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Fall-Winter 2002-03 Newsletter

Philippians 3:10

PARTICULARS PERTAINING to PRESENT PURSUITS
( listed in reverse chronological order )

Guest speaker, The Phanatik, addresses our Apologetics class

Finished up teaching the course "Apologetics for the Urban Youth Context" (January 3-8, 2003) at The CAMPOLO SCHOOL for SOCIAL CHANGE of EASTERN UNIVERSITY (where I've also been accepted as an official associate faculty member -- Hallelujah!).  The course was offered as part of Young Life's Urban Winter Training Program, with YL leaders coming in from all across the U.S..  An intense time of instruction with a lot of interaction, I think it's safe to say all of us got rocked as we processed some mad-heavy material — tackling constructs from a wide variety of perspectives: theologically, culturally, ideologically, sociologically, artistically, philosophically, etc.  I'm really grateful to the Lord for the way He blessed our time together, and I want to also thank YL's Jerry Mann and EU's K-lee Johnson for putting me in the mix with such an incredible team of youth workers.  More photos here. See page 12 of the PDF version of Eastern University's "Spirit" Magazine found at http://www.eastern.edu/centers/communications/eusprtsprng03.pdf

THIRD ETERNAL BAPTIST CHURCH - In making one of the more painful decisions I've had to make in a while, I sense the Lord's leading to leave this fellowship in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and follow His re-direction to another ministry venue.  Praise the Lord!  After more than 3 and a half years without a pastor, the church has finally called Rev. Michael Burton who was installed in October.  While there's still a lot to do at Third Eternal, I finally came to the conclusion that there's nothing more that I can do there.  I've been there about 7 or 8 years and will definitely miss regularly fellowshipping with the saints there --but it's time to move on.  Been up to Calvary Chapel in northeast Philadelphia and really enjoying rediscovering the joy of worship and the excellent Bible teaching of Pastor Joe Focht.  Calvary Chapel is for me a much-needed sabbatical-type experience, and I'm still waiting on the Lord as to where He wants me to be.  Every other Sunday I am (still) at the Great Commission Church in Rosalyn, where Pastor Hal Hopkins, Sr. is the Pastor.  

Pastor Hal Hopkins, Sr.

PEOPLE to PERSONALLY PARTNER in PRAYER for

Would you pray?  Watching people coming forward at the altar call at church on December 114th, I noticed a young brother going forward.  His appearance reminded me a bit of John Lee Malvo (in one of the earlier pictures published by the media), and I got to wondering: Is anybody interceding for John Lee Malvo's salvation?  Here's a youth that, by all accounts, was looking for a father figure, and settled on John Muhammad (anyone praying for him?) and now faced the serious consequences of his choices.  

D. Kyle and Pam Canty are off to seminary

D. Kyle Canty preached his "trial" sermon at Great Commission Church on December 15th, and afterwards the church hosted a combination surprise baby shower for his wife Pam (the baby's due in May, 2003) and going-away dinner afterwards.  (They're off to Kentucky where Kyle will be attending the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.)  Truly blessed to catch up with some saints I haven't seen for a while (some for years!): Rev. and Mrs. John Canty, Rev. and Mrs. John Canty, Min. Shelton Mercer, Dan and Adrienne Carwheel, Rev. and Mrs. Nate Adams, Sis. Nettie W., Jarvis G., Rev. Sam Butler, Sis. Mary J. and many many others.  It was something of an intergenerational ministry family reunion / celebration.  Also of note: Bro. Larry Anderson (of Great Commission Church) graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University on December 14th and starts in on a Masters degree at Biblical Theological Seminary in January.  G.C.C. is led by Pastor Hal J. Hopkins, Sr. 

Sam, Jewel and Tim H.'s Mom, Tanya passed into eternity on December 6, 2002.  Pastor Hal J. Hopkins, Sr. preached her Homegoing service at Third Eternal Baptist Church on the 14th and several people responded at the invitation.  Please pray for the family as they pass through this difficult season of sorrow during this Christmas season.  Despite the sad occasion it was wonderful to meet up again with a number of the saints at T.E.B.C. and for the opportunity to have a long convo with Shawn B.   Hadn't seen him for a long while.

