SERVE & CONNECT IN MINISTRY
Praise International’s pastor has a heart for people and desires for the Body of Christ to be firmly established in Biblical truths and grow in knowledge, understanding, revelation and the wisdom of God. Pastor Garlton’s passion is for the Church to be grounded in their faith and no longer be infants/children tossed to a fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph. 4:14). Establishing yourself within your church and planting yourself in ministry is one of the opportunities for creating a biblical and spiritual foundation that helps to bring growth and maturity. Growing Christ followers that reach out and serve others is key to the fellowship and ministry of Believers. Acts 2:24 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (NIV).
Praise Kids Ministry: Children’s ministry at Praise International is dedicated to empowering the lives of the next generation through providing an atmosphere of love, compassion, and engaging lessons that equips them to become strong in their love walk with Jesus and with people. Our children are like arrows in the hand of a warrior/mighty man, so are children born in one’s youth (Psalm 127:4). Children’s ministry workers are responsible for providing our children with the highest standard of Bible based, Spirit filled lessons and a curriculum that will develop fully devoted followers of Christ. They emphasize what is preached in the pulpit and weekly give the kids bible scriptures to memorize. Teaching our children who they are in Christ and “whose” they are will develop a foundation in their hearts, lives and Spirits that will help push them into spiritual maturity and knowing their giftings and purpose in life.
The Awakenables Youth and Young Adult Ministry: Youth and young adult ministry at Praise International flows across a wide age range and requires us to equip and empower this generation by touching every aspect of their lives. We are building biblical foundations, forming strong relationships, and encompassing the emotional needs of every student’s lives we touch. This group of young people are truly a “Chosen Generation” that has been called to awaken their schools, their families, their communities, and the world from spiritual dullness and darkness, as they preach the Good News of Jesus wherever they go. To accomplish this within our young people we are responsible for providing strong life changing, educational, bible based lessons that equips them for the transitions of life and gives them a firm foundation that will develop strong, fully devoted followers of Christ. It is our desire to disciple students by helping them establish their relationship with Christ, equipping them to grow in their ministry giftings, and providing opportunities for them to serve others in the church and their community,
Worship and Arts Ministry: Praise International is intentional about lifting up the Name of Jesus and glorifying God through praise and worship, dance, banners, flags and drama. As we draw closer to God through deepening our relationship with Him, we respond to His wooing by worshiping the Father in Spirit and in truth. He is worthy of all our adoration because of who He is as the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Holy God. The essence of true worship is a matter of the heart and the depth of a person’s worship develops through “intimately” knowing God. A lifestyle of worship is expressed through a fervent and zealous demonstration of passionate love for God in the beauty of His holiness.
Mighty Men of Valor Men’s Ministry: Andre Davis leads the men’s ministry at Praise International with a passionate heart. He desires to establish spiritual maturity, growth and development in men. His mission is to raise up men to be spiritual leaders, men of honor, character, and integrity, while providing biblical training, discipleship, and mentorship that is centered on building a firm foundation in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Character traits of godly leaders, sons, husbands, and fathers are founded upon being a servant, having a teachable and humble heart, walking in love and forgiveness, willing to admit failures and areas of weakness, and complete submission to the Holy Spirit and His leading. Mighty Men of Valor are men on a journey with God who pray, worship, spends time in the Word of God, loves their wife like Christ loves the Church, provides for their home, loves and trains their children in the ways of the Lord, endures opposition and never loses heart, immerses themselves in spiritual matters, and walks in holiness and is blameless before the Lord.
Counseling and Deliverance Ministry: Praise International provides biblical counseling for individuals who are struggling and suffering under the weight of personal difficulties. By applying the truths of God’s Word to their lives the person transforms their mind and faulty belief system so they can walk in spiritual and emotional healing and wholeness. Biblical counseling involves empathetic listening, discernment, implementation of practical biblical principles, and application of biblical truths. Christ-centered, Bible based counseling unveils whether there are areas of disobedience according to scripture and points the person to submitting to the will of God and His standards for their life. The Bible is the standard and the source of all truth and as II Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” If a Christian has strongholds in their life that are repetitive and they cannot break free from addictive behaviors and thought patterns, a door has been opened in the person’s soul and deliverance from demons is necessary in order for them to walk in freedom in their mind, will, and emotions. A person opens doors to demons to enter their life through personal sin, generational sin, generational curses, sexual activity outside of marriage and association with others that are carriers of demons. The goal of every demon is to carry out satan’s plan to kill, steal and destroy all of mankind. Once you are infiltrated with demonic spirits they do not leave until they are cast out by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Name of Jesus. One of satan’s most powerful tools is deception and what remains hidden and not exposed brings tremendous torment in areas such as mental illness, sexual perversion, suicide, depression, emotional pain, physical illness, seizures, fear, violence, low self esteem, etc.
Ushers, Greeters, and Parking Attendant Ministry: Ushers have a variety of roles such as helping the pastor to establish order in the service, being in tune to the needs of the pastor and congregation during services, assists during ministry at the altar, serving communion, safety and security, and seating for the service. Greeters and parking attendants are the very first people guests and regular attendees come in contact with when arriving at church. It is this ministry, as well as all regular attenders, to create an atmosphere of heartfelt warmth and hospitality that is welcoming to all so the joy of corporate worship will be experienced. Smiles, handshakes and an occasional hug greets new visitors and regular attendees with the love and compassion of our Heavenly Father.
Media and Technology: The Media and Technology Department spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ and brings glory to God through the use of media and technology. We do this by broadcasting live through Live Streaming and Facebook Live, recording sermons by audio and video of regular services and special events to be archived for future viewing and reference, production and duplication of audio on CD, provide audio and video recording and support for outreach and special events, etc. This ministry requires camera operators, audio/sound board technicians, media and worship projection screen operators, photographers of “church life, church services and events” for uploading to website and projection screen, etc.
Hospitality Ministry: Praise International is a church that understands we live to serve God and extend His love by serving others. Hospitality is about being obedient to God and examining how you allow Him to use you and your resources to serve others whether they are believers or non-believers, strangers or friends. Romans 12:13 says, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Hebrews 12:2 says. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” The Hospitality Ministry’s focus is to share God’s love to those that are going through hardships or a difficult season in life such as loss of a loved one, hospital stays, extended periods of sickness, widowhood, ministry to orphans, transportation needs, cards and notes of encouragement, etc.
Missions and Outreach: As followers of Christ we are all called to be missionaries and as we grow we go and expand the kingdom of God throughout all of the world, which means your community and the nations. Every Christian is a missionary and every non-Christian a mission field. Our purpose is to reclaim souls from the gates of hell, disciple believers, and mature the Bride of Christ to be ready for the rapture. We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord , holy and acceptable – this means giving up living for ourselves and live to bring glory to God. Missions is God’s victory march into a lost world, while waging war against the kingdom of darkness and reclaiming souls for their eternal triumph.