Growing up on the south side of Chicago in the roughest neighborhood in the city I learned a lot from others and just observing my surroundings. At times, I would always think to myself my situation could always be worse than it was, and that there is always someone who is doing worst off than me. But my situation turned from being in a bad position to being in a position where my mother would come to lose her mother and our home that we had been living in, all in the same year. After losing her mother and bother my mom lost herself in her emotions and shut down on everyone and with that came the loss of a home for me and my siblings and her job. Shortly after my mom began to go back to church and so did we. It was the first time in a log time that we had attended church and it played a big part in a learning experience for me and my siblings. Through the days that came to pass going to church sparked a desire of wanting to help others who had or are struggling to get by. My mentor, Pastor, and teacher deserves appreciation for helping my mother through a hard time and keeping me and my siblings active in a positive manor. The True Temple of Solomon in Chicago, Illinois, was established in 1950 as seen on the Church’s website. Prophet Peter Banks, is the founder of this church. In the religion that he preaches he claims that he and his followers are a form of Christianity. After Prophet Peter passed away his grandson Prophet John, was left to take control of the Church and all other property that corresponded with the church. From 2000 until present day Prophet John has been growing as activist in the south-side neighborhoods surrounding his church. Many fundraisers and food drives have been held over the years to help the ... ... middle of paper ... ...themselves. For many of young people in Chicago programs and food drives are needed, many of them may not eat until they come to school or a church. Schools and churches were most valuable to them because for many youth school and church kitchens. Those meals would be some of the only meals that they would be getting for the day. After realizing how foolish I sounded I felt bad for even thinking that the thought of going to church and poetically helping someone would irritate me. After seeing though the eyes of my pastor I’ve come to realize the importance of faith and committing to one’s beliefs. Returning to church after two massive losses has helped my mother in many ways and it has also taught me as a young man how small things that I could do would turn to have a big impact on someone’s life the same way my pastor impacted my life and the life of my siblings.
Just over a year ago my dad was called to be the pastor. God gave him the vision that
As I continued to chat with my pastor that day, I really sensed the hurt in his eyes – the anger that comes from an unsolvable injustice, the tiredness of a problem. “What’s wrong?” I finally asked, “Having a bad day?” Sensing that I was truly concerned, he let the truth be told. “I talked with a woman today whose baby died suddenly of unknown causes. As we worked through her grief, she talked about how numerous friends and family, even a religious leader had patted her on the back, shook their heads and said, ‘It was God’s will.’ I find few things worse to say to a grieving parent. Saying nothing at all would be of more help.” It was obvious from our conversation that he had an understanding greater than I about God’s will, and his insight created in me a curiosity and desire to learn more.
It was the summer of 2013 when I was living with my grandparents and they told me about volunteering at the church. I didn’t know what they were talking about, so I took the initiative to go find out for myself that following Sunday. I was in the balcony on Sunday, when I heard the announcements saying we can volunteer for their hope food pantry. I was excited because it was going to be a chance where I can help other and get community service hours. Volunteering I began to think positive thoughts and telling myself “ I am doing a good deed”.
Throughout my life, I have found myself always striving to help others. This has been bestowed upon me since I was a young child. My brother, Justin was born with health problems. He had to be fed through his stomach from birth to he was five years of age. Because of Justin’s health conditions he was a lot smaller than kids his age. He was held back in school for a year and he was still eight inches shorter than the other kids in his class. With all of his ailments and his stature I felt that it was up to me, his big brother, to be there for him and defend him from anyone picking or ridiculing him. I later helped my mother teach second grade kids in Sunday school. This opened my eyes to a lot of learning diversities
“The call is something that is an indescribable joy and an indefinable burden at the same time.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 32). There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a congregation of the redeemed moving forward in their faith. However exciting this may be, it is usually not the thrill that propels the pastor in his service. It is the burden placed on the pastor by God that compels him in his work. The pastor understands that he is largely responsible for the work of God being accomplished by his faithfulness to his calling. “All through the Word of God and down through the annals of history, when God has moved it has almost always been attended by the preaching of the Word.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 31)
My family and I did many different things throughout the week together, but the most important family activity was going to church on Sunday mornings. I grew up in the First United Methodist Church in Monett, Missouri. I have participated in various mission trips and service days as a member of this church, and I regularly shared my talents through special music. Throughout all of the obstacles that my family has faced, my church family has been our rock in which they gave their thoughts and encouraging words in times of need. My faith is a huge part of who I am, and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without the love and support of my church
It took a long time to value the exceptional influence my mother has been on my life. She is the type of person who has thoughtful discussions about the importance of building a united family. The type of mother who always has time to listen when I need to express my feelings. The type of benevolent individual who loves to help anyone who is in need. Growing up with such a strong role model, I developed many of her convictions and interests. I not only came to enjoy the enthusiasm of learning simply for the profit of knowing something new, but I also came to conceive her notion of contributing with the community in exchange for an excelling sense of life, love, and spirit.