Chris Agard left a message on the answer machine to say he's doing just fine at Howard University.  Hope to catch up with him soon.  It's a real honor knowing this young buhl.

Got a phone call from Frank Daugherity at Hawthorne Gospel Church regarding finding housing here in Philadelphia for a 19-year-old Temple freshman named Mark Laryea.  Mark and his father, Pastor Evans Laryea, came through the first week of September and Mark has officially landed here at the house for the Fall semester.  The Laryeas are from Accra, Ghana, where Evans is the Pastor of Good News Church.  Mark's making it through OK, getting quickly acclimated to life in the US.

I beseech you to continue going before the Lord in prayer for a 23-year-old (let's call him "Brother J.") who's earnestly seeking to do the righteous thing after coming to faith in Christ about a year and a half ago.  He's manifesting remarkable Christian growth but struggles mightily with the strong temptation to occasionally turn back to the fast money found in the "game" (dealing drugs).  It's tough.  Dude has crossed over to the Lord's side and is there on the front line for Christ -- and accordingly catching enemy fire big time.  He got married on August 24th. 

Talked with Kenny and Kevin's grandmother Diane recently and learned that they're both doing fine at their new schools.  Kevin is at Alabama State University for his sophomore year, on the track team and might be entered by his coach into the Olympic trials next year.  Kenny's at South Carolina University for this his junior year and will be playing basketball there.

Jason Fraser, the former Amityville H.S. star many were thinking would jump right into the NBA from high school, is at Villanova University.  Pray for this remarkable young Christian as he pursues the Life (a/k/a/ the Lord Jesus) with his life (which happens to include a basketball piece). 

Jason Fraser's at Villanova U.
Photo credit: Jerry Lodriguss
Philadelphia Inquirer

PAST PERAMBULATIONS

Release date: April 22, 2003

CROSS MOVEMENT'S NEW ALBUM - Previewed (pre-listened?) CM's upcoming compilation effort, Holy Culture: In It - Not Of It, at the CM office on March 19th.  Watch out!  This thing rolls bold, hardcore Gospel truth right out there, all up 'n down the street (even the underground) and will catch headz with the Rock.  Christ's church is gonna feel it also -- catchin' the vision the CM crew's got for seeing Christ faithfully repped 'n presented within the global phenomena called secular hip-hop.  Mark it on your calendar: the album release party is April 26, 2003 at the Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia.  The place is gonna be jammed.   More details (time) will be posted later. 

EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MISSIONS CONFERENCE - Rolled into New Holland, PA on March 7th and 9th for E.U.M.C.'s missions conference, speaking and leading some singing on Friday night (after a restaurant-quality covered-dish dinner) and then Sunday morning (to the junior and senior high school Sunday School class).  Also participated in the Sunday morning worship musically.  E.U.M.C. is to me what the Philippian church was to the apostle Paul -- a real joy and a tremendous encouragement.  Thank you, Pastor and Mrs. Tim Heitz and missions conference director Lois Fulmer for your ministry to the saints and to me, as well as all the saints there for your sincere faith, living hope, warm love and charactered perseverance.  What a tremendous blessing you have been to me!  And what a powerful testimony it is to see young people (teens!) who make it a point to sit way up in the front rows of church gatherings -- and then respond to a spontaneous call to help out in leading the meeting.  YOW!  WOW!  Here's a link to their missions conference page.

59th STREET BAPTIST CHURCH - Called in by Deacon Wayne Williams to lead the worship and praise for the church's Annual Leadership Conference on January 25, I discovered that the songs I had learned only the day were also given to two teenage brothers (Hakeem and Lawrence B.), who were also asked to help lead the worship and praise.  We went upstairs while the meeting went on downstairs and listened to the CD — and these two young men came up with an arrangement that they were comfortable with.  It incorporated singing, emceeing, testifying, stomping and some call & response — and the adults received their presentation very well.  I admire these 2 Roxborough High School students for their faith, courage and willingness to take on a ministry challenge on such short notice.  I got schooled (again) about my own willingness to step out of the boat at the Lord's command — after watching them do so.  Praise the Lord!  A special shout-out to their younger brother, Jabree B. who was there for encouragement (and saw his older brothers overcome by faith).

