On Thursday morning, December 31, 2009, Richard “s/ave” Douglas (36) went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. He died in his sleep at his home in Houston, Texas from an epileptic seizure. While he had battled the condition for many years, this was an unexpected occurrence and a complete shock to his friends and family.
Born on March 27, 1973, s/ave was a devoted follower of Jesus and passionate fan of hip hop music. In the mid-90’s he was on staff at Grapetree Records and served as editor of Heaven’s Hip Hop Magazine – one of the first true attempts at Christian rap journalism and a lifeline for fans of the faith-based music in the pre-Internet age. He penned the “Real Criticisms” column and initiated an “Unsigned Acts” issue that spotlighted future Christian rap figures such as Nuwine, Future Shock, and Raphi Henley (aka Shames Worthy).
After moving to Houston, s/ave started the ONEMIND newsletter in 1995 out of his one-bedroom apartment and continued to cover the genre. As the one-sheet garnered more readers, it grew to into ONEMIND Magazine and featured the writings of James “Bad Luck” Parry, Kenneth “Bus” Falls, Jr. (owner of The Bus Shop), Excelsius, Jelani Greenidge, and Sketch the Journalist.
As the world wide web boomed and ushered in the Information Age, s/ave adapted his magazine to an online forum. OM95.com continued to bring album reviews, news, and analysis to the Christian hip hop culture. Its vibrant message board continued to build community until the launch of DaSouth.com.
That site was created to be unified banner site for gospel rappers in the Gulf Coast area. The concept was that artists would forgo forging their own web identities and adopt the DaSouth.com name. Not only that, s/ave was strategic in the launch of The Bus Shop – the first and longest running Christian Hip Hop store on the web – along with Kenneth “Bus” Falls, Jr. He gave the store its name and also created it’s first website.
From his home in Montreat, NC, Billy Graham released this statement following the death of Oral Roberts:
“Oral Roberts was a man of God, and a great friend in ministry. I loved him as a brother. We had many quiet conversations over the years. I invited Oral to speak at one of our early international conferences on evangelism held in Berlin in the 1960s.
“Oral was preceded in death by his wonderful wife Evelyn, who I also knew and loved. She was a woman of God, and a powerful prayer warrior.
“Just three weeks ago, I was privileged to talk to Oral over the telephone. During the short conversation, he said to me that he was near the end of his life’s journey. I look forward to the day that I will see Oral and Evelyn Roberts again in Heaven–our eternal home.”
Franklin Graham, President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, had this to say:
“Oral Roberts was loved and admired by millions of people around the world. I always appreciated the times when he went out of his way to befriend me. He invited me to speak at Oral Roberts University when I was just starting my ministry and was an encouragement to me.
“I thank God for his friendship and Godly example and his faithfulness in ministry. He will be greatly missed. Our love and condolences go to Richard and Roberta and their families.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date
Bishop Melvin Powell was born in 1932 in the Jamaica Parish of St Elizabeth
He became a Christian in his teens and was ordained as a minister in 1948
He immigrated to England in 1961.
He co-founded and jointly led the New Testament Assembly alongside his friend and colleague Bishop Donald Bernard for over 45 years. Their leadership partnership was renowned and respected throughout the black Christian community because they were example of united Christian leadership.
Aside from his work in establishing the New Testament Assembly, Bishop Powell was a great supporter of humanitarian work in Africa and Asia
His Story …
The Rt Revd Melvin Lea Powell, co-founder of one of Britain’s most influential and respected black Pentecostal denominations, the New Testament Assembly –England died peacefully on Wednesday 4th November aged 77. Bishop Powell served as International Presiding Bishop of the New Testament Assembly until August 2009
Jamaican born Powell arrived in the UK in Spring 1961 and was amongst the thousands of first generation West Indians who immigrated to the UK during the 1950s and 1960s. Desirous to provide a spiritual home for the many black people that had settled in the UK, Bishop Powell worked alongside his friend and colleague Bishop Donald Bernard and planted the first ever branch of the New Testament Assembly in Streatham, south London in August 1961.
