I check my Facebook account a few times a day as I do my email and a thought came to mind, “when was the last time any of these folks gave a status update to God.” Yes we check FB to see what is going on in people’s lives it makes us feel connected to people we haven’t seen in ages doesn’t it? Yet many of us ignore God and haven’t given him a status update on our lives in days, months or even years. God wants us to stay connected and many times our theological mindset is that we need to close ourselves off from the world, kneel down and pray in order to give God a worthy status update.

HOWEVER, I believe that God would love status updates just like we give status updates to our Facebook friends…

“Hey God was on my mind today and I thought he’s been so good to me, Thank you Daddy God.

“Wow, God you just blew my mind with that miracle of a bonus at my job. I love you”

“I need you right now. I don’t think I can make it out of this one without your help God. I need you to protect me from my enemies and let your justice roll Lord.”

I am not saying that you have to close down your account on Facebook but I do think you need to reflect if you need to open up a line of communication with your Maker. God is way better than the creator of Facebook, He can give you way better advice than an FB friend can and He surely will be your best cheerleader. So tell me when was your last status update to God…if its been a while, he wants to know “what’s on your mind?” just like the little Facebook box does.

I think about the seasons that are coming upon us. This is my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving and Christmas displays are everywhere you turn these days. I really like holidays. They are times when people share conversation, laughter, dinners, and gifts.Although I look forward to my time with family and friends, there are some concerns. What if someone doesn’t like what they get as a gift? What if the dinner I prepare is not to everyone’s liking? What will I do in these situations? The thought came to me that it really is a matter of the heart, so I guess we all need to check our “Tudes” (that’s slang for attitude).

I remember a song we used to sing in my home church in NYC years ago, “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart.” In this song it says, “Give thanks unto the Holy One for He’s given Jesus Christ His Son.” If we are grateful to God for what He has done for us, and given us, then everything else shouldn’t really matter. We can enjoy one another’s company and thank God for family and friends, no matter how big or small our gatherings are or the contents of a gift.

Jesus is the best gift we could ever receive or give. When we bow our heads to give thanks over a big fat turkey, a juicy ham, or a small chicken, pernil (pork for us Puerto Ricans) or when we open a gift, we need to have our hearts right with God and be grateful.

There will be so many people this year facing an empty place at their tables some may not even be able to afford a Christmas tree. We need to pray for those families and then our wants won’t be such a big concern. There are people fighting for their lives and praying for protection over in the Middle East and at home.

Every year most of us say we will have a change of heart and be more loving and giving. NOW IT’S TIME! I recently went to see a Christmas Carol in the movies and I cried. I love all that stuff. Afterward my son said to me, why did you cry? I said because I love it when people remember to be kind, get in the Spirit of Christmas and show love toward one another. He said “Yeah, but that shouldn’t be once a year!”. My son the philosopher! I wholeheartedly agree. That is what I hear the Lord say in my spirit as I pray for others near and far. It’s time to be concerned for others. We should reach out in any way we can. It isn’t that any of us want to be selfish or into ourselves, but we have to try harder so that the world sees the compassion, the mercy, and the love of God. This is how they can get the best gift from us, “Jesus.”

He can be found wrapped up in a smile, an encouraging word, or a baked apple pie (ok for some a pie picked up from Publix, A&P or Fine Fare) for your neighbor. That will do wonders for you and them. I am going to work on an attitude adjustment and be more grateful. Will you join me? The season of giving is just around the corner.

But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God (2 Corinthians 2:14, 15 NLT).

Youth all over NYC. Wearing God belongs in my city tshirts made a statement. They didn’t even give people months and months of notice yet everyone who wanted to make a statement, everyone who knew God could work with anything but silence, got involved with this and their voices were heard.

My friend Jeremy Del Rio did a great job sharing what happened, my job is to let my readers know about it because it was just awesome and when I saw the video I was moved to tears. So here it is folks a play by play on what happened in NYC that made this Latina proud.

I was talking with a dear friend of mine the other day and we got to talking about our lives without sharing too much of our private conversations we basically came down to this theory. In almost every other arena in life, people are ok with leaders saying I’m done, I’m out, I want to do something else with my life. But when it comes to ministry, it isn’t that easy.  We talked about how maybe that is what happened to many people we saw growing up and then they vanished from the faith-based scene. Maybe they said enough. Made me ponder….

