"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). In the chaotic whirlwind that life often becomes, it's far too easy to lose sight of the presence and promise of divine help. In these moments of struggle, we must remind ourselves of our Heavenly Helper.

This guide is for urban church planters navigating tight budgets, tough neighborhoods, and big dreams. Discover how to build a resilient, rooted church in the city using real-world strategies, spiritual grit, and kingdom clarity.

Interracial love in America has always come with a lot of legal, social, and emotional baggage.  For centuries, anti-miscegenation laws criminalized the union of Black and white Americans. These laws weren’t just regional; they were the norm. It wasn’t until 1967, with the landmark Loving v. Virginia case, that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down bans on interracial marriage nationwide. But legality doesn’t erase stigma.

You’re riding through your neighborhood. You see the boarded-up homes, the kids on bikes with nowhere to go, the corner boys posted up, the mama carrying groceries while holding two toddlers’ hands. And something in your heart breaks.“I have to do something… I think I’m supposed to plant a church right here.” That’s how it starts for many of us. A burden. A calling. A conviction to bring the gospel to our community. But somewhere between the block and the blueprint, you get pulled into a machine. The Church Planting Industrial Complex.

Nothing beats choirs singing and bacon frying on a Sunday morning. The aroma of Sunday mornings revolved around the classic gospel music echoing in Black households. Fast forward to today, the beats of spirituality have undeniably changed. They have transitioned to a rhythm that encapsulates the multifaceted experiences of the modern Black individual. 

The Pinocchio Planter is an urban church planter who, like the character Pinocchio, begins their journey with a deep desire to fulfill a divine mission, to plant a church in a way that authentically serves their community. However, over time, they find themselves increasingly entangled in “strings.”

Fatherhood, as I’ve discerned, isn’t confined to the roles of provider or protector. It’s about being a weaver of experiences, a curator of cherished memories. My mission is to guarantee that as my children criss-cross the expanse of life, they do so not only with cheap trinkets but with a profound sense of being deeply loved.

One of the biggest mistakes I see urban planters making is being too cool to promote their church. The idea that you will somehow grow a church by preaching dope sermons and street cred? Bruh! You trippin’! 

Whether you're building a church, launching a nonprofit, or just trying to keep your faith and family strong while leading others, these books have shaped me and countless others on the journey. Each one offers timeless wisdom, practical tools, and soul-level encouragement.

What is the real cost of being nice? Being nice has long been praised as a virtue. Can the price of being nice be too high? We will explore the personal impacts of always putting others first, using the concept of the "Nice Guy Rebel" and the "Mr. Nice Guy" as examples.

In an era where superficiality often reigns supreme in the music industry, Derek Minor emerges as a sign of life in a desolate genre.

Here's a revelation: being misunderstood isn't a curse.  It's a sign. It's a sign that you're ahead and see a future others haven't glimpsed yet. It's not about them not getting you; it's about you getting them to a place they can't even envision. It's not about you, but them.

The evidence is clear: God is not merely an entity who values rituals and sacrifices; He is a loving father, deeply invested in His children's lives (Matt. 7:9-11).

Another day, another headline: a public figure facing serious allegations, this time Shannon Sharpe. A 50-something former NFL star turned media mogul, accused of misconduct involving a young woman nearly three decades his junior.

There are countless stories out there today. We could call them worldviews. America has its story:  The American Dream, that promises prosperity through hard work. Baltimore has its own narrative – a story of surviving the streets and escaping if you can. But what if I told you the Bible offers an alternative story? And not just any alternative…a superior one.

Looking around at men, especially those in the church, I realized this message, overcoming people-pleasing, was an essential part of my life’s work.

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” Psalm 127:2 Most urban pastors I know are exhausted. I became a leader in the age of hustle culture. But before it had a cool name, remember what Nas said, “I’m never sleeping because sleep is the cousin of death.”