It Don't Take All That!: Senate Investigates Six Televangelists

By: Rev. Angela Lee Price

Many Christians have said, "It don't take all that!," - the mansions, Rolls Royces, and jet setting to save souls, and so on Tuesday, November 6th the senate launched an investigation to look into allegations of financial wrongdoing against prosperity preachers Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Paula and Randy White, and Joyce Meyer, Televangelists Under Investigation.

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Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is following up on complaints from the public and news reports. He said the allgegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries, housing allowances, and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces, according to an Associated Press story on WSBTV.com. Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, and Kenneth Copeland are all members of the Oral Roberts University Board of Regents.

Oral Roberts, his son Richard, and the Roberts family are being investigated, too, according to the November 9th Louisville, Kentucky Courier Journal Newspaper article, Many saw televangelists' spending. Oral Roberts University is debt-ridden, insiders claim, because the Roberts used university endowments for personal spending. The allegations of improper spending come on the heels of an Octover 2nd lawsuit filed by three ex-professors according to the article.

Pictured above Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, and Kenneth Copeland.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Allow Me to Re-Introduce Christ!

Someone sent this to me and I just had to share it with you. It is the spoken word spoken so well. After you watch this seven-minute video, you will find yourself saying, "Amen!," and "Hallelujah!" I even found myself snaping my fingers like the poets. Snap! Snap! Snap! If I could, I would hug God, this sistah, and her whole crew! What a blessing!

watch video Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Initial Sermon: Finders Keepers continued

By: Rev. Angela Lee Price

Luke 8:43-48 (NIV)
(v43) And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. (v44) She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. (v45) “Who touched me?,” Jesus asked. When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” (v46) But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’ (v47) Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. (v48) Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. God in peace.”

What Jesus did in this woman’s trying trial will help you understand that he loves and cares for you!

He healed first and asked questions later. Too many of us are shooting first, and people are dying later. After healing the woman, He asked, “Who touched me?” Then, he kept looking around to see who had touched him. Jesus doesn’t discriminate when it comes to faith. No matter how poor you are, you’re rich in Him! You have an inheritance in Jesus Christ. He won’t ask your race or age. He won’t check to see if your Gucci bag is matching your Gucci shoes. He didn’t know if the woman was male or female. She approached him from behind. He healed first and asked questions later.

Secondly, He provided what she needed. Okay, here it is! Have you ever gone out to the restaurant to get some food, and you decided to use the drive-thru because you realized you didn’t have time to go inside the restaurant? When you looked around for the window, you discovered the drive-thru window was in the back. Well, girlfriend received a drive-thru blessing that day, back-door style. And Jesus biggie-sized her drink! In your insulting storms, your degrading, denigrating devastations, the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross is all the “Red Cross” you will ever need! What can wash away my sins? What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! He provided what she needed. He healed first and asked questions later.

Finally, Jesus affirmed her faith. Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you….” He didn’t call her “looter.” He didn’t call her out of her name. He called her “daughter.” In other words, he told her, I’m your daddy!

I came here to tell you tonight when you act on faith in Jesus Christ, what you find, you keep! Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. The bible says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you….” “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life!” Find Jesus while He is near, and keep Him for all eternity! He will never leave you, nor forsake you! He affirmed her faith. He provided what she needed. He healed first, and asked questions later.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the Life! Remember, It is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves! He will pick you up, turn you around, and place your feet on solid ground! In the storms, and in the rain, His shelves are never empty. There is hope on his shelves! There is deliverance on His shelves! There is forgiveness on His shelves! There is salvation on His shelves! He is the Bread of Life! Those who come to Him shall never go hungry; Those who believe in Him shall never be thirsty. With Jesus Christ, what you find, you keep. Finders keepers!

Initial sermon excerpt preached April 27, 2007 at St. Stephen Church, Louisville, Kentucky, Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, Senior Pastor. To God be the glory!

Photos above: St. Stephen Church new ministers Rev. Lonnie Clinkscale, Rev. Angela Lee Price, and Rev. Mercia Frierson, and Rev. Geneva Nelson (not in photo) were presented with ministerial licenses on Sunday, September 9, 2008. Asst. Pastor Rev. Jerome Brown and Rev. Lesa Dae (not in photo) presented the licenses to the ministers before the church at the 11:30 service. All four ministers preached their initial sermons on April 27th.

