7B
RELIGION/tE^ Cgstlotte $ot
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Lyons admits ego
got better of him
Continued from page 8B
all that it wanted to do. I had a staff of 16 full-time workers,
which the convention hadn’t had up to that point. I could
devote more of my time to fundraising, and fundraising in the
corporate commimity.
“And as I think about it, as I reflect on it, and as I pray on it,
I firmly believe at some point along the way, greed actually set
in. I believe greed; I believe the ego got the best of me. I believe
that I somehow lost sight on my whole purpose, and started
focusing too much on raising money; on acquiring money and
building programs, until I honestly think that greed set in so
strong, and I’m not being fully cognizant or fully aware of what
was happening to me. I was ‘out there’ and didn’t really know
it, didn’t really realize it.
“At the beginning my intentions were ever so noble, ever so
good. But along the way success got in the way. Greed got in
the way. A good life for which I’d been accustomed to almost all
my life — that got in the way. I firmly believe my stay in prison
was the wiU of God.
“That’s why when I stood in this pulpit in New Macedonia
Missionary Baptist Church in Riviera Beach, [the other night],
the first thing I said before I even said, ‘Good evening’ to the
audience were these words: “I have suffered God’s rod of cor
rection and I’ve repented of every sin, and I’ve asked God to
forgive me of my sins. And he has forgiven me. I ask these peo
ple in this church to forgive me as well.”
Discussing his prison experience, Lyons was quick to state
first and foremost that he believed that it was God’s way of
“really saving me from myself, for himself”
“The first thing that I really came to grips with behind the
fence; the razor wire, behind prison walls — I found out that
it’s really aU about God. It’s not about me. It’s not about the
National Baptist Convention. It’s not about the Florida Gener
al Convention. It’s not about my family. It is about God. And I
was off His track. Having moved out from his protective care,
I was vulnerable, and didn’t know it, and Satan was able to do
what he did.
“But he didn’t do it by himself He had God’s permission.
That’s why it’s God’s wiU. That’s why as 1 sit here today, I’m
thankful I was able to experience it. Prison sucks! I wouldn’t
wish prison on anybody. But since I had to undergo it and paid
the kind of price I paid, I thank God it’s behind me.
Admonishing others to refrain from walking in his path,
Lyons said, “The one thing I want said, and I want understood,
is that if you don’t remember anything else, ‘Prison sucks!’ It’s
nowhere to be. You don’t ever want to go to prison. I wouldn’t
wish prison on my worst enemy. I would not do that.
“First of all, to go to prison at age 57, after never having been
in trouble in my Ufe. Never been arrested in my life. Never
been near a police station other than to go in there to pray for
someone. 'Ib go in and be remanded to prison after 57 years; to
go to a life of lock down and locked up, and to a life where every
day is humiliating and degrading; where every day is a hum-
bhng experience. And then to not know anything as to where I
was going and what I was going to be doing there -I just had
no idea, no clue.
“It was so traumatic; it was so negative. It was such a horri
ble experience.”
FAITH SOLDIERS WORD MINISTRIES
"Where Jesus Is Lord"
Pastor and Mrs.
Carl R. Turner
SERVICES
Sunday -11:00 am • Wednesday - 7:00 pm
Friday - 7:00 pm (Intercessory Prayer)
857 Eastway Drive
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 567-2128
FSWM is located right behind Cilyside.
fTe are in your neighborhood.
Call Church For Van Minislr, '.
(greenbille jlemorial Zion Cfjurd)
“i4 Teaching Ministry Making Spiritual Disciples”
Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.
(9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., 1st Sunday only)
Bible Study: Tuesday 7 p.m. and Wednesday 12 Noon
Child Development Center
6116 Montieth Drive • Charlotte, N.C. 28213
(Ph) 704-596-4742 (FAX) 704-597-8317
“A Word of Hope” Television Ministry
Mondays @ 6 p.m. Channell 21 (Public Access TV)”
Rev. Sheldon R. Shipman, Senior Pastor
Word Of Faith West
Pastor, Rev. Samuel Guthrie, Jr.
