Chenaniah Ministries

09/19/2024

FB family and friends, please, lift Apostle Melessa up in prayer, this morning,as she has colon surgery. We believe the report of the Lord! 🙏🏾🙏🏾

07/08/2024

On June 5. 2020, I had a dream about my friend, and I shared it with her:

“Bernadette and I received a special invitation, to a special Anointing Service. You were being anointed, by your pastor and his wife. In the dream, their names weren’t revealed; but, it was evident, that they were pastors who knew you very well, knew your life's contribution, and respected your ministry.

When we arrived at the church, everyone was so friendly...as though we were known, and were simply returning. And we felt that same kindredness...as though we were at home. We were seated up front, on the right hand side of the middle aisle...second row...right behind the pastor and his wife. You were seated to their right, and dressed in the most beautiful white dress, with a swing coat with what looked like white diamonds embedded in it. We hugged them, we hugged you, and joined everyone greeting one another. Worship started out of the fellowship! This is what I mean!:

The fellowship was so pure, and the greetings and embraces were so deliberate and so loving, that it was like a “song” of worship! Not breaking the "flow", the pastor took the pulpit and welcomed the people. Then he turned to the Worship Leader, and nodded, and the worship leader took us straight "there" (straight into the presence of God)!

Then, out of the worship, the pastor called up his wife, and then called you up, and began to anoint you, and celebrate your life’s work and your life’s worth. 🎶What A Time! What A Time! What A Time!🎶 This was a holy moment, and once again, we all were "captured", by HIS presence! I woke up, still caught up in the glory!”❤️

I didn’t realize, then, that the grand celebration would, indeed, be the celebration of my friend’s life…at her home-going! But, it was grand! It was grand, indeed; a two day event!

I wasn’t able to attend, because of an urgent matter; so, I wrote this resolution, in memory of her, and watched with thousands, online.

At her Life Celebration, my resolution was acknowledged, but not read; so, I wanted to share the full resolution with you, Facebook family…for one whose life was…well, you’ll see!

To all of the celebration, honors, and hoopla, Pat would have humbly uttered (in her soft, yet dramatic voice), “Oh my! All this…for me?!?🤭

I realize my posting is late, but processing a “true” friend’s life, takes time…

*** Resolution for my friend, Patricia Elaine Grigsby 12/6/1954 - 6/14/2024 ***

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The given name, Patricia, means noble, unbending. (Virtue in the above scripture means conformity (or agreement) to a standard of right, or moral character…unwavering …unbending!) Pat (as I lovingly called her!) NEVER wavered in her standard of Holiness! To get her to venture from it, would remain a “hard” NO! She had paid too high a price, to live holy; yet, this was her reasonable service!

The name Patricia also conveys a sense of elegance, strength, and leadership. We all know that Pat loved to “represent” well. She was always…ALWAYS impeccably dressed, from head to toe! And she was definitely a leader, forging many new pathways…new trails…gaining new territories, for her God.

The given middle name, Elaine, means sun-ray, bright, shining light; and friendly and congenial. It also means God has answered my prayer. Elaine had both a friendly and congenial personality. Resolute that God answered prayer, her light shined brightly; and her desire was to always live peaceably and harmoniously with everyone.

The surname, Grigsby, means to be awake and watchful. In other words, it means to be a watchman or guard. Pat was a guard in the House of God, making sure it remained holy and untainted. “For without holiness…” you know the rest.

Pat and I met in 1994. I always greeted my friend as Pat Grigsby, with a “G”; and I was Melessa Brown, without the “E”. We would always laugh about this for a long time, before beginning our NEVER ending conversation; for we would simply pause, and then continue from that point, in our next conversation.

Pat & I had walked similar paths: We had both grown up, singing in church choirs. We were worship leaders. We had battled similar illnesses. We shared our journey, our joys, our sorrows, and our victories. Pat was a trustworthy confident! We shared our love for God and his church; and we held one another accountable for the great “grace-gifts” that had been given us. We understood Proverbs 27:17…”Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Some people spoke in tongues; but, Pat and I spoke in hymns! Always encouraging one another, she would often text, or call and say something like, “Melessa, ‘I serve a great Savior, I do. Don’t you? I live by his favor, I do. Don’t you? For grace, I implore him. I worship before him. I love, and adore him. I do. Don’t you?’”

I would respond, in like manner, with something like, “Pat, ‘I want him to use me, I do. Don’t you? For service to choose me, I do. Don’t you? I want him to bless me. To own and confess me. Completely possess me! I do. Don’t you?’”

She might call up another hymn, “‘Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him. How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. Oh for grace, to trust him more’”

Then, I might respond with, “You know… ‘He brought me out of the miry clay. He set my feet on the rock to stay. He puts a song in my heart, today! It’s a song of praise, Hallelujah!’”

She might text back and say, “‘Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth. Thine own dear presence, to cheer and to guide. Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow. Blessings all mine, with 10,000 beside.’”

