From Elder Lisa’s heart... Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus! Thanksgiving has come and gone, and my hope is that your table was filled with your favorite Thanksgiving dishes, as you celebrated the goodness of the Lord and the abundance of His blessings in your lives; but don’t stop celebrating now! Because this month we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus!

Christmas is much more than a festive holiday marked by decorations, gifts, and gatherings. At its heart, Christmas is a time to remember and rejoice in the miraculous birth of Jesus, the Holy Lamb of God, who came into the world as a sign of God’s unfailing love for us. We celebrate this sacred event because it marks the moment when hope, peace, and salvation were made available to all humanity. Through Jesus’ birth, God fulfilled His promise to send a Savior, offering us the greatest gift of all—eternal life. This month, let us reflect on the meaning of Christmas, open our hearts in gratitude, share love with those around us, and remember the true reason for the season: the birth of Christ, our Redeemer and King.

Last month, the Lord reminded us of the promise He made to us in Hebrews 8:3-6 (NIV). With emphasis on verse 6, we were reminded that the new covenant, established by the earthly ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, includes better promises than the original covenant with Moses. Our message on Sunday morning, November 16, titled “I Am on the Road to Better!” challenged us to “get off autopilot,” thinking that we are traveling the same old road, with the same scenery, etc., but rather recognize the extraordinary road we are on now and being grateful that each day is a new day because of Jesus! Faith leads us to a feeling of expectancy leading us to victories, not coasting but actively engaged in seeking THE BETTER.
 
No matter what it may look like, or how familiar things may appear to be, know that you have not seen it all! Keep the word of God in your heart and on your lips. Keep the revelation! Keep the hope! Stay grateful and draw nearer to God: His protection, His mercy, His word, and His sacrifice. God has a CLAIM on you!! Your better is coming!

On the fifth Sunday, November 30, the Lord led us to continue in the series, “On the Road To Better!” because we are! It is a promise from God to all of us—His chosen ones. We are in the season of Advent. Advent is a special season of anticipation and preparation leading up to Christmas. During these weeks, Christians reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ’s coming brings into the world. Advent invites us to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, reminding us to wait expectantly for God’s promises to be fulfilled... Jesus is soon to return.

This holy season, let us remain focused on Jesus and reflect on the following:
* Jesus loves us. Let’s talk more about JESUS this season.
* This is Jesus’ season, not Santa’s.
* Jesus completely saves!
* Jesus’ priesthood is unending.
* Jesus took an oath to intercede for us. He took on all our sins on the cross and threw them into the “sea of forgetfulness.” Micah 7:19
* Jesus is still praying for us.
* Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
* Jesus paid the price for all of us (the chosen ones) to have a better life!

This season may you be reminded of the MIRACLES of GOD! Give thanks for unknown blessings already on the way! Life is getting BETTER!! Amen.
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                                                  Happy Birthday blessings to those born in December
                                                                          Sis Roxie Thomas  5
                                                                        Elder Lisa, December 7
                                                                    Bro Howard Greenlee—19
                                                                      Sis Marnessa Jones—30
                                                                      Sis Yvonne Jackson—31

​From Elder Lisa’s heart...
Happy New Year to all of you and your families in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus!  As we enter 2026, my prayer for all of you is for the light of the WORD of GOD in this New Year illuminate your path and guide you to peace, and spiritual fulfillment. May God’s grace proceed every step you take, for a year of divine abundance, as you grow stronger in your faith. 
 
December not only represents a holy time with the beginning of Advent, preparing for Christ birth, and the opportunity to share our faith with others, it also presented an opportunity for refreshing and rest for yours truly. I could not wait to put my feet in the sand along the beach of Ocean Cay. As far as your eye can see the ocean force being held at the shore by God’s authority, just as he held the water for Moses and the Israelites. God was assuring, comforting and restoring me as I shared swim time with small fish and sea gulls (oh and other travelers were there too). Thank you for your prayers, well wishes, monetary gifts and love. I am GRATEFUL for the time to breathe and take all of the beauty of God’s creation in and bring it back home in my memory.

So much to say at the close of this year. Sunday, December 21, the last sermon of the year, we were told to “Make Room for Jesus.”  In a powerful message based on Luke’s Gospel 2:1-7 (NET), we find Mary pregnant by the Holy Spirit of God (having ‘never known a man’) with baby Jesus, and she and Joseph are looking for a guest room in Bethlehem while they were traveling for the census to calculate taxes (not a fun time). There were no rooms available as the city was overcrowded, so when it was time for Mary to give birth, the pains of delivery without any doctors or sterile amenities, she delivers the promised Messiah Jesus. Mary and Joseph wrapped baby Jesus in cloths and placed him in a manger. (He would later be wrapped in similar cloths at His burial.) Just as these parents had to make room for Jesus after his birth, we too must make room for Jesus today by preparing ourselves (surrender), growing in faith and maturing in longsuffering (study) and making room for Him in our hearts (praise and worship). 
 
These were humble beginnings for the one who would be called the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Messiah who was foretold in the Old Testament who would come to save the world.  Jesus took on humanity so He would be acquainted with our pain (e.g., the poor, rejected, grieved, suffering and oppressed).  He is acquainted with everything we are feeling and everything we go through.  Jesus knows all about it...MAKE ROOM for Him. 
 
Frankly, as we look back on the memory of Jesus birth we acknowledge everyone was not celebrating. When the three magi approached Jesus as a vulnerable baby in a manger, they knew the angst some held at the news of his birth.  The King desired to see Jesus eliminated. Yet the magi came, even at the threat of alienation, persecution, or even death. It is clear in these last and evil days that those who carry the Cross for Christ do so with an awareness that everyone is not celebrating Jesus.

Overjoyed (yet aware) as stated above, we entered into our “Jesus B-Day Gift” distribution time with our Pillars AMBASSADORS, and we did so knowing that the love of Christ would heal the broken, hurting, confused, and even those who were angry. We witnessed sadness turned to joy, anger turned to forgiveness, confusion turned to clarity, all by the power of being present with God’s people and witnessing to the LIFE CHANGING proof of seeking, knowing and celebrating Jesus. I hope the greatest gift received is to know the power of LOVE and being PRESENT... that is the example of Jesus.
 
As we close 2025, there are many different perspectives of the year , some say that 2025 was a good year, others may tell of their struggles and trials they faced. For those who gathered at our WATCH NIGHT PRAYER and WORSHIP experience, we trust someone regained their faith, fortitude, resisted fear, and felt less burdened as we laid our heaviness at the altar. Songs, prayer, repentance and rejoicing was in the atmosphere, and for those ready to receive, we were moved to a new level of excitement and expectation for 2026.
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We declare the same for you…Happy New Year!!
                                                       Happy Birthday blessings to those born in January.
                                                                    Sis Tekya Jefferson– 8
                                                                        bro Bennie Green—15