Know Thy Neighbor Revisited SHORT

9 months ago we paired individuals in the church (mostly the youth paired with the old) with people they normally don't interact with. Deneeka Leon and Margaret Gadalupe are two of the we know that has decided to keep the communication going after the program/experiment. SEE THE FULL INTERVIEW ON NOVEMBER 30, 2010

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Pastor Appreciation Play Pics

Photos By:
Renielle Yankana



Troubled youth. The Pastor's on it
(from left to right)Oketo Marsh and Chantel Castel



The lady in the yellow seems calm now but trust us she's crazy some may say he deserve it).
Lenny Powell & Ann Marie Brown



Who new big men can cross their legs too
Naquan Taitt (on the far right)



There is nothing like a dysfunctional relationship to help you appreciate yours


Was the home made cake baked by Entenmann's?
(from left to right) Canetta Baker, Denise Winter & Kizzy Clemons



Fighting food for the homeless
Stacy Ann Brown (homeless woman)

Only a pastor can deal with so much drama on a daily basis and come out sane. Dr. David McKenzie, we appreciate you!

My appreciation of Pastor McKenzie

Pastor's Appreciation Day is the day when as a church family we show our pastor (David McKenzie) how much we really care, love and ofcourse appreciate him. Our pastor is one of my mentors. In each of his sermons he speaks to you as an individual and leads you in the right path to god. He came to the church roughly about 2 years ago and I loved his vibrance. His first sermon kept everyone awake and had an impact on a lot of kids,youths, and young adults. I was always happy to know he was preaching. He taught me as a teen to avoid all the bad influence that high school might bring. He is someone I can turn to with my problems and trouble. He is not just a pastor he is a friendly and out going person. he shows everyone his dashing smile and thoughtful ways. He is not only the Pastor of Lighthouse, but also my pastor. At one of his recent baptism I gave my life to God. each day I feel much closer to God. I thank and appreciate pastor McKenzie for giving me and a lot of other young people a better understanding of what our Christ Jesus has done and is doing in our lives.

Written By:Renielle Yankana
(age 14)

October Evangelism: Subway Ministry

I must say when doing this sort of evangelism we in the AYS Department know that some unexpected things would turn up. We had a very, very, very limited amount of books/tracks to hand out but we expected that. We had over 120 mp3 CDs filled with sermons to distribute to the community. We were expecting a limited amount of participants (ranging anywhere from 8 to 20 including the AYS Department) but what we ran into was roughly 20 children and one chaperone waiting to partake in today’s evangelism. It was the cornerstone class along with a couple of younger children ranging from ages 10 – 18 (7 of them were in the teenage range).

With the determination to serve God no matter what, we still went out into our community. We diverted from the original strategy. While walking down Utica heading towards Fulton Street, the Sabbath School Teacher Julian, AY Leader Ann Marie Brown and I decided that we would break into three groups. Julian and four teenagers went to Fulton Park to hand out track and minister to the people there. Ann Marie and I broke off into smaller groups. Each group positioned in front of the station of the two entrances located on each side of Malcom X and Fulton Street. It was there we realized something. The little children have a great desire to evangelize, but their measures about doing so needs to.

When heading to the subway station, the children would rush the people down and stick their hands out to give a person a track. No introduction, no nothing. Though their evangelizing was done with love, you could see that in groups, the kids treated evangelizing as if it were a competition; rushing to see who can hand out the tracks the quickest. We realized that we have to remind them what the purpose of evangelizing to our community and show them what might be a better way of handing out tracks. A method that I seen working was keeping them close but pairing them in two (it reduces the competition a little). Then I rotated each child with an adult to show them how to best evangelize.

