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Open Letter

10/7/2018

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October 7, 2018
Open Letter by
Pastor Deanna M. Stokes, Ed.D.
This is an open letter to all those insensitive people who call themselves Christians.
For those who know me, I am NOT a political person. I actually hate (strong word, but
appropriate) politics at all levels. But, over the last week I have listened to women weep and
recount their stories, some over 30 years ago, of abuse, violence, rape, sexual assault, you
name it. It has been difficult for me as a follow of Jesus, Pastor, and woman who has survived
abuse to sit by, say nothing, and not feel for these and other women. This letter is NOT about
Mr. Kavanaugh or Dr. Ford or the confirmation hearings. It is about the women who had
thought they had let go of the abuse they suffered long ago, only to find themselves sitting in
front of the television set reliving it all over again. Maybe it is difficult for some to empathize
with victims. Maybe if you were never abused, molested, or sexually assaulted, it is difficult to
understand. This is why women marched, the Yale students had a sit-in…why people kneel,
stand, or whatever, to get everyone’s attention about injustice. Why can’t you understand?
Why? Can you see it from the perspective of your sister, daughter, wife, mother, aunt,
grandmother, friend who was assaulted some 30 years ago? Why can’t you be empathetic and
try (as difficult as it might be) to put yourself in their shoes? A little discomfort is what we need
if we are truly Christ followers! Ah, this is why women are silent. Because of the way you have
acted in this situation. She didn’t want to or think it was worth more pain to see you act this
way and cause even greater pain than her abuser caused. We, the abused, don’t want to deal
with your attitude, lack of support, or emotions over something we went through and you fail
to understand.
One should not gloat over these confirmation hearings. I am asking you to be more considerate
and more empathetic to the effect that this hearing has had on women in our society. I believe
Jesus is empathetic. I believe Jesus cares about Mr. Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford. I believe Jesus
cares about all of us girls who have been violated, and I believe Jesus cares about you as an
unsympathetic Christ follower. I am an eternal optimist and believe that we can all come
together and be reconciled, and redemption happen at the table of love. This is a time for us to
love not to hate or alienate. I read a comment from a certain man who questioned the evidence
in the FBI investigation of Mr. Kavanaugh…ranting, “where is the evidence? He should not be
convicted without evidence.” I’m ok with that! One should not be convicted without evidence.
One should be innocent until proven guilty. Maybe there was not enough evidence, and maybe
the FBI didn’t find enough to move forward. But, my argument is why don’t you stand up for
injustice for ALL people? Why not speak loudly for Black and Brown men who have been
accused of things they did not do or have been convicted in the media before proven guilty. In
America, we pass judgment before there is a trial. Why not rant and cry out about that? Can
you stand up for those Black and Brown men, and all women, the way you did for Mr.
Kavanaugh?
As I close this letter, I want to remind us that we live in a system that was created long ago for
the degradation of Black people and women for that matter. In order to break the system, it
takes the people who caused the system to be so, White men. I leave you with this thought
from a powerful movie: A Time to Kill. The lawyer Jake, a White man (played by Matthew
McConaughey) defends a Black man, Carl Lee (played by Samuel L. Jackson), for killing the two
White boys who raped his 12 year-old daughter Tonya. There are scenes of violence and racism
that will tear your heart apart. But, in Jake’s closing argument, he asks the jury to close their
eyes and imagine something. I ask you to do the same while reading as I paraphrase that
powerful scene. A 12-year old girl is coming home from the grocery store carrying groceries for
the family when all of a sudden two grown men attack her. They tie her to the back of their
pickup truck and drag her along. They stop and unhook her and begin to rape her, one at a
time. They use her head as target practice as they toss their beer cans against it. Their sweat
and semen is all over her. Can you see it? Can you see her torn body and her torn up womb?
Can you see it? Now imagine she is WHITE!
​

This is for all the little girls, White, Black, Brown, and women who have ever been abused. If it
takes you to see them in your color, then do so, but DO NOT IGNORE US ANY LONGER!
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peru november 2017

11/8/2017

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Our trip to Peru November 2-6, 2017. Enjoy the pics!
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New releases

6/1/2017

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I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEWEST BOOKS.
Break The Box: A Message of Hope and Inspiration Volumes One and Two. By clicking on the pictures below, it will take you to the Amazon.com page where you can purchase your copies today. I so appreciate all of the prayers and financial support over the years, and this is just one more venture to spread the word that Christ loves everyone regardless of color, issue, sin, shame, guilt, or what we think about ourselves. Please take a look and purchase your copies today. Thank you again for your support with this project. The Lord bless and keep you!


