media@stephanieljones.com

*Reuters is reporting that a black engineer has sued Disney's American Broadcasting Co (ABC) on Monday, saying his supervisors refused to remove a black doll that dangled from a hangman's noose near his work station for more than a year.

Oswald Wilson, who worked in ABC's Broadcast and Engineering Division in Manhattan, said the doll was displayed beginning in March 2004 in response to a newspaper clip celebrating Black History Month that he posted, according to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court.

But an ABC spokeswoman said that there was "absolutely no tolerance for discrimination" at the company and that the doll was actually a Mardi Gras voodoo doll displayed by some employees, including Wilson, to "put a hex on a supervisor."

"What Mr. Wilson appears to be describing are Mardi Gras beads and a Mardi Gras doll that he participated in placing," ABC spokeswoman Julie Hoover said.

The lawsuit accuses American Broadcasting Co, its parent company Walt Disney Co., and six of Wilson's superiors of discrimination and allowing a hostile work environment.

Wilson said that he was also forced to endure "racially charged comments and epithets" by his immediate supervisors.

Wilson first discovered the noose — a potent symbol of racist lynchings and hatred of black Americans — in March 2004. He notified his manager, saying "such a hateful display was incredibly offensive to him as an African-American man."

Wilson was temporarily transferred to another location, but the doll was never taken down, he alleged in the complaint. According to the complaint, Wilson was told that since the noose was not "in his immediate work area" he did not have reason to complain.

The doll was taken down in October 2006, only after Wilson was transferred back to the original location and had informed his superiors that he photographed it, the complaint said.

Hoover said that the doll was removed as soon as Wilson told human resources division of its existence.

Inner City Broadcasting's WLIB's newest show, The Yolanda Adams Morning Show, is currently 15th in New York City.

Now airing on 1190AM Gospel radio from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekday mornings, Adams' popular Gospel morning show is already heard in 14 other markets.

The four-time Grammy Award winner has settled well into her role as a morning show host and recently scored the biggest ratings in her show's short history with the fall 2007 Arbitron Ratings book showing considerable gains in several markets including Atlanta and Raleigh.

In Philadelphia she struck a nice chord with younger listeners as she has achieved higher ratings than all of her urban competitors in the 18-34 demographic.

Yolanda is joined by co-hosts Brother Larry Jones, comedian Marcus Wiley, Bishop Secular, and Minister Anthony Valary.

Acclaimed Pastor Accepts High Honor For His Epic Book Reposition Yourself

Essence magazine has presented Bishop T. D. Jakes with the 2008 President’s Award for his book, Reposition Yourself. The accolade is given to an author whose 2007 book best conveys the editorial mission of Essence magazine, which is to encourage readers to put faith into action and reclaim their dreams.

“I am honored that my book has been selected for the Essence President’s Award,” said Bishop Jakes. “I consider this a true privilege.”

The New York Times and Essence bestseller offers practical and spiritual advice to inspire readers to transform their lives. Essence describes Reposition Yourself as “a makeover for the soul.”

The recent tribute follows numerous awards presented to Bishop Jakes. In January the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) bestowed Jakes with the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award. Additionally, Jakes was named among the “25 Most Influential of 2007” by Essence, and was selected by CNN as one of 15 world notables to serve on its Blue Ribbon Heroes Panel.

About Bishop T. D. Jakes
Bishop Thomas Dexter (T. D.) Jakes heads the globally recognized multicultural,
non-denominational church The Potter’s House of Dallas, which has more than 30,000 members and more than 50 outreach ministries. Twice featured on the cover of Time magazine as “America’s Best Preacher” and one of the nation’s “25 most influential evangelicals,” Jakes is a ministerial trailblazer. In addition to his spiritual work, Jakes is a successful entrepreneur with more than a half-dozen diverse businesses.

It is only when we deviate from the Word of God that we find ourselves going around in circles or tangled in a confusing web that we cannot seem to get free from. Sometimes, an idea or a friend’s idea can seem so “God” until we get into it. That is why staying on the path is imperative! For, all those things that seem so “God” but are not will be revealed for what they really are through and by the Spirit of the Word.

I’m reminded of a 1999 sci-fi movie called “The Matrix” in which reality was not real at all but a computer generated simulated reality program. Simulated reality is deemed to be such that it is indistinguishable from actual truth. However, there was a rebel leader by the name of Morpheus whose purpose was to “wake-up” the populace and make them know the truth so that they would hopefully choose to follow it. (Ahhhh you know, . . . the red pill or the blue one?)

There is one scene in the movie when a turn coat informant is at a restaurant eating a juicy steak. In so many words he says to the person he is with, that he knows the steak isn’t real, but he doesn’t care. He’d rather enjoy the pleasure of deception than live the stark reality of truth.

Sadly, many in the body of Christ and beyond find themselves with that same mentality. They are lost deep in the Matrix of sinful pleasure oblivious to what is really happening. You see, the computers that comprised the Matrix were actually using the body heat and electrical activity of the populace as an energy source. After, it was all used up the empty husks of their carcass was discarded.

