What an exciting transition into the New Year! As I reflect over 2008 I am grateful to God for keeping us during a time of economic downturn and national and international change and unrest. Bishop preached an inspiring word and helped us refocus on God's ability to bless us in this year of fruitfulness!

Have a Happy & Prosperous New Year!

Pastor Toni

Bishop and I are away in the North Carolina Mountains relaxing, reflecting and refreshing from the year. My prayer time this week has been filled with expressions of joy and gratitude to God for all of the answered prayers and realized dreams that characterize this year.

Don't get me wrong the year has not gone without its' ministerial disappointments, loss of loved ones and shifts in some significant relationships. There is a real fatigue that comes at this point of the year that necessitates that we unplug, take a break and take time to enjoy one another as a married couple.

We have watched our nation make history in the midst of some of the most challenging economic down turns. One of our major pastoral tasks has been to keep the people encouraged to stay focused and trust God to keep his promise of provision to those who would seek first the kingdom of God and its' righteousness.

Through it all, God has been faithful and I'm encouraged to trust Him to keep us no matter what may come our way. As the hymn writer of old proclaimed, "I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow". I know we can look forward to another exciting year of trusting in the favor and provision of God. For that I am truly grateful!

Still In His Presence,

Dr. Toni

Words cannot express the overwhelming emotions I am experiencing right now. I only wish my grandmother could have lived to see this day like so many others. GOD BLESS PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!

Still In His Presence,

Dr. Toni

I just received this e-mail from my sister regarding a man who voted today in this election. It restored my hope in the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of for our country. I wanted to share it in hopes that it would inspire all of you who have yet to vote.

No matter who or what you are voting for in this election make sure you exercise your responsibility and keep the issues in the forefront of your mind. Let us continue to pray all of our elected officials as the scripture teaches and admonishes us and make sure you get out to vote on November 4th.

Still In His Presence,

Dr. Toni

Subject: I Didn't Vote For Obama...From Daily Kos

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 8:09 PM

I'm a middle-class white guy living in Jacksonville, Florida. I've got a wife and two kids. Because the kids had no school today, I took a vacation day from work, and took the kids downtown to vote early. Fifty-nine minutes later, two smiling children and I proudly sported "I Voted" stickers.
But I didn't vote for Obama.

I voted for my ancestors, who believed in the promise of this country and came with nothing as immigrants.

I voted for my parents, who taught in the public schools for decades.

I voted for Steve, an acquaintance of mine from Kentucky (Killed by an IED two years ago in Iraq).

I voted for Shawn, another who's been to Iraq twice, and Afghanistan once, and who'll be going back to Afghanistan again soon -- and whose family earned eleven bucks a month too much to qualify for food stamps when the war started.

I voted for April, the only African-American girl in my high school -- it was years before it occurred to me how different her experience in our school must have been.

I voted for my college friends who are Christian, Jewish, Mormon, and yes -- Muslim.

I voted for my grandfathers, who worked hard in factories and died too young.

I voted for the plumber who worked on my house, because I want him to get a REAL tax break.

I voted for four little angels from Birmingham.

I voted for a bunch of dead white men who, although personally flawed, were willing to pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor, and used a time of great crisis to expand freedom rather than suspend it.

I voted for all those people and more, and I voted for all of you, too. But mostly, I voted selfishly. I vote for two little kids, one who has ballet in an hour, and one who has baseball practice at the same time. I voted for a world where they can be confident that their government will represent the best that is in this country, and that will in turn demand the best of them. I voted for a government that will be respected in the world. I voted for an economy that will reward work above guile. I voted for everything I believe in.

Sure, I filled in the circle next to the name Obama, but it wasn't him I was voting for -- it was every single one of us, and those I love most of all. Who else is there to vote for?

It's been a minute since I've blogged which is an indication of the season I have been in. The children are full steam ahead in school and I'm constantly balancing marriage, ministry and family. Bishop has been away this week on a three day camping trip with our son Johnathan and his 6th grade class. I've been here holding it down at home and at church, cooking and doing 3rd and 4th grade homework, between sermons and staff meetings at the church. I'm always amazed that no matter how busy and full our lives get with ministry and work, we always manage to spend quality time with each other and the children.

