Jeffrey A. Howard, CEO, The Resource Hub; CBF Emmanuel McCall Initiative consultant
“Don’t ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” —Howard Thurman
The above quote from Black Christian mystic Howard Thurman resonates with me, capturing what is currently saving my life: my passion for social justice, the deconstruction of white theology and my commitment to a more just world for people of color. This inner fire propels me forward as a Black male in a world that often overlooks me, empowering me to uplift narratives and engage in spaces that affirm
my voice.
My journey began with an awakening to the systemic injustices that pervade our society. Witnessing the disparities faced by Black communities in the year of the unrest while pastoring an all-white church, unable to engage in the fight, awakened a conviction within me. This sentiment drives my work, compelling me to confront and dismantle the oppressive structures that seek to silence and marginalize people of color. As I do the personal work of deconstructing white theology, while embracing Black liberation theology, I have reclaimed a faith rooted in the struggle for justice and equality.
In my ministry, I strive to create spaces where Black voices are not only heard, but celebrated. I am dedicated to ensuring that the stories of those who are least, left out and overlooked are brought to the forefront. This mission is not just about speaking out against injustice; it’s about building a community where young Black individuals can see their worth and potential. I want to pave the way for a future where my soon-to-be four-year-old, Hudson the Great, and my soon-to-be eight-year-old, Ladybug, can thrive without apologizing for who they are. I want them to grow up in a world where their voices are valued and their contributions recognized.
Finally, my passion for social justice and dedication to my ministry are what make me come alive. They give me purpose and drive, reminding me that my voice matters. As I navigate spaces that often seek to undermine and dismiss my experiences, I am committed to creating opportunities for myself and others to speak out and be heard. By doing so, I hope to contribute to a world where Black narratives are uplifted, Black engagement is encouraged and every individual has the opportunity to live fully and freely. This is what is saving my life right now, and it is what keeps me moving forward with hope and determination.
PRAY, PRACTICE, PONDER
Lord, torment me. Keep before me the faces of the hungry, the lonely, the rejected and the despised. Inflict me with pain for those who hurt, are wounded, are oppressed, are abused and are victims of violence. Lord, give me a burning thirst for justice and righteousness. Give me the hope of Harriet, the writing skills of James Baldwin, and the ability to get into “good trouble” like the Honorable John Lewis. Help me, God, to leave this world a better place and, when I’ve done all that I can do, allow me to hear, well done! Ase and Amen.
I can write very good articles for you
This is my email id- lutforrahan93@gmail.com
THY KINGDOM COME” ! The “Judgment Day” = is the “Kingdom.”.”THY KINGDOM COME” ! The “Judgment Day” = is the “Kingdom.”.
Job 3:13 …” For now should I have lain down and been quiet; I should have slept: then had I been at rest,Job 3:14 ..”With kings and counsellors of the earth, who build desolate places for themselves,Job 3:15 ..” Or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver;Job 3:16 ..”Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants that have not seen the light
.Job 3:17 ..” There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the wearied are at rest.Job 3:18 ..”The prisoners together are at ease; they hear not the voice of the taskmaster.Job 3:19 …The small and great are there, and the bondman freed from his master.” [ A Description of death and Hades “i.e. the grave..] See John 5:28-29 .”THY KINGDOM COME” ! The “Judgment Day” = is the “Kingdom.”
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, the sentence of death passed upon the entire human race. Genesis 2:7 “and man became a living soul/being.”> (Ezekiel 18:4 the word of God states: “the soul that
sinneth it shall die.”)
> Adam and Eve were told by God where they would go; Genesis 3:19 “till thou return unto the ground;for out of it thou wast taken”…unto dust thou shalt return “…
[Job 3:13-18 ” 13″ For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, 14 With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves; 15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver: 16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. 17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. 18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.”…]
HOW? > John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.”>>> 1 Cor. 15:22-23 “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”>>>
*Furthermore in 1 Tim. 2:4-6 it is explained; ”Who will have all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, in due time.”[ A perfect human life for another perfect human life (a corresponding price])>>>
The first life defective and it’s posterity; the “last Adam, a quickening spirit.”
The risen Lord Jesus who was “holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners.” “The Word” or “Logos” who was made flesh, and in love and obedience to God his Father “poured out his soul unto death.”>>> Isaiah 53:12 Jesus stated in John 6:51 “and the bread I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” The ransom-price, the right to life, to be applied in due time.
