Word Praize

Publicist Predicted Gospel Boom in AA Community

Post 9/11 days and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina have made most people in America stop and say a prayer. Books like The Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce Wilkenson, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and the first-time author Joel Osteen's Live Your Best Life have toppled the prestigious New York Times best-seller lists and have paved the way for more Christian books.

Christian information is at its peak and there is a great revival sweeping the land. In the African American community especially, where the spiritual heritage is deeply rooted in the culture, there are more gospel artists, plays, movies, television programs, radio ministries, magazines and books than any other time in history.

The African American Christian community has produced some of the largest churches - noting that it is not church as usual - it is MEGA. National ministry leaders such as Bishop T.D. Jakes and Juanita Bynum have also become best-selling authors in the AACM (African American Christian market) opening the door for many more to come behind them.

Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc. (MMS) was the vision of Pam Perry, of Detroit, because of her desire to market the message to the masses through the media. What message? "The Gospel of Jesus Christ," says Perry. "The first two letters of the word gospel is G-O and that's what I have been called to do. To go to the media to tell the story of Christian authors."

Perry's public relations and advertising career spans over two decades. The first ten years she spent working in ad agencies and secular media. The last ten she has dedicated to ministry marketing. Her first ministry job was with The Salvation Army as P.R. Director.

"Although I grew up Christian, my commitment to God really changed after I starting reading Christian books and was exposed more to Christian media. It was like an explosion in my soul and my purpose was clear," says Perry.

"I fell in love with Jesus all over again - and it changed my life. Starting Ministry Marketing Solutions is one way I can dedicate all my gifts and talents back to God. It was destiny how God used all my past experiences for such a time as this."

Perry believes that most people are "just one book away from their breakthrough." That is why she is so passionate about Christian books and helping African American Christian authors. As president and founder of the American Christian Writers Detroit chapter, Perry mentors others through the publishing process.

"Everyone has a testimony if they're a Christian - just being saved should make them excited enough to want to tell somebody. The Bible says we overcome by the word of our testimony and our community is filled with overcomers with powerful stories. It's our mandate to tell somebody - writing it down is key."

Perry says being in business and keeping a Christian focus takes a lot of faith and patience. "When I first started out, people thought I was crazy. I walked away from my job and started with nothing. All I had was a vision. I took the leap of faith by getting out of the boat. I call this my 'water walking' experience and I just keep my eyes on Jesus. It's humbling and so awesome at the same time. I am amazed at how God can use me."

Since Ministry Marketing Solutions started five years ago with no clients - they have now worked with the Christian divisions of top publishers like Random House and Time Warner. The agency has a roster of the most well known AACM authors in the industry such as Bishop Paul Morton, Bishop Thomas Weeks, Dr. Patricia Bailey, Terri McFaddin and former CNN anchor Andria Hall.

MMS also has some "home grown" success stories like Kim Brooks author of He's Fine...But is He Saved? and Ken Brown, From Welfare to Faring Well. Both are first-time Detroit authors who have been featured in the Detroit News and on national radio programs.

"It's not about the fame in the name for me," says Perry. "It's all about the message and how passionate the author is about changing lives. I can get an author all the press they want but God looks at me to see if His message is the one that is getting the glory. Keeping that philosophy is key and I think that is what makes our company a success."

Dr. Gail M. Hayes is a much sought-after conference speaker and author. She has appeared on QVC, Christian Television Network, Total Christian Television and the Sky Angel Network. She is a former police officer and consultant to U.S. military. Her latest book is Daughters of the King (Walk Worthy Press, 2005). She lives in Durham, NC with her husband and two children.

Writers for the King

His Glory Passes By by Gail M. Hayes, PhD

"So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Exodus 33:22

Brother Moses and the children of Israel saw some marvelous things. Just think about it for a moment. They saw the pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. Before that, they saw the plagues that never touched them, torment the Egyptians. They saw death come and they, while wiping the sleep from their eyes, lived to see their first born still alive. They saw and experienced the Lord do some mighty things.

Let's don't even talk about Brother Moses. This man had some clout with God. He heard God's audible voice and saw the burning bush. Right about that time, I would have been searching for my notebook and digital recorder because I know no one would believe what I was seeing. Unlike me at times, this brother knew that God was real. The challenge was that the other Israelites didn't see and experience what He saw and experienced. But wasn't the Red Sea experience enough?

