation point!

From sleepless nights, to waking up with inspiration. From the “hot” leadership meetings to a word of encouragement in the church halls. From the incessant “waiting”, to the building up of momentum, every moment has now come to fruition.

As you peruse our magazine, you will see that it is presented to you in love, with the labor of committed people who were willing to go that extra mile.

Back Story:

It started with an idea that God had placed in the minds of Khalea Queen, Precious Cooper and Miatta Caine, individually. Precious approached Khalea with an idea of what was to eventually become the Lighthouse Magazine. Unbeknownst to Miatta, she spoke to Khalea about the concept of Lighthouse as an expression of our creativity. Khalea viewed this as “confirmation” of what God had placed on her mind as well.

We were joined by Kofo Salau and Varney when we decided to pursue this vision and have weekly teleconferences and meetings. This is where the ideas, concepts and parameters for Lighthouse were discussed and fine tuned. As God expanded our vision, we were pleasantly pleased to discover that whenever we had a meeting, He sent us “leaders” as laborers. Lighthouse evolved as others joined us, each with their own special contribution. We thank everyone for their unique contribution in bringing Lighthouse to life.

We would like to recognize Varney Taylor, Precious Cooper and Jeli Salu in absentia...physically, but they were with us in thought, word and deed. We thank Pastor Zangai Peabody for his support, which goes way back, as well as Laure Edith Zoko, Valerie Yao and Janice McMillian. Thanks to all who have contributed to this, our premier edition. We send our love and gratitude to the “foot soldiers” for their immeasurable contributions during our beginning phase, alongside Khalea Queen and Miatta Caine. To those not mentioned by name, your support is just as greatly appreciated.

To Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson and Pastor Chrys Johnson, we honor you. We are the creative extension of Bethel World Outreach Ministries, allowing God to use us to “win the lost at all costs”.

Miatta CaineEditor

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WELCOME LETTER FOR BETHEL’S LIGHTHOUSE DIGITAL MAGAZINEDear Bethel Family and Friends,

Welcome to the premier issue of our digital magazine. This publication is a cre-ative endeavor to tell the world about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His transforming power. He has changed me and the members of our global min-istry, Bethel World Outreach Ministries International.

Within these pages you’ll find poetry, stories, encouragement, songs, news arti-cles and an open invitation to visit us the next time you travel. We are currently in 24 nations with more than 161 churches located throughout Africa, Europe, Canada and the United States of America. You’ll find a partial listing inside, and when you visit you can say “Bethel’s Lighthouse” sent you.

We believe that every submission has been selected by the Holy Spirit and has the potential to move you to a greater desire to know and walk with God as never before. Enjoy our offering to you and embrace the transformation that we are experiencing in Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson, D.Min., D.D., Lady Chrys Johnson, M.A. Presiding Prelate Senior PastorBethel World Outreach Ministries International Bethel World Outreach Church

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History of Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson andBethel World Outreach Ministries International

Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson, D.Min., D.D., is Senior Pastor of Bethel World Outreach Church in Silver Spring, Maryland—a rapidly growing, multicultural congregation of 2,500 members from 45 nations. He is Presiding Prelate of Bethel World Outreach Ministries International (BWOMI)—a global organization of more than 20,000 members in 24 nations. He is the First Vice President of the Kingdom Council of Interdependent Christian Churches and Ministries and Chairman of the African Strategic Leadership Prayer Network. He is also the Vice Chairman for the Africa Leadership Congress and Executive Board member of the Awakening America Alliance.

Bethel World Outreach Ministries International was established in the United States of America, in Silver Spring, Maryland in August 1990. But the seed from which this worldwide ministry stems was first planted in Liberia, in January 1986, when Rev. Natt Friday planted the Bethel Full Gospel Church. He and seventeen others held the first service of this new local church at Barnes Foundation School. A year and a half later, Rev. Friday relocated to the United States to further his theological education. At his request, the Church was left in the capable hands of Dr. Darlingston Johnson, who had recently returned to Liberia after completing years of studies in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, the church experienced rapid growth: It became the fastest-growing local church in Liberia. To accommodate its rapid expansion, services were moved to the Monrovia City Hall in October 1987. A year later, attendance exceeded 1,000. Because of the church’s faithfulness, God blessed the church with several acres of land in Sinkor, a suburb of Monrovia. A temporary structure was soon erected, and ground was broken for the construction of a modern church and office complex in November 1989. By June 1990, membership grew to 2,000, and 3 additional complexes were planted in Brewerville, Robertsfield, and Gbarnga.