2300 Sanders Ave.
Charlotte, NC
704-358-1709
A Church that cares
for your soul 2 Chron. 7:14
Adults & Children’s Sunday School: 9:45am
Sunday Services: IhOOam
Wed. Bible Study/Prayer 7:00pm
4th Saturday Youth Group at 2;00pm
Senior Pastor,
Rev. & Mrs.
Samuel Guthrie, Jr.
Mother’s let us pray for our Children led by
Evangelist Selma Bordeaux
1st & 3rd Saturday 12:00 Noon till 1:00 pm
(greater fflount ffloriati 13rimitibe iBaotist Church
747 West Trade Street • Charlotte, NC • Thomas W. Samuels, D.D., Pastor
Sunday School: 9:30AM • Sunday Worship: 11:00AM
Senior Saints Bible Study: Wed.l2NOON • Wed. Flayer Hour: 7:30PM
What makes a true woman of God?
Continued from page 8B
yard. She sets about her work
vigorously; her arms are
strong for her tasks. She sees
that her trading is profitable
and her lamp does not go out
at night.”
The picture Proverbs paints
of a good wife is opposite to
the Prince Charming stories
so many women believe in.
Most of the women I know
that have been happily mar
ried for a number of years
actually live those verses.
However the women I know
whose husbands have left
them did the opposite.
These women expected
their husbands to go to work
everyday, financially provide
for the family and even run
the household with little
assistance fixim them.
crisis of belief as if God has
left them.
Then once the husbands
have had enough and leave
the women begin to have a
Although the passage is
dedicated to married women
there are a number of things
that single women can apply
to their lives as well.
Proverbs 31: 24 reads, “She
makes linen garments and
sells them, and supplies the
merchants with sashes.”
That is proof that women can
be successful entrepreneurs.
More than anything, the
part that sticks out to me is
in verse 27, which reads, “She
watches over the affairs of
her household and does not
eat the bread of idleness.”
According to Proverbs, a
good woman or woman of
God requires a female to be a
woman of purpose. And in
return, society honors women
who have lived a life of pur
pose.
Spiritual Lears celebrate 45th anniversary
Continued from page 8B
Liberty Baptist Church at
3000 Sam Wilson Road will
hold its revival meeting.
Both services will be held at
7 p.m.
March 24
The Blessed Businesses
Ministry of St. Paul Mission
ary Baptist Church at 1401
North Allen Street will hold
its Networking Breakfast at
7:30 am. This month’s topic
will cover “How to Locate
Your Current or Future
Business for Maximum Suc
cess.”
March 25-27
Miracle Crusade 2004 will
be held at 15th Street
Church of God at 615 East
15th Street at 7: 30 p.m.
March 26-27
Chnton Chapel AME Zion
Church at 319 Whitehaven
Avenue will hold a BBQ at
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March 27
Friendship Missionary
Baptist Church in Charlotte
will hold an evening of music
by women composers at 7
pm.
March 28
Greater Mount Moriah
Primitive Baptist Church at
747 West Trade Street wiU
hold an evening of Praise
and Worship at 5 p.m.
• Waddell Chapel AME
rRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
“Telline and Livine the Good News of Jesus Christ”
- Outreach & Nurture Ministries For All Ages -
Spirit-led Sunday Worship: 11am
Sunday School: 9:30am
Wed. Prayer, Praise & Bible Study: 7pm
Radio Ministry: Fri. 10am, WGSP 1310 AM
- Rev. Quentin G. Poulson, Pastor -
3001 Beatties Fd. Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216-3731
Phone: 704-392-6098 • E-mail: POPAX@bellsouth.net
Website; www.LutheranOutreach.org/Prince of Peace, htm
Producing Kingdom Citizens through Evangelism
Discipleship. 'Worship. Fellowship, and Service
Pastor Claude R. /Alexander, Jr.
