Word of Faith Times

1 Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 2 From the heart of the Bishop Let s be the church 4 Celebrating Faith anniversary Puzzle 5 WOF Calendar Coming attractions for December 6 Inside the Gates anniversary greetings from the Media Ministry 7 Longtime WOF members Reflecting on special memories over the past 20 years 9 Say Cheese! WOF Photographers rever-encing God through service to His church 14 Savory Soups and Stews Tis the season for soups that warm the soul 15 8 Twas the night before Jesus A holiday poem about salvation Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 3 Word of Faith Times a publication of the Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral s Media Ministry Bishop Dale C. Bronner FOUNDER/SENIOR PASTOR Pastor Christopher Boyd EXECUTIVE PASTOR PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Gloria Buchanan Betty Dunham Alice Evans Jerry Griffin Lafayette Hughes Florence Jackson Ruth Maddox Louis Martin Alice McCloudy Ruth Morton Beverly Simmons Maeomi Stembridge Beverly Wicker Peggie Wimby COPY EDITORS Taffy Fletcher Lillie Hinton Linda Trotter GRAPHIC ARTIST Bevis

2 Liddelow STAFF WRITERS Mercedes Douglas Stephen Hinton Jill Watkins PHOTOGRAPHERS Lloyd Caldway, Jr. Edward Guy Gilbert Hunter EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cathy B. Hope EXECUTIVE EDITOR Marian C. Barnes From the heart of the Bishop Bishop Dale C. Bronner For years the attitude of most Christians has been, Let s go to church or Let s have church. But our purpose is not to merely go to church or to simply have church but to BE the CHURCH! In the New Testament, we see that Jesus called for the formation of the EKKLESIA (Church) in Matthew 16:18. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18) In Greek culture an EKKLESIA was the ruling body that governed the POLIS or CITY STATE. So Jesus didn't create a new word but borrowed from a common political word to describe His goal for those who would be His disciples: that they would represent His KING-DOM will on earth with binding and loosing powers that would govern the heavenly principalities and thus transform earthly communities where each EKKLESIA was established.

3 The idea of conversion was not merely meant to fill seats for church growth on Sundays but to nurture dis-ciples who would turn the world order upside down. The EKKLESIA means the called out ones. Yes, we are called to go out into all the world and make disci-ples! The success of our churches is not determined by how many we SEAT but by how many we SEND! Since the late 19th century the idea of church as a ruling EKKLESIA has largely been lost and replaced with rescuing sinners from this world and living se-cluded pietistic lives with a goal to make it to heaven. We went from CHANGING THE WORLD to RE-SISTING THE WORLD, from ENGAGING THE WORLD to PROTECTING OURSELVES FROM THE WORLD! But this is totally contrary to the origi-nal Greek meaning of the word EKKLESIA, which means BEING CALLED TO ENGAGE THE WORLD AND GOVERN IT.

4 Church attendance in this nation is high but cultural effectiveness is at an all-time low! If the church is going to recapture its cultural com-mission of discipling nations and having global influ-ence, as found in Genesis 1:28 and Matthew 28:19, it Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 4 has to learn the difference between building an EKKLESIA and a mere CONGREGATION THAT AS-SEMBLES together. Today we are dealing with a culture of TOLER-ANCE and RELATIVISM! Our covenant of tolerance basically says, I won t tell you what to do as long as you don t tell me what to do. Relativism basically says, You believe what you want as long as it does not affect me! But we are called to go out into all the world and make disciples of the nations. We cannot ac-complish that in the four walls of our churches.

5 We must go boldly in the name of the Lord with wisdom, grace and truth and proclaim the goodness of God in the earth! Let s be the CHURCH! Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 5 ACROSS 2. WOF guest artist who wrote Let the Praise Begin" 4. Bishop's first book, Get A _____ 6. WOF musical guest who reminds us to Smile 8. Beloved WOF deacon 9. WOF guest comedian known for his prank radio phone calls 11. WOF guest who is the Bishop of The _____ House 14. There are two of these ministers on the pastoral staff 16. Bronner twins attend mother's college alma mater 17. Like the song, WOF is located Down by the _____ 18. Popular WOF CD entitled "_____ Happen" 19. There are three of these ladies on the WOF staff 20. Operation _____ - Pray Until Something Happens DOWN 1. Name of WOF Dance Ministry - Tribe of _____ 3.

6 Bishop's first church assignment Mount _____ 4. Pastor of Word of Faith Love Center 5. Children's ministry of scripture and song _____ of Light 7. Dale Bronner II attends father's college alma mater 10. WOF guest vocalist who sings with her brother 12. Pastor of Word of Faith Light of Joy 13. Bishop's childhood church 15. WOF guest Vickie Winans' hit song Shake Yourself ____ 19. Pastor of Congregational Care Rev. _____ Williams 21. Pastor of Evangelism Rev. _____ Celebrating Faith anniversary Puzzle 1 2 3 4 8 7 11 12 10 9 5 6 15 14 13 19 18 16 20 17 21 Answers on page 16 Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 6 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 8 9 10 17 16 15 14 13 11 12 18 19 20 21 22 24 23 Steve Harvey 20TH CHURCH anniversary Georgia International Convention Center THE SCROLL SCREENING 7.

7 00 in the Sanctuary 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Merry Christmas 10:00 Worship Service Only NEW YEAR S EVE SERVICES 7:00 and 10:00 CHRISTMAS CONCERT With Adlan Cruz SPECIAL GUESTS Dr. Bernard & William McDowell Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 7 From the Media Ministry Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 8 ..and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hope that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed. Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter. I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

8 Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be The Day! The light of His face made me cover my head It was Jesus! Returning like He had said. And though I possessed worldy wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in His hand Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name, When He said, It s not here my head hung in shame. The people whose names has been written with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound While all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late, I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

9 I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight, Oh, if only I had been ready tonight! In the words of this poem the meaning is clear, The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There s only one life and when comes that last call We ll find that the Bible was true for us all. Twas the night before Jesus Came .. Word of Faith members reflect on the early years. Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 9 Word Of Faith Family Worship Cathedral - page 10 C Congratulations Word of Faith Cathedral on 20 wonderful, glorious years! As a product of Word of Faith , my fondest memory was in 1993 when I heard a sermon from Bishop Bronner entitled, Turning Points. That day was unequivocally a turning point in my life. A prophetic word was spoken that turned my heart from engineering to ministry. Today, I am a pastor because of that prophetic word.

10 Thank you Bishop Bronner for allowing the Lord to speak prophetically through you. We honor and love you! Rev. Reginald Garmon, - Senior Pastor Word of Faith Love Center M My most memorable event at WOF occurred twenty years ago when I first became a member. I had been going through a spiritual drought at my previous church where I had served for over fifteen years. After experiencing an anointed ser-vice, I decided to return to my previous church and submit my resignation from the many boards and ministries on which I held leadership positions. The spirit to join Word of Faith was heavy on me, but I sat through the invitation to membership. Bishop prayed and received the members that Sunday and was about to give the benediction when the Holy Spirit spoke to him and said, No, not yet. Bishop held up service and said that there is ONE MORE YOUNG MAN!