That’s what happens when you stray from the path that God has set for your life. The enemy deceives you, isolates you and uses you up! The only way for you to escape the matrix that the devil has built for you is to follow the bread crumbs of God’s word. What does the Word say? He is faithful who promised and He will lead you to a place of truth, safety and peace.

So, stay on the path and allow the Word of God to light up each step and brighten the way. If you do, you will surely find yourself in a place of safety rewarded for your faithfulness to His word.

~Copyright © 2008 – Path MEGAzine writer Dr. Anya Hall is an anointed Teacher and Apostle in the Body of Christ used to build people for kingdom purpose. She is the Founder of TeKton Ministries Int’l and the Senior Pastor of Rhema PWM of Orlando, Fl. More more info: www.tektonministries.com or email: apostle@tektonministries.com

A report by MediaTakeOut.com (and a copycat report by articlesofinfo.com) said that Juanita Bynum and her estranged husband Bishop Thomas Weeks and decided to reconcile their marriage were almost simultaneously denied by the publicists of both Weeks and Bynum.

The report states that "a person close to both" say the couple is "undergoing spiritual counseling together in an effort to reconcile their marriage."

Angelo Ellerbee, publicist of Bishop Thomas Weeks issue a statement immediately to EURweb.com that said:

"Please allow this communication to serve as an official notice to your web page that what was posted today regarding my client, Bishop Weeks III and his estranged wife, prophetess Juanita Bynum is totally false, incorrect and untrue on the behalf of Bishop Weeks. However, Ms. Bynum chooses to position herself is up to her and her publicity firm. There has been no spiritual engagements between my client, Bishop Weeks and his estranged wife. I hope that you will be very kind in displaying this information on your site as soon as possible. I find it quite misleading and full of publicity tricks."

Amy Malone, publicist for Evangelist Juanita Bynum, simultaneously issued a statement that said:

"Juanita Bynum would like to make it very clear that she is not in counseling with Bishop Thomas Weeks III, nor are there any talks of reconciliation as stated in the false article written by Doug Campbell. Juanita Bynum Ministries received a request from Bishop Weeks' uncle, Bishop Leo Smith, to speak at his conference in Barbados this June. She also received an invitation from his grandfather and aunt, Bishop Thomas J. Weeks and Dr. Gwendolyn Weeks to speak at their two-day prayer revival in Boston … she accepted both invitations. Her acceptances of the invitations are in no way a step towards reconciliation."

– Re-Posted from Eurweb.com

Reports say, Juanita Bynum and her estranged husband Bishop Thomas Weeks have decided to reconcile their marriage.

According to a person close to both Bishop Thomas and Prophetess Juanita, the couple are undergoing "spiritual counseling" together in an effort to reconcile their marriage. The insider says, "They both need spiritual healing from the Lord, but they're committed to rebuilding their marriage … Please give them some privacy.

Bishop Weeks was arrested for beating and stomping Prophetess Juanita in an Atlanta parking lot. Since then, Bishop Weeks has alleged that Juanita physically abused him repeatedly during the course of the marriage.

But things aren't over yet. Despite the couple's apparent reconciliation attempt, criminal charges are still pending against Bishop Weeks.

-Reported first by articlesofinfo.com

Mega church pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant and his wife Gizelle are headed to divorce court.

After 5 and a half years of marriage Gizelle Bryant filed for a divorce in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County on January 9.

The clergyman also filed divorce papers in Baltimore City Court on the same day, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Jamal Bryant is the affable 38-year-old pastor of Empowerment Temple A.M.E in Baltimore, Maryland. Many view him as a burgeoning voice in the AME (African Methodist Episcopal) denomination as his influence has extended nationally and internationally.

Known for articulating relatable sermons, the former 11th grade drop-out who entered the prestigious Morehouse College with a GED, has not released a statement about the situation, likely under his attorney's advisement.

"This is a private matter between Dr. Bryant and his wife, and we'd like to keep this matter private," attorney Jimmy A. Bell told the paper.

The copious blog and chat entries on the troubled marriage suggest this may be a personal matter, but it is far from private. Scandalous rumors of alleged affairs with several women have been rampant since the couple's engagement. His supposed womanizing went overboard when he impregnated a church member said to be 17 at the time of the time of copulation. When accusations of this affair surfaced in the Summer of 2007, church leaders asked him to step down while they initiated an investigation and awaited paternity test results. Months after the investigation, Jamal Bryant remains the pastor of Empowerment Temple.

Court records acquired from the Circuit Court of Maryland do indicate the pastor is the father of a least one other child who was born before he got married. The couple has a set of 1-year-old twins and a 3-year-old.

This story is developing. More details will be provided as they become available.

The anticipated album of Canton Jones, "Kingdom Business," was recently released worldwide on Arrow Records. Jones will celebrate the release at a free concert at Siloam Church International (3695 Roosevelt Highway, College Park, GA 30349).

The album release celebration will be hosted by John Gray a singer/actor/comedian/playwright, author and minister.

