Every edition of Encore Entertainment Magazine features in-depth interviews with a range of pastors and ministers from some of the world's most influential and emerging churches. We are proud to extend this further with our new feature "Amen". Get more insight into their ministries and spiritual growth. Amen will be featured in the magazine and season 2 of our podcast. To be featured in this section contact us at dve@totalprayze.com
Encore: Tell us about the vision of your book, "Say Yes When Life Says No".
Reverend Soaries: It took me about 8 years to write and it starts really with me being diagnosed with cancer during the year that had become the best year of my life. So many great things had happened in my life and the church was going well. To get that kind of diagnosis as a pastor, care-giver and counselor, it jars your reality, it causes you to question your faith, your ministry and life as a Christian. Of course, as a pastor I generally go to the Bible for inspiration to address whatever situation I’m facing and I went to John chapter 9, where Jesus showed he had the power to heal. So, my focus was on healing, I was much more influenced by the strength and courage of the blind man that Jesus healed even more so than I was the healing power that Jesus had. So, this blind man became a new mentor to me. The impact that this blind man had throughout this narrative on my life was what motivated this book.
Encore: There is a companion to the book, tell us about the workbook.
Reverend Soaries: The workbook assumes you have read the book, it gives you a 31 day plan and strategy for setting goals for structuring the use of time and for establishing priorities. Assuming you’ve said yes, you will be challenged in the workbook to make concrete decisions on turning one of life’s nos into a future yes. So, what I’ve done in the book and workbook is share not only my testimony, but my method and strategy for accomplishing the things I have. I pray that people will find them useful, inspirational and instructive. The book is available on Amazon.com and everywhere books are sold.
Encore: Tell us about your ministry.
Reverend Soaries: I am the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somersett, New Jersey. I’m the third pastor, the church was founded in 1937. Since coming here in 1990, the church has focused on spiritual growth, educational excellence, economic empowerment, and faith-based community development. We promote education, give scholarships and have a tremendous tutoring program. We believe in making sure people maximize the gifts of knowledge and the use of their God given minds. We have an extensive curriculum and strategy called dfree®, which focuses on helping people with their personal and family finances to overcome the burden of debt and develop wealth. We built affordable housing in the neighborhood, a health clinic and created businesses. We have a strong commitment to revitalizing the neighborhood around the church, which had been the poorest neighborhood in Central New Jersey. We try to put our faith into action and do our best to demonstrate the kind of love and power that Jesus did when He walked the earth.
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