Fall-Winter 2005-06 Newsletter

OPEN HOUSE: Are you a professional serving the needs of youth? The urban site of Eastern University will begin offering an awesome Master of Arts degree in Urban Studies with a concentration in YOUTH LEADERSHIP beginning in the fall of 2006. It is designed to accommodate the schedules of working adults. It is an excellent opportunity to advance your career and your life. 

Location: Eastern University; 990 Spring Garden Street, 6th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Call 1-800-732-7669, ext. 5039 or e-mail kdavis3@eastern.edu. Indicate that you are interested in the MA in Urban Studies (Youth Leadership) program.

Were U looking to find out what happened with YUBM Ministries during the spring-summer of 2005?  Click here.

Construction site dumpster fraught with social commentary

"No Place for Me" is a pointed but surprisingly poignant July 17, 2005 Washington Post article on reasons why Black men don't go to church.  Authored by John W. Fountain, it's thought-provoking and well worth the read.

Sign of the times?

When hope dies, the killing begins.  Hopelessness and brutality are just two sides of the same coin.
Jurgen Moltmann, In the End—The Beginning: The Life of Hope

As homicide rates in many large cities are dropping, the number in Philadelphia has increased 11 percent since 2004 - one of the sharpest jumps in the United States.  In 2005, Philadelphia police recorded 380 homicides.   Prior surges in the homicide rate had easy explanations.  Gangs.  Crack.  The economy.  Not this time.  Seventy percent of Philadelphia's homicides involved young men in arguments.  Some argued over drugs, but many feuded for far less.  "If you look locally and nationally, all the change and trends in homicide really have to do with young males," said James Alan Fox, a criminal justice professor at Northeastern University in Boston.  "They tend to be trigger-happy and tend to be willing to pull the trigger even over trivial issues."  The city's killers prefer guns.  Eight of every 10 victims died from bullet wounds - a percentage higher than in most other cities.  Eighty percent of 2005's victims were black men, and about 40 percent were younger than 23, police statistics show.  Forty-five were 18 or younger.  "Murder Mysteries," by Tina Moore, Staff Writer, Philadelphia Inquirer

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

New Life Bible Institute 2006 Retreat Choir at Word of Life

2006 Retreat Choir Director Evangelist Cheryl Johnson

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT - Word of Life Conference Center, Schroon Lake, NY - March 17-19, 2006.  "Perfect Peace" was the theme of this annual retreat, again capably led again by Sis. Joyce Burton.  This year featured Pastor Victor Kirk of Sharon Bible Fellowship in Lanham, MD (a favorite from years past) who brought God's Word to some 80+ saints, who in turn represented a number of churches throughout Philly.  Another great and grand time of teaching, singing and fellowship, and I am a blessed man for the privilege of being able to participate in this event.  We had a great time during the Saturday afternoon choir rehearsal, going at 5 songs for about 3 hours and no one thinking it robbery to spend their free time in that manner (thank you, Sis. Luff, for your help with one of the songs).  The Lord Jesus honored the choir's ministry as they sang Sunday morning.  

Post-C.L.F. youth group meeting photo op.  Youth leader Pat Little is wearing the blue-striped shirt

CHRIST LIBERATION FELLOWSHIP YOUTH GROUP - Philadelphia, PA - March 10, 2006.  Wow.  Had a great endearing, reunion-like meeting with the C.L.F. crew in West Philadelphia (65th and Lansdowne) at the invitation of Youth Minster Pat Little and her fantastic team of youth leaders (Charles, Brian, Brandon, Wayne, Nathan and several others) and some equally fantastic young people, most of whom are pictured in the photos found here.  We looked at "The Heat's On: Handling the Peer Pressure Cooker," and it seemed to really connect.  Thank you, each and every one of you for the blessing you were to my heart that evening.  Looking forward to coming back again.

