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Fall-Winter 2007-08 Newsletter

Philippians 3:10

Were U looking to find out what happened with YUBM Ministries during the spring and summer of 2007?  Click here.

PRAYER PRE-VIEW

WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - taking a course with Dr. David Powlison entitled, "Theology and Secular Psychology" this semester.  Really enjoying it.

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (CUTS) - teaching another section of "Foundations of Christian Thought" (BIB 300C) and "Introduction to Philosophy" (PHI 110) - Spring semester 2008.

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT - Schroon Lake, NY - March 28-30, 2008.

O YES! CONFERENCE (Our Youth Enlightened about Sex) - Philadelphia, PA - August 16, 2008.

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT / ALUMNI RETREAT - Valley Forge, PA - October 17-19, 2008.

Found on a bridge over the Niagara River a couple of hundred feet before the Falls

"The Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have begun thinking less of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you get neither."   C. S. Lewis

Nataka nimjue Kristo na nguvu ya ufufuo wake na nishi riki mateso yake,
niwe kama yeye katika kifo chake;
na hivyo, kama ikiwezekana,
niufikie ufufuo kutoka kwa wafu.
Philippians 3:10-11 (Kiswahili)

All eyez on Him: Get to know the One Who watches over the streets, the 'burbs, the fields 'n forests

No man has believed perfectly until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.
Malcolm X

PEOPLE to PRAY for:

 Regardless of how U feel about the war, please join them in prayer.
Photo by Romeo Gacad / AFP

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

HAWTHORNE GOSPEL CHURCH - Serving Hands Ministry - Hawthorne, NJ - March 14, 2008.  Had the privilege and honor of speaking and presenting the ministry to this assembly of very active, missions-minded saints.  What a blessing!  Wonderful to re-connect with Linda Ibach, Dave Schuit (HGC's Missions Pastor), Marjorie Webster, Ruth Hennigh, Ermetta Olson, Maggie Cooper and many other saints whom I haven't seen for a long time.  Thank you all for your love, hospitality and gracious support through the years.  While in the Paterson area, I went looking for Walter Stewart but wasn't able to locate him, although I was able to leave my contact info with someone who occasionally bumps into him.  Hope 'e doin' aight.

Street soldiers 'n bros. Tim 'n Sam H. at the corner of Upsal 'n Stenton in one of those late-into-the-night van convos

Pastor/Author Tim Keller fields questions at the University of Pennsylvania, March 11, 2008.
Westminster Seminary's Apologetics Department Coordinator William Edgar looks on.

TIM KELLER at U. of PENNSYLVANIA - had the good opportunity to hear NYC's Redeemer Presbyterian Church's Senior Pastor Tim Keller discuss his recent book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, at Westminster Seminary in the morning, then invited Tim H. (in the picture above this one) to join me for the U. of P. evening lecture.  It was a full house as some 780 people filled the University's Museum Auditorium to hear Dr. Keller, and although most of the questions during the Q&A were fairly "softball friendly" (Keller even said he was waiting for a difficult, thorny inquiry), the evening was nevertheless thought-provoking and engaging.  I kind of got the sense that more of a "Jerusalem" crowd showed up than that of an "Athens."  In the wake of a spate of recent books written from an atheist perspective, Keller's tome is worth investigating.  At the time of this writing (0315/06) it is # 7 on the New York Times hardcover non-fiction bestseller list and Publisher's Weekly says it's "[a] compelling overview of the current debate on faith for those who doubt and for those who want to reevaluate what they believe, and why." 

Saturday night rally at the J.A.M. Teen Retreat at Skycroft

Step team at the Saturday night rally

Saturday night rally at the J.A.M. Teen Retreat at Skycroft

J.A.M. TEEN MINISTRY WINTER RETREAT 2008 - Skycroft Conference Center - Mitchellville, MD - with First Baptist Church of Highland Park of Landover, MD, Emmanuel Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. and Peoples Community Church - February 29 - March 1, 2008.  The theme was "Come As You Are: No Perfect People Allowed" (Matthew 11:28-29) and instead of doing the worship and praise this year, I was privileged to do presentations to the junior and senior high brothers.  Topic?  "Jesus and Me ... n 'Junior.'"  The reception was fantastic, praise the Lord!  Kudos to the young adults to whom the retreat leadership baton has been passed, and thank you, Rev. Joel Washington, for allowing me to jump in in a different capacity.