What at first glance appeared to be a tragedy struck in 1989: Civil war broke out in Liberia and caused the church to scatter. As the situation in Liberia deteriorated, hundreds of thousands of Liberians became refugees in neighboring African nations and the United States. Dr. Johnson and his wife

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Chrys were attending a pastoral conference in New Jersey and soon found themselves stranded in Maryland. While patiently seeking the Lord for strength and direction, Dr. Johnson heard the Holy Spirit say to his heart, “Don’t be a refugee, be a missionary. There are lost people to be won here too.” Yielding to the Lord’s will, Dr. Johnson called a meeting of a few members of the church who had been sovereignly gathered in the Maryland area. Shortly, thereafter, Dr. Johnson was led of the Lord to establish Bethel World Outreach Ministries International.

BWOMI is an apostolic church planting and missions organization that seeks to fulfill the Great Commission through fellowship, accountability, training and partnership. The story of BWOMI’s beginning is a glaring example of how the Lord can turn what might look like adversity into an opportunity. God will use your circumstance for His glory. Because Bishop Johnson did not question God’s plans and faithfully submitted to His will, he has been able to establish and lead a powerful international ministry that is making a difference around the world. But this success is not his alone. Countless numbers of pastors, missionaries and church members have embraced the vision and contributed enormously and sacrificially to its growth.

Today, BWOMI is winning lost souls in the United States and all over the world. Throughout the diaspora, churches are being planted, and nations and human lives are being transformed. Men and women are receiving the unadulterated word of God, and souls are being won for God’s kingdom. In meeting the spiritual, educational, social, and economic needs of the people, BWOMI is building and operating learning institutions that provide theological and primary education. Christian youths are being challenged and equipped with the tools necessary to win their peers to Jesus Christ. In addition, the ministry is reaching into predominantly Islamic nations and sharing the gospel with Muslims. Many have been set free and have committed their lives to Christ. Affiliated ministries are committed to providing humanitarian services, educational materials, vocational training, and medical missions and to building health clinics and economic empowerment projects in many needy areas and villages.

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Bishop Johnson realizes that he is carrying a heavy responsibility. However, his love for the Lord, genuine concern for souls, and commitment to the Great Commission gives him strength. He continually seeks the Lord for wisdom and guidance and gives Him all the praise and glory for what He has done. His dedication to souls and to the expansion of God’s kingdom throughout the earth is reflected in a statement he made during his coronation as the first bishop of Bethel World Outreach Ministries International in Monrovia, Liberia, in April 2000:

I expect this journey of faith and obedience to impact the destinies of men and nations. It will lead to the village and to the metropolis, to the ghetto and to the suburbs, to the disenfranchised and to kings of the earth. No matter where we find ourselves, we are His representatives and are committed to seeing to it that things are done His way.

A scholar, Bishop Johnson holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Oral Roberts University (Tulsa, Oklahoma) and Phillips University (Enid, Oklahoma) respectively. In 2009 Bishop received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from St. Thomas Christian College (Jacksonville, Florida). A diligent servant, he is committed to winning the lost, making disciples, planting churches, and developing Christian leaders. He has preached God’s Word in more than 25 nations.

Bishop Johnson is the author of Light For Your Journey: Essential Building Blocks for a Successful Life, Anointed for the Marketplace, This One Thing I Do, Good-bye Worry, and Sexual Purity. “His television program—Rivers of Life—airs weekly in the Washington Metropolitan Area, Liberia and Sierra Leone.” He is married to Pastor Chrys Johnson, M.A. They have one daughter, Isabel.

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B.W.O.M.I. WELCOMES YOU TO ALL OUR LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE

You are cordially invited to visit any of our churches. We encourage you to email our pastors and let them know when you’ll be in their area. Ask them to email you their church service times and street address.

Abington, MD Rev. Kornah [email protected], VARev. Obadiah [email protected], MDRev. Patrick [email protected], GARev. Lawrence Kennedy (National Overseer, US District)[email protected], NCRev. Darius C. C. [email protected], TXRev. Musa S. [email protected], MNRev. Natt J. [email protected]. Josef A. Howard,[email protected], DCRev. Moussa [email protected]

Silver Spring, and Montgomery Village, MDBishop Darlingston G. Johnson, D.Min., D.D., Presiding Prelate and Senior [email protected]

Northern, New JerseyPastor Peter [email protected], NJRev. Napoleon [email protected] Island, NYRev. Faith [email protected]. Krupa [email protected]

Dallas-Fortworth, TXRev. Austin V. [email protected], NCRev. George [email protected], MDRev. Roger [email protected], AZRev.Samuel Saa [email protected], RIRev. Patricia [email protected]

BETHEL USA

B.W.O.M.I. International LeadersBishop Darlingston G. Johnson, D.Min., D.D.

