By Rev. Dr. Jessie Faye Manuel

There was a time when the rural church was more than a place we went on Sunday morning.

It was the place where people gathered when somebody was sick. It was where families celebrated weddings, mourned their loved ones, baptized their children, fed their neighbors, educated their young, and organized when the community needed a voice.

For generations, the Black rural church has been one of the strongest institutions in our communities. In Louisiana and across the South, small churches often became centers of hope when resources were scarce and opportunities were limited. Louisiana’s historic record documents the important role Black churches played not only in worship, but in education, community life, and social history.

But today, many rural churches are standing at a crossroads.

Some sanctuaries are aging. Some congregations are shrinking. Some churches have buildings that are no longer being used. Younger generations have moved away for jobs and education. Pastors are sometimes asked to do more ministry with fewer people and fewer resources.

The question is not simply, “How do we keep the rural church open?”

The deeper question is:

“What does God need the rural church to become?”

I believe we are standing at the beginning of a Rural Church Revival.

This revival may not look like the revivals of previous generations. It may not be measured only by how many people come down the aisle or how many names are added to the membership roll.

The next revival may be measured by how many lives are restored.

It may look like a church becoming a community resource center.

It may look like a fellowship hall becoming a place where seniors receive support, children receive tutoring, women receive leadership development, families receive resources, and young people discover that they still have a reason to stay connected to home.

It may mean churches partnering with schools, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, businesses and local governments.

It may mean reopening buildings that have been closed for years and asking a courageous question:

“What could this building become if we stopped seeing it only as a church building?”

Our ancestors understood something we sometimes forget: the church belongs to the community.

Historic Black rural churches were often built with very little, yet they carried enormous responsibility. St. John Baptist Church in rural Louisiana, for example, was not only a place of worship; its founder, Rev. Basile Dorsey, also helped establish a school for Black children.

That is the blueprint we need to revisit—not to recreate the past, but to reclaim its courage.

The Rural Church Revival is about returning to a theology of presence, purpose and possibility.

We must ask what our communities need and then have the courage to respond.

The rural church still has something powerful to offer.

It has history.

It has relationships.

It has buildings.

It has wisdom.

It has prayer.

And most importantly, it still has people who believe that God has not finished with rural communities.

The revival may already be beginning.

Perhaps it will not begin with a packed sanctuary.

Perhaps it will begin with a pastor asking:

“Lord, what can this church become?”

And perhaps the answer will be:

“Everything the community needs it to be.”

That is the Rural Church Revival I believe is possible.

Not simply a revival of the church.

A revival of the community through the church.

The phrase “water roll down like justice” is a metaphorical expression often associated with the biblical verse Amos 5:24. This verse states, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” The metaphor suggests that justice should flow freely and abundantly, just as water rolls down a hill or flows in a river.

Amos is one of the prophetic books in the Old Testament. It was written by the prophet Amos, who lived during the 8th century BCE. Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa, a small town in Judah. Still, God called him to deliver messages of judgment and warning to the northern kingdom of Israel.

In Amos 5:24, the prophet calls for justice and righteousness to prevail in society. The verse emphasizes the importance of upholding moral values and treating others fairly. It conveys that just as water naturally flows downhill, justice should be an inherent part of human behavior and societal structures.

The metaphor of water rolling down like justice has been widely interpreted and referenced in various contexts. It has advocated for social justice, equality, and fairness in different spheres of life, including politics, law, and human rights.

One notable example where this metaphor has been employed is in Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. King used powerful imagery in his address to convey his vision of racial equality and social justice. He stated, “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” By invoking this metaphor, King emphasized the urgency and necessity of achieving racial justice in American society.

The metaphor can also be found in various literary works, speeches, and songs that address themes of justice and equality. It has become a symbol of the pursuit of fairness and the desire for a just society.

In conclusion, the phrase “water rolls down like justice” is derived from the biblical verse Amos 5:24. It is a metaphorical expression that conveys the idea of justice flowing freely and abundantly, just as water rolls down a hill or courses in a river. This metaphor has been widely used to advocate for social justice and equality in different contexts, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – This online encyclopedia is known for its rigorous academic standards and provides authoritative articles on philosophical topics, including biblical interpretation and metaphorical language.

The phrase “Water rolls down like justice” is a metaphorical expression highlighting fairness and equality. It suggests that just as water naturally flows downwards, justice should be impartial and unbiased, treating everyone equally.

Justice is fundamental in human society, encompassing fairness, righteousness, and moral rightness. It plays a crucial role in maintaining social order and ensuring that individuals are treated equitably. The metaphor implies that justice should be as natural and inevitable as the force of gravity causing water to flow downhill.

The concept of justice has been explored and debated by philosophers, legal scholars, and theologians throughout history. Various theories have emerged to define and understand justice, including retributive justice, distributive justice, restorative justice, and procedural justice.

Retributive justice focuses on punishment for wrongdoing, aiming to restore balance by inflicting harm on the offender proportional to their offense. It is often associated with “an eye for an eye.” Distributive justice concerns the fair distribution of resources and opportunities in society, ensuring that individuals receive what they deserve based on their needs and contributions. Restorative justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by crime or conflict through reconciliation between victims, offenders, and the community. Procedural justice focuses on fair processes and procedures in legal systems to ensure that decisions are made impartially.

The metaphor “water rolls down like justice” implies that justice should be universal and objective, flowing freely without hindrance or bias. It suggests that just as water does not discriminate or favor specific paths while flowing downhill, justice should not discriminate based on race, gender, social status, or other characteristics. It should be blind to personal biases or external influences.

This metaphor can also be interpreted as a call for transparency in the administration of justice. Just as water is transparent and visible as it rolls down, justice should be open and accessible. It implies that justice should not be hidden or obscured but clear and evident to everyone.

