October 1st - October 3rd, 2009

Entering the A.C.T.S. Dimension

Our Speakers & Discussion Leaders

 
Pastor John Gray Rev. Dr. Jacqueline McCullough Bishop Joseph Mattera Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera
Pastor John Gray Rev. Dr. Jacqueline McCullough Bishop Joseph Mattera Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera

 

 

Pastor John GrayPastor John Gray speaking Thursday Night
MannaGod Ministries - Atlanta, Georgia
Singer. Actor. Comedian. Playwright. Author. Minister. Any one of these titles would be enough to fill a life's worth of work. But for John Gray these titles are one and the same. Gifted with the ability to seemingly flow effortlessly from one mantle to another, John Gray is the very definition of a Renaissance man.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the product of two musically gifted parents, John began exploring his talents while being involved in his church. Directing the choir and singing at his church from the age of seven years old, Gray showed early on that he had a God-given gift to understand and translate musical movements. This gift would serve him well in the years to come.

Throughout High School and college, John continued to expand on his creative gifts by competing in everything from Shakespearean competitions to local talent shows. Upon arrival at The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, John showed another level of versatility by taking a leading role in a critically acclaimed production of ‘The Boys Next Door'. Gray eventually transitioned to the University of Cincinnati and became a part of the African-American Cultural and Research Center Choir where he toured the country furthering his singing and acting career.

It was during this season of transition that Gray began another level of personal spiritual growth and elevation by accepting the calling into the preaching ministry at the Bethel Baptist Church at the age of twenty-one years old. It was after this that God took the boy John Gray and began to mold the man. Not long after accepting the call to ministry, John received another call in the Fall of 1995-this time to be a cast member in the hit gospel stage play "He Say, She Say, But What Does God Say?" starring a then up and coming artist named Kirk Franklin. This began a relationship that would include becoming a member of Kirk Franklin and The Family and opening for such gospel luminaries as Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams.

After touring the world for three years, Gray felt the call of God to another aspect of ministry, this time as a Youth Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey. Gray also served as Coordinator of Youth Ministries at The Cathedral International Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

John's heart has always been turned towards the development of young people, so it is no wonder that God has seen fit to send John all over the world to speak and encourage kids to live for Christ and to fulfill their purpose through service to others. Touring with Grammy-Award winners dc talk, Gray promoted racial reconciliation across the country in an effort to destroy the barriers that exist between black and white Christians.

In 2001, God allowed John to begin working on his own vision, MannaGod Enterprises, Inc. MannaGod was originally established to empower men to become better husbands and fathers and serve as an online resource for young men to stay connected. It quickly turned into much more, encompassing a national following of men and women that has been blessed by John's weekly writings called Daily Manna.

In 2004 John released two CD's on the same day through his own record label, MannaGod Records. Journey and Covenant, two powerful records, have taken John's fans and newcomers alike on a sonic journey unlike any other. Spanning a range of styles from country to soul to pop to gospel, John's music cannot be contained in one genre. One word, however, does encompass the totality of his music-anointed.

At the same time of the release of the records, John began touring the country with his own Stage Play, "MannaGod-The Journey". The play encompasses the life and struggles of John from childhood to present day through the eyes of the spirit of the man as well as the flesh. Through song, comedy, drama and dance, Gray captivates the crowd and never lets them go. John played to a near-capacity crowd at the Atlanta Civic Center in April of 2006 and has not looked back, now calling Atlanta home. The play has changed lives everywhere it has been presented and is slated for a 2008 national tour.

Currently, John serves as Singles Minister and Youth Ministry Arts Director at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Eddie L. Long while still maintaining his CEO positions at MannaGod Records, Productions and John Gray Innertainment.

John has just completed his newest, most astounding project to date, a theatrical stage experience being released on DVD through his own John Gray Innertainment imprint entitled ‘Definition Of A Man', featuring Grammy Award winning artist Israel Houghton and a stunning original dance composition from ‘So You Think You Can Dance?' finalist Danny Tidwell.

There seems to be no end in sight for this minister, comedian, preacher, playwright and actor. If his foundation is any indication of his future, John Gray will be known the world over as a man after God's own heart who didn't repeat history. He created it.

 

Jacqueline McCulloughRev. Dr. Jacqueline McCullough speaking Friday Night
The International Gathering at Beth Rapha - Pomona, NY
With an unwavering commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, the integrity of His Word, and a love for God’s people, the Reverend Doctor Jacqueline E. McCullough is a woman in pursuit of the Kingdom of God.

A second-generation preacher, Dr. McCullough is the senior pastor and founder of The International Gathering at Beth Rapha, "Where You Can Experience Healing to Heal by Loving Christ," in Pomona, NY. Her vision for evangelistic ministry is expressed in the international reach of Precious JEM Ministries, a non-profit religious organization, where she serves as President and CEO. Through this ministry, Dr. McCullough travels throughout the world ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ and providing evangelistic tools such as books, tapes, DVD’s, etc. to hungry souls around the globe. Dr. McCullough is also the Founder and President of the Beth Rapha Bible Institute, also in Pomona, NY.

