Churces Now-2015

WWW.CHURCHESNOW.COM A PUBLICATION OF

Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett Henry and Rockdale

Antioch-Lithonia MBC hosts Brain Health Forum

Still Waters Sinfo-Nia celebrates 25 years

DeKalb’s chaplains uplifting the “least of these”

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Churches Now 2015 • 3

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10Hundreds flock to Antioch-Lithonia’s

Brain Health Forum18Still Waters Sinfo-

Nia celebrates 25 years training youths

22Chaplains uplifting the “least of these”

Bishop Norman O. HarperKelly Lake Church of God In Christ

6 page

Pastor Steven N. Deal, Sr.Rainbow Park Baptist Church

8 page

Pastor Benny MomahOvercomers Christion Fellowship Int.

12 page

Pastor Tyrone BarnettePeace Baptist Church

14 page

Dr. Travis C. JenningsThe Harvest Tabernacle

16 page

CONTENTS

4 • www.CHURCHESNOW.com 2015


astor Steven N. Dial, Sr. serves as the first African American Pastor in Rainbow Park’s 142 years rich history.

In 2007, Pastor Dial began transitioning “The Park” under The Rainbow. Pastor Dial believes Rainbow Park’s name spells out its assignment. The Rainbow represents all of God’s promises, Park is a place where people can find Rest, Relaxation, Renewal and Restoration. Each week through the ministries at “The Park”, people can find all of the 4 R’s in operation. Prior to becoming the Senior Pastor at “The Park” for 10 years he served as youth Pastor at Greenforest Community Baptist Church under the

leadership of the Late Rev. Dr. George O. McCalep, Jr.

Pastor Dial is a doctoral candidate pursuing a Doctor of

Ministry Degree of Pastoral Leadership at Birmingham Theological Seminary and is

currently in the Research and Design phase of his program.

He holds a Masters of Arts in Ministry from Luther Rice

University, a Bachelor of Science from Alabama A& M University,

and he is also a certified Master Life Leader. Pastor Dial, along with his beautiful wife Robin of 28 years (Aug 22nd), co-authored Planting Seeds Family Daily Devotional which has sold over 10,000 copies. The

devotional is a complete discipleship curriculum and also serves as a bible bowl study guide.

Over the past seven years, Pastor Dial has accomplished a lot and is most proud of baptizing over 180 persons from children to adults, 120 baby dedications, and serving hundreds weekly through his preaching, teaching, and counseling. “The Park” has averaged over 110 new members each year since Pastor Dial became the senior pastor. “The Park” is truly a part of the community in which it serves. Tune in weekly on AIBTV.com or Channel 295 Comcast on Wednesday’s at 9pm and Saturday’s at 12 midnight and view his dynamic, gifted, and energetic sermons where you will hear him say “come closer”.

Pastor Dial’s passion for education has yield much fruit. For the past 7 years “The Park” has been instrumental in shaping the lives of adults seeking their GED Diploma with a Free GED & Adult Literacy Program on Monday thru Thursday’s from 9 a.m. – 12 noon. The Park averages 60 students per quarter and has a 73% completion rate. The creation of the Rev. Clifton Dial, Sr. Scholarship Foundation was founded in remembrance of his late father Rev. Clifton Dial, Sr. The foundation provides scholarships, books, and other educational materials to adult learners seeking their GED. An annual fundraising golf tournament is held every 3rd Saturday in September.

This year’s 6th Annual Rev. Clifton

Dial, Sr. Scholarship Foundation tournament will be held at Browns Mill Golf Course, Atlanta GA on September 19, 2015 at 9 a.m. visit rcdialscholarshipfoundation.org for more information.

“The Park” has something for everyone, every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 12 noon “The Park” gives free food and clothing to the community. This endeavor is funded by the members of “The Park”. What has truly been a blessing to the community is “The Park’s” Drive thru Prayer each Monday night from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., over 75 cars stop by for prayer. “The Park” has a thriving children’s ministry, youth, young adult, men’s, women’s, discipleship, evangelism, Christian education, worship arts, recreation, drama, praise dance, summer camp for children, and a host of opportunities that evoke Rest, Relaxation, Renewal and Restoration.