I would text back something like, “You know what? ‘His oath, his covenant, his blood, supports me in the 'whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.’”

By then, we were both shouting, and worshiping God! We would laugh, and our temporary discouragement and/or frustration over..whatever, would have dissipated, as we enjoyed a time of worship, together!

Pat loved the Lord’s church. She lived for the Lord’s church. And she gave her life for the Lord’s church.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Pat had both a good name, and loving favor.

Ecclesiastes 7:1b, says that day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. “Pat, we celebrate your day of death!”

Now! Be it resolved that:
God sovereignly chose to call Patricia Elaine Grigsby home on Wednesday, June 15, 2024.

Be it resolved that:
As these words of scripture, found in St. John 14:27, were to bring comfort to the disciples, they will also bring comfort to us: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Be it resolved that:
That just as God has made us one…one family in Christ, we are here to help remember “her story”, when others forget. We will help carry on the legacy that Pat Grigsby meticulously handcrafted, into the very “fabric” of our beings.

Be it resolved, Pat:
That all of us who knew you and loved you deeply and sincerely, will truly miss your lovely voice, your gifting, your talent, your creativity, your laughter, your kindness, your generosity, your strength, your continual words of encouragement, your commitment, your boldness, your “iron” to sharpen us, your brilliance, your “universal” appeal, and your love for fashion and shoes!

Be it resolved that:
Pat Elaine Grigsby has now been released from this life. She has been released from any and all sickness and pain. She has been released from the flesh that once held her back from doing all that she needed to do; all that she wanted to do; and all that she was created to do. She is now free to do much, much more than she ever could…being tied down by her earthly “suit”; for, she has now joined that great “cloud of witnesses”, who ever cheer us on, from the bleachers of heaven!

And finally, be it resolved that:
The great hope of Christianity, is that when we, too, have completed this course, and kept the faith, and this life has taken off mortality and put on immortality, that we will see Pat, and that great Family Host, again, and be able to rejoice forever more….in one another’s presence!

In Christ, we live and move, and have our being!

Apostle Dr. Melessa A. Brown, ThD(SM)
CEO, Chenaniah Ministries, Cincinnati Ohio


"Until we meet again, my friend!”

06/17/2024

Happy Father’s Day
I grew up, on a rich background of music; from Black Gospel to Country Gospel, from Spirituals to Anthems. From great church Hymns to Worship Choruses, and from the Classics to Classical Music.

My great grandparents sang. My great aunts and uncles sang. My parents sang. My aunts and uncles sang. And even my cousins sang. So, our family reunion was always like a community choir concert.

In the midst of this “world” of music, singing, and worship, I was born. My father named me, not realizing then…that he was speaking prophetic destiny over my life. (Oh, that perspective parents would take glean some wisdom, when naming your children!)

My father told my mother that he wanted me to play the piano and sing; then, I would be able to accompany them, as they sang.

As the doctor pulled me out of my mother, my father declared my name: MELESSA (from MELISSA); he wanted me to stand out…to be different. Melessa (Melissa) means: “honey-bee”, or one who sings for the Lord; and also, “one who encourages others”.

He then declared my middle name: ANN, which means “prophetess” (from the prophetess Anna Luke 2:36); one who speaks by divine inspiration what heaven is saying in the earth realm.

Because I was born into the BROWN family, my last name was already designated. The surname Brown means:

Brown means: “generous individual”, “energetic and full of life”, “uplifting”, “seeing things before they happen” (prophetic). Brown also means: “bold, “leader”, “direct”, “determined”, and “energetic”. It also means “sojourner” (one who travels the world, and into strange lands). And lastly, it means “seeker of excellence” (one who cannot/will not accept mediocrity).

It is so wonderful to know my purpose and my destiny was preordained; and that I am on the path to fulfilling it…step by step! But, the miracle of it all is this: My father didn’t know what my names meant! He didn’t know that he was speaking prophetic destiny, until I told him…maybe…10 years before his transition! God was totally in control of my purpose and destiny; but, I honor and thank my father, for unknowingly “hearing” him!

Happy Father’s Day in heaven, Frank Brown Jr.!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My father sang with a rich baritone voice. These are two of the many songs, for which he was known:

IT TOOK A MIRACLE
Verse 1:
My Father is omnipotent
And that you can't deny
A God of might and miracles
'Tis written in the sky

Chorus:
It took a miracle to put the stars in place
It took a miracle to hang the world in space
But when He saved my soul
Cleansed and made me whole
It took a miracle of love and grace

Verse 2:
Tho’ here his glory has been shown
We still can’t fully see
The wonders of his might, his throne
T’will take eternity

WITHOUT HIM
Verse 1:
Without Him I could do nothing
Without Him I'd surely fail
Oh, without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail

Chorus:
Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today?
Please don't turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost would I be

Verse 2:
Oh, without Him I would be dying
And without Him I'd be enslaved
And without Him my life would be worthless
But with Jesus, thank God I am saved

05/29/2023

We remember, salute, and honor all the men and women who gave their lives, that we might be free! And we continue to pray for families who lost one or more of these brave soldiers🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾

Purchase "Battle Hymn of the Republic" from the album "Spirit of America":Amazon: http://amzn.to/QJDqpyiTunes: http://bit.ly/XeY4RRDeseret Book: http://bit.l...

