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Fall-Winter 2003-04 Newsletter

Philippians 3:10

Were you looking to find out all that happened with YUBM Ministries during the summer?  Click here.

If you're wondering, "Why this "YUBM" thing?,"
check out this article from the New York Times.
Tell me it don't break ya heart 'n make ya mad.
The title of the article: "Betrayed by the Game"

Photo courtesy: Universal

JOHNNY CASH ( 1932 - 2003 ) - Can't say I was ever a fan of Johnny Cash, but the more I look at the man's life, the more I find that really and truly impresses me.  Maybe you're as tired as I am of all those music videos that go way over the top tryin' to bowl ya over with slick 'n dazzlin' glitz 'n glam (and they tryin' to say they're jus' tryin' to keep it real?).  Well, Johnny Cash's last music video is a refreshingly candid, haunting, poignant and downright prophetic piece that puts everything in its proper place 'n perspective.  It's his cover of the song "Hurt" by Trevor Reznick of Nine Inch Nails — and it's an absolute stunner.  I'm neither a country or alternative music fan, but this thing hit me with a wallop, and I venture to say it'll probably drop you as well.  Note: it's a large file (ca. 9.3 MB), but well worth your time and the hard drive real estate.  Click here for the video.  Click here to get the QuickTime player.

WEB SITE MILESTONE - The YUBM Ministries Web site has registered 300,000 visitors as of Saturday, September 14, 2003.  I'm really grateful to the Lord Jesus for the way He's enabled this ministry to "travel" all the way around the globe. 

PEOPLE to PERSONALLY PARTNER in PRAYER for

J. Kelvin Jackson (3rd from l.), Debra L. Perry (4th from r.) & Majestic Praise at S.H.S.C.

PEOPLE FROM MY PATERSON ( NJ ) PAST - I'm especially grateful to the Lord Jesus to hear from some people I haven't heard from in a while: Anthony Pinckney and his wife are now in North Carolina where he's an armor bearer for his Pastor at the church they attend.  Jermaine Floyd called on Thanksgiving Day and told me he was in Philly but we weren't able to hook up.  Maybe sometime soon.  Walter Holmes called a little while back — he's a new Dad, lookin' to buy a house and going back to school to finish up his studies and become a teacher.  Hope to get together sometime soon with old friend Jay Sinclair (of Star of Hope Ministries in Paterson) sometime in early December. Good friend Kim Orr called to wish a happy new year and fill me in on the exciting things she'll be embarking on in the next couple of months.  Cedric Bolton called and filled me in what he's been doin' out in Minneapolis, MN. I called Kelvin Jackson to wish him a happy birthday (January 6) and we talked a while. 

Dedot chillin' at the CM concert at Bethel

ON THE MEND - Dedot is literally getting back on his feet after a very bad car accident last August.  It was touch and go after some serious surgery, but he's been progressing well with the physical therapy.  He's been able to put one crutch aside, and hopefully the other one'll be history soon as well.  Thanks for praying for him.

CONTINENTAL BASKETBALL PLAYER - Just before the Labor Day weekend got started I got a quick phone call from Kenny T. down in North Carolina.  He had the opportunity to play for the United States Men's National Basketball team in Holland this past summer and it sounds like it was a great experience.  He's still pressin' on towards graduating from Benedict College.

PRESENT PURSUITS and PAST PERAMBULATIONS
( listed in reverse chronological order )

LIGHT of the WORLD CHURCH - I had the privilege of sharing a message entitled "Where's Your Boat?" (coming from Luke 5:1-11) during their morning worship service in S. Philly on February 29, 2004.

J.A.M. YOUTH RETREAT - Once again, the First Baptist Church of Highland Park and Emmanuel Baptist Church teamed up for their annual youth retreat up at the Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, MD (February 20-22, 2004).  Big-ups to Sis. Janice Edwards, Dea. Ed Harrison, Sis. Deborah Crabbe and all the other leaders who conducted the event   I had the privilege of leading in praise and worship (along with Jeremy Rodgers and Yavonnie Lowe) and doing a plenary session on music ("Me 'n My Music").  Fellow Philadelphian Tim Harris tagged along, jumpin' into the weekend's dynamic mix as well.  Want some pictures?  Go here.

