The Well-Known Preacher, Celebrity Advisor and Prayer Warrior Details Her Battles with Depression, Infertility, Insecurity, and Loss in Upcoming Book, Ferocious Warrior: Dismantle Your Enemy and Rise
Following in the footsteps of her father, New York Times bestselling author, movie producer and pastor of The Potter’s House Church, T.D. Jakes, Cora Jakes Coleman has once again added author to her list of accomplished professional titles. Already a preacher, spiritual advisor to numerous celebrities, including Letoya Luckett and Tamar Braxton, and director of the Children’s Ministry at The Potter’s House Church of Dallas, Cora Jakes Coleman shares her personal journey with infertility, loss, depression, and insecurity in her upcoming book, Ferocious Warrior: Dismantle Your Enemy and Rise, which will be released Tuesday July 16, 2019.
In “Ferocious Warrior,” Cora details how she faced and overcame difficult obstacles common to women, including infertility. Leading with faith after two failed in vitro fertilization attempts, Cora realized her lifelong dream of becoming a mother through adoption. Now the mother of two beautiful children, a girl and a boy, Cora shares how ferocious faith wouldn’t allow her to give up on her dreams.
“I have fought, and am still fighting, hard against infertility, but I have learned that infertility goes beyond the physical.”
Cora Jakes Coleman
She also discusses how she battled and won over depression and insecurity. In her latest book, Cora encourages readers, especially women, to learn how to pray by faith. She details the hurt and disappointment she felt after losing the foster son she had loved since his birth. “God used the hurt in my heart to heal me,” she said. “God always has a plan. I couldn’t see what God would bring after heartbreak. I just believed He would bring something good.”
In Ferocious Warrior, Cora offers strategies to help identify the tactics and agenda of the enemy, and the obstacles to your breakthrough. Known around the world as a ferocious prayer warrior who often moves audiences to tears, Cora also gives step-by-step instructions on how to implement the five principles of prayer. Each chapter ends with prayers that teaches the reader the secret of how to pray and ask God for exactly what you want. These powerful prayers encourage readers to use pain as a catalyst to catapult them to the next level.
In spite facing many difficult challenges in life, Cora Jakes Coleman shows how to think like a warrior and win even the toughest fights in life, career, relationships, and love.
Ferocious Warrior: Dismantle Your Enemy and Risewill be released on July 16, 2019 and can be purchased anywhere books are sold.
Bishop Marvin L. Sapp to Retire as Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Full Life CenterWill Assume Position of Senior Pastor at Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas in September
We interrupt your after church nap to bring you HUGE news out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Bishop Marvin L. Sapp today announced to his congregation that he is retiring as Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center. He has accepted the personal request of Bishop Richard E. Young to assume the role of Senior Pastor of Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas. Bishop Young is a close family friend who is like an Uncle to Marvin Sapp.
Bishop Young has been the pastor of Chosen Vessel since 1985. In April he announced that he will retire to Emeritus status effective September 14th, 2019.
“When I began considering retirement, it was the Spirit of the Lord that prompted me to call Marvin,” says Bishop Young. “Not only is there a relationship rooted in mutual respect, but Marvin has proven himself to be extremely loyal. This ministry is one that I have spent the majority of my life building, and I want it to go to the next level. I know that Bishop Marvin Sapp will be committed and will lead Chosen Vessel to new levels, and that is why I asked him to be my successor.”
Marvin Sapp’s last day as Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center will be the first Sunday in September. He will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Lighthouse Full Life Center and will continue to provide spiritual oversight. Sapp will preach his first sermon as Senior Pastor of Chosen Vessel on September 15th. The date of Bishop Sapp’s installation will be announced in the near future.
Marvin Sapp is Metropolitan Bishop within the Global United Fellowship, under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Neil C. Ellis, where he oversees more than 100 churches in 19 states. In addition to being a gifted preacher, he is an author, radio show host and internationally renowned singer who has enjoyed a decorated 30 year music career, receiving 24 Stellar Awards, 2 Soul Train Music Awards, 2 BET Awards, 2 Dove Awards and 8 BMI Songwriter’s Awards for sales along with many other accolades and honors from national, regional and local institutions. He is a multiple Grammy and Billboard Award nominee and, in 2015, was named Billboard’s Top Male Gospel Artist.
Below is the Official Statement from Bishop Marvin Sapp:
When MaLinda and I started Lighthouse Full Life Center in 2003, it was with a clear focus on building a strong church that would be a wellspring of spiritual teaching and growth in Grand Rapids – a church firmly rooted in solid bible teaching and firmly focused on serving the Grand Rapids community.
Sixteen years later, I am proud of the presence that Lighthouse has in Grand Rapids. We have been consistent in our commitment to excellence in ministry and we have been consistent in our service to the community. We also have been good stewards of our resources: the church is debt free, which facilitates the ability to focus on the most important aspect of its existence – the needs of the people.