Presiding PrelatePastor Musa Korfeh

First Assistant to the Presiding PrelateRev. Julius Laggah

International Executive Director

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BETHEL CANADA & EUROPE

Angers, FranceRev. Evariste [email protected]

Paris, FranceRev. Siafa Getaweh

[email protected]

Rev. Yannick Michel [email protected]

BETHEL AFRICACameroonRev. Njoya Daniel AlainNational [email protected]. Kofi [email protected]. Tiburce Alain [email protected] GambiaRev. Patrick [email protected]. Augustus [email protected]

Bethel Cameroon

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Guinea Rev. Pierre Raphael [email protected]

Ivory CoastRev. Koffi AtseNational [email protected]

LiberiaRev. Ethan JaywehNational [email protected]

MaliReverends Emmanuel and Saran [email protected]

Niger Rev. Boureima KimsoNational [email protected]

NigeriaRev. Godwin [email protected]

SenegalRev. Victor OkaforNational [email protected]

Sierra LeoneRev. Abraham TurayNational [email protected]

South AfricaRev. Patrick [email protected]

Bethel Nigeria

Bethel Sierra Leone



Bethel Cathedral Liberia

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“Please tell our pastors that Bethel’s Lighthouse Magazine sent you!”



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TRINIDAD MISSION TRIP

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Report on Trinidad Mission Trip 2011

by Mrs. Ann Stewart, Caribbean Mission Fellowship,

Bethel World Outreach Church—The City of Hope

Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.Greetings,

It is a privilege to report on the Caribbean Missions Fellowship mission trip for 2011 to the island of Trinidad. First of all, I am grateful to God for His strength and for working all things together for the good of those who love Him. Within the last month for this trip we encountered several obstacles in getting there but we persisted and God saw us through. We were supposed to be a team of about 6 persons but in the end it was just Pastor Maima Moore and I. I travelled as planned on October 17th. Pastor Maima arrived the next day and we journeyed to the west coast where we stayed in Belmont. The crusades began the next night at Pinto Road. The crusade was held just besides the Pinto Road Church. We could however, see people listening as they drove by and from the comfort of their galley, (area just adjacent to their home). The Church provided the specials and the Woman’s Ministry Fellowship did the songs which were powerful. On the second night, a group of young men did a group song which was well received as they had shared a testimony before that of the keeping power of the Lord. In both services, Pastor Maima gave the Word which was challenging and invited persons who had not accepted the Lord to make him their Savior. The Pastor, Brother Roberts was pleased with the proclaiming of the gospel in such a powerful manner.

On the third day, we went to Maracas Valley Church, where we held a crusade in a neighboring community center. Here I led worship and Pastor Maima delivered the Word of God. Our ministry was well received The Pastors Rene and Michelle Charles were happy to have us with them.

On Saturday, we did a bit of sightseeing and went to a beach on the west coast in the Chaguaramas area. Later that evening the Antoines, who had fellowshipped with Bethel while in Silver Spring but were now back home in Trinidad, took us out for dinner at a restaurant. We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship with them.

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On Sunday, we visited two churches, one in the city, Duke Street Pentecostal, and the other Maracas Valley Chapel where we had been on Friday. We worshipped, ushering in the presence of the Lord, greeted the saints and Pastor Maima ministered the Word.

After the service, the pastors took us to lunch in the Curepe Area at a Chinese Restaurant. There they shared that the Word was appropriate for the time, as the work is regaining it strength in the community and they are in need of committed workers to do this. We encouraged them to continue in the work which the Lord has started through them. Pastor Maima left on Monday, and I remained for three more days on a personal mission.

We would like to thank the North East District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies for being our host and ensuring that we had the opportunity to minister in the island of Trinidad. We would also like to thank Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson and the Bethel World Outreach Church, City of Hope family for their prayers and support. We look forward to doing it bigger and better the next time the Lord allows. By God’s grace we are planning trips to Grenada and Brazil in 2012 and 2013 respectively. As a group the Caribbean Mission Fellowship is helping to support God’s work in the Islands. We praise the Lord for His enabling power to do this.

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Images of Trinidad and Trip

Inside the museum in Port of Spain (POS)

Maracas Valley Chapel

Overlooking the Capital-Port of Spain (POS)

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(Romans 12, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language)

1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside, out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

3I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God.