Dr. McCullough was awarded her Doctor of Ministry degree from the Drew Theological Seminary, and currently holds a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from New York University. She has also engaged in postgraduate study at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is widely noted for excellence in ministry, including recognition from Ebony and Gospel Today magazines as one of the most influential African-American preachers in the nation.

A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Dr. McCullough also spearheads the WordAlive Medical Mission, which has provided free medical clinic services to over 30,000 people in parishes throughout the Island of Jamaica since 1997. A prolific author, her book 105 Days of Prayer, a book of unconventional prayers from Destiny Image Publishers, was a best seller. Dr. McCullough’s latest release from Destiny Image entitled, Satisfaction of the Soul, may be found in bookstores across the country and even in classrooms in Bible Colleges and Theological Seminaries around the world. She is also the author of a daily devotional entitled Daily Moments with God: in Quietness and Confidence (PneumaLife Publishers).

An extemporaneous songwriter, Dr. McCullough is readying for the release of her second praise and worship CD. In her first CD, "This Is For You Lord" (GospoCentric, 1999), she was both the lyricist of nine songs and worship leader. She was recently featured in the book, "Messengers" by David Ritz (Doubleday) as one of the leading ministers of our time.

 

Bishop Josheph MatteraBishop Joseph Mattera speaking Friday afternoon
Christ Covenant Coalition - Brooklyn, New York
Joseph Mattera has been in full-time ministry since 1980 and is currently the Presiding Bishop of Christ Covenant Coalition and Overseeing Bishop of Resurrection Church in New York, a multiethnic congregation of 40 nationalities that has successfully developed numerous leaders and holistic ministry in the New York region and beyond.

His passion is to see the Lordship of Christ manifest over every realm of society so the church can fulfill the cultural mandate in Genesis 1:28. This has resulted in extensive ministry nationally and internationally, reaching out to many nations of the world including the former Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Turkey, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Holland, Ukraine, Canada, Mexico and Cuba.

In November 1999 he started City Covenant Coalition (presently known as Christ Covenant Coalition), a network of bishops, clergy, and marketplace leaders. They have come together to build the Body of Christ and work for citywide, national and global transformation. CCC has since become one of the largest and most influential clergy groups in the greater New York region.

He has also served on numerous boards including Concerts of Prayer Greater New York, the Advisory Board of Worldvision New York, CURE (Community Understanding for Racial Reconciliation), Brooklyn Community Board 7, served as a Vice Chair of the 2005 New York Billy Graham Crusade, was co-chair of the New York Clergy Coalition for Racial Reconciliation, and has received numerous citations and commendations from city and state elected officials and assemblies. He also serves as a consultant and mentor to numerous political, business and church leaders and has worked extensively with the NYPD, the local community board and numerous other service agencies.

Joseph has a Doctor of Ministry degree in Biblical Worldview from Bakke Graduate University and is presently enrolled in the Ph.D. program at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in Oxford, England.

He has hosted his own radio show "Light Your City" and a weekly cable television programs "The Ekklesia." He is a regular contributor to Christian newspapers, and through the years has given numerous radio and television interviews and press conferences, including guest appearances on TBN. His first published book Ruling in the Gates was released in April 2003 and has received international acclaim. Numerous articles, position papers, seminars and sermons are presently posted on his weblog, www.josephmattera.org.

In recognition of his years of faithful service and significant influence, numerous local and national bishops and apostolic leaders consecrated Joseph to the Office of Bishop on April 29, 2006.

Joseph, his wife and their five children live in Brooklyn, New York.

 

Rev. Dr. Raymond RiveraRev. Dr. Raymond Rivera speaking Saturday morning
Latino Pastoral Action Center - Bronx, New York
Since 1964, the Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera has served our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as pastor, preacher, denominational executive, organization founder, and community builder. Throughout this time, he has preached, taught, and modeled Christ-centered holistic ministry, particularly in an urban context.

 

In the late-1960s through the 1970s, Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera was Co-Founder and Chairperson of the Sunset Park Re-development Housing Initiatives in Brooklyn. He was Community Coordinator of the Lutheran Medical Center and developed community outreach programs for clergy and community-based organizations.

In the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, he was President and Founder of the R.A.P. Foundation, which provided services to youth and children in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, including employment training, recreational programs, group homes for delinquents, and an after-school and evening center for children and youth.

From 1975 to 1984, he was National Executive for the Hispanic Council of the Reformed Church in America. In this position he empowered churches to serve as catalyst for change in communities throughout the USA and Latin America. He also served during this time on the Board of Trustees of the New York Theological Seminary and helped develop training programs for the Latino and Black clergy and laity that helped equip and empower them to better serve the community.

In the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, he worked as an educational advocate and trainer in School Districts #1 and #4 in Manhattan, empowering parents to become partners in the educational process. Consequently, parents were elected to school boards, school-based management teams, and other policy committees with educational systems.