Then on our way back from a business seminar this weekend in Orlando, my husband shares with me that the next 10-15 years of his life has to count for something. I feel the same.

I found this post on why pastors may want to quit, how musicians dream of quitting, how this guy started a teaching series on the entire foundation of people who are leading when they want to quit. But I found this guy who reminds me to ask a good question, not why should I quit but why am I doing this?

For some reason, many people think a leader doesn’t hurt, doesn’t feel the sting of betrayal or the passive-aggressive person’s silent whip. Most of my life I’ve been a rebounder. Yes it gets tiring but still I rise. Proverbs 24:16 reminds me that the “Godly may trip seven times but they will get up again…” So to help my soul sort out things I’d like to share what makes me want to quit and why I still do what I do…

What Makes Me What To Quit

1. People who use me but don’t care to know me (yet think they do!)

2. People who say they are with you but when push comes to shove -they shove the knife in real good

3. People who don’t dare tell you the things that I did to hurt them unintentionally but freely share with others

4. People who think running a church/ministry is only about time and talent

5. People who think I don’t want to enjoy my life but want me to spend 24/7 only on their needs/wants when they don’t even spend 1 hour with God to cry out for HIM to help them or to address their own continual dysfunctions

6. People who smile in my face but don’t realize I know what they really feel about me cause I heard it through the grapevine LOL

and there’s more but hey none of us have all day to read that list…

Why I Continue To Do What I Do?

1. There are people who do care (even if that is a minority) and are changed by the programs, sermons, events that God inspires me to do for THEM

2. I know God purposed in me to be an encourager, equipper and educator of people and by some of the testimonies I have heard throughout the years, I’ve made a difference blessed be the name of the Lord

3. I love building things from nothing to something or from something to something greater

4. I know I would not be content doing anything else–worshipping God by utilizing the gifts He has given me brings life to me.

5. I honor God with my life when I work with the Trinity to bring another soul to the Kingdom or re-connect with their Abba

Earlier today I was sharing with a little sister in the faith how important thick skin is in the ministry business. Another fact I’ve learned throughout my years in ministry in various environments is simply choose your friends slowly and carefully and do the same for your leaders. Proverbs 25:19 states “putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.”

I think what keeps me from altogether walking away from everything is my support team. Bill George in the book True North shares the following:

“Leaders do not succeed on their own. The loneliness of leadership has been well documented, but the remedies have not. Everyone has insecurities; some are just more open about them than others. Even the most outwardly assured executives need support and appreciation. Authentic leaders build support teams that will counsel them in times of uncertainty, be there in times of difficulty, and celebrate with them in times of success. Strong support teams provide affirmation, advice, perspective, calls for course corrections when needed, and, above all, love. After their hardest days, leaders find comfort in being with people on whom they can rely so they can be open and vulnerable. During the low points, they cherish the friends who appreciate them for WHO they are, not WHAT they are.”

So that’s it my friends, when I want to quit because I feel nobody cares (ala the movie Bronx Tale), I don’t because aside from my GOD who always has my back, I have a great support team who is around me holding me up singing the song to me that I have forgotten to sing and bottomline I’ve seen the hand of the Lord at work in the things I’ve done and it blesses my heart when someone “gets it” with the Lord.

Tip: Encourage a leader you know in your circles. They need to know that want they are doing, the time they are sacrificing doing the things that you don’t even know is being done so things look so great you think it “just happened” –was appreciated. They already know it was “worth it” for the Father. But its nice once in a blue moon, hell freezes over world, that someone, somewhere noticed. Will you be a noticer? It’s important because somewhere someone in leadership wants to quit.

I came across this prayer guide as I was looking for resources for our prayer team. I think everyone could utilize this.

Got problems in your church, then pray, have a great pastor? Then pray more…

Do you desire to fire your pastor? Perhaps you should fire them up instead! Do you want to leave your church? Perhaps you should be the one to build it up! 