THE WORD“Place Your Life Before God”

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No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe, we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we are not.

6-8If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

9-10Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

11-13Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

17-19Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

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THE ARTIST’S LAST

by Laure-edith Zoko

Sometimes I sit quietly And wonder when

Man will ever be stableHow and when

Man will prevent regretsCame dark days

Days of great gloom and sorrowDays during which I became

Rather I was the mad wise manDays during which I was inspired

Filled with overflowing wordsPoems, songs, dances

All to cast away the lonely agony

All to keep my scrawny self companyGone are those days Dried is the lonely tear

Chased away is the madnessAnd maybe with it my wise poems And

maybe my inspiration tooNow in my foolishness

I yearn for that old mad manThat unstable and lonely heart

That tear which gave my words lifeNow I beg for one more bow

Actually more than one but who’s counting?I want the inspiration without the madness

The words of sorrowWithout the pain

The tears on their cheeksWithout tasting the salt in mine

But how can I describeAnd instill what I have not felt?

To those who knowI cry for enlightenment

© the POF

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IF I Were By Miss TaTa

If I were an alcoholic, today would be when I fell off the wagon.If I were an addict, today would be the day that I relapsed.If I were suicidal, today would be THAT day.

At the end of my rope, just jerking my chain….I know, WHO is Arbor? Just a name, in the blame game?Not a person, can’t expect feelings? Right? Just a program?Then what is success? “Complete your hours.” But what’s the reward?“Just complete the hours.” Is it a job? “Just complete the hours.”

Diligent little fool, complete them and you’re DONE.No, what did I say? The “program” says “We’re DONE. With you, that is!

Oh, don’t you know? “We sustained you long after you were done.”Oh excuse me, I mean, After “WE” were done…with you, that is!Thank you masser, for sustaining me, that is.

Now, instead of sitting here with a gun to my head,Here I sit at the bottom of the barrel. See after you “Left” me,The “program” that is, I ran to the store, couldn’t get there fast enough.What store, do you say? “Oh, the Ben and Jerry one. Ahh!So here I sit, digging and digging, mindlessly eating and thinking“Where do I go now, What do I do?” A gun, a barrel, what’s the difference?

Finished 3:26 A.m. Thursday, July 15, 2010But what WAS the finish? The gun or the barrel?...Or the pen? ~By Miatta Caine

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BE-U-TO-THE-FUL by Janice McMillian

God wants you to be beautiful! Did you hear me? He wants you to BE-U-TO-THE-FUL! Yes, that means He placed an original design on the inside of you that is your indigenous beauty mark. A beauty mark is the thing that demonstrates or expresses your unique DNA, your blueprint, your spiritual gifts and natural talents and abilities. Everyone needs to know what their beauty mark is. If you don’t know, it may be difficult for you to navigate in life – especially if you are a believer. You will not have the benefit of walking in God’s express design for your life. He does have a specific way for you to choose and it’s based on your beauty mark. I believe there are a few things you should know about your beauty mark:

•It was determined in advance, before you were born•You can be led to walk in it

Led to walk in it? Yes! Have you ever made a decision to pursue what’s in your heart, or your passion - and all the doors opened? You noticed with every step you took toward it - things just happened? That’s an example of what has already been “determined in advance for you” and it allows you to walk it out with an anointing of ease. I just needed to explain that - ok, let’s get back to what you should know about your beauty mark.

•It means you are God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10). You are His poem and His masterpiece and more importantly, you are one-of-a kind. Because of that, God has a special plan and role for you to play. •It frees you to live a life of passion. How? By asking yourself – what would I do for free? Knowing your beauty mark puts you on the path toward you BE(ing)-U-TO-THE-FUL. Actually it’s a process and the sooner you know what it will require, the sooner you will be able to possess all that God has for you. Allow me therefore, to share with you four very important things that will change your thinking and cause you to be the woman or man who is positioned to walk in the blessings of the Lord. Are you ready? What will it require for you to BE-U-TO-THE-FUL?

