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Meet Aaron Woods: The Audio Wizard Making Every Event Sound Like a Dream

If you’re planning a concert, wedding, corporate event, or even a Sunday church service, one thing is non-negotiable—crystal-clear sound. And that’s exactly where Aaron Woods, owner of 4Sure Sound, comes in. Based in Buffalo but always ready to travel, Aaron has built a reputation as the go-to guy for top-tier audio and video production. Whether it’s setting up concert-quality speakers, ensuring flawless DJ sound, or installing professional-grade church audio, he brings the magic that turns good events into unforgettable ones.

With years of experience and an ear for perfection, Aaron doesn’t just provide sound—he curates an entire listening experience. From indoor galas to outdoor festivals, his expertise ensures that every beat, lyric, and announcement reaches the audience with pitch-perfect clarity. Need a DJ who understands the vibe of the crowd? He’s got you. Setting up for a high-energy music festival? Consider it done. Looking for a church sound system that makes every sermon and song resonate? He’s your guy.

But it doesn’t stop there. 4Sure Sound also specializes in high-quality promo videos, so whether you're a brand looking to stand out or an artist wanting to showcase your talent, Aaron’s production team delivers visuals as sharp as his audio. His commitment? Professionalism, precision, and pure excellence—every single time.

So, if you need audio and video that hits just right, don’t settle for less. Contact Aaron Woods at 4Sure Sound and let him take your event, production, or project to the next level. Because when it comes to sound, he makes sure it’s 4Sure.  By: Kofi Quaye

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Faith, Family & 80 Years of Impact: Julius Groomes and White Rock Baptist Church

For 80 years, White Rock Missionary Baptist Church has been a pillar of faith in Buffalo, NY. Founded in 1945, the church has stood strong, moving to its current home at 480 East Utica Street in 1977. Now, under the leadership of Rev. Julius Groomes and First Lady Sister Felicia Groomes, White Rock is more than just a place of worship—it’s a beacon of hope, resilience, and community service. Their recent anniversary banquet celebrated not just history but a future rooted in faith and service.

Rev. Groomes is no stranger to the power of divine intervention. “This season of my life just feels different!” he shares. “I literally can feel and see the hand of God at work in my life.” His leadership has been marked by an unwavering belief in God's provision, a faith that continues to inspire his congregation. Alongside Sister Felicia Groomes, who plays a vital role in supporting ministry efforts, he has cultivated a space where faith meets action, and community needs are met with love and dedication.

At White Rock, the message is clear: trust in divine provision. Quoting Romans 8:32, Rev. Groomes reminds his congregation that if God did not withhold His own Son, then surely He will provide all things needed for those who believe. This belief isn’t just preached—it’s lived. Whether through outreach programs, youth mentorship, or simply offering a listening ear, the church stands as a living testimony to faith in action.

As White Rock Baptist Church moves into its next chapter, its mission remains unchanged: to uplift, empower, and serve. With Rev. Groomes at the helm and Sister Felicia by his side, the church continues to grow in spirit and impact. For Buffalo’s faithful, White Rock isn’t just a church—it’s home.        By: Kofi Quaye

"Same Jesus, Louder Echo: How the Gospel Keeps Evolving, Reaching Hearts in New Ways"

In the dusty streets of Jerusalem, it began with a whisper: “He is not here; He has risen.” That whisper turned into a roar. From the mouths of trembling women at the empty tomb to the bold proclamation of Peter at Pentecost, the Gospel—Jesus' life, death, and resurrection—ignited a movement that would forever shape the world.

Fast-forward two thousand years, and the message hasn't changed. But the way we carry it? Oh, how that’s evolved.

From Scrolls to Smartphones

What once traveled on foot and parchment now moves at the speed of a swipe. The Apostle Paul’s letters took weeks to arrive. Today, a single Instagram post sharing John 3:16 can reach millions in a moment. TikTok testimonies, YouTube sermons, Bible apps, and livestreamed worship—Jesus is showing up in newsfeeds and notifications.

And while some may scoff at the “digital Gospel,” people are meeting Jesus right where they are: in their bedrooms, scrolling late at night, one tap away from hope.