I remember when I was with Justin Adams in front of the train station. Within a short time, I seen him interacting with members in the community and reciting some of the introductions which were thought to him (Asking individuals if they needed prayer and introducing himself to the people he approached). I believe that if we pay close attention to our children, mentoring smaller groups and taking time to nurture every aspect of their lives, we would be amazed of the growth that God would have used us to make them become. I thank HIM for allowing me to share this experience with these beautiful young ones. I will make a conscious effort for those who are reading, please pray for Leroy and Jamal (with employment, like many), and the various people we prayed for and distributed tracks and CD’s too. May it help them to strengthen their lives with our God and commit themselves to him totally (for those who haven’t).

Written By:Naquan Taitt
Photo By:Canetta Baker
Each CD Contained about 63 sermons from various Adventist Pastors across the nation thanks to apwin.org

Program: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

In an effort to continually correct the damage that devil uses in society to make us feel inadequate through the media, the Vision drama group, reminds us that no matter how bad you think things are with your physical features always remember that someone always have it worse.

I Have it Worse

September Evangelism: Taking it to the Streets

After twelve Long months we finally decided to dust the cob webs off and decided to hit the streets on a quest to once again execute the regular and creative ways to evangelize. For this month we decided to hit the neighborhood of Crown Heights. Seeing that we currently reside on 1769 Dean Street (the Pink Church) in Brooklyn we placed two literature and beverage stations on the corners of Utica and Schenectady. The well executed plan was that we would have a table set up at each corner providing lemonade, literature, and prayer (you know, trying to quench their physical and spiritual thirst on a hot Summer Day). The rest of the individuals would pair up into groups and disseminate on to the streets with in the church within a five block radius.

It started off smoothly and what we had to offer to the community was well received (which is something I believe is probably the biggest fear amongst Christians when evangelizing). When I took a second look of my congregation you can see all types there. Those aggressively going after each unfamiliar face with a passion to spread the good news, some socializing in a corner talking about God amongst themselves, some nervous hiding in the shadows of the trees and fences, and somehow were nervous with the desire to say and act but just needed a little push.

I think I had the personality of each type that day and it was interesting how I got my push. I was on the corner of Schenectady and Dean with Duane and Mary while handing out literature to people that pass by. I was a little uneasy. With each person that strolled past, there was a desire to do more. I wanted to say more, provide each person with a little word of encouragement, and ask if they needed us to pray for them about anything in their lives. But I suffered from the same thing that Adam and Eve did once the sinned in Genesis 3. Yep, fear! For some reason I couldn’t muster up the courage to do anything more than raise my hand to pass out tracks; which is usually ok but I was fighting with the spirit to do more.

I asked God for help and almost before I could finish my request he answered it.
Duane quickly pointed our attention to Sis. Griffith. The well over 65 year’s old lady was out there with such zeal to spread God Word. If you can picture this beautiful senior moving very cautiously and unhurried in church, now vibrant and energetic out in the field and is holding down her section of the street by herself ;Talking to people, handing out tracks, and chasing down cars providing literature while they were at the stop light. That was all the motivation I needed. Instantly after I found myself doing the same and asking people if they wanted prayer and a lot of them did. I even got the chance to speak with someone who remembered me asking her the same question a couple moths back when I went out with Personal Ministries. She said He answered her prayers. Praise God!


Sis Griffith
Written By:Naquan Taitt

The literature we handed out contained: SIGN (a small pamphlet), Message Magazine, free 24 Hour prayer line cards , and A DVD. The DVD contained:

The Man For the Moment


Daniel 10- The God Who Listens

My Pathfinders Experience

I guarantee that most of you all have wondered once or twice what pathfinders is really about ; well I stand here before you now to explain the experience I have had so you can basically get a clue of what pathfinders is about.

In the year of 2006 I willingly joined pathfinders. At that time the reason I pretty much joined pathfinders because I saw the older teens of the church doing drills, marching, commands, drumming and so on. So basically I was thinking they were having fun, and I was pretty much getting kind of old for adventurers. Mainly at that time was pretty much just thinking “Oh, this looks like fun how bout I join the fun “. But as time went by I noticed that we weren`t really doing the things I would usually see them doing; WE WERE DOING WORK.!! … I expected to do work and all but I thought we would’ve been drilling and marching most of the time. Actually that’s all I thought pathfinders was about.

