The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 63

I 1 1 laa3 Iaa44taaj3 Wl I3T1 tMlwIraPil frrr r. What's new in religious and spiritual arts, publishing and entertainment. writer and minister of music at Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He Is a former member and minister of music of the Florida University gospel choir and was Georgia Mass Choir assistant minister of music for eight years. Reviewed by CJ.

Hytche of the Wichita Eagle The Lord la A Wonder, by Dorothy Norwood Label: Malaco Records Rating: Dorothy Norwood Is a storyteller who captivates her listeners with her energy and spirit. Her response to Nancy in the song Nancy Got The Problem is actually a wake-up call for anyone in an abusive relationship. It tells the story of Nancy's husband's leaving her for another woman and of Nancy's asking Norwood for prayer. This CD was recorded at St. John's Baptist Church, In Buffalo, N.Y.

Special guests Include Alberti-na Walker, St. John Mass Choir, The Union, Pearl Christian Anderson Sanctuary Choir, Lois Snead, Minister Cedric Ford, Sheklnah of Chicago and the Wilmington Chester Mass Choir. Reviewed by CJ. Hytche of the Wichita Eagle Submitted Photo ministry at Eastern Star Baptist Church, speaks at a summit for same distractions in their faith life as married people. The Final Harvest: Medjof orje at the End of the Century, by Wayne 1 Weible (Paraclete Press).

Few be- heved them. Only family and neigh-I in tiny Medjugorje stood by 'the six children who claimed that Virgin Mary had appeared and "given them messages for the world. 'Eighteen years later, the appari- pons reportedly continue, as does the flood of pilgrims and the merely furious. Weible, a skeptical Protestant Jburnallst, was among the curious. He traveled to Medjugorje In the carry 1980s to report on the appari- His Investigation resulted In series of articles and books that are considered among the most thorough accounts of the phenomenon.

The Final Harvest underlines the impact that the apparitions have had. Commercial encroachment has changed the once quiet village. But Medjugorje, the author writes, has become "the greatest supernatural event of modem times." Weible's book is a crisp account of the Virgin's messages her call for prayer, peace, fasting and reconciliation. Reviewed by Nina Flour-noy of the Dallas Morning News fii 2dJewbyTroy Label: Savoy Records Rating: It has been noted that Troy Sneed "did not attempt to appease younger audience." I agree. All generations can enjoy this release because he sings from his heart.

There are some bluesy, tempos with smooth harmonies. This debut album was recorded Dve at Florida University. He urges listeners to call on Jesus, no matter what one's is problem is, because he is never too busy. Troy Sneed is a producer, song I Today Mysteries of the Bible: Joseph and his prophetic dreams about Egypt. (6 p.m., Sunday Mysteries of the Bible: Joseph and his prophetic dreams about Egypt (11 a.m., Religion EXhics Newsweekly (1:30 p.m., WFYI ED) Compiled by Bill Theobald from staff and wire reports Star ratings: excellent, good, fair, poor the many placesi gather to pray GcT.ir.r.ity offrJlii A look at one of where people and seek spiritual Jidflttme'nt.

si (J SINGLE CHALLENGE: Alonzo singles at the church. He says SINGULAR Continued from Page 1 always stuck with her 'Pray that It all depends on God, and work as it all depends on she said. "As singles we're complete; we're not substandard." In the chapter on contentment, Chris Contl, co-author and high school Journalism teacher, wrote: Tm not concerned with getting married, at least not yet, at 29. Singleness is a gift that each day we need to open and enjoy." Singles from local churches agree: Contentment comes In seeking God's will for their lives. For Alonzo Weems, president of the singles ministry at Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church, the biggest challenge Is his single walk with God.

He and members of the group concentrate on "drawing closer to God and eliminating the distractions that Inhibit them (from) growing to be the individuals God wants us to be." Weems said Christian singles are distracted by the same everyday Irritants that divert coupled Christians, including overcommltted schedules and the lure of choosing pleasure Instead of principle. Although he describes himself as a "loner by nature," Weems, a lawyer, hangs out with friends when he wants company. He remains satisfied in his singleness by hot "spending time wondering why I'm by myself. When you really become content, God can really show you what he wants for you." Group's focus Associate Pastor Troy Smith, who heads up a number of ministries at Eastern Star, said the church's singles ministry has kept focused on a theme inspired by Hebrews 'Laying aside the Smith said. "We look at the Scripture and something from the perspective that (marriage) is forever.

