Mountaintop Manna with Dr. Byron L. Benton Dr. Byron L. Benton

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects people from all walks of life. It doesn't discriminate based on gender, age, race, or socioeconomic status. This episode sheds light on this often-hidden epidemic, hoping to break the silence and provide support for those who may be enduring it.

Guests' Biographical Sketches:

Tosha Connors
Tosha has been leading MSH for almost seven years. She previously spent over 10 years leading major fundraising efforts and strategic initiatives, managing staff and volunteers, and working with boards of directors. She is a South Carolina native and lives here with her husband and three kids.

Sonja Pinckney Rhodes
Min. Sonja Pinckney Rhodes is a native Charlestonian raised in the West Ashley area by her loving parents, the late Dea. Johnny Pinckney and Mary Pinckney. ]Sonja attended the public schools of Charleston County and in preparation for her career, earned her bachelor's degree in business management with a minor in human resources and a Master of Business Administration with a focus on human resource management. She is currently pursuing her Master of Theology degree from Palmer Theological Seminary/Eastern University.
Sonja is the proud mother of two sons, Jon Michael Pinckney, Sr., and Andre’ Christopher Rhodes. She also delights in her lovely daughter-in-law, Markita Flemons Pinckney, and her three beautiful grandchildren, whom she adores, Jon Michael, Jr., Ari Samiya, and Nia Malika Pinckney.
In June 2020, Sonja retired from the Medical University of South Carolina with nearly three decades of service, a life change where God has allowed her to focus on her purpose even more. She is an accomplished author with an international and three-time national number one best-selling books, From Pain to Purpose, Greater Works and The Purpose for the Pain. In addition, Sonja is the founder and CEO of JMPinckney Publishing Company, LLC, Vision Magazine and JMPinckney Scholarship Fund. 
Christan Antwan Rainey  
Christan Antwan Rainey is a Charleston native who serves as the Assistant Chief of Professional Development in the North Charleston Fire Department, where he has worked for eleven years. Through his career, he has won several awards such as Distinguished Service, Life Saving, Medical Citation, Chief Coin’s. He has received the Chief Fire Officer Designation by the Center of Public Safety Excellence held by only 1864 fire officers in the world. Christan is also the Public Information Officer for the North Charleston Fire Department.
 In addition to his professional accomplishments, Christan remains immensely engaged in the community as the Founder and CEO of M.A.D. USA, Inc. (Men Against Domestic Violence).  M.A.D. USA, Inc. As a result of tragically losing his mother and four siblings to domestic violence, he has become deeply committed to helping others recognize the indicators of domestic violence and increasing access resources for victims. He collaborates with school districts, businesses and other nonprofits to raise awareness about teen dating violence (6-12 grades), anti-bullying (k-5 grade), identifying healthy relationships, and establishing healthy gender roles. Through trainings and speaking engagements, Christan desires to use his nonprofit’s influence to eliminate domestic violence as an issue for future generations. 

In this episode, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of living out Christian values as teenagers in today's world. Sex, drugs, alcohol, and peer pressure are all discussed as our guests transparently discuss their experiences and faith journeys.

Bios: 

Mya Withers is a freshman at the University of South Carolina. Mya has participated in many activities in school such as National Honor Society, Powderpuff, International Club, Club Joy, Student Council and many more clubs. She was voted Prom Queen her senior year of high school and maintained 4.3 gpa throughout high school. She graduated in the top 30% of her class. Mya has been attending church her whole life and has participated in the youth choir, praise dance, oratorical, & Girl Scouts and many others.

Addison Clark is the daughter of Ray and Genesis Clark. She has a lovely sister, Chloé Clark. She is a Junior at Goose Creek High School. Addison enjoys being involved in several activities and organizations. She is an active member of  the National Honor Society, Renaissance Club, Berkeley County School of the Arts, GCH dance team, and JROTC. Additionally, she loves Christ and participates in several ministries, including  Girl Scouts, Praise Dance, Oratorical, and the Youth Ministry. Her hobbies consist of dancing, music, devotion, traveling, and quality time with friends and family. 

Joshua Tolbert is a senior at The Citadel majoring in computer engineering. He serves in the audio-visual/media ministry, young adult ministry, boy scout ministry, oratorical ministry, and drama ministry. 

In this powerful and transformative episode of Mountaintop Manna entitled "Money Talks: Telling The Truth About Finances," we delve deep into the labyrinth of personal finances, guiding the listeners on a journey to confront their financial realities and take charge of their financial future. Our guest is renowned financial expert, Dorothea Bernique, this episode aims to equip individuals with the tools and mindset needed to face the truth about their financial situations, while infusing a strong message of hope and empowerment.

