Fall-Winter 1999-2000 Newsletter

Q: What's the next number in this sequence:
4 - 16 - 37 - 58 - 89 - 145 - 42 - 20 - ?
Can you come with two possible answers?

Outside the church after the morning service at Third Eternal Baptist, Sam H. III (pictured below, standing between his twin sister Jewel and younger brother, Tim) pulled me over and began sharing how the Lord's been dealing with him through a little book entitled TouchPoints for Students. He was riding on the bus up to a local mall and it appears Jesus really began ministering to him through this powerful little tome. We ain't home yet, but it's such an encouragement to hear this dear young brother say, "I think the Lord might be calling me to preach."  Wow!  Lots to deal with yet (two people that he knows were shot to death near the part of the city where he lives), but the statement itself indicates something really wonderful is going on his life. Sam came in to speak to my Introduction to Youth Ministry class and spoke for 2 hours straight (young people got a whole lot to say when they find some adults ready 'n willin' to listen).  Afterwards we picked up his brother from work and then sat in the car in front of their house, talking for another 2 hours (very intense)!  Would you please pray for him and for his whole family?  Thanks!

Please pray for Jewel, Sam, III and Tim.

T.E.B.C. celebrated its 28th Anniversary - Oct 10-13.

"In heaven Christ lives to pray; His whole intercourse with His Father is prayer -- and asking and receiving of the fullness of the Spirit for His people.  God delights in nothing so much as in prayer.  Shall we not learn to believe that the highest blessings of heaven will be unfolded to us as we pray more?"  Andrew Murray

SILVER 'n GOLD  I was blessed to hear from several brothers I haven't heard from in a long time: Jermaine Floyd is still directing and playing for the choir at Faith Chapel, driving for New Jersey Transit NYC and doing school bus charter work.  J. Kelvin Jackson's doin' fine out in Grand Rapids, MI, working with Roosevelt Park Ministries as the Neighborhood Youth Program Director. Cedric Bolton, formerly of Paterson, NJ, now living with his wife Gwen out in Washington state.  Prince Brown still serves in the U.S. Navy. Walter Holmes is teaching 5th grade at a Paterson, NJ Christian school and working with young people in several other venues. Providentially met up with Wachira Ngamau at Christian Stronghold's Missions Conference -- I hadn't seen him for 11 years (!) and David Paul Brooks (rapper) now in Baltimore with his wife and 2 young sons.  Also had the good opportunity to again catch up with Dr. Elijah Anderson, the University of Pennsylvania sociologist who wrote the recent release, Code of the Street, an important book about the quest for respect in street contexts.  I count it a real privilege and honor to be able to talk with and learn from this nationally acclaimed ethnographer, and hope to find more opportunity to do so.  It seems the Lord Jesus has been hooking me up with lots of drummers (among them: Anthony, Tyree and Kenny [Want to hear some of Kenny's drumming?  Hit this.]), rappers (The Cross Movement [see below]), some highly-motivated high school athletes (Kenny and Chris), aspiring keyboard players and a number of people with the gift of pastor and youth leaders.  One 17-year-old recently asked me to be his godfather which I hold as a very high honor and awesome responsibility (plus it's got me going' to basketball games (he's a center for the Warriors in a league and (hopefully) center for a south Philadelphia H.S. team) and drill team rehearsals and performances (he plays for the Youth of East Logan -- pictured below). 10-year-old godson Jon is doing well, taking up piano lessons and presently preoccupied with Pokémon.  What a challenge!  I've recently experienced a surge of shepherding relationships during the past year, hooking up with a whole lot of people with similar gift mixes -- encouraging, nurturing, exhorting, admonishing and empowering them in their Christian lives and ministries. Thank You Lord Jesus for this awesome privilege!

T.E.B.C. Youth Choir members:                                          Kenny, Sophia, Katrina and Kevin.

Dedot and Robert at Cleve's house. That's C.M.'s Brady G. leaning against the pole.

Center for the Warriors at the foul line during a championship game in West Philadelphia

Youth of East Logan Drill Team's drum section in competition at the First Union Center in S. Philadelphia

Promoted to Glory: Darchelle Canty (beloved sister of Kyle Canty) went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, October 20, 1999.  Her courageous battle with sickle-cell anemia was an awesome demonstration of how to live for Jesus in the face of severe difficulty and limitations. Pray for her family: her loving parents Rev. John & Rochelle, and her brothers Gene, Greg, Kevin and Kyle.  Farewell, dear sister / we'll see you again on the other side / but not before we've ached and cried. 

And please do pray for a number of couples who are presently going through some really hard times.

EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH'S MISSIONS CONFERENCE - New Holland, PA.  Had a wonderful time (as usual) there with the saints.  Thanks, Lois Fulmer, Pastor & Mrs. Crossley and the church's ever-receptive and supportive young people (a special shout-out to Ryan K.) for the absolutely grand time of fellowship.  March 12-14.  

YOUNG LIFE ADULT WEEKEND RETREAT - Lake Champion, NY.  My first time up at this beautiful facility with the really fine folk of Young Life (including Charles Harris, Cynthia Haines, Bryan Robinson and Pat & Kevin Little). Did the worship and praise component for the retreat.  April 9-11.