I was inducted into the Lighthouse Flames Pathfinder Club with Rachel Brown, Deneek Leon, Deneeka Leon, and Nasha Bazemore. I successfully passed boards in the Spring of 2007. During my 1st year of pathfinders, I completed my Friends folder, learned all my memory texts, went to camp and most definitely had fun. Since it was my first year going to camp with the pathfinder group, I wasn’t really sure what I was supposed to do. We`d get up at around 7 o` clock in the morning when it is brick cold outside and we made a shower out of tarp, wire and a bucket of COLD water. We took basically hours to set up tents; we arrived at about 1 or 2 o` clock in the afternoon and didn’t finish putting up tents until about 10 o` clock and the next day we still had a tent to put up. When we got all finished with working on tents it was time for FUN! We the new comers now hearing about mushing was like the best thing we`d heard for camp, which was putting together and mixing up a bunch of cosmetics such as toothpaste, lotion, ointment, powder, etc. . Then in the middle of the night a few of us would get up and put it on the other few pathfinders that were snug and sleeping in their tent. And if you were lucky you might just get your picture taken. Our funniest moment was the 1st Time I ever experienced mushing. Nasha, Deneek, Deneeka and I had went out at about 2 o` clock in the morning and went over to the other girls’ tent and put mush on Rachel’s hand and face and she wiped her hands on her face and woke up a little and we were like “Oh Rachel they got u too, they came in our tent and mushed us too, Man we just came in here to check on yall.” Good Times =]

But please don`t think that just because I’m talking about fun, that’s what pathfinders is about. Pathfinders is also about learning more about God, Teamwork, Integrity, commitment, and being able to work independently. Over the years I have been in the drum core ; I have been a color guard ; I have done community service ; I have been to the official fun days ; I have gone on neighborhood and community walks,etc. I have completed 4 folders and I am currently in the Ranger Class. From 2006 to 2010 I have had a lot of fun with the Lighthouse Pathfinders. Through the bad and the good; we have stuck together throughout the years. Companions we are and will remain!

Written By: Cedryanne Winter

Senior Appreciation Day: The Golden Years

My fingers stroked the delicate fabric of the off-white silk table cloths that laid obedient and straight on the surface of the tables. The gold chargers, gold rim plates, crystal glassware, and silver utensils were placed in a particular order, measured at the exact equal distance, and glistened from the pampered attention they received. The rich brown, basket weaved floral containers in the center of the tables, were filled with various shades of golden yellow flowers, white hydrangeas and roses, and scattered brown pine cones. As we lit the candles, at last, a smile of satisfaction danced upon our lips as we knew the seniors would be mesmerized.

The detailed décor, delicious menu, and soft Christian music assaulted their senses in pleasure as each senior were escorted to their seats. Sister McKenzie sang a beautiful rendition of He’s Able, while the seniors waited to be served. A sea of applause filled the air and gratitude was verbalized. I juggled hosting and carrying plates filled with; escovich fish, vegetable fried rice, macaroni pie, vegetarian meat, and green salad. I laughed inwardly as I saw the faces of the seniors as they strategized how best to devour their meals. Knives and forks made musical notes, as Stacy Brown recited a seniors’ appreciation poem.

I stood still, nerve impulses moving in a network connecting rhythms and lyrics, as the words danced upon the minds of all who were in hearing distance. An acknowledgement of claps, smiles, laughter, and praises effortlessly fell from the lips of many. Rachel Brown and Kizzy Clemons sang a beautiful song to the seniors. The empty plates were gathered and I asked the seniors to get together for photos.

“Ok, get closer to each other, thank you. Everyone say “CHESSE.” I said while snapping memories.

“Ok, just one more, Sister Branch, stop dancing in front of the camera.” I jokingly scolded.