University Park Baptist Church
6029 Boauios I'oril Ud. • Chaiiotle, NC 2S2i6 • 7()4-y)2-l()Xl
The Park South
Soutb Mecklenburg High Sehout
S9(I0 I’ark Rd.. Cliiirlotio, \C 2X210 • 70-1-9-1l-(l0l9
Sunday Worship. HMum & Sunday School. Q. JOam
Worship limes At
University Park Baptist Church
Sunday School 7:i0,8:00, & 10:00am
Sunday Worship 7:00,9:00 & 11:00 am & Youth Church, 11:00 am
Women‘s Bible Study. Monday 6:30 pm
Men's Bible Study. Monday 7:00 pm
Bible Study, Thursday 6:30pm
www.dieparlaininistries.org
tCfie Charlotte ^oait
CHURCH DIRECTORY
AME • AME ZION
East Stonewall AME Zon Churrih Greater Bethel AME ChurcJi
1729 Grier Grove FloatJ 201 GrarvSn Road
Rev. Dr. Ctaude T. Wiliams C5r, Wetter V. Howard, Jr.
(704)394-2540 (704)376-4345
Gtestsr (3etisemene AME Zen Chud-i
531 Campus Street
Rev. Calvin L Miller
(704)375-3900
GreenviHe Memorial AME Church
6116 MonUeti Drive
Rev. ShekJon R. Shipman
(704) 596-4742
Weeping Willow AME Zion Church
2220 Milton Road
Pastor Warden Henderson
(704)532-9125
BAPTIST
First Baptist Church - West
1801 Oaklawn Avenue
Dr. Ricky A Wooris
(704) 372-1075
Galilee Baptist Church
233 Shady Lane
Rev. R A Griffin
(704) 333-0610
Macedonia BepHst Church
300 Hatteras Avenue
Dr. John H. Walker
(704) 392-8496
Rrferxiship Baptist Ch(irch
221 W. Bradley Avenue
Pastor John A. McCullough
(704) 865-9016
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
3201 Tuckaseegee Road
Rev. Dr. Casey R. Kimbrough
(704) 394-3525
FteeiJer Memorial Baptist Church
3725 Beatties Fixd Road
Dr. Don Steger
(704)3
Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church
700 Sugar Creek Road
(704)596-7935
St Luka Missionary Baptist Church
1600 Morris Avenue
Rev. Chflord Matthews, Jr,
(704) 375-9650
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
517 Baldwin Avenue
Rev. JA Cuthberteon
(704)376-1201
Silver Mount Baptist Church
501 W. Arrowood Road
Dr. Lincoln C. Lee
(704) 522-1528
Greater Providence Baptist Church
2000 Milton Road
Dr. Fred Gibson
(704)5
St. Paul Baptist Church
1401 North Allen Street
Pastor Gregory K. Moss, Sr.
(704)334-5309
Unrversity Park Baptet Church
6029 Beatties Ford Fload
Rev. Or. Claude R. Alexander
(704)392-1681
Rrst Mr. Zion Baptist Church
1515 Remount Road
Dr. C. V. Owens
(704) 332-8335
CME
SEVENTH DAY
Parkwood Institutional CME Ctxirch
802 Ibm Hunter Road
Rev. Roderick D. Lewis. Sr.
(704)921-4915
Northeast SOA Church
627 Tom Hunter Road
Pastor, Frank L. Harrel, Sr.
(704)394-5615
EPISCOPAL
SL MKhael ans Al AiQels Episcopai Church
422SHcMsRoed
Rev. Wendel Phi^se
(704)399-3151
LUTHERAN
Pitice of Peace Lutheran Chuich
3001 Beatties Ford Road
Rev. Quentin G. Pcmlson
(704)3
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
FaKh Soldiers Word Pvfinistries
857 Eastway Drive
Pastor Carl Turner
(704)567-2128
God’s Meetirrg Place Word of Faith - West
4l00GaJlant LnJSteelCreek Elem. 2300 Sanders Avenue
Rev. CharieeW, Reid Rev. Samuel Guthrie, Jr
(704)825-4017 (704)358-1709
Greeter Salem Church
5318 Salem Church Roed
Dr. Anthony L. Jinwri^Tt
(704)399-5448
Greater Salem at the Lake
ComeAus Elementary School
21126 Catawba Avenue
Dr, Arrihony L. Jrrwrl£Rt
(704)3
New Birth Christian FeBowehip
Cochrane Middte School
6400 Star Haven Drive
Pastor Christopher Harris
(704) 531-1291
Shepherds Fold Church
5101 Nations Ford Fload
Rev. David StacMiouse
PRESBYTERIAN
Memorial Presbyterian Church
2600 Beatties F^ Road
Rev. Dr. Edward B. Newberry
(704) 392-4752
UNITED METHODIST
SimpeorvCMtoopio United Methodist Church
3545 DoQttoa Ford Fioad
Dr. Andrew Brown
(704) 388-2717
Zion Church at the comer of
Buffalo and Dekalb Streets
in Shelby will hold its Fami
ly and Friends Day at 3 p.m.