The best way to build your church and fire up your pastor is to be involved and pray for them constantly and continually! If you really what to put your faith where it is needed the most, commit yourself to support your Church and Pastoral Staff, and realize that God loves us all, and we are still in His Hands. Pastors and church leaders face many opportunities and challenges each day. They balance the stresses of ministry while they are researching and writing the sermons, managing the affairs of the church, going to countless meetings and counseling others significant problems. They wear many hats as the pastor, priest, counselor, preacher, teacher, manager, organizer, visionary, administrator and janitor all rolled into one with little to no free time. As well as dealing with the stresses of modern life with their family all under personal attack and usually doing life with a lower salary and an ungrateful congregation who expects them to be perfect. They need your help, they need your prayers! When we commit ourselves to pray for our pastors and church leaders, we will have no need to bicker, gossip, slander, withdraw, place blame, or seek to usurp our will as God’s (Rom. 8:28, 8:33-34, 37-39). For our confidence in the fact Christ is our Sovereign Shepherd and He is in complete control of our church and staff, we are in His Hands and all will work out. Our pastors and leaders are here to serve, but they need our prayers and support to make this work! When we pray and come together tighter, we will have no need to fear or stress or remain in our hurts. We can come together triumphantly as a caring, loving community powerfully for His glory impacting our community (Isa. 6:1-12; Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Pet. 3:12)!  Praying for your church is like filling a balloon with helium, the more it is filled, the more it will soar and not sore! For us to grow not just numerically, but in what is much more important, spiritually and in community to one another, requires our discipline and passion to pursue Christ more and ourselves less. We have to grow in Christ in a cherished, intimate growing relationship with Him as LORD over all and LORD over us. We are called to become purpose driven with His purpose at our helm of leadership and lives so that our trust and intimacy is rooted in Him and not in our personal ideas or distractions (1 Chron. 16:11; John 3:30;Eph. 6:16; Col. 2:6-8).  

Use this prayer guide to pray daily for your church. Take one point each day of every month, and as you grow more in your discipline of prayer, double up by taking two or more.  First, praise God and thank Him for His blessings and goodness in all He has bestowed, even if you do not feel or see them. Remember your walk with Christ is all about Him working in and through us so your faith and love flourishes!  

Day 1.    Pray that we realize that our inheritance and hope as a church family is in God’s incomparable and incredible great power which is available to us (Gal. 1:12; Eph. 1:18-19; Phil. 3:10).  Day 2.    Pray that our Church, Leadership and Pastoral Staff becomes more surrendered and poured out to Christ, so they can have spiritual breakthroughs by seeking the fear of God and the mind of Christ and the Spirit’s leading (1 Cor. 2:16; Gal. 2:20-21).  

Day 3.    Pray that your Church and Pastor have and continue to take hold a growing, consistent walk with Christ with a devotional life and prayer that is steadfast. Pray that they realize and allow Christ to work and use them as they grow closer in their faith, spiritual formation, maturity and love (Psalm 16:8-11; 73:28; Rom. 8:31; 2 Pet. 1:5-7).   Day 4.    Pray that all of the leadership exhibit good Christian character and integrity with all of their relationships and dealings in life (Micah 6:8).  

Day 5.    Pray that your Church leaders and Pastors families will be cared for and respected and receive good consideration, so they can to grow too, as they are usually misunderstood, under-appreciated, and ignored or overworked. Pray that all the staff be committed to their families with authentic love and care, that they will be strong and learn in the midst of trials, their homes a refuge and haven of rest and not be condescending or withdrawing from their own families (Psalm 91:9-15; Phil. 4:19; 1 Peter 2:23).   Day 6.    Pray for discernment in exposing any plans of the enemy against our Church or attacking our pastors and staff. Ask Christ to protect us as we wage spiritual warfare against the enemy on behalf of our Church (Eph. 6:11-12, 16; Col. 2:6-8; 1 Pet. 3:12). 

Day 7.     Pray for an increase of vitality, renewal and vision that is from God for the pastors and leaders personally and collectively so that the church can be galvanized then take a hold of, and then be revitalized as a caring committed community for His Kingdom and purpose (Isa. 61:3; Rom. 12). Day 8.    Pray for the willingness and ability to authentically confess and repent of any wrong doing, false dependencies, misplaced ideas and loss of spiritual passion (Luke 13:1-3; Acts 2:38-39; Rev. 2:5-6).  

