International ALERT Academy is slated to present its 2011 Family Camp. Families come from around the country for a week of family-focused speakers, activities, and events from October 8- 15.
For more information, please call 903-636-2000 ext. 2101, or contact Melanie Bogner at mbogner@alertacademy.com

Archbishop Dr. J.L. Lawson, Jr. is first among equals at local Miracle Tabernacle Prayer and Praise Cathedral, the heart and soul of J.L. Lawson Ministries, Inc.  He serves as founder, chief apostle and overseer. He ministers to his congregation with power and compassion, influencing by his example and his knowledge and comprehension of Christian history and theology.
He was ordained a minister in 1974, and since then has never slowed his tireless evangelistic labors, serving as pastor for six churches.  He was only twenty-seven when he survived a severe heart attack. After recovering from this near-death experience he embarked on his crusade to serve Christ to the utmost of his ability during the brief time we all have in this life.
In 1984 he founded Miracle Tabernacle House of Prayer, the mission statement of which is: “The purpose of this organization is to aid, awaken and stimulate the greatest possible activity in Deliverance, Evangelism, Christian Education, and Benevolence in the community.”  The new congregation held its first service on Easter Sunday 1985.
Playing the part of the watchman on the wall described in Ezekiel 3:16-20 this dynamic churchman cries out in warning against acts that will incur the Lord’s displeasure.  He preaches avoidance of sin, or, for those who need it, how to achieve forgiveness.  He trains his parishioners to follow his example.
In a time when the ancient custom of church revivals seems to by dying, Lawson leads revivals that are not only intense in their proclaiming of the Gospel, but as long as they need to be to get the message to everyone who may not have heard it.  According to Lawson, in 2004 he led a forty-day revival. Others have lasted twenty-one and thirty days.
In 1993 Lawson received his first bishop’s consecration.  It was from the United Churches of God in Christ, which made him Jurisdictional Bishop for the State of Texas.  In 2000 the Bishop Leroy Watson of Atlanta, Georgia ordained him Second Presiding Prelate in Inter-Faith International Fellowship.  Later that year he was appointed Second Assistant Presider in the Christ International Churches Fellowship.  He holds an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Christian Education from the Payne School of Bible Studies, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from the P.A. Institute School of Ministry.
Miracle Tabernacle Prayer and Praise Cathedral is located at 205 East Nelson Street in Longview.

My family and I would like to show our gratitude to the prophet, preacher, teacher, Overseer and friend Archbishop John L. Lawson.  You were there for my sister Beverly Alex Jones and I in our time of urgent need. You have been an encouragement to several members of my family especially to my husband Calvin W. Williams, Jr. We thank God Almighty for your life and ministry. May God continuously strengthen and bless you. Have a glorious 40th anniversary in ministry.

I just want to say thank you for being obedient in doing God’s will and making the choice to honor Him. Jeremiah 23:4 says, “…and I will set up Shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more …saith the Lord God.” Being under your leadership and in covenant has developed me into the man I am today. Wishing you happy and blessed 40th anniversary in ministry.

