Global Pentecostalism Center Fall Lecture – Lakeland, FL
I am presenting the fall lecture for the Global Pentecostalism Center at Southeastern University tonight at 7pm (EST) and there's a word burning in my spirit. I believe our christian witness is at stake. The world is watching the way the Church has responded to cultural issues over the past two years. We inhabit time and place in this unique season in our culture. We have an opportunity to engage our community and embrace conversations about race and economics in our communities in a way that will open doors to share the motivation of our love. As our culture grows farther apart, the...
A New Season for the Docusens
Have you ever had a season of life that turned out completely different than you envisioned? We aren't promised floodlights on the pathway to God's purpose for our lives. We are promised a lamplight to guide one or two steps at a time. Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, "God's Word is a lamp to guide your feet and a light for your path." Our family moved an hour down the road from Charlotte to Winston Salem, NC one year ago. I have spent the past year meeting new friends, colleagues in ministry, and residents of our new hometown. Each step along the way has been illuminated by our time spent with...
Neighborliness Video Group Study (FREE Resource)
The Neighborliness Video Group Study is designed for your church small group, leadership team, or group of friends. All you need is a facilitator and a place to meet. Simply hit play and I will lead your group in a one hour discussion from my living room in North Carolina to wherever you're meeting across the world. We will discuss relevant cultural topics and lead you into deeper relationships across dividing lines. Neighborliness points straight to Jesus and his love and leads us into relationships with others. Each group includes: Conversation starter to get the group warmed up....
Neighborliness on Good Morning America
"I don't want to make you nervous," Courtney (producer at GMA3) said to me, "but four million people will be watching this interview." We both laughed. "Honestly," I replied, "I'm not super nervous, I'm just ready to share this message that burns so deep in my heart to see our culture unified across dividing lines." I might be nervous tomorrow. Today, I'm grateful and ready. It's still so surreal that this is happening. We adapted the content of the interview on this call because of the mass shooting & tragic loss of life in Buffalo. Courtney asked me if it would be ok if they start the...
Neighborliness Hits #1 as New Release
Friends & fam - Quick update from an amazing week ... Neighborliness hit number one in three different categories on Amazon this week for new releases and climbed all the way into the top six of all books in two different categories ... praise God! Quick request for your help ... Post about the book on your social media. Commenting and sharing things about the book helps keep it in people's feed, as well. Write a review on Amazon or GoodReads.com (or wherever you bought your copy). Tag me and use all the hashtags you can dream up (this actually helps) The more traction we get from...
Neighborliness at Target, Walmart, & Good Morning America
It’s easy to give God the glory when you know you’re in the middle of a miracle. “I have great news for you. We have just booked you on Good Morning America in April.” I rubbed my eyes to see if I was reading the email from my public relations manager at Harper Collins right. “Dara, look at this.” I said handing her my phone, “Chasity just booked me on Good Morning America.” I think I was expecting my wife to read something different back to me. "Good Morning America, there's no way," I said to myself. ABC’s morning show averages 3.3 million viewers each day and they want to spend five...
Lent – A Season of Fasting, Prayer, and Preparation
Would you give up a few things that you enjoy to cultivate your relationship with the person you love the most? That's the idea behind a season of fasting and prayer called Lent. Lent is the 40-day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter that helps us focus our attention on God. Fasting, quite simply, is removing something from your normal routine and replacing that time with prayer and reflection toward God. I highly recommend some sort of a fast multiple times per year. The spiritual and physical benefits are well-documented. People mistakenly assume that fasting is simply going...
New Neighborliness Sermon Series, Small Group, and Churchwide Resources
Pastors and church leaders! After being a pastor in the local church for twenty years, I know how important it is to have the right message at the right time for your church family. I believe that the message of Neighborliness is a timely word from God for our nation. It's been a joy to see people all across the country using our resources to spark conversations that help us practically embody the presence of Jesus for our neighbors. Neighborliness has been used in every imaginable setting across racial, economic, and cultural lines in our country. I have been so encouraged to see the way...
How to Teach Your Kids (or Yourself) to Read the Bible & Pray
"Dad, I really want to read and Bible and pray, but sometimes I just don't know what to read or say." My son, Max, looked back at me with a genuine look in his eyes. He continued, "Sometimes I walk in and see you reading the Bible or hear you praying in the morning and I just wish I knew how to do that for forty-five minutes or an hour." My four kids are amazing. They love Jesus and share his love with others. But like any other teenagers, they are still learning what it means to have spiritual disciplines. I spent quite a bit of time at the end of the 2020 reading, thinking through, and...
Racial/Economic Unity: A Six-Month Framework for Your Church or Organization
What are you doing to intentionally move toward racial and economic unity/diversity in your church or organization? This is a question that is vitally important to ministering/leading in the context of our culture. The world is watching. I think that the church and God-honoring organizational leaders can be a shining beacon of light that stand out in the darkness. However, there has to be a practical plan. Seeing churches respond to the message of my book, Neighborliness, has been awesome, but I my favorite piece of the journey has been seeing the way that pastors and community leaders have...
