2012 Annual Report of the Great SW Diocese Brotherhood Ministry. Bishop Vernon E. Kennebrew, Presiding Bishop Deacon Michael Bond, Diocese President

Transcription

1 2012 Annual Report of the Great SW Diocese Brotherhood Ministry Bishop Vernon E. Kennebrew, Presiding Bishop Deacon Michael Bond, Diocese President To: President Chris Sutton, Bishop Emery Lindsay, Bishop Vernon Kennebrew, Board of Bishops, NBM Executive Board and the delegates of the 116 th Annual Session of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; The 72 nd Annual Session of our Diocese was held at Plainview COCHUSA, Baton Rouge, LA on June 21-24, Throughout the year, we have seen the power of the Holy Ghost and God s grace in many ways. First, I had the opportunity to visit 4 of 5 districts which were involved such activities as mission work, youth council, and an outing on the lake. There were evidences of victory and praise along with inspired services in each district. Second, The NBM Breakfast and Fellowship was well attended this year with 85 brothers. The guest speaker Rev. LaRon Brumfield, Youth and College Pastor (Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS) challenged us go beyond the walls and go out into the community. After breakfast, Bro. Chris Sherman (1st year college student) conducted a special breakaway session with the young men 17 and under. Third, The Great Southwestern members honored Bishop Kennebrew, Sis. Mary Hooker (Diocese UCWM President), Deacon Anthony Tucker (Diocese SS and HYM President) and, myself for our years of service. The Great Southwestern Diocese did a marvelous job making the evening memorable and enjoyable. This has been another victorious year for us. Our representation grew from 385 to 502which represents a 30% increase. My experiences over the past years will always be etched in my mind. I am submitting the following report from the Great Southwestern Diocese Brotherhood Ministry:

2 The Voice of the Future is the first step in an initiative to evangelize the young men of our diocese by helping them gain a greater interest in and a sense of ownership of The Brotherhood. We determined there was no better way to get their attention and spark their interest than to ask them their opinion. Therefore, the Executive Board instituted a contest, using the familiar Oratorical Contest format, designed to accomplish the goals of this first step. The topic of the oratory was entitled If I Ran the Brotherhood. The contestants are divided into 4 age groups 10-12; 13-15; and 19 and older. We are off to a good start as there were 10 young men ages who spoke on the district level and 3 speakers on the diocese level. These young men represented their district and diocese well. A monetary reward was given the three winners at the diocese. We will continue to emphasize this competition as well to implement the ideas that result. The take-aways from this inaugural competition are three: 1) they are watching us; 2) the young men want our Brotherhood to be engaged in activities that foster positive, live-long relationships; 3)we need to be role models that provide avenues for teaching and the development of godly leadership qualities in our young men. I solicit your prayers as I pass the torch to the newly elected President Bro. Quincy Chapman. I am confident that he will do a good work. Finally, continue to lift me up in your prayers. 1 st District Brotherhood Report Elder Robert N. Nichols, President Deacon William Sherman, Vice-President All praise to God, the Brotherhood of District #1 of the Southwestern Diocese is alive and well. The reports of the local churches of our district are as follows: The Brotherhood of District #1 will be coming together at this end of this month to renovate the outer walls of Christ Temple, Searcy. This has been the custom over the past four years to assist each sister church with renovation projects. Christ Temple, Pine Bluff, Arkansas: The president of this band is Brother Glen Price with Deacon Gregory as Vice-President. The brotherhood members have been very supportive of the various church projects. Assisted with the Christmas and Thanksgiving Food Drive We assisted with the Annual Back to School Drive The Lord blessed us to go and pray for the sick and shut-in. Also, they provided personal grooming items and financial support to a terminally ill brother. Outreach to the young men to visit the Martine Luther King Center in Memphis, Tennessee and a fishing trip. Christ Temple, Conway, Arkansas: The president of this band is Brother Fred Davis and the vice-president is Brother Kerry Allen. The secretary is Brother William Bill Lowe and the treasurer is Brother Jimmy Bryant. Had a Brotherhood Chili Cook Off with a total of 10 entries. Super Bowl Fellowship. There were a total of 26 people in attendance. Had an overnight campout. There were a total of 14 young men and 5 adults. Planning a dinner cruise and will be inviting the sister churches to participate with them.

