Issue 1 2019

Sharing Christian Testimonies, Insights, and Information

The Blessing of Prayer

In this issue >>>

About Our Newsletter Prayer makes a difference!

The Blessing of Prayer

Message from the Pastor

Ministry Profile

Spiritual Insights

Healthy Living

This newsletter is dedicated to sharing

testimonies, insights and information that will

comfort, support and encourage Greater

Providence Baptist Church (GPBC) members

and the community at large.

Prayer is our opportunity to experience God and rest in his presence. Prayer is essential to

a Christian’s spiritual growth.

The Bible says “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1Cor. 12:7 (NIV). We believe that each member of GPBC has been given a gift, or a testimony or a prayer that will encourage someone in their spiritual journey. This newsletter is dedicated to proclaiming the glory of God and to uplifting the church body and our community.

Prayer can bring power, guidance, healing, comfort, inspiration and peace. A prayer can be many words or few words or just a whisper in our soul. A prayer can be many words or

us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Future additions of the newsletter will focus on

prayer within us. The word of God encourages us to pray continually (Col. 1:9 and 1 Thess. 5: 17) and Jesus provided us with the gold standard for prayer in Matt. 6: 9-13. (KJV) “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive

few words or just a whisper in our soul. Prayer can be engaged in anytime, anywhere – it just requires a quiet focused mind. There are as many prayers and ways to pray as there are people who pray. There may be no prayer in schools, no prayer in politics, and no prayer in sports; but no one can take away the

aspects of prayer. The newsletter team thanks God for the gift of prayer and we pray that readers of this newsletter will find something in these pages to enrich their prayer lives.

A prayer can be

many words or few

words or just a

whisper in our soul.

A Monthly Insight into the Current Real Estate Market

An excerpt from the Church Directory My brothers and sisters, time is winding up, therefore, we must do something good and righteous within the time we have left. We must strive to make life better for someone else within our family, church and city. We only have one opportunity to make our lives count, and this journey is no practice run. The appointed time is three score and

ten years. None of us really know how long we shall live. It is a fact that all of us are born to die. “It does not matter how long you live, but how well you do it” (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). We should not be satisfied

The Milliennials >>>

Steffanie Lewis We are blessed at Greater Providence Baptist

Church to have may talented young adults. Sis

Steffanie is one of our millennium generation

members who has been active in our dance ministry

and the choir ministry; she also will be leading a

new ministry that will roll out in 2019. Here are

her answers to the questions we asked about her

spiritual journey from a youth perspective.

“So be careful how you

live. Don’t live like fools,

but like those who are

wise. Make the most of

every opportunity in these

evil days.”

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT)

Question: What gives you the most joy in living a Christian life? Response: What gives me the most joy are the little reminders that I get knowing that God hears me and is with me. Question: What is your biggest struggle in living a Christian life? Response: My biggest struggle is often balancing the “busyness” and demands of everyday life with ensuring I make and

Message from the Pastor >>>

Making Life Count In These Evil Days

just attending this church, but should join one or two ministries and faithfully participate in those ministries as well as church activities every month. I am growing older and will not be here much longer. We are growing older and we desperately need more young members to help make our ministries stronger. Every day life is ticking away and it is a sad indictment to spend five, ten, or fifteen

years and never participate in any ministry — other than to serve as a pew member. My brothers and sisters, especially those who are attending on an irregular basis, please plan on making a difference in 2019. You should not wait for someone to draft you — volunteer, strive to make a difference in the lives of others! When I consider what time we have left, we should love somebody, reach out and inspire somebody, steer somebody to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Every life has purpose!

Pastor Fred Gibson

“If you're not making someone else's life better, then you're wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other lives better.”