Photo Left: Pastor Kevin Cosby delivered message, When God Shows Up on September 9th. He concluded 11:30 serevice with corporate prayer. Angela Lee Price in red just to right of Pastor Cosby. Pictures by photographer Allen Hill.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Initial Sermon Excerpt: Finders Keepers

Luke 8:43-48 (NIV)

It would appear African Americans cannot win for losing. Night after night on television, we see negative images of black people as thugs, pimps, gangsters, looters, as if we ain’t got good God-given sense. And now, we’re “nappy-headed hos.” What's worse, we've bought into the lies and are doing it to ourselves, promoting degrading and negative self images in videos, in hip hop music, and in the movies.

Cases in point: Don Imus’ racist and degrading remarks about the Rutgers women’s basketball team; Hurricane Katrina survivors being referred to as “looters” while white Americans were referred to as “finders” of bread, scantly-dressed women “dropping it like it’s hot” in soft porn videos; and fowl, vulgar, lyrics in hip hop music blazin’ all across this America, where hip hop lives. It would appear we cannot win for losing!

The gospel of Luke provides an account of a poor, suffering sister who desperately took the Bread of Life. Some might say that she “looted” Jesus with her nappy-headed self. Those people in New Orleans, they weren’t saints. They weren’t giving blood. They were looting blood - plasma, plasma TVs, plasma computers, and plasma Gucci purses. Jesus says in the bible, “I am the Bread of Life: he who comes to me shall never go hungry: and he that believes in me shall never be thirsty.” She secretly touched the hem of His garment.

In Luke, we can easily understand why she did it. She was wading chest-deep in misery 12 long years in Katrina-like circumstances, bleeding, and rescuers were nowhere in sight. So, she stopped waiting for others to save her. She waded through murky waters and found Jesus. How many of you have found Jesus in your storms? Shout back, “Finders keepers!”

In chapter 8, Jesus has just arrived in Galilee and is on his way to Jairus’ dying daughter when this sister with the issue of blood comes on the scene. Let us look at this unnamed woman who secretly pressed her way through the crowd and, as some would say, “looted” the Bread of Life. What do we know about this sister who supposedly took from the bottom shelf of the storehouse of Jesus Christ? In addition to suffering the issue of blood 12 long years, she suffered with other issues.

First, she suffered from discrimination and the gender issue. Luke 8:43 reads, “And a woman….” The women of Jesus’ day were considered second-class citizens. Her suffering was prolonged due to the Katrina-like attitudes of the First Century church and male society. She was not welcomed in the synagogues, not at First Baptist, Last Baptist, nor at Any Baptist in between. She was considered ceremonially unclean. She risked being stoned or put to death for so much as touching a priest. She wasn’t welcomed in their colleges either, not even at that historic HBCU, Simeon College of Galilee.

Poverty pressed her down. Another gospel writer, Mark says, “…she spent all she had,” and Luke says “…no one could heal her.” Doctors loved to see her coming. She went without necessities struggling to survive. And in the case of this suffering, “looting” sister, a sensitive, loving Savior took time in her Katrina-like trial to say, “Finders keepers.”

Finally, someone accused her of being a looter. She tried to take her blessing and go unnoticed. She took from Jesus in her Katrina predicament with premeditation and without permission. Matthew Chapter 9:21 said, “She said to herself….” Furthermore, in Luke 8:47, it is apparent that she wanted to hide… “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet….”

I stopped by to tell you don’t be scared. Stop hiding! Press and touch! Don’t put your faith in horoscopes, possessions, friends, family, or finances. Don’t put your faith in Jesus! He is the author and finisher of our faith.

Jesus is close to the discriminated, the disenfranchised, the destitute and the diseased in this world. He says so in his initial sermon, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).”

To be continued...
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Initial sermon excerpt preached April 27, 2007 at St. Stephen Church, Louisville, Kentucky, Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, Senior Pastor. To God be the glory!

Are You Walking With Jesus This Summer?

By: Rev. Angela Lee Price

Enoch walked with God and didn’t see death. Conversely, the disciples walked with Jesus on the Emmaus road, and didn’t know it. Are you walking with Jesus this summer? The bible says in Micah that there are three things required of us, to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God.