STREAMSIDE YOUTH RETREAT - Stroudsburg, PA - Drew & Carla Baynard again did an outstanding job.  Bryan Robinson, Young Life Director in the Happy Hollow section of Germantown, did an excellent job in ministering to the 120 high-caliber-charactered young people in attendance.  April 23-25.

The GOSPEL/The STREET SEMINAR - Allentown, PA  - Dedot and his son, Robert made the trip also - a special thanks to Rev. Greg Edwards (a CUTS graduate) for the invitation to come up and present the material.  Dedot really enjoyed presenting as well.  May 1.

MAINE VACATION - Well, the whole thing came up really fast. I wasn't really planning to go to Maine because my teaching schedule conflicted with the availability of the cabin that some dear friends let us use.  All of a sudden the idea hit! Why not go tenting instead -- and so we did.  Drew, Dave and I got some camping stuff together (with the help of my brother Ed and his wife Nicole) and off we went to Mount Desert Island / Acadia National Park on August 1st for a full week of tenting at Quietside Campground.  WHAT A TIME!  Exploring the park and sightseeing the island, trips to Wal*Mart for things to make our camping experience a little bit easier, the annual "lobstah" dinner, cookin' pancakes outdoors with fresh-picked blueberries from all around the tent site, biking through Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor, hiking, clamming, jumping in the 55º ocean water once -- and quickly at that.  Never got to go fishing although the tackle was ready (next year).  The highlight of the trip was taking a half-hour aerial tour of the eastern half of Mount Desert Island in a single-engine 4-seater airplane. A "thrill" even more so for Dave as he 1) had never been in a plane before and 2) he has a fear of heights.  Here we are some 2000 feet up in the air and Dave is hanging in there -- a severe test of faith. We got back onto the ground just fine. During the entire week it only rained once (at that was in the evening through the night).  The trip brought rustic-style rest, relaxation, reverie 'n recreation. Hope you were able to catch a vacation as well and that it did the same for you.  August 1-8.

CHRISTIAN STRONGHOLD BAPTIST CHURCH CITYWIDE YOUTH CONFERENCE - a special thanks to C.S.B.C. youth worker Norman Williams ‘n Youth Pastor Pete Campbell for the delightful opportunity to share with some wonderful young people. August 28.  Also, through the invitation of Cynthia Haynes did a youth workshop during the church’s annual Missions Conference. November 19-21.

IN MEMORIAM - Sorry it's taken me so long to post this memorial, but better late than never.  As most of you undoubtedly already know, retired Westminster Theological Seminary Dr. Harvie M. Conn graduated from this life on Saturday, August 28, 1999.  He was 66 years old.  Those of us who had the wonderful privilege of sitting in his classes at WTS and the Center for Urban Theological Studies (as well as hundreds of other venues around the world) remember him as a master teacher -- in the truest sense of that term.  Ron Sider wrote of his last visit with Harvie last summer: " Although cancer had shrunken Harvie's strong frame to a mockery of its former self, his trademark smile, big shock of reddish-gray hair, and Santa-sized beard still reflected the joyful, exuberant man I had known for almost 20 years.  "Harvie," I said, "I just learned the doctor expects you to slip away soon. I'm leaving for vacation later tonight, and I wanted to come by to share my love and prayers, and to thank you for your wonderful contribution to the development of evangelical social concern."  His instant response was classic Harvie. With a smile that was one-quarter mischievousness and three-quarters faith, he replied: "I will have more exciting surprises in the next two weeks than you will.""  F.Y.I.  Harvie's encouragement was one of the key motivators in launching what has now become YUBM Ministries. Thank You, Lord Jesus for this man's life and influence; and though no longer here, continues to be an inspiration to so many.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND RETREAT - again, up in the Poconos for a great time of fellowship with the saints. Pastor Tony Benson (from Niagara Falls, NY) pastored powerfully in his preaching. Thanks again to Rev. Ed & Ellen Carwheel for again puttin' me in the blessing mix!  September 3-6.

ST. MATTHEWS BAPTIST CHURCH MISSIONS CONFERENCE - Williamstown, NJ.  Thank you, Sis. Elaine Siryon for the opportunity to do one of the young people's workshops with a great bunch of endearing youth at this awesome fellowship of saints who gather in Williamstown, NJ.  A special shout-out Deacon James Liggins and family.  September 18.

CHURCH MUSIC MINISTRY HAPPENINGS The Youth Choir at Third Eternal Baptist Church (the church where I have my associate membership) continues on.  We went through a very painful church split earlier this year and we're still recovering. We need your prayers. The youth choir lost a few members, but recovered wonderfully and the Lord Jesus blesses us to be able to greatly encourage the rest of the church.  It's an exciting group of young people to watch grow in their faith and develop in ministry.  The Heavenly Voices youth choir at Germantown Christian Assembly has finished its course for the present as has the Ensemble at The Calvary Baptist Church (which had the good opportunity to sing at the Missions Conference of the Evangelical United Methodist Church of New Holland (March 12-14). 