Day 9.    Pray that you and your church commits to follow the biblical mandate to support and encourage the leadership of the church (Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 Pet. 5:1-2).  Day 10.  Pray against gossip, negative criticism, false expectations, unhealthy burdens, strife and weariness that will seek to invade our church family (Psalm 91:5-6, 11; Luke 10:19; Eph. 4: 17, 32-5:1).  

Day 11.  Pray that your church be a community of grace and forgiveness. That your church has an atmosphere of encouragement by being grateful for Christ’s work in them that enables the congregation to be inspired to give genuine hospitality to all who comes though your doors (Rom. 15:4-6; 2 Thess. 2:16-17).  Day 12.  Pray that your church commits to a healthy understanding, wisdom and accounting and handling of its stewardship and Finances to better receive God’s blessings (Prov. 3:9-10; 1 Cor. 9:15-18).  

Day 13.  Pray that your Church and Pastor will have the strength and endurance that they need to serve with excellence by the power of the Spirit and the support of the congregation (Philippians 4:13). Day 14.  Pray for healing, forgiveness and reconciliation for any misplaced expectations, criticism, ungrateful attitudes, flawed thinking, grief, hurts, and abuse (Isa. 61:3; Mark 11:22-24, 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 4:32-5:1; Phil. 4:19). 

Day 15.  Pray that your church would receive God’s direction and vision. That the congregation gets nourished from the substance of His Word and the needs of the congregation are met (Psalm 119:9-12; Matt. 18:20).  Day 16.  Pray that our church becomes real authentic disciples of Christ who are learning, growing and making Fruit and in turn making more disciples (Prov. 19:23; Mal. 3:11; Matt. 28:18-20; John. 15:16; Gal. 5:22-23) 

Day 17.  Pray that the spirit and practice of Humility is utilized and practiced in and outside of your church, and that false humility does not take root (1 Pet. 5:5-7).  Day 18.  Pray that pride does not set in with our Leadership and Pastoral Staff (Psalm 10:4; Prov. 8:13).  

Day 19.  Pray that our church commits to place our focus on the Supremacy of Christ and be dependant upon Him (Gal. 6:14; Col. 1: 15-17)!  Day 20.  Pray that our Church and Pastor give real biblical help and Counseling from God’s wisdom and Word to those in need (Isaiah 61:3).  

Day 21.  Pray that our church family will give Christ real authentic adoration, praise, impassioned worship and glory in private and collectively as a Church. That worship is never to be a show, entertainment or talent focused, rather God is the audience to our praise (Gal. 6:14).  Day 22.  Pray that our Church and Pastor take accountability seriously and each be protected and have people they are accountable too. Also, that each would cultivate and pursue healthy relationships (Gal. 6: 1-10; Eph. 5:21).  

Day 23.  Pray that the Word of God will never be compromised, cheapened or dumped down; rather be delivered in confidence with power, conviction, clarity, boldness, with love and in truth (Acts 6:4; Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:15).  Day 24.  Pray for discernment to seek God’s leading and direction for the leaders and pastoral staff, that they seek His ways and not trends, traditions, personal agendas or anything that is not from the Spirit and Word. Pray that they can discern and prioritize what is important and precious and what is not (Isa. 6; 2 Cor. 11:14; 2 Tim. 3:5; 1 John. 4:1; Rev. 4). 

Day 25.  Pray that God protects our Church, Leadership and Pastoral Staff from sin and misdirection and they have the wiliness and boldness to flee and confront sin (Prov. 19:23; 1 Pet. 1:16). Day 26.  Pray we all draw near to Christ and seek holiness and His presence with more prayer (Acts 1:14; 1 Thess. 5:17; Jas. 4:7-8). 

Day 27.  Pray that we as a church family remain faithful and good stewards, so the financial needs are met (Psalm. 91:15-16; Phil. 4:19). Day 28.  Pray that negative thinking, stress, being overwhelmed, the ways of the world, the tyranny of the urgent, being overcommitted, over busyness, fatigue, compromise, pressures, overworked, under-appreciated, misunderstandings, and stress to not get in our Spiritual Home and take over (John 14:1; Acts 6:2-4; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 4:17).  