Wesley-McCabe United Methodist Church had its humble beginnings as a merged church in the former Wesley Methodist Church building at 1115 South Mobberly Avenue, in 1999.
The merged how to buy prescription drugs without a prescription churches combined had historical roots in the Longview community spanning over one hundred and fifty years. Wesley Methodist had its inception as a mission in 1935 under the leadership of Rev. C.E. Clark, Associate Pastor of the First Methodist Church Downtown Longview. In 1937, the small mission grew into a church with several committed members and became a beacon of light as Wesley Methodist Church (1935-1999).
Similarly, McCabe Chapel Methodist Church as able to see the vision take root from its beginning in a home to a church building where many souls came to know the joy of the Lord. Rev. Taylor Moore in the home of Mr. John Patillo organized the church in 1896. Through numerous struggles and victories in faithful perseverance, McCabe Methodist Church served as a beacon of life in the Longview community from 1896-1999.
On December 1, 1998, under the leadership of Reverend Byron
Boyett-Wesley Methodist and Reverend Mary High-McCabe Methodist, a group of ten members from each church met to discuss the uniting of the two churches. The uniting of two churches as one under the title Wesley-McCabe United Methodist Church occurred at the first worship service on Sunday, February 7, 1999.
The journey for the new body of Christ has been both challenging and rewarding. The exodus of some of the members from both previous churches to other local churches was disheartening. Nevertheless, the ones who remained were determined to trust God by faith to establish new roots as a multi-cultural congregation. Reverends Carl Lundberg (1999-2005) and Christi Conway (2005-2008) served as pastors of the merged church in its quest to love God and neighbor. The celebration of twelve-years in ministry is a testimony to the “warm heart” and strength of the people who represent the legacy of the past and present building a diverse church for future generations of worshipers.
Reverend Virginia Wall (2008-present) in leading the congregation on its continuing journey thanked the anniversary committee. She also declared that the congregation would continue pursuing its vision, “bridging gaps, building a diverse church and transforming lives through the power of God and guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
The Reverend Dr. Donald Waddleton, director of the Center for Congregational Excellence, Texas Annual Conference brought the celebratory message. He congratulated the congregation for the twelve-year milestone and its determination to continue serving the community. He preached on how “Roots are Important,” reminding his listeners of how their Methodist roots include the kind of vibrant worship that has dubbed them “holy rollers,” but most important are their roots in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The afternoon was full of celebration, friends, and special music from Sunrise Ministries with Phil and Debi Jones, and good food.

This is the correction of the story published two weeks ago. We apologize for any historical errors.

Wesley-McCabe Methodist Church had its humble beginnings in 1896 in the home of one John Patillo.  Seven members comprised the congregation.  A Reverend Taylor Moore was the first (and unpaid) pastor, but following several brief pastorates the Reverend S.W. Johnson was assigned to the church.  Influenced by Johnson’s powerful preaching several more people joined the congregation.  A Deaconess Simpson, the Reverends W.M. Brisby, J.P. Belcher, J.B. Carraway, D.D. Dyer, A.M. Mayes, W.H. Dickson and others made an ongoing, positive impact on the church’s growth.
In 1960 McCabe built its first sanctuary, and celebrated its 50th anniversary as an organized congregation in 1988.  A church that started with seven parishioners now had a sanctuary and more than 600 members, becoming the third-largest Methodist church in Longview.  Ten years later, in 1998, the Wesley and McCabe congregations commenced drugs without prescription merger negotiations.  Upon completion of the joining, in 1999, the congregation moved into the Mobberly Baptist facilities and became one house of worship–Wesley-McCabe United Methodist Church.
The days ahead were rocky as some members who had opposed the merger left for other local Methodist churches.  Nevertheless, some have stayed to the present day to celebrate the twelfth anniversary of the merger.  Pastor Virginia Hall thanked the anniversary committee.  She also declared the congregation will continue pursuing its vision of bridging gaps, building a diverse church and transforming lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Reverend Dr. Waddleton, director of the Center for Congregational Excellence, Texas Annual Conference brought the celebratory message. He congratulated the congregation for the twelve-year milestone and its determination to continue serving the community.  He preached on how “Roots are Important,” reminding his listeners of how their Methodist roots include the kind of vibrant worship that has dubbed them “holy rollers,” but most important are their roots in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The afternoon was full of celebration, friends, and special music from Sunrise Ministries with Phil and Debi Jones; and good food.

On Sat., Feb. 5, 2011 at 7pm, Wesley-McCabe United Methodist Church will have a concert with comedy and music by Sunrise Ministries. Admission is $5.
On Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 10:30am, Wesley McCabe will have a featured speaker, Dr. Donald Waddleton during the worship service and Sunrise Ministries will provide the music.  A luncheon will follow the worship service.
All of this is to celebrate a 12-year merger- Wesley United Methodist Church and McCabe United Methodist Church into Wesley-McCabe United Methodist Church.