– Will Smith

spend quality time with God. Question: What bible verse do you find yourself going to again and again for inspiration? Response: Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Question: What kinds of things impede positive fellowship in the church family? Response: I feel that not being open to the ideas and opinions of others impedes positive fellowship in the church family. As times continue to change, it is important to hear from others about how things may need to be looked at differently as opposed to simply going with tradition or “what has always worked”. Continued on page 5…

First thoughts…

The members of the Host/Hostess Ministry greet visitors at all services within the church. They take tape requests for sermons, distribute visitor brochures, read Sunday announcements and assist other ministries in the church with special projects throughout

From the Ministry’s Chair >>>

Heartstrings from theHost/Hostess Ministry The Host/Hostess ministry’s mission is to glorify God, by welcoming all visitors and

members with a smile, showing love and announcing church services. The Host/Hostess

ministry has grown over the years by leaps and bounds. The ministry no longer includes

just announcers but greeters too. I’ve had the privilege to serve in the ministry for over

15 years. Since joining Greater Providence in 1994, my life has not been the same.

By Sharon Nowlin

“And whatsoever you do,

work at it with all your

heart, as working for the

Lord.” Col 3:23 NIV

My first thought was why the Host/Hostess Ministry was selected to be the first ministry profiled for this new project. Well, I have a couple of different scenarios. 1. Perhaps because our greeters are some of the first people you see as you enter the church. 2. Perhaps because our announcers are smiling and welcoming to visitors. Whatever the reason, we are willing to share our good news all for the glory of God.

The Host/Hostess ministry serves others willingly, by allowing God to have His way. For the last several years, we have lead an annual winter sock drive for the homeless. The ministry came together to contemplate other outreach activities and decided to gather and assemble Easter baskets. Those baskets were donated to nursing home residents. Ministry members gave in such abundance to this project that it also allowed us to do a goody bag for the nursing home residents. The Host/Hostess Ministry has partnered with the Women’s Ministry to assist in their “Baby Shower” and “Fruit of the

Ministry profile >>>

Host/Hostess Ministry

the year. They are the first people you see when entering the church and they always manage to make members and visitors feel welcomed and loved. Our member Sharon Nowlin is the dedicated chairperson of this enthusiastic team.

Get Involved! We hope that by spotlighting the various ministries in the church, we can help members find a place in the church to serve. For more information go to www.greaterprovidence.com and tap on Get Involved.

Spirit” outreach projects. Our ministry continually seeks new ways to serve and to be a light for Christ. There is always an open invitation for any member to join our ministry. With encouragement from our first lady, Bronwen Gibson, we include our young people on youth Sundays. Our ministry is also excited to be a part of the new college support ministry, Forget Me Not, by supporting two GPBC youth who are now attending college. The Host/Hostess ministry believes that all members can help support our ministry by acknowledging our visitors with a holy hug, a handshake, a prayer or a smile.

Sister Joyce Culbreath

Bible Quiz >>>

1. Where was the first Lord’s Supper held? 2. How did the disciples find the event? 3. Who sat by Jesus’ side at the table? 4. What act of Jesus did Peter find objectionable, that occurred

after the disciples had eaten? 5. What remark did Jesus make that disturbed the disciples?

By Sis Sheila Tillman

A portion of the newsletter each quarter

will be devoted to submissions from

GPBC members who want to share their

spiritual insights or testimony with the

church family.

We are blessed in our Church family to have many, many members who have amazing testimonies. We plan to ask members to answer questions about their spiritual journey that hopefully will encourage others. The first member who agreed to participate is Sis Joyce Culbreath. Sis Joyce is the facilitator for the Wednesday noon ‘Hour of Power’ Bible Study sessions.

Q: What gives you the most joy in living a

Christian life?

A: Living a Christian life gives me peace which

truly surpasses my understanding. I have a joy

and rest because I know God is with me. No

matter what I’m going through, He is with me.

Q: What is your biggest struggle in living a

Christian life?

A: My biggest struggle is walking away from the

enemy without losing my testimony. The old

Joyce was a loud, quick tempered, “choice word

user.” I focus on Jesus to keep the old Joyce

under the blood.

Q: When do you have your quiet/prayer/study

time?

A: I pray daily and have quiet time with the Lord. I study each Thursday and Friday;

however, I don’t clock God in and out. In other

words, I have no set time or place other than

online sessions for Thursday night Bible study

and Friday night prayer meetings.

Q: What advice would you give new Christians?

