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Message AUGUST 2025NEWSLETTER
Bishop John W. Thomas, representing as Secretary General of the Shield ofFaith Fellowship of Churches, International. Bishop Thomas leads his team toAfrica from the USA to preach and teach Apostolic truths. On this missiontrip, over 1,000 were baptized in the name of Jesus. We celebrate theoutstanding leadership of Apostle Joseph Aigbe, Apostle Nixon, BishopMushota, and Bishop Furhaha Wakabenga, as well as many faithful pastors,ministers, and lay supporters who contributed to the success of thismonumental, life-changing event. NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 2SHIELD OF FAITH FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES, INTERNATIONALAUGUST NEWSLETTER 2025Shield of Faith Fellowship Africa Missions 2025
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 3Shield of Faith Fellowship of Churches, Africa
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 4Shield of Faith Fellowship of Churches, AfricaInterview with Bishop John Wesley ThomasTriumphant Return from Africaby Bishop Charles DorseyME: Bishop Thomas, welcome back! How does it feel to return home afteryour evangelistic journey through Africa?Bishop Thomas: I am glad to be home.ME: What inspired you to take this trip, and what was your primary mission inspreading the Apostolic truth across Africa?Bishop Thomas: I love Africa. This isn’t my first time traveling there. I’ve been several times. I’ve made many friends who are still faithfully serving the Lord,and every trip deepens that connection. My mission remains the same: tostrengthen the believers and spread the Apostolic truth.ME: Can you tell us about a moment that stands out as somethingunforgettable, showing how God is moving in Africa?
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 5Interview with Bishop John Wesley Thomas (cont.)Bishop Thomas: Bishop Dorsey, there are so many! (laughs) First of all, when Ifirst arrived, the hospitality was unbelievable. As we were traveling to thehotel, traffic came to a complete stop. I asked the driver if there had been anaccident. He said, “No, Bishop, these people are here to welcome you!”Hundreds and hundreds of people! I was waving out the window as if I werethe king or even the pope! (laughs). Huge bouquet of flowers!! ME: Wow.Bishop Thomas: Another moment that humbled me deeply, they elected tobuild a building in my name. Imagine that! A building named after BishopJohn Wesley Thomas. I was both proud and shocked at the same time.Here’s the picture of the plaque already in place.ME: What were some of the challenges you faced on this journey, and howdid the Lord help you overcome them?Bishop Thomas: Well, we were ministering in areas far away from the mostmodern, prosperous parts of the cities. The roads weren’t developed, sotravel was slow and difficult. But God gave us strength, and we made it toevery service.ME: I believe Shield of Faith is making a mark in reaching souls in the world,especially in such trying times. What would you say to the church here inthe USA about the importance of standing and supporting missions?
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 6Interview with Bishop John Wesley Thomas (cont.)Bishop Thomas: I’m not sure how many more trips I’ll have, or even ApostleHenry Alexander. That’s why we must continue to pray, train, prepare, anddevelop younger leaders to carry the mantle. We must apply Matthew 28:19not just in theory, but in practice by going to Africa, Pakistan, Europe, and tothe uttermost parts of the world.ME: Bishop Thomas, personally speaking, the most souls I have ever baptizedat one outing was nine, and I was humbled and thankful to serve. How was itfor you, baptizing over a thousand souls?Bishop Thomas: Before I answer that, let me share another powerfulmoment. At one particular service, they paused to remember and honor Dr.Marty Alexander for her love and commitment to Africa. That touched medeeply. I became very emotional seeing the sincerity and gratitude of thepeople, as well as the impact she made there.ME: We do miss her. Thank you for sharing that personal moment.ME: Go ahead and finish your thought. Bishop Thomas: We had some Bishops who had not been baptized in Jesus’name and their families. So, as we began, hundreds began to believe andswarm, their minds made up. It was Acts 2:37-38 right before our eyes. ME: Finally, Bishop, if you could leave us with one message from your heartafter this trip to Africa, what would it be?Bishop Thomas: For five days straight, thousands and thousands came outto the Shield of Faith Africa Convention 2025! It was breathtaking to witnesstheir hunger for the Lord. From 9:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night,people stood—without chairs—listening to the Word and receiving the Word.That’s the kind of passion and faith that inspires me to keep going.ME: Bishop John Thomas, thank you for your faithfulness to God. We prayand believe God to continue to bless you and 1 Lady Thomas in Jesus’mighty name. st
