The King Summit Preview

WEBVTT
00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:06.799
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Native Drums.
00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:09.439
I'm Jocelia Williams, your host for today.
00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:18.239
And I have with me on this special edition our dear friend, oh my goodness, Bishop Blue, Bishop Michael Blue.
00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:19.280
Hello, Bishop Blue.
00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:20.079
God bless you.
00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:20.640
How are you doing?
00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:21.359
Sister Wave.
00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:22.719
It's always a joy to see you.
00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:26.559
It's always a joy to see you and to talk with you and spend time with you.
00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:28.000
You know how I feel about you.
00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:28.559
Oh, thank you.
00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:31.359
Because you have poured into my life for years.
00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:38.159
I met Bishop Blue at French Marion University whenever I was working with Young Gifted and blessed now.
00:00:38.479 --> 00:00:39.600
Gospel choiring.
00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:45.280
He was there and he was our accompanist and he's ministering and just look, you drug us.
00:00:47.119 --> 00:00:53.039
We would go to cellars whenever you, you know, uh initially began ministry.
00:00:53.840 --> 00:01:00.320
And um the Lord has blessed and touched, and um everything is just blown up worldwide.
00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:02.079
And so we're ever so proud of you.
00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:02.799
Thank you, ma'am.
00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:04.799
And ever so grateful to God for you.
00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:05.840
Grateful to God.
00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:08.159
And as well as you're an educator as well.
00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:08.879
Yes, ma'am.
00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:09.439
Yes, ma'am.
00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:10.239
Yes, yes.
00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:12.959
So uh it's it's just a blessing, just a blessing.
00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:20.400
But we're here to talk about CCFM, the King Summit, taking place on uh kicking off on the 24th this Wednesday.
00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:20.959
That's right.
00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:23.280
So let's talk about that and what's about to happen.
00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:32.959
Well, first, thank you, and thanks to this great body, the uh Savannah Grove uh Missionary Baptist Church and all that it represents in our region, Dr.
00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:36.000
Canty, living legend, and all of that.
00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:36.959
Seriously.
00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:39.439
And um it's an honor to be here.
00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:41.040
I'm sorry I'm not dressed better.
00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:43.280
Uh I've been at the Florence Center literally.
00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:46.560
You're perfectly helping to get ready.
00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:57.599
But um, yes, Wednesday, uh June 24th through Saturday, June 27 uh 7th, and then of course, a little extra on Sunday, June 28th.
00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:02.480
But um, we'll be welcoming some of the tremendous uh voices.
00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:10.879
God, God is not a respect of persons, and so every person is of equal worth in the sight of God.
00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:21.199
But even though we're all of equal worth, we're all called to distinct works, and the Bible tells us to esteem one another very highly in love for their works' sake.
00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:24.240
So sometimes somebody says, Well, this one's just as good as that one.
00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:24.479
Good.
00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:30.240
Oh, yes, we're all we're all born in sin, shaping in iniquity, and we all need the grace of God.
00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:30.719
Amen.
00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:36.879
But God gives various ones of us various gifts, and he gives us various graces for various seasons.
00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:43.840
And I believe that these brothers and sisters that are coming to share with us have been graceful this season.
00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:47.199
And uh on that Wednesday, I'll begin with the evenings.
00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:50.000
Wednesday evening, uh, Pastor John F.
00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:52.560
Hannah of the Greater Chicago Land Area.
00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:53.120
That's right.
00:02:53.439 --> 00:03:01.280
Very influential in terms of preaching, in terms of ministering prayer, and also a very powerful community builder and influencer.
00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:04.719
He's doing a great work there in uh Greater Chicago.
00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:09.360
And the singer that night will be uh psalmist Lillian Lloyd.
00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:18.159
Um, she's best known, at least best known to me for her uh I'm sorry, tenure with uh brother Ricky Dillard and um New G.
00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:19.919
One more chance and victory.
00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:20.719
Yes, yes.
00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:26.960
And so she's going to be there uh on Wednesday evening, Thursday evening.
00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:29.439
Yours truly, I have the privilege of sharing.
00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:32.800
And uh Pastor Smokey Norfel is going to be in the psalmist.
00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.280
And of course, we all love Brother Smokey.
00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:35.680
Yes.