1 John 2:2 “And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but for the whole world.”
The offer of justification to life as in Romans 5:18 “so by the righteousness of one, upon all men unto justification of life.” on the terms of Romans 10:10 “…believeth unto righteousness.” “…confession unto salvation.” >>>If there is a first resurrection, then there is more than one implied also. 1 Cor. 15:38 “…a body as it hath pleased Him.”
1 Cor. 15:40 “the glory of the celestial is one, the
glory of the terrestrial is another.”
Romans 5:19 “For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by the many be made righteous.”
WHEN? Acts 24:15.. Resurrection of the(“Just and Unjust”)! In Hebrews 11:3 the statement is made that “the worlds (ages) were framed by the word of God.” All
human history is shaped by the justice, love, wisdom and power of God; in permitting evil for
mans education, and the gift of his son for our redemption!
* Acts 17:31 “he hath appointed a day, he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained”.. Daniel 12:2 “Many that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake ” ..(The “unconscious aspect >
of death)..>>>( 2 Peter 3:8 “one day with the Lord as a thousand years.”)..
The “Judgment Day” = is the “Kingdom.”
* Jesus stated in John 5:28-29 “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice” “they that have done good, unto a resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto a resurrection of judgment.” i.e.(original meaning in early Greek MSS) >>>NOTE: the location of the dead is clearly stated to be the SAME , before their disposition upon resurrection! JESUS also includes in this resurrection: >>>
*Matt. 12:41-42 “the men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment.” ,
*Matt. 10:15 “more tolerable for the land of Sodom
and Gomorrah.” (Literally)!
*Matt. 19:28 “the 12 tribes of Israel.” >>>Jeremiah 31:16 “from the land of the enemy.”..These all having died in total or relative ignorance, and inherited weakness, prior to the millennial day of judgment!
Jesus stated again in John 12: 47-48 “if any man hear my words and believe not, I judge him not-the
word I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” A resurrection by judgments during the “times of restitution” >>>Acts 3:21.
* When the true “way of holiness”( Isaiah 35:8 ) will be prepared for mankind! (Isaiah 11:9 )“shall not hurt or destroy.” >>>(Isaiah 26:9 )“when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants will learn righteousness.” With Satan bound a 1,000 years! >>>1 Cor. 15:23 “every man in his own order.”
THE CALL OF OUR PRESENT AGE! John 6:44,65 Acts 15:14-18 “God did at the first visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” A spiritual church for his Son; the Christ.
(the Spirit and the Bride)
Rev. 22:17. Jesus said: “Deny self and follow me”>>> Matt. 16:24 “ sanctify them through thy truth” John 17:17 “ be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” Rev 2:10. The completion of this “first resurrection” ends this age! >>>THEN-Rev. 21:2 “new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven” Acts 7:48 “God dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” >>>Then the “millennial” reign of Christ actually begins! Psalm 102:18 “the people which SHALL BE CREATED”! ..You will be there !
THE NATIONS WILL BE HEALED ! YOU WILL BE THERE !
(Isaiah 33:24..)
Isa 65:22…
” they shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
“But truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” Numbers 14:21
God shall wipe away all tears from off all faces.
Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17
All wars shall cease.
Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3
All evil shall be suppressed.
Psalm 37:10; Revelation 20:2,3
God’s judgments shall teach righteousness to all.
Isaiah 26:9; 28:17
Nothing shall ever hurt nor destroy.
Isaiah 11:9
Truth shall triumph in the earth.
Psalm 85:11
God shall write His Law in the hearts of men.
Jeremiah 31:33
All shall know Him from the least to the greatest.
Jeremiah 31:34
Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God.
Habakuk 2:14
God shall pour out His spirit upon all flesh.
Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17
All iniquity shall be remembered no more.
Isaiah 55:7
All shall rejoice as sorrow and sighing flee away.
Isaiah 35:10
There shall be no more death, sorrow or pain.
Revelation 21:4,5
There shall be no more sickness.
Isaiah 33:24
The eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isaiah 35:5
The earth shall yield her increase.
Psalm 67:6
The desert shall blossom as the rose.
Isaiah 35:1
The ransomed of the Lord shall return from death.
Isaiah 35:10
One shall not build and another inhabit, nor plant and another take, nor shall any labor in vain.
Isaiah 65:22,23
Every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree.
Micah 4:4
God shall multiply the fruitage of the earth.
Psalm 67:6; 85:12
There shall be showers of blessing.
Ezekiel 34:26
The earth shall become like a Garden of Eden.
Isaiah 51:3