Today, the U.S. Treasury Department announces that abolitionist Harriet Tubman will in fact be the new face of the $20 bill. She boots former slave owner, Andrew Jackson, who has appeared on the bill since 1928.

In an effort to address gender imbalance in U.S. currency, Treasury Secretary, Jacob J. Lew, garnered months of public interest and opinion, including Women on $20s who lead the charge to put a women’s face on the $20 bill by the year 2020. A 10-week poll by the organization revealed America wanted Harriet, and the rest is (not-so-soon) history.

Harriet Tubman’s Confidence in the Voice of God

This announcement strikes us as not only historic and ground-breaking, but ironic in many ways. Not only will the picture of a former slave replace that of a slave owner on American currency, but have you read the story of Harriet Tubman praying for $20 to bring her parents out of bondage?

Harriet Tubman, a hero of freedom for slaves and women, was a co-worker with God throughout her courageous life. In the 1860’s, upon hearing of the suffering of the “old people” down south, she was guided by God to a gentleman’s office, who was a “friend of the slaves”, to ask for money for the rescue trip:

“How do you do, Harriet? What do you want?” was the first greeting.
“I want some money, sir.”
“You do! How much do you want?”
“I want twenty dollars, sir!”
“Twenty dollars! Who told you to come here for twenty dollars!”
“De Lord tole me, sir.”
“He did; well I guess the Lord’s mistaken this time.”
“No, sir; de Lord’s nebber mistaken! Anyhow I’m gwine to sit here till I get it.”
(Excerpt from “Harriet, The Moses of Her People”, by Sarah H. Bradford)

Harriet spent the entire day in that office waiting, sleeping, believing for the financial resources to free her parents. No doubt word of her identity and her self-less service spread among the strangers in and out of the office.

After vowing not to eat, drink, or leave the gentleman’s office until she got her $20, Harriet Tubman awakened to the promise fulfilled – strangers had contributed $60 dollars to her mission!

The Blessing of Abundantly Answered Prayer

Sometimes our prayer requests seem astronomical, a “big deal” to us. Even when we have the faith to believe, our human mindset cannot even fathom how God will provide.

Harriett Tubman was well aware – that’s the beauty of the God we serve. He’s an even bigger deal, and countless times more astronomical than our most dire need or challenge!

God answers prayers abundantly; God can do anything—far more than you could ever imagine, guess, or request in your wildest dreams! (Ephesians 3:20)

Can you imagine Harriet Tubman remembering her struggle for $20, only to look down at a $20 bill and see her own face?

Team, what prayer are you waiting on God to answer abundantly? Don’t be afraid to ask. Believe in faithful prayer. Be about God’s plans for you. God has your face on a blessing you’ve never imagined in your wildest dreams, too!

For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9

Newsflash: Working for Jesus ain’t easy.

There are always these little distractions, like loving your enemies, serving ungrateful or unappreciative people, and the all too familiar job requirement of self-denial – “Not my will, but Your will, Lord.”

And while every co-worker and teammate on “Team Jesus” has a job to do, there are those chosen leaders and generals in our Household of Faith who do the heavy lifting; they’re responsible for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12) by proclaiming the Gospel in speech or song, at an expense many of us cannot comprehend, let alone pay.

It is for these co-laborers of the Gospel that the Steeple Awards has been created.

On March 19^th, 2016, Atlanta, Georgia and all of America will celebrate the inaugural Steeple Awards, Gospel’s newest award show honoring Pastors and Psalmists for their ministerial contributions to the Kingdom of God. Whether the honoree is a Pastor of a megachurch, or small congregation…a signed, mainstream artist, or an independent artist –  “We are honoring those who are honoring Christ”, says C. Chandon Carter, the award show’s Founder and Carter Unlimited CEO.

All roads lead to Siloam Church International at 3695 Roosevelt Highway, where “the biggest day in gospel music” will be launched, and men and women of God will come from all over the country to celebrate each other.

Steeple Awards Invited Guests and Award Show Nominees

The Steeple Awards will be another exciting night, celebrating Gospel all-stars Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Tasha Cobbs, Richard Smallwood, Canton Jones, The Walls Group, Bishop William Murphy, singers Kelly Price and Demetria McKinney, actress Reece Odum, as well as the cast of Preachers of Atlanta. To view the illustrious list of all Steeple Awards nominees, presenters, and speakers, please visit www.steepleawards.com. There you can also purchase general admission or VIP tickets.

The host for the inaugural award show is internationally acclaimed comedian, author, and motivational speaker, Broderick Rice. Guests will be uplifted with performances by Gospel music’s rising star, Tim Bowman Jr., who will sing his #1 Gospel Billboard hit single, “I’m Good”. Other appearances include BET Sunday Best alums, Corey Webb from Season 1, and Tyler Little from Season 6.

Team! Let’s continue to pray for every staff member, vendor, artist, presenter, and production team member working to make the Steeple Awards a huge and rising success for many years to come. We are excited about this inaugural celebration and look forward to seeing YOU on the red carpet.

The Steeple Awards is a Carter Unlimited event created by CEO C. Chandon Carter, produced by The Anchor & Company under the direction of Pamela Johnson. The Steeple Awards staff includes Branding Director, Rahru R. Arceneaux, and Public Relations Director, Ronnika Ann of inGENEus PR.