Canton Jones is a Deerfield Beach, Florida native and is not only a singer, but a songwriter, producer and vocal arranger.

Independently Jones has sold more than 75,000 units and has popular songs in regular rotation internationally. Those songs include, "Love Song," "Stay Saved" and the street anthem, "The Password."

Jones is very popular in the secular world as well sharing the stage with T.I., David Banner and Ludacris. He believes, "Kingdom Business," is his most creative album to date. The single, "My Day," is already getting radio play.

His label Arrow Records, is owned and operated by Pastor Taffi Dollar, World Changers Church International in College Park, GA. For more on Canton Jones log onto his web site www.cantonjones.net.

For years, as many as 200 members of Immanuel Bible Church and their friends have gathered in the church's fellowship hall to watch the Super Bowl on its six-foot screen. The party featured hard hitting on the TV, plenty of food — and prayer.

But this year, Immanuel's Super Bowl party is no more. After a crackdown by the National Football League on big-screen Super Bowl gatherings by churches, the Springfield church has sacked its event. Instead, church members will host parties in their homes.

Immanuel is among a number of churches in the Washington area and elsewhere that have been forced to use a new playbook to satisfy the NFL, which said that airing games at churches on large-screen TV sets violates the NFL copyright.

Ministers are not happy.

"There is a part of me that says, 'Gee, doesn't the NFL have enough money already?'" said Steve Holley, Immanuel's executive pastor. He pointed out that bars are still allowed to air the game on big-screens TV sets. "It just doesn't make sense."

The Super Bowl, the most secular of American holidays, has long been popular among churches. With parties, prayer and Christian DVDs replacing the occasionally racy halftime shows, churches use the event as a way to reach members, and potential new members, in a non-churchlike atmosphere.

"It takes people who are not coming frequently, or who have fallen away, and shows them that the church can still have some fun," said the Rev. Thomas Omholt, senior pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in the District. Omholt has hosted a Super Bowl party for young adults in his home for 20 years. "We can be a little less formal."

The NFL said, however, that the copyright law on its games is long-standing and the language read at the end of each game is well known: "This telecast is copyrighted by the NFL for the private use of our audience. Any other use of this telecast or any pictures, descriptions, or accounts of the game without the NFL's consent is prohibited."

The league bans public exhibitions of its games on TV sets or screens larger than 55 inches because smaller sets limit the audience size. The section of federal copyright law giving the NFL protection over the content of its programming exempts sports bars, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.

The issue came to a head last year after the NFL sent a letter to Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis, warning the church not show the Super Bowl on a giant video screen. For years, the church had held a Super Bowl party in its auditorium, attracting about 400 people and showing the game on a big screen usually reserved for hymn lyrics.

The letter "was really a disturbing thing," said Marlene Broome, a spokeswoman for the church.

The church canceled last year's party. This year, its adult Sunday school classes are having parties in homes, but Broome said church members miss the big gatherings. "Everybody really had a good time," she said.

Large Super Bowl gatherings around big-screen sets outside of homes shrink TV ratings and can affect advertising revenue, McCarthy said. "We have no objection to churches and others hosting Super Bowl parties as long as they . . . show the game on a television of the type commonly used at home," he said. "It is a matter of copyright law."

The same policy applies to all NFL games and to movie theaters, large halls and other venues with big-screen TVs, he said.

The policy has prompted some drastic downscaling. Last year, Vienna Presbyterian Church planned a party in its fellowship hall for its middle school and high school students, airing the game on its 12-foot video screen. Church leaders had hoped to use the game to draw in the teenagers, often a tough crowd to get through church doors.

"We thought we had found our magic bullet," said Barb Jones, the church's director of communication. The event was canceled, however, after the church heard about the Indianapolis case.

This year, Vienna Presbyterian plans a party for teenagers in its basement, showing the game on smaller TV sets.

Like other churches, Vienna Presbyterian will not charge admission to view the game, and it will not use the event as a fundraiser. In a testimony to the drawing power of the Super Bowl, churches do not use the Academy Awards or other high-rated televised events to evangelize.

To avoid attracting the ire of the NFL, some churches are even giving Super Bowl parties a more generic name. Broadfording Bible Brethren Church in Hagerstown will call its annual event the "Big Game Party."

The church still plans to show the game on its jumbo-size screen near the pulpit in its sanctuary. Pastor Bill Wyand said he has heard secondhand about the policy and is not sure whether screening the game via the church's video-projector system violates NFL policy. Still, he is looking nervously over his shoulder.

On the legal flip side, the NFL's big-screen ban could end up landing the league in trouble.

John Whitehead, president of the Rutherford Institute, a Charlottesville civil liberties group that focuses on religious freedom issues, is threatening to sue the NFL on behalf of an Alabama church that wants to host a big-screen Super Bowl party. He is also seeking sponsors for federal legislation to exempt churches from the ban.

"It's ridiculous," Whitehead said. "You can go into these stores now and buy 100-inch screens. The law is just outdated."