3 Planning a Brotherhood Church Picnic. They also submitted a new form for Brotherhood Reporting which will be forwarded to the National for consideration. Christ Temple, Searcy, Arkansas: December we purchased gifts for the men who reside in the Senior Citizen Home. A Super Bowl Party was held at the home of Pastor Nichols. Mother s Day, the brotherhood prepared and served dinner for the mothers of the church. Took a group of young men to Pine Bluff to a football game to see UAPB. This band also partners with the Couple Ministry which meets every 1 st Friday. The brotherhood had a Game Three Watch Party on Father s Day. Christ Temple, Arkadelphia, Arkansas: Elder Sasser is the president of this band. This band is newly organized and active. There are approximately 10 men and 5 young men, and they meet to discuss life issues that they are dealing with. Christ Temple Cathedral, Little Rock, Arkansas: Does have an active brotherhood, but their written report has not been received. 2 nd District Brotherhood Report Brotherhood President Elder LeAndrew Gray On behalf of the Second District Brotherhood, each church is serving their community in many ways. All churches have been attentive to their community s needs, as well as church upgrading each ministry. St. Matthews: Reports of a good work in the community with the start-up of the Green Oaks Project. They are very active in the community. St. Peter: Is moving forward throughout the community. The brothers are on a mission, helping the elderly where there is a need. St. Zion: They gather when needed and are moving forward. They are uniting with one another and setting goals and plans for the future. Bethlehem: Is taking a stand for the future of the Brotherhood. They are pulling back together within the district, beginning a new year of better things to come. 3 RD District Brotherhood Report President Deacon Nonzie Williams Antioch: Verbally reported that they have not reorganized yet but, they are working toward getting their Brotherhood together. They ask for your prayers.

4 Bethel: Had a breakfast and 40 brothers attended Since the meeting worked so well, they voted to have brotherhood meetings and breakfast every third Saturday. One Saturday each month they help one elderly person with their yard work. The brothers were instrumental with the renovation of the church. Mt. Zion: Verbally reported that they are in transition but, they are taking care of someone s yard. New Hope: Verbally reported they are working on getting their brotherhood together. Plainview: Reported the Brotherhood is not as functional as they should be but They are participating in projects around the church and helping to collect donations for the food drive for members in the community with a need. The brothers had their Brotherhood Program in January and Brother Larry Moses from Antioch COCHUSA in Bogalusa was the speaker for the occasion. Sweet Home: Their Brotherhood meets monthly with a buffet breakfast prepared by the men. At each breakfast Elder Drake gives words of encouragement. In April fellowshipped with Bethel and their brotherhood. In May we prepared a buffet breakfast for all mothers in our church and invited the mothers in our local community and passed our gift bags to show our appreciation to the mothers. 4 th District Brotherhood Report President Brother Quincy Chapman Brotherhood continues to serve the Lord and our church by striving to bring men and young men together in fellowship and service. We have continued to emphasize the need to involve all the men of the church in Brotherhood activities but particularly the young men of the church. The First Church, Houston: One brother leads each month s meeting and as a result we are connecting with our young men in significant ways. We have had a very successful relationship seminar fully designed and conducted by one of our younger brothers. In fact, each of our young men has volunteered to take a month as a group or separately to fellowship through lessons or activities. Our scheduled activities ranged from an inspirational movie to game night at the home of one of the brothers. Each month for the rest of 2012 is assigned and we anticipate great fellowship between the men and a deepened sense of ownership of the brotherhood to develop among all. We have one brother who will be participating in Voice of the Future a Diocese

5 Second Church, Houston: The Second Church Brotherhood has been very active in completing the work on the fellowship hall and other details of its new sanctuary. The Brotherhood continues to meet weekly by conference call for prayer and fellowship. They have been diligent to reach out to the young brothers of their church through activities and providing leadership opportunities for them during the regular worship services. Christ Mission Temple, Beaumont We are active and engaged with the youth of our church and look to be more so in the coming year. We recently took the youth to a showing of Red Tails, the story of the Tuskegee Air Men. From it we discussed the prejudice that existed in the military and continues even to this day. We have begun to fellowship with Holy Faith Bible Center, the newest church to join the Fourth District. In the future we anticipate partnering to together to produce a greater impact on the community we serve. Arlington Bible Fellowship: Has not submitted a report. Holy Faith Bible Center Joined the Fourth District this year but did not submit a report for this year but will submit activity reports beginning in th District Brotherhood Report Deacon James Weary, President Deacon Weary is newly appointed to the Presidency of the 5 th District thus, no activity report was submitted.