Houston Business Connections Newspaper©: First Metropolitan Church

Showing posts with label First Metropolitan Church. Show all posts

Monday, August 20, 2018

A Few 2018 Candidates Worshiped God with Pastor John Ogletree at First Metropolitan Church on Yesterday, Sunday, August 19, 2018

Houston Business Connections Newspaper© encourages more local pastors, business, political, and civic leaders to educate themselves (politically) and become more engaged by informing those under the sphere of their influence to participate in the electoral process. However, we also strongly encourage groups and organizations to do so in a non-partisan fashion. With that said, Pastor John Ogletree, the senior pastor at First Metropolitan Church, located at 8870 West Sam Houston Parkway North in Houston, Texas is applauded for his willingness to inform, empower, and prepare his congregants to make a more informed voting decision in the 2018 Midterm Election scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

As Election Day Draws Nearer, Candidates and Local Pastors Like John Ogletree Are Reminding All Registered Harris County, Texas Voters Without Respect to Political Affiliation to Cast Their Vote Early Says Aubrey R. Taylor, Publisher of Houston Business Connections Newspaper©

AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©

The church, especially predominantly African American churches have long been at the forefront of issues and movements throughout the history of our great nation. From civil rights to voting rights to equal rights, African American churches have been on the frontlines. And as Tuesday, November 6, 2018 approaches you are going to see more and more pastors like John Ogletree step to the forefront once again – at least as it pertains to informing those under their sphere of influence about the importance of participating in the electoral process. So, to this end, Houston Business Connections Newspaper© is encouraging more pastors to remind their congregants that early voting for what’s shaping up to be one of the most important elections of our lifetimes will begin on Monday, October 22, 2018, and end on Friday, November 2, 2018.

Pictured from left to right: Dedra Davis, LaShawn Williams, Sedrick T. Walker II (back row), Latosha Lewis Payne, Michelle Moore, Tonya Jones, Judge Ramona Franklin, Toria J. Finch, Linda M. Dunson (far back), Shannon B. Baldwin, First Lady Evelyn Ogletree, Sandra Peake, Cassandra Hollemon (far back), Pastor John Ogletree, Angela Graves Harrington, Erica Hughes, and Germaine Tanner worshiped at First Metropolitan Church, located at 8870 West Sam Houston Parkway North in Houston, Texas on Sunday, August 19, 2018.

ONWARD TO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

On behalf of Houston Business Connections Newspaper©, I would like to take this moment to encourage candidates who are participating in worship services and gathering at churches to make sure to remind pastors to be careful in terms of how the services are conducted whereas candidates, and potential candidates are concerned. And for those of you who may not know, yes, there are certain restrictions that prohibit political campaign intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations like churches.

STAY WITHIN THESE GUIDELINES

According to IRS GUIDELINES, under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.

EFFORTS MUST BE NON-PARTISAN

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.

On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner, or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.

Pastors can click this link for more information on the “CAN’S AND CANNOT’S” as it relates to engagement, mobilization, and dissemination of literature.

MEET PASTOR JOHN D. OGLETREE, JR.

Pastor John D. Ogletree, Jr. is a native of Dallas, Texas. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1973 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas in 1979. He accepted the call into the gospel ministry in 1982. In 1985, he was ordained at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. He became the founding pastor of First Metropolitan Baptist Church in 1986. Pastor Ogletree provided leadership in the purchase of 25.2 acres of land along Beltway 8 in Northwest Houston. He is a Trustee and serves as President on the Cy-Fair-Independent School District Board. Pastor Ogletree currently serves as 2nd Vice President of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). His vision is a vast and divinely orchestrated by almighty God. He can be contacted at pastoro@firstmet.org.

Pastors John and Evelyn Ogletree are co-authors of “Making Your Home the Green Zone” and “Transforming Words for the Home”. Pastor Ogletree is the author of Moving to the Next Level (Becoming a Fully Developing Follower of Christ). These books will cause you to take a good look at where you are and compel you to search for the wonderful plan God has for your life.

This dynamic couple has been married for 40 years. They are the parents of three sons: Johnny, Joseph, and Jordan; and one daughter, Lambreni. They have one son-in-law Avery Waddell and two daughters-in-law Quinita (wife of Johnny) and Sherrell (wife of Joseph). They are the proud grandparents of seven beautiful granddaughters and three grandsons. Rev. Johnny and wife Quinita are the parents of Layla, Elianah, Adaiah, Nessiah, and Kamilah. Lambreni and husband, Avery Waddell, are the parents of Reya and Elan, and son, Zion. Joseph and Sherrell are the parents of son, Jaiden, Josiah & Jaxon.

HARRIS COUNTY STRONG

A FIGHT FOR TERRITORY

Make no mistake about it, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, won't be business as usual as it pertains to Midterm Elections in Harris County, Texas. Nope, we are looking at an election turnout of epic proportions in my opinion -- a serious fight for territory. So whether you are looking to see a “BLUEWAVE”, flow through Harris County, or hoping for a “REDSTORM” to blow through town, you had best believe that your vote will matter. So, I’m imploring every open-minded Texans to pray for our “PUBLIC SERVANTS” and to “FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT” by becoming more actively engaged, mobilized and involved in the process of electing "DULY-QUALIFIED" candidates who value, respect, and appreciate our vote, prayers, and support at the ballot box. And please, please, please, don't forget that the early voting period will begin on Monday, October 22, 2018, and end on Friday, November 2, 2018.