WORD TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH - Youth Group Lock-In - Philadelphia, PA - January 17, 2002.  The invitation from Min. Tobin Young to come in and speak to the 13 years and older young men on the topic "For real. When hip-hop encounters Jesus Christ in real life, the winner is..." was an awesome blessing!  Great bunch of young brothers living in southwest Philadelphia who daily deal with some tough situations and lookin' hard for answers.  Tim Harris came along for the session and engaged a couple of extended convo/debates afterwards.  Y'all greatly encouraged us with your attentive and earnest reception of the message and the messengers, and you've endeared yourselves to our hearts.  We thank the Lord for ya and will be praying for your progress in the faith as you continue facing the challenges ahead 'a ya.  Jesus said, "I know where you live..."  Revelation 2:13

The course-writing work for The CAMPOLO SCHOOL for SOCIAL CHANGE of EASTERN UNIVERSITY is finished.  You may remember that I was invited to write the syllabi and curricula for 3 Master's level urban youth ministry intensives.  It went through the review revision process and the entire program was presented to the Graduate Education Policy & Curriculum Committee at Eastern.  On November 25th they gave their approval to the program.  It will now go before the Eastern University faculty sometime in December.  Please continue to pray for me as I work on my contribution to this endeavor — it's been an incredible honor, labor-intensive and one very exciting (and at times intimidating) opportunity.  Thanks, K-lee J., for bringing me in on this awesome opportunity and for your leadership and hard work in seeing this program realized.  The Lord willing, I'll be teaching "Apologetics for the Urban Youth Context" at the Campolo School for Social Change near Center City Philadelphia in a 5-day intensive (6 hours a day).  See above.

CUTS - Finished up the Fall 2002 semester with teaching 2 sections of Foundations of Christian Thought, 1 of Postmodern Urban Culture, and a new one for me: New Testament Epistles.  Started up with 3 classes for the Spring 2003 semester: Foundations of Christian Thought, Contemporary Apologetics (a new one for me) and New Testament Studies (Acts) -- also another new one.  Thank you for praying!

WORD TABERNACLE YOUTH LEADERS TRAINING SESSION - Philadelphia, PA - November 30, 2002.  One of my former CUTS students, Min. Tobin Young, invited me to his church (shepherded by Pastor James Gailliard) to do some youth ministry training (excerpts from The Gospel / The Street ).  Had a great time of fellowship and was delighted to see what the Lord Jesus is doing in this community-based / community-outreach minded fellowship.  Also blessed to talk with Mark Cooper, who is one of the ministers of music there.

HAWTHORNE GOSPEL CHURCH MISSIONS CONFERENCE - Hawthorne, NJ - November 9-10, 2002.  Grateful for the patience of the saints at HGC who had me in their missions weekend to lead worship and praise (finally got it right by the third morning service!).  It was a real delight to team up once again with the preacher for Sunday morning: Pastor Raymond D. Timms of Faith Chapel Reformed Church in Paterson (one of the churches I ministered at when I lived there).  Abundantly blessed to be to sit down for great times of fellowship with Pastor Timms, Jermaine Floyd, Charles Young, Walter and Raheem Holmes.  Thanks, Frank Daugherity, for your faith and patience, Pastor and Mrs. Mona Timms for your hospitality, and all the saints at HGC who've stood with me in this ministry through all these 22 years — I can't thank the Lord Jesus enough for y'all.  And what a blessing to see friends I haven't seen in years. 

