Zion Dominion Tonight

Tonight at 10:00pm sharp, Zion Dominion Global ministries New Year's Eve celebration. Featuring Zion Dominion's recording choir and the award winning liturgical dancers! A special word for the upcoming year! 895 N Forest Rd, Amherst NY 14221 Come and "WATCH WHAT HAPPENS!" "It's a Matter of Dominion!"

Prayer Collective On The Move

Prayer Collective, the worship and prayer ministry started by a group of believers including Unite Editor Kyle Patterson has been on the road this month bringing the blessing of prayer and worship to churches around the city. 

This letter from Patterson explains the plans. 

Hi Friends, 

I wanted to let you know that Prayer Collective is hitting the road! After careful thought and prayer (of course :)) we have decided to host our sets at various churches around the area and for a season at least not renew our lease at the Buffalo Christian Center during this holiday season. 

Mondays we will be at The Worship Center in North Buffalo

The Worship Center
4 Medford Place
Buffalo, NY 14216

Wednesday nights starting in January will be at 

Knox Presbyterian Church. 2595 Elmwood Avenue  Kenmore, NY 14217

Thursdays will be at 

The Worship Center
4 Medford Place
Buffalo, NY 14216

Fridays will be at Steps Ministry 1221 Seneca St. Buffalo 14210 Fridays 8-10 am...

More sets to come...

Check back for updates to our schedule at www.prayercollective.com/schedule   (our schedule now also includes partner prayer sets that aren't hosted by Prayer Collective but still a part of the greater move of God's Spirit drawing his church to prayer)

To add a set or contribute to the work email me and we would love to add a set to our schedule. We have many offers from various churches for us to come and bless their church with worship and prayer so we can add you and a venue at anytime as we seek to glorify God in worship around our city. Our goal is to build a spiritual wall around our city through a continuous movement of prayer and worship.  Join us anytime.  

Blessings, 

Kyle

Current schedule and locations for January are underway and will be updated shortly. 

Sword of the Spirit Buffalo

Sword of the Spirit New Year's Eve candlelight service starts at 10pm on Dec. 31, in Buffalo. Sword of The Spirit is located at 300 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214

ECC and Buffalo City Mission are Teaming Up

The Buffalo News featured this article about a new partnership between the Buffalo City Mission and Erie Community College to create a college for the homeless. The partnership helps the Mission continue to provide services that restore hope to their clients and ECC continue to make college education available to as many people as possible.

Read full article here

Buffalo United Draws Nearly 200

photo by Matt Brown

Buffalo United, the annual worship event held this year at The Buffalo Christian Center drew nearly 200 worshippers to gather in unity asking God for a breakthrough in our region. Speaker at this year's event, pastor and former Buffalo Bill Demeris Johnson encouraged attendees to continue to gather in worship and unity and then go back into the community to make a difference for the gospel. Sponsors of the event included Northeastern Seminary, TCT Television and Family Life Network.

America's Got Christmas at The Chapel At Crosspoint

Joe Kulbacki

Author, entrepreneur Joe Kulbacki has crossed from this life into the next with our Lord. Calling hours will be at the James Cannan Funeral Home - 3155 Orchard Park Rd, Saturday 2-4pm and 7-9pm and Sunday 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A Funeral Service will be held Monday at 11am at The Tabernacle, Orchard Park.
Joe was an Army Veteran, retired Buffalo Bill, vineyard owner, entrepreneur and author of "America, A Nation That's Lost Her Way".

"To reclaim America is to return to God, our Constitutional Republic and Capitalism" - Joe Kulbacki

Rock the Lakes Recap

The Billy Graham Evangelical Association brought together over 300 churches, tens of thousands of people and the top talent in Christian music for two days of praise and preaching at Coca-Cola Field this past September. Included in the two days was the likes of Michael W. Smith and Skillet, Rend Collective Experiment and Lacey from Flyleaf leading worship. The results were tracked and nearly 1,000 people came to Christ and the gospel was preached to roughly 18,000 over the two days, and for this we should all rejoice. Yet, for some, the festival Rock the Lakes, actually became a point of division and showed just how mature or lacking therein the Church in our region is. Though Franklin Graham attempts to preach a pure gospel message of salvation and leave the results to God, not every church was involved in the recent Rock the Lakes Outreach, and there were a number of reasons why.