1. You must know that you are not a mistake (So many people are stuck in a place of who am I? This affects their identity) Know that you are: •Created to do good works•Fearfully made – that means you are astonishing, you are made like God-to be held in awe.•Wonderfully made – you are distinct, separate, distinguished, intricately and precisely put together by the God of the universe

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2. You must know your real value and your self-worth. That means:

•You are a carrier of something unique and special (Remember the beauty mark – that denotes your gifts, talents and abilities)

•You can not let your gifts go to waste (Use them; take care of them because it’s value and it should invoke your attention toward it)

•Know that your days are ordained (Something that has value and worth has history; which makes its worth relevant in the present) Think about a Picasso painting or a rare coin. Even though it was designed years ago, it still has value today. Know also, that you are not just here by happenstance - your days are numbered. Use each day you’re given to pour your beauty mark out on the world. 3. You must exchange your old habits for new habits. •Habit of healthy living - Recognize the importance of a healthy temple. Our stewardship over our body is essential in carrying out our purpose. This is the car that takes us where we need to go in life. If you don’t oil it, wash it, flush it, feed it, change the spark plugs, it will get clogged, slow down and eventually die. (And if you die before your time, you are not able to carry out what you have been destined to accomplish in this lifetime.)

•Habit of using affirmative words - It’s important to affirm with words. We must remind our-selves of the life we want. You are the first partaker of the power of volume. You must first hear your belief statement of who you are and where you want to go.

•Habit of organization - energy flows in us and around us. Have you ever noticed when you clear out a room, you can think clearly? Ideas flow better - why, because there is more oxygen in the air. Organization simplifies your life. God organized the atmosphere before He created the earth.

•Habit of learning - Educate yourself with new knowledge that will create effective change. You don’t arrive at your destiny by osmosis - you must prepare yourself by reading and lis-tening. Find it beneficial to acquire a coach or whoever will help you to expand your territory and move you closer to your intended goals.

Finally, if you are not walking in your passion, it is essential to:

4. Create goals that move your closer to that place where you can express your beauty mark

•We all need a map to our destination

•Create tangible “yes” goals that align with the vision for your ideal life

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•Don’t be afraid of starting over wherever you are in life. In the course of life, it is common for people to reinvent themselves at least three times in their lifetime. Take the bold pill and fol-low your God-given dreams. Assignment to help you BE-U-TO-THE-FUL Starting today - and for the next ten days

•Eliminate something out of your life for the next ten days that will move you toward a certain goal. It can be a long-standing habit that you’ve always wanted to stop or a food that is not good for you. Let it be your goal to eliminate it. Do something each day to take you forward. This will first take some thought and a plan. Write down the things you have eliminated during this period and applaud yourself for the advancement you’ve taken in your life.

BEUTOTHEFUL

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THE TIME HAS COME...Bishop’s Books in the Library Campaign

THE GOAL: We want to get Bishop’s book in every public library in the United States of America!

HOW: Call your local library regularly and ask for any of his books by the name of the author & the name of the book. Keep calling until they tell you when you can get a copy.

SAMPLE SCRIPT: “I’d like to check out a copy of Light for Your Journey: Essential Building Blocks for a Successful Life” by Dr. Darlingston G. Johnson, do you have it?”

WHERE TO START: Go to this website, http://www.publiclibraries.com. At the top of the website ALL of the libraries are listed by state. Select the state where you want to get the book and click. It will open and give you the address and telephone number of the libraries in that state. Then all you have to do is call them and use our example script above. (Ask the library for their email address if you prefer to send them an email.)

· You can ask for a paper copy· You can ask for an ecopy

CALL TO ACTION: All Bethel members, national and international, as well as Bishop’s friends and supporters are asked to telephone (or email) regularly at least 1 library and ask for at least 1 book written by Bishop Johnson. Keep calling until they tell you when you can get a copy.

Annotated Bibliography of Books by Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson:Johnson, D. G. (2008). Anointed for the Marketplace. Bloomington, IN: Author House.Be empowered to establish God’s Kingdom in the world of business, education and government.

Johnson, D. G. (2008). Light For Your Journey: Essential Building Blocks for a Successful Life. Formerly published as ABC Back to Basics: Essential Building Blocks for a Successful Christian Life. Silver Spring, MD: Bethel World Outreach Ministries International.

It is one thing to have power, and another thing to access that power. With its truths applied, you can learn to live a first class life in a corrupt world.

Johnson, D. G. (2006). This One Thing I Do. Silver Spring, MD: Glory Publish, LLC.Living to know Christ and make Him known is the way to get to the future that God has for you.

