Hello My Sisters and Brothers, The Lord Blessed the Michigan Conference Lay Organization this past Saturday with the presence of Mr. Robert Matthews,III as a presenter at their Annual Winter Workshop. This man is a true gift from God and he was able to share his knowledge about religion and the African Methodist Church in a most outstanding manner. His topic was, "The Priesthood of All Believers." Clergy and laity were in attendance and all were inspired. I thank the late Rev. Fisher for the opportunity to meet this man via "A.M.E. Today." Had it not been for this Bulletin Board, there is a strong possibility that I never would have learned of the talents of Mr. Matthews. What a Blessing! To God Be the Glory! In His Service and Care, Barbara A. Robinson,President Michigan Conference Lay Organization

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2005

Answers

We are indeed blessed to have Robert Matthews III in our zion! Bro. Matthews III has been a guardian angel to so many of us on the board.

Rev. Fisher had a dream that this board would be a vehicle for incredible ministry. Many of us are life long friends because we met on the board.

The ame herald is a by product of this board. And a continuation of Rev. Fisher's work. And by the way I did not know how to design a web page at all. I taught myself. I was going to quit the day before the herald was to be published, because I couldn/t figure out how to design a web publication. Bro. Matthews III stayed up all night and encouraged me and told me I could not quit!

I have asked the fifth district lay president to invite Bro. Matthews III to speak to our laity. And I would encourage every lay district to take advantage of this ame treasure.

Thank you bro. matthews III for always being there for everyone.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2005

WE are soooooooo blessed. For two years i have been fasting praying and begging God for a break through in my congregation. God is faithful.For the past two months the congregation has been growing ,spiritually and numerically.It is such a pleasure to go to church on Sunday and I give God all the glory. Everyone is exCited. A member shared with me that he went visiting another members home and said."You better come and see otherwise you will miss the boat." The blessings of the Sunday School material. WOW. Got a phone call that our congregation are to be receipents of the Joshua Children's Mission love boxes from USA,WOW. I praise God minute by minute. He has really seen the desire of my heart that the congregation abide in Him. On Sunday the sermon was Matthew 8:13 "According to your faith". Instead of negative talk amongst the members the sermon is the centre point of discussion. Is'nt it wonderful. Only God can perform such a mighty miracle.I GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2005

All I can do is quote the words of AMEC Hymn #84.

"Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessing all mine and ten thousand beside!"

At no time have I ever been treated more graciously or received more hospitably than I was treated and received by the wonderful people in Michigan this past weekend.

The event was well planned and executed with the greatest of care, expertise and skill. I shall be forever grateful to the members of the Michigan Conference—both the clergy and the laity, Sister Barbara Robinson, Sister Helen Oliver, The Pastor and Members of the host church (Newman), Sister Tamanika Terry, who showed my Powerpoint, and many others who planned for and assisted me in executing it.

To top it off I came back home to a warm reception as Lay Day Speaker at Allen Temple Church. This all came six years to the very date that I completely lost my hearing, the sight in one eye and the doctors gave me a total of three days to live, advising my family to remove the life support and let me die in peace. To which my family replied, "If he is going to die let him die on the life support, meanwhile we know another doctor to call in on this case."

When I recovered, my family was told that I would live out the rest of my days as a "vegetable", since both my brain and spine had suffered traumatic damage which at the time seemed to be irreparable.

It goes without saying that I never dreamed, even a year ago that the Michigan Conference Lay even knew my name or would consider me for such a wonderful task as this, nor would the Lay Organization of Allen Temple Church. So the Blessings were All Mine and God allowed both these organizations to bless me royally—blessings filled with Christian Charity.

Jesus has said, "By this will all men know that you are my disciples, That you love one another as I have loved you." This weekend I witnessed the classic example of it.

Additionally, when I lost my hearing I had to give up my job teaching music in the public schools. Three weeks ago the school system called me and said we know you have a Cochlear Implant and that you do not hear music in the way you have been used to hearing it. However, We want you to take a position teaching music on Thursday and Friday for the rest of the year. This I did and on last Thursday I doubled all classes so that on Friday I could spend the day in Michigan. Since I worked several years at Camp Baber, it was like a homecoming event for me.

This year the Lord has blessed me with a loving, caring and wonderful pastor as well. She is one of God’s finest servants, preachers, teachers, pastors and ministers.

"Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside!"

So I hope those reading this will loudly and gladly proclaim with me; for the message of it is yours as well:

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2005

When I read that you were speaking on the AME Herald, there was no doubt in my mind you would be a blessing. I am so thankful for this board. I may never see many of you, but I have found a wonderful addition to my family.

God bless you.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2005