LISTEN or WATCH NOW!
In part two of this segment we hear from the pastors that were at the White House meeting with President Donald Trump. As we wrote in the last segment Brianna Bolender had a prophetic dream that President Trump would be used by God to help African American’s to be edified and recognized. We see this taking place with President Trump meeting with many African American pastors from around the nation and he is listening to what is needed in our communities.
Pastor John Gray opens the meeting with President Trump in prayer. Pastor John Ponder, of Family Christian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, makes the next remarks concerning prison reform, “I echo your sentiments that the work that is being done in the reentry community as a result of prison reform — there are a lot of employers out there right now that are willing to hire people who are coming home from the prison system. One of the things that we’ve learned was that employers are not not willing to hire people; they’re not willing to hire projects. And because of the (inaudible) for the initiatives, when we’re able to help them to be tremendous assets to the employers, and not liabilities, then they’re hiring them all day long. So, we just thank you for the direction that the country is going in, and specifically as our partnerships with law enforcement are beginning to grow. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has given us over 60 men and women from the police department that are serving as mentors and trainers for people coming home from the prison system. And I think that is a direct result of the direction that our country is going in. So, I thank you and your administration for the hard work.” It is so great to hear this from Pastor Ponder and being a voice for the voiceless of those that are in prison and giving hope to them. Thank you Pastor Ponder!
Reverend Wilfredo De Jesus, of New Life Covenant Church in Chicago, Illinois shares how thankful he is for President Trump’s help in rebuilding communities. “First of all, let me just say thank you for your boldness. Thank you for taking a stand for those that are disenfranchised. And I want to say that, in the city of Chicago, there are so many pockets that’s not talked about — about revitalization. And I know this is something in your heart, of rebuilding communities. And I look forward to partnering with you and your administration to revitalize the city of Chicago.” Thank you, Reverend De Jesus, for standing up for Chicago!
Pastor Van Moody is next to share. He is from the Worship Center in Birmingham, Alabama. “I just want to continue to underscore what’s already been said. Thank you for your heart for all people, but particularly your leadership on the issue of prison reform and workforce development. Those are two of the biggest issues facing Alabama. A lot of the individuals that we spend a lot of time ministering to are really hard hit in those areas; corporations. That’s the biggest issue right now in Alabama. So thank you for your leadership on this issue.” Pastor Moody we are thankful for you standing up for the Church at the White House!
Bishop Kyle Searcy, of Fresh Anointing House of Worship, in Birmingham, Alabama, shares his gratefulness. “I want to echo all that’s been said. We’re very grateful for your heart toward criminal justice reform, your heart for the urban community. It’s very very amazing. Montgomery, Alabama is a city that’s known for unity and bringing people together. And so many things have come out of that city. And it’s just very encouraging that you have a heart to begin to bring people together, work across the aisle to get things done. Many people on our team pray for you every single day.” Pastor Searcy we are thankful for you representing the Church!
Dr. Philip Goudeaux, of Calvary Christian Center, in Sacramento, California, is next to share his remarks. “Please don’t give up on California and on Sacramento. I’m right in the capital there, and we’re working in every area to try to make a difference in people’s lives. So, I guess the greatest word I can say for you, Mr. President, is that you have given this country expectations, given us a new hope, a new excitement to believe that things are getting better and going to get better. And we appreciate that leadership — your tenacity to keep pushing in against all the opposition that comes against you. Thank you so much.” We need to pray for California and we appreciate Dr. Goudeaux representing the Church!
Next, Pastor Julian Lowe, of Oasis Church in Los Angeles, California, gives his remarks. “Mr. President, Pastor Julian Lowe from Oasis Church in Los Angeles. And I’ve very grateful for this administration and for you personally. I didn’t grow up in the church, and I was taught growing up that faith and government were completely separated and completely different. So, you offering this roundtable, and giving pastors and faith leaders a voice throughout the country. I heard about the meeting you had yesterday as well, with other faith leaders and so it’s very encouraging, inspiring, and gives me hope to take back to the people of Los Angeles. I’m honored to be here. And thank you very much.” Thank you Pastor Lowe for representing the Church!
Pastor Benny Perez, of Church LV, in Las Vegas, Nevada give his remarks next. It is great to see the Hispanic community represented as well. “Mr. President, Benny Perez from Las Vegas, Nevada. I’m so honored to be here with all these incredible men and women. Thank you so much. Being a Hispanic leader, to see what is happening in the Hispanic community, it is the largest, as you know, ethnic community in America. And to have the lowest unemployment rate and to see my family members and my community being really empowered to live a life and not just dream, but actually see the dream become a reality. Thank you for all that you’re doing it’s making a huge difference in Las Vegas and for acknowledging the churches as we partner with you and the government to make a huge difference in Las Vegas and beyond. Thank you so much.” Thank Pastor Perez for representing the Church and the Hispanic community. President Trump’s response to Pastor Perez is encouraging, “Well, thank you. You know, the churches weren’t so much acknowledged, you know that, over the last number of years. We acknowledge.” God is in to being acknowledged and President Trump is definitely doing that.