Pastor Dial’s expository preaching style and his God given ability allows him to appeal to all generations. The Worship Arts Ministry at “The Park” is truly anointed, which makes “The Park’s” worship experience spirit lead and spirit filled from beginning to end. The future is bright for “The Park”, its vision is a 2020 Vision where “The Park” will complete a New Sanctuary, Prayer Garden, Vegetable Garden, Obstacle Course, and Sportsplex.

“Come Closer” We’re The Park for you!

2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur GA 30034

404-288-1910Visit us at www.rainbowparkbaptist.org

for seasonal activities and fellowship and on www.facebook.com/VisitthePark

WEEKLY CALENDARSUNDAY

• First Service, 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. • Sunday School, 10:10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. • Second Service, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Every First Sunday A Free Fellowship Meal Is Provided After Service

MONDAY •Free GED & Adult Education Classes

9 a.m. -12 noon •Food Pantry and Clothing distribution (Free)

10 a.m. – 12 noon •Drive Thru Prayer, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

TUESDAY •Free GED & Adult Education Classes

9 a.m. - 12 noon •Orchestra Practice, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY • Free GED & Adult Education Classes

9 a.m. - 12 noon • Bible Study, 7 p.m.

• AWANA Children’s Bible Study, 7 p.m. • We’re The Park For You Broadcast, 9 p.m.

(AIBTV.com & Comcast Channel 295)THURSDAY

• Free GED & Adult Education Classes 9 a.m. -12 noon

• Food Pantry and Clothing distribution (Free) 10 a.m. – 12 noon

FRIDAY • Corporate Prayer, 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.

SATURDAY • We’re The Park For You Broadcast,

12 Midnight (AIBTV.com & Comcast Channel 295)

WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRY GED & ADULT EDUCATION DRIVE THRU PRAYER

8 • www.CHURCHESNOW.com 2015 Churches Now 2015 • 9

THE DIAL FAMILY

FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY

BABY DEDICATION


as a leader, I can ask my congregation to do something that I’m not going to do,” Pastor Ward said.

Dr. James Lah, clinical care director of Emory’s ADRC, said he appreciates Pastor Ward’s commitment.

“Pastor Ward has been deeply engaged with Emory in providing support for the forum,” said Lah. “Alzheimer’s disease has supplanted cancer as the most terrifying disease today. This is a disease that runs a long course.”

Monica W. Parker, MD, director of Diversity at Emory’s ADRC, said Emory is conducting

the first study to apply modern MRI techniques and spinal fluid in a comparative study involving blacks and whites. Parker and Dr. William Hu and their team will study the interaction between Alzheimer’s disease, mini strokes and race to set the stage for a national study.

Parker said although the disease affects blacks the same as whites and other ethnic groups, it isn’t clear-cut how the disease manifests in blacks, which makes it more difficult to diagnose and treat.

“There are differences. We just don’t know what they are because they

haven’t been studied. That’s why the need for African Americans to participate in studies in significant numbers is so great,” Parker said.

Parker said the vast majority of Alzheimer’s research involving African Americans involves surveillance, which includes brain

imaging, surveys taking samples of blood and cerebral spinal fluids to search for precursors of the disease.

For more information and to learn about the Registry for Remembrance research, contact Cornelya Dorbin at [email protected] or call 404-712-1416.

Educating the Masses

Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist, Emory partner for successful ‘Brain Health’ forum

By Valerie J. Morgan

Hundreds of residents from throughout metro Atlanta flocked to

Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church for a forum presented by Emory University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC).