At a very young age, I have experienced a very hard death in my family, I lost my mother. She was the most important person in my life besides my father at that time. We were going through such a hard time and my siblings and I was very concerned about our father and how he was taking it so we encouraged him to go out and meet him a new friend. Well, he did and he met my mother (there is no such thing as the step) Judith Joyce. This woman came into our lives and took on a task that she could have just said no to. She had the option to say no to the chaos that was set in the future but she didn't, she showed us no matter what life throws ahead of you, keep pushing because one day you want to just give it all up but instead you don't because
Have you ever gone out of your way to help someone? Gave a dollar to a homeless person? Well, if you have, you had sacrificed something of yours and have given it to someone in need. Giving is like a yawn; it is contagious. No matter where you go, it is always there. Giving up a very special day helping collect food for the Manna Food Center was a big step in becoming who I am. Birthdays are a big deal in my family and that results in a big celebration with all twenty-five cousins and all aunts and uncles.
...ollowing in my sister's footsteps, I began learning from her experiences. We tread lightly around the subject of the religion these days. Thankfully, there are no wild debates at the dinner table on holidays. We respect one another's beliefs and agree to disagree about them. She often tells me, "You should come to my church!" when I call her seeking sisterly advice or needing a sympathetic ear. I have attended her church and admire how she's strengthened her parish and community. That's more inspirational to me than any Sunday sermon - as she is one who sincerely lives in the word, even when it's difficult for her.
One week I would be with my Mom and the next week I would be with my Dad. I knew that my parents still loved my sister and I , but it definitely took a toll on the family as a whole. My Mom seemed depressed some nights. My sister and I would sleep in her bed to make her feel better.That 's when my Mom relayed on her faith to get her through this transition. Every Monday, Wednesdays, and Sundays, My sister, me , and my Mom would be at church. If we woke up late we would have bible study in her living room. She found a different church in Athens, Georgia named Timothy Baptist Church .That’s when she actually felt accepted in a church. I knew during the week my Mom had me I would be at church every other day. The weeks with my Dad were slightly different. With my Dad, he enjoyed going out, shopping, vacations, movies, and etc. He kind of spoiled my sister and I a little more. He never really told us the real reason why he wanted a divorce , he always told us he will tell us when we are older. My Dad found a different church as well.His church was near Atlanta, Georgia and it was named Berean Christian Church. So, once my dad founded a home church, I was going to church with my Dad every single Sunday. Faith played a huge part in my parents forgiveness of each other. The weeks I’m with my Dad, he cooked more. Talked to more to my sister and I more and he became a better listener.It was like he was becoming a better father. The weeks
As I stated before, I grew up in church. In fact, the church I attend today is the one my father started attending when he was only seven months old. I have strong familial ties to my church and that is ultimately where my faith began. I sometimes reminisce back to when my father would sing Amazing Grace with me and my mother would teach me Bible stories. Together, my parents were my Sunday School teachers from third to sixth grade. I loved going to church as a family: my sister, my parents, and myself included. My sister, two cousins, and I even formed a singing group at my church in honor of my grandmother, Minnie (we were called “The Minnie Maberrys”) Needless to say, my family has been an integral part of my faith. I have sought encouragement from them and the wisdom they have instilled in me will remain with me for a lifetime. Another crucial facet of the growing of my faith has been the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization, or FCA for short.
This has opened my eyes to the plight and struggles of others. We are all God 's children and as Christians, we must be compassionate towards the difficulties and suffering others are facing. It is up to us as a society and people of God to help the underprivileged. We must be their advocate. We must let them know that there are people who care. Working with the many volunteers (mostly high school and college students) at my church, I have learned that there are people who care and give selflessly and generously their time and resources to help those less fortunate than they are. Serving the less fortunate has given me the most self-gratification I have ever experience. It is a wonderfully intrinsic feeling that is indescribable. I have learned that it is my and the responsibility of the community to come together and serve the less fortunate. Most importantly, we must give unselfishly of ourselves to better the needs of others. By doing this we are setting an example and paving the way for a better nation and starting the process of eliminating hunger and homeless from the wealthiest country in the
Praise God; that was the phrase I would here every morning when my dad would drop me off for school. Although my family has gone through many hard times, they have grown to know Christ and wanted to share that with their kids. I grew up in the kind of household that if you said “shut up” then you were going to be spanked several times. I knew one thing on Sunday morning and Wednesday nights; you go to church. Church became a hobby to me, I didn’t hate going there but it was just what you did. I thought that all families were like that also, I didn’t realize till my teenage years that not everyone goes to church every Sunday morning and Wednesday night. But as I grew older and started really listening to what my friends would talk about at school, I saw that life wasn’t all about going to church and being a Christian for some people.
The faith that I have, and my parents’ example, have both had a large impact on who I am