HOUSTON – Courageous, passionate, and prepared are three words that D.Z. Cofield, pastor of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, feels that his congregation would use to best describe him. Pastor Cofield was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the lower city of Manhattan. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College, a Master’s degree in Theology at the Dallas Theological Seminary and obtained a Doctor of Ministry from Faith Evangelical Seminary in Tacoma, Washington.

Pastor Cofield has been pastoring Good Hope since April of 1994. This is his 4th church to pastor. The first church was in New York, the second church was located in Chester, Pennsylvania, and third church was in Dallas, Texas. He first started preaching in October of 1981 and has been pastoring on and off since 1983.

He is also the founder of Hope for Families, Inc., a non-profit “committed to rebuilding communities one family at a time, and the Hope Educational District, an organization that provides creative and innovative educational strategies for urban communities.” Pastor Cofield has received many awards and has written for many Christian publications. He also “hosts a weekly news and public affairs radio show on KTSU 90.9 FM in Houston, TX called Real World, Real Talk, where he discusses current events and issues people are dealing with in our world, and has a television broadcast, Word of Hope Ministries, that is on every Sunday through Friday on The KUBE, providing daily inspiration and insight from The Word of God.”

 

The events that led him to become a pastor was his father acknowledging and accepting his call to the ministry and setting that example in front of him. It was also seeing his parent’s involvement in the community and working to help people, which was inspirational to him, and which helped him move in the direction he is currently in. “I really felt an unction from God, and really felt that sense that, that was my purpose, my calling, that this is where God wanted me to be,” he expressed. He further illustrated, “To feel really comfortable there, I wasn’t comfortable in other places that I tried to be with things I thought I would do. I never found that fulfillment or peace there. I never felt like I was in the right place. Whether I was studying law or philosophy or economics, and while all of those things come to play in what I do, I never thought those were the foundational places for my life, or the places I needed to operate out of or operate from.

Pastoring a church is never an easy task and Pastor Cofield thinks that “the shifts in the times that we live in and recognizing that each generation presents its own cultural nuances” are some of the challenges he faces. And with that challenge, he has to be knowledgeable and aware of it, if he’s going to effectively minister to that generation. “When you look at society and see the number of changes that have taken place. Some of the most obvious changes is technology, but what we also need to take into account that with those technological changes, people are being exposed to situations and circumstances and information at a much earlier age than they were years ago. So how does that affect children and youth and how they grow up, think, and see the world, and how do you use those tools to help serve this present age?”

One thing that has worked for Pastor Cofield is just remaining true to himself, and never trying to be someone else. The second thing that has been effective for him, is just loving people where they are. “Recognizing that when people see things differently than I may see it, or think about the world differently, it’s not good or bad, it’s just different. So, when its different how can I meet people where they are to help them become all that God wants them to be. That for me has been a strategy that has worked and certainly well in my current pastoring,” he expressed.

The greatest accomplishment that Pastor Cofield has experienced is always seeing people do better and become better, and to become encouraged and inspired to be the best they can be. He stated, “Whenever I see someone who is at one place in life and through the preaching and teaching, and through encouragement and love, to see them go to the next level in their life, it is really exciting.” He gave examples such as a person who is committed to becoming a better husband or wife, a better mother or father, or maybe to better their status in life like going back to school. Or to see children and families to walk across the stage and be the first in their families to get a high school diploma or a college degree. Illustrating that, “those are ground breaking and glass breaking moments, and those excite me because I know that they are changing the trajectory of their family literally for the rest of that family’s life, and for me, that is tremendously exciting.”

The legacy that Pastor Cofield wants to leave behind is for people to feel like their life is better because they came in contact with him. He wants them to be challenged, encouraged, and inspired to be the best person they can be because they came in contact with him. “I have a simple philosophy at the church that I tell all of the new members I meet with, which is that they aren’t at the church to make me a big preacher, I am at the church to make them a big Christian. At the end of my life, I hope they can say that my life is better because they came in contact with me, and in return I hope they can make other people better.”

What Pastor Cofield is passionate about now is public education. “I think public education is the number one civil rights issue that we have to address,” he expressed. He further stated, “When you look at the social ills in our society, many of them are tied to a lack of education. Whether it is unemployment, homelessness, or incarceration, the mass of them are undereducated and unemployable. We are going to have to address it and for those whose children are grown and for those who don’t have children, are going to have to fight for future generations.”

Pastor Cofield was really excited about the opportunity to come to Houston impart because he thinks Houston is a city that has a tremendous place already in our country and has tremendous potential to do many great things. Houston has tremendous opportunities to set the tone for the rest of the US and the world. “My hope is I can do my share, my part during my season in Houston to be a better city than when I found it to help impact and influence the world.”

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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