Christopher McCorvey, Eric Reason, Micheal Lorenzo Dean, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.  These are just some of the black people who have lost their lives to police brutality in 2020 alone.

For over 400 years, black people have been fighting for their lives; fighting for basic human rights; fighting against racism, prejudice, and police brutality in the United States. 

Currently, numerous cities around the world are being bombarded with mass protests as a response to the senseless death of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, MN.  They have gathered in the streets to demand justice not only for George Floyd but the many others who have lost their lives throughout the years to the unwarranted acts of police officers and renegade vigilantes.

On June 1st, Breath of Life Speaker/Director, Dr. Carlton Byrd, was invited to deliver the keynote address at a peaceful protest under the theme “Together We March,” held in downtown Huntsville, AL.  This peaceful protest was organized by Brendan Lewis, a student at Oakwood University.  Lewis sought to let his voice be heard peacefully, along with many others, in the streets of Huntsville, as well as around the world. 

During his speech, Byrd called for Huntsville residents to protest peacefully.  Still, he also urged listeners who are privileged to take a stand and speak out against racism, injustice, and police brutality. 

Marching around the downtown courthouse, Byrd, along with nearly 2,000 protesters, marched in solidarity chanting, “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!” “BLACK LIVES MATTER!” “I CAN’T BREATHE!” “SAY HIS NAME!” (a reference to George Floyd). These and other phrases rallied the crowd to promote peace and justice peacefully.

This demonstration displayed the diversity of Huntsville and the widespread commitment to equality.  Organizers noted that the event drew people from a myriad of ethnicities, cultures, and walks of life. 

Among the protesters, Jessica Marcotte and Kerry Mari, who, when asked why they joined the peaceful protest, stated they joined the protest because they believed that killing people because of their skin color is wrong. 

“There are high intense emotions right now, and even though I have white skin, I have god-children, nieces, and nephews who don’t match my skin tone, and it shouldn’t be a differentiating factor,” Mari said. “I’m angry that it is, so if I have a voice that people are going to listen to, I’m going to use it.” 

 Marcotte also voiced that her family has not always been the people they should’ve been when it came to issues on racism and she has chosen to distance herself from them for that reason. “I don’t want to be family with someone who stands by their ancestors treating others incorrectly,” she said. 

They also made 50 black masks with words written in white, “I can’t breathe,” to donate to protestors who had no masks.  These are the voices Byrd called for, the voices many individuals across the United States are calling for, privileged people to stand up for what is right.

At the end of the protest, Dr. Byrd was not only impressed with the numbers of people that showed up to honor George Floyd but was also thankful that the protest remained peaceful.  

“I praise God for what transpired today.  What took place was for all people – black people, white people, red people, yellow people– with one message: Black Lives Matter.  No justice, no peace,” he said. “With this solidarity, I know that God heard us.  But I’m also hoping that our municipal leaders heard us.  It’s important that our municipal leaders, the mayor and the city council, hear us, but not just our leaders here in Huntsville, but also across the nation –  Atlanta, Washington, DC, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Minneapolis.”

John 13:34 states, “A new command I give you.  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  This diverse protest is a reminder that we are stronger together, and when we love each other, the power of love heals, unites, and restores.

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Pastor Walter L. Pearson, Jr. was born on November 18, 1945, in Mobile, AL.  He graduated from Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) in 1967 with a degree in Religion and Theology.

Pastor Pearson joined the Adventist ministry in 1969 as the Associate Pastor of the Glenville Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Cleveland, OH, alongside his mentor and Senior Pastor, Pastor Harold L. Cleveland.  Pearson was later ordained at the Allegheny West Conference Camp Meeting in 1971.

Because of his love for and the ability to communicate with young people, Pearson was invited to be the Youth and Urban Ministries Director for the Allegheny West Conference.  He later served as the Senior Pastor of the North Philadelphia SDA Church in Philadelphia, PA, and the Berean SDA Church in Atlanta, GA.  While serving as the Senior Pastor of the Berean Church, he was also a member of the Executive Board of Mayor Maynard H. Jackson’s “Atlanta Religious Mobilization Against Crime.” 

In 1991, he became the first Seventh-day Adventist inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers and Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College in Atlanta. 

