Matters of Faith

A practical application of the Word of God for everyday issues.

recent posts

about

James ‘Loren’ Russell was born in Harlem, New York, and raised in the Bronx, where he and his wife (Evelyn) of thirty-eight years currently reside. Loren began his professional career as a life insurance agent, quickly rising to sales manager and then senior management. To fulfill his entrepreneurial ambitions, Loren established The JLR Company/J Loren Consulting, LLC to provide financial planning services in general, “Biblical Economics” services to the religious community, and motivational and developmental seminars and workshops. He served 7 years with the Southern Baptist Convention as the Northeast Strategy Coordinator, Regional Church Finance Consultant, and Church Planting Coordinator for NYC. Loren earned the Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary and received an Honorary Doctor of Ministry from the Virginia University of Lynchburg. Through J Loren R Consulting, LLC, Loren provides financial, strategic planning, and business consultations to churches, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses nationally, with a specialization in urban church strategies. Loren’s spiritual and civic commitment keeps him busy. He is currently providing pastoral leadership to The Evangelical Church of God and continues as an Associate Minister and former Sunday School teacher at his home church, Goodwill Baptist Church. He is the founder of the Back In Stride Ministry, a ministry designed to help ex-offenders to establish their businesses; past President of the John L. Scott Associate Ministers Auxiliary of the United Missionary Baptist Association; founder and Chief Chaplain of the New York State Chaplains Workers Task Force, Inc; President of the 42nd Precinct Community Council, Clergy Liaison, and Moderator for the Ceasefire Initiative all for the New York Police Department; President of the Home/Simpson Street Homeowners Association, Bronx, NY; Board member of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI); 3 times past President of the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club, NY, and past District Governor for Rotary District 7230. Loren has a chapter capturing parts of his life in the book, Children of the Dream – The Psychology of Black Success by Audrey Edwards and Dr. Craig Polite. He also helped establish and provided voice-overs for the Speaking Community Calendar at Bronx Net Cable, Bronx, NY. Rev. Dr. Russell is an author who writes a weekly column called “Matters of Faith” that appear in several publications, Yonkers Insider, Better Mag magazine, Positve Community Magazine, and Pamela’s Big Heart Newsletter, and on his social media outlets. In addition, he hosts a weekly internet radio talk show, “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” (Matters of Faith YouTube channel), and authored and published Matters of Faith: The Book. Loren is a frequently sought-after preacher, keynote speaker, motivational instructor, workshop leader, and Master of Ceremonies for a variety of programs. Loren’s favorite quote is by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which epitomizes his philosophy on life. It states, “We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools.”

“This Gospel of the Kingdom”

Reverend J. Loren Russell

Matthew 24:3, 14 NKJV 

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

In the book of Exodus, we read how the Children of Israel, on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, grew hungry and complained to Moses. The Lord, in His mercy, fed them with manna. When they first saw it, they asked, “What is it?” Imagine their bewilderment—seeing a mysterious substance left by the dew of the morning, white like coriander seed, unlike anything they had ever known. They had been wandering for weeks, starving, and suddenly, provision appeared in an unfamiliar form. They did not yet realize that this manna would sustain them throughout their wilderness experience.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ disciples asked Him when the end of the age would come. His reply was sobering. He spoke of deception, wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, betrayal, and lawlessness. He told them that many would fall away, that false prophets would rise, and that love would grow cold. Like the Israelites, the disciples were hungry—hungry for hope, hungry for relief.

Yet, in the midst of the darkness, Jesus offered light. He said, “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”(Matthew 24:13). In John 16:33, He assured them, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Their endurance would not be in vain; it would lead to eternal deliverance.

But here lies the most striking part of His answer: none of the calamities Jesus described are the definitive sign of the end. The wars, the earthquakes, the betrayals—these are only the background. The true indicator, Jesus said, is this:

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

Evil will persist until that mission is complete. The end will not come until the good news of the kingdom has been proclaimed to every corner of the earth.

If you long to see an end to the madness of our age and hasten the coming of God’s kingdom, then use every means at your disposal to preach this gospel—through your words, your actions, your love, your life. The Israelites learned that manna was heaven’s provision for their survival. Likewise, Jesus tells His followers that the gospel of the kingdom is heaven’s provision for the world’s salvation.

In my sanctified imagination, I can hear Jesus saying, “If you want to see the end of this broken age, this is how it is done—preach this gospel of the kingdom!”

Be Blessed! 

Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and  ssociate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column  and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel.  Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.

Posted in

Leave a comment