Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 July 2005 — Page 17

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE B3

Bishop Jakes to discuss impact of mega churches From BlackNews.com

Bishop T.D. Jakes, one of America’s most influential religious leaders, will be a featured speaker at the National Association of Black Journalists’30th Anniversary Convention and Career Fair in Atlanta, NABJ President Herbert Lowe announced today. Bishop Jakes, a best-selling author and Grammy award-winning gospel music producer, will speak during the plenary session, “Mega Churches: The Power, Influence and Impact,” at noon Aug. 5, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The pastor of The Potter’s House, a non-denominational church in Dallas with more than 30.000 members, Jakes will discuss the role of large churches in the Black community and answer questions from a panel of NABJ members. “Many of our members know Bishop Jakes through his programs, books and reputation,” said Lowe, a reporter at Newsday in New York. “We look forward to hearing from him up close and personally on the state and future of the black church and its role in America’s future.” NABJ’s convention is expected to draw more than 3.000 attendees and is the largest annual professional gathering devoted to Black journalists. It will coincide in Atlanta with MegaFest 2005, a four-day conference led by Bishop Jakes and expected to draw tens of thousands of people. “It is a great honor to speak to our nation’s Black journalists, including many who have written about me throughout my career in the ministry,” Bishop Jakes said. NABJ’s convention theme is “Telling Our Story” and reflects the association’s yearlong celebration of the passion, pride, purpose and power of Black journalists over the last three decades, Lowe said. The convention will also feature the nation’s largest journalism career fair along with specialized workshops, plenary sessions with other national figures, professional development breakfasts targeted to various journalism disciplines, a Hall of Fame awards banquet, a gospel brunch, media receptions, an exhibit area and so much more for seasoned, up-and-coming and future journalists. As part of its anniversary celebration, NABJ will honor the 44 men and women who founded it in 1975 and the 15 men and women elected to serve as association president. Also, the 30 most influential moments impacting Black journalists since 1975 will be spotlighted at this year’s convention and career fair.

Bishop T.D. Jakes

Concert of Prayer

Pastor Alice Jones recites the prayer of repentance as event attendees kneel down and pray for forgiveness during the Concert of Prayer.

Singing group Virtuous Prayer performs a praise song at the event held at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church on 59th Street. (Photos/C. Guynn)

New Revelation Baptist Church 1806 N. Alabama St. 34i/i ^astoriaf Cflnnwersary - 7:30 p. m. OCiq/itfi/ July 20, 2005 Rev. E.B. Houser & Choir and Mt. Pisgah July 21, 2005 Rev. Joseph Tunstill, and Joshua Baptist July 22, 2005 - Rev. Mose Day Jr. and, Grace Missionary Sunday July 24, 2005 11:15 A.M. Rev. W.C. Groves Jr., Speaker 3:30 RM. Rev. Ernest Word and Greater Prince of Peace Rev. W.C. Groves, Sr., Pastor

COMIC >■ Continued from B1 After hardly hearing anything from Rod Z throughout 2004, I became a bit concerned. But it’s good to see him back on the scene with his latest release of comedy material, “I Ain’t Lied Yet.” Upon receiving this DVD, I knew it was something that had to be reviewed and shared. Atthe Recorderweget Christian music and books on a pretty consistent basis. But very seldom do we receive anything from comedians, especially Christian comedy figures. That is why I’m glad the Lord has blessed us with a growing number of Christian comedians who have gained national notoriety, especially Jonathan Slocumb, Sister Cantaloupe and of course, Rod Z. (On the local level we are privileged to have people like Michael Highbaugh, Cherry Red and Melissa “Mother Me Me” Whitehorn). Men and women like them provide a special comedic ministry and unique message of humor that has Christ as the central focus. They also remind the secular world that even the most committed Christians can be hip, cool and above all, funny. Rod Z and his club of comedians keep us laughing while fighting stereotypes that say Black comedians only tell raw and lewd jokes about sex or ghetto life. “I Ain’t Lied Yet” is the follow up to Rod Z’s 2003 recording, “Stop Me If I’m Lying.” On the strength of that release Rod Z became a common feature at many gospel events across the country, and opened for various musical artists such as Kirk Franklin and Trinity 5:7Thankfully, “I Ain’t Lied Yet” picks up exactly where Rod Z’s last project left off. The main difference is that this time he has adopted a more macro level approach as opposed to the typical micro

level one. On the last DVD he mainly talked about his own experiences growing up in the Church and joked about topics related to Christians on an individual basis. But throughout the 45-minute long “I Ain’t Lied Yet,” Rod Z addresses wider social issues that affect humanity in general, and uses his humor to help calm widespread anxiety in post-Sept. 11 America. Rod Z still has a gift of not only making viewers laugh with words, but also through his outrageous facial expressions, gestures and antics (such as walking like a crabby church usher with hurting feet or falling on the floor after being “touched” by Rev. Benny Hinn). His portrayal of guys on the street who see Jesus, gay lions, and Christian leaders putting the anointing on terrorists are just hilarious. “I Ain’t Lied Yet” is always fun but not an absolute scream from beginning to end, and viewers will alter between two very different extremes: Smiling quietly and simply nodding your head in agreement to one joke, and feeling like you’re going to actually burst with laughter the next. However, the set of amazing jokes that almost bring you to tears are worth purchasing this DVD. “I Ain’t Lied Yet” is perfect for retreats, gatherings of friends and anyone who would like to brighten their day and take a break from the serious hardships of life. I certainly enjoyed it, and I suspect that anyone with a sense of humor, regardless of where they might be spiritually, will also. “I Ain’t Lied Yet” is currently available and can be purchased at most area Christian bookstores and any general retail outlet that sells Christian music and DVD’s.

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