A: Stay in God’s word. Develop a relationship with God. Keep your relationship revived. When He speaks a word to your heart, write it down. Study that given word for yourself, believe it, hope for it, live it before you can clearly see it because God has said HE shall lead and guide you in truth and His righteousness. Finally, learn to pray. Praying comes through a sincere relationship with Father God. Q: How did you raise your children to be Christians? A: My children were taught to go to church with me and their father. My children went to Sunday school, morning worship, evening service, bible study, Friday night prayer, VBS and all revivals. Those were the days. Not until they were adults did God show me His promise concerning them in Isaiah 54: 13 and Isaiah 49: 15-26. Today, each of them has been ordained in some capacity. God is faithful! Continued on page 5…

1. Mark 14:15 2. Mark 14 13-16 3. John 13:23 4. John 13: 4-8 5. Matt 26: 21-22

What’s wrong with kids today?

Adults often ask this question while shaking their heads disappointedly. Adults say that kids today are disrespectful, lazy, shallow, selfish, ungrateful and self-absorbed. What’s wrong with kids today? Adults say that kids today have no manners that they can’t carry on a conversation, that they seem to have no values and no morals. What’s wrong with kids today? Adults say that they give kids everything. They give kids expensive phones, computer games, designer clothes, concert tickets, vacations and cars. What’s wrong with kids today?

Children don’t talk much, but they observe. Children see adults who engage in road rage, exceed the speed limit, throw trash out along the highway, use a relative’s handicap parking placard to get a better parking spot, go through red lights. What’s wrong with kids today? Children see adults use profanity with people who disagree with them, treat clerks and servers rudely, who never use the words “please, thank you or excuse me”. What’s wrong with kids today? Children see adults who spend every waking moment on a cell phone, who hurl invectives and sometimes fists at the referees at sporting events. What’s wrong with kids today? Children see adults who never pray or read the Bible or discuss anything spiritual at home at all.

What’s wrong with kids today?

Member profile >>> insights... spiritual

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God… “ 2 Tim 2:15 KJV

Our Church commemorates the Lord’s Supper every first Sunday. Test your knowledge.

The Milliennials con’t. >>>

The Fruit of the Spirit

Member profile con’t. >>>

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Gal 5:22-

23 (NIV)

So often, Christians are labeled by their stance on one issue

(like abortion) or by a lifestyle choice (like not smoking or not

drinking). The Bible is quite clear on the qualities that

Christians should aspire to. We have asked our Church

This article on love is the first on how the fruit of

the spirit should manifest in our Chrisitan lives. A

definition of love in the dictionary is “A feeling of

warm personal attachment or deep affection.”

It is worth noting that the secular meaning of love

classifies it as a feeling while real Christian love is

action based. In the 13th chapter of John, Jesus

had just finished the humble task of washing his

disciples’ feet when He gave them this instruction

to show the importance of Christian love: 34 “a

new command I give you: Love one another.” As I

have loved you, so you must love one another. 35

by this everyone will know that you are my

disciples, if you love one another. In the 13th

chapter, Jesus has demonstrated that love is self-

sacrificing, Jesus the Lord of Lords was willing to

wash feet. He tells us if we profess to be His

disciples our actions and not our words only,

should show that we belong to Him. We should

not fake interest or compassion. God calls us to have real and sincere love that goes beyond pretense. If we want to see what real love looks like we only need to look at how Jesus treated people. He ate and mingled with sinners, not to judge, but to convert by showing there is a better way. He recognized when there was a real need; He fed the multitude with a few fish and loaves of bread. Jesus showed us that there is action with real love. As Christians, we have to be careful not to dispense love based on how we feel about a sin. For instance, I can love the fornicator but not the homosexual; I can love the liar but not the thief. I have studied scripture and no where can I find where God classifies one sin as worse or better than the other. Sin is sin and Paul tells us that we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. Even in our shortcomings God’s love is unconditional; He loves us in spite of who we are because of who He is. Real Christian love is an action and not a feeling. It’s self-sacrificing and unconditional. When in doubt, we should refer to the example Jesus gave us.

Q: How do you deal with temptation on your Christian walk? A: Well, years ago I asked God to set my face like flint; to help me control my fleshly desires so that I can love Him with a pure heart. He has honored my earnest petition. (Isaiah 50: 7 and Ezekiel 3: 8, 9). Additionally, I try to avoid relationships, activities, etc. that tempt my flesh. I focus daily on putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6: 10-20). Q: Who has been an exceptional inspiration to you in our congregation? A: Deacons Sharon and Jimmy Exum have been an exceptional inspiration to me. They consistently flow in the spirit of love and seem to be there for the body without trepidation.