The beautiful smiles, each hard working wrinkle telling its story as I snapped away. The hand of time, on that grand clock of life stood still, painting memories of this very moment, hour, minute, and second was captured and passed. It was at that point a sudden feeling of despair flooded me, the faces that I occasional take for granted, with repetitious greeting robotically given, may not be here one day. My impulsive intruding thoughts ripped my joy so hastily away; I knew that our seniors would not live forever. I push those thought to the back of my mind and I smiled again knowing that I was going to make a conscious effort to give my flowers while they are still living. Our small token (The Golden Age Luncheon) could never be enough to say thank you, but it was a start.

Written By: Ann Marie Brown

Camp Experience- Final Day

Sunday Morning. The move began. We all woke up and bathed, brushed our teeth, and began our project clean up. After taking our things out the tents, packing them up, and loading all of the kitchen items together, we loaded our bus along with Goshen and waited for the bus to move and us to begin our venture home. When we arrived back at the church it was much calmer, and the process of getting our things off the bus went much more smoothly than the previous Wednesday . After dropping off Cornerstone, saying goodbye to Goshen, unpacking our things, we were officially able to say we were home. We enjoyed what we did, and our experience we will never forget. We must all say thank you to our director for his strict and fair punishment that kept us all in line. We must also say thank you to coordinator Edey for supporting us and keeping us all together. Our parents also had a big impact on our camp experience, from cooking to cleaning and just being there. We give most of our thanks to God for all He hands done for us. Without God we wouldn’t have been able to do all we did and because of Him we did.

Written By: Deneeka Leon


(Daneeka & Daneek Leon)

Camp Experience-Day 4

Sabbath Morning: we hurried to find our clothes. Screaming and yelling so that we could be present at flag rising. No one wanted to be the ones who were put in the late spot and have their club announced to everyone. After flag raising we quickly headed back to the campsite and our walk to Sabbath school began. After Sabbath school we were given a fifteen minute break. Councilor Stacy did not want us to leave, and therefore saw no reason why we wanted to move around in the first place. Almost 13 children lay upon each other’s shoulders gone in a mist of wonder. As we all slept through church we knew that we were being watched. When Pastor Jamie rose to begin his sermon every eye opened and each ear was cleaned to create an attention that was unmovable. We all ate lunch and like all pathfinders could not wait to get out of our uniform. The heat made us beg for a swim in the pool and our uniform which protected us from the harsh sun did us a great injustice of keeping in our body’s heat. After lunch we all crawled back into the tents and caught some sleep. After an hour or two we went to A.Y and then ran back to eat and change in time for the social. That evening we all walked out together and went to support our fellow pathfinder in her saxophone playing and that night we walked to bid goodbye to all our newly acquired friends. We watched a beautiful, pantomime performance, done by one of the many Spanish churches that were at Berkshire. We played the night activities such as the one legged race, which ended in us falling as well as the sack race, and to top it off we were drag through the dirt by these very big men and woman in tug of war. Boy did we need Naquan that night. We said our goodbyes and exchanged numbers and other forms of communication information. As we walked back to our site, we walked with a sense of sadness. After being at camp and having so much fun we regretted having to leave. We all closed our eyes and prepare our minds for the coming day called tomorrow.

Written By: Deneeka Leon


Sermon snippet "Return on your Investment" by Pastor Jamie
At Camp Berkshire, AUGUST 2010.

Camp Experience-Day 3

Day three: Friday morning we all woke in time for the showers. Luckily, there was a minimum amount of people that showed quickly and came back to our tent. We all dressed in our B-class uniform and planned to be early at flag rising. Even though we weren’t the first club at flag rising, we still made the effort to be there on time, and we were recognized for it. As the day continued we participated in activities that were held in the pavilion. We did a heart racing stunt like activity called "the sing"; where you were taken high up in the air as far as you wanted to go or as far as the rope would allow you, and then you pull the rope to let you go. As we flew through the air, it felt as though you and your insides were going in two different directions. We then went and ate lunch. That evening we all went back to the camp site and began our cleaning for the nearing Sabbath. As news of inspection circled the camp grounds, our directors and coordinators went from calm, cool, and collective to serious neat machines. Each time the place was cleaned, it was dirtied. It seemed as though things would never stay the way it was supposed to. As the Sabbath approached closer, the pathfinders scattered like little ants, succoring around our area cleaning. The camp site was eventually cleaned and exhausted bodies stood and participated in worship. As they leaned, and swayed a dance that told the beauty of sleep was preformed. That night we all slept. The air was cold and drastically fell, showing no sympathy to our freezing bodies. After little prayers of protection through the night went up all was silent.