Songs of the Savior, Then and Now

Remember hymns sung in candlelit chapels? They haven’t disappeared—but now, gospel music has exploded into genres that would’ve had Martin Luther raising his eyebrows. Christian hip-hop, EDM worship nights, Afrobeats-inspired praise, and acoustic pop devotionals are drawing crowds from every culture, age, and background.

The beat changed. The message didn’t.

Voices on the Margins Rising

Perhaps one of the most beautiful evolutions is who is telling the Gospel story. No longer confined to pulpits or printed books, it’s now being preached by ex-gang members, single moms, baristas, influencers, recovering addicts, and everyday people who met Jesus in the mess and couldn’t keep it to themselves.

The Gospel is being reclaimed as a personal story, not just a preacher’s message—because Jesus never came just for the polished, but for the broken.

Not a Trend—A Truth

Let’s be clear: the Gospel isn’t evolving in content. Jesus is still the way, the truth, and the life. What’s changing is how His story travels, how it speaks the language of a new generation. And that’s not dilution—that’s divine strategy.

God isn’t intimidated by hashtags or high-speed internet. If anything, He’s using them.

So whether it’s shouted from a stage or whispered through a DM, the Gospel keeps going. Alive. Powerful. Unstoppable.

Same Jesus. New echoes. And the best part? You’re part of the story now, too.     By: Patricia Wideman

"When the Numbers Don't Add Up: Trusting God in a Shaky Economy"

Let’s be honest: 2025 has been rough.

Prices are up, savings are down, jobs feel unstable, and the headlines don’t exactly inspire confidence. For many, it feels like standing on a rug that keeps getting yanked out from under you. And in the middle of that chaos, there’s this quiet, challenging call: “Trust God.”

But how do you do that when your bank account is screaming panic?

Trust Isn’t Denial—It’s a Decision

Trusting God doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It’s not ignoring bills or pretending you’re not stressed when you’re lying awake at 2 a.m. wondering how to stretch what's left. Real trust acknowledges reality—and still chooses to believe that God is present in it.

In Proverbs 3:5-6, we’re told: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” Notice that part? “Lean not on your own understanding.” In other words, when things don’t make sense, that’s not a sign God’s gone silent. It’s a chance to lean deeper into Him.

God Has a Track Record

If you look back at Scripture—and probably your own life—you’ll see something wild: God tends to show up strongest when things look bleakest.

Manna in the wilderness. Oil that didn’t run out. A Savior born into poverty, not a palace. Our God doesn’t need a booming economy to provide. He’s not limited by inflation, interest rates, or your job status. He’s still Jehovah Jireh—the Lord who provides.

Practical Trust Looks Like…

Prayer before panic. It sounds simple, but it’s real. When the fear hits, take a breath and talk to God first—even before you check your account.

Community. This is not the time to isolate. Let people in. Whether it's sharing a meal, praying together, or just admitting you're struggling—God often works through people.

Generosity, even when it’s small. This one is hard. But even when you’re tight, choosing to give (time, money, encouragement) keeps your heart aligned with God’s economy—not the world’s.

Reminders over replays. Instead of replaying your fears, remind yourself what God has done. Write it down. Speak it out. Faith grows when we feed it.

You’re Not Forgotten

If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re barely holding it together—God sees you. He’s not waiting for you to “have it all figured out” to be faithful. He’s already in the mess with you, whispering, “I’ve got you.”

So no, we can’t predict what the market will do next. But we do know this: our security was never meant to be in a paycheck or a portfolio. It’s in a Savior who doesn't change—even when everything else does.

Hold on. He’s still working.      By: Patricia Wideman.

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Dr. Shenelle Gaston, MD: A Bronx Dream, A Nation’s Inspiration

From a five-year-old girl in the Bronx who dreamed of being a “baby doctor” to a trailblazing pediatrician with 27 years of service, Dr. Gaston’s story is proof that determination, faith, and compassion can change lives and inspire generations.