Pastor James C. Ward, who heads the Lithonia church, helped promote the May 30 event, which was aimed at African Americans but drew a racially-diverse audience who came to learn about brain health support for loved ones, aging successfully and navigating legal and financial resources for caregivers and care recipients. He said about 750 people attended and gave positive feedback.

“We opened our doors for this event because we felt this was

something that is very important for the community,” Pastor Ward said. “It used to be that 100 years ago, people were dying at age 35. They didn’t have a long life expectancy because of disease and other issues. Today, people are living longer, some of them into their 90s and even 100. People who are middle-aged are having to take care of their parents and they need to be aware of the issues and resources that are available to them and the study groups that are underway to help African Americans deal with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”

Emory is targeting African Americans to improve the participation among ethnic elders in long-term neurologic research. It is partnering with congregations such as the historic Antioch-

Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary under Pastor Ward’s leadership, to get the word out about Emory’s study groups and its research registry, “Registry for Remembrance.” The registry is investigating whether promising approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat neurodegenerative disease are effective.

Emory officials say blacks are under represented in research and clinical studies, even though they are twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s disease than whites. Pastor Ward said he plans to help change those research participation numbers.

“Emory has a lot of study groups for this disease. I plan to participate in as many study groups as possible. I want to set the example because

Pastor Ward says Antioch’s Personal Support and Development Ministry helped to make the forum a success. Volunteers directed traffic in the building,– and passed out T-shirts, tote bags filled with information and boxed lunches at the free event.

Photos by David Washington

Apostle Benny and Carol Momoh are influential leaders who serve with

quality and integrity. Apostle Momoh is the Founder

and Senior Pastor of Overcomer’s Christian Fellowship International located in Lithonia, Georgia. Throughout their 16 years of marriage, Pastor Carol Momoh

has diligently served alongside her husband, with purpose

and precision. Together, they have touched the lives of various nations around the world, with their diverse ministry.

Apostle Benny Momoh is a charismatic leader, with a combination of various gifts and amazing flexibility in ministry. He is a certified life coach,

who utilizes much of his academic pursuits as an investment in his members. He is passionate about empowering believers to live an overcoming lifestyle.

The members of OCF has grown tremendously through Apostle Benny’s teachings on the biblical principles found in the Word of the God. His entrepreneurial success, has led him to host conferences, seminars, and workshops on how to apply the Word of God in every area of one’s life. Apostle Momoh is gifted in producing change; therefore, he is a sort after preacher and motivational speaker within the business sector.

Pastor Carol is the founder of the Unstoppable Women’s Ministry. Through this ministry, women are living out their purpose and living unstoppable lifestyles. She believes, when a woman is connected to God, she should have unstoppable courage, unstoppable commitment, unstoppable grace, unstoppable progress, and unstoppable power. Pastor Carol


works tirelessly to restore, heal, and guide women to fulfill their divine purpose.

Her love for children and education leads her to facilitate OCF Children’s Ministry. Her heart for technology and advancement has revolutionize OCF’s Children’s Ministry. Pastor Carol’s diligent work in this department has increase the number of children and families within Overcomer’s Christian Fellowship.

The vision of this dynamic couple is to connect people to their life’s purpose by connecting them to God. This vision is fulfilled through a breathtaking worship experience, outreach programs, economic development training, evangelism, and community initiatives.

As a sign of their commitment to the community, Overcomer’s Christian Fellowship International recently hosted its first annual Help Sunday. This local church paid members and guests bills that were in need of financial assistance. Electricity, gas, cable, gas cards, and two favored individuals received up to one thousand dollars towards their rent/mortgage.

The Pastor’s of OCF will continue to create an environment for people to encounter God. Your life will never be the same with one encounter at OCF. You can visit them at 7373 Covington Hwy, Lithonia GA 30058. For more information, see their website at www.ocfinternational.org.