I recently, shared in ministry (September 22-25) with some of the most powerful preaching women in our country at the Women in Ministry Conference hosted by Dr. Cynthia Hale and array of women who serve as her co-conveners. This was our fourth year coming together and whether I am ministering or just attending this conference, I always leave feeling more empowered to live, work and be all that God has called me to do and be. These women are very confident, yet humble, and they embody the theme of this conference of mentoring and coaching women with a genuine spirit of sisterhood and integrity for 21st Century ministry.

Dr. Gloria Hammond-White and I were given the assignment to teach a workshop entitled Family Matters: Marriage, Mothering and Ministering with Integrity. Here are some highlights we shared in that workshop:

1. Pray and Ask God for Wisdom (James 1:5)
2. Be Clear About Where You Are called (Jeremiah 1:5)
3. Be Aware and Clear About Your Season (Ecclesiastes 3;1)
4. Get Godly Counsel and Accountability in Relationships (Proverbs 12:15)
5. Plan the Work and Work the Plan (Habakkuk 2:2-3)
6. Maintain Spiritual, Emotional, and Physical Balance (I Thessalonians 5:23)
7. Set Appropriate Boundaries Around Your Marriage (Ephesians 5: 22-33)
8. Set Appropriate Boundaries To Protect Your Time With Your Children (Proverbs
31:15; 27-28)

I have been in a season of pouring out in ministry. It's time for me to do what I preach to others. Today, I'm going to take some much needed "me time".

Still In His Presence,

Dr. Toni

I don't make it a practice to make political statements from the pulpit or on my blog. I usually reserve my political comments and views for private conversations with friends, family and colleagues. However, Senator Barack Obama's acceptance speech as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States of America was awesome and masterful!

My eyes filled with water as I listened to his heart, passion, and courage to challenge the status quo and go after Change. His speech was prophetically pointing to the future of America and all those who would embrace the swelling of change that is in the air.

I don't believe in Change, for Change sake. I believe that Change has to have depth and purpose attached to it, with a higher call that uplifts people to new dimensions of living and being in the world. Senator McCain's choice of a woman as his running mate was certainly bold and daring. I only hope that women would see through the smoke screen to realize that this pick was no affirmation of women in leadership. I heard one political analyst describe this move as a "dismissal of women" and a real testimony of how he really views women in the political process.

As a women, I want capable leadership leading in the fear of God, regardless of their race, color or gender. I'm not voting for a man or woman. I'm voting with the hope that our children will be the recipient of changes in America and around the world.

Still In His Presence,

Dr. Toni

I know it has been a minute since I've blogged and I hope that it has not been too much of a disappointment to all those bloggers and those who have visited our blog in times past. The truth is, Bishop and I are immigrants to this digital age and it sometimes feels very foreign and laborious to keep this up in the midst of all the other things we have going on.

Just to give you an update. We have moved all three of our children to a wonderful new school just two weeks ago and much of our summer was dedicated to making this huge transition for our family. They were attending a great school prior to this, however, as our children have grown and our needs as a family have changed, we felt this was a necessary move for us. The school they now attend offers grade levels from K4 through high-school. We hope this will be the last time we have to look for a school for them until college.

The semester at Beulah Heights University, where we both serve, Bishop as the Dean of the Chapel and the Chair of the Department of Leadership Studies and I as an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies and Leadership, began the fall term this week.

This semester I am teaching two courses, Global Dimensions of Leadership and Expository Preaching in the undergraduate and graduate programs respectively. Additionally, I am preparing to take a course at Columbia Theological Seminary with the goal of completing my Th.M. Degree in preaching, a program that I dropped in order to complete the Doctor of Ministry at Regent University, of which I finished in May of this year. I have been invited back to the Black Women in Ministerial Leadership Program at ITC to serve as a Leadership Resource Consultant and will begin sharing with that community of women in September.

The most exciting thing that I am doing this fall is working with a new group of women through my organization, My Sister's Keeper Foundation For Women. This is a dream and passion that God allowed me to accomplish this year with the help of an excellent team of women who have joined me in our effort of "Moving Women from Average to Excellence". You can learn more about this venture at mskfoundation.org

I know it sounds like I'm balancing a great deal of life and ministry, but I thank God that I am graced in this season of my life to share my influence and gifts through several arenas and opportunities. For that I am truly grateful! Of course, my local church, Total Grace Christian Center is my primary station of ministry and my family is the central ministry that gives all that I do credibility.