As additional young adult men are expected to come forward this week after four former members of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, in Lithonia, Georgia, claim to have been “coerced” into respective sexual relationships with the church’s senior pastor, Bishop Eddie L. Long.
The 55-year-old preacher told his congregation last Sunday that he would “vigorously fight the charges” against him as nearly 10,000 members applauded, ultimately vowing to support him.
In court filings (September 21) in DeKalb County State Court of alleged sexual harassment against Bishop Long, New Birth, Inc., and the church’s “off-shoot ministry” of the Longfellows Youth Academy, Incorporated, two young adult males who initially were students within New Birth’s youth academy, Maurice Robinson and Anthony Flagg, stated in civil litigation documents that Bishop Long exerted his influence as pastor — “spiritual advisor” — over the teens, both age 14 at the time, to eventually engage in sex and relationships for (Long’s) own personal sexual gratification,” all the while furnishing the impressionable young men with cars, cash, jewelry and other gifts, allegedly with church funds, along with putting them on New Birth’s payroll. In separate 23-page filings by Robinson and Flagg, respectively, the youth academy “purported to train young men, from 13 to 18, to love, live and lead as they proceed on their ‘masculine journey’.” However, as the 50-year-old preacher is the academy’s “pastor/counselor/confidant” to the teens in the program, the initial plaintiffs allege the academy is Bishop Long’s modus operandi to influence and exploit vulnerable teen males who, in the case of Flagg, have no father, or father-figure, “to bring them to a point to engage in a sexual relationship.” After they are pronounced as Long’s “spiritual sons” within the program and church congregation, furthermore, “defendant Long has a pattern and practice of singling out a select group of young male church members, and (uses) his authority as Bishop over them to ultimately bring them to a point of engaging in a sexual relationship,” court documents indicated. Both Robinson and Flagg are 21, born in 1989. A third plaintiff, 23-year-old Colorado resident Jamal Parris, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit, on September 22, alleging similar charges, with the additional claim that while occupying Bishop Long’s Snapfinger Drive guest house in DeKalb County, he would regularly request for Parris to be nude for the pastoral visits. All three are being represented by Brenda Joy “B.J.” Bernstein of Atlanta.  (At late presstime, a fourth young male, Spencer LeGrande, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit (September 24) against Long, alleging same charges as a member of New Birth-Charlotte, a satellite church in North Carolina.  The then-17 year old engaged in sex with Long, in 2005, after being given a sleeping pill, according to the lawsuit, and was ongoing until last year, according to Associated Press reports.  Attorney Bernstein was unreachable for comment.)
In statements by Bishop Long initially, he denied the allegations. Last Sunday, furthermore, Long stood before his congregation, denouncing the accusations. “I am going to fight this thing. I am not a perfect man — but I am not the man being portrayed” by the plaintiffs as, according to one complaint, a “sexual predator.”
Although Long did not definitively deny the allegations to his members, he spoke on all people having to “face painful situations. This is the worse time of my life,” the pastor proclaimed at an 8am. service, adorned in beige-tan dressing, with New Birth insignia. Following the service, Long addressed local and national news media at a press conference in New Birth’s chapel. Taking no questions from reporters, he only said the civil lawsuits “would cheap Acomplia not be fought in the media, but within a court of law,” as well as he promoting his church’s ministries’ work at home and abroad. After about 10 minutes, he walked away with his wife, Vanessa, and attorneys, Craig Gillen and Dwight Thomas of Atlanta, in tow. Also, in statements last week to the media and touted by attorney Gillen to radio stations upon Long cancelling scheduled interviews, “it is unfortunate these young men have chosen to take this course of action,” Gillen said. “Bishop Long adamantly denies these allegations.  