Johnson, D. G. (2003). Good-bye Worry. Silver Spring, MD: Bethel World Outreach Ministries International.God is omnipresent. He’s already in your future and has already made provision for all your needs to be met. For more information about Bishop Darlingston G. Johnson or Bethel World Outreach Ministries International visit, www.bwomi.org

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Young and

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You Knew MeBy: Ruhamah Peabody

You knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. But I came into this world without knowing you. Still you took me in, just as I was and showed me your

love. However with all the love and acceptance you showed me, I thought it was not enough. So I left…I left you my first love. Thinking that there was someone

out there who could give me more, not knowing you had already given more than enough. I found the love I thought I was looking for. Didn’t understand you

had already given it to me free of charge. But this love was not like yours, the giver of this love not like you and eventually the lover I thought loved me left me for another. Didn’t know you were watching me from afar. You thought I learned my lesson, unfortunately I didn’t. I went from one love to another, each leaving me empty, filthy and unworthy, yet taking a piece of my heart with them. You

saw me as filthy as I was and you asked me to come back, but addicted to the lie I was living, I just couldn’t. Putting my past behind I left you for good or so I

thought. Weeks went by and I still refused to talk to you. I decided to continue my search for true love and I found another. This lover told me what I wanted and

needed to hear…funny thing is you used to tell me those same things. Our love or so I thought was everlasting, and invulnerable, but I later came to realize only your

love is like that. You know the deepest secrets of my heart, but I did not realize that. I did all I could to hide from you , but everywhere I went your love seemed to surround me. Your love is patient, it is kind, and most of it is persistent. You pursued me and gave me no peace, yet I rejected you. You called, I didn’t answer, You

spoke, I refused to listen, but you still waited and your waiting paid off…”O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You

hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I

cannot attain it…. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works… Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in

the way everlasting_Psalms 139

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Words of Advice: Peer PressureSarah Lumbuku

Nowadays, this is a big topic. We might be Christians but we are still human, right? Let me just start off by saying that everyone at some point in their life faces peer pressure. We as teenagers, in this time and age where the devil is working over time, are very much influenced by peer pressure. Especially being Chris-tians in a society where negativity attacks us from everywhere. There are many instances where the Bible speaks about peer pressure, like in 1 Cor 15: 33-34 (NIV) where it says, “…Bad company corrupts good character, come back to your senses as you ought and stop sinning for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.” Basically the Bible is saying that you might be a good person, but if you surround yourself with bad influences sooner or later that bad influence will affect you, so it’s best just to stay

away from those things. Have you ever heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child? Well that applies in this case also. The things that you’re around mainly show the type of per-son you’re going to be. People, particularly family and friends, influence you as a person because those are the people that are there with you your whole life. Family you don’t get to choose, but you can decide what kind of friends you will have in your life. There are basically only two kinds of friends you can have in this lifetime, those that come to help you build and those that come to take from you. Friends that would influence you in the wrong way are not worth having. Usually, when everything is going good for you, your “friend” will be there to celebrate your prosperity and fortune. But when everything is said and done and all your riches are gone those “friends” will be nowhere in sight. One commonly used example of this in the Bible is the

Lighthouse Logo Design by Destiny Peabody

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Wedding Day, Art by Jeff Odinga

prodigal’s son. He started out on his own with all his riches, which attracted “friends”, until all his riches had been used up. His “friends” abandoned him, leav-ing him to sleep with the pigs. There will always be friends anywhere you are in life. But , the catch is that you have to determine whether that person is a benefit or a burden. Honestly, standing up to peer pressure can and will save you from many predicaments. Just imagine this, you’re with a group of people around your age and they decide to do something against the law. Everyone decides to do this illegal thing but you stand up and oppose what they say and leave. There may be some in that group who may say that you’re a punk for backing out . Others may not follow you because they didn’t have the courage to speak up, then the next day you see that they are serving up to 10 years behind bars. That simple decision to say “no” saved you. And it could have saved those others from that predicament. Your making that that decision caused you to be a leader not a follower, which is what the bible teaches us to be. I’m say this to simply to

say that we as Christians are over comers, and we can overcome problems such as peer pressure.

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That Godly Love by Fatima BarrieI seek your faceI crave your embraceYour endless loveLike a soaring doveWith all my painI scream your nameEven with all the fameThat came my wayThe unfortunate soulsThe world has taken awayOnly to swallow and spit back in shameFor I am weakBut you have strengthened meTo get on by every day of the weekYour never ending loveNot bitter, but sweetKeeps me goingEven in my heart’s last beatI no longer hateFor your love enriches meTo spread your wordAnd set those captives freeFor what is this loveYou may ask me?Well, this love is TheeThe One who’s been a FatherTo you and meFor God is Love and Love is God That mighty LoveJust like a soaring dove

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Political StoriesMy StoryBy: Frederick Anderson