Sunday a.m. J.A.M. crew

J.A.M. YOUTH RETREAT ( w/ First Baptist Church of Highland Park of Landover, MD and Emmanuel Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. ) - Middletown, MD - March 3-5, 2006.  Good it was to return to Skycroft Conference Center for the annual J.A.M. Youth Retreat with the young people and leaders from First Baptist Church of Highland Park of Landover, MD and Emmanuel Baptist Church of Washington, D.C.  Again, everybody had a really great time (no exaggeration).  Most encouraging to me (and certainly to everyone else as well) was Min. James Marshall who spoke to the Jr. High group on Saturday morning ("Why Are You Trying to Obey Someone Else's Thirst?") and then to the entire group on Sunday morning ("The Condition That Is Thirst-Blocking").  James is a "son" of the J.A.M. Ministry and is now the youth minister at Zion Church in Largo (where Pastor Keith Battle is at).  I was also greatly encouraged to hear what God's been doin' in Justin Spencer's life and leadership in ministry at the college he's attending up in Rhode Island.  Thank you (once again), Sis. Janice Edwards (retreat coordinator), Deacon Ed Harrison (who will ever forget your memorable James Brown impression replete with two splits!  Romans 12:1), Min. Joel Washington and all the adult and teen leaders (thanks, Ramsi, for your help with the PowerPoint).  While almost every senior shared with the group on Sunday morning where they'd be going to college, the one who made the biggest impression on me was the son who shyly said he's looking forward to being an auto mechanic.  Bless the brother, Father!  This was one of those rare youth retreats that I would classify as truly spiritual all the way through with both the young people and youth leaders operating their gifts in ministry.  Kudos to the saints at F.B.C.H.P. and E.B.C.  Y'all bless me year after year with your kindness and generosity and for allowing me to lead the worship & praise.  More photos here.

UNION LEAGUE BIBLE STUDY - Philadelphia, PA - March 3, 2006.  Was a little bit shocked to be invited to teach this lunch hour study with business and professional people at this historic and venerable organization in Center City Philadelphia (it's taught mostly by Westminster Theological Seminary staff and students).  We took a look at Romans 2:12-16 from a legal process perspective (figuring there would be some attorneys present).  Enjoyed it immensely and looking forward to my next time with this group (April 21).  I was not made aware of the League's dress code when I walked in (workin' a sweater and a tie), so I must have been perceived as a delivery man (which is exactly all I was).  And thank you, Sis. Viola, for your hospitality ministry to us all during the luncheon. Photo courtesy of www.unionleague.org

TIMOTHY ACADEMY - Philadelphia, PA - Privileged (and I do mean that) to speak at 2 chapels on January 20, (grades K-5 - dealing with Daniel 1) and January 27, 2006 (grades 6-8 - dealing with Stephen in Acts 6 and 7).

Carl F. Ellis, Jr. and student Nate Morris

WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - Philadelphia, PA - sat as a student in Carl F. Ellis' "The Black Church in America."  Been a minute since I've had the good opportunity to be challenged by his paradigm-shifting teaching.  Refreshing and confirmational indeed.  Took "The Church in the Modern Age" during the fall semester and enjoyed that as well (with Jeff Jue).  Now I'm goin' at two 2 credit courses for the spring semester.

Pastor Bryan Robinson, PRISM Magazine editor Kristyn Komarnicki and
Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services intern, Spencer James at a roundtable
interview / discussion on hip-hop, street culture and the young urban Black male

PRISM MAGAZINE - Do you remember that roundtable interview / discussion that PRISM editor Kristyn Komarnicki hosted last July that I mentioned in the Spring / Summer 2005 newsletter?  Well, parts of it were published in the January / February 2006 issue of PRISM, in conjunction with an article adapted from a recently-published IVP book on hip-hop by Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson.  Not only that, but Psalm 23: The Remix is featured in its entirety across the top of several pages — as well as in the  front cover artwork) and this ministry was listed and quoted extensively as a resource.  Thanks, Kristyn, for your generous advocacy for the YUBM and for YUBM Ministries.  Photos from the roundtable interview / discussion posted here.

