Ephesians 2:1–10 CEV

“In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else. But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God’s gift of undeserved grace is what saves you. God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. God did this so in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. This is why he sent Christ to make us what we are.”

If it were not for the love of God, none of us would be worth anything. In fact, we would be walking dead, looking for a grave to lay down in.

These are not my words. Paul tells the Ephesian church that we were all dead because of our sins. But God brought us to life through His undeserved grace. In other words, we did not then, and we do not now, deserve His grace. The reason we were then, and are now, eligible to be made alive is not because we deserve it, but because the Lord is truly good and kind to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.

Notice the conjunction, or antithesis, “but.” It serves as a directional signal. It changes the direction of the conversation and points us toward unmerited favor. We were dead—but God! We were sinners—but God! We were undeserving—but God! We were headed in the wrong direction—but God!

Although we do not deserve God’s grace, He extends it to us anyway. The Apostle John told us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish…” And here we go again—“but” has everlasting life.

That “but” symbolizes God’s grace, God’s favor, and God’s love for undeserving people who, by no merit of their own, are pardoned in this life and given a place in the Lord’s Kingdom yet to come.

When we see or say “But God,” it should force us to recognize both our unworthiness and the Lord’s sovereignty over all things—including us. The truth is that we cannot take credit for what only God could do. We didn’t save ourselves and we didn’t earn His grace. We didn’t deserve His mercy. But God!

I don’t know about you, but I thank God every day for the opportunity to look at my own life and say:

“BUT GOD!”

If God has ever stepped into your situation and changed the direction of your story, you ought to be able to say it with me:

BUT GOD!

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the clergy officiant of the Evangelical Church of God, all in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096), and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on YouTube and email us at [email protected]. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.

Based on reporting by The Positive Community.

WASHINGTON (HUNS) – On the second Sunday service of the semester at the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel at Howard University, Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, called on the Black church to be more steadfast in its efforts to elevate Black women to the pulpit.

On August 30, the renowned biblical scholar and senior teaching assistant of the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, spoke on the Biblical parable of the mustard seed with her sermon titled “Think Small”. Her sermon urged young people not to abandon their purpose in pursuit of accolades, but instead to pursue freedom and belonging without having to prove themselves. This sentiment is difficult for Black women who want to become senior leaders.

“Because of the unique context that was Alfred Street Baptist Church, I didn’t get pushback because I was a woman,” Rev. Fentress-Williams said. “What I will say is that I think I was slow to answer my call to ministry, and that’s typical for many women. Many women hear a call to ministry and say, no, that’s called a teacher.”

Despite teaching for 20 years, her journey into ministry illustrates the lack of acceptance for women to fully pursue their calling.

According to the Pew Research Center, 73% of Black adults identify as Christians (65% being Protestant, 4% being Catholics, and the other 4% associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses). However, Black women who make up 64% of congregations within the Protestant faith only account for 1% of senior leadership.

The disparity highlights how the Black church remains patriarchal in its authority. Rev. Kelly U. Farrow, founder of the Circle of Sacred Fire, a non-profit initiative that connects the 1% and dismantles those patriarchal beliefs.

Since 2018, the organization has curated teachings in sermon design and sisterhood for Black women. The organization has 58 circles nationwide, including collegiate chapters.

“[It] is critical because representation matters. We need to see every diversity, every gift, every voice, every shade, every age group in leadership at this time. Without representation, we are only singing and sharing half the song.” Rev. Farrow said.

Representation remains critical for younger generations already experiencing the pushback. Andrea Pool, president of Howard’s Community Gospel Choir, says being a young woman holding the highest position in the organization has made others question her ability to lead.

“I think coming to D.C. definitely just exposed me to a lot because with me being raised by people who were in the church, with my mom being a minister,” Pool said. “I didn’t realize there was another world out there that didn’t appreciate having females in leadership.”

The choir forges an acceptance of many Christian beliefs amongst members to stand on biblical principles. However, Pool is adamant about leaning on women leaders, like her mother, to remind her that identity and relationships alone are not what will make her a great leader.

“I think women in leadership can take younger generations, honestly, everywhere. I think in [the] church it is important to understand that men aren’t the only people who can lead. They aren’t the only people who can bring people to Christ.” Pool said.

Based on reporting by Howard University News Service.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community.

Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978. After acknowledging his call to ministry in 1980, he preached his first sermon and went on to serve churches throughout Southern California, including Second Baptist Church in Riverside, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Rubidoux, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, and Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda.

In November 2003, Clark was called to lead New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he served as pastor for more than 22 years. His work extended beyond the pulpit through counseling, mentoring, civic engagement, and efforts to strengthen Orange County’s African American community.

Clark served on the Orange County Heritage Council and supported efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture. He helped organize the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, served on the Interfaith Committee and the Orange County Transit Authority, and served as president of the Orange County Ministers Conference.

In 2024, the City of Santa Ana recognized Clark for his contributions to the community. He also received the Orange County Southern Baptist Association Hall of Faith Award and was previously honored as Pastor of the Year by the Orange County Heritage Council.

Clark is survived by his wife, Andrea Joyles Clark; six children, Shawn Williams, Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Kyla Coward, Joshua Clark, Marissa Clark and Ashley Clark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings; extended family; and the New Spirit Baptist Church congregation.

A wake will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Spirit Baptist Church, 701 S. Sullivan St. in Santa Ana, with a remembrance service from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Oct. 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda. Viewing begins at noon, followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will take place Monday, Oct. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Clark often shared a guiding principle that shaped his ministry: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

By Special to The Post

Church extends condolences to individual’s family and loved ones

At approximately 6:30 a.m. Monday, an unhoused individual was found deceased on the steps of Williams Chapel Baptist Church, located at 1410 10th Ave. on the corner of 10th and International in East Oakland.

