Seeing the need with working with people. There was no one answering the contemporary questions.

WISE, Va. (PRWEB)
October 10, 2022

Author Dr. Randall P. Reagan takes readers on an impressive spiritual journey in Growing Your Friendship With Christ ($14.49, paperback, 9781662856877; $6.99, e-book, 9781662856884).

Dr. Randall P. Reagan’s discipleship workbook was written to encourage Christians to live an abundant life by growing in the Lord throughout their life journey. He delves into the Bible to provide readers with timely and ultimate answers and the tools to live victorious. Dr. Reagan explains his belief that all humans receive physical life from Christ when they are conceived, and those who turn from their sin and trust Christ receive eternal life from Him. In return, Christ blesses the obedient believers with an abundant life throughout their years on earth. With Dr. Reagan’s help, Christians can learn to use the Bible to grow a friendship with Christ while making this spiritual journey joyful, hopeful and rewarding.

When asked what inspired the author to write this book, Dr. Reagan said, “Seeing the need with working with people. There was no one answering the contemporary questions.”

Dr. Randall P. Reagan serves as a pastor, chaplain and teacher in Wise County, Virginia. For more than 40 years, he has been involved in ministry and holds a doctorate in religion and a master’s degree in education. Dr. Reagan loves preaching the Word and seeing people place their trust in the Lord and grow in their Christian lives. He faithfully encourages Christians to draw near to the Lord giving Him all the glory for what He accomplishes through their lives. Dr. Reagan and his wife are blessed to live in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and enjoy spending time with their three sons, three daughters-in-laws and four grandchildren. He enjoys hiking, camping, studying the bible and spending time with family.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Growing Your Friendship With Christ is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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We’ve seen enormous strains in the relationship between law enforcement and communities over the past several years. Marches and protests are not doing enough to curb the issues or open up the much-needed dialogue between communities and the police officers sworn to protect them.

ATLANTA (PRWEB)
October 07, 2022

National civil rights organization MovementForward, Inc. and America’s most powerful law enforcement groups and local agencies, are proud to announce National Faith & Blue Weekend 2022 (Faith & Blue), set to run today, Friday, October 7 through Monday, October 10, 2022. The mission of Faith & Blue is to facilitate safer, stronger, and more unified communities by connecting law enforcement officers and residents through the expansive reach of faith-based organizations in local communities.

This is the 3rd annual National Faith & Blue Weekend, and it has become the largest and most consolidated police-community outreach effort in U.S. history. There are approximately 3,000 engagements happening in all 50 states nationwide.

These 3,000 engagements will be amplified by eight “Marquee Events” occurring throughout the nation. These events are:

• 
  Friday, October 7: Opening Ceremony, Walk, and Field Day, 9:30am-1:00pm – Our Lady of Perpetual Help – 1600 Morris Road, SE, Washington, DC, 20020 – Hosted by the Metropolitan (DC) Police Department
• Friday, October 7: Community Celebration, 1:00pm-6:00pm – Times Square – Broadway and 47th Street, New York, NY, 10036 – Hosted by the New York City Police Department
• Friday, October 7: Gospel Concert, 7:00pm-9:00pm – Christian Fellowship MB Church – 445 W 119th Street, Chicago, IL 60628­ – Hosted by the Chicago Police Department
• Saturday, October 8: Community Conversation, 9:30am-12:00pm – Saint Bernadette Catholic Church –3285 Don Felipe Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90008 – Hosted by the Los Angeles Police Department
• Saturday, October 8: Community Conversation, 12:00pm-1:00pm – Destiny Pointe Christian Center – 2350 E Mayfield Rd. Arlington, TX 76014 – Hosted by the Arlington Police Department
• Sunday, October 9: Community Conversation: 1:00pm-3:00pm – First Congregational United Church of Christ – 105 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303 – Hosted by the Atlanta Police Department
• Sunday, October 9: Youth Dialogue, Philadelphia, PA, 3:00pm-5:00pm – St. Barnabas Mission – 6006 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19151 – Hosted by the Philadelphia Police Department
• Monday, October 10: Music Festival and Closing Ceremony, 4:00pm-7:00pm – Lawn on D – 420 D Street, Boston, MA 02210 – Hosted by the Boston Police Department

