Come September at ATLAH
Have you heard of ATLAH? I made a journey there with Brother Jim this past weekend to ATLAH which is in Harlem. We arrived at ATLAH Friday evening after about 12 hours from our starting point in Ohio. After parking we were greeted by a man from Belize telling us we could not park where we were, another man from ATLAH came over and reasoned with the man and all was good we were then able to park. Welcome to Harlem now called ATLAH (that’s what God said) New York City. There is a way of doing things that fit the dynamics of the neighborhoods.
ATLAH is a church guided by Rev. James D. Manning. Maybe you never heard of Pastor Manning and his congregation. He is well known on YouTube and internet radio, He hosts his daily program “The Manning Report”. He is very out spoken and will not tickle your ears, he tells “all Truth all the time”. He is entertaining and witty but all the Truth all the time. Is anybody 100%, no but this comes close.
ATLAH’s church entrance has an area gated with a solid 3 foot high iron gate. After entering the gate you go up a few steps to beautiful double doors where men are at the doors that will greet you and a help so that no one would stumble. They will make you comfortable entering the building as their sincerity beams through. Upon moving inside we were escorted to seats; a welcome service being that I was overwhelmed with the open space that was active in celebration of our Lord Jesus in song and dance. It was loud, bright and decorated with colorful banners. Those in attendance were a well dressed and well mannered people singing and smiling. My thought was Holy Ghost is surely here, I thought of course I think it is silly to say the Lord is here, or please Lord come into our presence; We should know and be in His presence continually… amen? Amen…
This was Friday night, while people are looking for some entertainment surely this place would pack-out even with unsaved people just for the quality music. This music and talent for free would surely draw many in. It didn’t seem to draw much from the neighborhood. Pastor Manning is not a popular man in the Harlem area which has been his home for about 30 years. Pastor Manning says Harlem is now named ATLAH. He is a black preacher speaking truth in the true Spirit of God with the boldness of a Biblical prophet. Pastor Manning is very much out spoken opposing Obama, the Long Legged Mack Daddy, as he refers to the president. In Harlem the people are very much in favor of Obama this might go without be said as the reason for support of Obama in Harlem is obvious. There is little church directly next door to ATLAH World Missions Church; it is squeezed between a tenant house and ATLAH. Over this church’s door is posted a disclaimer; a sign that says they are not part of ATLAH and they support President Obama. All of this is to say the people in the area are not so quick to visit Pastor Manning’s church, at least in a friendly manner.
Jim and I enjoyed the music and celebration; you may find it on, www.ATLAH.org. or on YouTube soon. When the Concert Extravaganza had ended we drove back across the George Washington Bridge to our room for food and sleep. It was not easy to sleep because of the anticipation of the next day’s events of speakers, fellowship and being wound up from traveling. The Concert Extravaganza seemed reward enough for this first experience at ATLAH.
Saturday morning I was actually up and ready to be somewhere on time. Brother Jim was patient as I argued with my GPS device about directions. We arrived early enough to park in front of ATLAH and not interfere with the Obama friendly not so friendly church. We were given VIP treatment as we went in for the breakfast being offered to anyone who showed up. We ate in beautiful courtyard where we could watch all kinds of things happening on Malcolm X Blvd; there is always something to see. Even after being there for 28 years Pastor Manning expresses how he is entertained by the goings-on on the boulevard. We began to meet people and enjoy good conversation mostly about personal testimony and matters concerning the times and our Lord Jesus.
Coach Dave Daubenmire, his wife Michele and Breadman, Art Willhite had arrived two days before with a large truck load of fresh bread products. They distributed the bread freely even to those who were angry at the church. I was told that some of the church’s critics had to accept the generosity humbly as they needed the food. It was made clear to the recipients that the bread was not from the government but the Lord who supplied this gift.
Saturday’s event was loaded with class act people who are gave and shared of the word, they are prophetic and encouraging. Each speaker was active in what they brought to the pulpit sharing information and bringing edification to the cause of the Christian revolution; restoring first the family, the church community and hope for a nation. I cannot explain all the speakers in this writing, the video I recorded will do better which will soon be available on YouTube; search eternaloutlook (one word, lower case). Even though we are spoiled in Ohio having Coach around he was on top of his game in this stadium. Art Willhite hit a home run with his sharing as well. I was in tears of joy to meet and hear people with so much knowledge and humble at the same time.
I know that this event was not for everyone because most people want to sleep through the hard times and some believe that some special event will rescue them from certain destruction. This is not what you would hear at ATLAH. The over arching message is that America and the rest of the world face a common enemy that is very powerful and this is the time to do something. Judgment is coming; this a clear message they are declaring. There is no sugar-coated Jesus; Jesus loves me is all I know… there is this understanding but with some salt which is poured out liberally, aka reality. At the end of listening to all the speakers Pastor Manning challenged his Congregation to consider one of three scriptures he threw out to them; to consider a wrong they knew about. He addressed certain conditions; they were asked to think of one wrong they knew of that needed correction, one that they can begin to immediately do the work to make a correction. It could be from simple to big, it didn’t matter, so long as an action would take place. Praise God for this thought. The ATLAH people that went to the alter with Bible in their hand having the pastor anoint their scripture as they went forward to seal the conviction to conversion (action). Powerful…
To add to the events there were several Baptized at the ending of the Saturday’s service which brought the conclusion to be about 10 pm. This was another 12 hour day that was not long enough because every minute was blessed.
Sunday was a bit cooler as a rainy day but no rain to speak of. We had a great time enjoying breakfast in the courtyard. We got a chance to take some photos and eat. The time of fellowship was too short. I must say that I am not impressed very easily; some people melt if they get near a movie star. However, to give a perspective this was a rare time for me where I find myself with several men and women of position assembled at a table where I am sitting. This experience helped me see some depth to not only who they are but myself as well. I conclude from this experience that there is a great need for these same folk to get together to share, correct, and exhort one and other. We need to work to see this happens; there is so much information to examine.
After the breakfast was done, for me, it was time for church as is my custom is Sunday; ATLAH has church on Saturday. I am not concerned about the day of the week, but my only concern is the spirit one evokes when they worship. None-the-less it was time for the meeting to begin. Again I will say I won’t try to explain all the speakers and what they said; way too much, you would have to have been there or you will have to watch the video when it is available.
What this all means is that this time spent wasn’t just to have a meeting to charge people up and/or make money. This was a mission for a real cause with real purpose. If for one minute you stop and think how bad things are, you have to do one of two things; go to sleep in the world and decay with it or step out of the world and walk in the Spirit. This actually means doing something. Come September meeting hosted by ATLAH World Mission Church was about doing something. Joel Osteen, whose father said his son Joel is possessed, packs thousands and accomplishes nothing real. ATLAH is the opposite of what goes on in most churches. This meeting can lead to bigger things. You know who has to make it happen? Minutemen United this is a call to reach pastors… We need to reach more of them as fast as possible. Sound the trumpet.
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.
Kevin Anderson
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Phi. 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