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - finished up the Fall semester of 2005 teaching "Foundations of Christian Thought" (BIB300C) and "Ethics" (PHI212C - 2 independent studies)

Zack R., Cathy B. and Xavier P. at the lunch table during the Church Next consultation

Bill Krispin and H. Dean Trulear at the lunch table during the Church Next consultation

"A DEFINING MOMENT: A CONSULTATION on the FUTURE of the CHURCH" - featuring church leadership gathered from all round the Delaware Valley to listen to keynote speakers Dr. Eddie Gibbs (Fuller Seminary, author of Church Next) and Dr. H. Dean Trulear (Howard University) and dialogue in small groups between plenary sessions — on December 9-10, 2005.  Sponsored by www.CityNetPhilly.org, this event will prayerfully be an on-going dialogue.

NEW MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY - I've taken on the responsibility of director of Spiritual Formation / Christian Education at the Great Commission Church in Rosalyn, PA.  Gulp.  Please be praying!  Thank you.

33rd ANNUAL STUDENT / ALUMNI MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT - Black Rock Retreat Center - Quarryville, PA - October 28-30, 2005.  Thank you again, Marie Burton and Winni Mercer and the retreat committee for your allowing me to participate again.  Sis. Martina Lambert (wife of Pastor Emanuel Lambert, Sr. and mother of rapper Da TRUTH) was the keynote speaker, speaking on the topic, "Christians Under Construction: Molded by the Lord" (Jeremiah 18:1-6).  Had a great time again with the saints and was given the opportunity to do one of four workshops ("Loneliness") in addition to my regular responsibilities as the worship & praise leader and directing the choir.  Also, thank you, Ian Goode, for helping out big time musically throughout the weekend.  

Dwayne W. and the Ambassador

CROSS MOVEMENT MINISTRIES RALLY: "FROM the CONCERT to the CLASSROOM to the CORNER" - Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, October 22, 2005.  Looked to me like about 600 or so showed up on a rainy Saturday night for the next step in C.M.M.'s mission to rally and mobilize the troops to bring the Gospel to the street.  After rap performances from Al (from The Process), R. Swift and Rhyme Council and Shai Lynn, and a testimony from Dwayne W. (originally from Queens, NY), the Ambassador (William Branch) went through a presentation outlining C.M.M.'s strategy for training street level evangelists and disciplers.  The Phanatik closed the evening out with a couple of spills from "The Incredible Walk."  This will be the first for several rallies -- the next ones will focus more on training and equipping.  Photos here.

HAWTHORNE GOSPEL CHURCH SERVING HANDS MISSIONS BREAKFAST - Hawthorne, NJ - October 21, 2005.  Popped by to say "Hi!" pretty much (I had a class that afternoon back in Philly so I couldn't stay too long).  Good to see the saints (it was quite a large crowd) and share a bit what all's goin' on in the ministry.

In-A-Way is (clockwise from lower left): Kemett, Aaron, Chad, Michael, Hervon and Jerral

"LEADING by FAITH" MEN'S CONFERENCE - "Get Out the Boat" - True Light Fellowship Church - Philadelphia, PA - October 20, 2005.  Thank you, Bro. Durrelle Gardner, for the opportunity to come and share with some of the men at TLFC.  Also had the good opportunity to meet, hear and talk with members of the a cappella singing group that Kemett Timms (a former youth choir member from Paterson, NJ) is with, called "In-A-Way."  

MEN'S DAY OUT : "APPROACHING the THRONE of GRACE" - almost 30 men showed up at the National Christian Conference Center in Valley Forge, PA on October 15, 2005 for a day of edification and encouragement.  Pastor Tom Troutt (Philadelphia Bible Fellowship) was the featured speaker (speaking on Elijah), and Pastors Shelton Mercer (PBF) and Sam Butler (Montco Bible Fellowship) and myself led in a couple of sessions of worship and praise.  During lunch we were surprised to hear from a couple of women from  the Church of the Revelation in the Bronx, NY (another group meeting at the facility) that their group heard us group singing all the way from another building quite some distance away.  They sang along and were greatly encouraged to hear a group of men singing.  Wow.  What an encouragement! 

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS WORSHIP & PRAISE WORKSHOP - Aberdeen Bible Church - Aberdeen, MD - September 24, 2005.  Had a wonderful time with about 13 or so very gifted members of the P&W team (ranging from junior to senior high to college students).  Thank you, each of you, for your receptivity and desire to serve the Lord Jesus, and for your ministry of encouragement to me. [ This crew reminded me a lot of the fantastic youth choir we used to have at T.E.B.C. ]  And thank you, Sis. Karin Waters, for your faith in having me come in to do the session.  I really enjoyed my time with the crew and was thoroughly refreshed by what's goin' on amongst them. 