 Evangelism and the Local Church

Evangelists and the local church have a reputation of not always seeing eye to eye. Historically pastors protect their flocks from the charismatic evangelist who isn’t afraid to call out sin, offend the big donors and challenge the status quo. The typical idea, which many pastors would just as well stay away from is, evangelist visits for a few days, creates havoc for the local church and leaves the mess while they travel on to the next city. This however was not the  case with Rock the Lakes, thankfully. A team from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) arrived nearly a year in advance and began working, networking and building relationships with churches and pastors to facilitate Rock the Lakes, an event meant to mobilize the church. Leading up to Rock the Lakes, many smaller trainings were conducted teaching and equipping believers for the work of ministry. This is what Ephesians is talking about when Paul outlines the offices of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. The offices exists for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. That is the fruit of an evangelist’s ministry. Believers should be trained and mobilized to evangelize the lost, which absolutely did happen with Rock the Lakes. Hands down The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association hit a home run on this issue.

Money As An Issue

Rock the Lakes had a relatively large budget of nearly $1,000,000 to hold the festival in Buffalo. The BGEA  obviously makes the festival free of charge to get in front of as many people as possible so they ask local churches to contribute to the costs and they will pick up the rest. A number of local churches, pastors and believers were offended at this monetary goal and were surprised the local church was expected and needed to contribute to this effort. While all the details of the finances were not released we do know Coca-Cola Field was donated. The BGEA concentrated heavy advertising on many billboards across the city to attract the unchurched. Staff was employed up to a year in advance of the festival and numerous events were held leading up to the Rock the Lakes Festival. The musicians all come with a price tag as well.

 Politics

Franklin Graham has been outspoken on a number of  issues in America and voiced his concern regarding President Obama’s faith or lack thereof. In the past during interviews Franklin questioned President Obama’s Christian faith, but then apologized for judging the heart. This however did not sit well with many African American churches and at the festival, it showed. The majority of attendees were white Caucasian and youth. For the average African American Barack Obama represents freedom and racial equality. As a white  Caucasian I can certainly understand and appreciate those feelings. But what I can’t understand is identifying more with race than with faith in Christ. There is no more race in Christ. We are all one in Christ, Paul taught. If that is the case, why would we allow political views to stand in the way of the gospel being preached to this city and getting behind the effort. What could have been an incredible display of Christian unity so that the world (our city) would know that Jesus is the Christ, turned into an event that still had a great impact but the Church in our region did not do a great job of coming together across racial lines. Yes 300 churches came together but there could have been more.

Youth Focus

The divide continued to show as many of supporters for Rock the Lakes were suburban and youth led. Though the initial invitation to BGEA came from a group of smaller African American churches in the city, without the influence of a large African American Church in the leadership of the event, it was a tough road to climb. Along with that, many churches looked at the event as youth led and                 focused and may not have gotten behind it for that reason.

Methodology

Rock the Lakes was criticized on a number of fronts for their methodology in reaching the lost. Their idea to come in to a city, spend close to a million dollars, pack a stadium with popular Christian bands and hope the lost will come was criticized as a waste of resources that could have been given to the poor or improved our schools or helped struggling churches. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” Some of the people who came to Rock the Lakes may never have set foot in a church setting but into Coca-Cola Field they felt comfortable.   

