God's call to believers 'too legit to quit,'
Preaching with Power presenter says

Janet Jenkins Sturdivant preaching: "God is particular about what you do with his anointing…"

PHILADELPHIA (March 19, 2003) -- As the prophet Jeremiah was anointed by God to a particular life role, so are today's believers in Jesus Christ, a Preaching with Power presenter told the LTSP community today.

"The same thing happens with us," the Rev. Janet Jenkins Sturdivant told members of the LTSP community in chapel March 19. "God told Jeremiah I knew you before you were even formed. Each of us has a destiny place that God is calling us to get to. God called Jeremiah without his permission. That call had a cost to Jeremiah and it will cost you. Every call has a cross."

In Jeremiah's case when the prophet communicated the word of God, "there was no love offering. If Jeremiah were preaching today there would be no flyers and not as many here in church," the animated Jenkins said passionately. "He became fed up. He told God that people weren't respecting him, that he was tired. He wanted to quit and go back where he came from." But Sturdivant said God let Jeremiah know "that I am with you," and Jeremiah came to understand "that he couldn't quit. The call was too legit to quit.

The Intermezzo Choir under the direction of Verolga Nix has performed at 20 Preaching with Power services.

"It's not about you and me," she said. "It's about Jesus. People may reject you, but you are not working for them. God is the one who called you. God legitimizes your call even though we don't always act and believe like we know it. We have all been anointed to give God honor, glory and praise. Don't ever think God wastes his anointing. God keeps track of where the power goes. God is particular about what you do with that anointing. The God you and I serve is too legit to quit."

Krey, left, pays tribute to Sturdivant, center at right. With her from left are UTI alum the Rev. Shirley Pritchett Hilton, and UTI seminarians Gloria Walker and Curtis Haynes.

Sturdivant was the fifth presenter in this year's 21^st annual Preaching with Power series. At the conclusion of the service she was honored by LTSP President Philip Krey for her devoted service as chair of the Urban Theological Institute Advisory Committee. Krey presented her a framed limited edition painting of the Krauth Memorial Library. In his remarks the president noted that during her years of service the UTI had grown as a program. In addition, the seminary has initiated plans for the Jeremiah A. Wright, Sr. Chair in African American Studies and the J.Q. Jackson Scholarship Fund, which benefits UTI seminarians. Sturdivant has recently begun a new part-time role as a recruiter for the UTI. The Rev. Dr. G. Daniel Jones of Grace Baptist Church in Germantown is the new chair of the advisory committee.

During the worship service Krey told the congregation that the scholarship program had received $12,000 so far during the series in gifts for the scholarship fund.