The individual appears to have come to the church seeking safety and may have needed medical support. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the individual’s family and loved ones.

This tragedy reflects a broader crisis affecting unhoused individuals and families throughout the Bay Area. Too many people are living without reliable shelter or timely access to medical care, mental health support, and other essential services. Limited funding and insufficient resources continue to leave vulnerable people without the help they need.

Williams Chapel Baptist Church, a member of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, works alongside West Side Missionary Baptist Church to provide safe-haven overnight parking, tiny-home emergency shelter, and wraparound referral services to the unhoused.

With funding, both East and West Oakland sites can increase to full capacity and extend to other congregations, creating more safe places for people living on the streets to seek shelter, support, and connection to services.

We invite government agencies, nonprofit organizations, interfaith communities, businesses, and neighbors to join us in this work. By working together with compassion and purpose, we can develop meaningful solutions and help more people experiencing homelessness receive care, stability, and dignity.

By Special to The Post

Nuna Phillips-McKee will reach an extraordinary milestone on Sept. 24 —her 100th

birthday, marking a century filled with faith, family, service, laughter and the amazing grace of God.

Born Sept. 14, 1926, in Oakland, Nuna has witnessed a world of change during her lifetime, yet the values that have guided her remain constant: a deep faith in God, devotion to family, a strong work ethic and a heart for serving others.

She enjoyed a distinguished career as a civil servant for more than 40 years, demonstrating the dedication, dependability and strength that have characterized so much of her life.

Nuna’s life has been one of Christian service. A longtime member of Wings of Love Maranatha Ministries, now Incredible Church, she serves as director of Community Services and is actively involved in the church’s Food Ministries.

Through the years, she has continued to help meet the needs of others—not merely with food, but with kindness, compassion and a genuine desire to serve. Her ministry reflects a simple principle by which she lives: when God blesses you, you bless others.

Nuna is the proud mother of one son, whose memory she carries in her heart, and the beloved grandmother of three grandchildren, as well as six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

At 100, she has the rare blessing of seeing several generations of her family carrying forward a legacy that began long ago.

She remains the loving, intelligent, witty, and, when the occasion calls for it, delightfully sassy Nuna that her family and friends know so well. Her contagious laugh, quick wit and youthful spirit have endeared her to generations of relatives, church members and friends.

Nuna was born into the large and loving Phillips family of seven sisters and one brother, with bonds that formed in childhood and have remained precious throughout the decades. Their shared love, faith, and family traditions have continued to be a source of joy, strength and countless treasured memories.

As family and friends gather for this special occasion, they will celebrate far more than a number. They will celebrate 100 years of prayers prayed and answered; 100 years of lessons learned and wisdom shared; 100 years of family, faith, laughter and love; 100 years of serving God and serving others.

Most of all, they will celebrate a life that stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness through every season.

Nuna’s century-long journey can be summed up in the words chosen to commemorate this remarkable occasion: “100 years of God’s amazing grace.”

September 12 kickoff will unite residents, volunteers, community leaders, organizations, and local influencers for a 52-day nonpartisan Get Out the Vote initiative

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Faith & Works Collective presents ReVote Community Voter Project will launch Road to Black November, a 52-day nonpartisan voter-participation initiative, with a community kickoff on Saturday, September 12, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Creed63, located at 1601 Fifth Avenue North in downtown Birmingham.

Road to Black November will bring together residents, volunteers, community leaders, civic and social justice organizations, local influencers, and content creators around one shared goal: increasing Black voter participation in Jefferson County ahead of the November 3 General Election.

Faith & Works’ data identified more than 9,000 Black residents who are inactive or have been dropped from the voter files in the Jefferson County communities. The initiative is working to reach thousands of additional residents who may need to register or update their information. Road to Black November will help residents check their voter status, register to vote, and prepare to participate in democracy.

Road to Black November is not about telling people who to vote for or encouraging support for any candidate or political party. It is about increasing Black voter turnout by helping residents make sure they are registered, active on the voter file, informed, and prepared to vote.

“More than 9,000 Black residents in the communities we are working to reach have been identified as inactive or dropped from the voter file. That means thousands of our neighbors may believe they are ready to vote when they are not,” said Cara McClure, founder and executive director of Faith & Works Statewide Collective. “Democracy requires all of us to participate—and all of us to put in the work. You may not want to canvass or phone bank, but you can still make a difference. We will train you in relational organizing and give you the language and tools to reach your family, friends, church members, and neighbors. Everyone has a role in helping our community get ready for Black November.”

The free kickoff will include food, fellowship, voter-engagement tools, and volunteer training. Participants can choose how they want to contribute through canvassing, phone banking, voter-registration outreach, voter- status checks, relational organizing, community events, or online engagement. The kickoff will also begin a Week of Action from September 12–20, during which participants will work together to reach Jefferson County residents and invite others to become involved in the voter-participation initiative.

Participants may RSVP through September 11 at www.RoadToBlackNovember.com. Beginning September 12, the same website will become the Your Voter Journey hub, providing voter information, resources, and opportunities to participate through Election Day.

Road to Black November is strictly nonpartisan. Faith & Works will not tell residents who to vote for and will not support or oppose any candidate, political party, or political committee through this initiative.

About Faith & Works

Faith & Works Statewide Civic Engagement Collective is a Black-led, community-centered organization working to expand civic participation, develop community leadership, and strengthen residents’ ability to influence decisions affecting their families and communities.

Media Contacts

Cara McClure Founder and Executive Director Faith & Works Collective, 205-427-8312 – [email protected]

Brandon McCray, Road to Black November Organizing Manager, 205-215-1330 – [email protected]