Dorothea Bernique Biography
Dorothea is the founder and Executive Director of Increasing H.O.P.E. In this role, Dorothea wears many hats. Not only does she lead her administrative team with vision and tireless effort, Dorothea provides financial counseling and money management instruction to clients; researches and writes grants; speaks on financial literacy at businesses, schools, and non-profits in the greater Charleston community.
In addition, Dorothea has developed and implemented bold strategies for expanding the scope of the agency’s financial training programs. Under her leadership, Increasing H.O.P.E. has grown to include a small business incubator and a minority entrepreneur support center. In 2020, the organization partnered with a cadre of sister nonprofits to create The Opportunity Center, a newly remodeled building in North Charleston dedicated to fostering economic prosperity in households with low and modest incomes.
Dorothea is passionate about helping people establish a better quality of life through gaining financial know-how. An Accredited Financial Counselor, Dorothea has been affectionately called a “financial guru”; since 2003, she and the agency have trained thousands of individuals in the Lowcountry to effectively manage their money. Prior to founding Increasing H.O.P.E., Dorothea worked in the world of finance in a variety of ways, including as a budget counselor/coach and as an independent representative in Financial Services. She has professional training in the insurance, mortgage, and investment fields. In addition to being an AFC, Dorothea is a licensed Housing and Credit Counselor. 
Dorothea is the author of Kingdom Conscious Money Management, a faith-based plan for personal finances, and a recipient of the Community Service and Leadership Award.  Dorothea was a recipient or the 2021 SC Woman in Business Award in the nonprofit category.  Dorothea is grateful to be 1 of 50 selected out of more than 800 applicants nationwide and the only SC awardee of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Impact Grant recipient.  The initiative, One Million Black Women, is named for and guided by the goal of impacting the lives of at least one million Black women by 2030.   In addition, she is a veteran of the U.S. Airforce.   Dorothea and her husband, Christopher, have been married for 41 years and live in Summerville, S.C.; they have two grown children, as well as four grandchildren.

https://increasinghope.org/

In honor of Father’s Day weekend, this episode focuses on fatherhood and the trials and tribulations to African-American fathers in 2023. Three fathers share intimate and personal stories of joy, pain, and overcoming the complexities of fatherhood.

Guest:
Deacon Thomas Withers
Deacon Charles Francis

Sources:
www.unitedadvocacygroup.org/blog/the-importance-of-having-a-mentor-as-an-at-risk-youth
www.fathers.com/the-extent-of-fatherlessness/
www.thefatherlessgeneration.wordpress.com/statistics/

This episode biblically defines the role of money; explores how we can break the chains of unhealthy debt and become empowered by God to be excellent financial stewards. Biblical and practical steps are given to show that there is hope for every financial situation.

Matthew 6:19 (NKJ)
The Real
We are living with the dangerous problem of belonging to a system that was designed to keep us oppressed. This system makes sure we are always the borrower and never the lender. Someone has their foot against the scale and are stacking the deck against you because the system is designed to make sure the rich get richer at the expense and exploitation of those who have the least. We have a massive debt problem in America and its harmfully affecting our households, churches, and communities.

The Climb
Special Guest: Ms. Dorothea Bernique
Increasing H.O.P.E Financial Training Center

Dorothea is the founder and Executive Director of Increasing H.O.P.E (Helping Others Prosper Economically) Financial Training Center.   As an Accredited Financial Counselor Dorothea has been affectionately called a “financial guru”, as she and the agency have trained individuals in the Lowcountry to effectively manage their monies, so they may have more choices in life decisions – which, she says, is the beginning of financial freedom. 
Increasing H.O.P.E. developed from a vision to help people that struggled with their finances. The mission of Increasing H.O.P.E is to create financial freedom and stability for families in South Carolina by building assets through financial education, training and community development.  Increasing H.O.P.E’s Financial Training Center operates as a one-stop educational resource, providing integrated services to help low- to moderate-income families and individuals to achieve financial stability and build assets. With 14 years of proud community service, Increasing H.O.P.E. has held 303 classes, taught 3213 individuals financial education, prepared 2023 tax returns, assisted with 312 foreclosure bailouts, helped create 20 homeowners, and completed the renovation of our second affordable housing property in 2017. Increasing H.O.P.E.’s total impact equates to over $9 million impact for the community and region.

The Takeaway
There is hope for every financial situation.
There are tools to help you climb your mountain.
Discipleship requires discipline.

Sources: 
https://time.com/5662626/student-loans-repayment/
https://prosperitynow.org/blog/what-weve-learned-about-debt-black-communities
https://www.povertyusa.org/facts
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education-postsecondary/reports/2018/05/23/451186/neglected-college-race-gap-racial-disparities-among-college-completers/

Sponsors:
www.micahthomascreative.com
Mad Max Music @tmarsh799
www.mythreesonsofcharleston.com

This episode discusses the various biblical passages that show the importance of mountaintop experiences. These texts express the spiritual inspiration behind the name mountaintop manna and provide the structure for future episodes. 

Noah, Mt. Ararat (Genesis 8)
Abraham, Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22)
Moses, Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19)
Moses, Mt. Pisgah/Mt. Nebo (Deuteronomy 34)
Jesus, Mt. Hermon/Mt. Tabor (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36, 2 Peter 1:16–18)
Jesus, Mt. Olivet (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42)


Sponsors:
www.micahthomascreative.com
Mad Max Music @tmarsh799
www.mythreesonsofcharleston.com