00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:44.479
And then Friday evening, Apostle Joshua Giles, another young man who has had somewhat of a meteoric rise and is doing great things.
00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:51.599
He has a conference called Mantles that has been has drawn thousands, um, and he seems to really be a young man of integrity.
00:03:51.919 --> 00:04:01.199
And then uh the uh psalmist that night, I'm really excited, Sister Naomi Rain, uh, one of the great soloists with Maverick City.
00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:01.840
That's right.
00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:15.840
And um, and then uh going back to the days, there will be uh both morning glory session and uh our breakout sessions, the classes and all of that will take place beginning on Wednesday.
00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:19.839
Our morning glory speaker will be Pastor Urtha Edwards, who is of Marion.
00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:27.759
Uh, and then our breakouts include everything from mental health, uh empowerment along those lines to church security.
00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:28.079
Okay.
00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:33.199
Uh to, of course, the worship and arts media.
00:04:33.519 --> 00:04:40.720
So uh uh a diverse array of seminars will be administered during that time as well.
00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:42.000
Let's stop right there for a minute.
00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.360
You said church security.
00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:44.560
That's a new one, isn't it?
00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:46.560
That you have now, yeah.
00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:54.720
So let's talk about that a little bit because um I know that there's some churches that may not have that um as part of their ministry.
00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:55.360
Right.
00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:59.600
Well, it isn't it is new in the emphasis.
00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:02.480
We've had we're blessed to have had search church security for many years.
00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:20.800
But with the emphasis being heightened because our world has shifted so drastically and the minds and hearts of people have twisted so drastically that we cannot afford, no ministry can be without affords, uh can afford to be without some level of security, intentional security.
00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:36.399
And uh what we're trying to provide through the agency that will be coming in is a heightened set of principles and best practices so that we don't have people just kind of taking things into their own hands because then we can become dangerous to ourselves.
00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:36.879
Of course.
00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:49.199
But on the other hand, we cannot afford to have this public setting in which we, by definition, invite everybody and not have some means by which we can keep vigilance.
00:05:49.360 --> 00:06:00.000
I never shall forget uh Bishop Jakes had a uh a security conference some years ago, and the theme of it was who's watching while they're praying?
00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:06.000
While we're doing all those things that we do, singing and preaching and so forth, who's keeping watch over that?
00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:06.480
That's right.
00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:13.040
When the preacher says let's all close our eyes and bow our heads, who is assigned to keep his eyes open?
00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:15.519
Still praying, but keep your eyes open.
00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:22.959
And of course, you know, this is the season, the sad season, uh, when the Emmanuel 9 uh incident took place.
00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:36.480
And uh I happened to be in Charleston teaching on uh that that day uh before um and then the day of when that had taken place.
00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:44.079
I had no idea what had taken place, but the minister at the church where I was, I heard him say he was leaving, going downtown, something had happened.
00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:47.439
Wow and it was amazing just how these things occur.
00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:49.199
So we can't afford to be without security.
00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:49.839
That's my point.
00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.439
That's right, that's right, that's right.
00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:59.199
So um I'm definitely um glad that that particular class, because it is a ministry that is needed.
00:06:59.439 --> 00:06:59.920
It's needed.
00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:00.879
It is, it is.
00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:03.040
And I like what you said, Bishop Jackson.
00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:04.720
Who's watching while we're praying?
00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:05.279
Amen.
00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:06.879
Yes, yes.
00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:10.879
So um that was on, that takes place on Wednesday and Wednesday and Thursday.
00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:14.000
There will actually be two of those security sessions.
00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:14.560
Okay.
00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:22.800
Um also on um Wednesday day, our Bishop Melvin Lambert will give the midday session, midday service.
00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:25.519
He is our second vice presiding prelate.
00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:31.279
On Thursday day, we will be back in uh, of course, prayer and then the breakouts.
00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:42.319
And and and on Thursday, we will um shift a little bit and and there will be continuation of the mental health, of the security, of the worship arts, of the media.
00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:51.839
But there will also be uh a session uh on the building one's financial legacy and securing one's financial legacy.
00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:55.040
And uh all of these are totally free of charge.
00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:56.800
All people need to do is just show up.
