Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Lowder faces declining statistics regarding men, church head on

Special to The Pew
Jay Lowder
To counter recent statistics, which suggest a low percentage of men are attending church on a regular basis, Jay Lowder, evangelist and founder of Jay Lowder Harvest Ministries, is taking a new approach to reaching men outside of the church walls. Lowder, who is an avid hunter and fisherman, is leveraging his expertise to share the life lessons he has learned afield to present the message of Christ to a male audience.

"Sportsmen understand concepts such as targets, decoys and blood trails, because they are essential to the sport," said Lowder. "But those are also terms that can help clearly explain the Gospel of Christ to men who may have never stepped foot in a church."

According to a 2008 study by The Barna Group, only 65 percent of men, compared to 77 percent of women, said their faith is very important in their lives. In addition, studies show that women outnumber men in church attendance in every Christian denomination. As a result, many churches are left scratching their heads to find ways to attract males.
Jay Lowder Harvest Ministries has created a solution that is making a big impact. Partnering with churches, the ministry hosts Adventure Weekends, designed with activities for the entire family, but with special events specially geared toward men.

Developed to help strengthen the relationship between local churches and their surrounding communities, each weekend is planned to fit the needs of the community and every demographic, with Friday night devoted to women and Sunday evening focused on youth.

Saturday is geared toward the men and their families with a full-day Outdoor Expo. During this time, the church parking lot evolves into an outdoor exhibition for the family with activities such as car and motorcycle shows, fishing tanks, game booths, hot air balloon rides, trophy mounts, golf equipment demonstrations, sports clinics and hunting classes. After the Expo, men are invited to a special "beast feast" meal followed by Lowder's powerful Gospel message presented through his hunting and fishing lessons.

"Men don't realize that Jesus was what our culture defines as a 'man's man,'" Lowder said. "He modeled how all men should live."

These events often bring hundreds of men to Christ, something not typically seen in many American churches on a single Sunday.


Founded in 1989, Jay Lowder Harvest Ministries exists to reach people for Christ while inspiring others to do the same. For additional information about Jay Lowder Harvest Ministries, visit www.JayLowder.com.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

GMC to Present 'Be My Video Valentine' on Feb. 14

Special to The Pew
GMC, America's favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, will present a "Be My Video Valentine" special on Monday, Feb. 14 from 7-10 a.m. ET.

GMC is soliciting viewer dedications through Feb. 4 via Facebook and at
www.watchgmctv.com/valentine. Select dedications will be read during the show by its host, Tiffany Thorpe, who also will present popular love-themed music videos. Featured artists will include Train ("Marry Me"), Dave Barnes ("God Gave Me You," "Until You"), Taylor Swift ("Mine"), The Afters ("Beautiful Love"), Francesca Battistelli ("Beautiful, Beautiful"), Bebe & CeCe Winans ("Close To You") and many more.

SBI to honor its trailblazers

Special to The Pew

Throughout Black History month in February, Southern Bible Institute will honor servant leaders who directed and shaped the SBI legacy that started during segregated times.

Southern Bible will honor Charles Reed, Norman Robinson and Robert D. Reed this month in separate services. All services will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Southern Bible Institute, 7200 South Hampton Road in Dallas. The Rev. Kennon Tenison of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church is the slated guest speaker on Feb. 10. On Feb. 17, Norman L. Robinson is the honoree with James Thompson of Mount Olive Bible Church is the guest speaker. The Rev. Johnny Smith of Mount Moriah Church will pay homage to Robert Reed on Feb. 24.

The iInstitute was started in 1927 during a time when African Americans were not allowed to attend white seminary schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The first three presidents of Southern Bible Institute, Edmund Ironside, Henderson Fox and Gordon Mumford were white.

"The commitment of these men can be described as nothing less than legendary," said Norman L. Robinson, senior pastor of Mount Olive Bible Church and a former SBI student and board member. "In a day and time of segregation, they made sure that Southern Bible Institute was there for men and women of all races and colors. Members of the black community were not allowed to enroll or attend the faith-based institutions in Dallas. But SBI was then and remains today as a beacon, welcoming everyone."

Charles L. Reed was the first black teacher, first black academic dean and first black SBI board member. Charles L. Reed, a retired senior pastor from Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, credits Fox, "with the audacity to integrate the SBI staff when he named me as a teacher in 1966. But then Fox said I pushed and prodded until half our staff and board was black," Charles Reed added.
 
"Pastor N. L. Robinson, Pastor Robert Reed and Pastor Charles Reed are men of character and dedication to the vision of Southern Bible Institute," said Martin Hawkins, Southern Bible Institute president. "They have been blessed to minister to medium to large congregations in the Dallas area and have instructed discipleship programs to educate students. Their leadership styles as Servant Leaders has contributed to and provided stability to SBI through their time, talent and treasure for the past 50 -plus years. We honor them for their undaunted service."

 The pastors will also be placed in the SBI "Cloud of Witnesses" (Hall of Fame) during the SBI gala banquet at 7 p.m. on April 29 at the Hilton Anatole.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Latest Pew happenings

Johnnie Johnson’s “She’s Not Our Sister” is coming to Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Road in Dallas, at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 25. Gospel singer Fred Hammond will make a guest appearance. Tickets are $20 presale and $25 at the door. Family packs are available for $60 (buy three tickets, get one free). VIP tickets, which includes a meet and greet and premier seating, are available for $35. Visit http://pyramids.friendshipwest.org/Tickets_c_44.html to purchase tickets. http://www.friendshipwest.org/


Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow will appear during a sold-out event at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Spring on Saturday, Feb. 5. The event, "Born To Be Wild: The Man Journey," reportedly focuses on biblical notions of masculinity. http://www.championforest.org/

The Port Arthur Christian Women will hold its monthly luncheon, “Sweets For The Sweet,” on Friday beginning at 11:45 a.m. at the Pompano Club’s LeChambre Room, 330 Twin City Highway on Port Neches. The cost of luncheon is $15 per person. Reservations are essential for the luncheon, and nursery, if needed, and should be made by calling Donna at 409-722-0951 or Mary at 409-962-5571 by Tuesday, Feb. 8.
The Diocese of Beaumont will host Catholic A’Carte for young adults and college students at 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Tuscany Italian Restaurant, 3600 Highway 365. Father Sinclair Oubre will speak on “The Galileo Affair.”

Hello everyone

Welcome to the new blog home of Inside The Pew. Make sure to check back for updates! God bless you.

Grelan Muse Sr.