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT / ALUMNI RETREAT - Quarryville, PA - November 1-3, 2002.  Once again, I was privileged to lead the saints in worship and praise for their 30th annual retreat, where Dr. William L. Banks was the keynote speaker.  Once again, the Lord Jesus blessed the retreat choir—they did an excellent job (we tackled 5 songs this time around, which is a record, I think).  Thank you, Sis. Maria Burton and Sis. Winni Mercer for putting me in the mix again.  

EASTERN UNIVERSITY GRADUATE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING - St. Davids, PA - Due to time constraints and committee members' heavy workloads, K-lee J. was only able to present a brief overview of the M.A. in Urban Studies & Leadership: Urban Youth Leadership Concentration Youth Leadership Program on October 28th.  Had a couple of more meetings with the committee in November and on December 11th the program was unanimously approved by the faculty of Eastern University.  Praise the Lord for His goodness!  The program now goes on to the state of Pennsylvania's Department of Education (?). 

GREAT COMMISSION CHURCH - Surprise, Surprise !  Invited to speak at the regular afternoon worship service on October 27th and spoke on "Great Expectations," looking at Jesus' remark to the two blind men in Matthew 9:27: "Do you believe I am able to do this?" Thank you, Pastor Hal J. Hopkins, for the opportunity to challenge all of us in our walks with the Lord.  D. Kyle Canty will be ordained into the Gospel ministry at G.C.C. on December 15th – a couple of weeks before he and his wife Pam will be moving down to Louisville, KY (he's starting seminary there in January).

FARDALE TRINITY CHURCH MISSIONS CONFERENCE - Really blessed to be able to get up to this supporting church in Mahwah, NJ on October 20.  Brought back a Hummer-loadful of memories from when I was first getting started in ministry in Paterson, NJ, as this has been a church that's been incredibly supportive through some 20+ years.  Thank you, Pastor Joe Talone for your encouragement, vision and leadership there at Fardale, the  Smiths for your steadfast, joyful witness for Christ, Scott and Gretchen B. for your family's wonderful witness and gracious hospitality (Lauren, I have the picture you drew hanging up here at the house), Doug V., Janet S. (still teaching at Hackensack H.S.!), Steve Y., and all the saints at F.T.C.  What an absolutely wonderful day, being able to get re-connected with you all. 

The CLARK PARK OUTREACH in West Philadelphia on October 19th featured a number of Christian rap groups including M.O.D., T.R.U.T.H. and the Cross Movement.  Great to hear from rappers and rap groups I haven't heard in a while (J-Silas, The Process, R-Swift and G-Wade), along with others I hadn't heard before, as well as being able to catch up with a few folks I haven't seen for a minute (including W. Philly's Young Life leaders Pat Little and Heidi).  Commendations to Bro. Aaron Campbell of Antioch Christian Fellowship (in conjunction with Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia) in hosting this event. Hal Jr. made the trip with me and enjoyed the event as well.

WEDDING BELLS in SILVER SPRINGS, MD  Truly honored and blessed to attend the wedding of Charles Tahon Young (who used to be in one of the choirs I played for at Faith Chapel up in Paterson, NJ0 as he married the former Lisa Ann Clark on October 12 in Silver Springs, MD.  It was wonderful to get to see a number of people from Paterson I haven't seen for years (including Pastor and Mrs. Ray Timms [who performed the wedding], Matthew Reaves, Walter Holmes, Jermaine Floyd, Raheem Holmes, Mark Hickman and Janet (S.?).  The Lord bless you and your wife Lisa in your Young marriage, C.!  It was also a real blessing to see Jonathan Davis who is on the staff at The People's Community Baptist Church there in Silver Springs.  Another friend, Rev. Carl Lashley, Jr., is the youth minister at the church but wasn't there that Saturday.

Ministri of Defence crew with Calvary Chapel's Pastor Joe Focht:
l. to r.: Jason, Pastor Joe, Rob (in back), Patrick, Efrem

MINISTRI of DEFENCE at CALVARY CHAPEL of PHILADELPHIA  This Cross Movement-affiliated British Christian rap duo (Efrem 'n Rob) came over from London to do some ministry here in the area.  They did "The Revolver" during each of the 3 morning worship services at Calvary Chapel on October 13th, as well as some ministry with the Cross Movement at the annual Autumn Blaze Festival up in Zarepath, NJ the day before.  If the Lord wills, they'll also be doing some outreach at Clark Park in West Philadelphia on October 19th. 