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 7BOOK OF THE MONTHLife’s Interruptions is a book aimed at individuals facing life’s unexpectedchallenges, whether financial struggles, family issues, confusion aboutdecisions, or feelings of frustration when life derails. The core message helpsreaders shift their perspective on difficulties, seeing them not as mereobstacles but as purposeful moments. Encourages clarity in how oneresponds to failures, successes, blessings, and negative circumstances,using them as catalysts to align with one’s destiny. The goal is to inspirereaders to live “life with purpose on purpose.” Life’s Interruptions by Dr.Ronald Thomas is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 8by Mindy CarlsonKeep Calm and Carry OnFor a majority of children, the first day of school is filled with excitement andanxiety. Often, they are also nervous. And this is totally normal. Whether thisis their first day ever in a school setting, or they are switching schools, or justmoving up a grade in their old school, the first day has a lot of unknownelements. New classroom. New friends. New teacher. New subjects. Newexpectations. However, I can tell you that very often, the parents I see are farmore nervous than the children. They are jittery and uncertain. Some ofthem practically vibrate with anxiety. They don’t know what to do, where togo, or when to leave. In the case of preschoolers, sometimes parents don’tknow even if they should leave. I always recommend that parents practicesome self-care before the start of the school year. Meditate. Get a goodnight of sleep. Take deep breaths. Repeat to yourself, “This will all be okay.”And feel free to have a good cry in the car. And while we are talking aboutcrying, yes, some kids will cry that first day – no matter how old they are.And little ones may continue to cry the second, third, or the fifteenth day.But they do stop crying. Often, within 5 minutes of when you leave. Butplease know that we, their teachers, stem those tears and help them makefriends in their class. And in no time, your child will be racing into theirclassroom without even looking back at you.Which brings me to Point #2…
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 9Five Things Every Parent Should Know (cont.)Your Teacher is Going to Love Your ChildReally. We are going to absolutely adore your little boy and girl. There isnothing that I and my teachers want more for your child than to be happyand feel loved and safe and to develop a love of learning. I have found thistrue of almost every teacher I have encountered. They want your child tolearn and to love learning. They want to know your child and see themblossom into wonderful people. It’s why they went into teaching in the firstplace. Believing in the teacher’s positive regard for your child will help you asa parent to step back and let your child develop their own relationship withtheir teacher. In an article on PBS.org, counselor Linda Lendman says, “This isone of the first relationships with an adult your child may have outside thefamily unit. If you take a back seat and let the relationship develop withoutmuch interference, a special bond may develop.” Year after year, developingthis unique bond with each new teacher, teaches them about buildingrelationships with other adults. It tells them what a positive adult-childrelationship should be. It shows them that it’s not just their parents who willbe there to guide and care for them.Write a StoryOne thing I tell all my new parents at the preschool is to help your child writea positive story about their first day at school. I’m not talking about sittingdown and physically writing a story about a little boy or little girl who is goingto school. This kind of story is written by cozying up to them at bedtime or inthe morning and having quiet, wandering talks with them. It helps if theyhave met their teacher or visited the school during orientation. From thetime my boys started pre-school till today, I lay down with my boys beforethe first day of school and remind them about how nice their new teacherseemed. I talk to them about the nice things they saw. They tell meeverything they are looking forward to during the new year. This will work notonly for preschoolers and kindergarteners, but it also helps your brand newmiddle and high schoolers. Of course, your high schooler might not be willingto cuddle with you, but try taking a walk or going on a long drive with theminstead. I have the best conversations with my teen while we are out for awalk.
NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025SOFFC, Intl. Page 10Five Things Every Parent Should Know (cont.)Make Success a RoutineSuccessful people have a routine. Why? Because having a routine buildsgood habits and reduces the amount of energy needed to figure out what todo next. Lots of people find that having a morning and evening routinepropels them forward into having a good day. For kids, having a routine isdoubly important. A routine – knowing what comes next in their day – giveschildren a sense of safety. It encourages them to take charge and beindependent within those routines. It also reduces nagging from Mom andDad. Jimmy knows that when he gets out of bed he is to get dressed andthen go to the kitchen for breakfast. Even the 18-month-olds in mypreschool know that after snack they get their diapers changed or sit on thepotty and then change their shoes to go outside to play. So, no matter howold your kids are, start working on establishing those routines asap. The twomost horrifically difficult times in my house are bedtime and wake-up time. Ifound the easiest way to end all those morning battles is by having a routineestablished before the first day of school. A few days before the first day ofschool we start trying to head towards what will be their regular bedtimeand waking up time. They whine and complain and accuse us of being party-poopers, but when that first day of school comes around, getting them intoand out of bed is so much easier, which makes falling into the full schoolroutine with homework and after-school activities that much easier. Takingtime to establish a solid morning and after-school routine will save youoodles of time in the future. Wake up, dress, have breakfast, and brush yourteeth. Once it’s part of the routine, each task snowballs into the next. Have agreat school year!