Lunar eclipse, February 20, 2008: planet Saturn to its lower left and a fainter Regulus (star) above it.
[ Kind of cool the way the moon interplays with the little basketball icon above the photograph. ]

That same moon the next morning, setting in the western sky, as seen through the oak tree's branches.

Gun on the wire at 2nd and Master Streets — apparently an art installation protesting gun violence here in Philly.

Urban Youth Culture class at Eastern University: Brent P., Joel R., Victor G., Alysia W. and Kristen D.

EASTERN UNIVERSITY - team teaching "Urban Youth Culture" with Dr. K-lee Johnson in the Master of Arts in Urban Studies Residency - February 15-16, 2008.  This week-ending whirlwind 2-day event (they don't call it an intensive for nothin'!) with students from Philadelphia, Upper Darby and Aliquippa, PA, Chicago, IL and San Jose, Costa Rica.  How do you get everything in?  You don't.  You can't.  The course started online before the residency and goes on for the rest of the semester online as well. 

CONGRATULATIONS to the Cross Movement and to Da' T.R.U.T.H. for their 2008 Grammy nominations for "Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album" (C.M.s HIStory: Our Place In His Story and Da T.R.U.T.H.'s Open Book).  They didn't win, but had the opportunity to rep Christ inside the Grammy's sad whirl-o-worldliness out in L.A. in early February. 

WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - took 2 winter session seminars: one on leadership and the other on worship - January 7-18, 2008.  Just started in on a counseling course for the Spring semester.

BLESSED and MIGHTILY ENCOURAGED to HEAR FROM: Reggie Schofield, who found my MySpace page and sent me an email.  Delighted to hear from him (it's been a minute!) and see all the wedding photos he's posted on-line.  Also blessed and mightily encouraged to hear from Kenny Thompson (it's been 4 years, G.!) who's finishing up his degree at Benedict College in South Carolina and lookin' at some further schooling.  He's also had the opportunity to do some traveling and play some basketball in Holland and Brazil.  Nice.  Sam Harris called (he's enjoying his studies at Philadelphia Biblical University), as did Sam Cornet (who's also enjoying his time there at PBU).  I was also blessed to hear my brother-in-law Jim M. has been voted into a leadership role in a relatively new church that's sprung up in the northern Virginia area.  Richard Greene is involved in the youth ministry at his church in West Philadelphia.

Great Commission Church's new location on Eastburn Avenue in West Oak Lane, Philadelphia, PA 

NOTHING SHORT OF REMARKABLE! - Great Commission Church has  relocated itself from suburban Hatboro, PA into the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, a move which grew in part out of a GCC men's Bible study in Nehemiah, along with other factors.  We commend to you the church's leaders: Pastors Larry Anderson, D. Kyle Canty, Malcolm Walls and Hal Hopkins Sr., as well as the saints of GCC, as they seek to follow and serve the Lord Jesus in a field that is ready for harvest but is one that many others try their hardest to get away from or avoid.  Would that more of God's people would be done with trying to get to heaven on "flowery beds of ease" and follow the Lord Jesus into similar tough places.  More about the goings-on behind the scenes of GCC's move can be found at http://www.greatcommissiononline.com/images/Vision_Fund_External.pdf 

Christ Liberation Fellowship youth group and leaders at Niagara Falls, NY - December 29, 2007

The TRUCE Crew onstage Friday night at Joshua Revolution 2007 at the Niagara Conference Center

JOSHUA REVOLUTION NIAGARA 2007 - Invited by Pat Little to help drive members and leaders of Christ Liberation Fellowship's Youth Group up to Niagara Falls, NY for this annual youth conference.  It ran from December 27-30, 2007 and approximately 3000 attended.  Highlights?  For me, getting to know several members of the CLF crew, K. P. Yohannan's message (here's a link to his mp3 page: http://www.gfa.org/kpaudio), meeting David Ham, the director of TRUCE (To Reach Urban Communities Everywhere: http://www.trucecrew.com), hearing TRUCE members' testimonies and enjoying their ministry during the Power Sessions, the hospitality we experienced while up there and seeing Niagara Falls.  I was looking forward to hearing Reggie Dabbs, but he had a death in his family and wasn't able to make it to the conference.  It was also great to see a group from First Baptist Church of Highland Park (Landover, MD) and have the opportunity to chat for a bit with Sis. Victoria Washington.  Overall trip synopsis: Got to hear.  Got hit.  Got hurt.  Got Him.  Got helped.  Got healed.  Got home.  Here's the website for the conference:  http://www.joshuarevolution.org/niagara07.  

