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THE MANSION
It has always been the endeavor of Bishop Luke Edwards to be able to provide for the elderly under his leadership.
A known factor in most congregations all over the world is that the adults serve the church until they’re incapable of taking care of themselves efficiently. When illnesses settle in and they are no longer as effective, they are placed in convalescent homes for others to care for them. Occasionally family, friends and, sparingly, church members visit, but leave them to spend their final days alone among unknowns.
Edwards’ main objective, other than preparing his congregation for heaven, is to take the responsibility of taking care of them from birth to grave. This entails housing, food, clothing, discipline, guidance, and assurance that as long as a member is governed under his leadership, that member’s essential needs are met. Therefore, members will live through the church all of their days.
The elderly of Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church live together in The Mansion.
The Mansion is a vision developed by Edwards to provide a refuge and comfortable living for the elderly next to the church.
Within this building, the people are cared for and enjoy the presence of the Saints daily. Saints willingly cook and supply the daily needs of each other here with a GODLY LOVE that uplift spirits.
The Saints still have the convenience of fellowshipping with each other and even the youth of the church. They are still active and have the freedom to attend church on a regular basis as well as do whatever they can to help out within the organization.
When they are not attending church, mentoring or working, they engage in a nightly prayer among themselves . Can you think of a better way to enjoy your last days?
Bishop Edwards believe that your last days should be your best days! |
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“The Emancipation Proclamation came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negroes who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. But we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.
Over 70 years ago, God showed Bishop Luke Edwards a vision to free his people. This vision was later defined to coincide with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s distinguished speech, “I have a Dream.” Foreseeing the time to open the doors of opportunity to GOD’s children, in September 1977, Edwards founded a 501(c)3 self-help organization: Citizens for Research (the knowledge), Education (the most powerful weapon), And Community (member owned neighborhood), Hope(“The Dream” becoming REALITY), Inc.
REACH INCORPORATED was formed after witnessing the deteriation of our youth, misguided teens, unwed mothers, troubled adults, the abused and neglected, lost in a world of much confusion, heartaches, without self-esteem or discipline.
As Dr. King said “…some have come out of great trails and tribulations, but nevertheless, I have a Dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed: self-evident: that ALL men are created equal.” Understanding this profound speech, Edwards purchased 55 acres of farmland in a small town, Emelle, Alabama within the Sumter County line.
Upon this land were built shelters for the church members and all that would be drawn to this site, whether by will, court-appointed, homelessness, invitation or just a good Samaritan passing through.
Edwards, in the words of Marcus Garvey, “do not speak carelessly or recklessly but with a definite object of helping the people, especially those of my race, to know, to understand, and to realize themselves,” discovered the way of deliverance through the teaching of the BIBLE.
“One day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, the crooked places will be made straight , and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh see it together. This is the hope, this is the faith. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.) Not to just work, but to own our businesses, not to just live, but to own our community, not to just be taught, but to own our school and provide the best education that life has to offer. This is the fulfillment and reality of THE DREAM.
Booker T. Washington knew that a good education were a major and powerful tool for individuals to collectively accomplish a better future. Building on that premise, Edwards built Christ Temple Academy under the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum. This curriculum allows the child to excel within the four walls, which is a much needed foundation for the strength of our race.
In a letter from the Birmingham Jail, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, which still remains true today, “There was a time when the Church was very powerful in the times when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed, …but the judgment of God is upon the Church as never before. …The inner spiritual church, the church within the Church, as the true hope of the world. …Whatever effects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
The Elders which are among you… Feed the flock which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willing, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being EXAMPLES to the flock. —1 Peter 5:1-3
Edwards, using God’s word as the foundation, God as the chief-cornerstone, through the teaching of the Apostle’s doctrines, esteeming the great black historians, with much compassion using his pastoral platform to introduce freedom to his congregation, peers and all that believe in creating a heritage in a Christian domain.
Incorporating “The Dream” into his ministry, Edwards was able to free his entire congregation from welfare. Collectively pooling their resources together, the people were able to purchase convenient stores, meat processing plants, restaurants, motels, mechanic shops, a shopping center, a Boutique, a Christian Academy, over 4,000 acres of land and built their own communities.
The concept of owning land being an earthly power is the greatest weapon toward freedom. When you own land, you have the freedom to build and govern as you seem fit without interference from the outside. Of course, Edwards often quotes an old African Proverb, “A man can’t stand, unless, he stand on his own land,” as a way to exemplify the fact that “freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
So, “Cast down your bucket where you are! Cast it down in agriculture, mechanics, in commerce, in domestic service, and in the professions. …When it comes to business, pure and simple, it is the South that the Negro is given a man’s chance in the commercial world, and nothing is more eloquent than emphasizing this chance. Living by the productions of our hands, and keep in mind we prosper in proportion, we learn to dignify and glorify common labor and put brains and skill into the common occupations of life. Remembering to never permit grievances to overshadow opportunities, there is no defense or security for any of us except in the highest intelligence and development of all.” Booker T. Washington
Faith being the agent of change, through the leadership of Bishop Luke Edwards, many lives has been changed, many dreams have become realities, many doors have been opened and many opportunities have been granted. |
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FARMING
George Washington Carver taught farming techniques for self-sufficiency and believed that when you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.
Some of the members of REACH for years have enjoyed the pleasure of farming. We have grown hundreds of acres of crops, such as corn, collard and turnip greens, peas, and watermelons. |
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REACH, Inc., 312 Hyde Park Avenue, Eutaw, Alabama 35462 (205) 372-0113 PHONE (205) 372-0115 FAX |