Louisville Branch NAACP Treasurer Dolores Beauchamp ( right) is walking with Jesus. She is one of several winners of Walking With Jesus gifts bags. Jesus Saves Ministries is giving away Walking With Jesus gifts in an effort to share the gospel and encourage Christians in their faith this summer. Gifts consists of sermons, gospel CDs, books, flip flops, caps, and various Jesus novelties.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Delta Sigma Theta Celebrates Founding As Kentucky's First Black Greek Organization

By: Rev. Angela Lee Price

On June 28th, not only did Kentucky’s oldest historically black college, Simmons College of Kentucky make history, but also Kentucky’s oldest black Greek organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Simmons returned home to her original campus at 7th & Kentucky Streets after, as Simmons College President Dr. Kevin Cosby put it, “77 years of exile.” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority celebrated a significant founding and 85th anniversary in that return.

Delta Sigma Theta’s Xi chapter was founded on April 15, 1922 at Simmons College of Kentucky, then Simmons University, as the first black Greek organization in the state. “I was impressed to learn of the historical significance of Simmons' involvement in the founding and lives of Deltas,” stated DST Louisville Alumnae Chapter member, Irene White. Delta’s participated in the Simmons motorcade, some stepped briefly to mark the occasion.

In 1931, the University of Louisville purchased Simmons University from the National Baptist Convention and renamed the school Louisville Municipal College. Along with the purchase, Xi chapter then became a part of the University of Louisville. Because of Jim Crowe laws, African Americans were not allowed to attend classes with UofL's Caucasian students. Therefore, UofL operated in two locations, the main, and white's only campus, at Belknap, and the black campus at Louisville Municipal College. The campuses were later combined in 1951. Today, Xi chapter initiates held and continue to hold leadership positions in the community.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as a national organization was founded January 13, 1913 on the campus of Howard University by 22 African American women. The illustrious women envisioned an organization based on Christian principles of college-educated women pledged to serious endeavors of community service. Today, the organization has over 200,000 members and approximately 860 chapters spanning the globe. Delta Sigma Theta is a public service organization committed to the ideals of community service and scholarship. Members include such notables Dorothy Height, Nikki Giovanni, Robert Flack, Senator Carol Mosely-Braun, and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie (photo right with Rev. Angela Lee Price).

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

First three pictures by photographer Allen Hill.

New Book Reveals How New Age Movement Has Invaded the Church

Most people believe the New Age has been long gone from our society, and if practiced at all now it is only by unconventional fringe types. For Many Shall Come in My Name by Ray Yungen reveals this is not the case. In fact, quite the opposite has occurred. The New Age movement (a term not normally used by its proponents) has permeated virtually all aspects of our society. This "Ancient Wisdom" spirituality can be quite readily encountered in the following fields: Business, Education, Health, Self-Help, Religion, and Arts & Entertainment. This book examines them all.

For Many Shall Come in My Name discusses the following:

1. The Age of Aquarius and its meaning in today's world
2. New Age practices like Reiki and yoga
3. Harry Potter and real witchcraft
4. The law of attraction and Oprah
5.Present day New Age prophets
6. Yoga in the public schools
7. Tantric sexuality and its spiritual risks
8. The Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism)
9. Wicca and its growing appeal
10. The occultic explanation of the Holocaust
11. Interspirituality and the coming false Messiah
12. The New Age as a force in politics
13. New Age hostility toward the church
14. The New Age in light of biblical prophecy

To read chapter 1 of this book, click here.

Lighthouse Trails Publishing's 2nd spring release, For Many Shall Come in My Name by Ray Yungen is now here.

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Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Delta Sigma Theta Celebrates Founding At Simmons College Celebration June 28th

By: Rev. Angela Lee Price

The oldest historically black college in the state, Simmons College of Kentucky is returning to her original campus on June 28th after 77 years of exile. It is indeed a momentous occasion not only for Simmons College of Kentucky but also for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Xi chapter, the chapter through which I pledged at the University of Louisville. (In the photo on the left, Xi chapter advisors Beth McAlpine and Wanda Carson posed with me at Louisville Alumnae Chapter's Mahogany Gala IV in 2003. )

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is rejoicing in her heritage and blessing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His grace and mercy in bestowing upon our sorority another history-making role as a black Greek organization in Kentucky. Deltas from Xi chapter, Louisville Alumnae Chapter, St. Stephen Church, and various chapters within the state and region will participate in the Simmons motorcade and parade and step briefly prior to the Jonathan Butler concert at 6:45 p.m. Thursday. Please celebrate with us and be sure to bring a chair! In the event of rain, the concert will be moved to St. Stephen Church.