04/09/2023

Happy Resurrection Day, everyone!

Provided to YouTube by Verity RecordsLord I Lift Your Name On High · Donnie McClurkinLive in London and More ..℗ 2000 Zomba Recording LLCReleased on: 2000-08...

01/20/2023

MR. GEORGE EARL VINNETT
8/12/1943 - 1/11/2023

Proverbs 20:12 says, “The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made both of them.” This scripture would become the daily mantra and driving force behind George Earl Vinnett’s purpose and destiny.

I always called him George Earl! George means farmer, earth-worker (or worker of the land). His name infers one who is solid, strong, royal and saintly, yet friendly and unpretentious. The name, George, also represents on who has great power of concentration, one who has an excellent memory, and one who is intuitive. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. You are always….always looking for the NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE!

Earl means warrior or nobleman. This name denotes one who is a generous individual. It also describes one who is elegant, sophisticated, and stylish in appearance and behavior. One who loves life, and lives it to its fullest.

Vinnett means opinionated, or solid in belief. Your name denotes one who is versatile, enthusiastic, agile, and one who often uses unconventional methods. It represents one whose strength unfolds from ideas; and these ideas instantly generate excitement, within you!

George was really being George, “…by George”!

George was above all, a Master of Communication. He was a Connector. My introduction to Betty Wright (Clean Up Woman!), and Antoine Domino Jr….aka Fats Domino (Ain’t That A Shame, I’m Walking, Walkin’ To New Orleans), Dottie Rambo (We Shall Behold Him, He Looked Beyond My Faults), Jimmie McDonald (Famed soloist who traveled with Kathryn Kuhlman), Dick Gregory (Famed Black Activist), Rosey Greer (Televangelist), and many others, came through George Vinnett. George had also fostered relationships with the likes of Ray Charles, B.B. King, The Jackson 5, Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Lou Rawls, King Floyd, and Lloyd Price.

George Earl was a father to many! It would be nothing for him to round up 10-20 people after Sunday service, and say, “Follow me. We’re going out to eat!” And he meant just that…Follow Me! For in the 1980’s, he would become the first Black National Press Secretary for Pat Robertson (then a presidential candidate), and had driven Security Detail, and had mastered the art of Offensive Driving. We may have needed a dose of Dramamine, but we got to the restaurant safely! You never saw him do it, but George almost always took care of the bill secretly, before we sat down to eat! At other times, we would gather for dinner at the Vinnett’s home, where George would fix his New Orleans Gumbo, fry up some Catfish, or Grill some steaks. (I have made myself hungry!)

I lived with the Vinnett’s for almost a year, in the late 1990s, traveling with them in ministry. I would also travel to South Africa with them several times, and would also journey with them to New Orleans in ministry, on the heels of Hurricane Katrina.

Often when we were on the road, I would observe George ministering to the hotel maid’s, and would often pay their cab fare, to attend our local meetings. He never broadcasted this, but I saw it, because I was observing him! I was learning from this master!!!

George and (then Prophetess) Pam Vinnett were the very reason that my sister and I would soon migrate to Tulsa (1998-2010).

George and I would spend many hours, talking about God, family, love, life, and ministry; and through our conversations, whenever George knew that I “got” him, tears would fill up in his eyes, and he would grab my hand, so tightly and say, “You got me!” It was “validating” to him.

George was a forerunner and a teacher! Before every ministry meeting, George would get dressed early, to go set up (the book table…table and chairs…the sound system) whatever was needed; but his main motive was to always get a “prophetic ‘feel’” of the place. He was ALWAYS teaching you something…whether it was how to set up your tape table, how to use media to advertise, the process of publishing a book, etc… He even taught me how to drive securely! I would constantly tell George, “You need to teach classes! You are a walking, talking classroom!”

Someone said that ‘Friendships are forged through adversity’! George and I had a few “knock-down, drag-out” disagreements; but when either of us was wrong, we would always return to say, “I’m sorry”, with tear-filled eyes; because our relationship and friendship was very important to us! Our love for one another always triumphed!

George Earl Vinnett, you have now been released from this life. You have been released from any and all sickness and pain. Now, we have to pray for those in heaven; because, I’m sure that when your feet hit the ground, you walked in…sized up the place…and quoting your mantra, exclaimed, “The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.” Then you said, “Let’s do this! And by the way, I’ve got a few ideas, for our NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE(!)!” 😉🙃😂

01/01/2023

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

May the Almighty shower you with love and blessings so that the upcoming year is the best one yet for you.

The beginning of good times is with God’s blessings. ❤