"Maybe God has you in a place to be single. You can't force God's hand." Christians believe God calls them to lead nonbellevers to the faith and that God has chosen a 'MAG' Continued from Page 1 days and they can change their lives because God loves them," says Debbie Walker. They do that by producing 411 MAG (411 is slang for information) a show they pay Daystar Television $1,200 a week to air. And they do it by going to the streets, visiting low-income apartments. Most Saturdays and on some weekdays, they're out and about in their 411 MAG van, a white van with fancy wheels and an even fancier sound system.

They talk to kids about God and salvation, they hand out CDs and booklets with the Gospel of John, and they play loud rap. Sometimes the Walkers who own a handful of small businesses, including a tax service and Renaissance Records have concerts. Lure of music The music, the Walkers say, is a vehicle to bring youth to Christ. "We give hem a hard-core beat from the street," says Ernest Walker. "But it's a message that does not degrade women, it does not promote violence, and it does not use profanity every other word." Just listen to Excelsius, also known as the Rev.

Malcolm Marshall, In Holy Ghost Party: I'm hoping with this new style that maybe I can reach yaI bet you thought you'd never live to see a rappin' preacherSo don't be looking funny, questioning, Weems, president of a singles singles encounter many of the specific mate for them. While dating a nonbeliever could kill two birds with one stone, it's not necessarily a healthy idea, Trent said. Although she has dated nonbellevers in the past, she thinks trying to convert companions is not fair. "The Bible says, as Christians, we should not be unequally yoked with nonbellevers," Trent said. "We should not date someone to change them." If a Christian does decide to date someone outside the faith, however, Trent believes there is a glimmer of hope the relationship could Tlp3 CHI Siuiinnnfil 1.

Have a designated place where.you and your single friends sit in church so that you will always have someone to sit with. 2. Buy appliances that turn themselves off. 3 When solicitors call for the woman of the house, just say, "She's not home right now." Or yett, In your most childlike voice, "Mom, It's for you." 4. When working late, tell a friend that you'8 call within 20 minutes of getting home.

5. Exchange household duties with a friend of the opposite sex. Source: Single and Content "What is this?" Jehovah is sail in the blessing businessAnd somebody's bound to receive their blessing if they listen up close and pay attention to this lesson. Marshall, who appeared on 4J1 MAG recently, is an associate minister at Rock of Faith Baptist Church in Duncanville, Texas. The 24-year-old minister, who is on a Renaissance Records compilation CD, says the show does powerful work.

"I've seen it serving its purpose," he says. Marshall had never watched the show until teens at church told him about it. One boy met the Walkers at a concert and told them about his rapping preacher. Like that teen, Timothy Dean and Tahlon Springs have watched the show since it started seven months ago. The boys met the Walkers, who took their show on wheels to the Potter's House, Bishop T.D.

Jakes' church in Dallas. Timothy, 16, and Tahlon, 17, appeared on the show recently, performing their song. That's Real The South Grand Prairie High School Juniors, who call themselves Endure, say the show is popular among most of the kids they know. "A lot of Christian shows are not geared to our age," Tahlon says. "Don't get me wrong.

They're great and all, but when you turn to Channel 29 and see 411 MAG, you say, 'Hey, there's some rap, and it's Then they give a message." The show targets viewer! from ages 16 to 39. The Walkers realize 6Y WRITERS TOGETHER: Four Indianapolis Christians (from left) Lana Trent, Dana Anders Hefley, Chris Conti and Nathan Clement are the authors of Single and Content, a book for those who, like them, follow a faith that strongly encourages marriage. Word Publishing my singleness dictates their per- ception of me." Another co-author, Nathan Clement, a book designer who also married recently, wrote that, when he was single, his family never wanted him to let a potential wife get away from him. "When are you going to ask that woman to marry my mom asked frankly one day," Clement wrote. "I protested.

'It's our business: And that was that. She apologized, but didn have to. A full life '4 Christian singles say keeping! busy is a vital step toward content-1 ment. This theory Is not exclusive to Christian singles but rather a philosophical staple if not a cli- che for the mate-challenged." Jull Shields, a member of the; singles group at Northminster Presbyterian Church, said the key to rising above the overwhelming v-; pressure, expectation and deireto; be married is to "have a full life and not bank on the fact that," -you're going to meet somebody" In fact, she's grateful for the tflnei that being single affords her to spend on church-related "As a single Christian," Shields said, "I have so many opportunities to do things that, if I were married and had children, I wouldn't have the time to do." California, says Victory Outreach International, a ministry that started there, saved his life. And he believes 41 MAG can do the same sort of thing.