By Kofi Quaye, Editor & Publisher, mysteeknews.net and visionafricana.com 

When Dr. Shenelle Gaston was just five years old, she told her mother she wanted to be a “baby doctor.” In the Bronx, where tough neighborhoods often test young dreams, that might have sounded far-fetched. But her mother believed in her, enrolling her in science programs that fueled a fire already burning bright. That early support carried Dr. Gaston through the rigorous “Bridge to Medicine” program at City College, acceptance into the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, and eventually a guaranteed seat at Albany Medical College—proving that childhood dreams can, with determination, become destinies.

Breaking Barriers in Medicine

Dr. Gaston’s journey wasn’t easy. Medicine rarely is, and for a young Black woman in a field where less than 3% of U.S. physicians are Black, the climb was even steeper. Her residency at Montefiore Medical Center brought her back to the Bronx, a full-circle moment that grounded her work in service to the very community that shaped her. For the past 27 years, she has practiced pediatrics with quiet persistence. She describes her career not as a profession, but as “a career of service.”

A Doctor Who Truly Cares

In a world where doctors often feel distant, Dr. Gaston’s presence is the opposite—warm, steady, and rooted in compassion. Parents trust her, children adore her, and colleagues respect her. She doesn’t just diagnose; she listens. She doesn’t just treat; she teaches. Every check-up, every reassurance, every late-night phone call to worried parents is part of the legacy she’s building—one family at a time.

A Beacon for Generations to Come

Dr. Shenelle Gaston’s story is more than personal triumph; it’s a beacon. It reminds us that representation matters, that dreams are worth fighting for, and that excellence—especially from those who start with the odds stacked against them—can reshape what’s possible. She is proof that the Bronx can raise brilliance, that Black women belong at the highest levels of medicine, and that service, above all, is the true measure of success.

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Rev. Dr. Shanell E. Turpin: Breaking Barriers, Building Faith

By.Kofi Quaye, Editor and Publisher, mysteeknews.net and visionafricana.com 

Born into a family rooted in ministry, Rev. Dr. Shanell E. Turpin is the second of three daughters of The Rev. Dr. Richard D. Turpin, pastor emeritus, and The Rev. Suzette E. Turpin. Her walk with Christ began early at Bethany Baptist Church, where she was baptized under the late Rev. Richard I. Headley Sr. From youth choir to Sunday School, she grew up learning the rhythm of service. Later, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Robert L. Bradley Sr., she discovered her love for Christian education—a passion that would define her ministry and life’s work.

Answering the Call

In 2005, Rev. Turpin answered the call to preach, licensed under Second Missionary Baptist Church and formally ordained in 2012. She poured herself into leadership at Second Baptist, serving as Sunday School superintendent, director of Christian education, and media communications lead, among other roles. Her journey was marked by perseverance—an unexpected diagnosis of multiple sclerosis interrupted her education, but faith fueled her resilience. Determined to continue, she earned multiple degrees and certificates, including a Doctor of Theology, a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling, and a Master of Theology. Her academic journey stretched from community college to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with advanced studies at Harvard and Oxford—an extraordinary testament to discipline and faith.

Ministry Beyond the Pulpit

Rev. Dr. Turpin’s calling extends far beyond church walls. She has served as chaplain at nursing homes, correctional facilities, and rescue missions, as well as president of the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association Young People’s Department. She just completed the presidency of Christian Education and is president of the Association’s Congress of Christian Education and vice president of Area 4 for the Empire Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education. A proud member of the Pershing Angels Sorority, her influence blends faith, education, and community activism, touching lives across generations and institutions.

A Historic First

In October 2022, Rev. Dr. Turpin was elected pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church, making history as the first female pastor in the church’s 134-year existence. Her leadership reflects her parents’ legacy, her sisters’ support, and even her beloved shih tzu terrier, Susie. Her beloved terrier died on June 19. But more than personal triumph, her story is one of divine appointment. As her church proclaims, she is “a gifted Woman of God” who sought to preach, teach, and inspire globally. Living proof that “God has the last say,” Rev. Dr. Shanell E. Turpin embodies the power of perseverance, faith, and service—an indelible example for this generation and the next.