00:07:56.959 --> 00:08:18.319
And that's um that's one of the great joys that we have to be able to offer to our brothers and sisters these resources that can cause them to be empowered in their personal lives, not only in the quote, spiritual, all things are ultimately spiritual, but not only in the religiously oriented, but also in those practical-oriented aspects of life as well.
00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:21.439
And then Thursday, uh, we talked about this yesterday.
00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:23.759
Yes, uh, Pastor T Renee.
00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:30.079
On Thursday, and it will be a women's empowerment session as well.
00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:32.320
So um it's going to be wonderful.
00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:37.919
And then on Friday in the daytime, we have an ordination service that takes place at 11.
00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:46.159
The speaker there will be our own Bishop Bobby Hilton of Cincinnati, Ohio, who is the vice presiding prelate of our um fellowship.
00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:58.240
And then on Saturday, and we're really excited about him, a gentleman whose ministry is in uh Atlanta and in, I forget the city in New Jersey, but uh Dr.
00:08:58.399 --> 00:08:59.919
Darius Daniels.
00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:18.000
He is a phenomenal preacher, teacher, businessman, entrepreneur, and he has um a youthful appeal, um not because he's a neophyte, not because he's just getting started, but because God has just blessed him in so many different areas.
00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:26.960
And so he can preach, but he can also teach with all of many young people having aspiration for entrepreneurship and going forward in business.
00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:29.200
He is an expert in all those areas.
00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:29.679
Okay.
00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:42.080
And so he'll be with us and um singing that day or that evening rather afternoon, excuse me, will be our own pastor Wendy Wyatt, who is just such a gifted psalmist and anointed woman of God.
00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:50.799
And then those who are traveling and and even those who have early services, if you'd like to join us on Sunday, we will be there from 10 to 11.
00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:58.799
There will be a continental breakfast, snack time, a fellowship, and then at 11, we will go into, we're going to import Marion to Florence.
00:09:58.879 --> 00:09:59.120
All right.
00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:02.080
And the door of hope's morning worship will happen at the Florence Center.
00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:02.960
Awesome.
00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.799
That's a power pack.
00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:10.159
I wanted to say week, but we're doing all this beginning Wednesday on through Sunday.
00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:10.559
Yes.
00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:11.679
Oh, wow.
00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:13.039
But um, this is great.
00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:29.360
You always have um the those uh ministers or pastors or evangelists, just everyone that um may be noted that have uh that to come and and to share here in Little Florence, South Carolina.
00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:31.440
But Florence is now moving.
00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:32.080
Yes.
00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:33.600
It's growing tremendously.
00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:35.039
It's growing, it's growing.
00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:44.399
And so we just um appreciate you for bringing all those wonderful ministers and um pastors here to our area.
00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:47.679
Because, you know, sometimes we don't get that exposure that we need.
00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.399
That's true.
00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:49.279
That we need.
00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:58.240
Um, and I can say that for myself until I um till I left Florence, I was able to see what is happening in other places.
00:10:58.399 --> 00:11:03.519
And and um just to be exposed is um is a mighty thing.
00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:05.679
And here's something else, if I may say so.
00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.279
Hey, and yes, ma'am, not meaning to cut you off.
00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.000
No, no, no.
00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:14.320
But may I say that in saying that, that's not to demean or to put down what we have.
00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:20.399
In many cases, what we find is that those brothers and sisters come and confirm what your pastor has been talking about.
00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:20.960
Thank you.
00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:23.120
And what your uh leaders have been sharing.
00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:23.759
Yes, exactly.
00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:33.519
So it becomes confirmation, so much so that if you can't accept it from mother and father, go outside and find somebody telling you the same thing that they told you at home.
00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:34.639
You are so right.
00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:36.000
Because it happened to me.
00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:36.399
Yes.
00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:38.159
That's what I'm saying, you know.
00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:39.600
That's exactly right.
00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:44.240
Um, sometimes um we take it better from others.
00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.120
That's it, exactly.
00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.639
And that's the same thing with our children.
00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:47.279
Exactly.
00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:49.840
Well, that's the whole metaphor right there.
00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:57.759
Whether they go out and the coach or the teacher or the whomever tells them the exact same thing that their parents have been trying to tell them all along.
00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.360
Yes, yes.