Upon the recommendation of retiring Breath of Life Television Ministries Speaker/Director, Pastor C.D. Brooks, Pearson became the Speaker/Director for Breath of Life in 1998 and served in this capacity for 12 years (1998-2010).  Preaching the Word of God with power was a characteristic of Pearson’s ministry at Breath of Life inclusive of serving as the featured speaker for the North American Division’s Net 2004 evangelistic initiative, which was entitled, “Experience the Power.”  This initiative was uplinked to approximately 1,100 sites in North America, with another 1,000 sites in the Caribbean and tens of thousands around the globe.  As a result of the Net 2004 campaign, over 4,000 individuals were baptized!

His determination to deliver the Gospel message allowed him to lead successful evangelistic meetings nationally, as well as internationally in cities including Kingston, Jamaica; Tema, Ghana; Warsaw, Poland; Nairobi, Kenya; and London, England.

On June 7, 2020, Pastor Pearson fell asleep in Jesus. Funeral Services will be held this Monday, June 15, at 2:00 pm at the:

Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church
291 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive, NW
Atlanta, GA 30318

Condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Patricia Pearson (Wife)
137 Falling Waters Drive
Jonesboro, GA 30236
pdanpat5039@yahoo.com

Ms. Ericca Pearson (Daughter)
epearson402@gmail.com

Mr. Walter L. Pearson, III (Son)
walterlpearson3@gmail.com

Please remember the entire Pearson Family in your prayers.

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With this current crisis, life, as we know it, has changed. With the end of the school year approaching, students are at home, managing their academic responsibilities along with the uncertainty of how the pandemic crisis will affect their education and their future. Many students also find it difficult to attend classes virtually, and as more time passes, confined to their homes, it is hard to be as productive as they would have been at school. Leaders and teachers are working around the clock to help students be productive, especially in the midst of uncertainty.

The first-ever virtual week of spiritual emphasis, utilizing the theme, Finishing Strong, was a collaborative effort between the North American Division Office of Education (NADOE), Breath of Life Television Ministries and was facilitated by the South Atlantic Conference of Seventh-day Adventist (SAC). Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church and Speaker/Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministries, served as the featured speaker. 

The program, primarily organized for students attending Adventist institutions, began on May 4th and continued through May 8th daily, with students, parents, and teachers live streaming the worship experience from Breath of Life’s website and various social media platforms. Teachers and students tuned in from their homes, and offices, and some teachers reported viewing the program while video-conferencing with their students through Zoom. 

During the week, several students, parents, and teachers responded via social media, phone calls, and emails saying how deeply moved they were by the messages. Each message explained one of the central doctrines of Adventism; such as the Second Coming, and the state of the dead. There were also several activities during the live broadcast to give students the opportunity to participate in the daily program. Students submitted questions that were answered live. Students also provided daily scripture readings and offered prayers virtually. Students even shared what they were doing to finish the school year strong by participating in the #FinishingStrong photo contest.

To supplement the live event and engage students further, the Momentum Youth Bible Study Series was made available via the Breath of Life website through a partnership with the North American Division. These Bible study guides provide teachers with an additional creative tool to interact with students and reinforce classroom Bible lessons.

In response to the week of spiritual emphasis, many students decided to accept Christ as their personal Saviour. Some students have even begun planning special in-person baptisms with Pastor Byrd. This is a reminder that though we are living in uncertain times, students can finish this school year strong, and make certain that their eternal future is secure as well. All they have to do is trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their understanding. He has promised to direct their paths! 

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It is with this perspective that we joined in solidarity with other area faith leaders to promote unity and seek the Lord through prayer and thanksgiving. On April 5, 2020, between 6:30 and 8 pm, Huntsville area residents did just that; congregating in the parking lots of multiple Huntsville city hospitals, to show support for health care workers and solidarity with other residents in prayer. 

Residents lit up hospital parking lots by flashing their hazard lights while their radios were tuned to one of three local radio stations 88.1 and 99.5 WAY-FM, 102.1 WDRM, and  90.1 WJOU. At either of these stations, listeners were able to hear a pre-recorded broadcast of prayers and expressions of thanks from community leaders and clergy. Among the selected leaders were pastors, hospital executives, local business leaders, and more. 

Oakwood University Chaplain, Andrew Pileggi, also prayed for youth who have been removed from school and families whose lives have been upended by the pandemic. Dr. Carlton Byrd, Pastor of the Oakwood Church and Speaker/Director of Breath of Life Television Ministries, prayed for God’s healing power and for God to cover and empower churches through this difficult time. 

As Jehoshaphat cried out to God on behalf of his people, he said, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chron. 20:12b NIV). With flashing lights and radios echoing throughout each parking lot, Huntsville residents echoed the sentiments of Jehoshaphat. We may not know exactly what to do, but we know The One who does.

