The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19.   

For the third straight year, Rev. Marcus D. Cosby, assistant pastor of Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Avenue, will be the guest evangelist for the Mt. Zion MBC’s Annual Youth/Young Adult Revival. Mt. Zion, under the leadership of Dr. James E. Lightfoot, is located in northeast Houston at 9318 Homestead. Because of construction, the event which takes place Monday, July 28 - Wednesday, July 31, 2002, will be held at Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church, 6302 Tidwell, at 7:00p.m.

Dr. Ross M. Cullins, Sr., pastor of Solid Rock was “more than happy” to host the revival for his good friend. The theme for this year’s revival is “I Feel Like Busting Loose,” based on Luke 4:18-19. Rev. Marvin D. Cloud who serves Mt. Zion as Youth and Young Adult Minister said, “I chose this topic because as I minister to the youth and young adults here and elsewhere, I see where many are in bondage and are living beneath their privilege. I am not saying that Christians do not have problems. We certainly do. But there should be a difference in how we react to circumstances and situations. Many of us are imprisoned so to speak. Not just to things we may be doing that are not pleasing to God, but in how we allow Satan to control us mentally, spiritually and emotionally. We need to ‘bust loose’ out of spiritual incarceration. Our explosion and revival will give vital life-changing information along with the plan for busting loose.”
The Youth Explosion will be held Saturday, July 27, 2002 at Shadydale Elementary, 5905 Tidwell Rd. It will consist of Parent Sessions; Teen Panel Session; Soul Fruit Gospel; Health Services; Basketball 3 on 3; Volleyball 6 on 6; Praise and Worship; Free Lunch; Games and Prizes. Registration will begin at 8:45a.m. In addition to Mt. Zion and Solid Rock, North Forest Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition and Harris County Public Health Services’ Teen Abstinence Program will host the Youth Explosion and Life-Skills for Parents training from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

While the youth are being entertained and learning more about how to deal with life, parents will receive a free school supply packet for participating in one of the four Life-Skills for Parents Sessions. In all, parents could receive up to four supply packets for their children. The youth will be challenged and encouraged to dare to be different, to stand for what is right, to break the chains of bondage and to keep it real.

They will learn life tools to overcome obstacles and choose the best path for themselves rather than following the negative influence of the crowd or someone else. Life Skills for Parents will provide information on various pressures facing today’s youth. It will also teach parents how to help their youth cope with peer pressure. Last year’s parents were surprised to hear how many youth are involved in risky sexual behaviors and were pleased to learn they could impact their children’s decisions.

Topics include, “Especially the Best - Preparing your child to make the best choices; Choose the Best Avoid the Rest - Avoiding risky health behaviors; Protecting Your Best - Negative exposures facing today’s youth; and Reinvesting in the Best - Grandparents parenting grandchildren. Health information and health screenings will also be available from various vendors attending the event. Both the revival and the explosion will feature local church choirs, praise dancers, and other musical and special guests including Winfred Dirden with Alpha Omega Ministries, 100 Youth Choir and step teams.

Rev. Cosby was born the third child of Rogers and Bobbie Cosby in Chicago, Illinois. There he received his elementary education at the Emmanuel Christian School and secondary education at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. He further received the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and the Master of Divinity Degree in Homiletics and Christian Education from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rev. Cosby was licensed to preach and ordained to the Christian Ministry at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois where the Reverend Dr. L.K. Curry is Pastor. It was at Emmanuel that he met and married his high school sweetheart, Mrs. Audrey Marie Cosby, and they have been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Adrienne Marie and Ashley Marie. While at Fisk University he served as the Chaplain’s Assistant to the Dean of the Chapel as well as Worship Leader and Bible Study Instructor for the campus Gospel Choir. Throughout his matriculation at Fisk he was chosen to sing with the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. He also served as the Conductor of the University Choir as well the co-founder/Director of the gospel music ensemble, Extended Grace. Currently, Rev. Cosby serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, an organization that seeks to bridge the gap between faith communities in Houston, Texas. Rev. Cosby has been blessed to carry his ministry across the country in various denominations. He has lectured, preached, and taught in numerous conferences, conventions, retreats, revivals, and other special events.

Call 713/631-4795 for more information.