Xi chapter sorors posed at Delta Sigma Theta Louisville Alumnae Chapter's Rainbow Brunch in 2004. That's me in the red in the back. Don't hate us because we're beautiful! Celebrate with us on June 28th!

From the Xi chapter website...

Xi Chapter is the oldest chapter of any Greek organization in the state of Kentucky. Xi Chapter was chartered on April 15, 1922, in Louisville, Kentucky at Simmons College of Kentucky. Among the charter members were:

Soror Alzada Singleton (organizer of Xi Chapter)
Soror Eunice Singleton
Soror Nannie G. Board
Soror Annie Louise Singleton Newhouse

In 1931, the University of Louisville purchased Simmons University from the National Baptist Convention and renamed the school Louisville Municipal. Along with the purchase, Xi chapter then became a part of the University of Louisville. Because of Jim Crowe laws, African Americans were not allowed to attend classes with the UofL's Caucasian students. Therefore, UofL operated in two locations, the main, and white's only campus, at Belknap, and the black campus at Louisville Municipal. The campuses were later combined in 1951. Xi chapter initiates held and continue to hold leadership positions in the community.

Xi chapter has made a commitment to uphold the tradition of excellence as set forth by the founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the charter members of the Mighty Xi Chapter.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Dr. J. Deotis Roberts Speaks At Simmons College of Kentucky

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Rev. Dr. J. Deotis Roberts visited Simmons College of Kentucky on May 17th to the delight of students, faculty, staff, and the community. An esteemed theologian, Roberts is best known as a founder of Black Theology or the Black Liberation Movement. He has taught at several major universities, and has written 14 books and over 100 scholarly articles over his 60-year career.

Rev. Michael Lee, an associate minister and the Sunday School superintendent at Joshua Missionary Baptist Church brought several teachers with him to the lecture. “Ordinarily, we would be in teachers’ meeting on Thursdays, but I cancelled it tonight so that we would not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Rev. Lee.

Dr. Roberts reflected on his life experiences as a theologian and opened the floor to questions from the audience. When asked why he included reconciliation in his perspective, he said he and his colleagues at Howard University felt obligated to speak on black liberation in the 1960’s, and that his career pre-dated James Cone’s, who is known as the father of the Black Liberation Movement. “James Cone’s perspective was inadequate in that it did not address reconciliation, a central Gospe1 message,” Roberts explained.

I asked him to elaborate on his position on women in the ministry. He said it was hypocritical for black male preachers to point out the errors of oppressors in literally interpreting Scripture to perpetuate slavery, "Slaves obey your masters....," while literally interpret Scripture themselves to keep women out of the pulpit, "Women keep quite in the church...."

Simmons College of Kentucky President Dr. Kevin Cosby. announced Dr. Roberts as the first renown guest lecturer in the Marshall B. Lanier Lecture Series, named in honor of Marshall B. Lanier, a past Simmons president and 50-year professor.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

St. Stephen New Members Celebrated

By: Angela Lee Price

In an effort to show continued support to St. Stephen Church new members and help them “stay connected” to the Lord, the Member Services and Media Departments have teamed up to begin recognizing new members who complete Life-A New Adult New Member Orientation. The names of adults who completed the one-time, four-hour sessions between January and April were listed in the May 5th-6th Weekender program. Beginning the first weekend in June, graduates’ names will be listed on a monthly basis.

“It is vitally important that the church encourage new members in their walks with the Lord,” said Member Services Director Rev. Angela Lee Price. “Oftentimes people accept Jesus Christ or renew their commitment to Him after traumatic events in their lives. We want them to know that the steps they take toward spiritual maturity matter to God and to us,” said Rev. Lee Price.

Life A New sessions are offered from 12 Noon-4:00 PM in Louisville, and 2nd & 4th Saturdays from 10:00 AM– 2:00 PM in Indiana. Call 583-6798, ext. 6852 for details.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!