Mr. Marvin Winans Jr., of Detroit, Michigan and is a singer and a producer, shares his remarks. “Mr. President, it’s an honor to be here. When you asked us to speak, the first thing I thought about was my grandfather, and how it’s an honor to be here. And, you know, he passed away a few years ago. But he raised 10 kids in the inner city of Detroit. And when you were speaking, you were talking about how important faith was in the community and how it helps the family. And my grandfather did that, working odd jobs. He was a taxi driver. He cut hair. He did everything possible. But he had them in church and he kept them, you know, together. He was with his wife married for, I think, around 50 years before he passed away. But our family was able to do things that a lot of families, you know, aren’t able to do without the assistance of faith and having church and having families together. And so to hear you talking about, you know, keeping that in communities, I think, is super important. And I’m just happy for this opportunity. And just God bless you and everything you’re doing. And thank you, Pastor Paula, as well.” Mr. Winans thank you for representing the Church.
Pastor Darrell Scott, of New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is the next to share, confirms the prophetic dream that Brianna Bolender had. “I’ve had the honor and privilege to work with then-candidate, now President Trump, and to observe him behind the scenes and have a number of personal conversations with him. And people ask me why do I defend him so vociferously. And I say it’s easy for me to do it because I know him, and he’s shown me his heart, and I know he has a heart for all Americans. And I will say this: This administration has taken a lot of people by surprise. And it’s going to surprise you guys even more, because this is probably the most proactive administration regarding urban America and the faith-based community in my lifetime. And I’ll be 60 years old in December. But when I think back on well, I mean, I use good hair dye. And I’ve got a great makeup artist. But, to be honest, this is probably going to be the and I’m going to say this at this table the most pro-black President that we’ve had in our lifetime because and I try to, you know, analyze the people that I encounter. This President actually wants to prove something to our community, our faith-based community and our ethnic community. The last President didn’t feel like he had to. He felt like he didn’t have to prove it. He got a pass. This President is this administration is probably going to be more proactive regarding urban revitalization and prison reform than any President in your lifetime. If we work together, give him a chance. Don’t pay any attention to these guys back here. (pointing to the media) And I’ll promise you, we will do something that, we will, this administration will continue to make history. It’s going to be a lot of positive changes. Great things are on the horizon, I promise.” This is confirming and powerful, thank you Pastor Scott for representing the Church!
Bishop Kelvin Cobaris, of The Impact Church in Orlando, Florida, is next to give his remarks. “I want to thank you, and I echo the sentiments of all of the colleagues that have already spoken for your work as it relates to prison reform. And I definitely thank you for your commitment to partnering with the faith-based community. I happen to be in many rooms, and in one room in particular, and we had a meeting a year ago in the Oval Office. And you said to all of the faith leaders standing around your desk that “I’m going to untie the hands of the faith-based community. I am going to free you and take the muzzle off of your mouth.” And, in a year’s time, I have watched you, day by day, do just that, by freeing the faith community and partnering with us to do what we’ve been called to do, and that is to impact our communities. So, thank you.” President Trump responds, “Well, one of the big things we’ve done is the Johnson Amendment. You know, you’re free to do what you want to do now. You couldn’t you couldn’t talk because you were afraid of a lot of bad repercussion. And we as you know, we’ve taken that off. That’s a bad that was a bad thing. That was a bad thing that Lyndon Johnson did a long time ago. He had to have a lot of power to get it done, but you now are free to say what you want. And when you want to support somebody, you support that. It doesn’t have to be me. Of course, I hope it’s me. But you’re free. You know, you’re the people that we respect. And you were really not able to say what was on your mind. And we want you to say what was on your mind and what is on your mind. So I think getting rid of that is a big, big factor. And at some point in the not-too-distant future, we’re going to put it through Congress. In addition to just an executive order, we’re going to put it through Congress. We’re going to get rid of it permanently because it should not be here.” Thank you Bishop Cobaris for representing the Church! Also, the Johnson Amendment will be going through Congress soon for it to be permanently gone which is a huge answer to prayer!
We want to hear from you! If you are associated with any of these Church’s and we want to know what you think! You can write to us at [email protected]. Greg and John shared in this segment.
Image courtesy of Storyblocks.com
RELATED CONTENT
President Trump Meets with Inner City Pastors
Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Inner City Pastors
iAbide.org
Emmaus Road Discipleship
VFN Kingdom Business
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Follow us on Twitter
Partner with VFNKB