Pastor Tyrone Barnette launched Peace Baptist Church in 1993 with 14 adults to restore broken lives and to establish a church that would mend a broken community. He believes the church cannot isolate itself from the pain of people, the problems of society, or

allow the pressures of a changing world to hinder the church from being the light Jesus called it to be. God holds the church responsible for society. Pastor Barnette teaches that Christians cannot huddle inside the church sanctuary but we must take ministry to the streets.

Today, Peace Baptist has grown to a weekly attendance of 1,400 at its main campus in Decatur, planted six congregations throughout Atlanta, and established churches in Brazil and South Africa. Peace operates over 25 ministries including recovery ministries, programs that distribute over 400,000 pounds of food yearly to the community, manages a $1.6 million grant to operate an after-school educational center for DeKalb students in elementary, middle and high school, and administers many other programs to address brokenness.

Over the years, Peace has endeavored to stay true to the vision God gave 22 years ago to build a ministry that devoted top priority to

the preaching of the Gospel. Pastor Barnette maintains a high standard to not compromise the truth of God’s Word. Pastor

Barnette says, “Many of our Christian leaders have substitut-ed the wisdom of God’s Word with the flawed wisdom of the

world and culture. When we no longer seek to align our-selves with God’s truth, we lose the power to transform

lives. If we want the blessings of the Kingdom, we must live under the rule of the King and govern our lives and

ministries by Him.”Another characteristic of the church is that ev-

ery generation is represented equally at Peace. The adult membership is over 35% men and there is a large number of under 35-year-olds who are finding a place to serve. Each Sun-day, there are separate worship environments for toddlers, children and teens to attend. The

weekend service features a spirit-filled worship experience with dance teams for youths, adults

and senior adults, frequent dramatic presenta-tions, and other creative elements to illustrate the

Gospel message. Peace believes the future of the church should be focused on the youth and young adults.

Pastor Barnette recently shared that: “Acts 20 tells of a young man who was in church but

leaning out of a three-story window. He wasn’t engaged or

Restoring Broken Lives


Peace Baptist Church4000 Covington Highway, Decatur

Peacebaptistchurch.org • 404-288-1750Worship Service Times

Sunday 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.Sunday School 9:45 a.m.Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

interested in what was happen-ing in the church service and fell out onto the streets and died. The Apostle Paul left the pulpit and went down onto the street and embraced him and brought him back to life. The young man got up and started serving in the work of the church joyfully. Today, many of our young men and women are in the street and have fallen away from church. With all of our programs, beau-tiful buildings, and impressive ministry, we are still losing them. In order to bring them back to life we must go to where they are, understand their issues, and give them a place to serve. Our young people have much to give and are looking to invest their lives in places that will heal brokenness inside and outside the church but we must go and get them.”

In order to expand its reach, Peace recently purchased the former Total Grace Church on Covington Highway. The 20-acre, 160,000 square foot facility was sold to Peace for $400,000. The bank sold the property at such a discounted price because it knew of the community develop-ment work of the congregation. After some renovation, Peace moved in to the facility on Feb. 8 and has enjoyed steady growth since then. The church plans to sell its 46,000-square-foot build-ing on Austin Drive across the street from its current home as well as the 40 acres it owns on Miller Road to focus its efforts

on developing the new location.Peace has plans to renovate

the additional 90,000-square-foot unfinished space and expand its many outreach ministries. Innovative ministries will be created to address the various needs in the community. Immigration programs, hous-ing programs, a health clinic, homeless services, legal aid, day center for seniors, employ-ment services, a church planting and leadership center, athletic and youth arts programs will be established in a few short years. Land is already being cleared for a future ball field and to build a residential women’s and chil-dren’s center on the campus of the church. Additionally, Peace is currently working with a develop-er to help bring a grocery store and other businesses to rehab the former Cub Foods next door to the church property.

God has called every church to be a light in the community. If a church wants to measure its effectiveness, all it has to do is look within its community to see how far its light is pen-etrating the people who live in that community. The leaders and members of Peace Baptist Church know that they are not THE light but must be a reflection of Christ’s light. Peace hopes to continue to be a safe place where broken individuals, fam-ilies, and communities can find restoration in every aspect of their lives.


The Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia of Metropolitan

Atlanta Orchestra will celebrate its silver anniversary on Thursday, June 25, 6:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church of Atlanta, 105 Courtland St. N.E.

The orchestra, which performs a variety of music, will present a jubilant concert commemorating a 25-year history of instructing thousands of young artists. The orchestra has staged some 400 performances locally, nationally and internationally under

the direction of David E. Robinson, III.

Robinson is a fifth generation, 32-year string teacher of the DeKalb County School System who arranges many of the pieces that the orchestra performs.

Sinfo-Nia is planning an evening that it hopes will be one of Atlanta’s most memorable Black Music Month celebrations.

“We are simply ecstatic that internationally acclaimed Jeff Majors, the sacred harpist, will grace our stage with a performance and is allowing us to honor him,” said Robinson. “We are thrilled that our own alumnus Ken Ford, King of Strings, is joining us for

a repeat performance. We are gratified to be afforded the liberty to pay tribute to legendary jazz doctor and minister, Dwight Andrews, on this special occasion as well.”

Sinfo-Nia’s summer academy runs June 15-26. The orchestra is planning to attend a youth conference and tour to Washington, D.C. on July 18-24.

General admission to the 25th anniversary celebration at First Congregational Church of Atlanta is $25. VIP admission, which includes a reception at 5:30 p.m., is $50 per person. For more information, call 404-3280840 or e-mail [email protected].

Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia celebrates 25 years



Raised in Los Angeles, California, Kerwin B. Lee’s dream was always to be a pro basketball player. However, in his third year of college, he felt the Lord calling him to be a part of ministry full-time. So, he accepted the call and preached

his first sermon on October 17, 1982. He continued his education and basketball career at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and earned a Bachelor’s of Education degree in Elementary Education. In preparation for full-time ministry, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in 1985, and enrolled at the Interdenominational Theological Center-Morehouse School of Religion (“ITC”). At ITC, he earned a Master’s of Divinity degree in Christian Education. In 1992, he was called to the pastorate of his first church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where he led the people of God for three

and a half years. In 1995, it was then that he heard the voice of God leading him to organize the Berean Christian Church.

The initial organizational meeting for Berean Christian Church consisted of approximately 200 people that met at Oakhurst Elementary School in Decatur, GA. Its first worship service was held Sunday, December 3, 1995 at Renfroe Middle School, also in Decatur. One year later, Berean moved to a rented church facility at 5931 Shadow Rock Drive in Lithonia. Due to its rapid growth, a second service was started in 1998, thus leading to the purchase of 16.4 acres of undeveloped land on Young Road for a future worship center.

After relocating to their first church building at 2440 Young Road in Stone Mountain that was purchased in December 2000, Berean expanded to three Sunday morning worship services and soon added a fourth worship service on Saturday evenings.

the BIG2 - 0


Again, God gave Pastor Lee a greater vision for the growth of the people. With the first church building bursting at the seams, it was time to move again. In April 2004, the first Sunday service was held at the new worship and educational facility located at 2201 Young Road in Stone Mountain. Two years later, Berean added a second location at 1465 Highpoint Road in Snellville (Gwinnett County). As a result of the faithfulness of Pastor Lee and the Berean members, the church has been able to instruct its members holistically, invest its money wisely and increase its ministries significantly.

In July 2007, the grand opening of the Kerwin B. Lee Family Life Center (“FLC”) was held, and the facility was named in his honor. The FLC was intended to be a facility that would be a beacon of light to the community that focuses on health and wellness, offering a plethora of services to minister to individuals holistically. Housed within the FLC is Berean Christian Academy, which caters to students in grades K-8; another one of Pastor Lee’s visions to help prepare children to shine in every area of their lives. Six years later, the Berean Christian Early Learning Academy was opened under his visionary leadership, ministering to children ages 6 weeks to four years old.