We’ve all heard the saying that “When one door closes, another one opens.” How many of you, however, have experienced situations where it seemed that many doors closed all at once or one after another, long before an opened door appeared? Can you think of a time when disappointment seemed to be your season, heartbreak your song and confusion your companion? If you have, trust that you were and are not alone.The year 2000 began as one of the most exciting years I had ever lived through. It was full of reflections, great expectations and a sense of accomplishment. The fear of the Y2K (internet) bug paled in comparison to the joy of being a part of my high school graduating Class of 2000.Among the hundreds of graduating seniors, I was probably the most excited. More than anything else, all I knew was that “this Libe-rian kid” had definitely reached a significant milestone. From being laughed at to be-coming a leader of the student body; from initially struggling with my class lessons to finally being recognized for just about every academic award available; from my not even considering matriculating to an insti-

tution of higher learning, to going through the “trouble” of deciding which of the of-fers of acceptance from various colleges to accept…having been accepted to all the schools that I had applied to.Indeed, graduating with honors and be-ing a member of the Class of Y2K had been the perfect closure to one chapter and the perfect beginning of another. College was a wide open door of opportunities simply waiting for me. At least, this was my thought process at the time. Little did I know that my college experience would turn out to be one of the biggest challenges that I have ever faced. What was the reason, you ask? Was it my grades or the lack of finances, perhaps? Or maybe I had become a party animal and refused to take advantage of the opportu-nities that awaited me? Would you be sur-prised if I shared that the sole reason for all the challenges I faced was my immigration status? Yes, my immigration status! If you are not surprised, please know that I was! In fact, I was beyond surprised, I was shocked! I had attended New Jersey public schools from the age of eight and had never en-

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countered any problems like the ones I now faced.I soon realized the impact of my immigra-tion status on the difficulties I encountered in obtaining financial assistance, paying for room and board and registering for courses. Each semester, I was dropped from classes and spent weeks running back and forth between the school’s international student services, Social Security Administration, immi-gration offices and any other public official’s office that was suggested to me ….all in the hopes of getting an answer, some help or even more information about what steps to take next. Whenever I would finally be allowed to reg-ister, which at times was nearly two to three weeks after classes had begun, my time was spent playing “catch up”, while still hoping that I would be in the next class sessions with friends and other classmates.There are two most” disappointing” episodes in my mind that I can never get rid of. The first is a memory of a time where I finally got the opportunity to meet with a gentleman who I think was the head financial aid advi-sor or someone in a similar capacity. I sat alone across from his desk, holding on to the last ounce of hope that I had left. As he re-viewed my files for one last time, I searched his face for a sign, anything that would sug-gest that everything was going to be o.k. af-ter all. At this point, I was sure he would have agreed and seen things through my eyes. All I wanted was an opportunity to continue school, unhindered and graduate like every-one else. I had earned good grades, had not been considered a “troublemaker” and I served the college community in various ways.Unfortunately, none of those things seemed to matter at that moment. I saw his head shake, not in the manner that I had hoped

for and I couldn’t help but cry and plead, asking for help…a resolution…an end to the embarrassment and constant run around.His response still ranks among the most hurt-ful and disappointing words that I have ever heard, “Sorry, there’s nothing I can do…”Those six words led me to the next “disap-pointing” and hard to forget situation. I am not sure if it was immediately after this meet-ing or some days later, but I do remember making the decision to quit school, because I didn’t know where else to go or whom to turn to. Before finalizing the decision, I thought I would take one final trip to the immigration office. I was told that the lines were often long and only a certain number of people were allowed in per day. I left my college campus on the last bus one night and got off near the immigration of-fice. With a few other “early birds”, I spent the night waiting, fighting sleep and sipping coffee.After hours of waiting and watching the moon fade and the sun rise, the immigration office doors were opened. I was glad to be among those who made it in. I obtained a number to be served. The long wait contin-ued, as expected, just to be able to ask one question: “How can I go about updating my immigration status in order to apply for finan-cial aid to enroll in school?”My hours of waiting were rewarded with a single answer: “Go back to a Social Secu-rity Office” because the immigration office could not help me.I encountered many other closed doors before and after these two situations. Thank-fully, my decision to quit school was never acted upon. I soon received help from academic advisors, family friends and a few kind-hearted individuals who were more knowledgeable about the immigration pro-cess than my parents and I had been. I was

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already a junior by the time my immigration status changed and financial aid had ceased to be a semester-by-semester challenge. Only a select few had been made aware of the diffi-culties I faced in college. I had not spoken about it much and had not thought that it could help many people even if I had spoken about it. Now, I have come to a different realization and am seizing the opportunity to encourage you, friends, family and loved ones. In sharing my story with you, I am happy that opportunities have opened for affordable and accessible education.