SPEAKING of SPEAKING - I've had the grand opportunity to speak at two morning worship services at Third Eternal Baptist Church (June 6th and October 3rd) and to the youth group (October 15) and Men's Ministry (January 8), as well as at he Evangelical United Methodist Church of New Holland on August 29th. 

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT / ALUMNI RETREAT - Blessed again to be in the number one more time -- and being given grace to do the worship and praise sessions and put together a retreat choir at Manna's annual event at Black Rock's fine facility in Quarryville, PA.  October 29-31.

CHRISTIAN STRONGHOLD BAPTIST CHURCH MISSIONS CONFERENCE - Again, afforded another wonderful opportunity to do a workshop for their keen young people.  November 19-21.

THE CROSS MOVEMENT Christian ministers of rap, released their 2nd album, House of Representatives back in February and shortly thereafter the Lord Jesus opened a door for them to not only get it into the rotation on a secular radio station in the Philly area (WPHL -103.9 fm), but were even able to represent the Lord Jesus live (on the air) on a secular rap format radio program. Pray for a DJ named Zulu, who hosts the program they were on.  The group went out to California to shoot a video for the title cut which has been playing on B.E.T., the Box and other venues.  

I am especially blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with several members of the group, and been privileged to be with them in the studio, backstage, in marathon meetings, one-on-ones and out on the street on occasion. Their witness for Jesus is refreshing and bold.  They have an incredible way of assessing, accessing, addressing and aggressing the hip-hop set with a powerful, skillfully-constructed, street-oriented, dynamic, evangelistic defense for why the Christian faith works --especially in street contexts.  They're traveling around the country quite a bit these days and having quite an impact.  Please do pray for Duce, Brady, Wells, enocK, Cruz, and Cleve (members of the group) and for the continuing development of their ministry.  They're seeking as a ministry to go where very few Christian artists go in the matter of not just entertaining but developing the thing into a comprehensive teaching / discipleship / apologetic / prophetic type ministry -- kind of like an urban version of Creation Research Institute.  Also pray for Life. Being on the C. M. Board is a lot of work but also a real blessing: we were flown down to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands for a retreat meeting. It was an incredible trip with sight-seeing, speed-boating (imagine "I AM that I AM" bein' rapped by the crew in the back of a Kevlar-hulled boat goin' 60 m.p.h. bangin' over 3-4 foot ocean swells!), snorkeling and a wonderful Sunday morning worship service at the New Life Baptist Church. The Cross Movement rapped during the service and were very well-received. December 2-5. I’m still amazed that the trip even happened!

The Tonic, Cruz, enocK and The Phanatik of The Cross Movement ministering at New Life  Baptist Church on Tortola in the British Virgin  Islands - December 5, 1999.

THE AMBASSADOR (a.k.a. Duce / William Branch), one of the lead ministers of rap with The Cross Movement, has released his solo album, Christology — In Layman's Terms. I had the opportunity to hear most of it in the mastering studio and I gotta say: this joing gonna rip lidz rugged, uppin' the standard of our Savior big time with its clear, forceful, prophetic street style. Christian hip-hop's movin' up in stature -- this effort is proof positive. I had the inestimable privilege and honor of recording some keyboard musical samples for one or 2 songs on the album, and am grateful to the Lord Jesus 'n Duce for the opportunity to be a part of this powerful Gospel presentation geared to reach those in hip-hop. Hit this for samples of all 21 tracks. Hit this for the MusicForce.com review.

The British rap duo, M.O.D. (Ministri of Defence) came to the U.S. to visit with the Cross Movement and ministered with them at the Harvest Crusade at the Spectrum and at Impact 99 in upper New York State.  Rob and Efrem have a powerful testimony and ministry -- with a delightful "bit 'o an accent" (although it's really us Americans who have the accent).  They recorded some verses on Duce's album and were with CM at Philly’s Harvest Crusade and Kingdombound 99 in New York.

HOW'S MY FAMILY? Thanks again for asking! We're doing OK, although each of us find ourselves in hyper-overdrive mode most of the time. My brother-in-law Charlie and his daughters are busy – the oldest 2, Melissa and Sarah, are at 2 different colleges in Massachusetts, and the youngest, Carolyn is in her sophomore year in high school. She’s on their H.S. soccer team and they won the 1999 Girls’ Group III State Championship November 20^th).  NEWS FLASH!!!  My brother Ed and his wife Nicole are now proud and excited parents of a baby girl, Emily Aurora, as of 6:07 a.m. on January 12, 2000!  She is their first child and came into the world at 7 pounds 'n 3 ounces, and is 19 inches tall.  :-)  Joy!!!  My sister Deb and her husband Jim and their two kids, Chelsea and Spencer, are hanging on in there in Alexandria, VA. My Dad and Mom are actively engaged in a remarkable number of activities.  Thank you for remembering them in prayer as my Mom's recovering quite remarkably from her cancer surgery January 28th, and again for praying for our family after my sister Janet passed in 1998. His grace is and has indeed been sufficient.

His ‘n yours, with much love ‘n respect,

HEP