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (CUTS) - finished up the Fall 2007 version of teaching "Foundations of Christian Thought" (BIB 300C).  Great class - great interaction - great work.

EASTERN in the CITY (EIC) - also finished up teaching "Foundations of Christian Spirituality" (THEO 210).  Again, a great class - great interaction (and not a few tears and struggles throughout) and great work.

The PASSING of JERMAINE FLOYD - Got a phone call from good friend Walt Holmes (a Paterson, NJ school teacher) that Jermaine had passed away on October 31, 2007.  Jermaine (aka "'Maine"), 34, was a "son in the ministry" to several others and myself, and was the minister/director Faith Chapel's Mass Choir and Male Chorus and played for several other groups.  Years ago he was in a singing group I was privileged to be a part of called His Glory, which was made up of a group of young brothers that used to sing at Faith Chapel and occasionally elsewhere.  Lord Jesus, comfort his immediate family, his church family at Faith Chapel, and his friends from all over with Your very real Presence in this hour of sorrow, and thank You for Jermaine's life and testimony.  The homegoing service on November 4th was very much a bittersweet family reunion: a testament of Maine's legacy.  Wonderful to see Linzie Tynes, Darryl Redmond and his family, Kim Orr, Pastor Raymond, his wife Mona and Kemett Timms, Charles Young, Walt Holmes, Raheem Holmes, Jason, Mark Hickman, Matthew Reaves, Sis. Gloria, Sis. Beulah Ross and many others whom I haven't seen for years.

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE 35th ANNUAL WEEKEND GETAWAY - Black Rock Retreat, Quarryville, PA - October 26-28, 2007.  Again, another great weekend with the saints from MBI (primarily alumni) — reconnecting with longtime friends and meeting new ones.  Pressed the generational envelope in leading the worship and praise.

WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - in progress.  For financial reasons I've taken it real light this semester with a one credit course, but that has allowed me to start getting caught up on earlier course work that's been difficult to get to.  I finally turned in my research tutorial (could have done better on one of the four components) and await a critique of my commentary and street-level translation of Paul's letter to Philemon.  Gulp.  One big ethnography paper to go and I'll be under way full sail again. 

HAWTHORNE GOSPEL CHURCH - Hawthorne, NJ - October 20, 2007.  Popped in to visit with the saints at HGC during their missions conference.  Wonderful to see Tony and Marianne Loeffler (Solid Rock Ministries, based in Florida), Senior Pastor John Minnema and family, as well as Pastor Jim and Jean Richmond.  All of us go way back.  But this is not the time for reverie . . . there's still more work to be done!

Dana and Calvin Kelly ushered along by wedding coordinator Regena Bell

WEDDING BELLS for CALVIN KELLY, JR. and DANA POLK - Philadelphia, PA - October 6, 2007.  Privileged to take part in the wedding at Grace Baptist Church (Johnson St. and Germantown Ave.), playing the piano for the nuptials and getting to accompany some really great soloists.  A wonderful time seeing this fantastic couple come together in holy matrimony.

BETHESDA BAPTIST CHURCH - Washington, D.C. - September 30, 2007.  Had a wonderful time re-connecting with the saints at Bethesda, notably with Bro. Michael Thompson, his wife Vera and their family (now augmented with a high school senior transplant from Canada, originally from Serbia).  Did the PowerPoint presentation on Caleb the courageous see'r who, along with Joshua, saw the challenges of the Promised Land from a whole different level  than the 10 other spies.  Good to see Donna Battle (still in the battle!), Sis. Lilly and so many others.  Thank you, saints at Bethesda, for refreshing my heart as I trust the Lord Jesus challenged yours with what we considered.

