I am Marben Bland, Pastor of the Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church In Athens, Georgia with a living the word moment  Pain has a way of convincing us that the night will never end. Tears fall, hearts break, and...

The Real ID Act of 2005 is a federal law that sets security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Beginning May 7, a Real ID will be required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.

I am Marben Bland, pastor of the Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, has died at age 88. In high school the future pope demonstrated...

This Easter, Pastor Marben Bland reminds us that the tomb was empty, the stone was rolled away, and the Good News was first preached by women society tried to silence. In a time when injustice feels normal, God calls us to disrupt the usua...

Luke 23:32 tells us after Pilate had delivered Jesus to be crucified, he was led to a place called the Skull.  A great multitude watched as he was nailed to the cross it was there amidst his pain and suffering with criminals on his right a...

I am Marben Bland Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with a living the word moment. Fred Flintstone’s dusty, barefoot treks through Bedrock offer more than a laugh—they mirror life in Jesus’ time, when...

Jesus Is My Ride or Die Sermon # 28 2024-2025 Conference Year Delivered April 13, 2025 at Greater Bethel AME Church – Athens, Georgia Scripture Reference: John 12:12–19 (The Message)In this bold and time...

I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens Georgia with a living the Word moment. The term "ride or die" originally comes from biker culture, where it described someone who would ride with you no mat...

I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia with a living the Word Moment CBS News reports that President Trump has fired around 200,000 federal employees across more than a dozen agencies. While so...

This powerful Lenten message from Pastor Marben Bland, explores what it truly means to keep our eyes on the prize—not temporary success, but a deep, enduring relationship with Christ.🏀 From March Madness to spiritual endurance, ...

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."I am Marben Bland, Pastor of The Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.Life is full...

As we enter this 40-day journey of Lent, Ash Wednesday reminds us of the paradox of faith: when we give to God, we receive more than we could ever imagine. Jesus tells us, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, sh...

This weekend at the St. Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church Men's Retreat in Austin, Texas, Rev. Marben Bland, Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia, delivered a powerful message on the Transfiguration of Jesus<...

I am Marben Bland Pastor of the Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment A spiritual why is the deeper purpose that fuels our faith, keeping us aligned with God’s will even in moments of we...

In Pastor Marben Bland’s sermon “A Faith Worth Fighting For,” we’re challenged to actively defend our salvation—as 1 Timothy 6:12 urges us to “fight the good fight of faith.” Pastor Bland reminds us that faith isn’t passive—it demand...

I have reached the age where people my age are passing away. Since August 2024, four contemporaries who have gone home to be with the Lord.The thought of my own death does not trouble me, but the idea of leaving this world without bei...

I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a living the word moment  1 Timothy 6:12  reminds us to “Fight the good fight of the faithSalvation, like our American democracy, ...

What do you truly need to live a full and meaningful life? Is it family, success, health, or financial security? The truth is, all of these things are temporary. The only thing you REALLY need is God. 🙌Acts 17:28 reminds us...

This is  Marben Bland, Pastor of The Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with some wonderful news.  Greater Bethel has been named as the Sixth Episcopal District’s “Church of the Year” for 2024 by the Sixth E...

In this powerful sermon, from Pastor Marben Bland, the message is clear—white supremacy creates “boogeymen” to maintain its dominance. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) has been weaponized as a scapegoat for societal failures, when in real...

I loved the summer days of my youth. The long, sun-drenched days in the Georgia outback were filled with heat, adventure, and endless fun as I explored and expanded my world.That expansion came each summer when a kid from Chicago visited...

I am Marben Bland Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens With A Living The Word Moment President Trump, asserting without evidence that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies were a factor in the deadly midair collision betwee...

In Share The Dream - Session 2, faith leaders & community voices, including Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw, Senior Pastor, explored the role of conscience in faith, justice, and social Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw<...

Jesus assures us not to fear the loss of possessions because God, in His grace, has already given us the Kingdom. He calls us to trust in Him by living a life of generosity, selling surplus possessions, giving to the poor, and meeting our Bibli...

Rev. Dr. Allison Henderson-Brooks, Senior Pastor of the Historic Hill First Baptist Church, kicks off the first session of Share the Dream, a six-part Bible study webinar. Shining a light in a divided world through six principles of Re...