The excitement of Umoja 2012 is winding down; I want to personally thank you for your support.  If you were a cast or crew member, sold or purchased tickets/merchandise, passed out a playbills or verbally shared information, your participation was greatly appreciated. 

I would be remiss if I did not mention our Umoja top ministry ticket sellers who were instrumental in contributing to three nights of sold out performances.  These were the five top ministry ticket sellers: #1 Sanctuary Choir led by Traci Barnett and Janie Mennis, #2 Diaconate Ministry led by Ricky Bobo, #3 Ushers Ministry led by Callie Kearney, #4 Bag Servants Ministry led by Rose King, and #5 Elders led by Clyde Hunt.  I also would like to personally thank our Umoja Corporate Sponsor Mr. Geno & Dr. Paula Spence-Evans & Family, donors and advertisers.   Take another look at Umoja 2012 on our Umoja Facebook Fan-page at www.facebook.com/theblvdumoja to check out Umoja photos and videos.  God is great and greatly to be praised!    We will have a limited supply of Umoja merchandise gear on sale in the Bookstore through May 13.

The feedback we have received makes this another stellar year for Umoja.  In addition, we received over five hundred Umoja Guest connection cards that could result in saving souls which is the most important aspect of all our outreach events.  Our team is following up with the guests who provided contact information and praying over the names of every guest who completed a Connection Card.  Our three Umoja guest gift cards winners were Yolanda Beason, Virginia Knox, and Sylvia Laird. 

As we strive to improve our serve to Memphis and the surrounding communities, I would appreciate if you would complete our “Online Umoja Survey”.  All responses to this survey are anonymous and your feedback is very important to our serve.  The survey will be available online through Friday, May 11, at midnight.  Click here to complete our online Umoja survey.

This Sunday, May 6, I will begin a new sermon series, “Rags to Riches.”  The call for this sermon series is to make the choice to be generous as a part of a decision, and refuse to be a victim of our life and circumstances.  I am excited about this series as once again we look at living from the inside out.  Don’t miss this series that will encourage everyone to stop being a victim of debt, bad relationships, financial problems, or low self esteem.  I have much more to share, but you need to be here as we travel from “Rags to Riches”.

I want to share with you an email testimony that I received this week from a member who is living out 10-10-80: “I would like to take this time to thank you and share with you what you teaching and preaching has done in my life. On April 26 2012 I closed on my house at the age of 22.  I don't believe any of this would have been possible if you didn't teach God’s economy and my mother teaching about saving money.  I am so thankful for God blessing me with a pastor that does more than preaching but also goes and breaks things down so that young adults can understand and know how to approach different issues in today's society.  Thanks for all you have done and all you will do.”

Please pray for me as I travel to Lexington Theological Seminary on Friday, May 11, to deliver the keynote speaker address to the 146^th graduating class.  The Seminary is an accredited graduate theological institution of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has prepared leaders for the church since 1865.

I really enjoyed seeing a packed house during the Umoja performances, let’s do it again; bring a friend or two to worship with you this Sunday!

Blessings,