Day 29.  Pray that Unity infuses your church so that your congregation is binding to Christ in love so the work of the Kingdom is promoted (2 Chron. 30:12; Psalm 133:1; Rom. 15:5). Day 30.  Pray that congregation is willing and able to come and support the church and staff with grateful hands and words. That you all realize that the pastors and leadership are necessary and called and accountable to God (Matt. 9:37; Acts 14; 1 Tim. 3:1-7, 10-15; 5:22-23).  

Day 31.  Pray that our church community commits to pray for our church, pastors, staff, missionaries, those in need, community and issues powerfully every day (Acts 1:14;16:16;1 Thess. 5:17).  It is God’s call for all of us to Pray for our Church and Pastor! Print this out and pass it to those in your congregation and watch your church grow closer to Christ!

© 1989, 2005 Dr. R.J. Krejcir Into Thy Word Ministries

Once upon a time, I believe God called me out to start a church. I never wanted to do anything like that and I never thought I would be a pastor. However, my husband and I went forth and after much prayer, guidance, advise, etc. we launched a church in South Florida. Long story short, it ended after 3 years.

The thing is it didn’t have to end. Everything pretty much was going well and to this day I miss our church. It was such a great “sanchocho” or mixture of philsophies of ministry I still don’t see anything like it and I’m a pastor again in another church plant (although it doesn’t really see itself as one) we just made three years this past Sunday (but that’s another story). We end our church plant adventure due to two things…money and leadership. Was it the right or wrong thing to do, I think it was. First let’s talk about the money part, it was a struggle to do anything we wanted to do because we just didn’t have the money. And friends, before you go and say I and my team was so “not connected to God” don’t say a word until you’ve been there. Outreach, supplies, rent, all require money. Next reason…leadership. My second son almost died on me May 2007 Mother’s Day. With all the drama of being in the hospital about two weeks with him after five resusitations, we realized we really didn’t have a great core team of people to help lead the church while we were away.  I was emotionally, physically and spiritually spent. We made the decision soon after that.

Was this difficult. Uh, yeah! Did I feel like a failure? Yes very much so for the first time in my life. (I’m an overachiever so says personality tests so this took me months to get over!) But mostly I felt that I didn’t hear God right. Think about it…I didn’t want to do anything like this ever, then I believe God is telling me to do it, I do it and then it fails. How would you feel?

Since then I am just fine. I learned not to fear failure and trust me that is liberating. You are able to go forward and risk more when you failed at least once and in my eyes NOW it really wasn’t failure (so to speak) I’ve learned how much I really love doing what I am doing. Pastoring is about empowering people to go forth and believe God for EVERYTHING in their lives. You may still think I am a failure but honestly I don’t care what you think.  Me and God are what count and I must truly say what a ride that adventure was.

I say all that to get to this point. I admire church planters. I want to help them any way I can. It takes alot to go forth and believe God for something to come from nothing. So when I read about this church at this blog and read about this woman leaving the corporate world to plant a church I prayed for her.

I am part of a three-year old church now and I truly love the people there.  I love my STN peeps. So yes I am still on a church planting team and still have the same issues that I faced when I had my own church but its much better when you have a “team” with you and people in the church who want to build something with you.

I give a high-five to all the church planters out there especially women because there are so few networks that acknowledge our role in church planting teams. But thankfully more and more are popping up.

MLK Jr. said those immortal words. He had a vision toward which he directed his life. But in reality, he was speaking of more than a vision. He had a cause. A cause is something that never dies. A vision can change, and frequently does, but a cause continues until it is fulfilled. MLK’s  cause did not stop when he died. It will continue until it is accomplished. The drive to see equality and harmony between people of all races and backgrounds, to see every person regardless of where they came from, experience all the promises of God, that is a cause bigger than King. His vision and others like it even ones we read about in the Word of God should have shown us one thing, people live for vision but die for a cause.

This makes me think of Bishop H. Curtis Douglas who is the pastor of Dabar Worship Center and he has this scripture as his foundational text for the church.  In 1 Samuel 17, the army of Israel looked on as the Philistines gathered themselves for war against them. The Israelites trembled in fear as Goliath taunted and challenged them. For 40 long days, this giant came out against them and dared them to stand toe to toe. Being weary and overwhelmed, the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.  In verse 29 David asks the  question, “Is there not a cause?” (NKJV) And he then proceeded to conquer what everyone else feared…the giant in the land.