BACK to SCHOOL - In addition to my D.Min. studies at W.T.S. (see item below), I'm also taking a course at the seminary to begin fulfilling my M.Div. requirements.  This one class meets twice  a week, is worth 4 credits and has 8 textbooks. Please pray for me that I'll be able to keep my head above the academic waters (not to mention being able to pay for the "swim").

24th ANNUAL LABOR DAY WEEKEND RETREAT - A bittersweet gathering of the saints mostly from the Philadelphia area, Paterson, NJ, Pittsburgh, PA, Maryland, et al as this was Rev. Ed and Ellen Carwheel's last year of hosting it at the Streamside Conference Center.  It's been a great Labor Day tradition for 24 years and their legacy of faithful ministry to the saints is remarkable indeed.  Rev. Denis Johnson, Sr. was the featured speaker and Sis. Charity Jones provided the special music.  Again, as all through the previous 23 years, I had the honor of being the worship leader.

"My Clothes, My Hair" basketball court video scene

The AMBASSADOR'S VIDEO SHOOT - Got a phone call from Duce (The Ambassador) on Thursday morning, September 1st, that there'd be a video shoot at 5:00 pm in Center City Philadelphia.  It was for the song, "My Clothes, My Hair" (from his recently released CD, "The Thesis").  It's not every day you get invited to a video shoot, but my purpose for going was to do the "behind-the-scenes-making of" photography for it.  The event was like a "Christian hip-hop family reunion" where you get to see people you haven't seen for a while, and I was particularly heartened to see some of the younger up-'n'-comin' cats given critical roles in the story-line.  We spent about 3 hours in trendy Rittenhouse Square park Thursday evening and then about 2 hours the next morning on a basketball court in Norris Square park (near the Cross Movement Ministries' office).  [I wasn't able to make it to the studio session or church scenes because of prior commitments.]  Fascinating process.  Photos found here.

Dedot setting up Irik's computer

PSU STUDENTS - went with Dedot and Regina and daughter Jenae up to the Penn State University campus to help set up computers for son Robert and his cousin Irik (2nd year students).  Nice campus.  Felt like we were on a retreat facility as we walked around a bit.

W.T.S. 2005 D. Min. Urban Mission cohort: Hep, Taehoo, Frazier and Naas

DOCTOR of MINISTRY PROGRAM - 2 years after meeting with Dr. Manny Ortiz (and "going through" some stuff), I've finally applied for and been accepted into the D.Min program (with an Urban Missions emphasis) at Westminster Theological Seminary.  Started in on the program June 2005 with Manny and Sue Baker, along with fellow cohort members L. Frazier White, II (from Washington, D.C.), Taehoo Lee (from Philadelphia), and Naas Ferreira (from Pretoria, South Africa).  I'm waiting on the Lord for how to finance it and how to complete some other course work for my Master of Divinity degree as well.  One of the beauties of the doctoral degree ( http://www.wts.edu/admissions/program-dmin.html ) is that I'll be able to stay in the ministry, continue work (integrating my studies) within street youth / young adult contexts, and continuing my teaching (as the Lord continues to favor) at the Center for Urban Theological Studies and Eastern University.  AIM International (the group I work for) has an Educational Funding Program through which donors can make tax-deductible contributions, allowing them to participate in the ministry of "building up" this street-based academic in dire need of an "update."  Want more info?  Please feel free to email or call me (215.549.0844).  Thank you.

HUMMER II - I'm building an 11' 7" dinghy, figuring I'd need something to do with my hands during the winter months to help offset some of the academic pressures of school.  The wood originated from Gabon in West Africa (okoume mahogany), was produced into marine plywood (1088 grade) in France, was pre-cut in Annapolis, MD (Chesapeake Light Craft), is now being prepped and assembled in the Downeast Boat Shop and hopefully will be ready to sail around the Mount Desert Island region of the Maine coast during the summer of 2006.  Photos of the work in progress may be found here. 