April 9
The Spiritual Lears Gospel
Singers will celebrate its
45th anniversary at 7:30
p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sun
day at New Bethlehem FBH
Church at 421 East 18th
Street.
Weeping Willow AME Zion Church
“Moving From Salvation To Discipleship” [F
2220 Milton Rd. • Charlotte, North Carolina 28215
Morning Worship: 8:00 AM
11:00 AM
* ^ Sunday School: 9;30AM
Wed. Praise & Prayer; 7:00 PM
(704)532-9125
"THE CHURCH THAT CARES”
Pastor Warden Hendemxi
& Wife Myrtle
^ God’s Meeting Place
Christian Fellowship
Sunday Morning Worship...9;45am
Temporary Location:Sleek Creek Elemental' School
4100 Gallant Lane • Charlotte, NC
For Information Call: 104-H25-4011
Rev. Charles Lesley Reid, Founding Pastor
'‘It’s Your Time ■ Walk Into Your Season”
Cast ^tonetoall
afritmi iTOetljobisit episcopal Zion Cljurtf)
1729 Griers Grove Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28216 • (704)394-2540
“A Magnetic Church with a New Vision”
Sunday School 9;45ani
Sunday Worship— 11:00am
Children's Church— 1st Sunday
Youth Church 2nd Sunday
Bible Study Wednesday 10:30am & 7:00pm
Prayer Meeting Wednesday 8;00pm
Intercessory Prayer- 1st Saturday 6:00am
Rev. Dr. Claude T.
Williams
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
EVERY WEDNESDAY Unoon - 2:00pm
(FREE for those in need)
Friendship Baptist Church
221 W. Bradley Ave., Gastonia, NC 28052
704-865-9016 • Fax: 704-865-9057
Website: www.friendshippastonia.org
- Schedule of Services -
Early Flo'w Worship 8:00am
Church School 9:45am
Spirit Flows Celebration 11:00am
Wednesday Bible Study and Lunch 12 Noon
Wednesday Bible In stitute 6:30pm
Saturday Intercessory Prayer. 8:00am
Sunday Intercessory Prayer. 7.00a.m.
Radio Ministry. 1370 daily at 5;05pm
1540 Wednesday • 10am - Saturday • 9:30am
TV Cable Access Channel 9 • Wed. - 5:30pm & ,
Tue. & Thur. ~ Midnight • WBTV Channel 3 Sun r2:30a.m.
Rev. John A. McCullough, Jr., Senior Pastor
GALILEE BAPTIST
CHURCH
Rev. F.A. Griffin, PASTOR
Rev. F.A. Griffin
Sunday School 9:45a.m.
Sunday Worship 11:00a.m.
Sunday School Study - Wed. 7pm
Prayer Service • 8pm
2933 Shady Lane • Charlotte, NC 28208
333-0810
First Baptist Church - West
isui uaKiawn Ave. • Charlotte, MC 2821b
(704) 372-1075 Office • (704) 372-2309 Fax
Dr. Ricky A. Woods, Senior Minister
Early Morning Worship 8:00a.m.
Sunday School 9:45a.m.
Worship Service 11:00a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study 7;00p.m.
MAKING FIRST
THINGS FIRST
Worship
Missions
Discipleship
Evangelism
Memorial Presbyterian Church
• Church School 9:45 A.M.
• Morning Worship 11 :(X) A.M.
flPl^me]
p
iemorial@infionline.net
2600 Beatties Fd. Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28216 • (704)392-4752
www.memorial presbyterian.com
Rev. Dr. Edward B. Newberry. Pastor