Joyce Culbreath

Question: What advice would you give new Christians? Response: My advice would be to run your own race. It can be intimidating to be around mature Christians when you are new on your journey; but, let God order YOUR steps and run the race that has been given to you. Question: What have you heard in a sermon that you have always remembered? Response: A memorable sermon for me is: “Nothing just Happens”, preached by Bishop T. D. Jakes. This sermon taught me the importance of realizing that everything is orchestrated by God and that even when you don’t understand why things are happening the way they are, nothing “just happens”. Question: Who has been an exceptional inspiration to you in our congregation? Response: Sis. Karen Thomas has been an exceptional inspiration to me. I sought her out to become my professional mentor and she is a great help as I strive to grow as a person, leader and in my career. Question: What is your favorite inspirational song? Response: I am an avid music lover. One of my all-time favorites is “I Really Love the Lord” by Rev. Charles Nicks Jr. Another, I often heard my Dad play during childhood is “Lord We Need Your Blessing” by the Jackson Southernaires. My current favorite is “Excited” by Jonathan McReynolds.

Steffanie Lewis

Deacons and Deaconesses to help us understand

these qualities and most importantly what they

look like in a Christian’s life. Deacon Jimmy

Exum, the chairman of the Deacon Board, has

provided us with our first example.

S

Finding An Agent That’s Right For You

Following a three-day flight assignment, Sis. Claudette began to feel an unexplained discomfort. She visited her primary care doctor who took blood work and suggested that she might be suffering from food poisoning or a stomach virus. Just as she returned home, the phone rang and the doctor’s office advised her to get to the hospital as soon as possible and that the doctor had called them and they were waiting for her in the ER. The test results revealed that she had experienced a heart attack. Lab results showed an electrolyte disorder (imbalance) and hypokalemia (potassium deficit). After treatment, Sis. Claudette had no further symptoms or problems.

Greater Providence Baptist Church 2000 Milton Road Charlotte, NC 28215 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 44327 Charlotte, NC 28215

In 1999 just after moving to Charlotte, NC from Benicia, CA, Sis. Claudette experienced the same sensation that she had in the earlier incident. She took no chances and called 911 right away. The medics took her to CMC/University where she was immediately re-routed to CMC/Main. Personnel from the Sanger Heart Institute were standing by when she arrived. After resting for a few days at CMC and returning home; Sis. Claudette experienced the same discomfort again and was immediately admitted to the Sanger Heart Institute. More extensive tests were completed and she was diagnosed with a dissected artery. A coronary angiogram (stent) was implanted in the artery to keep it

Looking forward >>>

In The Next Issue The Fruit of the Spirit

Member Profile

Healthy Living

Spiritual Insights

According to the American Heart Association women may experience symptoms during a heart

attack other than chest pain. Those symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness,

nausea/vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen or back or jaw. In fact a women can experience a

heart attack without chest pain. Sis. Claudette Bethea shares her experience with heart disease in

the hope that it will help someone else. Here is her story.

Contact us at 704-532-6228 www.greaterprovidence.com The newsletter team welcomes your comments and suggestions, you can give them to any member of the team --- Sis. Deborah Lewis, Sis. Terrye Foster, Sis. Gail Brown, Sis. Joyce Isom, Sis. Brenda Meadows, Sis. Carrie Pegues or email them to Sis Sheila Tillman at newsletter@greaterprovidence.org.

open and glory to God, Sis. Claudette was up within 15 minutes of the procedure! Sis. Claudette wants to remind everyone that if there is a history of heart disease in your family, do some research and follow-up with your doctor (before you have problems). All of us should familiarize ourselves with the symptoms of a heart attack and understand that those symptoms may be different than pressure or pain in the center of the chest. All of us should stay as active as we can. (Sis. Claudette recommends the Alpha Fitness or Village Heartbeat classes offered through the church).

Healthy living >>>

Highlight on Heart Disease