As most people know, the personal, professional and spiritual transitions in my life over the past eight years have been tremendous. Through the divine direction of God, I have kept a focus on my family, Lighthouse Full Life Center and my work in the City of Grand Rapids while managing life-altering change. I have been content in doing so, as the Word tells me to be content in all things.
However, in August of 2017, the Lord told me that 2018 was going to be the year for me to begin again. In 2018, I received multiple prophecies about transitioning from Grand Rapids. I initially rejected them. However, reminded of what the Lord told me, I began to be more contemplative and prayerful about the many opportunities that I was presented with to possibly assume church leadership roles in other cities.
This year, an opportunity was presented that I know represents the fulfillment of the prophecies I had received. As such, I am announcing my retirement as Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center. The first Sunday in September will be my final Sunday at Lighthouse. I will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Lighthouse, and will provide spiritual oversight of the church.
On September 15th, I will become the Senior Pastor of Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Forth Worth, Texas.
I received the call directly from Bishop Richard Young that he planned to retire this year and wanted me to take over his church. After considerable prayer and counsel, it became clear to me that this request was predestined. Bishop Young was like a brother to my spiritual father, the late Bishop William C. Abney. In fact, Bethel Pentecostal Church, which Bishop Abney led for more than 50 years, was founded by Bishop Young’s father. This is why I cherish the opportunity to continue the legacy of the great men of God who have impacted my life. It is something that I know in my heart is meant for me to do.
I will announce my successor at Lighthouse Full Life Center soon. The beauty of God’s timing with this transition is that Lighthouse is not going to miss a beat. The ministry birthed by MaLinda and I is firmly established, the pastoral team is comprised of gifted spiritual leaders who will function with continued excellence and care, and the church itself is unburdened by debt.
I am confident Lighthouse Full Life Center will flourish and its legacy will continue, as I move to Fort Worth, Texas to continue the legacy that is left for me.
If you follow the lightning rod of the church better known as former pastor of 20 years and inimitable, charismatic and uber-hilarious host of Larry Reid Live, then you know the name Andrea Garrison rings a bell. Miss Garrisson was the subject of one of Larry Reid’s most engaging shows early on. Reid fearlessly tackles hot topics within the church and gospel music community and with his expose’ on Victor Couzens burst open wide the culture of misdeeds by ministers. Reid also made a number of appeals to ministers and pastors who fathered children out of wedlock and through extra-marital affairs to take care of their children and become an active part in their lives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlcfvpfqpPo
Who could forget the ongoing saga of Larry Reid and the latest with Pastor John Gray? It seemed as though Reid had new “alleged” information each week and countered each press clip and sound byte Pastor Gray and his Wife, Aventer shared. Even Iyanla Van Zandt and RCA Inspiration exec Phil Thornton hit the line when Rob Hatcher chose Reid’s proverbial couch as his choice to decompress and defend himself following an explosive two part episode of “Iyanla: Fix My Life” with troubled gospel superstar Le’Andria Johnson.
Reid’s incessant injection of spots from the Prophetic College are met with interest, concern and dismay and Reid praises Master Prophet E. Bernard Jordan. In this clip, Reid brings the conversation from his show offline as he engages the women of the prophetic college. In this clip, Andrea Garrison joins the conversation and a new level of discourse emerges. Regardless of what you think of Reid, his show and the “entertainment” that ensues during each episode, he deserves credit for taking this issue beyond the bounds of social media fodder and into the realm of dealing with it and even the possibility of healing from the plethora of issues that perpetuate this shortcoming.
This shortened clip began making the rounds this week and many people agree with this last commenter. I watched this yesterday and I agree that we need disruptions to church as normal to begin to have this conversation. This is the season we’re in…a disruption and those who are willing to disrupt and be disrupted will see what God is doing. Sorry if you didn’t get on in the last wave, we’re moving on…and it looks like recovery from the last wave in so many areas!
Do you agree with the last commenter that much of what people have accepted is institutionalized hypocrisy? Share your thoughts with me below, in the comments.
In perhaps his most hilarious video to date, John Crist spoofed a virtual reality church experience and I couldn’t stop laughing! It is can’t miss comedy, for sure! As believers, we often fall short in our attempts to laugh at ourselves, but John Crist is here to save us from our otherwise stoic selves! I even commented on the video: “it’s like he knows our hearts!” In reality (no pun intended), he does. Since the inception of the church, believers have grappled with coming together to worship, for numerous reasons and have done so with a bevy of excuses.
“Tired of having to wake up, get dressed and drive across town just to attend your favorite service?”
In the spoof, Crist’s fictitious virtual reality allows you to choose your church building, your outfit, level of human interaction, performance level of the worship leader, sermon style (conviction level), and one of the most ‘impressive features, a kickoff notification. Never shying away from the natural comedy derived from a church service, Crist’s virtual reality church even provides guidance for coming up to prayer at the virtual altar at a Pentecostal church advising virtual attendees to “always stand in front of a mattress”.