00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:02.960
Well, I tell you, we um we really just appreciate that.
00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:09.759
And because you do so many um the conference, you've got the the King's Summit, then you have the one that you do with the arts.
00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.720
Yes, yes, ma'am.
00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:15.279
And uh what are some of the other um conferences that that take place over the year?
00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:15.840
Thank you.
00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:21.919
In October, we have what is actually our longest-running conference, uh our leadership conference.
00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:28.159
Um, and it's designed because as soon as people, some people, as soon as they hear the term leader, they turn it off.
00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:36.960
So I'm not a I'm not a politician, I'm not um, I'm not an attorney, I'm not a counsel person, so I'm not a leader, I'm not a preacher.
00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:40.960
No, leader is the destiny of every human being.
00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:45.840
Some of us lead from in front, some lead from beside, some even lead from behind.
00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:50.399
But all of us, John Maxwell defines leadership as influence.
00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:57.440
And all of us are called by God to exercise positive influence in some sphere of existence.
00:12:57.679 --> 00:13:09.440
And so what we're trying to get people to understand is that whatever gifting, whatever aptitude, whatever talent, whatever skill that God has deposited within you, that is the leveraging for your leading.
00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:14.399
And so that uh meeting in October is always a blessing.
00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:18.080
Then in the spring, you know, resurrection comes at different times.
00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:20.399
So we have to kind of juggle with that.
00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:32.159
But um, that uh meeting that you referred to, Kingdom of the Arts and Media Festival, um, it's an opportunity for those who already sing and play and draw and dance.
00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:35.519
Your daughter is such an asset in that area of dance.
00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:56.559
And um, but to be able to come and have those gifts heightened and celebrated so that they go back to their local churches empowered, and not only local churches, but these skills are transferable into the marketplace and um people who use them well can end up making a livelihood of those resources and of those gifts.
00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:59.600
And um, that's a part of why God gave them to us.
00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:10.799
And one of the things, um, Sister William, that's always a blessing to us, is that we try to always make what we do as accessible as possible.
00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:13.919
And so there is no admission fee.
00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:18.000
There is no cost to enter and to participate in what takes place.
00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:18.399
Right.
00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:23.840
And um, we have voluntary registration, just like this meeting that we have going on now.
00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:30.080
We encourage people to register because to underwrite it, to sponsor it, it costs, it costs significantly.
00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:40.799
But in terms of that being the determiner as to whether you can participate and partake, we never want it to be the case because I've said it before and I'll continue to say it.
00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:44.799
Sometimes the person who needs it the most can afford it the least.
00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.639
And I've been that person.
00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:58.320
And I want to make sure that when it comes to getting closer to God and getting fulfilled in terms of a sense of destiny and purpose, that you always have that kind of access if we're responsible.
00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.120
Amen.
00:14:59.200 --> 00:14:59.600
Amen.
00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.399
That's wonderful.
00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:01.679
That is so wonderful.
00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:08.799
Now, you are a musician within your own right, because like I said, that's when I met you.
00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:12.159
That's that was the relationship that you and I had.
00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:15.440
And um, but you've got a new single coming out.
00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:19.200
Well, you know, it it's it's floating around a little bit.
00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:28.080
Um, yes, I give you all the praise, is is the one that has um it's it's it's been out a little while.
00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:30.320
It has been out a little while.
00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.240
And um We don't have it.
00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.360
Oh, I'm sorry.
00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.000
I'm very sorry.
00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.759
We'll make a remedy that.
00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.720
Please.
00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.600
We're still playing breakthrough.
00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.240
Oh wow!
00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:42.480
No, we we've done a little more since then.
00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.080
For real, you have it.
00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:49.360
And so um, but yes, uh some of the young people from the ministry.
00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.600
Well, first of all, our choir and praise and worship.
00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.559
I thank God for them.
00:15:52.799 --> 00:16:02.240
God has given me the opportunity to help train them and prepare them, but also to experiment in terms of, you know, I get a chance to hear how the song sounds within, yeah.
00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:04.240
And uh, and they've been so gracious.
00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:11.519
And then uh the production was also done by um some of the young people um that are in the ministry there.
00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:14.399
Brother Jamar Brown, his wife, Swana Brown.