In conclusion, the metaphor “water rolls down like justice” symbolizes the ideal of fairness, equality, and impartiality in the concept of justice. It suggests that justice should be as natural and inevitable as water flowing downhill, treating everyone equally and without discrimination.

Choosing the right partner for life is a decision that can greatly impact one’s happiness, fulfillment, and overall well-being. It is a complex process that involves considering various factors such as compatibility, shared values, emotional connection, and long-term goals. This snippet will provide some insights into the importance of choosing the right partner and offer a few key considerations to keep in mind.

The decision to choose a life partner is one of the most significant choices an individual can make. It is a commitment to share your life with another person, through both joys and challenges. A healthy and fulfilling partnership can bring immense happiness, support, and personal growth. On the other hand, choosing the wrong partner can lead to dissatisfaction, conflict, and even heartbreak.

When it comes to selecting a life partner, compatibility is crucial. Compatibility encompasses various aspects such as shared interests, values, beliefs, and lifestyle preferences. It involves finding someone who complements your personality and supports your goals and aspirations. Compatibility is not about finding someone who is exactly like you but rather someone who respects and appreciates your differences while also sharing common ground.

Another important consideration is emotional connection. Emotional intimacy forms the foundation of a strong and lasting partnership. It involves feeling understood, supported, and loved by your partner. Emotional connection allows for open communication, trust, and vulnerability within the relationship. It enables both partners to feel safe in expressing their true selves without fear of judgment or rejection.

Shared values are also vital in choosing a life partner. Values are deeply held beliefs that guide our behavior and shape our priorities in life. When partners share similar values, it creates a solid foundation for mutual understanding and harmony. Having shared values helps ensure that both individuals are aligned in their approach to important aspects of life such as family, career, finances, spirituality, and personal growth.

Long-term goals are another aspect to consider when choosing a life partner. It is important to find someone who shares your vision for the future and is willing to work towards common goals. This includes discussing and aligning on important life decisions such as having children, career aspirations, lifestyle choices, and retirement plans.

In addition to these considerations, it is essential to assess the overall compatibility of personalities, communication styles, and conflict resolution approaches. It is also important to evaluate the level of mutual respect, trust, and support within the relationship.

Choosing the right partner for life requires self-awareness, introspection, and a willingness to invest time and effort in getting to know potential partners. It is crucial to take the time to build a solid foundation of friendship and trust before committing to a long-term partnership. Remember that finding the right partner is not about seeking perfection but rather finding someone with whom you can grow, learn, and navigate life’s ups and downs together.

In conclusion, choosing the right partner for life is a decision that should not be taken lightly. It requires careful consideration of factors such as compatibility, emotional connection, shared values, and long-term goals. By prioritizing these aspects and investing in building a strong foundation of trust and understanding, individuals can increase their chances of finding a fulfilling and lasting partnership.

Until Now

Her heart was whole and pure,

Filled with love that would endure,

Until the day she found out

That her lover had been devout

To another, behind her back,

And her heart shattered in an attack

She thought their love was true,

But now she feels so blue,

Betrayed by the one she adored,

Her heart and soul now floored.

The pain she feels is hard to bear,

As she wonders how he could dare.

The tears fall like a summer rain,

And all she feels is a constant pain

, A broken heart that won’t repair,

As she wonders why he didn’t care.

She tries to keep her spirits high,

But the hurt just won’t subside.

She must find a way to heal,

To mend her heart and learn to feel,

To trust again and love once more,

And let go of what was before.

For someday, a love will come anew,

And her heart will feel brand new.

-Faith Hopewell
A Poem

“ The Boldness Of Not Being Alone”

In the Old Testament, when Abraham and Sarah took God’s promise into their own hands out of pure impatience, they forced a woman, a slave, into a precarious situation.

 While she was pregnant with Abraham’s child, she was mistreated and ran away, but God revealed himself to her and blessed her.

Hagar was at the mercy of a soon-to-be nation and a product of a patriarchal hierarchy, but the Lord made sure she wasn’t alone — that he was there with her no matter what the world told her.

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).

When Tamar took matters into her own hands and Judah tried to cover his sins with hers, God protected her and exposed Judah.

Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah” (Genesis 38:16).

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Jesus showed grace to the Samaritan woman at the well who was living with a man who was not her husband (John 4). He revealed to her what the Living Water could do — more than any earthly pleasure. Yes yes.

He also showed grace to the woman caught in adultery, They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. Well.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” which may or may not have been her fault in that time and place, and revealed to her true sacrificial love (John 7:53-8:11).

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, (Exodus 34:6).

They were the rebel women of their day — willing to do what they believed was right, no matter the personal cost:

Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho, she risked her own life to save the Israelite spies.

Tamar disguised herself, pretending to be a prostitute, to seduce her deceased husband’s father. She tricked him also, by keeping proof he was the one who slept with her. She gave birth to his son.  

Ruth was a Moabite widow who pursued a relationship with her Jewish kinsman, Boaz. She took the lead by offering herself to him in marriage. She bravely went against cultural and even racial expectations. 

Mary was a young girl. She was not married yet became pregnant. Unheard of and punishable by ex-communication and possibly abandonment. She became the mother of the Son of God! 

In His day, Jesus may well have been labeled a progressive based solely on His treatment and inclusivity of women. He showed his peers how He viewed women to be equal to men and worthy of honor, respect, and freedom.

Boldness!

Sometimes the anointing took me to places where my mind wasn’t ready for!!
Now I understand!
Help me Holy Spirit.-Faith Hopewell

Never treat your friend like an enemy because there is that line.-Faith Hopewell

When The Devil Blocks The Door Go Through The Roof-Jessie

“ When choosing a path in life, choose you.”

2009