From the Desk of the President Bishop Garland Hunt – October 2024

Friends,

While more than 69% of Americans identify as Christians, only 4% have a biblical worldview—that’s according to the Cultural Research Center at Arizona State University. It’s no surprise we are a nation in chaos. And yet, I do believe that we must continue to fight ferociously for our faith, persistently build a strong spiritual foundation in our families and acknowledge the freedom we have in Christ.

How do we thrive in an environment where church attendance is down, abortion is up, and a dusty bible has been normalized? I’d like to offer a few insights, including light, hope and God’s word.

• We must die daily to ourselves—with a fervent endeavor to draw closer to the Lord no matter what is going on in the culture. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23-24
• We can’t love the world and have Jesus on the side. He must be our first, last and everything. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38.
• A fully surrendered Christ follower will yield his heart to the Lord and seek to align all areas of his live with the world of God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-4
• If you had to stand trial for your Christian faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you? A bold Christian isn’t afraid or ashamed of living according to Godly principles—even if it leads to persecution. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
• If you’re not being challenged by others—at least occasionally, because of your faith, perhaps you’re hiding your light under a bushel. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10.

It’s not easy, in fact, it is tremendously difficult to have a biblical worldview. That’s why you can’t do it in your own strength—you must put on the whole armor of God, study God’s word daily because you need that sword and, seek out opportunities to fortify your biblical worldview.

If you need strategies to grow your faith in these challenges times, I have the perfect prescription for you: Our Faith, Our Family, Our Freedom Conference in Atlanta, GA on October 24-26. Hosted by the Douglass Leadership Institute (DLI), the conference will be filled with an aroma of praise, worship and prayer, along with biblical worldview strategies that will sharpen your biblical mindset, undergird your walk with the Lord and share insights about how DLI is equipping faith leaders with resources related to strengthening the black family, protecting the unborn, uplifting education, economic empowerment and faith-based criminal reform.

While we are battling against a spiritual crisis of epic proportions, the Lord has given us instructions to persevere: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

I pray you will join me in Atlanta for our annual conference. If you have a biblical worldview or aspire to be biblically aligned with the Lord, please join us. For more information about Our Faith, Our Family, Our Freedom, go to: https://www.dlinstitute.org/event/2024-our-faith-our-family-our-freedom-conference/

 

Fighting for Our Faith, Our Family, Our Freedom,

Bishop Garland Hunt

President, Douglass Leadership Institute 

“I love the pure, peaceable and impartial Christianity of Christ.” Frederick Douglass