Good News - September 2021

I am an avid reader and have two books that really stand out in shaping my development as a leader. The first is Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and In- fluence People . I have always been quite introverted and that book gave me tremendous insight and triggered genuine interest in learning about the stories of others. It turned out I was more curious than I was shy. The other is almost any- thing by John Maxwell. But The Five levels of Leadership provides a magical perspective on leadership. I can only continue to strive to be that level five leader and have been blessed to know and be influenced by a few! Nancy Robin, President, Habitat for Humanity of Broward County “Braveheart” is a movie that not only had a huge impact on me when I saw it, but continues to inspire me every time I watch it. It’s a reminder that the pas- sion and commitment of one person can have an enormous effect. He experi- enced great victories as well as devastating defeats yet he never lost sight of the goal: freedom for Scotland. Indeed, even though he was ultimately hanged, drawn, and quartered for high treason, his final cry continues to ring through the ages: “And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!” Oksanan Horton, Artistic Director, Torch and Trumpet Theatre Company About 25 years ago, I Purchased and read The Little Herb Encyclopedia au- thored by Dr. Jack Ritchason, which became a life changer and path changer for me, because this book taught me the benefits of herbal supplements. The knowl- edge gained from this book has helped to improve and maintain my good health. God has used Dr. Ritchason to be a blessing to me and many others. O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center About 30+ years ago I was introduced to a small book called A Mind for God by James Emery White. Later I was reintroduced to the book at TIU. Two sen- tences stand out: "It is a moment of both peril and promise; the peril is that when the public square is uniquely open to spirituality and hungry for visionary ideas, the mind of the Christian is often found empty, passive, and more reflective of the world at hand than the world to come. But the promise is that Christians can stride forward and engage the world at the point of its great need." What great words to remember and to keep our focus on, precisely for this moment. Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Lecturer, Professor, Trinity International University - Florida August 27, 1997, I was on an airplane reading A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards and halfway through the book, there was one sentence where God said, “Are you willing to be a trustworthy vessel?“ I closed the book, I prayed that God would use me as a ‘trustworthy vessel’...and right then He spoke the words “Homeschool PE” (and the vision for Saints Homeschool PE was birthed!!!) From two words: ‘trustworthy vessel’...to two words: ‘Homeschool PE’ ....24 years later that book has impacted my life, and I pray the lives of many others in Jesus’ name!!! Coach RickAndreassen, founder and president, SAINTS International Sports Ministry and SAINTS of Florida Homeschool P.E. My path changing book was one I read in late 1970’s. The book is titled The Helper and was written by the late Catherine Marshall, Scottish Pastor Peter Mar- shall’s wife. The book was written to give a full explanation of the Holy Spirit. It was a game changer for me at that time in my life when I had just finished law school and was back in Fort Lauderdale with my new bride starting life together as a third generation lawyer in the real world. Moving from a vague understanding of the Holy Trinity to a grasp of the power Jesus left all believers with when he left this earth, was exactly what I needed to grow in my faith and with the power of the Holy Spirit, do my best to live a Jesus first life. Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris, Ziegler LLP “In His Step” – both the black and white movie and the book. I was shocked that the actors could talk so much about God and Jesus in the movie. It was al- most foreign to me, but really it was a delight. For the rest of my life, good or bad, I try to always ask what would Jesus do. Ron Bramos, Senior Pastor, Victory Life Church One of my favorite books, which I have re-read many times is To Kill a Mock- ingbird. I remember seeing the movie with my father when I was a child and feel- ing very bad for a man who was mistreated because of the color of his skin. Having grown up in a strand of Christianity that was racist, it helped me to see the value of all people who are made in the image of God. I still read it once every one or two years. It is a masterpiece and one of the rare times when a great movie is as good as a great book. Samuel Lamerson, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies, Knox Theological Seminary Beth Moore’s Breaking Free Bible study was one of the first I signed up for when we started going to Calvary. I remember praying about some fear that needed to be eradicated. Little did I know that wasn’t the only issue that would arise. This study made me realize the importance of these group/individual studies for personal growth. Letting God lead you to the right one can be life-changing. The last one I did was Fully Alive by Susie Larson. Another one that dug deep and caused major revelations. God speaks through these avenues if we are only willing to listen. Tewannah Aman, Executive Director, Broward County Right to Life Wants to Know… Mike McDermott Dr. Mike Rozenblum Milan Stefanovic Nancy Robin Oksana Horton Patricia Colangelo O’Neal Dozier Coach Rick Andreassen Romney C. Rogers Ron Bramos Samuel Lamerson Tewannah Aman