The national event will officially kick off in Washington, D.C. this morning with MovementForward CEO and Faith & Blue lead organizer Rev. Markel Hutchins, D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee, other law enforcement officials, and prominent religious and community leaders taking part in a special opening ceremony, community field day, and faith walk. This afternoon (Friday, Oct. 7), NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and other police officials will be joined Rev. Hutchins for a marquee event in New York City’s Times Square. Other key events will follow in Los Angeles, Arlington (TX), Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and will wrap up on Monday, October 10th in Boston where Rev. Hutchins and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox will be joined by Catholic Cardinal Patrick O’Malley.

During Faith & Blue, law enforcement agencies across the United States will team up with local faith-based and other community organizations to host public activities focused on repairing and strengthening the bond between communities and those that protect them. The activities include forums and town halls, crime reduction briefings, peace and unity walks, marches, picnics, athletic events, vigils, and other activities that foster an environment of problem-solving, resolution, and reconciliation.

Faith & Blue is a non-partisan, non-sectarian effort aimed at increasing cooperation, breaking down biases, and building bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve. This critical effort comes amid historic rises in crime nationally and on the heels of high-profile controversial events involving police.

Faith & Blue is co-convened by MovementForward, Inc., an inclusive social change organization working to protect, promote, and advance civil and human rights, and the United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).

“As most of the nation knows, we’ve seen enormous strains in the relationship between law enforcement and communities over the past several years,” says Rev. Hutchins. “Marches and protests are not doing enough to curb the issues or open up the much-needed dialogue between communities and the police officers sworn to protect them.” The noted civil rights leader continued, “the pathway to success is collaborative efforts.”

In its inaugural year of 2020, Faith & Blue facilitated 1,000 community-led activities in 43 states and the District of Columbia. In the second year, Faith & Blue 2021 doubled to more than 2,000 engagements across all 50 states. Rev. Hutchins says the compounded stresses of historic rises in crime, the growing frequency of mass shootings, and the recent perilous strains on police-community relations across the country have brought about a critical need to strengthen connections with local law enforcement through solutions-focused partnerships in every neighborhood in America.

For more information about National Faith & Blue Weekend, or to find an event near you, visit http://www.faithandblue.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL FAITH & BLUE WEEKEND

Sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T and the Motorola Solutions Foundation, National Faith & Blue Weekend (Faith & Blue) is a collaborative initiative that builds bridges and breaks down biases through activities and outreach amongst law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve. Faith & Blue is based on the premise that strong communities are built on mutual respect and understanding. Law enforcement entities and faith-based organizations are both key pillars of local communities, and when they work together, neighborhoods thrive. Faith & Blue is a nationalization of the One Congregation One Precinct initiative (OneCOP), a program of MovementForward, Inc. which is a solutions-focused, social change organization based in Atlanta, Georgia led by noted human and civil rights leader, the Rev. Markel Hutchins. Faith & Blue organizers represent every major national law enforcement group and faith tradition in the United States of America. Visit National Faith & Blue Weekend at http://www.faithandblue.org or connect via Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. #FaithAndBlue #FaithAndBlue2022

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MEADVILLE, Pa. (PRWEB)
October 07, 2022

“The Story of My Life”: a concise and expressive memoir. “The Story of My Life” is the creation of published author Lauriston Joseph.

Joseph shares, “My reason for this book is to let people know how God has been so great to me in the struggles of my life.”

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Lauriston Joseph’s new book will entertain and encourage as Joseph expresses thankfulness for all life has had to offer.

Joseph brings readers into a personal and reflective journey as they witness key moments that have shaped the author’s faith.