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The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Tanzania has more than 15,000 new members after a recent evangelistic campaign conducted by Carlton Byrd, D.Min., Speaker/Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry.

This nationwide evangelistic revival, entitled “Mungu Kwanza,” Swahili for “God First” was coordinated through the office of Dr. Godwin Lekundayo, President of the North Tanzania Union Conference of SDA, and was a collaborative effort between the North Tanzania Union Conference, Hope Channel – Tanzania, Morning Star Radio, and three lay organizations, the Association of Tanzanian Adventist Professionals and Entrepreneurs (ATAPE), Tanzanian Adventists in the United States (TAUS), and Global Vessels, Inc.

Beginning February 23 and continuing through March 7, 2020, nightly meetings were held in the Tanzanian city of Chato, and broadcasted live via Hope Channel Television – Tanzania, the internet, and radio to over 3,000 satellite locations across Tanzania. Each evening Byrd preached the wonderful gospel message accompanied by language translation interpreters for Swahili and French (audio devices) listeners, as well as Swahili sign language.

At the conclusion of the revival, 15,124 total persons had been baptized at Chato and the satellite locations! To God be the glory!

Byrd remarked about the campaign stating, “This revival is another testament to God’s miraculous power! The Spirit of God knows no limits and reaches far beyond our abilities and imaginations! This revival far exceeded what I could’ve ever imagined was possible. I am very grateful for what God has done.”

While the preaching phase of the revival has ended, reports are still being submitted that additional baptisms are taking place across Tanzania! “Mungu Kwanza” served as a reminder for everyone, including the revival organizers, that when God is first, nothing is impossible.

The “God First” Revival also marked another “first.” The 18th Breath of Life Church will be organized, and the first Breath of Life Church on the continent of Africa will be established! Plans are now underway to secure property and construct a new Breath of Life Church in Chato!

The response of the 15,000 plus newly baptized members serves as a stark reminder of the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when Peter stood before the people and reminded them what the prophet Joel said, “God has promised that in the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…” (Joel 2:28). Our prayer is that God would continue to pour out His Spirit on all of us and that we, too, would put God first!

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“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.

Breath of Life Ministries, in partnership with Oakwood University Church, was honored to worship with and award Mayor Steven Reed, the first African American to become Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, during our Black History Month Worship Celebration. Not only is Mayor Reed the first African American Mayor of Montgomery, but he is also the youngest. Montgomery is the capital of Alabama and was once the hub for the slave trade in 1819. Understanding that nearly 200 years ago, slaves inhabited Montgomery and then 200 years later in 2019, a black man would become the Mayor of what was once the biggest hub for the slave trade is astonishing.

Mayor Reed was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, and once looked at every opportunity in life as a chance to make money. So much so, he had dreamt of becoming a corporate CEO or owning his own business and being featured in the Black Enterprise. Mayor Reed had no intention of going back to Montgomery until he realized a change needed to happen. Even with that realization, he was still running from his purpose. It wasn’t until former President Barack Obama came to Selma, Alabama, and said something that resonated with Mayor Reed. President Obama’s word’s caused Mayor Reed to stop looking at monetary benefits and start looking at life from a service aspect. This newly found motivation pushed him to run for mayor, and on November 12, 2019, he was elected as the 57th Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama.
Mayor Reed briefly addressed the congregation expressing the significance of Black History Month, which initially started as Negro History Month. The week was set to recognize the birthdays of Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. It did not always recognize the major contributions of countless other people of color who paved the way for us now. This generation needs to know that life isn’t all about social media, and everything that follows but the fact that our life’s work is about what we’ve done, not for ourselves but for others. We should always choose to stick to our faith over giving in to our fears.

Following Mayor Reed’s address, Pastor Byrd used as reference the Bible verse Deuteronomy 6: 1-9. His message was entitled “Don’t Forget Where You’ve Come From.” In it, he stressed the importance of passing our family history, wisdom, faith, and insight into the next generation. We should never look at our current state with great pride because we weren’t always privileged, yet we should be thankful for how far we have come, and the great contributions and strength given by persistent trailblazers before us.
After the service, Mayor Reed graciously answered questions from the community and Oakwood University students in a brief conference in the Family Life Center. Here Mayor Reed shared with us his journey as a student at Morehouse College in Georgia, working 60-70 hours a week as an Analysis at American Airlines, attending Business school, becoming a probate judge, and finally, the first African American Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama. Mayor Reed encouraged students to become the best they can be while keeping their faith at the forefront!