For a detailed schedule visit: http://www.deestokes.org/itinerary.htm


Your tax-deductible donations help maintain the ministry and build the Kingdom by sowing into fertile soil. We are praying for monthly partners at any level.  Please prayerfully consider partnering with us through prayer and financially. You can donate via the website at www.deestokes.org or by clicking the DONATE button above, or sending checks made payable to Dee Stokes Ministries to 608 National Hwy, Thomasville, NC 27360. Thank you and God bless you and your home!
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peru & colombia 2017

3/12/2017

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I am back from Peru and Colombia and it was one of the best missions trips I have ever taken. I was the only team member who had a meeting everyday from Saturday March 4 to Saturday March 11, and it was AWESOME! Please check out the pics below. We arrived in Lima, Peru at about 4 or 5pm Saturday the 4th and I was asked if I wanted to go speak to a youth group. I said yes and this was a new group that began with about 15 young men who play soccer, but it has grown to 40+ and the parents hang around also to hear the Gospel. Sunday morning I preached at an Every Nation church there in Peru and about 15 people got saved. I preached on warfare-"Warfare is for your Welfare!" Sunday night I was supposed to preach at a church in a very poor part of Peru, but the translator did not show up. Oops!!! So, I had them pray over my swollen ankles (that are no longer swollen), and then I began to pray in tongues and prophesy in English over them individually. The Lord showed up and it was AMAZING! The key is not so much in the words we say, but in our spirits connecting to the spirits of the people. When we get out of the way and allow God to do as He wishes, miracles, signs, and wonders happen. Monday night I went back to the same church to celebrate their 17th anniversary and preached on Abraham and Isaac. Tuesday we met with a judicial government official and I got to have dinner with some friends at one of my fave places-Don Pizza. Yummy!! Wednesday, we flew out to Bogota Colombia and as soon as we arrived, we had a meeting at a university. Thursday was a full day as I spoke in the morning to business leaders, attended a soccer practice with a team member who trained them, and spoke at a university to faculty, students, and staff that night about intentional leadership and team building. Friday I shopped 'til I dropped in the afternoon, then preached at La Casa church that night from Daniel 6. About 7 people got saved that night. Saturday morning I spoke to a group of about 150 church leaders on The Kingdom and discipleship before heading to the airport. We made an impact in South America again and I am so thankful to The Lord for His faithfulness, protection, Spirit, and for connections. Lastly, I met an amazing woman named Sabrina. She is a woman after God's own heart. She translated for me twice, and on Friday night, The Lord had a word for her. As we cried together, our spirits were connected and I look forward to doing ministry with this woman who loves God as much or more than I do. Thank You Jesus!!
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asia 2016

11/25/2016

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The Philippines was awesome!  We had a wonderful time!  We are so thankful to God for His grace, mercy, protection, power, anointing, and safety.  As we returned to the States, we are feeling healthy, strong, and NOT tired at all!  God is faithful.  Please take a look at the many pictures below of the trip.  Jesus Stream of Blessing Church welcomed us with open arms and we were the first missionaries to visit their church.  Wow!  God had something in store for them...we are so grateful.  Thank you for your support of this ministry!
Dee Stokes Ministries
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the soaring remnant