Consumers can purchase “The Story of My Life” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about “The Story of My Life,” contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

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MEADVILLE, Pa. (PRWEB)
October 07, 2022

“The Resurrection Of Matthew”: an exciting new voice in the Christian fiction genre. “The Resurrection Of Matthew” is the creation of published author Thomas Jerke, a retired speech-language pathologist who decided to become a writer after forty-five-plus years of working in the medical profession. Jerke has authored two autobiographical works relating to growing up on a farm in rural Colorado and attending a small three-room red brick school (“Beebe Draw” and “After Beebe Draw”). His third book stems from his work as a therapist, relating to the types, causes, and progression of dementia in the elderly (“Truly Beautiful People: A Guide to Understanding the Effects of Dementia in the Elderly”). This work also includes stories of patients he worked with over the years and provides advice on how to best cope and relate to those with dementia and other altering conditions.

Jerke shares, “Matthew Delany is a thirty-something-year-old man who is enjoying the ‘good life.’ He relies on alcohol, drugs, and women to bring him happiness. That is until things start to take a turn for the worse. He begins to sense that he is losing his grip on life as his addictions take control. The problem is he does not know how to rid himself of his afflictions, or even if he wants to. The Resurrection of Matthew tells the story of this man’s past and the demons which possess him. He lives in a world of denial as he travels the road of life, which is becoming darker and darker. It takes a powerful message of reality to awaken Matthew to the dangers he is facing. The question is, will he heed the warnings?

“Matthew has never had God in his life. He has never wanted God to be a part of his life. Can a man who is in denial regarding his addictions and rejects the presence of God find a way to enlightenment? The Resurrection of Matthew shares one man’s struggles to find his way to the light. First, he must come to realize that he cannot complete this journey on his own. He cannot overcome his demons without help from powers beyond himself. It may just take a miracle for Matthew to find peace in his life. But that does not mean that he will not continue to face trials and tribulations. But at least now, he will not face them alone.”

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Thomas Jerke’s new book will captivate readers as Matthew Delany brings an encouraging message to the forefront.

Jerke expands his literary work to present his flagship novel for the enjoyment and inspiration of all.

Consumers can purchase “The Resurrection Of Matthew” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about “The Resurrection Of Matthew,” contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

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MEADVILLE, Pa. (PRWEB)
October 07, 2022

“Broken for Purpose”: a potent reminder of God’s continued presence in each of our journeys. “Broken for Purpose” is the creation of published author Angela D. Jackson, also known as Yielding Vessel, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a dedicated minister who leads the praise dance ministry in her local church. She holds a BS in marketing and a master’s degree in leadership development. She is currently studying for her second master’s in counseling. She has a son, Jordan, who just started his junior year in college.

Yielding Vessel shares, “The purpose of become whole requires you to endure and grow through your experiences. You have to push through painful places. There is power in pain. Being broken into pieces allows you to become a vessel of honor. God will continue to make and mold you into a willing vessel. Understand that storms have a purpose: to uproot things that are shipwrecked in our lives. A vessel is a hollow container, yet spiritually we have the Word of God as a treasure in this earthen vessel, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us!

“Only God can complete us within the inner man and make whole the outer man.”

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Yielding Vessel’s new book will encourage and challenge readers in their faith to trust in God and follow His lead.

With an engaging balance of thoughtful reflection and relevant scripture, readers will find a helpful message of hope within the pages of this passionate discussion of faith, God, and the valleys of life.

Consumers can purchase “Broken for Purpose” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about “Broken for Purpose,” contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

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Poet, Essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil discusses writing about phobias and how poetry promotes empathy in Dr. Margaret Payne’s creative writing course during her visit Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.

We were so excited to have Aimee Nezhukumatathil on campus. The students were engaged and we could not have asked for a better turnout.

HENDERSON, Tenn. (PRWEB)
October 06, 2022

Essayist and poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil smiles like an axolotl when faced with a challenge, finds endless inspiration amongst the world’s flora and fauna and encourages everyone to find empathy for others through prose, poetry and literature. In late September, she visited Freed-Hardeman University, becoming the first mainstream author in recent years to guest lecture on the campus.

Nezhukumatathil’s works have earned her national recognition and acclaim from the literary community including The New York Times and Barnes & Noble. She has written “World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, & Other Astonishments” (2020). It is in this book that she writes about the axolotl, also called the Mexican Walking Fish, a pink salamander with a perpetual smile. Her additional published works include “Oceanic” (2018); “Lucky Fish” (2011); “At the Drive-In Volcano” (2007) and “Miracle Fruit” (2003).

