Today's New Leaders

Last Friday I had an opportunity to speak with young adults and teens at the "Dare To Dream" young entrepreneur camp at the Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. I must admit, I was blown away by how advanced some teenagers are, especially in the areas of mass media communication [TV, Radio, Social Media etc]. One would think that this upcoming generation is a lost cause. We hear about the crime of adolescents; we see teenagers in the store walking with their pants sagging and we just simply shake our heads.

This event was very different. I never witnessed so many African-American teens who had a clear understanding about their purpose and business. They were dressed very professional, asked a lot of questions and understood the significance regarding the different types of corporations such as LLC's, Inc's, Sole Proprietorship etc. Most of the students already had a business plan and were incorporated at this early age.

Not only were the teens prepared, organized and academic but they were also cool. Being academic was never the "cool" way to be when I was growing up.  Matter of fact,  you were looked at as a lame, weirdo, or simply a nerd if you were smart. Fortunately, today's society enables young leaders to be  academic and have swag!

I was inspired write this blog because we hear about so much negativity about the African-American culture but rarely hear about African American teenagers graduating as valedictorians and being accepted to Harvard and Yale. Today 500 African-American men graduated from Morehouse College with President Barack Obama as their commencement speaker. Today's new leaders deserve to be celebrated. They are not locked up nor running the streets, selling drugs.  Regardless of their individual obstacles, today's new leaders are choosing higher education, entrepreneurship and striving for success.
Not only will today's new leaders inspire the world but they will leave a mark that will never be erased.

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A God Experience

Last night I had the opportunity to be a guest speaker in Austell, Ga at Messiah's Temple Christian Ministries and was blown away from how God moved in that place. I have been to many churches where it was little or no presence of God within the sanctuary and it seemed to be merely an monopoly. I had the opportunity to meet the host of this event, Neely Terrell many years ago at Clark Atlanta University. She remembered when God first gave me the concept of Pray Or Die! and has always been a supporter. We stayed in contact via social media and one day she asked me to come out to her event and to share a message that may inspire the people. I accepted the invite because I am always honored to share the gospel of Jesus Christ any and everywhere. As I prayed about the message, I felt Holy Spirit say, "people don't need another witty, cleaver sermon but people need to  hear a story of a real overcomer so therefore just tell your testimony."

As always,  I was very nervous when they called my name to come speak. Even though I have spoken in front of thousands of people, I can never get over the feeling of being nervous. As I walked to the stage, I thought "will the people receive me because I'm dressed in Seven Jeans, and pair of fresh black Chuck Taylor's and my "Jesus Im Bout Dat Life" sweater." I said a prayer and left my nerves all in Gods hands.  As I was speaking, I became very emotional. The presence in the room was so overwhelming that non-stop tears began to flow from my eyes as I was sharing my story. It has been a long time since I felt the love of God so strong in a church sanctuary. Immediately after I shared my story, everyone came to the altar for prayer and the pastor publicly stated, "I don't know much about you but from this point you are my son and gave me a huge hug. I felt like sharing my testimony wasn't just for the guests, but for me as well.

Erik Vance sharing an inspirational message

Even though it was the first organized event for the Gospel Cafe, it was very powerful and I look forward to witnessing the growth because it's very much needed. Young Christian adults need a place where they can can fellowship in a true organic way and feel the true presence of God. I'm humbled and thankful to have been apart and this will be an experience that I will always remember. The love was unbelievable!!!

The most unique thing about the night was this guy that walked up to me and said "Pray Or Die! inspired me to started my clothing line." He went on to say that he never witnessed a faith-based movement that was so big and had everyone supporting from all walks of life and that he was inspired to start his line. He ended his statement by saying "Im just thankful to finally meet you and I just wanted to let you know that." His statement reminded me that there will always be times in life when we feel like the great things you do go unnoticed but know that many people are watching and receiving inspiration. After all, we shouldn't do things for public recognition because God is the ultimate rewarder.  Be you, be true to yourself, and the love will chase you.  I will never forget the experience from The Gospel Cafe, in Austell, Ga.

Performing Artist Doug "The Whatley"

"Jesus Im Bout Dat Life" Supporter

Erik Vance and the host Neely Terrell

If you interested in booking me you can send engagement request to PrayOrDieTeam@Gmail.Com if you are interested in ordering Pray Or Die or Jesus Im Bout Dat Life products you can do so at  WWW.PRAYORDIE.ORG for wholesale or group discounts send email to PrayOrDieTeam@gmail.com. Thanks

Marcus Lattimore Supports "Pray Or Die"

Like many southern states, SEC College football is a big deal growing up. I come from a bloodline of faithful, loyal, dedicated South Carolina Gamecock fans.  For the last 3 seasons the South Carolina Gamecocks have really made a name for themselves as a top tier program in the national rankings of college football. It all began when South Carolina's Byrnes High School standout Marcus Lattimore signed his national letter of intent to play college football for the University of South Carolina. Marcus Lattimore was considered by many sources, the top High School running back in the nation and won the top award for all of South Carolina football players. He was named Mr. Football, a state award.  As he entered his freshman season in 2010 at USC under legendary head coach Steve Spurrier, he took the college football world by storm by winning the SEC Freshman of the year and leading South Carolina to its first SEC Championship. He quickly became my "family favorite." The next year with high regards as a Heisman hopeful and preseason All-American accolades, tragedy strikes - Lattimore he tore his ACL against Mississippi State University. He had reconstruction surgery on his left knee and rehabbed and returned to the Gamecocks in 2012 only to blow out his right knee against Tennessee, which is considered one of the most gruesome injuries ever witnessed by sport fans. As a fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks and a fan of Lattimore I personally didn't know if he was going to play again. I was devastated, having to witness that type of injury because he was my favorite player. I was totally heartbroken because it seemed so unfair to a "straight and narrow" athlete who was very humble, well respected, a person of integrity and character to work so hard. Not only did he suffer once but he experienced this devastating injury twice- 2years in a row. Unfortunately, this time was worse; his ACL, MCL, and PCL needed to be reconstructed.