CHUCK D - As part of my continuing hip-hop culture education I attended a lecture by Chuck D ( a.k.a. Carlton Ridenhour ) of the legendary rap group Public Enemy.  He spoke at St. Joseph's University of February 11 on "The State of Hip-Hop, Past, Present, Beyond."  It was pretty interesting and actually confirmed some stuff I've been processing regarding hip-hop.  I had included some material about Public Enemy in an article I had published in Westminster Theological Seminary's Urban Mission Journal in 1992, and then 12 years later get to ask a question of Chuck during the Q & A session.

WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY HIP-HOP AWARENESS CYPHA - Glenside, PA - February 10, 2004.  Invited in by fellow Cross Movement Ministries Board member, Zack Ritvalsky ( along with RockSoul Entertainment CEO Lee Jerkins ) to do a presentation on Hip-Hop culture.  The turnout was very encouraging, the discussions were stimulating and we're looking forward to more interaction in the months to come. 

Dr. H. Dean Trulear, Pastor makes an interesting point during a
CUTS  Foundations of Christian Thought class, meeting at the
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Twin Oaks, Pennsylvania

CENTER FOR URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - Spring 2004 semester - teaching Introduction to Youth Ministry, Foundations of Christian Thought and Gospel Studies : Luke.

artwork © 2004 by R. Tinsley

Some of the HHS2K4 crew members 'n others at the closing reception at Canaan Baptist Church

HIP-HOP SUMMIT 2K4 IN THE BOOKS - Philadelphia, PA.  I'd been visiting with Pastor Gus Roman and the ministry staff team from Canaan Baptist Church in the Germantown section of the city to plan a Hip-Hop Summit scheduled for February 6-8, 2004.  The Summit had a 3-pronged agenda: 1.) to reach out to unchurched youth who are into hip-hop, 2.) to challenge and enlarge the traditional church's perspective on Jesus' "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel," and 3.) to challenge and enlarge hip-hop ministers' understanding of ministry (a relational-orientation versus a performance-orientation).  We had high hopes for the event — that it would break new ground all the way around.  And so it did, but only on two out of the three things we hoped to see accomplished.  Post-Summit analysis coming soon.  [ As a sidebar, on December 14, 2003, I was honored to speak at the 11:00 a.m. worship service along with Rev. Mike Major regarding the Summit (felt a lot like Caleb in this regard).]  If you'd like to see more details pertaining to HHS2K4, go here. 

TIMOTHY ACADEMY - although it was a last-minute invitation from good friend Bev Tuttle, I really enjoyed my time together with the students at T.A. on January 9th.  Had the privilege of speaking to 3 chapels, working from the younger grades up through to the older ones, coming from John 15.  A residual pine-tree branch from the dashboard of my car made quite an impression when placed on the overhead projector.

MORRISVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WOMEN'S MEETING - Morrisville, PA - November 19.  This invitation came via my Mom, and feedback from the event seems to indicate that everybody pretty much enjoyed the presentation. 

CROSS MOVEMENT MINISTRIES BOARD MEETING - Board members from Texas, Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania gathered in the Board Room at Westminster Theological Seminary on November 17 to consider some issues and make some policy decisions and recommendations.  C.M.M. has some tremendous ministry opportunities knocking at its door, and has enormous potential for reaching a unique niche / people group (the YUBM) that rarely (if ever) appears on anyone's outreach agenda.  Do pray for Cross Movement Ministries (and for its board).

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE CELEBRATES ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY - Philadelphia, PA.  Saints gathered at the Adams Mark Hotel on City Line Avenue November 14th to celebrate 25 years of God's faithfulness to an Institute started by the late Pastor Timothy Ruffin.

Cross Movement in concert at Bethel Deliverance Church on November 8, 2003

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT & ALUMNI RETREAT - Quarryville, PA - October 31 - November 2, 2003.  This annual retreat just keeps getting better 'n better every year under the innovative and capable leadership of Sis. Maria Goode-Burton, Sis. Winni Mercer and the rest of their awesome team.  The speaker this year was Rev. Steven Lawrence (from White Rock Baptist Church in Philadelphia) who challenged us all with an easy-going presentation of some depth-charge-like material dealing with "Seeking the Kingdom: The Spirit-Filled Life."   The Actors for Christ team brought in some seriously thought-provoking drama (thanks, Lawrence, Mercedes, Vanessa, Jamone 'n Keith).  Another highlight was the Saturday evening worship and praise session led by Bro. Ian Goode.  I had the privilege of assisting in leading the worship 'n praise portion and working with Evangelist Cheryl Johnson with the retreat choir (which did a fantastic job).  