We’re reviewing the complaints … and will respond in the proper venue accordingly.  Bishop Long also stated, ‘Let me be clear. The charges against me and New Birth are false. I have been through storms, and my faith has always sustained me. I have devoted my life to helping others, and these false allegations hurt me deeply’,” Gillen exclaimed the father of four said.  Plaintiffs’ attorney Bernstein of Atlanta — who is remembered for successfully defending Genarlow Wilson of sexual sodomy that was prosecuted by Douglas County and the state of Georgia in 2006 — said to The Atlanta Inquirer last week, “the courage of these young men to stand up is testimony to (obliterate) Bishop Long’s great influence, as well as they trying to get to the truth of the betrayal …for a productive life.” She also warned, “there are kids right now at risk (at New Birth).”  Ms. Bernstein denied a reporter from speaking to the plaintiffs last week, indicating, “they’ve relocated for the moment…. To (initiate litigation) was very emotional for them,” relaying, too, that e-mails, text messages and pictures provided to the young men “will speak for the cases against the bishop.” Ms. Bernstein stated she had no comment after Bishop Long’s sermons (September 26).
Bishop Long, a native North Carolinian, arrived to Atlanta in the mid-1980s, prepared to brandish his small-town reputation for the big city and suburbs of Atlanta. From 1987, after being appointed New Birth’s pastor, to the present day, membership has grown from mere hundreds to nearly 30,000. Primarily teaching God’s promise of prosperity, Long’s popularity has made him a sought-after counselor among the rich and powerful — from former Georgia governors and U.S. presidents to local county leaders — along with his membership who travel from near and far for worship services. Within the youth academy, however, Bishop Long allegedly exerted “power and dominion” with the then-teen males with “various rituals …, and discussed Biblical verses that reinforce the spiritual and God-like connection between himself and the young men,” according to the affadavit. Upon becoming a “spiritual son,” the plaintiffs claim Long lavished them with trips within the U.S. and abroad on jets, housed them in luxury hotels, and provided access to “numerous celebrities, including entertainment stars and politicians.” During the out-of-town trips, in particular, plaintiffs allege Long shared a bedroom to ultimately “engage in sexual touching, and other sex acts” with Robinson. “Defendant Long would use Holy Scripture to discuss and justify the intimate relationship between himself and friend,” thereby, “causing Robinson great anger and anguish. With both plaintiffs Flagg and Robinson, character could become a key component if the lawsuit heads into the court. In 2007, Flagg was arrested for simple assault, and later, his mother agreed for him to live in New Birth’s “Golod House,” the haven for troubled teens, in Lithonia, Georgia, upon Long’s suggestion, “to provide stability and opportunity to learn and grow with such an important spiritual mentor.” Flagg also alleges Bishop Long was “situated to exercise a controlling influence over the will, conduct, and interest” of Flagg, and otherwise shared the same bed “to engage in sexual massages …where increased sexual contact included oral sodomy, kissing, masturbation and oral sexual contact.” With Robinson, he and another man were arrested last June for breaking into Long’s personal office on the New Birth campus site. The plaintiffs are seeking punitive and compensatory damages for “Breach of Fiduciary,” various counts of fraud and negligence, “Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress,” and “Negligent Failure To Protect,” “Negligent Failure To Warn” and “Negligent Failure To Intervene-Supervise” against youth academy officials, all under the auspices of New Birth, Incorporated, and its registered agents.