What fear is keeping you back from God’s destiny for your life? What is the cause in your life? It is directly connected to your destiny, to what God created you to do and to be. Connect your vision and your attitudes to a cause and your passion will follow. My cause is to educate, equip and empower women and to help them achieve their dreams and connect to their cause!  I do that though my ministry of the Center for Emerging Female Leadership (www.cefl.org and www.ceflonline.com) but with any cause there is also a need for cash. Cold cash!

For some reason our Christian mindset is locked into a poverty mentality and many Christians dare not even think of success in terms of financial gain. Now I am totally not a prosperity gospel person and I am totally against pastors or Bishops or “grand po-bas” who drive three different luxury cars and everyone in their church is driving 10 year old used cars and living in rentals. But avoiding wealth is not the same thing as conforming to the world. Quite the contrary. A poverty mentality is more conformed to the world system of belief than gaining wealth with a right heart.

The poverty mentality of the world says that you must work hard all your whole life, live in poverty, struggle to get by, work for money, pay bills, buy liabilities, and retire with just enough social security to survive. That is the world you are not to conform to. God wants you to have “more than enough” He is a God of abundance.

I am standing up because I have a cause! I am taking a stand and working towards my dreams but not waiting around for money to drop on my lap. I am taking action. And this is the key point of this post (sorry!)…take another look at micro-franchise home-based businesses.  I did. My husband and I are independent business owners of an ACN micro-franchise (www.hiramrios.acnrep.com) our cause? To fulfill God’s destiny in our lives to be givers, to empower others and to live a life where our time is spent on the passion in our hearts.

Do you have a cause? Stop waiting for everything to be in place, get up, get started and ask God to put you on the right path.

Note: Get educated. Stop believing the negativity of this world to keep you in the same situation you are in. Don’t take advise from people who never have accomplished anything in life much less are in financial distress. If you are a hard worker, if you have a cause and you need the cash, consider micro-franchise ownership otherwise known as direct selling. It offers millions of people the opportunity to make money on their own time, mainly as a supplement to income. According to the Direct Selling Association (www.dsa.org), about 15.1 million people in the United States are doing it right now.

A mindset can keep you in a prison forever. It can keep you from achieving God’s best for your life and it can keep you from destiny. Unfortunately, most people don’t think about mindsets when they go about their daily lives.I have met and come in contact everyday with Christians who have lives that are just so drastically pathetic whether it be work life, marriage life, relationships, business, education, etc. We are supposed to have different lives, lives in abundance, lives of joy, etc. Yet we think so small-minded and when we run across people who have dreams…who actually believe that God wants something different for us, we think they are fools. Worse yet, we think they are unspiritual.I for one have had enough. I am all about risk and yes I am not afraid to fail. I’ve already failed at one big endeavor once. That was enough to get me to a place where I know it won’t kill me. One thing I’d like you to consider is thinking about your life as an employee.  Due to various circumstances, I don’t have a 9 to 5 job, I rather am a consultant to faith-based organizations and for the most part I love what I do. However, I wish I had money to invest in my organization the Center for Emerging Female Leadership. We are about to launch our magazine SOAR, we envision so many programs to help women in society and church become better leaders but all of it takes money. As a fundraiser, I know how hard it is to develop people’s thinking especially in the Latino community on giving. Thus, I recently joined an organization called ACN and became a micro-franchise owner in the communications industry. I am so thrilled about it and I want to develop a team of like-minded Christians who believe in the “more than enough” God that we so boldly proclaim from our pulpits and amen from our seats.I came across this article and I think it helps to reshuffle a mindset for the type of business I’m in.  All I am saying people is if you want a change in your life, you have to rethink your present mindsets and then do something about it. I did.If you are interested in joining my team of people who believe in the more than enough God and have dreams of your own I want to help you get there as I too get there. This is the extreme dream team–changing mindsets, changing lives.Email me if you want to know more.  

I am always saddened when I see churches being taken advantage of. I know the church you will read about below and if there is any way you can get involved please do.