EASTERN UNIVERSITY CLASS - Calenthia Dowdy invited me in to share with her Urban Youth Ministry class on October 3, 2002.  Given tremendous liberty to speak (takes 2 sides you know), I had a really wonderful time and sense the students did as well.

The Phanatik looks on as The Tonic records in the sound booth, LIFE sits at the board,
and Vince (recording engineer at The Studio) works at the computer.

CROSS MOVEMENT'S IN THE STUDIO - jd  (IT manager for Cross Movement's Ministries) invited me in to do some photography of CM artists The Tonic, The Phanatik, TRU-LIFE and DJ Official as they worked on a couple of of The Tonic's tracks for the group's next compilation album.  Got the pictures and some video as well, but the bonus for me was being invited to join the chorus in the sound booth, singing "We're gonna live forever."  Track is nice.

Photo: Cross Movement Records

Found out a little while ago that The Ambassador used some music that TRU-LIFE and I had worked on for one of his songs ("Cry No More").  It's slated to be on the next album, true — but guess what?  The song was selected for one of the 4 different soundtracks being released in conjunction with the release of the movie "Tribulation Force" (the 2nd installation of the "Left Behind" series).  Praise the Lord!  Among the other artists included on the album: Anointed, Out of Eden, tobyMac, KJ-52 and P.O.D.  On the weekend of November 15-16th the song reached the #16 spot on the secular MP3.com hip-hop chart and #1 on both the spiritual rap and Christian rap charts.  Praise the Lord Jesus for His favor in this endeavor!

Click to hear "Cry No More"

WHOA !  A SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT PERSONAL RETREAT - on September 13-15 I got away for some rest and relaxation on the south side of Mt. Pocono in Tannersville, PA -- along with Juan James (a.k.a. Christian hip-hop artist enocK).  Thank you, Dale Schoenwald (Director of the Streamside Retreat Center) for your gracious and generous hospitality to us.  I can now say I was able to get in about 10 days of bona fide vacation time this year.  Able to do some reading, caught up with and talked with friends at the facility (Reuben, Shereé, Jeremy, Dave B., the Sachers (celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary!), et al), played the piano that was in my room at the Outpost, fed the horses, caught up on my journal and worked on my objectives, goals and standards for the upcoming year.  Wonderful restorative therapy.  Got back to Philadelphia (picking up Tim H. on the way through) to catch an en pointe sermon on Psalm 73 by Pastor Joe Focht at Calvary Chapel (my present church home).

The 2002 LABOR DAY WEEKEND RETREAT (August 30 - September 2) was another resounding success.  Bro. Ed and Sis. Ellen Carwheel and their staff did another spectacular job putting together this 21st gathering up at the Streamside Retreat Center on the south side of Camelback Mountain.  I'll admit that I wasn't exactly looking forward to jumping right back into ministry responsibilities (I lead the worship and praise during the weekend), but the incredibly encouraging ministry and fellowship of the saints made my soul glad that I went.  Thank you, Pastor Sam Butler for allowing the Lord to use you so mightily as you brought forth God's Word with the theme; "Keep On Growing."  And thank you, Bro. Dan Carwheel for your encouragement on Sunday night.  And thank you Sis. Mercedes Thompson for putting me in the drama mix during Saturday night's Wild West event.  What a blast!

PRAYER PRE-VIEW

CENTER FOR URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - Spring semester - teaching Contemporary Apologetics, New Testament Studies (Acts) and Foundations of Christian Thought - January through May 2003

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT - Word of Life Conference Center, Schroon Lake, NY - March 20-23, 2003

CROSS MOVEMENT "HOLY CULTURE" ALBUM RELEASE PARTY - Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia, PA - April 26, 2003

Thank you for your faithful love, prayers, patience and support,

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

HEP

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