Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 October 2002 — Page 13

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1 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2002 PAGE B1

I N S I

Salt and

Light

By Bishop T. Garrott

Benjamin

Go get the Ethiopian Part 4 26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusa - lem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, andhadcome to Jerusalem for to worship. 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. — Acts 8:26-31 (KJ) ***** In this era of crossless Christianity, we are under mandate to preach Jesus and him crucified. We must go get the Ethiopian and share the true gospel story about a saviour who came from glory to seek and save those who were lost. This is the challenge of our time. Millions are lost and have no direction, while we in the church, worshipeach Sunday. The church is out of balance: worship without witness is dead. We are living in a time where people have everything but salvation. They have clothes, cars, homes, and things, but they have no hope, and no direction. I heard the example, “Pilot to tower: We are lost, but we are making good time.” This is the contemporary commentary on our culture. We are desperately lost, but we look like we are going somewhere. In this text, Philip’s witness is a powerful portrait of personal and relational evangelism. Television, mass meetings, and tracts have their place, but something special happens when you take time to tell others personally about how Jesus radically changed your life. The Ethiopian was a Black man, but it could be any man, woman, boy, or girl who is lost and needs td be found. Our community is full of Ethiopians who need to hear about Jesus and his saving power. It is the only hope we have. There is a new urgency. We must witness wherever and whenever the opportunity arises. We need to witness like he was crucified yesterday, rose today and is coming back tomorrow. Witness as dying persons to a dying people, lliat is the reality of the last days. Time is running out on all of us. (f) We need to give people an undersmding of salvation. How will they know if we don’t tell them? And Philip ran thither to him, and heanlhim read thejpophet

D E • B • SECTION*SP

More than 2,000 attend A.M.E. Fourth Episcopal District meeting

Special to The Recorder The Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church planning meeting was held in Indianapolis this week. The Right Rev. Philip R. Cousin Sr. serves as the bishop for the Fourth Episcopal District, and Dr. M. Joan Cousin serves as the Episcopal supervisor for the district leading, guiding, and directing the efforts of the Women’s Missionary Society of the Fourth Episcopal District. The Fourth Episcopal District is made up of the Indiana, Chicago, Michigan, Illinois, and Canadian Annual Conferences. On Monday evening Bishop Zedekiah Lazett Grady, presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District, delivered the sermon.

On Tuesday evening Dr. Albert D. Tyson III, pastor of St. Stephen A.M.E. Church in Chicago, delivered the sermon. More than 2,000 persons were in attendance for the meeting Monday through Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel at 21st and Shadeland. The purpose of the meeting was for Bishop Cousin to share his program for the upcoming church year. Visitors from all over the world came to visit the planning meeting. The meeting was hosted by the Central Indiana Ministerial Alliance. Rev. Robert Harvey, pastor of Robinson Community A.M.E. Church, Indianapolis, is president of the alliance. In 2004 Indianapolis will be the host city for the General Conference of the entire African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Right R«v. Philip R. Cousin Sr. (right), bishop for ths Fourth Episcopal District, spsaks at a masting this weak. At laft is Rav. Mlchaal Carson of Kokomo. (photo/Shirl Williams)

Dr. Hunter to speak at “Pre-Women's Day 2002"

By BRANDON A. PERRY r« R5&. Dr. Millfcebt Hunter, a world-renowned pastor and award-winning author, will make an appearance in Indianapolis on Friday. She will be the featured speaker for a service entitled “Pre-Women’s Day 2002," which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church North, 880 W. 28th St. This year’s theme is “Women in the Spirit, a Gift from God.” Those who are unable to attend Friday’s service will have a

chance lo meet Dr. Hunter at a -special ijreakt'ast, which will also Dr. Hunter is founder and senior pastor of the Baptist Worship Center in Philadelphia. Over the last decade, she has become wellknown for her dynamic form of preaching. Her style can be described as informative and uplifting, but with an added twist of direct humor and sincerity that can leave a listener challenged to raise the standard of their spiritual See HUNTER, Page B4