00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:23.279
They are very gifted young people, and and uh they love that particular song, and and and we thought, let's let's do something else with it.
00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.559
And so we did.
00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:34.399
And uh uh we uh we are anticipating doing a full project um somewhere either end of this year, first or next.
00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:34.879
Great.
00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:46.000
But um, you know, there's so much music and um so many wonderful utterances from God that we need to make sure we lock them down so that they last beyond us.
00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.559
Yes.
00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:49.360
Um, even in writing and those other things that we do.
00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:56.720
Um it's not a matter of trying to be uh famous or popular, it's a it's it's about being faithful.
00:16:56.960 --> 00:17:05.039
And anything that God entrusts to us, we wouldn't have a Bible if somebody hadn't recorded what God gave them in the ways that they could record.
00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:12.640
And so, even so, we're being less than faithful if we don't make sure there is a permanent record of what God has given us.
00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.119
Oh, wonderful, wonderful, that's right.
00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:37.200
So I'm gonna go off the beaten pathway here and ask you about youth in the church and youth ministry, because we know like during COVID, our youth began to, the situation with our youth in churches began to minimize.
00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:42.640
And um and it it's happen it it has been happening all over.
00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:54.880
I've heard several um ministries talk about the the how the the numbers have dropped when it comes to our young people.
00:17:55.039 --> 00:18:10.079
So let's talk about that and um and that situation and how we can possibly remedy that, or is there some strategy, or what is it that we need to do from your perspective in order to get our youth back into the church?
00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.200
Thank you, ma'am.
00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:28.880
I think that um the fact that we are having this conversation and others are having the conversation is a major step um to acknowledge the fact that all is not well when it comes to the population of young people in our in our ministries.
00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:37.440
Um for so many years we were not deliberate about making sure they knew they were included.
00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:40.240
We weren't as deliberate as we should have been.
00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:51.279
We took for granted that they would just assimilate uh in and have a sense of loyalty, maybe based on the fact that their parents, grandparents were part of the ministry and so forth.
00:18:51.680 --> 00:19:02.000
But the world around us and around them has changed so drastically that where there used to be certain expectations, those expectations are no longer there.
00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:07.839
Not only that, but our people are more transient and mobile than they've ever been.
00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:15.519
There was a time that people grew up in a neighborhood, married in that neighborhood, reared children in that neighborhood, died in that neighborhood.
00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:31.839
But now with easy access to other regions and other locales, um and with the downturn in many of our rural areas of our economies, our children haven't had the opportunities in our areas.
00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.960
Some things are changing.
00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:47.359
Like we said, uh Florence is expanding and uh Myrtle Beach is expanding, but but in many of our rural areas, uh the opportunities to excel um financially, materially haven't been there.
00:19:47.519 --> 00:20:06.240
And so here's what I see as a as a tragic irony that many times in the rural areas, we raise our children, we train our children, we discipline our children, we send them to university and pay for it uh if if they don't have enough scholarship to pay for it.
00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:14.640
And then we end up exporting them to make another city great, Atlanta or or Baltimore or BMV.
00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:35.599
And and nothing wrong with those cities, but if we could retain the genius and the talent that we generate, you know, because when you see them coming back, they're coming back from uh this city, that Nashville, wherever you, and they are using those talents to enrich and enhance those cultures.
00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:55.599
And so even our city elders, our gatekeepers, we haven't done enough to think as a community, what could we do to retain these children, to regain so that when we send them away for four years, six years, eight years, we give them a sense of mission to come back.
00:20:55.759 --> 00:21:04.720
And in many cases, but and no disrespect to any other ethnicity, but particularly among us as Africans, we haven't had much to invite them to come back to.
00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:17.279
If attorney uh, I'm just gonna use Jones, if attorney Jones's um uh child is sent away to learn law, then it's it he's gonna come back to Jones and it's gonna become Jones and Jones.
00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:20.640
Or if it was grandpa Jones and Jones and Jones.
00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:28.079
We haven't always had that kind of uh economic legacy to impart to our children to give them a reason to come back.
00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:38.160
Now, from a strictly faith perspective, sometimes when it comes to our faith, uh not always, but I was talking to our congregation about this just Sunday.
00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:45.440
Sometimes we have taught our children to believe, but we haven't taught them to think.