     All in all, despite the challenges and the obstacles to overcome, Rock the Lakes reported 574 salvations and over 1,000 re-dedications. The events also reported another 18,000 reached over the internet with over 600 responses online. Dr. Lee and Annie McCune who served as leaders of the event said, “As executive directors of the Rock the Lakes Buffalo Task Force,  we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in bringing this event to Buffalo. Over 18,000 attended in person and another 18,000 watched via the live web cast.  Over a thousand decisions were made by those who came forward or asked for more info via the web site.  Thousands more were strengthened in their walks with Christ by participating at the festival and the year long process of training events.  It is marvelous to see what can be done when  the church comes together as one in prayer and effort to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God and the love of God for each one of us.” Sherman Barnette, Rock the Lakes Buffalo Festival Director said it well, “As a former pastor I can't get my head around why when you have an organization like the BGEA with a record of integrity and preaching the gospel and an opportunity to partner with an organization like that, why wouldn't you?”

Buffalo United Interview

Matt Crouch (on drums) and band at last year's Buffalo United event hosted at Resurrection Life Church in Cheektowaga

Interview with Buffalo United founder, Matt Crouch

What are you believing God to do through this year's event?
I'm believing that God is going to make a huge impact in the Buffalo/WNY area. However, He is going to move through us, His church. And we need to start getting united as a body, not as a denomination, to ALWAYS be prepared for what God has in stored for His children.Buffalo United is one of those resources to get Christ's church working and united as One, just as Jesus prayed in John 17.

What can people expect who are coming out for the first time? Speaker? Music? Etc?
The speaker, (Demeris Johnson) is an incredible speaker whose heart is for the churches of Buffalo to get united and truly disciple young and old believers like in the days of the early church.
The music is going to consist of contemporary Christian, but also some rock, and hymns. We wanted to bring a wide variety to the event because we know there are all different types of people coming, so we wanted to not just create a comfortable environment, but also express the diversity of the buffalo region.The worship team consists of 8 different Christian musicians, going to 8 different Christ worshiping churches.

Great and after the event is over what takeaway or action would you love to see as fruit of the event? Ministries partnering? Black and white reconciliation? Etc

Well, I think a lot of the fruit is going to be produced by God. When He tells us to humble ourselves and to come together and work as One, HE will heal our land, He is in the midst of us... So I totally believe that as soon as we take that effort to come worship and pray to our God as different believers, and different churches, and different pastors...that God is going to do things in Buffalo that we've never seen before. And His word promises us that. So the main thing is just, Getting us all together!
As far as fruit from the church, I would love to start a network on-line through the wearebuffalounited.com website (and other social media sites) that will be able to help churches not only connect, but work, help, worship, pray, financially support, etc. with other churches like the  Apostles did in the early church. They didn't care about denominations or differences. They cared about exalting Christ. And I think as the church as a whole, we've missed what they started. Most support almost always comes from within ones own denomination.
     Through this network, I want to create a place where churches can help other churches, maybe connect through worship, maybe join youth groups for a night, maybe help out ones food pantry, etc.. If our mission as the church is to have Christ be exalted and to reach the hearts of God's people, then I believe we need to strive for what God wants us to do. And that's to do that as a Body.
"I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to COMPLETE UNITY. THEN the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me." John 17:23

Gary Passero, CEO of Passero Associates to Speak at BMF Buffalo

Business Men's Fellowship Buffalo  is happy to announce, Gary Passero, CEO of Rochester headquartered Passero Associates will speak at the next meeting, January 15.  Gary is a distinguished business man and recently served as Chairman of Rock the Lakes Rochester.

Time: 7-8:30 Breakfast/fellowship
Location: TBD

See bio below from www.passero.com 

Gary W. Passero, PE, F. ASCE, REM

Mr. Passero is the founder and CEO of Passero Associates. The firm was founded in 1972 and has grown to over 80 engineers, architects, planners, surveyors, and support personnel.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Passero obtained design and management experience in a wide variety of environmental, civil and forensic engineering projects. His experience includes soil/groundwater investigation and remediation; indoor air quality sampling, evaluation and abatement (mold, asbestos, lead); civil/site engineering for residential, commercial, and industrial projects; municipal engineering/architecture; wastewater treatment/pollution control; sanitary landfills; highway/street design and reconstruction projects; and preparation of engineering reports for accident and failure projects.