Bishop Grinstead featured in Gospel Today list of beloved pastors

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer " Gospel Today, one of ^America’s leading Christian magazines, has recently saluted Bishop Larry Grinstead, pastor of Puritan Baptist Church in In? dianapolis, as one of “Th4 World’s Most Beloved Pastors, j The magazine featured 42 pas{ tors in their September/October edition and lauded them as examples of effective, faithful leadership in “today’s lost and hurting world.” Among the list of pastors honored in Gospel Today, Bishop Grinstead is the only one from Indiana. Activists in the Christian community, both locally and nationally, have lauded Bishop Grinstead’s warm and sincere approach, as well as his efforts to

comfort those outside his church. He is viewed by many as an individual who “has time for everyone” and enjoys ministering to anyone he comes in contact with, especially on a per-son-to-person level. Bishop Grinstead, his suppofters say, visits % sick often angmfends out-ojf-ik^e funerals t or people who aren ’ fe ven members of Puritan Baptist Church during an era of in which some people have been denied various pastoral services because they are not members of a certain church. In addition, Bishop Grinstead has also received praise for his efforts to help smaller churches endure the same hardships Puritan Baptist faced when he first See BISHOP, Page B4

O R T S

Al-lslam In America By (non Mikal Saohk

Ramadan fast is approaching

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic, lunar based, calendar. The anticipated day for the start of the Ramadan fast this year is Wednesday Nov. 6. The actual date must be confirmed with the physical sighting of the new moon. Worldwide, Muslims observe the Islamic fast during this holy month. During the daylight hours, the Muslim faithful do not eat, drink, or engage in sexual activity. The time is spent otherwise with prayer, reading of the Holy Qur’an, and other Islamic activity, i.e., teaching Islam to others. Ramadan is the mopth for restraining one’s appetires, desires and passions. Allah (G-d) revealed in the Qur’an. “Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn selfrestraint ...” Sura (Chapter) 2, ayat (verse) 18S. ^ > Muslims' aauallybeglft' 1 their daily fast in the dG&WMBQ*1he day, jusU>efere tfte bnak'Of day appears in thee&stem horizon.The individual fasting that day eats a light meal, called “suhoor” in Arabic. He, or she, begins each day stating their intention to fast for Allah (G-d), the LortHriierisher and sustainer of all liMF The Qur’an is convei&ntly divided into 30 sections. The Muslim will read 1/30 of the Qur’an each day, thus completing the whole of the Holy Qur’an during See AL-ISLAM, Page B3

In the Spirit

wife Beverly as they enjoy praise music during Youth Choir showed gratitude for their pastor, Rev. Clarence C. Benjamin’s 33rd Pastoral Anniversary last Moore, during his appreciation service on Friday, weekend. j

Last Friday Holy Angels Catholic Church held Its revival. Pictured from left to right are Rev. Clarence Weldon, Janet Burch, Chelrperson of the revival; and Father Gltee Conwfll, Profeeeor of History at Morehouse College In Atlanta.

From left to right: Vocalists Denise Moore, Angela Scheck and Pat Brown of the 8L Rita Catholic Church Gospel Choir were among the many Christian artiste who appeared Sunday at 8t Rita’s Appreciation Servlos.

13th anniversary celebration To kickoff their 13th pectoral anniversary, the Mount Vernon Community Missionary Baptist Church family Is hosting a black-tie banquet for Pastor and Lady Roosevelt Jemee-Sanders and family on Oct 26 at 5 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 1301 N. Goodlet A vs. TMe year 's banquet win Include a pageant with two divisions: junior ages 6-12 and senior agas 1316. This year's pageant theme Is “A Near DOyinning. This year’s contestants Include: Zhane

School, age 12; Brittney Gant South Wayne Middle School, age 13; Aleoie Jenktna, B^n Davis High School, ags 16; Antra Bpyd, Northwest High School, ago IS; BonNa ftoir, Arsenal Tech Nigh School, ags IS; DehaWa Hampton, North Central Mgh School, ags 16; Monique HanrM, Arlington High Sehoq|gage

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