00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:55.039
So we believe our faith based on maybe experiential kinds of things, but we don't have a rationale to go along with that.
00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:59.759
And so when they go into a setting that challenges their faith.
00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:17.759
With regard to reason, they assume that there is no reasoning for our faith, and therefore many of them end up skeptic, cynic, even atheist, because there was not a rational or reasonable basis for our faith.
00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:24.319
And what I found is that we need to be intentional about teaching them that field of theology called apologetics.
00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:27.200
Apologetics is not apologizing, I'm sorry.
00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:34.640
Um the word apologia, apologia, and the Greek in the scripture means a reason, an answer.
00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:42.799
Um the Bible says that uh Peter said in 1 Peter 3.15, he said, but sanctify the Lord always in your hearts and be ready to give an answer.
00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:48.160
There it is, apologia to every man who asks a reason of the hope that lies in you.
00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:54.079
And so, you know, why do you believe that we have a creator as opposed to Darwinian evolution?
00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:59.200
Why do you believe that we have purpose as opposed to random chance and all of that?
00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:02.559
Well, there are answers beside what for the Bible tells me so.
00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.119
That's good.
00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.160
That's very good.
00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:08.960
But but why should I even believe that what the Bible tells me so is accurate?
00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.160
Yeah, they're saying that.
00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:21.839
Instead of running from those hard questions, we need to invite them to those hard questions, give them the answers we have, and be honest about the answers that we don't have.
00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:26.319
Many times people just respect the fact that you can admit some things I don't know yet.
00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.640
Right.
00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.720
I'm still learning, I'm still a student.
00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:44.000
And um, so that then along with that, um, Sister Williams, I think one of the great things is that we need to lead our children to an encounter with God that goes beyond the superficial.
00:23:44.160 --> 00:24:10.720
In other words, yes, we want you on the usher board, yes, we won't want you on the choir, but if God is who we say he is, then we must each have an encounter with him that causes us to know within our spirit nature, we're tripartite being spirit, soul, body, and he is spirit, and he invites us into a spirit-to-spirit relationship with him.
00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:22.880
That's one of the reasons why we hear on many of the college campuses, these revival moves that are taking place and hundreds of young people being turned to God because in many cases what they had was superficial.
00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:26.160
You know, they just they functioned, they went to Sunday school.
00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:32.640
But in terms of having their own personal encounter, I can't get that from what mama had, background for mama, but I got to know in for myself.
00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:40.079
And sometimes we haven't been intentional enough to make sure we're evangelizing our own children and grandchildren and so forth.
00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:42.640
So those elements are critical.
00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:53.680
Being intentional, um, making sure that even from a community that we are uh trying to create a society that would attract them back.
00:24:53.839 --> 00:25:07.279
Uh thirdly, giving reason for what we believe, and then fourthly, inviting them to a dynamic encounter with God Himself, not just religiosity, but a living relationship with God.
00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:09.839
Amen, amen, amen.
00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.759
Thank you for that.
00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.559
Yes, ma'am.
00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.680
Thank you for that.
00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:25.839
I um I just happened to, I watch a lot of YouTube, um, and I just happened to run upon that movie from back in the day about the Jesus movement.
00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:28.079
Yes, yes, yes, yes, Jesus Revolution.
00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:29.359
Yes, that was it.
00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.160
That was it.
00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:34.319
And then that just, I'm like, God, are you showing me this for a reason?
00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.759
He's gonna do it again.
00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.319
Yes.
00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.359
He's gonna do it again.
00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.559
He's gonna do it again.
00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.279
Amen.
00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:39.839
Amen.
00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.960
I look forward to that.
00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.519
Yes, ma'am.
00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.799
And may I insert one more thing?
00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.400
Please forgive me for cutting ahead.
00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:46.799
But uh, I'm trying to get my thought out before I lose.
00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.680
That's quiet.
00:25:47.839 --> 00:26:00.240
All right, but no, seriously, another of the great challenges with our children is that we haven't been the adults that we need to have been for our children.
00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:08.640
Many times um I've heard it said from educators and from just people in general.
00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:13.200
You know, the children aren't what they used to be.
00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:17.359
But you know, the parents, we aren't what we used to be or what they used to be.