Mr. Passero has provided expert testimony for plaintiffs and defendants, has participated in technical panels, and has been an Adjunct Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Gary is honored to have been selected as a 2003 & 2010 Finalist for Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Council, and as a 2010 Finalist and 1998 “Civil Engineer of the Year” by the Rochester Section, American Society of Civil Engineers. Gary is a Past President/Delegate for the New York State and District 1 Councils of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Civic/Professional Affiliations
National Director and President, Business Men’s Fellowship, Rochester Chapter
Member of the Construction Committee, Flower City Habitat for Humanity
Board Member, St. Joseph’s Villa
Advisory Board Member, Celebration of Life Community
Advisory Board Member, Roberts Wesleyan College
Advisory Board Member, Finney School
Camp Good Days Varsity Volunteer Program
Past President and Member, Lakeshore Kiwanis Club
Board of Directors, Open Door Mission
Board of Directors, Camp DayDreams

Buffalo United This Friday

The Measure of Our Success

"The research shows that when pastors evaluate the success of their church, they measure attendance, dollars raised, number of staff, number of programs and square footage. All of those are logical measures to explore. The only problem is that Jesus did not die a horrible and unjust death on the cross to fill sanctuaries, generate cash, populate programs, hire religious professionals or build out campuses."  -George Barna

Happy Thanksgiving

General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

Former Buffalo Bill to Chair Buffalo Christian Center

Former Buffalo Bills guard and tackle, Brad Butler has been named Chairman of the Board of the Buffalo Christian Center, the 66,000 square foot ministry center located at 512 Pearl Street in Buffalo. Butler was drafted by the Bills in 2006 and retired after four seasons with the Bills. His closing statement upon announcing his resignation from his professional football career was, “I would like to thank Mr. Wilson, my teammates and the entire Bills Nation for giving me the opportunity to represent the Buffalo Bills for the past four years. Playing in the National Football League has been a tremendous opportunity and a great blessing. However, my passion for education, country and community is something that I am ready to devote my full attention to. I believe the best way to pursue these spheres of interest is to step away from the game of football at this point in my life. I will always remember my time spent in Western New York with great affection. I wish my teammates and Bills fans the best of luck next season and into the future.” Source: Wikipedia
Butler's goal now is to bring other board members together to assure the future viability of the giant ministry center in the heart of downtown Buffalo that houses ministries like The Buffalo Dream Center and Prayer Collective among others. The Center was founded by Alan Forbes in 1958.

Pool Set to Open at Buffalo Christian Center

photo by Beth Helsel/Facebook

BMF Buffalo

Samuel Bodapaty, President of Business Men's Fellowship Buffalo (left) with Gary Passaro, BMF Rochester President (center) and guest speaker of November's BMF luncheon Dominic Seccharoli, Regional VP for ACN, Inc and founder of ACN Ministries

Eric Johns On The Streets

Pastor Eric Johns of the Buffalo Dream Center left yesterday morning to spend his annual week living on the streets with the homeless. This year he has five men who have chosen to join him for the week.  The ministry would like to extend a big thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. Below are some of the news stories and updates from his first day.