Written By: Deneeka Leon

Camp Experience-Day 2

Day two: Breakfast was great. Everyone was fed and ate a very satisfying meal. If only we were able to display our gratitude emotionally. Many us females were upset in the morning because of our wait on the bathroom line. As a result of our previous nights late night curfew, we were not informed about the camp bathroom system. The system goes like this: You had to go either in the morning before everyone else or after everyone at night. You would wait half an hour to an hour every morning at 4:00am or in the night at 12’something just to take a 3 to 5-minute shower. As the day continued, some of our younger pathfinders went off with one of our councilors (Stacy Ann Brown) to complete their camping skills 1, 2, and 3. The older kids stayed at the campsite cleaning up and preparing dinner. As nights fell, our superiors began to watch us more closely. They knew what was going on in our young minds. They could already see that there was something being planned behind their backs. As night fell on that day all the kids were being watched.

Written by: Deneeka Leon


(from left to right: Daneeka Leon, Nialie Fedricks, Rachel Brown)

Camp Experience-Day 1

Day 1: As the children filled up the trailer block, the feeling of suspense began to build in the air. A feeling so strong it was sensed from miles away. We introduced our selves to the pathfinders from Goshen who were waiting with us. Our directors were everywhere at once trying to do so many things. You could just imagine how the coordinator looked if the directors were running around. Picture a woman who is always looking out for us, suddenly rushing us to get everything done, while trying to figure out what we were missing. Many of the children were not aware of the little situation that was brewing underneath the surface of all this madness. We were missing some things that if we did not obtain, would have devastated our trip. We were missing basic foods like milk, eggs, vegetables and other items that we could not leave without. Coordinator Edey called some of the pathfinders to go along with him and Goshen’s very own director McLean, but by the time they turned around, she was gone. We could not have gone to camp without our coordinator, food, and Cornerstone’s pathfinders. After a few minutes of calmness, people began to realize that coordinator Edey and director Mclean were nowhere to be found. The pastor and I jumped in his van and began our long road trip up down Utica and Eastern Parkway where we finally found them. As all hope seemed to be fading God gave it back and reminded us to always have faith and believe in him. We returned to the trailer, got on the bus, stopped to pick up Goshen, and THEN WE WERE FINALLY ON OUR WAY!!

The ride: Many would think bus rides full of children would be loud, rowdy, discombobulated, messy and just plain out of control. Well to all those who think that way, I would like to inform you that Lighthouse Pathfinders, Goshen Pathfinders, and Cornerstone Pathfinders are the best group of kids you will ever meet. Just as long as our coordinator and director were on board you wouldn’t have to tell us to quiet down twice. We were informed that this was a privilege, not a mandatory trip. They would have no problem in taking away our activities. At our tender teenage years we could not stop ourselves from asking some mandatory road trip questions. As we traveled, we all noticed how far from home we were, but could not help but wonder how close we reached to our destination. Questions of “are we there yet?” and “how much longer?” flew from every mouth, even mine. Not long after the bus was silent, the quiet sound of all three churches was a sound too be remembered. I say this because as soon as it began, it ended.

The arrival: When we arrived, it was around 3:30pm. The sun burned our skin and made a mockery of us, it seemed the closer the sun came to setting the hotter it became. Church after church came and set up, while lighthouse struggled to stay awake. Tired eyes began to fade as we continued with the help of our very own Naquan Taitt, as he assisted with setting up the tent. As night fell, the weather went with it, turning our once despised furnace into an un-welcomed icebox. We worked, and worked, praying that we could soon finish and go to sleep. As always, Naquan came through, altering our minds to figuring out missing pieces. Our tents were completed and the sleep we needed, we received.