From its inauspicious beginnings in 1961 The New Testament Assembly (NTA) has become a leading black Pentecostal denomination with several branches in the UK, as well as churches in Ghana, South Africa, the USA, Canada, Jamaica, India, Singapore and Malaya, and is well respected for its ecumenical work dating back to the 1970’s.
It is with great sadness we report that one of the UK’s most esteemed Bishop, Melvin Powell co-founder of the New Testament Assembly Churches has succumbed to illness and died yesterday 4 November at 1.22pm in the afternoon.
Bishop Melvin Powell co-founded the New Testament Assembly (NTA) churches in the UK, starting from the early 1960′s. His ministerial partnership with co-founder Bishop Donald Bernard is often lauded as the most successful in UK Black Church history, lasting more than forty years.
A humble man, a family man, a man of vision and purpose. A compassionate man – who it is said – still found the capacity to minister to people that came to see him during his final days.
A dignified statesman and giant of The Faith: Bishop Powell leaves an unblemished record and a lasting legacy of the work God called him to achieve.
Prayers and expressions of condolence to his wife, Mrs Rose Powell and family should be directed to the headquarters Church of NTA, Tooting, Beechcroft Road, London SW17 7BU Tel: 020 8672 9416. At the request of his family we were unable to report this until today.
JCLONDON.com just received our O3 News and Events Newsletter in it we read sad news…
It is with sadness that we report the passing of the minister and British Gospel Music Promoter, Pastor Jason Steele. It is reported that he died yesterday at 4am on Thursday 3 September. He initally set up Peak (gospel) Promotions in the 90′s and then began promoting some of the heavyweights of gospel music in the UK; including Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and Donnie McClurkin.
Please keep his wife Karen and child in your prayers at this time as they cope with their loss.
The recent murder of a church pastor has Oklahoma law enforcement issuing a warning to other church leaders in the surrounding area.
According to the Associated Press, the unexpected murder of 61 year old Carol Daniels in Christ Holy Sanctified Church has come around as a horrendous episode. The body of Carol Daniels was found Sunday where she was the pastor in Anadarko.
The police has announced $10000 reward for anyone who confirms the identity of the murderer.
The Oklahoma State Bureau Of Investigation’s spokeswoman told sources that the murderer had mischievously “staged” the body of Carol after killing her.
Though the police hasenough leads on the case there are no suspects yet, sources revealed. The autopsy results claimed that there were several “sharp force injuries” on Daniels’ body and the criminal was mercilessly nefarious in conducting such atrocities on the pastor’s body. Law enforcement declined to elaborate and have been tight-lipped about details of the crime or a possible motive.
Her son Alvin Daniels said…
Her son Alvin Daniels told CNN that “She was always joking with us and always taking care of us, even giving her last dollar even if she didn’t have it.” He said she was a good mother. There is no doubting that the gracious, self-righteous looking woman had a kind heart. Daneils, who lived about 50 miles southwest of the Andarko Church in Okhlahoma City reportedly traveled to the Church on Sundays “in case people came in to worship”.
Though living in a day and age where many artists value the aesthetic qualities of a song more highly than its lyrical content , Ejiro has gone where few of his contemporaries have dared to tread.
In March 2009, Ejiro showed himself not only to have found the all-important balance between content and sound but also to have his finger on the pulse of society, when he recorded a heart-fetching tribute song to the late Jade Goody (Ex-Big Brother star) entitiled “Dear Jade”, which he aimed to reach out to her and her loved ones in their time of need.
As a bi-product of this evangelistic effort, Ejiro captivated the ears and hearts of many across the nation and wound up on the front cover of highly esteemed, net-based magazines such as ”Rapzilla.com”, “Streetbrand.com” and “Glam.com”. ejiromusic.com
From his home in Montreat, NC, Billy Graham released this statement following the death of Oral Roberts:
