Indian Trail, NC 28079 US

Faith and Favor Ministries, Int'l.

Welcome to Faith and Favor Ministries, Int'l.

"Living With Kingdom Authority"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R4JoEfZxko

What We Believe

Salvation by Grace: We believe in salvation by grace. This is a free gift from God, given to all who believe in His Son Jesus, the Christ, and accept Him as Lord of their life (Matthew 16:21-26; John 3:16-19, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:4-9; I John 5:9-12).

Deity of Christ: We believe in the deity of our Lord, Christ Jesus. Jesus is God incarnate, and was manifested in human flesh. He was like us in all ways except for one - being free from sin (Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:1-14, 5:22-23, 8:54-58, 10:30).

Holy Bible is the Inspired Word of God: We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.is eternal and unbroken(Numbers 23:16-19; John 1:1-14; II Timothy 3:15-17).

God Exists in Three Persons: We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 28: 19-20; Marl 12: 28-31; I John 5:7).

Virgin Birth of Christ: We believe that our Lord was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23).

Christ Died for Our Sins: We believe in the vicarious atoning death of Jesus, Who died on the cross so that we might live - offering Himself up as the perfect sacrifice for sinful man (Romans 5:6-10; I Thessalonians 5:9-10).

Bodily Resurrection and Ascension of Christ: We believe that Christ is the risen Savior. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:8-11; Romans 8:31-35).

Water Baptism: We believe that all believers should receive water baptism, as a demonstration of their faith and in obedience to the commandment of our Lord. This act represents a commitment by the believer, and should be accompanied by a renewal and sanctification via the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is an outward symbol of spiritual identification with His death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 1:4-11).

Fruit and Gift of the Holy Spirit: We believe in the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit, for the edification of the body of believers, and enabling the believer to live a life pleasing to God (Matthew 7:13-23; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:1-12, 13:1-3; Galatians 5:22-26).

About Us

Faith & Favor Ministries has the mission of equipping others to live with Kingdom Authority. Our method of accomplishing this by winning one family at a time in a location and atmosphere that is comfortable to them (usually their home). We physically take the "church" to them and provide a worship experience designed to meet all of their spiritual needs. We teach Kingdom Principles and how important it is to live with Kingdom Authority.

We are recognized as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit ministry under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

Matthew 24:14 (Amplified Bible)

"And this good news of the Kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end."

Many believers are inexperienced in kingdom living and do not fully understand the government. We want to equip and assist them in realizing that God has ordained and empowered us to operate with Kingdom Authority while carrying out the mandate of winning souls and edifying the body.

It is imperative that pastors (shepherds) themselves are fully equipped to teach and train their members in the fundamental principles of living with Kingdom Authority. This message should be effectively communicated to each person so that they (in turn) will be able to express to others the gospel of the kingdom.

One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is by conducting four-hour training/teaching meetings with pastors and their leadership team. These training meetings will be held at the local church at times and days that have been agreed upon. While there is no specific charge to facilitate these four-hour sessions, Faith & Favor Ministries does receive love offerings.

Another effective way is by meeting with families in their home and ministering to their spiritual, social, and physical needs.

To begin your journey in equipping your family or church to live with Kingdom Authority and take part in theses life-changing teaching sessions, please contact us via email at faithandfavoryes@gmail.com.

Faith and Favor Focus

KINGDOM LIVING

Matthew 6:33 (Amplified Bible) "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and all these things taken together will be given you besides."

We will define the "Kingdom of God," what it means, how it is lived out, and what to expect from kingdom living.

MINISTRY OF HELPS

Colossians 3:17 (Amplified Bible) "And whatever you do (no matter what it is) in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in (dependence upon) His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him."

It is imperative that each member of the body knows what he/she is to do for the upbuilding of the local church. Each person should be confident that their part is mandatory in maintaining the effective functioning of the body by serving the pastor(s) and one another.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE CHURCH

Revelation 7:9 (Living Bible) "After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from all nations and provinces and languages, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands."

Revelation 14:6 (Living Bible) "And I saw another angel flying through the heavens, carrying the everlasting Good News to preach to those on earth - to every nation, tribe, language, and people."

Our local places of worship and celebration must become and remain culturally diverse on purpose. We must strive to embrace every person. At times, addressing our personal biases may be difficult and uncomfortable. We must make our local worship centers places that reflect God's love and inclusiveness for everyone. This may be done by using the "each one reach one" model of discipleship.

THE SEASONS/CYCLES OF MARRIAGE

Genesis 2:21-24 (Amplified Bible) Then God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the person; and while he was sleeping, He took one of his ribs and closed up the place from which he took it with flesh. The rib which ADONAI, God, had taken from the person, He made a woman-person; and He brought her to the man-person. The man-person said, "At last! This is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She is to be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." This is why a man is to leave his father and mother and stick with his wife, and they are to be one flesh.