PEOPLE to PERSONALLY PARTNER in PRAYER for

Sam with his back to the cam.  You'll see his face soon.

RANDALL, a 22-year-old from Philadelphia who stopped by Great Commission Church (in Roslyn) who's been in the middle of some serious drama and in need of prayer.  Aaron, Malcolm 'n Dave spoke with him and again, the request: YOU - please pray for this young buhl.

SAM C., a 17-year-old aspiring rapper, called on October 6th and was asking about possibilities for being discipled.  Wow !  He's already being discipled by with his youth pastor (they meet weekly), but the youth pastor told Sam he oughta look into an additional discipleship process in order to help him further along in hip-hop ministry.  Wow again.  I suggested a few possibilities regarding members of the Cross Movement and other lyricists I know, and found myself very impressed with both Sam and his youth pastor.  Pray for this young man.  He's got an amazing testimony and he's looking toward going to Bible college when he graduates from high school next year.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for what You're doing in the lives of young brothers such as these.  Update: Sam recently led one of his peers to the Lord and was also able to have a conciliatory convo with someone close to him.  He's also been invited to go with the Urban Family Council to participate in a Youth Rally in Freeport, Bahamas from December 8-10!

Matt, Charles 'n Walt made Philly their 1st road trip destination on Oct. 8-9, 2005.

A PATERSON, NEW JERSEY CREW of 3 (Matt R., Charles Y. and Walter H.) arrived Saturday for a weekend visit to see how we rollin' here.  These three (along with a few others) used to be in the singing group His Glory  which I had the privilege of directing.  We headed down to Gene-O's cheese steak joint for the obligatory Philly signature sandwich and did a tourist drive-by of some of the stuff to see in Center City on the way home.  The next day we headed north to Great Commission Church and from there went out to one of those Red Robin restaurants.  Great to see these guys again (the last time was at Chuck's wedding down in Silver Springs, MD a number of years ago).  They are all still at Faith Chapel Reformed Church in Paterson, where Rev. Raymond D. Timms is the Pastor (one of the churches I used to attend when I lived there).

TONY B. called September 17th and it sounds like he's coming to the end of his quest to blow up big inside the secular rap industry.  Lord Jesus, thank You for the call You've placed on this talented young brother's life, and for working him through the stuff he knows he gotta go at.  And thank You for amazing me with the ways that You work!

SAM H. III has started in on a Westminster Theological Seminary course (he's auditing it), getting a taste of school.  His hope is that he'll be able to start his studies at Lancaster Bible College within the next year, but there are not a few hurdles for him to overcome (notably financial).  Would that there were folks who would be willing to back him (and Cerrone - see his story below) in fulfilling their desire to be be equipped to do the work of the ministry amongst the next generation.  Sounds scary, but I kind of get the feel that we evangelicals are less concerned than ever about preparing the younger generation for their ministries.  

Ain' nothin' to go back 'n forth in a 7-hour convo with Tim H.

Cerrone B.

CERRONE B. had a fantastic and enjoyable spring semester at Westminster Theological Seminary, becoming quite the scholar (fascinating to watch and hear him translate directly from the Hebrew text after a breakfast meeting in mid-September).  Unfortunately the heavy academic demands of school and its somewhat limiting schedule (up at 3 or 4 a.m. to study), working 50 hours a week as a security guard job in a Germantown store and not being able to spend any quality time with his wife and young daughter led him to put his education on hold for now. 

WALTER H. called in early September, enjoying his new home in the Totowa section of Paterson, NJ.  Said he wants to round up some of the Paterson posse from back in the day and take a weekend road trip to Philly (see item above for the follow-through).  It'll be grand to see the crew again (Jermaine F., Matthew R., Charles Y., Kemett T., et al).

  Kemett T. at TLFC on Oct. 20th

PRAYER PRE-VIEW

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - Spring semester 2006 - teaching "Youth Ministry" (MIN 240C) and "Introduction to Philosophy" (PHI 110C).

WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CLASSES - Philadelphia, PA - Spring semester 2006 - taking 2 courses.

UNION LEAGUE BIBLE STUDY - Philadelphia, PA - April 21, 2006

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

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

HEP