"Kids think it's MTV, and then they realize it's Christian, it's cleanj. It's healthy, it's positive," said FeI rez, who comes on the show wear-1 ing Ray-Ban sunglasses and baggy; clothes like kids wear. He says Victory Outreach's hot line has gotten many calls since he started appearing on 41 1 MAG. The show's hot line receives about 60 calls after a show and an additional 40 during the the. Walkers say.

They also get letters thanking them and asking for prayer or help. A recent one came from a young man at the Tarrant County Jail. "I hope y'all stay on the air to bring kids on the positive side of hip-hop music. But I am 20 years I old, I'm caught up In this gang- bangin' life," he wrote. "I been locked up near 20 times, since I was 14 years old, and right now I am In Jail for selling drugs to an undercover police officer.

I don't want our young people to go down the road I been down." Calls and letters like that rein- i force the Walkers' conviction that: 411 MAG Praise TV is a tooj that God wants them to provide. The Rev. James Cox whols the Walkers' pastor at Grace Temple Seventh-day AdventSt Church in Fort Worth, says they are committed to their ministry. "They're having some says. "They're teaching people who don't usually come to church." Staff Photo Frank Espich DIVINE DESIGN: Llnwood Christian Church members pass a silver tray carrying communion glasses during a Sunday service.

work out "God can work in that situation, but I wouldn't advise it." Weems said he would definitely befriend a nonbeliever and share his faith, but he would not cross Into romantic territory with someone who did not share his values. Church, therefore, is one of the best places to meet other like-minded singles, Smith said. His church, like many others throughout Indianapolis, offers singles fellowship meetings, dinners, trips and cross-ministry involvement. "We try to see what fellowship we can have with other ministries and to meet new brothers and sisters in the faith." The pressure Trent acknowledged that although women battle the "old-maid stereotype" and their "biological clocks," they typically have a more expansive social network than men. One of her co-authors, Dana Hefley, said women think of the ramifications of being single more often than men.

Hefley, a public-relations specialist who married after the book was published, wrote that her supportive family never really pressured her to marry or date. "However, as my single years unfold," she wrote, "they continue to be somewhat protective. It seems they're reaching people much younger and much older, but it's the teens they really want to reach. Three years ago, the couple started a magazine, also called 411 MAG, written for teens, by teens. It touched on issues such as premarital sex and AIDS and was produced every six weeks.

About a year ago, the Walkers say, they got the idea for a television show when they became tired of negative images of young people on television the sexually provocative, scantily dressed youth with no morals. They rolled the magazine's themes and messages into a more religious, more visual, more frequent vehicle 41 1 MAG Praise TV. Videos, too They show videos by popular Christian artists like Kirk Franklin and Crystal Lewis, but they also show videos by less commercial artists such as Raze and T-Bone. They present contests with local performers, and they Invite local ministry leaders onto the show. The Rev.

Jesse Perez, pastor of Victory Outreach in Dallas, has appeared twice and has been Invited to be on the show regularly to reach out to the drug-addicted and the gang members that his ministry works with. "I used to watch the show with my kids, and one day I called them and told them what we were doing at Victory Outreach, and they said, Why don't you come on the show and tell people he says. "So I did." Perez, a former gang member in on the Eastside Christian Church, 4424 Michigan is affiliated with Christian Church (Desciples of Like other congregations Protestant denomination, shares communion at weekly service. Christians i at also of belief. Place of Worship: Linwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 4424 E.

Michigan St. (317) 357-8771. Denomination: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Services: Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. Leadership: The Rev.

Tim Staker, senior minister. Number of members: 120 average Sunday worship attendance. Profile of membership: Linwood Christian Church has members of all ages, singles and families. Special features: The church has a rummage room, a parish nursing program and a choir with about 30 members. History: The congregation was founded in 1916 belief ail a value Linwood Church, which cherishes freedom Faith Linwood E.

the Christ). in the Linwood each in the unity of 16th St. JOthSt Shopping lis tutor JWchlganSL. Staff Map Stay Vanderbosch fVlYfl by B.L Allen in response to growth on the Eastside. An educational wing was added in 1951.

Quote: "Linwood Christian cares about our community," said Staker, senior minister. The Bible is our guide as we work to bring compassion to one another, our neighborhood and the.