 

Channel 7 - http://www.wkbw.com/home/Pastor-Begins-5-Days-of-Living-with-the-Homeless-179976691.html

 

YNN - http://buffalo.ynn.com/content/top_stories/614625/pastor-goes-homeless-for-14th-straight-year/

 

Buffalo Dream Center update - http://youtu.be/20AjowjHgCY

Dominic Secchiaroli to Speak at BMF Today

Dominic Secchiaroli, Regional VP for ACN Inc and founder of ACN Ministries will speak today, November 20 at Protocol Restaurant in Williamsville. The meeting is part of Business Men's Fellowship's ministry in Western New York. The ministry, led by Samuel Bodapaty hosts monthly luncheons seeking to share Christ with marketplace leaders and network Christian business leaders to further the cause of Christ. The ministry also hosts monthly mentoring for its members. Find out more at www.bmfbuffalo.com and register for today's event from 11:30-1 at www.bmfbuffalo.com/register

THRiVE!: We Still Bill-ieve

Download our latest issue of THRiVE! on your iPhone or iPad at 

https://itunes.apple.com/tr/app/thrive-buffalo-magazine/id521993686?mt=8

Kawelle to Host Ugly Sweater 3k

Kawelle, a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation working to supply school supplies to needy children in Africa is hosting their annual Ugly Sweater 3k and holiday party on Saturday December 22nd at 9:00am in Williamsville. The event will take place on Glen Avenue near Glen Falls between North Cayuga and Mill Street. Participants will enjoy the 3k walk, free hot chocolate, music, seeing all in their ugliest holiday sweaters, and an appearance from Buddy the Elf. Registration is only $25 with a free t-shirt or $30 with a free hoodie.

Registration can be done at their website at kawelle.org/events by December 15th to receive your free hoodie/tee, or at the event without the free hoodie/tee.

• Date: Saturday December 22nd, 2012
• Time: 9:00am (Arrive early. Walk will start promptly at 9:00am)
• Where: Glen Avenue near Glen Falls between N. Cayuga Rd. and Mill St. in Williamsville, NY
• Length: 3k (about 2 miles)
• Registration Price: $25 with free T-shirt or $30 with free hoodie
• Registration Deadline: December 15^th, 2012 at 11:59pm
• Map: click here to view the map of the event

Amid Israeli Conflict, Buffalo Shows Love for Israel

By Kyle Patterson, Editor
Photos by Matt Brown 

Last night amid rocket blasts and intensified middle East conflict centering around the small but ever so significant piece of real estate, the nation of Israel, an estimated 700 people gathered in celebration and solidarity with the nation of Israel. The event, organized by Eagles' Wings Ministries based in Clarence, NY in partnership with over 20 local churches and ministries was attended largely by local Christian believers to show their love and appreciation for the birthplace of their faith, the land of Israel.

Hosted by Pastor Pat Jones and the congregation he leads, Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church in Clarence, the event welcomed Mr. Michael Wise, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo, Assemblyman Ray Walter, Rabbi Perry Netter and Consul for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Israel in NY Gil Lainer among many other special guests representing the nation of Israel, the Jewish faith and the Christian faith. Robert Stearns, Executive Director of Eagles' Wings was also honored as a great support and friend to Israel by Lanier. After the event a Kosher Jewish desert reception was held for the honored Jewish guests and host committee Christian faith leaders.

Robert Stearns of Eagles' Wings

Consul for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Israel in NY Gil Lainer

Around 700 supporters came out in support of Israel last night at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church 

Unite October/November 2012

Open Center Saturday

The Buffalo Christian Center, the 66,000 square foot center of ministry at 512 Pearl Street in Buffalo has announced the "new" beginning of Open Center Saturdays this Saturday October 27 saying in an email announcement....

  "We here at the Buffalo Christian Center would like to extend an invite to our Saturday morning program Open Center Saturday! Come in from 11am-3pm and experience all this awesome building has to offer in downtown Buffalo. Our official start date is October 27th, 2012. We hope to see you here for 4 hrs of basketball, roller skating, swimming and swimming lessons (pool scheduled to open in November!) and a variety of games including putt putt mini golf, NEW foos ball tables, NEW pool tables, and so much more. The price is $5 per person over the age of 3. Children must be accompanied by Parent or Guardian while in the building. For more Information call the Center at (716) 856-7495. Attached, we have a pass good for ONE free individual when you purchase one pass! Please print and present at the front desk on your day of arrival with your  name, contact information, and where you received the pass from.