She is also an English and creative writing professor in the University of Mississippi’s MFA program. Nezhukumatathil’s visit to Freed-Hardeman University’s campus was made possible by the Engaged Learning Initiative, or ELI, and the FHU Department of Communication and Literature. Nezhukumatathil began her afternoon in Dr. Margaret Payne’s creative writing course. A dinner was held for her at the Hardeman House, and she ended the evening in Ayers Auditorium with 200 students from various English courses. Many of them were students of Neil Segars, Hannah Graves and Loren Warf, of FHU’s English faculty. The classes were reading “World of Wonders” or “Oceanic.”

“We were so excited to have Aimee Nezhukumatathil on campus,” said Payne, who is the chair of FHU’s Department of Communication and Literature. “The students were engaged and we could not have asked for a better turnout.”

While in Payne’s class, Nezhukumatathil described herself as a life-long learner.

“I’m a full professor, yet I still feel like I’m a student,” she said. “And I never want to get to a point where I think I’m the master of poetry.”

The class, filled with sophomores, juniors and seniors, some of whom have an interest in teaching and writing, listened to Nezhukumatathil’s story about how she discovered modern poetry.

“It was very encouraging to hear her say she discovered poetry later when she was an undergraduate,” said Shayli Studer, a senior English education major in Payne’s class. Nezhukumatathil talked about the use of persona, or a mask, which is a method writers use to write from a perspective that is not their own. She asked students to discuss fears and phobias, and during an eight-minute free writing session, Nezhukumatathil challenged them to use persona to write about a phobia.

Studer chose to write about ancraophobia, or the fear of wind.

“I enjoyed (the session) and that’s something I want to teach my future students, to think for themselves and promote empathy for others,” Studer said.

Students wrote about other fears including the fear of flowers (anthrophobia), the fear of the moon (selenophobia) and the fear of cats (ailurophobia), most chose to read their short poems aloud.

“You built something out of 26 letters and eight minutes,” Nezhukumatathil said. “You made us all feel empathy. I encourage you to find other phobias to write about that evoke empathy for another person’s life.”

Students questioned Nezhukumatathil about her study of nature and her writing method.

“When I have time, I make time to chip away at a poem, but my drafts are a hot mess,” Nezhukumatathil quipped. “After about 100 or so drafts, I start to take inventory whether I’m writing about childhood, motherhood, or the outdoors. Out of 175 total poems, not all are solid, so I drill down. But I find that I write double in order to get to the ‘good stuff.’”

Nezhukumatathil elicited laughter from the students while reading her poems “Are All the Break Ups in Your Poems Real?” “The Mascot of Beaver Creek High Breaks Her Silence” and several passages from “World of Wonders” where she made bird calls and asked students to mimic fireflies by turning on their cell phone flashlights as the room’s lights were dimmed.

“It looks so cool; FHU, you look so good,” Nezhukumatathil said as she paused to capture the moment on her cell phone.

FHU freshman Ben Cooper took a selfie with Nezhukumatathil after she signed a copy of “World of Wonders” for him.

“It was an amazing book,” he said. “I usually have a hard time connecting with reading, but I enjoyed the nature stories. I personally loved the stories about Monarch butterflies and fireflies.”

When Nezhukumatathil speaks about fireflies, she is reminded of road trips with her family. She encouraged writers when faced with a blank screen or page, to start with what they love and begin to write about it.

“Be curious, the world is full of wonders, let yourself be astonished,” Nezhukumatathil said. “Be a student of something for the rest of your life.”

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FHU social clubs annual tailgate before the Lady Lions and Lions take the court.

For more than six decades, homecoming has provided the FHU family with opportunities to reconnect with their friends, alma mater and memories. It is our privilege to host a week that welcomes everyone home.

HENDERSON, Tenn. (PRWEB)
October 04, 2022

Alumni, parents and friends will celebrate Freed-Hardeman University Homecoming 2022: The Story of Us Friday, Nov. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.

