Shirley Fox, treasurer and stewardship ministries leader at Word of Life Church in Memphis, Tennessee, and Ruby Moffitt, assistant treasurer, and Carolyn Gause-Davis, stewardship ministries leader, both at New Covenant Church in Memphis, were the first recipients of South Central Conference Stewardship Ministries Generosity-Stewardship Certification-Didactic Award. This initiative was launched in October 2015, at the Generosity Symposium in Jackson, Mississippi, by the SCC stewardship ministries director and associate, Michael Harpe and James Lewis. Part two of the training was at South Park Church in Birmingham, Alabama, in February 2016, and at Camp Meeting 2016 in Huntsville, Alabama. With these live training venues, students also participated in the third part with online training at Conference’s stewardship ministries web page.
Individuals, upon completion, become assistants and extensions of the South Central stewardship ministries team, and will participate in stewardship trainings. These three women have already started this phase of stewardship ministry training by leading out in the early morning seminar on February 11, 2017. They shared practical stewardship principles required upon completion of their 55 hours of preparation for the certification. The fourth recipient of this award is Michael Bray, stewardship ministries leader at South Nashville Church, Nashville, Tennessee. His graduation occurred at South Nashville’s Revolutionary Generosity Ministry event, which concluded February 25, 2017. He, too, participated by conducting a stewardship workshop that day.
Shirley Fox, Ruby Moffitt, and Carolyn Gause-Davis’ graduation was at the conclusion of the “Prosperity in Christ” Stewardship Revival, February 8-11, 2017, in Memphis during the Sabbath morning service. Harpe was the Sabbath speaker, and later in the month was the guest speaker for the South Nashville Stewardship Ministry event.
Many have read and heard numerous times over, “The Lord would that we prosper and be in health as our souls prosper,” 3 John 2. The common prosperity Gospel heard by many was not the scope; true prosperity in Jesus Christ — whole view, not just money — was the focus. Night after night this was the theme heard through unique messages Harpe shared with all in attendance. The spoken word was delivered with clarity as he admonished all to go into the “eye of the storm” with Jesus to help save the unprepared of these end times, because all are stewards of souls too. The attendees were made aware of the “force [that] awakens,” the One who assists all in every move they make, the Holy Spirit, the unseen force in lives who is the other Comforter. He shared that when God blesses or uses everyone mightily, “after a victory, watch your step,” as the enemy will plot to take you down — but, Jesus is their strength and protector.
During the divine worship hour, Harpe expounded on Matthew 25 by taking the congregation on a “Love Revolution” journey. The central idea was for all to recognize that God is the Creator, Owner, Provider, and Sustainer. By sharing this message with the congregation, it was noted that everything everyone has comes from God, and belongs to Him, and recognizing this and the fact that He is generous helps everyone to create an atmosphere of revolutionary generosity.
After lunch Harpe conducted the afternoon seminar, the finale of the revival. He shared helpful and practical stewardship principles of how to create and maintain a budget. The youth and young at heart gained much insight, as great emphasis was placed on how and why money should be managed God’s way. He blessed everyone in attendance with a wealth of resources and materials on the subject of wholistic stewardship: “Time, Temple, Talent, Treasure, Trust, and Testimony.” During the revival at Word of Life Church, everyone received the blessings of 3 John 2 as recipients of biblical stewardship with the benefit of prosperity in Christ.
South Central | May 2017
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