The virtual reality church exists with one purpose, to “make Sunday all about you”! The fictional experience is billed as “the future of church attendance” but is sadly the continuation of a problem that has dogged the church from the beginning.
Read the Gallup report on church attendance this year, here.
No need for an exit poll, these are exactly the issues churchgoers bring up when asked about church attendance. The desire to attend a service tailor made for such a broad audience keeps church leadership teams on the edge as they seek to please God and appease the critical congregants.
There’s no denying the side-splitting comedy of Crist’s video, but with it comes a sobering reality. While many believers claim to love Jesus and profess to be a follower, many want to do so from the comfort of their own home or simply from their comfort. This is not following Christ at all, instead those believers have made an idol of their time, their desires, their money and even their desire to not fellowship.
The Apostle Paul addressed this in the 10th chapter of Hebrews saying: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;). And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
In his commentary on the Apostle Paul’s words, Matthew Henry said: “Christians ought to have a tender consideration and concern for one another. A good example given to others is the best and most effectual provocation to love and good works. Even in those times there were some who forsook these assemblies. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a good means of steadiness and perseverance.”
John Crist seldom misses the comedic mark, and a few of his videos have been judged as mildly controversial. More often, the videos are cause for introspection for the many viewers whose normalcy is spoofed as dysfunction. In most cases, this is the cause of said controversy. John Crist’s comedy doesn’t make the church look ugly, it makes the church look at its ugliness!
Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Garland, Texas invites you the Christmas Musical Drama, Written by Pastor Leonard O. Leach, The Scandal That Saved Us! Saturday, December 15th at 2pm and Sunday, December 16th, 8am & 11am. The Scandal That Saved Us tells the story of the Virgin Birth. Heavenly speaking, it was a miracle. Humanly speaking, it was a SCANDAL!
The production also includes original music and features the Mt. Hebron Worship & Fine Arts Ministry. The Scandal That Saved Us, this weekend ON THE MOUNT and its FREE!
Bishop Jakes Captures Historic Mother-to-Mother Moment: Sybrina Fulton Honors Allison Jean at International Gathering
A brief word from SMG founder, Fred Willis: Last night when I saw this, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. To hear from this mother, still in the throes of grief, flanked by Bishop, Lady Jakes and Sybrina Fulton was a lot to grasp. Bishop Jakes serves as Pastor to Dallas County DA, Faith Johnson who is charged with the pursuit of justice for Botham Jean’s unjust killing. DA Johnson has quite a task on her hands because successfully prosecuting and ultimately convicting police officers in America is not yet the norm.
In his wisdom, I’m certain that Bishop Jakes is praying for DA Johnson and the Jean family who are both seeking justice in this matter. For Johnson, the conviction of Amber Guyger could come at the cost of her professional career if some officers and unions have their way. In this moment, I celebrate Bishop Jakes, Lady Serita Jakes and God’s Leading Ladies for bestowing this honor and placing the weight of their support and prayers behind this family who has endured an international tragedy.-Fred
Trayvon Martin‘s mother, Sybrina Fulton, presented the Lady of Grace award to Allison Jean, mother of Botham Jean, last night during the God’s Leading Ladies gala at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Woman, Thou Art Loosed!Master Class conference. The award recognizes Jean’s grace, courageous faith, strength and resilience as she rose up to advocate not only for her son, but for others who have unjustly lost their lives.
https://youtu.be/WYVIDIhWqvg
The historic moment captured the two women who are inextricably linked by the tragic and unexpected loss of their sons through racially motivated violence: one to an overzealous neighbor and the other to an off-duty police officer. Fulton has become an advocate and consoler to other families who have lost loved ones due to violence.
Jakes, senior pastor of The Potter’s House, has worked to keep public attention on the issue of racially unjust violence:
“This is a 200-year-old problem that we are still facing within contemporary society. Today too many families have become victims to senseless tragedies. Now is the time to unite and not divide. We need leaders of all colors to come together and recognize we have a problem across America. My hope and prayer is that together as a community we can work together to educate society and change this disturbing pattern. Regardless of race and background, every mother should feel that her children are safe.”
The 2018 Woman, Thou Art Loosed! Master Class runs until Oct. 20 at The Potter’s House in Dallas. For more than 25 years, Woman, Thou Art Loosed! has been training, teaching and inspiring more than half a million women. This year’s new Master Class format will feature breakout panels on topics such as the challenges female leaders face in male-dominated work environments, how to achieve work-life balance, how to succeed in corporate America and tips to maintain healthy relationships.
Visit WTAL.org for more information on confirmed speakers, talent, the full schedule and special event updates. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @MyWTALConf.