“For more than six decades, homecoming has provided the FHU family with opportunities to reconnect with their friends, alma mater and memories,” FHU Director of Alumni Engagement Chris Ramey said. “It is our privilege to host a week that welcomes everyone home.”

Alumna Brittany Ringold Evans (’05) of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, has spent several months gathering feedback from social club representatives to add new life to social club competitions that have been held since the 1990s. These events begin Nov. 6 and include window painting, bonfire, powder puff football, basketball tournament, campus-wide singing, canstruction, fun and glow run, Lion Walk, tailgating, and election and coronation of homecoming court.

Special programs are planned for homecoming week chapels, held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, through Friday, Nov. 11. Alumnus Vondal Davidson (’92) of Troy, Tennessee, will speak in chapel Monday, followed by the homecoming court presentation Tuesday, a preview of “Matilda” Wednesday, a guest alumnus Thursday and Tennessee Army National Guard Chaplain/First Lieutenant and Tusculum Church of Christ Executive Minister Will Tidwell of Nashville leading the Veterans Day ceremony Friday.

Friday, Nov. 11, will bring dozens of FHU family members to campus for ALUMination Day, as well. At this annual event, alumni spend time with students to network and share career advice, wisdom, expertise and experience.

The FHU family will celebrate the renovation of Paul Gray men’s dorm with a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Once again housing male students, Paul Gray’s renovation is part of the FHU Next campaign, a five-year, $100+-million campaign focused on improving the student experience.

In partnership with Chester County Youth Theater, FHU Theatre will present “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” Thursday, Nov. 10, and Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. in Loyd Auditorium. Tickets are available at fhutickets.com.

The classes of ’82, ’92,’02 and ’22 are specially invited to return to campus for milestone reunions. A Hardeman Boys performance in Old Main’s Chapel Hall Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. will welcome the ‘82 class and be open to the public. Performing with this group that toured the country representing FHC will be Kevin Owen (’84), Todd Tunnell (’85), Kyle Wadley (’83), Mark Crawford (’85), Jerry Elder (’83) and others.

Saturday, Nov.12, events will begin with the annual Legacy Student Pinning Ceremony at 10 a.m. in Chapel Hall. New students whose parents or grandparents are FHU alumni will celebrate their family’s FHU legacy.

Guests are invited to the Lion Walk and tailgating on the Brewer Sports Center Lawn at noon. Petra, a beloved Freed-Hardeman student band from the 1980s, will bring alumni David Decker (’81) of Milner, Georgia; Jeff (’82) and Kandy (Turbeville, ’82) Shackelford of Bolivar, Tennessee; and Michelle Gossett Lasley (’83) of Brentwood, Tennessee, to the tailgate stage at noon.

Brewer Sports Center is likely to be near capacity when the Lady Lion Basketball hosts Blue Mountain at 2 p.m. and Lion Basketball takes on LSU-Alexandria at 4 p.m. on Smith-Kirk Court. The 2021-22 Lady Lion Softball team will be honored for their historic postseason run last spring to the NAIA Women’s World Series, where they finished in the top four in the country.

The Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be in Brewer Sports Center Auxiliary Gym at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. This year’s class includes Grace Alonso de Armiño (Women’s Basketball 2011-2015), Orlando Bass (Men’s Basketball 2011-2016), Brandon Guske (Baseball 2014-2017) and Distinguished Service Award winner Martha Lewis (presented posthumously). Tickets for the games and the Hall of Fame are available at GoFHULions.com.

Saturday, Nov. 12, will conclude with congregational singing in Chapel Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Homecoming week will close Sunday morning, Nov. 13, with a worship service at 9 a.m. in Loyd Auditorium. FHU President David R. Shannon will speak.

A complete schedule of Homecoming events is available at fhu.edu/homecoming. Tickets to intercollegiate athletic events, including the Sports Hall of Fame dinner, may be purchased at GoFHULions.com. Other Homecoming event tickets are available at FHUTickets.com.

The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. More information is available at fhu.edu.