00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:22.240
The ones who raised us, the way they raised us, and I'm talking about the good things.
00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:48.880
Yes, they made mistakes, but the values and the consistency and the dependability, they stayed in situations, many times where they weren't, they weren't always the most joyous about it, but because they were committed to giving that child a stable setting, if if it was a single parent, they carried themselves respectfully.
00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.440
Amen.
00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:55.759
You know, so those children didn't wonder about what the lines are of respectability.
00:26:56.000 --> 00:27:03.920
And so I think that that one of the great challenges with our children is that we haven't been the examples to them that we really need to have been.
00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:11.359
And sometimes we've let them see us be one thing at home, another thing at the church.
00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:14.480
And we didn't have the nerve to call that out when we were children.
00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.119
You're right.
00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:17.359
But this group will call it out.
00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.400
They sure will.
00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:21.039
And so they need their families.
00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:27.440
One of the things that we we have allowed the enemy to devastate us in our homes.
00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:32.319
And don't get me wrong, um, all of us are fault, all of us are challenged.
00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:36.319
But I have to remember that my son is watching me.
00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:38.000
Uh, my daughter is watching me.
00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.559
That's right.
00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:44.640
And and and not just those natural sons and daughters, but those spiritual sons and daughters all over.
00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:47.519
People that you think not, they're watching you.
00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:54.559
And so many times the great problem with the children of this generation are the adults of this generation.
00:27:54.799 --> 00:28:11.200
And if we ourselves were more character-oriented and more God-fearing and God-honoring, that by itself would set a precedent that our young people could follow.
00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:14.720
Because they tend to emulate what they think they see.
00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.400
Amen.
00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:17.680
Thank you for that.
00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.400
Yes, ma'am.
00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:24.079
I went off the beaten path, but I tell you, I needed to do that.
00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:29.680
Because um I I felt that you, you know, you know how we go.
00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.480
I tell you, you were important.
00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.359
You made me, no, you didn't make me.
00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.559
You inspired me.
00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:36.559
Just throw my dream book away.
00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.000
Oh my goodness.
00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:39.359
Yes, we had that conversation.
00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.000
You remember?
00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.559
Yes, I do.
00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.680
We had that conversation.
00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:43.839
We were at Wilson Senior High School.
00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.039
Yes, yes, yes.
00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:48.640
And uh, we had that conversation and you inspired me to do that.
00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:50.720
And um, I have not looked back.
00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:53.039
That was decades ago.
00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.160
My God.
00:28:55.119 --> 00:29:00.319
God has really given me visions and dreams, and he has interpreted them for me.
00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:01.279
And I'm hey.
00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:06.559
As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:09.920
When you know you've been led by the Spirit, you don't need all that superficial.
00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.559
You don't, you don't, you don't.
00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:15.519
I tell you I can talk, we can talk all day.
00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:23.039
But I know our time has uh is limited, but we're ever so glad to have you here with us uh today.
00:29:23.119 --> 00:29:26.640
And everyone, we want you to remember CCFM begins on this Wednesday.
00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:28.400
Yes, it does, yes, the 24th.
00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.599
What's the um what time?
00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:35.119
Uh well the the day sessions begin with prayer, early morning, eight o'clock prayer.
00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:45.839
But the um uh breakouts will begin at 1015, and the midday service will begin at 12, 1230, and then the evenings begin at 7.
00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.400
Okay.
00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:49.519
All right, and that's from the 24th through the 27th.
00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.160
Yes, ma'am.
00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.880
Yes, ma'am.
00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:54.160
All right, so you've heard it here at Native Drums.
00:29:54.400 --> 00:30:00.559
CCFM is about to kick off on Wednesday, so make sure you uh and it's uh free admission.
00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.119
Absolutely.
00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:03.359
They would love for you to register, yes, yes.
00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:05.680
Definitely, but it is free.
00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:08.480
So everyone come come on out to the Florence Center.
00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:08.880
Amen.
00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:09.279
Thank you.
00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.519
Thank you, Bishop Blue, for joining us here.
00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.160
My honor.
00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.720
My honor.
00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.680
All right, everyone.
00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:21.599
Thank you for uh viewing Native Drums on today on this special edition, and we look forward to seeing you on our next show.
00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:23.440
Have a great week.