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2ND TIMOTHY 2:3-4 (SUMMARIZED)AS A GOOD SOLDIER, TRY TO PLEASE YOUR COMMANDING OFFICER JESUS CHRIST. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR MIND-SIGHT ABOVE YOUR EYESIGHT!!! SOLDIER NEWSLETTER Special points of interest:• Until you see yourself there, you will never get there.• Your mind interacts with the invisible.• Your mind is your greatest asset not a garbage can.• Your condition is not your conclusion.• Paint your future billboard in your mind. Genesis 13:14-15 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from, lift up thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For ALL the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. (King James Version) Genesis 13:14-15 And the Lord said to Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, lift up thine eyes and look from the place where thou art. Look northward, southward, eastward and westward. 15 For all the land which thou seest to thee will I give it and to thy seed for evermore. (KJV)What you see with your mind is what you will eventually receive or become. Our thoughts precedes our action. We are the sum total of our thoughts. Until you see yourself prospering or winning, you will not prosper or win. What mat-ters most, is not where you are but how far you can see from where you are with your mind. Until you see yourself out off your situation, you’ll never get out. Until you see yourself there, you will never get there.. Remember, your condi-tion is not your conclusion.Your mind interacts with the invisible and faith celebrates the invisible. Faith also guarantees victory over every problem. Faith is God’s International curren-cy. It works everywhere and anywhere. All God asks in exchange for what you want is faith. Your obedience is proof of your faith..

A Soldier’s Newsletterby Pastor Flowers

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Mind-sight is unlimited and Eternal—with your mind you see the future.Eyesight is temporary and limited - with your eyes you only see here and now. GOD access man through his mind and the devil access man through his mind.WHO ARE YOU GIVING ACCESS TO? Whoever controls your mind dictates your actions. Your action is a direct reflection of who’s in control of your mind. Nev-er turn your mind against yourself.Your mind is your greatest asset not a garbage can. Don’t allow negative thoughts to stay. Your input determines your output. Cut off wrong company. 1st Cor.15:33 Evil communication corrupts good manner. Association leads to classification. Be An Architect An architect paints a very beautiful building he sees in his mind on a billboard and sticks it in an empty piece of swampy, muddy land. With time, after pray-ing, planning and working the ugly land is transformed into the beautiful build-ing. It’s time to paint the most beautiful picture of your future on the billboard of your mind and stick it there until your building becomes a reality. Author: Pastor Kornah R. FlowersGod Worship Center– Bethel World Outreach Church3709 Pulaski Hwy, Abingdon, MD [email protected] / (443)-866-8909

Volume I29-Jul-11 Copyright:All rights reserved.

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BEFORE YOU GO... Did you know? God loves you. Sin separates people from God’s love. Jesus died for your sins. You can receive Jesus now, and know God’s love by repeat-ing this simple prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and that the consequence of sin is death and hell. I believe that you died for my sins, and that God raised you from the dead. I repent of my sins and ask you Jesus to forgive me and come into my heart. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving my soul. Amen.”

You are now a member of God’s very own family and your transformation has just begun. We recommend that you prayerfully seek a bible believing church in your home town where you can be discipled.

And, if you’d like to tell us about your experience, seek counsel or advice, don’t hesitate to call or email us at our headquarters church, Bethel World Outreach Church, The City of Hope, Silver Spring, Maryland, 301-588-8099, [email protected], www.bwomi.org.

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LIGHT HOUSE PHOTOS

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LIGHT HOUSE PHOTOS

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Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the

very end of the age.Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

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“THE MAGAZINE” is owned and published electronically by Bethel World Outreach Church. “THE MAGAZINE” is an outreach of Bethel’s Lighthouse Christian Writer’s

Fellowship. All rights are reserved. “THE MAGAZINE” and distinctive logo are trade-marks owned by Bethel World Outreach Church, www.bwomi.org. No part of this

electronic magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of Bethel World Outreach Church. Requests for permission should be directed to: Bethel World Outreach Church Lighthouse Christian Writers Fellowship

8252 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA

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Come and worship with us @ Bethel World Outreach Ministries

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Tel. 301-588-8099 www.bwomi.org

the magazine

Documents

editormiatta caine page

godly love page

wedding day page

library campaign page

peer pressure page

message bible page

soldiers newsletter

political storiesmy