Pastor Lee’s charismatic personality, contagious humor and compassion for people have attracted many individuals to his ministry from all over the country. His desire and commitment is to help others understand the Word of God in practical, everyday language. This passion led him to become the founder of “A Word For The Times” Ministry which teaches practical principles for a progressive ministry to pastors and church leaders throughout the world.

He is the author of four books: Winning the Battle Over Negative Emotions, The ABC’s for Church Leaders, Finding Joy in the Word of God, and Feeding Your Soul with the Word of God.

In May 2014, Pastor Lee received his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary and University in Lithonia, GA. Dr. Kerwin B. Lee is happily married to his wife, Yolanda, and they have two sons, Kerwin II and Kernard.

2201 Young Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088 • 770-593-4421For more information about Dr. Kerwin B. Lee or Berean Christian Church,

visit www.bereanchristianchurch.orgChurches Now 2015 • 21


By Valerie J. Morgan

Curtis Crocker, Jr. leads a life that is filled with praying for the “least

of these.” As he walks through the jail, he prays for the inmates, the volunteers he oversees, the jail’s staff and his bosses. Crocker is a staff chaplain for the DeKalb County Jail under Sheriff Jeff Mann. He’s been a chaplain since 1999, starting as a volunteer and eventually circling his way into a staff position at the DeKalb jail.

“A lot of times when I’m walking through the jail, I’m praying for everyone there because the bible says to pray without ceasing,” said Crocker.

Crocker said he became a chaplain because he loves serving.

“I believe there’s a calling that has been on my life to be concerned about the least of these.

I became a chaplain because it gives me the chance to serve,” said Crocker, who also pastors a church in Columbus, GA. “My chief responsibility as a chaplain is to provide leadership.”

The Morehouse graduate who is studying for his doctorate degree at Beulah Heights University oversees about 80 volunteer chaplains at the jail. Crocker is also a member of the 100 Black Men of Columbus, GA and a graduate of Leadership DeKalb. He said he believes continuing education is important because “if you’re going to be a leader, I believe you must hone in on your craft.”

Crocker said he and the other chaplains provide not only prayer, but religious materials and one-on-one counseling to inmates who request to see a chaplain. He says every day is different.

“The day-in-a-life of a chaplain is up for grabs. You don’t really know what kind of issues you’re dealing with until you arrive,” said Crocker, who visits the jail about three times a week but is on call 24/7. “Sometimes we’re asked for prayers of comfort, prayers for strength, prayers for an inmate’s children or family, prayers for the uncertainty of what they’re facing.”

Chaplains also are responsible for death notifications and grief counseling—to let inmates know if they’ve lost a loved one and to

provide grief counseling and to let families know if an inmate has passed, Crocker said.

“We also perform wedding ceremonies for inmates who want to get married. You have inmates who are going to be incarcerated for a long time and some of them want to get married. You just never know what you might be needed for,” said Crocker, who said the work is very rewarding.

The DeKalb County Jail has a diverse chaplaincy team, its volunteers representing various

Christian faiths, as well as Muslims and Jews. Sheriff Mann said that’s because there is a growing need at the jailhouse for religious leaders of various faiths.

“We have a diverse population of inmates and I think it’s important that we provide for their spiritual wellbeing at an adequate level of service,” said Mann, who said the jail’s inmate population has been running between 2,300 and 2,400 daily—down from roughly 2,900 per day. The jail’s capacity is 3,900, Mann said.

Mann said chaplains who volunteer must be ordained, referred and undergo a criminal background check. About 45 percent of the jail’s chaplains are males, 55 percent are females. Mann said the jail recruits chaplains through a number of efforts including community outreach, by contacting various houses of worship or religious organizations directly or through the annual Faith Day that the Sheriff’s Office hosts for religious leaders.

DeKalb’s Jail ChaplainsUplifting “the least of these”



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Churces Now-2015