FRIENDS OF MAR DE GALILEA“Encouraging social justice in the Hispanic community of faith”

(212) 475-8120www.amigosdemardegalilea.org NEWS 

For Immediate Release          Contact: Herson Cabreras       646-296-1646  NY State Supreme Court Judge Issues First Decision Favoring Historic Latino

The defense of Sea of Galilee is primarily based on the fact that the loan has been paid with extraordinary interest in the amount of $757.763 with interest up to $832.443. Second, CEP has never executed the loan legally.  As a lender, CEP had the responsibility to insure that all the documents to this transaction conformed to legal requirements set forth by the State of

The facts in this case highlight the dangers of doing business with companies such as CEP. They promote themselves as ministries, “sheep in wolves clothing”, to exploit the financial situation of small churches and take over their valuable properties. According to independent investigations conducted by Friends of Mar de Galilea, the church’s situation is not unique. Sea of Galilee is part of a group of congregations in Florida, Puerto Rico (such as the ministry of Teen Challenge in Puerto Rico) , Chicago, and California that have fallen victims to CEP’s schemes.  CEP’s business practices are similar in design and pattern to those of predatory lenders, many of them under investigation by state and federal agencies. The group is concerned that CEP operates outside of regulatory agencies that oversee such transactions because they claim to be a religious ministry, and as such, are not held accountable by any controlling government agency.  

Members of Friends of Mar de Galilea assert that CEP “induced” Mar de Galilea congregants to purchase bonds that they issued, claiming that it would “strengthen” the church’s position to obtain the loan. The congregants of Mar de Galilea church, mostly of humble folks of modest income means, purchased $190,000 in such bonds. To this day, no individual church member has received income from dividends.  

According to Mr. Herson Cabreras, member of Friends of Mar de Galilea, “CEP’s conduct is reprehensible and borders in obcene because they claim to be a “ministry” when in reality, they are not much different than a typical predatory sub-prime lender.” In the case of Sea of Galilee, CEP kept assessing exorbitant interest and service fees to keep them in debt perpetually so they could seize their property, located in one of the most coveted and hot real estate markets in Manhattan.” The Reverend Dr. Marcos Rivera, Senior Pastor of Primitive Christian Church and President of COMPAS (an association of ministers and churches in the Lower East Side of Manhattan) said “Definitely two things are clear: Sea of Galilee paid its’ debt even though the loan terms were irrational and possibly illegal; Secondly, they tried through many means to resolve this situation in good faith as good Christians. However, CEP decided to resort to the courts instead of proceeding in a Christian-like manner.”  

Although the loan in question was initiated prior to Rev. Anibal Espaillat’s tenure, it was through his leadership that the church concluded it must defend itself from CEP. They jointly understood that they ran the risk of losing the church building and ministry. 

“The congregation of Sea of Galilee is grateful to God and all the church friends that recognize the church’s historic and prophetic significance. Our lawyer’s efforts, combined with prayers and the well wishes of hundreds of pastors and leaders, will continue to be a beacon of faith and hope as we proceed with this case. CEP attempted to break the church financially and spiritually by taking us to court. However by this favorable decision, God has spoken, and  he is The Just Judge”, said Reverend Espaillat.  Pastor Espaillat said, “We ask the churches to keep us in your prayers as we return to court. We also ask you to pray for other churches and ministries that find themselves in similar situations, and for the Spanish Eastern District of the Assemblies of God so they would remember that God has called us to open churches, NOT to close them” concluded Espaillat.  

For those ministers and brethren that would like more information, Mar de Galilea has a website called “Friends of Mar de Galilea”. You can go to www.amigosdemardegalilea.org for more information. Here you can learn more about the history of the church and what it’s efforts are.

J. Lee Grady is the Editor of Charisma Magazine and he wrote this post I’ll like to share with you.

“I hate to be a party pooper, but the Bible warns us to “be of sound
judgment and sober spirit” (1 Pet. 4:7). There is plenty of freedom
and joy in the Holy Spirit; we don’t have to quench it by introducing
people to pagan revelry. Christian worship is not about losing
control. Those who worship Jesus do it “in spirit and in truth” (John
4:24), and our love for God is not measured by how violently we
shake or how many times we fall on the floor.”

Visit Charisma here.  Read the rest of the article here.