The most admirable thing outside of Marcus Lattimore's outstanding football ability is the fact that he is a man of God and faith.  After blowing his knee out two years in a row in both legs he wouldn't let the the feelings of being down and hopeless detour him of his dreams.  At times he could have given up on football, but Marcus fought for his dream and now he is playing professionally.  As Marcus said on ESPN Gruden's Camp,"adversity introduces a man to himself." Just like Marcus, I have was in a position where I was celebrated by many yet "life happened." The phones stop ringing, you lose a job, business is no longer going well and losing friends but it was all a great learning lesson- its how you respond to adversity that will determine the outcome. At times I totally wanted to give up on life, my goals dreams, ministry, and my clothing line but at one of the lowest points in my life God used my favorite football player to reach out to me and inspire me again to keep going. God is very strategic and will show you signs that you are on the right track. Just like Marcus, myself and everyone else, we are going to have setbacks, things are not going to be under your control but find comfort in knowing that God doesn't make any mistakes. You can overcome anything with God's strength and his power. I'm reminded of Romans 8:28, which states "all things work together for the good of those who are called according to his purpose." It all worked out for Marcus Lattimore's good because today he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 4th round pick number 131. Like Lattimore, its going to work out for your good.  So I would just like to encourage everyone who reads this post to get back up, try again because with faith in God and much prayer you can bounce back.  Don't give up on your goals and aspirations because anything worth having is anything worth fighting for.

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Jesus "Im Bout Dat Life"

As I talked to my little sister she repeatedly used a term that I had never heard over and over and over, she just kept saying "She aint bout dat life" or she would say "Im bout dat life". So I was talking to one of the students from Morehouse College in the Atlanta University center and I started hearing the same saying from members of my organization- Pray Or Die.  One morning after my daily 5am prayer time, I hear- "Jesus, I'm Bout That Life." I'm a firm believer that God has a sense of humor and as I started to meditate on "Jesus, Im about That Life," it started making more sense to me.  John 3:16 Jesus says "That whosever believes in Him shall have everlasting LIFE" and John 10:10 says that "I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly." So why wouldn't you be "Bout Dat Life!"

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Has the Church become the Club?

As I'm riding downtown Atlanta, GA (near Centennial Olympic park), I noticed a large church called The Tabernacle with a long line wrapped around the building. The Tabernacle was once a church but now a nightclub/concert venue. When people go out in the night life they expect to be entertained, to meet new people and to simply have a good time. The night life is often used as an escape from the pains of real life. One can be "healed" temporarily through the dark atmosphere, loud music and easy access to drugs and alcoholic beverages. 

Does The Tabernacle mirror many current tabernacles? Some people come to church to be entertained, to meet new people and to simple have a good time. The church is often used as an escape from the pains of real life. One can be "healed" temporarily through the heavy emotional atmosphere the church often presents. The dramatic teachings of some preachers enable attendees to become excited yet once they return home, they return to the pains of real life. 
                                                 
While some churches represent pure entertainment absent from the Holy Spirit, other churches create an atmosphere for deliverance. Once a person is healed, he/she fails to remain healed due to the lack of faith. Thus, I do believe many churches today have become the club. 


So where should the church go from here? The church should never lose focus on the foundation of which it was built. Developing community which relies on discipleship and most importantly- prayer. 

Will Racism Ever Die?

Over the Thanksgiving break, I had an opportunity to go to South Carolina, where I am originally from. During my visit at my grandmother’s house, there was an intense conversation on racism and its existence in society. My grandmother has a plethora of stories concerning the injustices of African American race being made to feel inferior to Caucasians. This trip was a therapeutic venture for me because I had the opportunity to examine myself, life and prior endeavors during this trip as well. The generation before my time experienced racism at its peak in the South during the Civil Rights Movement, while I had never encountered such acts of discrimination like my grandmother. I thought that racism was dead, or at least at its lowest point, due to the widespread growth of interracial relationships, and the fact that we now have a Black president,  which led me to really sit back and evaluate some of the things that are going on around us in the world. 

As my grandmother told me that racism was still alive, I thought in my mind that "We don’t live like that anymore." However, I reached the conclusion that racism is not dead, it’s just not as blatant and is shown less subtle ways such as: being underpaid, one ethnic group getting the maximum amount of time or fines for a crime, or simply the zoning of neighborhoods according to ones financial bracket. Even though I never experienced racism to the magnitude of generations that came before me enduring physical punishment such as being sprayed with a water hose, being beat, or spit on, I came to realize that racism is still alive, and the way that it is hidden in society makes it hurt more than being called nigger. Dealing with modern day racism can cause a particular enclave to feel inferior, degrades one’s worth and snatches one’s hope away that equality truly reigns in a Democratic society; further perpetuating crime, lack of desire for education and other destructive behaviors on the minority’s end.

As I came back to Atlanta, I thought about our conversation thoroughly, and  remembered, as a child, a place called "The Redneck Shop." I desired to see if it was still open so I ventured and as I rode by, I noticed that the Open Light was red and the doors were wide open with KKK customs and rebel flags on the outside. This answered my question that I posed at my grandmothers house! As long as those doors are open, they have faithful customers and the store is generating revenue, then we are not too far from the past. Racism is still alive in 2012, which is unjust to the hard working black citizens, in that town, that have to ride by that place on a daily basis reminding them of what happened, forever keeping the spirit of racism and inferiority alive.