BUX-MONT BAPTIST CHURCH BACK2SCHOOL BASH - Hatboro, PA - September 29, 2007.  Quite a crew Sis. Janice and her husband Bro. Curt Charlton have gathered at this fellowship in Hatboro, PA.  Had the good opportunity to share a bit with the group some of what it means to be an outsider, taking a look at how Jesus Christ Himself (as Author) came into His own story and found Himself an Outsider (John 1:10-12).  What a great (and fun!) bunch of teenagers in this marvelously diverse crew meeting there at the church on W. County Line Road.  Thanks for allowing me to be wit' 'n get to know y'all.

JESUS & JIGGA - Delighted to have lunch with author Eric J. Dolce and Nana K. (attending an area school) on the last day of August (a Friday) at T.G.I.F.'s on City Line Avenue here in Philly.  Eric wrote Jesus & Jigga: Where Hip-Hop Meets Scripture, which he says is: 

"for anyone who is searching for a way to understand biblical applications outside of the four walls of a church.  The Christian faith is rich with teachings and stories that people can relate to in everyday life.  This book is for the skeptical rap fan that wonders if the Bible is still relevant today. It’s for the Christian who’s not sure how to relate to rap lyrics (specifically Jay-Z) because they 'can’t find it in the Bible.'  [It's] for people who are looking for a way to connect the truth of the Scriptures with modern-day culture and ideas."  

More information can be found at: http://www.jesusandjigga.com

THREE of HEP's URBAN MISSION JOURNAL ARTICLES NOW ONLINE - Although they may be a bit dated (they were written in 1989 and 1992) they still got 'feet' regarding the street — enough so that Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson saw fit to quote from them in their 2005 book, The Hip-Hop Church: Connecting with the Movement Shaping Our Culture (InterVarsity Press).

"Penetrating an Urban People Group."  Bob Hepburn, Urban Mission, Mar 01, 1989, Volume 6:04, pp. 33-42.  http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php?loc=kb&view=v&id=15652 

"Rap Music: A Window into a Culture."  Bob Hepburn, Urban Mission, May 01, 1992, Volume 9:05, pp. 6-19.  http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php?loc=kb&view=v&id=15780

"Rap Music: Give Me My Respect, Man!" Bob Hepburn, Urban Mission, Sep 01, 1992, Volume 10:01, pp. 16-28.  http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php?loc=kb&view=v&id=15789 

CHANGE in CHURCH INVOLVEMENT - After being a part of Great Commission Church for a number of years (G.C.C. began as a church plant in a living room, moved to a church in Roslyn, PA and is now located in another church in Hatboro, PA), I've sensed the Lord's leading to return to a fellowship here in the city of Philadelphia.  Some think it a step in the wrong direction (Philly's under the gun these days [literally]), and yes, it's gonna cost me, but who said followin' the Lord was supposed to be comfortable or easy?  As of August 2007, I'll be fellowshipping at Epiphany Fellowship at 17th and Diamond Streets in North Philly.  E.F may sound familiar to those who read the YUBM Ministries newsletters regularly.  Here are a couple of pages that will give you an idea what the church is like: E.F. Street Outreach, September 9, 2006 and E.F. Church Launch September 17, 2006

If you preach the Gospel in all aspects with the exception of the issues which
deal specifically with your time — you are not preaching the Gospel at all.
Martin Luther

Mural art's big in Philly, but this piece is sobering & sad : the names of all 406 homicide victims in 2006
click for a larger legible version (4.3 MB)

                                 The 2007 Killadelphia homicide count was 392.                                

In 2004, the national Black homicide rate was 18.71 per 100,000. 
In 2004, the overall national homicide rate was 4.86 per 100,000. 
      For Whites, the national homicide rate was 2.97 per 100,000.

In 2004, Pennsylvania ranked first as the state with the highest Black homicide rate. 
Its rate of 29.52 per 100,000 was more than one and a half times
 the national average for Black homicide victims.

Source: Black Homicide Victimization in the United States: An Analysis of 2004 Homicide Data, published January 2007

One Philadelphia mayoral candidate termed the city's violence problem "Black genocide."

    Be still, adelphia: seek the face of the LORD God to bring His Shalom to the city.   

A modern day lament of many young Black men in urban America,
a clear-cut Macedonian call to Christ's church: Come and help us.