I often get questions related to balance and how I manage all of my responsibilities and schedule. Today I thought I would share several factors that makes this all possible:

1. A wonderful husband and ministry partner.
2. Self- Care with healthy eating, consistent exercise and rest.
3. Frequent Times of Spiritual Refreshment (prayer and scripture reading)
4. Coaches, Mentors and Authentic Relationships.
5. The greatest church staff this side of heaven.
6. Discernment to know what is my assignment and what is for someone else to do.
7. Developing the leaders around me and releasing and empowering them to lead.

It does get hectic every now and then and I don't want you to think it's easy balancing it all. As you can see some things do fall through the cracks. Not the vital and essential things, just those ancillary things like "blogging". I promise I'll try to do better Lol!

Still In His Presence,

Dr. Toni

I can't believe the year is almost gone! This month has been crazy and busy with ministry and travel for Bishop and I. Pray for us as we are in a season of heavy ministry in our local church and abroad.

Still In His Presence,

Pastor Toni

We just celebrated 15 years of marriage on June 26, 2008. It has been a good run of it and although we have had our share of hardships and struggles in marriage and ministry, we believe we have a great marriage.

Who would have thought 15 years ago that we would be where we are today with three wonderful children and pastoring a great church in three locations? We began with very meager means and everything we have obtained we work hard and gained together.

Earlier this year we were featured in the Atlanta Tribune 2008 Power Couples article. During the interview we were questioned regarding what we believe are the keys to our success in marriage and ministry. Our number one answer was that "we both have our own personal relationship with God, and He is at the center of our relationship".

Here are some other factors that we have believe contributes to a healthy and strong marriage:

1. A mutual respect and admiration for another

2. Shared values and common goals

3. Responsible financial stewardship

4. Mature communication between both spouses

5. An appreciation of another's differences and personal interests

6. Agreement concerning child rearing and discipline

7. Rest

8. Relaxing together

9. Physical fitness

10. Vacations and family time

It's been 15 years and we're still in love with each and striking our balance between marriage and ministry!

In Ministry Together,

Bishop Johnathan & Dr. Toni Alvarado

The Gift of Time

I'm sitting here in the family waiting room at Egleston Children's Hospital where we have just received some great news. On Wednesday my niece Raven (17) on a routine visit was admitted for overnight observations which resulted in a three day race for life. Raven who has lived with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis has experienced many lengthy hospital stays behind her condition.

Thursday before day, Raven had a series of traumatic seizures which resulted in cardiac arrest in which her lungs and heart failed leading to her having to be resuscitated twice. I couldn't believe it when I got the call from my brother-in-law telling me that they had to call a Code-Blue and that her room was filled with a team of doctors and nurses trying to save her life.

Upon our arrival, we learned that she had been placed on life support but that she had suffered some serious trauma to her heart and lungs and that it was not looking too positive for her. As we sat there with fear in our hearts and tears in our eyes, her mother asked the doctor what he needed to turn this around, he replied, "Time, if God could give us more time, we can help her turn this around".

As we all know, "time" is something that only God gives. It is a gift that is often taken for granted and not used wisely. It is a precious commodity and an awesome treasure. For the past two days, it's as if time was standing still as we waited, fasted and prayed and cried out for a young life who is filled with promise, zest and determination to live and declare the works of the Lord!

Early this morning, Raven opened her eyes as we waited in hopeful anticipation for her response to the doctors requests. After many hours of critical care, life support and highly sophisticated medical interventions, Raven's condition is turning around. She is still in a very critical place, but with "time" she will make her way back to a full recovery.

On behalf of Raven and our entire family, I want to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff of Egleston Children's Hospital for the dedication, labor and love that they demonstrate to children's health and their families on a daily basis. To the awesome members of Total Grace Christian Center for your great outpouring of love and support and for your demonstration of what true Biblical community looks like. To everyone one who called, text messaged and e-mailed their concern and care, we are eternally grateful. But most of all, we thank the almighty God of the universe who alone is wise and gives "time" as He wills!

Still In His Presence,

Pastor Toni