We hope to see you here & Please spread the news by printing out these fliers!

Court of Appeals Refuses Look at Legality of Gay 'Marriage'

Rev. Jason J. McGuire, Executive Director NYCF

Yesterday New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF) received word that the New York State Court of Appeals has refused to allow evidence to be presented in a case questioning the legality of the process and procedure whereby same-sex "marriage" became law in New York.

The case, known as New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms v. New York State Senate, was first filed in July 2011. The Honorable Robert Wiggins, Livingston County Supreme Court Judge, upheld New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms' (NYCF) right to present evidence questioning the legality of the process by which "marriage" became law. In his decision, Wiggins said:

The State Attorney General's office filed court papers seeking to dismiss the suit brought by NYCF and other plaintiffs that could overturn New York's same-sex "marriage" law, but Judge Wiggin's decision soundly denied that action.

Judge Wiggins was particularly interested in the court's role regarding the Governor's use of the message of necessity (a legal mechanism that allows legislation to immediately move to the floor for a vote, rather than age the normal three-day waiting period). Judge Wiggins' decided:

"Logically and clearly this cite by the Governor is disingenuous. The review of such concept altering legislation for three days after generations of existing definitions would not so damage same-sex couples as to necessitate an avoidance of rules meant to ensure full review and discussion prior to any vote. Nonetheless, this Court is reluctantly obliged to rule that that the message of necessity submitted by the Governor was accepted by vote of the Senate, and is NOT within this Court's province to nullify."

"...Although the disregard for the statute seems evident, the Court feels constrained to not rule on the Governor's certification of necessities."

"It is ironic that much of the State's brief passionately spews sanctimonious verbiage on the separation of powers in the governmental branches, and clear arm-twisting by the Executive on the Legislative permeates the entire process."

When it came to alleged Open Meetings Law violations, Wiggins decided:

"...The Court must consider allegations by Plaintiff as true. Considering Plaintiff's allegations, and without deciding matter at this time, the Court feels that is a justiciable issue presented whether there was a violation of the Open Meetings Law."

It was on this point that the Honorable Judge Wiggins decided that NYCF's suit should be heard.

The State Attorney General's office filed papers seeking an appeal on Judge Wiggins' Decision. The Appellate Court, Fourth Division, sided with the Attorney General.

In August 2012, NYCF filed an appeal with the New York State Court of Appeals. Today NYCF was informed that the Court has refused to allow evidence to be presented.

Rev. Jason J. McGuire, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, reacted to the Court's decision saying:

"We're disappointed, but not surprised, by today's decision. Every time the people of a state have had opportunity to vote on this issue, they have rejected same-sex 'marriage', but when rogue legislators and activist courts get involved they reject the will of the people."

"Essentially this was a case that didn't look at the morality of gay 'marriage', but the legality of the process and procedure by which it became law. What is most troubling is that the court has surrendered its rightful role as a check and balance on an out-of-control Legislature. It is the last defense against legislators that simply pursue political aspirations, rather than the interests of the people they were elected to represent. This was simply put not good government."

"With two weeks to the General Election, voters will have their say. They've already spoken up in various districts including the 43rd Senate District where Senator Roy McDonald lost his seat after voting for gay 'marriage'. The drumbeat is only growing louder."

Buffalo United Set for November 30

Buffalo United Promo from Travesty Pictures on Vimeo.

