By Tom Livsey, Topix National News Editor,

(Make sure to click on the little blue dots at the bottom right of the picture above)

From a humble beginning the Church of Hope Ministries was built on unyielding faith and purpose. Unlike many large families today, when there are more chiefs than braves, the Todds' are a remarkable family of leaders, who know how to fall in where they fit in.

Case in point, back in 1985, equipped only with a leap of faith, the Church of Hope Ministries started with the Todd Family, in the home of Dr. Frazier Ben Todd, Sr. The Bible Study Group included his immediate family including his former wife, Mrs. Terumi Todd, and their sons, Ado Tobi, and Emmanuel Todd.

The Bible Study Group later included his mother , sisters, brothers, and several friends, including Mrs. Stella Mae Dennis.

This group became the backbone of the church today. After some legal challenges about the church's name with a Los Angeles church, cooler head prevailed and from that point their Bible Study Group became known as simply, 'The Church of Hope Ministries' .

Power is in the influential presence of an Alpha man, or alpha beast, like a lion. Both are the creation of God. And like the lion, the alpha man does not need to show off his strength at all times, because the beta man, and the beta mammal knows their pecking order, in the presence of a natural born leader.

Dr. Frazier Ben Todd has had such a powerful presence for the last 27 years at the Church of Hope, and he is still roaring strong for the Lord. You see, its a Todd family trait, if you did not know !

The start of the celebration was full of great song. No one needed any excuse to praise God on this day.

There was a nice size audience that filled the pews with Joy and Love.

So in celebration of their ministries, hundreds of leaders flocked to give Dr. Todd praise and support, just like he too, have shown many of them in the past, and even today. Obstacles are like vanilla wafers in a banana pudding to Dr. Todd, he can't wait to get to one, so he can eat'em up...Amen !

Likewise many in attendance had to chew a few, in order to make it to this fine service, including his dear friends, Bishop and Dr. J.D. Gurthier, of First Apostolic Church of Atlanta.. The doctoring couple had to switch up their itineraries, to be there.

"I rather have Jesus", was lead by Dr. Todd's beautiful niece, Marquitte Robinson. His nephew Pastor Todd from North Carolina, along with his sisters, Dr. Jean Robinson and Dr. Thelma Todd stoked the spiritual fire of God, before welcoming their wonderful guest speaker.

After a heart felt introduction by Dr. Lewis, her husband showed his commitment of faith through the word of, 'The Good Book' !

However before relinquishing the reigns to the microphone, she revealed how these two powerful Alpha men first met years ago, and she said after a few questions to each other, the two men became not only close shepherds of God's people, but also great friends, who can finish each others thought and sentences today, because they are always the the same page...God's Page...Amen !

Pastor Allen Lewis is a dynamic orator. He spoke about other great men of the Bible...Moses, Job, Noah and JESUS !

While he encouraged others to seek a higher education, due to the need to have documentation for upward economic opportunities in America, he broke it down old school style, when he reminded the congregation, that it does not matter what color your skin is, or what class you are from, nor what level of education that you have obtained, or from whatever named college or university where you studied....

Until you signed up for a life long study in GOD'S UNIVERSITY, you might as well trash those diplomas you have hanging in your Fortune 500 C.E.O. corner office...Amen !

At the risk of alarming some, and educating others born in today's 'Microwave Society' ! In a time where everybody wants everything 'Right Now' !They want a microwave wife. They want a microwave husband. They want a microwave degree. They want a micro wave family. They even want micro wave millions!

Understand, you can not crash a God's Party. You might think you know who you are. You might think you know what you deserve out of this life, and you can keep on dreaming. But it is God, who can take any person and set him /her to lead a nation of his children, just like Noah, Moses, Job, and Jesus. However, it may take lots of faith, prayer and time.

Bishop Gurthier came to The Church of Hope to give appreciation to Dr. Frazier Ben Todd and his large successful Todd family, and reminded them that their 27 years of building a ministry is nothing new, because God cooks leaders not in a microwave, but in a 'Crock Pot", and his sets it on 'Simmer"...Amen !

However before he sat down after his sermon he screamed these last words that Jesus spoke on the Cross..."Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Amen !

By the way, a word to the wise, if you find yourself in Atlanta, Georgia, and you are being ridiculed by some of your neighbors, or if you are questioning your state of affairs, and you feel like your future opportunities are being pulled from underneath your feet, like an expensive Persian rug.

May I recommend you map quest, 'The Church of Hope, 2240 Springdale Road,SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30315, or call 404-343-1780.

Make sure to tell Dr. Frazier Ben Todd Sr. that the Livseys' of,'The Promised Land', sent you !

God has bless Dr. Frazier Ben Todd Sr., with his wife of several years, Mrs. Roberta Williams-Todd, who is a faithful wife, mother, and an anointed First Lady !

Together, they lead wisely and make Disciples for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ !

Congratulations to the Todd family and The Church of Hope !

###