6/27/2016

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I was approached by a radio show host to host my own show several weeks ago.  I contemplated it, asked God about it, and decided it would be a good thing.  I will do it one day a month beginning October 20, 2016.  Well, once I made the commitment, I began to plan. Each month the show will be based around a theme.  I intend to have two guests per show so that they can give a word and highlight their ministries.  I am connecting people to people in an effort to connect ALL people to God.  I like to see people win, so instead of having a show that is all about "ME," I have decided to focus it on other people.  We all know that only what we do for Christ will last and what we do for others, He will do for us!  Once I was rolling with ideas and scheduling folks (I did 3 months worth of scheduling in one night), I finally sat down and asked again what the name of the show was.  The Apostle who is the visionary for the show kept telling me, it is yours, do with it what you want, but Father has explicitly said the name of the show will be "The Soaring Remnant."  It did not dawn on me until this weekend that I do workshops all over the world and I use the term "Soaring" in the title of one of my most popular workshops about Cultural Intelligence.  Well, there you have it...this show must be just for me to host and watch God have His way!  Please join us October 20 (Pastors Appreciation Month) for the debut of The Soaring Remnant!  The Lord bless and keep you!
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#Prayfororlando

6/15/2016

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Since I once lived in Orlando, I thought I would write something regarding the tragic events of Sunday June 12, 2016.  I am more than heartbroken over the lives lost in that night club shooting.  Senseless is the word that comes to my mind.  Hateful and unjust!  We have no right to determine who lives or dies.  God is the righteous one who will judge us all!  I am so sorry for the families of those precious souls that died.  I am praying for you.  I am praying also that the ones who were injured will survive and that this event will work for their good.  Thank you Orlando for stepping up and coming together to support those who need supporting right now.  I pray the Body of Christ steps up in these times to proclaim the love of Jesus.  Young and old died in that shooting.  Tomorrow is not promised to us, so we better live each day like it is our last.  Please pray for Orlando!

Dee Stokes Ministries, Inc.
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Peru Again march 2016

3/31/2016

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 What a wonderful time we had in Peru!  Revival has hit Peru!  The Lord was so gracious to us.  Thanks to all who prayed and partnered with me financially to make this trip a success.  You are the BEST!  We will need to do it again real soon.  Here are some highlights and pictures of the trip.  The Lord bless and keep you.

Day 1
The Connection Conference started on Thursday March 24.  What was interesting about this conference is that our vision/theme at our church, Light of the World Christian Tabernacle in Stockbridge, GA is Commit 2 Connect: People to People and People to God.  I had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the naming of the conference in Peru.  Holy Spirit did it all.  I spoke that night at 8pm on worship. The people were very receptive and it was a good night.  And, did I tell you that Peruvian food may be the best in the world!
Day 2 Friday March 25
This was a very full day.  I taught a class during the day on how to do a close reading of the Bible and I taught it using all four Gospel accounts of the feeding of the 5,000.  This was also the night when the Glory of the Lord fell in the place during worship.  I started laying hands on people before I preached.  That is rare!  I preached on Holy Spirit and we think over 20 people were baptized in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.  Praise God for His faithfulness towards me and Peru!
Day 3 and 4 Saturday and Sunday March 26 & 27
Saturday was another powerful experience in God...the Glory fell again and the people were laid all over the place.  If you notice in one pic, they are sitting on the floor while I am preaching because I told them to just stay where they were and don't interrupt what God was doing in their hearts.  Not church as usual and I love it that way!  This was the night when God spoke through one of the brothers in the congregation.  I preached that night after a couple did a great presentation on holiness.  Holiness IS right.  After service that night, a young man whom I had met the day before asked if he could speak with me.  He told me, "I believe in Jesus Christ!"  That was music to my ears.  Praise God! Then, Resurrection Sunday morning I preached for the last time before returning home.  Both Saturday night and Sunday morning's messages were about working in the Kingdom.  Getting into the game and a call for workers!  Bless you and thank you again for your support!

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your child's education

3/7/2016

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Please read the op-ed I wrote for Christian Post about ALL of us getting involved with educating children!  Bless you!

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE
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peru 2015

12/8/2015

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Please enjoy these photos from our Peru 2015 missions trip.

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    Dr. Dee Stokes welcomes you to her website blog.  One of the joys of her life is discipling coaches.  These blogs are meant to keep you up to date on what is going on in the ministry. Please subscribe to the blog's RSS Feed and receive blog posts as they are published!

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