“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”- Maya Angelou

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“The Awakening,” an ABC Easter Special hosted by Breath of Life Television Ministries, aspires to revisit this moment in time through the ministry of gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Chris Willis, the Jeremy Winston Chorale and the Hunstville Orchestra. This live recording will be aired on ABC on April 12, 2020, and on NBC in 2021. The Oakwood University Church was filled to its capacity with church members, students, and the surrounding community eager to witness the phenomenal musical selections, including,

“The Prayer” By Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams, “Home” by Chris Willis and “ We shall behold Him” sung by the Jeremy Winston Chorale and more! 

Throughout the program, the Breath of Life Speaker/Director, Dr. Carlton P. Byrd delivers sermonettes pointing to the resurrection of Jesus, promoting hope through Jesus’ resurrection and explaining the power that He embodies and gives to us because “He lives.” With this special holiday broadcast, Breath of Life seeks again, to spread the gospel beyond the church walls, inspiring those far and wide and encouraging the hopeless. 

“The Awakening” is the fifth live taping to be broadcasted on network television. Most recently, “King of Kings,” the 2018 Christmas special, touched the lives of millions (in 2018 and 2019), with featured artists: Kirk Franklin, Shélea, and Oakwood University’s Aeolians. This program is made possible by way of ABC television collaborating with Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC) through Dr. Debra Gonsher Vinik, the Secretary/Treasurer at IBC, extending an invitation to Breath of Life Adventist ministries. Breath of Life operates in partnership with Adventist Media Ministries; an official ministry of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD). Breath of Life produces multimedia gospel-centered programming and resources with a commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people from a contemporary urban perspective.

The post The Awakening…Extends Far Beyond that Great Sunday Morning appeared first on Breath of Life Ministries.

Moreover, when considering the word, “health,” 50% of its letters are “EAT”; and when doing the same with the word, “death,” 60% of its letters are “EAT.”  What we “eat” directly impacts our health, and with poor choices, what we “eat” can lead to death. 

To promote better eating habits and the positive benefits of a balanced, healthy lifestyle, Breath of Life Television Ministries, in collaboration with the Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, AL, held its first-ever “Green Plate Day” on October 26.  On this special day, the benefits of plant-based eating were emphasized and advocated. For the Divine Worship Experience, award-winning actress and vegan advocate, Kimberly Elise, was recognized for her championing efforts in promoting a vegan lifestyle.  Elise, who made the choice to become a vegan at an early age, recounted her diet transition and shared some tips, “There is nothing wrong with you for choosing this [vegan] lifestyle. Don’t feel like you have to go cold turkey. Educate yourself. I love that this community is supporting the education aspect of it.”  After the award presentation to Elise, the internationally renowned Oakwood University Aeolians shared their music ministry and Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., Speaker/Director for Breath of Life and Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church, shared his preaching ministry in harmony with the “Green Plate” theme. Immediately following the worship experience, vegan food samples were made available to all in attendance, along with a vegan magazine filled with healthy recipes.

The Sabbath festivities also included an afternoon book-club style panel discussion featuring professors from Oakwood University’s English and Foreign Languages Department and Sherine Brown-Fraser, Ph.D., RDN, CPT, Oakwood University Chair of Nutrition and Dietetics.  These educators convened to discuss Ellen G. White’s classic health ministry manual, The Ministry of Healing. Panelists shared their diet experiences, struggles, and joys about plant-based living, and nuggets from the book.  Fraser also articulated many pitfalls from an unbalanced diet and gave tips about various health issues. Following the discussion, Plant-Based Celebrity Chef, Cynthia Chea-Pean, and “The Chef Mommy,” Heather Martin, hosted a vegan cooking class and shared healthy dishes that anyone can make.

The day concluded with a “taste” of vegan and vegetarian food in the Oakwood University Church Family Life Center.  Twenty-four food vendors and restaurant owners in North Alabama came to offer food samples and dishes to the nearly 700 attendees!  One individual commented, “This is great! We need to do this every year.” Said another attendee, “With my children having food allergies, this has been very helpful with identifying easy, healthy food options.”

Later that evening, Elise took to social media where she positively recapped her experience at the Oakwood University Church, saying, “Oakwood University Church is affiliated with Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL.  Oakwood University is the only university in the state of Alabama that offers a 100% vegetarian-only cafeteria. This is extraordinary!”

