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Messengers: Portraits of African American Ministers, Evangelists, Gospel Singers and Other Messengers of the Word.
Beautifully designed and featuring stunning black-and-white photographs, this moving book will appeal to fans of Crowns and to Christians of all denominations and colors who seek a deeper understanding of the meaning and the glories of their faith.
David Ritz recently embraced Christianity, and Messengers is a tribute to the people who awakened his personal faith and to others, both famous and unknown, whose words—sometimes set to music—have inspired millions of believers. The gifted photographer Nicola Goode contributes glowing portraits of each of them.
The messengers are an extraordinarily diverse group: women and men; ministers and musicians; singers and teachers; preachers known throughout the world and preachers known only in their neighborhoods. There are stories and reflections from Bishop Noel Jones (brother of Grace); Harlem’s own Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts; Rev. Peter J. Gomes of Harvard; gospel mega-stars Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Winans, Smokey Norful, and Candi Staton; Christian life coach Dr. Arlene Churn; Dr. Mable John, a Los Angeles evangelist and former backup vocalist for Ray Charles; Chris Burge, a former Wall Street executive salesman who is saving souls in New York City and is also now a well known author; and a Washington, D.C., pastor who also runs a window-washing business. In voices joyful, clear, and strong, these mighty men and women of God convey messages of faith, love, and hope addressed directly to the heart.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Dr. Mable John—SATURATE THE HOUSE WITH PRAISE
Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes—ENNOBLING, ENABLING, POWERFUL
Smokie Norful—A TEACHABLE HEART
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry—I HAVE HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD AND I WILL ANSWER HIM
Pastor Jesse Andrus—JESUS IS ABOUT CHANGE
Dr. Arlene Churn—WALKING EPISTLES
Reverend Calvin Butts—CRY OUT TO HIM IN PAIN
Reverend Elliott Greene—THE MYSTERY OF HISTORY
Candi Staton—HE’S NO FARTHER THAN A THOUGHT AWAY
Pastor Reginald T. Johnson, Jr.—TURN, TURN, TURN
Chris Burge—THE BEAUTIFUL BUSINESS OF DOING GOD’S WILL
The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.—MY JOB IS TO PROCLAIM HIM
Pastor Willette A. Burgie—JESUS MEETS US WHEREVER WE ARE
Pastor Marvin L. Winans—HE IS THE SONG
Bishop Alice Pope—I AM A SERVANT
Reverend Altagracia Perez—ENCOMPASSED IN TRANQUILITY
Bishop Noel Jones—GOD IS SETTING YOU UP: SITUATIONS FOR REVELATIONS
Reverend Georgia Hill Thompson—THE IRRESISTIBLE PULL
Kirk Whalum—SACRED FOUNTAIN OF CREATIVE BEAUTY
Reverend Anthony Trufant—TURN OUR EYES INTO EARS
Pastor Jackie McCullough—THE LOVER OF OUR SOUL, THE HONEY IN THE ROCK
Pastor Donnie McClurkin—DELIVERANCE AND RECONCILIATION
Kirk Franklin—HEALED AND SEALED IN GRACE
Bishop Kenneth Ulmer—BUILDING CHAMPIONS FOR DIVINE DEPLOYMENT
Patrick Henderson—PRAISING GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE, WORSHIPPING HIM FOR WHO HE IS
“ . . . he who receives and welcomes and takes into his heart any messenger of mine receives me.” —John 13:20 (Amplified Bible)
David Ritz recently embraced Christianity, and Messengers is a tribute to the people who awakened his personal faith and to others, both famous and unknown, whose words—sometimes set to music—have inspired millions of believers. The gifted photographer Nicola Goode contributes glowing portraits of each of them.
The messengers are an extraordinarily diverse group: women and men; ministers and musicians; singers and teachers; preachers known throughout the world and preachers known only in their neighborhoods. There are stories and reflections from Bishop Noel Jones (brother of Grace); Harlem’s own Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts; Rev. Peter J. Gomes of Harvard; gospel mega-stars Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Winans, Smokey Norful, and Candi Staton; Christian life coach Dr. Arlene Churn; Dr. Mable John, a Los Angeles evangelist and former backup vocalist for Ray Charles; Chris Burge, a former Wall Street executive salesman who is saving souls in New York City and is also now a well known author; and a Washington, D.C., pastor who also runs a window-washing business. In voices joyful, clear, and strong, these mighty men and women of God convey messages of faith, love, and hope addressed directly to the heart.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Dr. Mable John—SATURATE THE HOUSE WITH PRAISE
Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes—ENNOBLING, ENABLING, POWERFUL
Smokie Norful—A TEACHABLE HEART
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry—I HAVE HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD AND I WILL ANSWER HIM
Pastor Jesse Andrus—JESUS IS ABOUT CHANGE
Dr. Arlene Churn—WALKING EPISTLES
Reverend Calvin Butts—CRY OUT TO HIM IN PAIN
Reverend Elliott Greene—THE MYSTERY OF HISTORY
Candi Staton—HE’S NO FARTHER THAN A THOUGHT AWAY
Pastor Reginald T. Johnson, Jr.—TURN, TURN, TURN
Chris Burge—THE BEAUTIFUL BUSINESS OF DOING GOD’S WILL
The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.—MY JOB IS TO PROCLAIM HIM
Pastor Willette A. Burgie—JESUS MEETS US WHEREVER WE ARE
Pastor Marvin L. Winans—HE IS THE SONG
Bishop Alice Pope—I AM A SERVANT
Reverend Altagracia Perez—ENCOMPASSED IN TRANQUILITY
Bishop Noel Jones—GOD IS SETTING YOU UP: SITUATIONS FOR REVELATIONS
Reverend Georgia Hill Thompson—THE IRRESISTIBLE PULL
Kirk Whalum—SACRED FOUNTAIN OF CREATIVE BEAUTY
Reverend Anthony Trufant—TURN OUR EYES INTO EARS
Pastor Jackie McCullough—THE LOVER OF OUR SOUL, THE HONEY IN THE ROCK
Pastor Donnie McClurkin—DELIVERANCE AND RECONCILIATION
Kirk Franklin—HEALED AND SEALED IN GRACE
Bishop Kenneth Ulmer—BUILDING CHAMPIONS FOR DIVINE DEPLOYMENT
Patrick Henderson—PRAISING GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE, WORSHIPPING HIM FOR WHO HE IS
“ . . . he who receives and welcomes and takes into his heart any messenger of mine receives me.” —John 13:20 (Amplified Bible)
224 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 2006
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 9, 2011
Great great book on the journey of faith and current of faith of many African American "messengers" of the Gospel who diverge on opinion and belief, but centre on the message of Christ and His life which transforms everything. Great book and one I highly recommend to everyone and especially those who have a more unethnically diverse library!
March 7, 2014
While I was moved by the different messages given by the different messengers, some moved me to worship, some to praise, some to thought and some to contemplation and conflict, however; what moved me most was the introduction by the author David Ritz. He made me see God afresh. And for that I say thank you...it was the simplicity of your words sir that captivated me the most...
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews