Religion

FOG (Favor of God) 4

Published

12 years ago

March 3, 2015

Oakland Post

by Pastor E.A. Deckard

Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward Times

“Whenever we think of Christ, we should recall the love that led Him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of His love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love Him.”

~ Saint Teresa of Avila

“The person who receives the most favors is the one who knows how to return them.”

~Syrus

Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) series has been life changing this month at the Green House International Church, “the place where you go to.” Forward Thinkers, on last week I was led to personally reach out to a family member whom was seeking the Lord for a major breakthrough; her son to receive a scholarship to college. I boldly told her to bring her son to the Green House International Church because, there would be a word declared that her son needed to hear. After church he and I stood in the church parking lot talking and he said, “Thank you. I got a lot out of the sermon this morning.” Forward Thinkers, I told him to repeat after me: “I receive it” and he did just as I requested. The next day, he received his first scholarship offer for college.

Forward Thinkers, this month I’ve been tagged on social media to several praise reports where people were publicly stating the impact the FOG (Favor of God) series was having on their life.

Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) is real. We have all heard the popular saying in our culture today, ‘the struggle is real’ but I cancel the struggle with the FOG (Favor of God). Forward Thinkers, do you have any proof today that the FOG (Favor of God) is real?

Luke 2:51-52 New International Version (NIV)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵²And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Forward Thinkers, let’s unpack this scripture loaded with a special package of favor. We must understand it takes all the ingredients inside the package to produce the desired outcome. You will not get the desired results by leaving out some of the major ingredients.

Forward Thinkers, let’s start by establishing the “He” in the text which is Jesus. The church must get back to the place where Jesus is our “standard.” The church is marketing to the world that we are Christians meaning that we are Christ-like but, the reality is the church is moving more and more away from teachings and actions of Christ daily. Forward Thinkers, Jesus came to give us an example to follow so the enemy would not be able to defeat us but, we have allowed the enemy to trick us into believing Jesus is outdated and old fashion. Jesus said, “He came so we could have life” and experience life to the fullest. We are struggling in life because, we are trying to figure out life when Jesus has already given us a winning playbook.

Forward Thinkers, how smart would it be to have the world famous recipe for chocolate chip cookies and then eliminate the chocolate from the bowl of ingredients and expect to achieve the desired result of producing chocolate chip cookies? Eliminating Jesus from the equation of living an abundant life makes just about as much sense as eliminating the chocolate.

Forward Thinkers, recently, a reporter asked me how I would describe myself and I said, “I’m a non-traditional Pastor with an out the box ministry mindset.” I have the social conscience of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. along with the activism spirit of “by any means necessary” of Malcolm X but I acknowledge without the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, I’m nothing. I said while I was trying to figure out who I was, God’s grace and mercy covered me and today the favor of God is carrying me.

Forward Thinkers, the desired outcome is to operate with the favor of God but, let’s observe all the ingredients that produce the favor of God and man in our life.

Forward Thinkers, Jesus was obedient. I know I just lost many of my readers right there because, a major ingredient to producing favor is obedience and most in today’s society believe obedience is a curse word.

Isaiah 1:19 New International Version (NIV)

19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

Forward Thinkers, remember, the bible says that God withholds no good thing from the righteous and its clear obedience is a major pathway to receiving the favor of God; obtaining all the good things known to man.

Ephesians 6:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Forward Thinkers, the bible says obey your parents and notice Jesus obeyed his parents. My grandparents spoiled me as a kid but I had to make good grades, go to church, and obey their rules. I could drive any car they owned, shop at any store I desired and used their line of credit as long as I obeyed their rules. Forward Thinkers, obedience produced favor in my life at an early age.

Forward Thinkers, wisdom is the next ingredient to receiving the favor of God. Jesus grew in wisdom. Are you growing in wisdom too? Remember when we seek wisdom we find the favor of God. I discovered wisdom is the foundation of wise decision making; wise decision makers flow in the favor of God. Wisdom is more than intelligence, because I know a large amount of smart people who make unwise decisions and operate outside the favor of God. I’m finally smart enough to know I’m not smart enough to operate at my fullest potential without the favor of God.

Forward Thinkers, stature is another ingredient in the favor of God package. Let me define stature: status, standing, influence, fame, the level of respect.

Forward Thinkers, remember God told Abraham, “I will make your name great” and as Forward Thinking believers, we receive all the promises Abraham received. The FOG (Favor of God) will also change how people treat you. When the favor of God is on you, that shift you’ve been seeking will find you. The favor of God will turn your situation from negative to victorious.

I realize someone is saying but Pastor I’ve made some poor decisions and my current standing is not good, and I’m disqualified from the favor of God. Let me remind you of Jacob, (the trickster) in the bible who made one great decision to turn his selfish ways around and turn to God. Forward Thinkers, that one decision released the favor of God in his life and he became a new person (Israel).

Forward Thinkers, let me encourage you to remand faithful to God while you wait on the Favor of God: to promote you into greatness. We love the story of Moses, the liberator of his people, but we often forget Moses spent his early life living in a foreign land on the run for murder, and living in the wilderness before he became the leader of all Israel.

Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) tracker is in full effect and people who ignored you, will now respect your gifts.

Forward Thinkers, obedience caused Jesus to grow into wisdom; wisdom produced the FOG (Favor of God) and the FOG (Favor of God) increased His stature. Forward Thinkers, your stature is changing for the better now.

Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) will come through man. God will use a man to grant you a promotion on your job, to approve a pay increase in your salary, to cause a debt reduction in your financial affairs, loans will be approved, resources for school will be discovered, and blessings on delay will finally be released.

Pastor E. A. Deckard is the Senior Pastor/Founder of the Green House International Church located, 16711 Ella Blvd. Houston, Texas, 77090. To contact Pastor Deckard for speaking engagements contact him at pr.ghic@gmail.com or the church website www.ghic.net.

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Allen Temple Baptist Church Hosts Free Prostate Cancer Screenings on Oct. 17

The summit’s mission is to reduce the impact of prostate cancer through education, early detection, research, and support. It is presented in partnership with The Oakland Institute of Health, Inc., SCAN, Brotherhood of Elders Network, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Alameda County Public Health Department, Stanford Medicine Cancer Center, Impact Oakland Now, Bay Area Umoja Health, Bay Area Black Nurses Association, Inc., and 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc.

Published

2 days ago

October 13, 2026

Post News Group

By Rev. Charlotte Y. Williams, Special to The Post

The Prostate Cancer 2500™ Care Summit brings together health systems, community organizations, and survivors to put early detection within reach

Black men in America are diagnosed with prostate cancer more often than other men and are about twice as likely to die from it. Early detection changes that outcome.

On Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Allen Temple Baptist Church will host the Prostate Cancer 2500™ Care Summit (#PC2500), a free event open to the entire community.

. Attendees can receive prostate cancer screenings and health consultations on site, learn about prevention and nutrition, ask medical experts questions in an interactive Q&A, and hear from survivors who will share their stories and offer support.

Screening is recommended beginning at age 45, and at age 40 for Black men with a family history of prostate cancer. All men are welcome, and families are encouraged to attend.

For more information prior to the event, reach out to Rev. Charlotte Y. Williams at (510) 604-5242 | cwilliams@allen-temple.org

For more information on the day of the event, reach out to Deacon Dwight Williams (510) 501-1650 dwight.williams@allen-temple.org. The church is located at 8501 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94621 The service is free and free parking and refreshments will be provided. The site is accessible to persons with disabilities. To pre-register, go to Allen-Temple.org

Allen Temple Baptist Church was organized in 1919 in Oakland. For 107 years, ATBC has served as a bright beacon of faith, hope, and love beyond its’ four walls. Allen Temple is committed to sharing the love of God and the message of Good News throughout the world. We welcome people of all ages and cultural backgrounds as we joyfully celebrate worship and fellowship, and carry out ministries of evangelism, discipleship, education, community outreach, and global missions. Allen Temple’s holistic, prophetic and social justice ministries address the needs of the whole person as well as the whole community. Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson.

Rev. Charlotte Y. Williams is the minister and director of Communications at Allen Temple Baptist Church.

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Black History

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Publishes Global Circle’s Vatican Reparations Call in Special Edition Alongside Heads of State

GLOBAL CIRCLE FOR REPARATIONS AND HEALING — Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published the Global Circle for Reparations and Healing’s submission, “From Accra to the Vatican,” in a special edition of The Ghanaian Envoy. This marks the first time a sovereign state has incorporated the Reparations Presentment to the Holy See into its official record. The 175-page edition, titled “Creating A New World,” also documents Ghana’s campaign that led to UN Resolution A/RES/80/250, which recognized the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

Post News Group

International responses to Ghana-led UN resolutions declaring the transatlantic enslavemen the gravest crime against humanity

“From Accra to the Vatican” appears in The Ghanaian Envoy Special Edition on UN Resolution A/RES/80/250 — the first time a sovereign state has carried the Reparations Presentment to the Holy See into its official record

ACCRA, Ghana / CHICAGO, Illinois — October 7, 2026 — The Global Circle for Reparations and Healing today announced that its submission to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “From Accra to the Vatican: A Call for a Global Plan of Action on Catholic Church Redress”, has been published in the Special Edition of The Ghanaian Envoy, the official newsletter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana. The 175-page edition, titled “Creating A New World,” documents the Ghana-led campaign that culminated on March 25, 2026, in United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250, which declared the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialized chattel enslavement of Africans the gravest crime against humanity.

The Global Circle’s submission, authored by Co-Convener Kamm Howard, appears in Part V of the edition, “What Repair Must Now Mean,” at page 161. It shares the volume with statements by President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. of Liberia, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia, President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye of Senegal, President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova of São Tomé and Príncipe, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, African Union Commissioner Amma Twum-Amoah, CARICOM Reparations Commission Chair Sir Hilary Beckles, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Dr. Julius Garvey, and Congressional Black Caucus Executive Director Vincent Evans, among others.

The submission traces the Global Circle’s delivery of the Reparations Presentment to the Holy See in Vatican City on July 18, 2022, the document’s subsequent use by the former Vice President of Costa Rica and the Vice President of Colombia in their engagements with Pope Francis, and the partial response contained in Pope Leo XIV’s May 2026 encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. It argues that while three of the Presentment’s seven demands have entered the Church’s official language in diluted form, four remain wholly unmet: rescission of the papal bulls that authorized African enslavement, the Church’s call upon other offending Western nations to make redress, the establishment of a joint Vatican–African Diaspora–African Papal Commission on Reparations and Healing, and a substantial financial commitment to repair. The submission asks Ghana to adopt the Presentment as the reference instrument for a Vatican track within the Accra Next Steps Commitments and to convene a first meeting of Global African reparationists toward a collective response.

“For four years the Presentment has been a civil society document carried by civil society hands,” said Kamm Howard, Co-Convener of the Global Circle and Commissioner of the National African American Reparations Commission. “Ghana has now placed it in the official record of a sovereign state, in a volume that opens with a President’s address to the General Assembly and closes by asking what repair must mean. That is not a courtesy. It is a signal to every government, every reparations commission, and every African Catholic that the claim against the Holy See belongs on the state agenda, and that the state which broke the deadlock at the United Nations is prepared to see it there.”

The significance of the publication extends beyond the Vatican file. The Presentment was created as a legal claims instrument by Howard in 2014 and first delivered to corporations and institutions in the United States, where it secured significant concessions. Its appearance in a foreign ministry’s official publication, translated and distributed in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian, establishes the reparations presentment as a recognized instrument of international reparatory diplomacy, one that other states and descendant communities can adopt without drafting a new framework of their own. The Global Circle has described this catalytic potential as the “N’namba Effect,” after the Evanston, Illinois, reparations initiative – led by N’nanba Robin Rue Simmons – that gave municipalities across the United States the model, permission, and courage to act.

“The Vatican told us in 2022 that it moves in fifteen-year increments,” Howard added. “Ghana has just demonstrated at the United Nations that a determined state can compress that timeline to a single vote. We are asking Ghana to do for the Church what it did for the General Assembly, and we are asking Global Africa to organize behind that ask with one document, one voice, and one set of demands.”

The Global Circle has written to President Mahama and Foreign Minister Ablakwa to express its gratitude and to propose that its Vatican and Interreligious Actors Working Group lead the first meeting on a collective Vatican response under the auspices of the Government of Ghana. The Global Circle has also formally advised the Congressional Black Caucus of the publication in connection with its pending request that the Caucus recognize the Presentment as the foundational document for reparations engagement with the Roman Catholic Church and join the Government of Ghana in this global call to action.

###

About the Global Circle for Reparations and Healing

The Global Circle for Reparations and Healing was convened in 2022 to help build united global reparations front across Africa and its worldwide diaspora. In July 2022 the Global Circle delivered the Reparations Presentment to the Holy See in Vatican City. It co-organized Accra Summit I in August 2022 with the Government of Ghana and the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund, and led the organization of Accra Summit II: Centering Healing Across Global Africa in March 2025 in partnership with the African Union. The Reparations Presentment to the Holy See is available in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish at gcrh.org.

Media Contact

Global Circle for Reparations and Healing

Kamm Howard, Co-Convenor

Kammh369@gmail.com 773 520 0369

gcrh.org

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Black History

IN MEMORIAM: The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark, Longtime Orange County Pastor and Community Leader, Dies at 72

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, the longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a prominent faith and community leader in Orange County, passed away on September 9 at the age of 72. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated his life to service. He served various Southern California churches before leading New Spirit Baptist Church for over 22 years, extending his work into counseling, mentoring, and civic engagement, and supporting the African American community. To learn more about his life and contributions, read more.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community.

Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978. After acknowledging his call to ministry in 1980, he preached his first sermon and went on to serve churches throughout Southern California, including Second Baptist Church in Riverside, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Rubidoux, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, and Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda.

In November 2003, Clark was called to lead New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he served as pastor for more than 22 years. His work extended beyond the pulpit through counseling, mentoring, civic engagement, and efforts to strengthen Orange County’s African American community.

Clark served on the Orange County Heritage Council and supported efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture. He helped organize the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, served on the Interfaith Committee and the Orange County Transit Authority, and served as president of the Orange County Ministers Conference.

In 2024, the City of Santa Ana recognized Clark for his contributions to the community. He also received the Orange County Southern Baptist Association Hall of Faith Award and was previously honored as Pastor of the Year by the Orange County Heritage Council.

Clark is survived by his wife, Andrea Joyles Clark; six children, Shawn Williams, Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Kyla Coward, Joshua Clark, Marissa Clark and Ashley Clark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings; extended family; and the New Spirit Baptist Church congregation.

A wake will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Spirit Baptist Church, 701 S. Sullivan St. in Santa Ana, with a remembrance service from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Oct. 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda. Viewing begins at noon, followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will take place Monday, Oct. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Clark often shared a guiding principle that shaped his ministry: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”