Written By:Deneeka Leon

(from left to right: Kira Borne, Daneeka Leon)

Photos from At Jesus Feet

Photos By:
Renielle Yankana

Simon the Pimp
Carlson Adams Ann Marie Brown

Niomi The Instructor
(In Yellow: Denise Winter)

The Demise
(From left to right Leban (Winston Gladsotne), Nicodemus (Justin Adams),
Jethro (Daniel Adams), and Anthony Pontious (Naquan Taitt)

Martha the neat freak
From left to right: Martha (Chantel Castel)
and servant (Rachel Brown)

Is it me or does it appear that the Instructor is more modest than the student. Hmmm?

Jesus
Lenny Powell







Words of wisdom

Woman caught in the act of adultry
(Stacey Brown)

Death of Lazarus (Even skinny dead men can be heavy it appears)

Simons feast/The return of Lazarus.

At Jesus Feet





A beautiful Renditon of "Alabaster Box" provided by Kamala Emmanual

In preporation for his burial

One word to describe Caiphas (in red). "Vocabulary"

All I have to say is "Bring me the water. I'm innocent of of this man blood".

We all must carry our cross

An Evening of Hymns and Praise

Voices filled the church like the trumpet of God resounding the four corners of our earth. Different harmonies sung by both male and female children of God. Faces like the angels that will sing to us on judgment day and lead as we take our departure home. As it is said in” Patriarchs and Prophets,” “Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts which is pure, noble, and elevating; and to awaken in the soul, devotion and gratitude to God… singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer.” Today the songs sung by each person had a powerful message behind it. Hidden deep in the words was a message for each of us. The famous Christine Sinclair sang for us today but not only did she sing she delivered. She sang a song and the words “Give me Jesus” helped me to feel exactly what I imagine she felt when she sang it. I felt sincerity, meaning, and truth. My friend Dominique Smith sang the song “The prayer.” I truly didn’t know she was that talented. She amazed me. I probably would never have had the opportunity to hear her sing if it wasn’t for the concert. A group of seven called Laos In Harmony ministered to us as well. “His Voice” brightened our hearts with two songs. Their last song was “We are blessed and highly favored.” To close the evening Christine Sinclair led us out with “He’ll do it again.” This was a wonderful program and to my surprise there were as much people in the evening as there was in the morning. I had a great time and I guarantee that anyone who could not make it missed one great evening and if they came they would have enjoyed it as much as I did. With this much spirit in the church I bet we’ll have a church in no time. All we have to do is keep singing and praying and God will answer us.

-Deneeka Leon

ominique Smith

Photos By:

Renielle Yankana

Know Thy Neighbor

Today to tell the truth I began my day doubting myself as a writer. I wondered if what I shared would be good enough, but then I remembered Philippians 4:13. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGHTHENS ME. After that my thoughts eased and I was able to relax a bit. The whole point of our A.Y lesson was to have the people in the church get to know each other. I can honestly say that I do not remember most of the people in my church name. Some of them have known me since I was a baby and it’s a shame that I don’t know them enough to remember their name. We were paired in groups of two, preferably young with old. In my own experience I was paired with a woman named Sister Guadalupe. I would see her every Sabbath and say hi. We would share a simple hello and that would be all. Week after week the same thing would happen, until this week, when I was given the opportunity to speak with her for more than a second. I learned so much about her. I now wonder why I never spoke more with her before. I believe this is an exercise all churches should try and I have a feeling they would truly be surprised to see what the outcome is. I can now call her whenever I need to0 talk to her. The funny thing is I never would have thought we would have so much in common. So just remember Philippians 4:13 whenever you begin to get the slightest bit of doubt or fear in your heart

A member of LIGHTHOUSE S.D.A CHURCH

• DENEEKA LEON