7 MARCH 2018 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS I remember three years ago the very first day I visited KCCC, I knew right away that I was going to be a member. I enjoy the service and love how Bishop-Elect Rev. Dr. Ade Ajala teaches. I am so thankful that I made that decision. My life has changed beyond measure. At that time, I was going through a situation that I could not understand. I met with Bishop-Elect Rev. Dr. Ade Ajala and told him my situation. I was in pain, depressed, confused, and was at the lowest point in my life but God has been so good! I joined the praise team since then I have felt the presence of God, his anointing and grace following my life. Bishop-Elect Rev. Dr. Ade Ajala has been a father to me and my family. His wonderful wife whom I love dearly looks just like my mother and represents her. I thank God for my spiritual parents. I have grown so much in the word of God, I am a better person and I have high self- esteem. Bishop-Elect Rev. Dr. Ade Ajala always encourages us to read from the bible. I am grateful that I am a member of KCCC and learned to meditate on the word and become stronger because of his teaching. I have been so blessed, I have learned to pray more, read my bible and walk in love and my faith has grown by consistently hearing the word. I and my family are blessed today because of KCCC. I can stand boldly to testify of the goodness and grace of God. The prophetic declaration Bishop-Elect Rev. Dr. Ade Ajala has spoken over my life I see them all coming to pass. He teaches you to go higher in life. He always tells us if Jesus made we too can make it. There is nothing the Lord cannot do! One of the verses I learned to meditate on is Isaiah 54:17. Bishop-Elect Rev. Ade Ajala is my Pastor, mentor and father. He and his wife are my family. God bless my church and everyone at KCCC. God bless! Black Panther Phenomenon It’s a new awakening in Black America and America period. When people pack a movie theater and young people are in awe of posi- tive black heroes on the big screen says a lot. Even churches are filled with mem- bers wearing dashikis and kente cloths around their necks to show immense pride in their heritage. They were not just celebrating Black History month but also the movie “Black Panther.” The Black Panther movie has already grossed $700 million at the box office since opening Feb. 16 So why the Black Panther phenom- enon? It’s a move about cultural pride, deep rooted messages, special tech- nical effects, plenty of action and a black super hero. Despite this action hero first appearing in Marvel Comic’s Fantastic Four Vol. 1 in July 1966. Many of us were re-introduced to the Black Panther in the 2016 movie “Captain America: Civil War” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” in 2015. But this star cast includes Chadwick Boseman, Angela Bassett, Michael B. Jordan, Forest Whittaker and Lupita Nyongó that make it a block buster hit. Not to give away the movie for those who have not seen it, but it does cen- ter around a young king, T’Challa, who takes over the throne of the small African nation of Wakanda after the death of his father. But he also con- tinues the ancestral role of his father and forefathers becoming the black panther with super powers fighting off his foes and protecting his people. King T’Çhalla also realizes that Wakanda can no longer hide in the shadows as a third world country, but a leader. The country is gold with its mines filled with vibranium, a rare metal, used for technological and medical advances, weapons and build- ing cities. At the end of the movie, King T’Challa aka Black Panther addresses the United Nations saying, “Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows. We will work to be an example of how we as brothers and sisters on this earth should treat each other,” he declares. “Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis, the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe." Of course, this is a dig on the Trump administration, especially when our own president insulted those of African heritage when referring to Haiti and African nations as "shithole coun- tries." Some can even say it’s a ‘hallelu- jah” moment when churches saw how important it was to take youths to see the movie. Rev. Leon Emerson of Now Faith Christian Center and his member, Robert Heflin, made it possible to take 50 youths to see an exclusive screening of the movie Black Panther at Harkins Theaters in the Northfield Mall in Denver. This included chil- dren from the Boys and Girls Club of Denver. Otis Spears, associate minister at Now Faith Christian Center said the youth were so excited and blown away by the movie. “They walked out talking about it. Especially all the characters they wanted to be like in the movie. It was just beautiful,” Spears said. He added, “The movie was about fatherhood, family pride, strength and being proud of our heritage. Today, kids are always told what they can’t do. They are dealing with craziness and bullying. The Black Panther showed them what’s possible for their lives.” Eleven-year old Olivia Lawrence is one of several youths from New Hope Baptist Church who went to see the movie. It was surprising and shocking because you didn’t know what was coming next,” she said. “It was awe- some.” As Olivia explained, the Black Panther didn’t want to destroy the world but only wanted to make peace. Desmond Lawrence, 20, also a mem- ber of New Hope said the movie was inspiring. “It brought out aspect of America of having to change as a society. It was an overall great movie. It brought out the unity of the African culture because today a lot of people forget where we come from.” Sheila Smith It’s a move about cultural pride, deep rooted messages, special technical effects, plenty of action and a black super hero. Continued on Page 14 By Sheila Smith CINEMA