Truly, the day was extraordinary!  Church members, university students, and community residents alike benefited from the emphasis on “Green Plate” eating as all in attendance were challenged to be faithful stewards of their body temples, and to shine for the Lord through healthy, balanced living.

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After the sermon, Truman grabs a quick bite to eat, and then she hits the street with another member of the Mt. Calvary Church, Peach Brooks. Together, they are visiting contacts from the recent Breath of Life summer evangelistic revival who were never baptized. Although the revival netted 117 baptisms, they continue to follow up with those who may still be willing to make a decision to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and join the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

After conducting home visits, they head back to church for an afternoon Bible study with newly baptized members of the church and other individuals who are candidates for baptism. Following the Bible study, they talk to the new members about getting involved with evangelism.

These are just two of the many members who demonstrated a commitment to ministry and evangelism during the Breath of Life summer revival in Tampa. While Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., Breath of Life speaker/director, was the nightly revival speaker, local members from the various Adventist churches in Tampa and the surrounding area leagued together to execute the multiple ministry needs that were present before and during the revival.

Truman and Brooks, aligned with Breath of Life Bible instructors, went door to door “fishing” for prospective attendees for the revival. They then worked with the candidates and prepared them for baptism after the candidates made decisions to follow Jesus.

Additionally, lay ministry leaders from the Tampa area churches led in other ministry functions — children’s, ushers, greeters, and prayer ministries. Pat Smith, who led prayer ministries, coordinated with other area church prayer ministries leaders, and developed a prayer schedule and strategy for the revival, which included praying with visitors as they attended the revival about the specific needs they had come to seek God for.

Although it has been several months since the revival ended, these local church members are still on fire for the Lord. Brooks remarked, “The revival started a fire in Tampa that just won’t go out!” In harmony with this statement, these three women connect weekly with potential members who attended the summer revival. Truman has suggested that each member enlist their friends and neighbors in a Bible study course. Smith and Brooks have positively responded and begun a Bible study each Tuesday evening with about 10 individuals in Smith’s home.

At the conclusion of the Bible study series, they will hold a special graduation ceremony for Bible students at an upcoming Community Guest Day at the church.

These members have an infectious passion for ministry and evangelism. Their faces light up when they talk about ministry and soul winning. Brooks summed up their energy succinctly, saying with a gleaming smile, “I’m mission-driven!”

The post Members On A Mission For God appeared first on Breath of Life Ministries.

After the sermon, Truman grabs a quick bite to eat, and then she hits the street with another member of the Mt. Calvary Church, Peach Brooks. Together, they are visiting contacts from the recent Breath of Life summer evangelistic revival who were never baptized. Although the revival netted 117 baptisms, they continue to follow up with those who may still be willing to make a decision to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and join the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

After conducting home visits, they head back to church for an afternoon Bible study with newly baptized members of the church and other individuals who are candidates for baptism. Following the Bible study, they talk to the new members about getting involved with evangelism.

These are just two of the many members who demonstrated a commitment to ministry and evangelism during the Breath of Life summer revival in Tampa. While Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., Breath of Life speaker/director, was the nightly revival speaker, local members from the various Adventist churches in Tampa and the surrounding area leagued together to execute the multiple ministry needs that were present before and during the revival.

Truman and Brooks, aligned with Breath of Life Bible instructors, went door to door “fishing” for prospective attendees for the revival. They then worked with the candidates and prepared them for baptism after the candidates made decisions to follow Jesus.

Additionally, lay ministry leaders from the Tampa area churches led in other ministry functions — children’s, ushers, greeters, and prayer ministries. Pat Smith, who led prayer ministries, coordinated with other area church prayer ministries leaders, and developed a prayer schedule and strategy for the revival, which included praying with visitors as they attended the revival about the specific needs they had come to seek God for.

Although it has been several months since the revival ended, these local church members are still on fire for the Lord. Brooks remarked, “The revival started a fire in Tampa that just won’t go out!” In harmony with this statement, these three women connect weekly with potential members who attended the summer revival. Truman has suggested that each member enlist their friends and neighbors in a Bible study course. Smith and Brooks have positively responded and begun a Bible study each Tuesday evening with about 10 individuals in Smith’s home.

At the conclusion of the Bible study series, they will hold a special graduation ceremony for Bible students at an upcoming Community Guest Day at the church.

These members have an infectious passion for ministry and evangelism. Their faces light up when they talk about ministry and soul winning. Brooks summed up their energy succinctly, saying with a gleaming smile, “I’m mission-driven!”

The post Members On A Mission For God appeared first on Breath of Life Ministries.