While attorneys deliberate on Bishop Long’s overall intent to allegedly “coerce” the then-teens into sex, New Birth members, past and present, are “shocked” and “in disbelief” of the salacious accusations. “It’s nothing but a set-up,” decried a former member, seeking anonymity, who relocated to the northeast to enhance business opportunity. “Big money, power and success attract devilish acts.” Nevertheless, the irony of a popular Pentecostal/Baptist-style preacher leading an anti-gay ministry, with an opposition march six years ago, has rocked New Birth, along with the local black clergy, in general. Allegations of Bishop Long paying off other males two weeks ago to secure their silence, according to sources familiar with the imbroglio, would not be substantiated, nor expounded on, with acomplia online order interviews. Also, others sources indicated to The Atlanta Inquirer that several church administrators have resigned from New Birth last week. “Their pay and benefits were good, but they didn’t want to go out like that,” the source said. The Rev. Bernice King, youngest offspring of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a New Birth elder, also helped lead the anti-gay march. According to the church’s website, counseling services for members “struggling with homosexuality” are offered by Long, “a man of vision, revered locally, nationally and internationally as a dynamic man of leadership, integrity and compassion.” (Repeated requests for comment to Ms. King went unanswered.)  Also, some local ministers gathered (September 24) at Paschal’s Restaurant, on Northside Drive, to strategize for a “lock-in,” an initiative where pastors will sit and pray with Bishop Long for seven days to respond to the church, and “to show and provide open arms,” as rendered in scripture (Job 2:11-12), according to coordinator Rev. Jasper W. Williams, Sr., senior pastor of Salem Bible Church of Atlanta and Lithonia. “We are all sinners …, and we are all the body of Christ, including Bishop Eddie Long,” Williams stated prior to the 12 noon meeting. Declaring he has “no opinion, either way” of believing Long’s innocence or guilt, Rev. Williams, who indicated he’s known Long “since he’s been in Atlanta (1987),” expressed “mixed emotions” upon witnessing the intriguing cell phone pictures, allegedly transmitted by Long to Robinson and Flagg, with Long dressed, in one photo, in a red skin-tight muscle shirt, and in another, Long posing in a black form-fitting gym suit. As Williams calls on the nation’s pastors to come to Atlanta, beginning September 27, “to pray with and for Bishop Long,” he noted a rush to any judgment is premature, and to remember Long’s admirable community service rendered to Atlanta. “He’s done tremendous works here. This negativity has had a tremendous affect on him and on New Birth, but the church will sustain itself.” “I feel like David against Goliath, but I have 5 rocks, and I haven’t thrown one yet,” Long concluded.
Although Concerned Black Clergy of Metro Atlanta president Rev. William Cobble chose “to reserve comments until later,” a previous chief did not. “It was mostly shock and disappointment,” the Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley stated as initial thoughts upon learning of the accusations against his friend of 20 years.  Nevertheless, “we should be extremely prayerful for him, his family and New Birth. This is a precarious time.” Durley also praised Long’s “tremendous amount of work” within Atlanta and beyond. “We must look at the good he’s done, too,” as well as comment on the allegations. Does Regional Council of Churches co-chair Durley believe the accusations? “Whether they are true or false, they will have an impact.  As clergy (members), we need to continue lifting up the flock, as well as move forward toward healing and redemption. Overall, the black churches will not be negatively impacted; we’ll come out of this stronger.”
Although the bishop has not spoken out (at late presstime) to refute the allegations, his children (on September 23) verbalized comments on Twitter. “We are doing great; keep my pops lifted up in prayer!,” exclaimed Edward Long. Succinctly and simply, daughter Taylor Long declared, “Man, my dad does NOT deserve this!”