URBAN YOUTH CULTURE CLASS - K-lee Johnson, a Campolo School for Social Change professor, invited me in to do a presentation on hip-hop culture on October 21.  The students in the class are seniors from several high schools in the city of Philadelphia who are taking the 10-week course for potential college credit.

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - October 20th and 21st at Beulah Baptist Church at 50th and Spruce Streets in West Philadelphia.  Got together with the NBLI Retreat Choir (from back in March of this year) to provide the music for the school's anniversary.  Sis. Cheryl Johnson did a fantastic job of getting everybody back together (and directing the group).  Pastor Herman Washington (from Rockville Center, Long Island) was the guest preacher for both nights, taking Hebrews 11:6 as his text both nights. 

PRIMETIME POSTMODERN URBAN CULTURE CLASS AT C.U.T.S.  Thought the Thursday, September 11th gathering would be just a regular class, but it was not to be: a TV crew came in and did some taping for a story regarding the Philadelphia-area millionaire who donated one of his kidneys to someone who needed one (the woman who received it is in our Thursday a.m. P.U.C. class).  Felt weird wearing a microphone and having a video camera hovering nearby, but we managed OK.  One of the TV crew members lingered behind after the others had packed everything up and said he really enjoyed the class.  Praise the Lord!  Turns out the crew was from ABC News' "Primetime: Thursday" with Diane Sawyer.  If the segment ever hits the air — and they let me know — I'll try let you know as well.

IT'S A POSSIBLE GO - BUT STILL A PRAYER REQUEST - On May 6th I met with Dr. Manny Ortiz — one of my former professors at Westminster Theological Seminary (an internationally-recognized educator and author in the field of urban ministry) — and was given a huge 3-part challenge.  Accordingly, I solicit your earnest prayer regarding this matter — one that would be a great honor and privilege (not to mention a great challenge) to see come to pass.  Thanks for taking this matter to the Lord on my behalf.  Thank you! 

The 22md ANNUAL LABOR DAY WEEKEND RETREAT at STREAMSIDE was, as usual, a tremendous blessing.  Even though the group was down in numbers this year, the saints gathered still had a great time of fellowshipping in the Word (with Pastor Tony Benson from Niagara Falls, NY), in a variety of creatively-planned special activities, in teaching, in worship and praise 'n prayer — and, yes, even in fine dining (there's a gourmand chef doin' a great job there at the conference center). A super-sized shout out and big thanks to Bro. Ed 'n Sis Ellen Carwheel who again made the event all that it always is, and also to the resident staff at Streamside who always pull out all the stops for this last big event every summer.  In addition to leading worship 'n praise I was also privileged to "take a dramatic turn for the verses" in carrying on a running dialogue as Abraham, dramatizing the theme of the retreat, "Trust and Obey."

CENTER FOR URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Postmodern Urban Culture, Foundations of Christian and Old Testament Prophecy comprised my Fall 2003 semester at CUTS.  I've also been blessed by the Lord to become an official adjunct faculty member at Eastern University (at the Campolo School for Social Change).  

PRAYER PRE-VIEW

CENTER FOR URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - Spring 2004 semester - teaching Introduction to Youth Ministry, Foundations of Christian Thought and Gospel Studies.

NEWARK BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH SPRING CRUSADE - Newark, NJ - March 26, 2004.

FAITH CHAPEL REFORMED CHURCH A.M. WORSHIP SERVICE - Paterson, NJ - May 9, 2004.

MONTCO BIBLE FELLOWSHIP FAMILY RETREAT - Black Rock Retreat Center - Quarryville, PA - June 4-6, 2004.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of HIGHLAND PARK A.W.A.N.A. CAMP - Skycroft Conference Center - Middletown, MD - June 19-20, 2004.

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP EVANGELISTIC CHURCH - Philadelphia, PA - July 5-9, 2004 - Presenting "The Gospel / The Street" Seminar (2nd year). 

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

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

HEP

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