Under the banner “Claiming Our Talents,” world-renowned Jamaica-born spiritual leader Bishop Noel Jones last Tuesday moved a crowd of over 2,000 people at Brooklyn’s Cavalry Cathedral of Praise, as he pushed for Black Church Means Business – Heal the Land Revival to utilize their ability to campaign and financially own their communities.

A uniquely captivating orator, Jones, twin brother of actress, singer and fashion icon Grace Jones, vigorously asserted that Blacks in America are well endowed with talent and intellectual resources, but continue to struggle as a community due to economic illiteracy. He underscored the church’s leadership role in empowering the Black community to financial independence.

Following an interpretive dance routine by the St. Paul Community Baptist Church Male Dancers and stirring renditions of “I will bless the Lord” and “There is a Name” by famed gospel singer Byron Cage, Jones’s “Parable of Talents” sermon served as a springboard for launching the Black Church Means Business (BCMB) message of reflecting a strong spiritual foundation in business ownership, socio-political strength and the overall credibility of an empowered and progressive community.

“Empowerment means to give back,” Jones stated. “Churches are in a prime position to help clean up credit scores, incubate businesses, and to provide assistance pertaining to self-empowerment.”

Tremendous celebrity

Hailing from Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jones has gained tremendous celebrity with his uniquely captivating oratorical style of preaching as an international conference speaker. Under his leadership as pastor of the City of Refuge Church in Los Angeles, the church’s membership has grown from 3,300 to over 15,000, including notable figures such as famous broadcaster Tavis Smiley, who travels from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles every weekend to attend worship services. Jones’ intellectual, relevant and powerful scriptural approach to ministry has strengthened the faith of people across the globe.

Piloted by executive chair and fellow Jamaican Rev. Dennis Dillon, CEO of the New York Christian Times newspaper who was recently named as on of the New York’s 25 most influential Black leaders in religion, politics and civil rights by the New York Daily News, the Black Church Means Business 2006 Conference will be held at the newly renovated Brooklyn Museum on December 11 and 12. The conference, representing a citywide coalition of Black churches, major corporations, small businesses and financial and civic institutions, is a two-day interactive event that will provide information and guidance on starting and developing profitable businesses, franchising, real estate development, entering global markets, and a number of other areas.

Featured presenters include George Fraser, president of Success Source Unlimited and publisher of Success Guide: The Networking Guide to Black Resources; and Dr. Farrah Gray, a young entrepreneur who became a self-made millionaire by the age of 14.