As I read the stories of their wilderness experiences, I couldn't help but think of how even after seeing and experiencing God's miraculous power, they still fell into unbelief and sin. In Exodus, chapter 32, when Moses was still in God's presence getting the Ten Commandments, they forced Aaron to make a golden calf so they could worship the ugly beast. Moses had to pray some hard prayers and plead with God so He wouldn't kill them. I just couldn't believe that people could be so ungrateful after seeing and experiencing what they saw and experienced. Oh, but pride has a way of working overtime and I soon discovered that pride was my middle name…with a capital P! 

Before I receive a writing assignment, I complain because I don't have any work. Once I do receive the assignment, I complain because I cannot seem to get started. I don't feel inspired to write or something else seems to have priority. It's as if some unknown force holds me captive. Never mind, that I am getting paid…hopefully. Never mind, that I have a deadline. Never mind, that I am being selfish. Never mind that I have an opportunity to write something that gives God center stage in my life. No, I need to be the Prima Donna of the Writing Court. I need an audience. I need to have my ego stroked. I just need what I need when I need it!

You see, at the moment I accept the assignment, the fiery passion I had for writing turns to cement. When I lift my hands to the keyboard, I feel the weight of the heavy, wet mixture becoming one with my fingers, and stalling the flow of my blood. I freeze at the moment of inspiration because my hands cannot keep up with my mind. In desperation, I shake myself, hoping that the moment will pass. My internal screams go unheard.

Okay, I admit that I've seen God operate in my life. I admit that I know He comes through for me but I still have trouble standing in the face of writer's block or in the constant flow of life's interruptions. I become irritated and angry with the entire writing process when God's promises do not happen as quickly as I believe they should. Hey, remember… I need what I need when I need it!!!

Do you know what happens next? I find myself making up things. Instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to move, I move with my natural ability and make up something. For us creative types, making up something comes natural. But what comes natural is not always what's best. Have you ever just "made something up" just so you could see some action? In my making up mode, I try to justify my actions and even become impatient with God because He does not get in line with my program. When this happens, I usually fall flat on my face and then become angry because He let me fall.

In my anger, I cannot honestly face my doubts and admit I no longer believe God's promises. I do not believe that He will give me the assignments, speaking engagements, and the platform for my work. Doubt shoves faith into a pit and sits itself on the throne of my heart. That's when the real trouble starts because the only thing that rescues me…ugh! Shall I say it? Okay, here goes…humility. I have to humble myself under the mighty hand of God so that He can exalt me and my writing ability. I have to cry out and ask for Daddy's help.

So I am learning that when my loving Father drops manna at my tent, prepared in heaven's kitchen that I cannot complain and cry for meat. When He sees my need for protein and delivers quail on the wings of the wind, I have to be grateful. When I feast on the manna and quail and then realize that I thirst, He is so precious that He gives me sweet water from the Rock and stays with me, like He did with the children of Israel. He even guides my way with the cloud of His wisdom by day and blocks the enemy's attacks with the fire of His might by night.  I then see the enemies of pride, self pity, and doubt drown in the Red Sea of confusion as I stand on shores of assignment completed and rejoice.

I am so grateful for His mercy. Because of His lovingkindness, I am learning that when I stop complaining and allow Him to do what He does best, I can go into His presence and experience joy unspeakable much like my fellow scribe and brother Moses. The Lord placed Moses in the cleft of the Rock, in the secret place and he saw God. When He passed by, the Lord left glory all over the Rock where He hid Moses. When Moses came out, God's glory shined from his face so brightly that he had to wear a veil when he went before the people.

My prayer for us all today is that we all remember why we write. It can't be for the people. It can't be for the fame. It can't be for the money. It can't be for the "whatever" it is that we think it is. It's got to be that this writing thing is so heavy upon us that we can barely speak or move unless we get our words from Him. It's got to be that when we sit down at computer or with pen in hand that His fire pulses through our veins, so powerfully that we set fire to everything and everyone around us. It's got to be that we long to taste the honey of His approval, the refreshing of His affirmation, and the passion of His acceptance. It's got to because we love Him.

Then, as we go into the secret place, I pray that we emerge, like Moses, with faces that reflect God's glory and tablets written with the finger of God. As the Father shines through us, I pray that we write the words that make others hunger for our Daddy.  I pray that we all emerge, filled with His power and ready to write again.

Always remember...we are writers of the King!

©2005 -- Gail M. Hayes, Ph.D. -- all rights reserved.

Dr. Gail M. Hayes is a much sought-after conference speaker and author. She has appeared on QVC, Christian Television Network, Total Christian Television and the Sky Angel Network. She is a former police officer and consultant to U.S. military. Her latest book is Daughters of the King (Walk Worthy Press, 2005). She lives in Durham, NC with her husband and two children.