Through our partner ministry, We Be Buds Marriage Educators, (webebuds.org) we facilitate marriage enrichment classes, retreats and workshops. We address the purpose of marriage and travel through the stages of married life which includes time addressing premarital concerns and the importance of premarital counseling. Attendees are taught to respect and enjoy marriage from beginning to end.

Faith and Favor Ministries Int'l., South India

our partner ministry in south india

Pastor Ananda Kumar Kommu conducts bible study at Faith and Favor Ministries in South India

our partner ministry in south india

Our brothers and sisters in South India

our partner ministry in south india

Outdoor worship service

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Baptismal Service

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A time to praise.

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Virtual meeting with one of our pastor groups.

Founders

REV. DR. R.J. LIGHTSEY

Dr. R.J. Lightsey II was born in Albany, GA. He grew up in the outskirts of Pittsburgh, PA. During his teenage years he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior under the pastorate of Bishop Melvin E. Clark, Sr. at the Church in the Round in Aliquippa, PA. After graduating from college in 1975 and working in the Pittsburgh area for six years, his employer, Equitable Life Assurance, transferred him to its Philadelphia office.

He joined Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Burlington, New Jersey under the pastorate of Rev. Eric F. Ricks . From 1985 to 1991 he served as trustee, trustee chairman, men's fellowship director, Sunday School teacher, and associate minister.

In August of 1991 God led Dr. Lightsey and his wife Sharen, to begin a ministry work in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In 1993 he became the interim pastor at Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and was installed as pastor in 1994. In 1997 God commissioned him to found Jubilee Christian Center where he served as pastor for fifteen years. He was employed as a Chaplain for Tyson Foods In Pine Bluff, AR and transferred to its Monroe, NC location 2011, retiring in 2019. He is Co-Founder of Faith and Favor Ministries, Lightsey Ministries, and We Be Buds Marriage Educators, all located in Indian Trail, NC. In addition to his thirty-four years in ministry, Dr. Lightsey has also spent thirty-five years in the business marketing and consulting field, in the profit and non-profit sectors.

Dr. Lightsey graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He received a diploma in Supervisory Management from LaSalle Extension University in Chicago, Illinois and is also a graduate of the South Jersey Professional School of Business in Marlton, NJ. He earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Christian Bible College and Seminary in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Dr. Lightsey and his wife, Rev. Sharen K. Lightsey, also own an accounting firm, Numbers 2 Numbers, Inc. They have two adult sons, Jay (Ramira), residing in New Jersey and Jerius, residing in North Carolina. They have five grandchildren.

FOUNDERS

REV. DR. R.J. LIGHTSEY

Rev. Dr. R.J. & Rev. Sharen K. Lightsey have served in ministry for thirty-six years. In addition to church planting and pastoring, their experience also included Ministry Leadership Development, Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry, Children's/Youth Ministries, HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention, Couple's Fellowship, Marriage Counseling, Business Consulting, Public Relations, and Community Service.

They have ministered and facilitated various meetings throughout the United States and the world. Their presentations are not only in person but also through the use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) and through their inspirational website https://lightseyministries.org/

REV. SHAREN K. LIGHTSEY

REV. DR. R.J. LIGHTSEY

REV. SHAREN K. LIGHTSEY

A native of New Jersey, Pastor Sharen resides in Indian Trail, NC and is Co-Founder of Lightsey Ministries, Inc., Faith and Favor Ministries, Inc., and We Be Buds Marriage Educators. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Psychology from Rutgers University, and an MBA (Finance) from Baker College. She is a 2010 Fellow of the Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership (IHPL) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Association of Schools of Public Health. She has been active in ministry for more than thirty-four (34) years.

Her extensive ministry experience began in New Jersey where she taught Sunday School for primaries. She co-created and developed curriculum for children/teens, and has facilitated teacher-training workshops for various churches. She has also served in women's ministry as a facilitator for women's conferences, retreats, and seminars. In 1991 God called Pastor Sharen and her husband for a work in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where they resided for twenty (20) years. While there they planted a church - Jubilee Christian Center (JCC).

Pastor Sharen received her ministerial license in 1998 and earned her ordination in 2000. She writes monthly mini-sermons on their website https://lightseyministries.org/

In 2007, Pastor Sharen launched a ministry at JCC to address and educate the community in the prevention of HIV/AIDS. She was appointed by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe to serve on the newly formed HIV/AIDS Minority Taskforce.

In addition, Pastor Sharen owns an accounting firm, Numbers 2 Numbers, Inc. The company provides general accounting, payroll, tax, and consulting services. She and Dr. Lightsey have facilitated business training seminars through their business consulting company, Higher Ground Marketing Group, where she assisted in cultural diversity training for the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Police Department. Additionally, Pastor Sharen has provided financial training workshops for churches and civic groups. Pastor Sharen and Dr. Lightsey have been married for thirty-six (36) years. They have two adult sons, Jay (Ramira) and Jerius , and five grandchildren.