Rev. Dr. Derrick Green reveals formula for survival of black men in an oppressive society (See pictures from Father’s Day Service at RCCG Dominion Cathedral, New Jersey)

Reverend Dr. Derrick Green, Senior Advisor for Diversity, Faith, Urban and Regional Growth for Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, United States of America (US), has released the formula for the survival of black men in a society structured to oppress them.

Rev. Green, who was Guest Speaker at the 2021 Joshua Conference of the Men of Valor (Men’s) Fellowship of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Orange, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 19, 2021, said that the first item in the formula is to know who you are in Christ.

The theme of the Conference, which started on Tuesday, June 15 and ended on Sunday, June 20, 2021 with Father’s Day Thanksgiving Service, was Go Forward (Exodus 14:15) and the highly respected cleric spoke on “How to move forward in a confused, oppressive society.”

While commending US President Joe Biden for signing into law Juneteenth (June 19th) as a national Holiday to celebrate the end of slavery in America, which coincided with the date of the Joshua Conference 2021, the international policy expert acknowledged that black men are in a society structured to oppress them, a confused society that distorts the original design of God which is that man is created in the image of God, to thrive.

Rev. Green, who is also the leader of the Interfaith Action Movement (I AM), whose aim is “to address the spiritual, social and economic needs of under-served and marginalized communities,” said that black men of today are like Daniel and the Hebrew boys, under attack, in a society structured to oppress them.

He noted that the Hebrew boys were able to survive and thrive in the society they found themselves, first by knowing who they were. According to Rev. Green, knowing who you are comes from knowledge of ones history, what God had done in the past and what He can still do.

This knowledge, he said, would ensure that outside influences, actions or opinions of others would not influence your actions or directions. Knowledge of the history of what their God had done in the past (at the Red Sea with Moses, with Joshua, with David against Goliath, with Esther etc) emboldened the Hebrew boys to reject the King’s food and wine (Daniel 1:8) and dare Nebuchadnezzar and refuse to compromise their faith (Daniel 3: 16-18).

When you “know it, believe it and apply it,” what seemed unconquerable (like Goliath) will be conquered and what looked impossible will become possible, he stressed.

Rev. Green pointed out that the next factor is obedience, integrity or a sacrificial spirit, all of which would always please God and attract His attention. The Hebrew boys had integrity and a sacrificial spirit and they were obedient to the commandment of their God that they should have no other God besides the Almighty God.

They were ready to pay the ultimate price rather than compromise. They were like Esther who said “if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). The cleric warned against having a transactional relationship with God, stressing that it is best to please God unconditionally. According to him, the pleasures of this world are fleeting or temporary whereas there is no better pleasure than pleasing God, which would guarantee the blessings of God, including financial freedom and ability to overcome the challenges of life.

Rev. Green, an African American, also identified faith as a great spiritual weapon that gives access to the limitless supernatural power of God. He said that faith is like a fortress that shields the believer, stressing that the never failing power of God is always unleashed on behalf of the person of faith.

He insisted that for the black man to live and thrive in the confusing and oppressive system he finds himself, he must know who he is in Christ, he must be obedient and a person of integrity and he must have unwavering faith in the ability of God to do all things.

In her welcome charge at the Conference, the Senior Pastor of RCCG Dominion Cathedral, Pastor (Dr.) Toyin Laoye, assured the men that their advancement was non-negotiable, praying that God will empower them with the grace, knowledge and skills to go forward in the right direction.

She prayed that God will hold their hands and move them out of any sorrow, sickness, failure, sin or financial stress, and propel them forward into uncommon, unimaginable success, prosperity and divine health regardless of background or any past or present impediments.

Pastor Laoye, who is also a Special Assistant to the RCCG Continental Overseer, Americas, prayed that any cultural or foundational impediments must give way as God’s time to move the men forward had come, stressing that God will release revelations that would catapult the men from where they are presently to the more glorious place that He wants them to be.

At the grand finale of the Men of Valor Week 2021, which coincided with the Father’s Day celebration worldwide, the Host Senior Pastor, Pastor (Dr.) Laoye showered prayers on the men, one of the Ministers-in-Charge of the Fellowship, Deacon John Adeosun introduced the preacher for the Celebration Service, Brother Chijioke Icheku, the co-Minister-in-Charge of the Men’s Fellowship, Minister Glory Okoduwa co-ordinated the Men’s Choir very admirably while the President of the Fellowship, Elijah Martins enlightened the online and on site congregation on the the activities of the Fellowship.