Pastor of Dr. King Jr.’s Church, Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, Enters Senate Race…

Hello World,

Last week, I posted that I heard that Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was once the pastor, was thinking of running for the U.S. Senate. And politicos have been wondering that if he did run, would he leave the pulpit. As of today, Pastor Warnock has confirmed that “yes,” he is running, but “no,” he is not leaving the pulpit…

Here’s a video in which he makes the announcement!

And below is why he is running according to his website WarnockForGeorgia.com:

Reverend Raphael Warnock grew up in Kayton Homes public housing in Savannah. The family was short on money, but long on faith, love and humor. Raphael and his eleven brothers and sisters were taught the meaning of hard work.Reverend Warnock’s father was a veteran, a small businessman, and a preacher. He spent the week hauling old cars to the local steel yard, and on Sundays he preached at a local church. Reverend Warnock’s mother grew up in Waycross, where she spent summers picking tobacco and cotton, and still lives in Savannah today. She worked hard to raise Raphael and his siblings to know that they could do anything they put their mind to.When he enrolled at Morehouse College, Reverend Warnock didn’t know how he would pay the full tuition. With the help of low-interest student loans and Pell Grants Raphael graduated, earned a Ph.D., and was ordained in the ministry. Fourteen years ago, he was chosen to serve as Senior Pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the former pulpit of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was the youngest pastor selected to serve in that leadership role at the historic church.

Reverend Warnock believes his impact does not stop at the church door, and has been an advocate to expand health care coverage and to ensure hardworking Georgians can make a living wage.

As Senator, Reverend Warnock will bring to Washington the concerns of struggling Georgia families who wonder why no one is looking out for them. He will focus on fighting for quality, affordable health care, for the dignity of working people who are paid too little as our government works more for Wall Street, and to make sure every voice is heard.

If you would like to know more about Pastor Warnock’s campaign, join his campaign team or donate to his campaign, go to WarnockForGeorgia.com.

Any thoughts?

Will Pastor of Dr. King Jr.’s Church, Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, Leave Pulpit for Senate Race?

Hello World,

The New Year is a time for new direction and from what I’ve heard, the Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was once the pastor, may be heading in a new direction.

According to the AJC, “the Atlanta pastor is expected to soon announce a challenge to Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, and his stemwinder of a sermon at this week’s Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony may as well have been a preview of his campaign message.

What the Democrat hasn’t said yet is whether he plans to remain on the pulpit of the historic church that serves as King’s spiritual home. But if the last time he pondered a Senate run is any guide, he’s likely to serve double-duty as both a candidate and a clergyman. “

While Pastor Warnock could theoretically do both, here’s the issue, according to the AJC:

“But Warnock would have to steer clear of overtly politicking on the pulpit and using church resources for his campaign. The church could not endorse Warnock or collect cash for him. Any political activity such as forums or get-out-the-vote efforts must be done in a nonpartisan way.

Violating those rules would risk penalties from the Internal Revenue Service, which classifies churches as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that don’t pay federal income tax but also can’t actively engage in political campaigns. “

Read the rest of the article HERE.

As we just celebrated the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s holiday on Monday, Pastor Warnock’s potential announcement and all that it entails is definitely news.

What do you think he should do if he runs?

Any thoughts?

 

 

Atlanta Hawks Tap Grammy Award-Winning Inspirational Hip-Hop Artist Lecrae for the Team’s Annual MLK Day Game Performance Monday, Jan. 20 vs. Toronto…

Hello World,

Award-winning inspirational hip-hop artist Lecrae will be performing at the Atlanta Hawks annual MLK Day game on Monday, Jan. 20!  He will be performing at both halftime and postgame when the Hawks take on the Toronto Raptors.

Lecrae has won two Grammys and nine Dove Awards including the 2019 Album of the Year for his collaboration with Atlanta producer Zaytoven, Let the Trap Say AmenLecrae’s ninth album, Restoration, will be released on Reach/Columbia Records in March 2020.

“I’m excited to take the court with Atlanta’s finest. I want the city to come celebrate MLK Day with me and the Hawks,” said Lecrae. “I’m honored to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on a historic day.”

The game at State Farm Arena has an early 2:30 p.m. tip off and the Hawks have a special ticket offer for groups of 10 or more to celebrate the MLK Holiday at State Farm Arena. Each ticket as part of the ‘Faith and Family’ offer includes $10 worth of food and beverage credit that can be used at restaurants inside the arena. Fans can go to Hawks.com/Lecrae to learn more.

Along with serving as the annual MLK commemorative match-up, the date is also a Peachtree Night game, which features the Hawks wearing their 2019-20 Nike Peachtree City Edition uniforms and the accompanying Peachtree-themed basketball court. The remaining dates for the Hawks “Peachtree Nights” are:

  • 1/18 vs. Detroit Pistons
  • 1/20 vs. Toronto Raptors
  • 1/22 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
  • 2/20 vs. Miami Heat
  • 2/22 vs. Dallas Mavericks
  • 3/31 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
  • 4/7 vs. Detroit Pistons

For more info on Hawks Peachtree Nights, visit Hawks.com/Peachtree. Be sure to follow Lecrae on all social media @Lecrae.

# TrueToAtlanta

#PeachUpATownDown

Any thoughts?