The Protege Letters

  Dear Protégé of Jesus, There are days when the weight of life presses hard against your soul—moments when you wonder if the sun will ever shine again. Trials come one after another, like unrelenting waves. And sometimes, it may feel like others have it easier, like their skies are clearer, while yours stay gray. But let me encourage you with a simple truth that my wife Elaine once shared in her reflection, “The Blinds.” She writes, “Trusting in God during trials and tribulations is like looking at your blinds when the sun shines through them. There’s darkness, then light. Darkness, then light.” That image has stayed with me. The alternating slats of dark and light on the floor as the sun streams through the blinds—it’s not just a pattern of shadows. It’s a portrait of how God works in our lives. Yes, we all face dark seasons. But the light always comes. And when you belong to Jesus, that light is not random—it’s grace-filled, hope-driven, and timed by God Himself . Even when i...

  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,...

Dear Protégé of Jesus, Grace and peace to you on this day of God’s mercy. The Apostle Paul once wrote to a weary church in Corinth, a community questioning its future and tempted to give up. He reminded them—and us—that “because God has given us this ministry by His mercy, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1). We live in a world not unlike Corinth: Political division threatens to tear communities apart. Social unrest leaves many feeling unsafe and unheard. Global conflicts remind us how fragile peace really is. Mental and spiritual fatigue weighs heavily on so many hearts. And yet, God’s Word is clear: “Let light shine out of darkness” (v.6). That same light now shines in us—the light of the glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. Paul describes us as jars of clay (v.7). Fragile, yes—but filled with divine glory. Though “we are afflicted… we are not crushed” (vv. 8–9). God’s mercy sustains us, empowers us, and calls us to shine even when the world...

Dear Protégé of Jesus, As you travel the road of life—whether you're stepping into the springtime of youth, navigating the transitions of adulthood, or standing steady with the wisdom of lived years—there is one truth that remains: God desires to walk with you, step by step. No matter your season, the daily journey with Jesus is built on the same foundation. And sometimes, the most powerful truths are the simplest ones we learned when we were young. There are two scriptures I learned early in life, and I’ve carried them in my heart ever since. They’ve guided me through joy and sorrow, success and struggle, and they still shape my walk with God today. Whether you’re learning them for the first time or recalling them as an old friend, I invite you to reflect on them again, because they offer clarity for your path and encouragement for others around you. Step 1: God’s Word Shows You Where to Go “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105 Life doesn’t al...

  Dear Protégé of Jesus, I greet you with warmth and encouragement today, knowing that your journey of faith is both sacred and significant. Sometimes, we just need a gentle reminder: God has a plan for your life. And it’s not just about  you —it’s about the difference your faith makes in the lives of others. Through your words, your actions, and your love, you are living proof of God’s grace in a world that desperately needs hope. But let’s be honest—this road isn’t always easy. There are moments when doubts whisper louder than truth, when distractions pull us off course, and when the weight of life makes it hard to keep going. Yet, we are not powerless. God gives us strength through His Spirit. You are not called to merely  believe —you are called to  live  your faith. As James 1:22 urges us: “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” Jesus reminded His disciples—and us—of our mission when He said in Acts 1:8:  “You will receive power when the Holy Spi...

  Dear Protégé of Jesus, There are times when everything around us is shaking—when the ground beneath our feet seems less steady, and the world we once knew starts to unravel. You're not alone if you’ve ever had one of those days, or seasons. The poet Yeats once said, “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold.” But the Apostle Paul, writing from a Roman prison, speaks from a deeper place of assurance: “I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He can keep what I’ve committed to Him.” That’s the kind of center that can hold. Let me tell you something I’ve learned over the years, dear protégé: Life tests what we stand on. Trends shift. Relationships change. Even our emotions can betray us. But God’s Word does not move. Christian fellowship holds us up. And the Holy Spirit gives us power, love, and a sound mind when fear and doubt take over. You don’t have to hold it all together. You need to be held by the One who can. Keep your life anchored in Scripture. Le...

Dear Protégé of Jesus, As we travel the road of life toward eternal life, moving through each season with its joys and challenges, we often overlook one aspect of abundant living: the health of our minds. Jesus promised life in all its fullness. In ministry, we naturally focus on loving God with all our heart and soul, loving our neighbor as ourselves, fulfilling the Great Commission, and walking in justice, mercy, and humility. These are essential. Yet in the busyness of family responsibilities, work demands, educational goals, and the constant weight of social, political, global, and environmental concerns, we can easily forget that our thought life needs tending too. In such moments, Paul’s words speak with fresh clarity: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Here, Paul invites us to adopt the very mindset of Christ — a way of thinking and living marked by humility, service, and self-giving love. Picture with me, Jesus, I don’t onl...

Dear Protégé of Jesus, Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday has come and gone for this year. However, I want you to know that Palm/Passion Sunday welcomed us into a sacred mystery, a moment where joy and sorrow, praise and pain, celebration and suffering meet in divine tension. We waved our palms and cried out “Hosanna!” knowing full well that the cross lay ahead. And yet, that is the beauty and challenge of this season: learning to walk with Jesus through both the cheers of the crowd and the silence of the suffering. This paradox is not confined to Holy Week alone; it mirrors the life we are called to live every day. In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves caught between celebration and struggle. Fear, assumptions, and internal biases, both visible and invisible, can shape how we respond to life’s difficulties. At times, we forget how near Christ is. Or perhaps we are still learning to hear His voice spoken through the Spirit, revealed in Scripture, confirmed in community, and held in ...