AFRICA’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Africa, just like the rest of the world, has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though many governments responded swiftly by imposing lockdowns and other measures, this only helped to slow down the spread of the virus, however, cases are rising with each passing day.
The pandemic arrived at a moment when prospects were promising for many countries. The lockdowns meant that people’s livelihood has been suspended. Other countries opted for a middle-of-the-road approach to preventing the virus, maintaining some level of economic activity for a limited period of time and monitoring peoples’ movements.
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the BEAUTIFUL story
Obed Natán Chic Itzep was born in the city of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla, Guatemala. He has served the church as a children’s and youth pastor, a clerk in his local church, and district Youth Ministries director. In 2019, he was appointed senior pastor of the Tierra Verde Church of God of Prophecy in Siquinalá, Escuintla, Guatemala.
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP - PRAYERFUL LEADERSHIP
Look at the first two words in this article’s title, “Spiritual Leadership.” Now replace the word “spiritual” with any word that denotes effective Christian leadership—authentic leadership, compassionate leadership, visionary leadership, anointed leadership, fruitful leadership, compelling leadership, servant leadership, etc. This simple exercise reminds us that consistent, fervent prayer is essential to effective spiritual leadership.
Prayers Heard, Prayers Hindered
Caleb Madara Dondo serves as COGOP Kenya Task Force vice chairman. Brother Dondo is a teacher with a passion for teaching on the Holy Spirit, giving, and prayer.
Local Church Outreach 2020
As the coronavirus made headlines near the beginning of 2020, I heard an amazing message of compassion and care concerning early Christians running into the plague to minister with kindness to make a difference in the lives of those who were sick and dying. They were willing to move to ministry, even when it threatened their own lives. The message contained a powerful illustration of how those of us who follow the teachings of Christ respond in counter-culture ways to minister to those who are suffering and in need.
Prayer People
The Bible tells us to pray with all kinds of prayer (Ephesians 6:18). But not every kind of prayer is effective prayer. Sometimes, our prayers resemble a flea-market auction. We barter. We negotiate. We up the bid. We say, “I’ll become a missionary if you’ll heal me, God!” Or, “I need more money, more money, more money—I’ll tithe 15 percent!”
Consider Your Ways
When my wife and I first got married, we knew very little about managing money. We certainly did not pay attention to the verse found in Proverbs 22:7 that says, “The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender” (NKJV).
CONNECTIONS
Church Feeds 25, 000
Children and the Holy Spirit
Part Two: Explaining Holy Spirit Baptism to Chil-
A PEOPLE OF Prayer
Bishop Tim McCaleb, general presbyter for Asia, Australia, and Oceania, became a licensed minister in the COGOP in 1980. He held pastoral positions throughout Tennessee and Illinois before his appointment as state overseer of Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Texas. During that time, he also participated in Assembly committees such as the Bible Doctrine and Polity committee and was Servant Partners Director for the International Offices. He holds a Master of Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Houston Graduate School of Theology. He is married to Sheena and they have four children and many grandchildren.
We are Stewards of Our Bodies
STEWARDSHIP MINISTRIES Paul Holt Director of Finance and Administration
AFRICA TRIES FREE TRADE
ECONOMIC NATIONALISM HAS plagued Africa since decolonization. In 2021, that is set to change.
Girmay Edits BOA Selections
In October 2020, BOA Editions, an indie press located in Rochester, New York, named poet Aracelis Girmay the first editor-at-large of its Blessing the Boats Selections, a line of poetry books written by women of color.
Uncommon Dinosaurs
Southern Continents Reveal Uncommon Giants
ZOISITE
A Massive Mineral Marked by Christmas- Like Color and Appeal
Pittsburgh's August Wilson African American Cultural Center
LOCATED IN THE HEART of downtown Pittsburgh, on Liberty Avenue close to Union Station and the David Lawrence Convention Center, the sleek and elegant but unpretentious August Wilson African American Cultural Center (awaacc) cannot fail to capture the eye and the imagination of anybody who is visiting Pittsburgh or, for that matter, of anybody who lives in the city.
NICOLE PATTON-TERRY READING RESEARCHER
Nicole Patton-Terry loves helping kids learn to read. She is associate director of the Florida Center for Reading Research at the Florida State University. Patton-Terry works on teams with researchers, students, teachers, designers, parents, and community members. Together they study reading and develop tools that help children read.
‘THE 24TH' IS A SOBERING HISTORY LESSON FOR TODAY
On Aug. 23, 1917, four months after the U.S. had entered World War I, the all-Black 3rd battalion of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Regiment mutinied in Houston.
BEYONCÉ'S ‘BLACK IS KING' IS SUPREME BLACK ART
King Beyoncé’s new film takes you on a journey of Black art, music, history and fashion as the superstar transports you to Africa to tell the story of a young man in search of his crown, matched to epic songs she created while inspired by “The Lion King.”
BY THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS
My Africa Twin Adventure Sports was buried belly pan-deep in mud.
Giant Loop Round the World Panniers and Pannier Mounts
PRODUCT REVIEW