Inception at Restoration

INCEPTION, an Acts29 (church planting network) regional event was hosted yesterday at Restoration Church in Amherst, NY.  The open event was targeting those who are interested in church planting or who are in the first years of it. J.R. Vassar, the founding pastor of Apostle's Church in New York City was the keynote speaker of the event that brought together a mostly young crowd of church planters. Vassar encouraged attendees to fulfill their role in God's plan for their city and stay within the bounds of what God had called them to do, not more, not less. Citing the life of John the Baptist who said, 'I must decrease, he must increase' and was a friend of the Bridegroom, Vassar exhorted the mostly young crowd of church planters from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and NYC to not over extend what God had called them to do, relieving some of the pressure that church planters typically are under. Breakout sessions were included during the event with tracks including:
       
          Option #1 - "Funding a vision" - Alex Adema and GCM
          Option #2 - "Your Priesthood" (Breakout for worship & creative types) - Wes Walters, Scott Womer, Jim Murphy
          Option #3 - "The Team" - w/Jordan Stinziano.

The day finished with a message from J. R. Vassar on Exegeting Your Culture, where he exhorted pastors and teachers to understand what the culture is telling their people and how to speak into it and make a stark contrast between what culture is telling people to do and what Jesus is calling people to.

After 101 Years Ministry Still Going Strong

Pastor Ned LaMarti

     In the autumn of 1901, 101 years ago, Woodside Methodist Episcopal Church dedicated their new church building across from beautiful Cazenovia Park on Red Jacket Road and Abbott Road in South Buffalo. The iconic Red Door Church was designed by M. Harris and built for $30,000. Started in 1873 it is the oldest church in South Buffalo moved from Seneca Street to Abbott Road. http://bit.ly/SQ00ex
     Once again, Pastor Ned LaMarti, a native of South Buffalo, is making a renewed commitment to this 101 year old structure and South Buffalo. “This building has been and will continue to be an icon of God's continued love and service to South Buffalo’s residents.” Said Pastor LaMarti, “For over a century the church was a hub of social and spiritual activity, we are excited about Living Stone Fellowship’s current success and hoping for a bright future.

On October 14, 2012 at 11 am, 675 Abbott Road, South Buffalo, Comptroller Mark JF Schroeder will be on hand to speak of the history of the century old the Woodside Methodist Church and will officiate the rededication of the building as Living Stone Fellowship.
     The church offers: Caz Cavern, “open mic” at 7 p.m. on Thursday; Bible Chat at 7 p.m. on Wednesday; Christo's Cafe, “worship service and fellowship!” at 7 p.m. on Friday; and Sunday Worship Service at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Living Stones motto is “be yourself, baggage included!”

Billy Graham Meets With Mitt Romney

Evangelist Billy Graham, 93, issued the following statement after meeting today in his North Carolina home with presidential candidate, Gov. Mitt Romney:

"It was an honor to meet and host Governor Romney in my home today, especially since I knew his late father former Michigan Governor George Romney, whom I considered a friend. I have followed Mitt Romney's career in business, the Olympic Games, as governor of Massachusetts and, of course, as a candidate for president of the United States.

"What impresses me even more than Governor Romney's successful career are his values and strong moral convictions. I appreciate his faithful commitment to his impressive family, particularly his wife Ann of 43 years and his five married sons.

"It was a privilege to pray with Governor Romney—for his family and our country. I will turn 94 the day after the upcoming election, and I believe America is at a crossroads. I hope millions of Americans will join me in praying for our nation and to vote for candidates who will support the biblical definition of marriage, protect the sanctity of life and defend our religious freedoms."

Billy Graham (center) and his son, Franklin, met with Gov. Mitt Romney during his visit to the evangelist's mountain home this afternoon, while in the region for a speaking engagement in Asheville this evening. At the end of their half-hour discussion, Mr. Graham prayed for the governor, his family and our nation during this critical time.

Ted Cadwallader To Speak at Business Men's Fellowship

Ameriprise Financial Representative Ted Cadwallader will speak Tuesday, October 16 at Protocol Restaurant in Williamsville from 12-1 for Business Men's Fellowship's October meeting. Ted is also an ordained minister and very active in church work, a family man with four children and eight grandchildren and also operates his own faith based business coaching practice. Ted's office is in Getzville, NY near UB North campus. Register today to attend at www.bmfbuffalo.com