The Protege Letters

  Dear Protégé of Jesus, There will be times on the road of life when even the strongest believers sit down under a broom tree and feel like giving up. Elijah did. After one of the most significant victories of his ministry, he was overcome with fear, isolation, and exhaustion. He said, “It is enough, now, O Lord, take away my life.” But God did not condemn him for feeling that way. Instead, God came close—with food, rest, silence—and finally, a whisper. That whisper was not just comfort. It was clarity. It reminded Elijah that he was not alone and that his life still had a purpose. Maybe you’ve been there too, or are there right now. You’ve held things together so long that even your strength feels tired. Like Elijah, you’ve shown others the power of God on the mountaintop, but you’ve also hidden in caves and cried in the quiet. Hear me clearly: God sees you. God meets you in the wilderness. And God restores your soul, not to leave you there, but to send you forward with r...

 Dear Protégé of Jesus, There is power in your voice. In a world where silence is often seen as safe, and faith is deemed a private matter, I want to remind you of something profoundly true and eternally significant: your confession of faith in Jesus Christ matters. Not just to you. Not just to your church. But to heaven itself. Scripture says it plainly: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). What a bold and beautiful declaration. And yet, in today’s culture, where “speaking your truth” is often encouraged—unless that truth is Jesus, it can be intimidating to say His name aloud. But let me ask you: What happens when your truth is Jesus? What happens when you speak not only of who He is, but of what He has done in your life? You become a witness. You become the echo of heaven’s hope. You become part of an extended and diverse family of believers,  rappers, astronauts...

Dear Protégé of Jesus, Sometimes we think of Easter as something that comes and goes, but the resurrection of Jesus is a way of life. It changes everything, how we love, how we serve, and how we trust God in uncertain times. Jesus cooked breakfast for His friends after they failed at fishing. He didn’t scold them. He fed them. Then He looked at Peter, the one who had denied Him, and gave him a new purpose: “Feed my sheep.” That same call comes to you. Feed others,  with kindness, with truth, with generosity. And trust God, even when it's not easy,  like Ananias did when he reached out to Saul. Small acts of obedience can lead to significant transformations. And don’t forget the song. Revelation tells us that all of heaven is singing: “Worthy is the Lamb!” You’re invited to join that song, not just with your voice but with your life.  You are called to live the resurrection. Peace & Blessings, Rev. Dr. Russell M. Morrow Sr. ngmec.org Take a moment now to respond with ...

Dear Protégé of Jesus Scripture reminds us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” (Hebrews 12:1) When we look at the Civil Rights Movement beginning in 1955 and extending into the decades that followed, we see more than history. We see witnesses. We see people who stood in dangerous places so that others could stand in safer ones. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stepped forward in Montgomery, he was not alone. Rosa Parks, Ralph Abernathy, Jo Ann Robinson, and thousands of unnamed church members made courage contagious. Medgar Evers paid with his life. Fannie Lou Hamer cried out for voting rights with unshakable conviction. Bayard Rustin organized with brilliance. John Lewis bled on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Fred Shuttlesworth, Diane Nash, James Farmer, and countless local leaders moved a nation forward. Then the movement entered another phase. Malcolm X challenged America’s moral clarity. Shirley Chisholm shattered political barriers. Dorothy Height, Ju...

Dear Protégé of Jesus, There is a decisive moment in the Gospel of John when Jesus turns to a group of people who have just begun to believe in Him. They were intrigued by His words. They believed what He said. But Jesus didn't stop at their belief. He invited them to go deeper. He said: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8, verses 31-32 It's possible to believe with your mind but never make a change in your life. Jesus told believers like you and me that authentic discipleship isn't just about belief. It's about abiding. To hold to His teaching means to remain, endure, and stay committed when it's hard. It means trusting Him when the world tells you to walk away. It means letting His Word shape your identity, decisions, relationships, and purpose. There will always be moments when life's experiences test our belief in Jesus' word: when life gets ...

Dear Protégé of Jesus, Have you ever paused to wonder why God called you by name? Long before you were aware of it, the Lord was speaking your name in love, setting you apart with a purpose only you can fulfill. Like young Samuel, who heard the voice of God in the quiet of the night, we, too, must learn to listen for that still, small voice that calls us forward in faith. A life devoted to Christ is not simply about doing more; it’s about offering our whole selves to be shaped and sent by God. Every gift you carry — your time, talents, prayers, and compassion — becomes a holy offering when laid at the feet of Jesus. As the hymn says, “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.” God’s call is not reserved for the few. It is the invitation to each of us, young and old alike, to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. And when we respond — “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” — we become part of a beautiful chain of faith that reaches across generations. So,...