I Tried
Album: Strength and Loyalty (2007)
Artist: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony / featuring Akon

Bone Thugs...Akon, yeah

Intro: Wish Bone

You know, don't nothing come easy – you gotta try real, real hard
I tried hard – but I guess I gotta try harder

Chorus: Akon

I tried so hard – can't seem to get away from misery
Man, I tried so hard – but always be a victim of these streets
It ain't my fault ‘cause I – try to get away but trouble follows me
And still I try so hard – hoping one day You'll come and rescue me
But until then – I'll be posted up right here rain, sleet, hail, snow (hail, snow)
But until then – I'll be posted up right here with my heat, gettin’ dough (gettin' dough)

Verse 1: Krayzie Bone

First, let me explain that I'm just a Black man (a Black man)
And I come from the dark side so I'm having a hard time stayin' on track, man
My mind be racin' and I don't even know what I'm chasin' yet
Been in and out of relationships – I'm starting to see that it's me where the complication's at
But I'm layin' back, prayin' that You give that peace of mind to me
I thought I was right but then it got wrong and again I was too blind to see
I was in the fast lane, chasing my dream
And then it seem when the fame and cash came
They just got me goin' crazy (lately, lately)
Lately, I've been so faded
Tryin' to erase it
But I just can't 'cause the drama just goes greater
And I've been in so many collisions by puttin' relationships off 'til later

Chorus: Akon

I tried so hard – can't seem to get away from misery
Man, I tried so hard – but always be a victim of these streets
It ain't my fault ‘cause I – try to get away but trouble follows me
And still I try so hard – hoping one day You'll come and rescue me
But until then – I'll be posted up right here rain, sleet, hail, snow (hail, snow)
But until then – I'll be posted up right here with my heat, gettin’ dough (gettin' dough)

Verse 2: Layzie Bone

It's like I'm taking 5 steps forward and 10 steps back
Tryin’ to get ahead of the game but I can't seem to get it on track
And I keep runnin’ away the ones that say they love me the most
How could I create the distance when it's supposed to be close
And uh, I just don't know but I be out here fighting demons, and
It's like the curse that I can't shake this part of Cleveland, and
Lord, would You help me (help me)
To stop this pain I keep inflicting on my family (my family)
Hustlin' and gamblin' and uh, trickin' and scramblin' and
Losin' sight of what I'm supposed to be handlin’
It's hard to manage ‘cause everyday’s a challenge
And man, I'm slippin' – can't lose my balance – I'm tryin' not to panic, and

Chorus: Akon

I tried so hard – can't seem to get away from misery
Man, I tried so hard – but always be a victim of these streets
It ain't my fault ‘cause I – try to get away but trouble follows me
And still I try so hard – hoping one day You'll come and rescue me
But until then – I'll be posted up right here rain, sleet, hail, snow (hail, snow)
But until then – I'll be posted up right here with my heat, gettin’ dough (gettin' dough)

Verse 3: Wish Bone

I see things won't change – I'm stuck in the game
As soon’s I get out it keeps pullin' me back (pullin' me back)
Got me doin' dirty dirt (dirty dirt)
So used to this hustlin' money that I don't understand no nine to five work
Studied on the streets, hustlas know what I mean
Hustlas ballin' before us I'm tryin' to make that major league
So we never leave (never) ‘til the sun came up
Gotta get it – nope, no leaving – no (what?)
Today, games they play
Gotta go hard to get what you put in
If you fall off then it's all on you (on you)
Gotta watch what you sign to
Try so hard, but I won't play a fool

Chorus: Akon

I tried so hard – can't seem to get away from misery
Man, I tried so hard – but always be a victim of these streets
It ain't my fault ‘cause I – try to get away but trouble follows me
And still I try so hard – hoping one day You'll come and rescue me
But until then – I'll be posted up right here rain, sleet, hail, snow (hail, snow)
But until then – I'll be posted up right here with my heat, gettin’ dough (gettin' dough)

Copyright © 2007 Interscope Records / Universal Music Group

 "They're not even making it to [age] 20 here." 
Ashley Harbin, 19, who was attending a vigil for Terrence Walker, 19,
shot to death early Easter morning on April 8, 2007.  Gunfire broke out
during a memorial / community anti-violence vigil on Tuesday, April 10.

Terrence Walker's memorial constructed around one of the support columns for the Market-Frankford El.
Anatomy of a Memorial >>

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

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

HEP

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