By Annette Bridges

Change — some people dread it, and others can’t get enough. It may be much like the idiom, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” When it comes to what we would alter or why we would make a modification, the answers vary because we all have different things we value, want, need and consider important.

Unlike some empty nesters, I’m one of those who can’t get enough change. Even when I’m not actively seeking it, I feel a hunger for it. And this often results in my imagination working overtime, wondering what I could change — replace, remodel, reorganize or improve and do differently.

Certainly, there are things I would never trade about my life. I adore my husband — one fact that is firm and fixed. Unfortunately, my dear husband is one of those folks who dreads change, so there are times his feelings impact the possibilities of what I would and can change in my own life.

Furthermore, sometimes what I think I might like to change and what I feel I can or would are different. When this happens to any of us, I think it’s important to examine why we feel we can’t or wouldn’t make a change.

What’s stopping us?

When I mention to my husband something I’m thinking about changing, he often responds with, “Why now?” And my response to him is always, “Why not?”

I think it’s the “Why not?” question that must be answered when we’re hesitant to make a change. And when I find my hesitancy is based on a fear, that’s when I become determined to conquer the fear.

Many times in my life I’ve let fear stop me from reaching some goal or aspiration. Since I can’t go back and change all the things I wish I had done, and living in regret is completely pointless, today my resolve is fierce when I’m faced with a fear that is trying to hold me back.

In short, I simply can’t allow fear to be what stops me from making a change!

Now, I do believe in making informed and educated decisions. And there could be information that might stop me from making a change.

It could also be that certain changes really are better at one time than at another. So, if a desired change shouldn’t happen today, it doesn’t mean that at some point in the future, that desired change couldn’t or shouldn’t happen.

But one thing is for sure, my friends — do not let fear paralyze you with uncertainty, indecisiveness and inaction. We must stop fear before it stops us.

It’s helpful to look at your fear straight on and cialis commercial bathtubs examine what it is telling you. Perhaps your fear is saying, “You can’t do it or it will be too difficult.” “You’re afraid of what others will think.” “You will fail.” “You will be wrong.” “You won’t like the outcome.”

Some people say that fears can be rational and logical and are a helpful instinct that protects us from danger. I don’t think it is fear that makes decisions and actions rational, logical and safe, but rather knowledge, understanding, common sense as well as divine inspiration and revelation that serve us well.

At least from my own experience, I’ve found that fear is irrational and baseless. It is some illusive belief that would stop me from making my life better — happier, more satisfying, more interesting, more productive, more Buy Generic Cialis Online fun.

Changes are a natural — and can be a progressive — aspect throughout our life. Making a well thought-out change need not be feared but welcomed, explored and enjoyed.

Asking ourselves “Why not?” when considering some change can be very telling. We just may find that there really isn’t a good enough reason not to!

By Annette Bridges

Being the youngest in my family with three big brothers, I must admit that I always seemed to find something to tattle about. Was my tattling a ploy to get attention? I suspect so — at least some of the time.

Whatever my reason, some might say my childhood job was to be the family informer. Sometimes I think I tattled because I was mad at one of my brothers, and I wanted to get him in trouble. Of course, this particular brother usually did something worthy of getting in trouble for. I just passed along the incriminating information.

Many children fear the label of rat, squealer, fink or blabbermouth, but there are things children should feel free and comfortable to tell.

Children may be embarrassed or ashamed of the inappropriate behavior someone has had toward them. Their confusion can make them hold their tongue when they should in fact tell what was done.

Sometimes our friends confide in us, and it can be difficult for us to know the difference between secrets that we should keep and those that we need to share with another.

I had a young childhood friend who vowed me to secrecy about an adult’s inappropriate behavior toward her. And I have to tell you that her secret was one I kept her entire life. My friend passed on several years ago, but I’m still sad because she may have endured much pain and unhappiness, and I never Cialis cheap did anything to stop it.

It had been so easy for me to snitch on my brothers. Yet I can’t explain why I couldn’t blab about my friend’s experience to my mother or some other authority figure.

When I think back on all the tattling I did on my brother, I think that in fact, this brother was doing things that he shouldn’t have been doing. At the time I didn’t understand why I needed to tell on him — that it wasn’t to get him into trouble but to help him stop doing things that were harmful to his health.

Children need to be taught the difference between senseless tattling and a legitimate complaint or concern. As in many areas of our lives, an examination of our motives is paramount.

Is what we feel compelled to share something that affects ours or others’ physical or psychological safety? Is our motive with the intent to protect? Is there an emergency — when danger is imminent?

When I was eleven, I had a friend tattle on me that resulted in my suspension from school for three days. I don’t think I ever thanked this friend for her brave actions. It was clearly her concern for my safety as well as that of others that she snitched. I was at first humiliated and angry. But I can tell you now that her tattling completely altered my life. I was forced to make some needed changes that put me on a better path for the rest of my life.

If you have a child who never hesitates to keep you informed, don’t discourage the line of communication. We don’t want to teach our children to shut up. The era of children seen and not heard has long ended. Let’s teach does generic cialis work our kids how to evaluate and process information so they know what’s important and know how and when to tattle.

Your child may end up saving another child’s life just like my friend saved mine.