MATURE • MENTOR • MINISTER • MAINTAIN • INVESTING IN BLACK FUTURES THRU STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Wuzzup, Hep!

Ministry web site: http://www.yubm.org   Email address: hep@yubm.org  Want web cards?

Greetings again in the wonderful Name of our soon-coming King, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Back at ya with another update on what's been doing here in this little but awesome part of the Lord's vineyard. Again, I trust the Lord Jesus will bless you somehow some way with something from the following material and that you'll pray for some one!

THANK YOU ALL for PRAYING for my sister Debbie, her husband Jim and my niece and nephew, Chelsea and Spencer after Deb's successful surgery to remove a benign cyst on her jaw on February 12th.  She was back home the next day after an intricate 3-hour-or-so operation.  Thank you so very much for praying for her and our whole family concerning this matter.  Dad 'n Mom recently celebrated septuagenarian birthdays (glory!) and brother-in-law Charlie and his daughters Melissa, Sarah and Carolyn are all doing fine.  Carolyn has won critical acclaim for her excellence as a high school athlete.  Brother Ed and wife Nicole and 1-year-old daughter Emily are all doing fine as well. 

PARTICULARS PERTAINING to PRESENT PURSUITS:

Khalif, Robin and Kris after our last Luke class at CUTS

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES  CUTS  Rolling again with 3 classes this Spring semester: Minor Prophets, Luke, and Postmodern Urban Culture.  We finished up Luke, Postmodern Urban Culture, Foundations of Christian Thought, and Introduction to Youth Ministry for the Fall semester and had a wonderful time.  End-of-the-semester student presentations included some guest presenters, among them W. Philadelphia H.S. student Khalif (above, whose Men of Vision web site can be found here) and DJ Whirlwind ( Kelly Collins ) .  Teaching 4 classes a week wasn't as energy-zapping as I thought it would be, but it is nevertheless a challenge in the area of time-management.  But I love it immensely and am grateful to You, Lord Jesus, for the opportunity to do what You designed me to do.

CHURCH MUSIC MINISTRY HAPPENINGS The Young Adult Choir (formerly the Youth Choir) at Third Eternal Baptist Church continues to bless and encourage and presses capably on. The Lord Jesus continues to bless this dynamic group of young people, delighting and amazing both us and the church with their ministry of musical encouragement. It's an exciting group of young people to watch grow in their faith and develop in ministry.  Christina [far left, above] and LaVeta [far right] continue in their powerful interpretive praise and signing ministry, and Christina also had a major part in a Christian drama called "The Song."  15-year-old James shared with the congregation one morning how he was able to lead a friend to Christ while riding on the bus to school.

Assisted with the musical ministry side of things up at Montco Bible Fellowship in Lansdale, PA.  Thank you, Pastor Tony Hart and Rev. Sam Butler and the saints there for extending me this opportunity.

WEB SITE UPDATE The YUBM Ministries web site is facilitating a growing number of opportunities to dialogue and correspond with people from around the country about doing urban ministry.  Feedback concerning the site has been overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic, and my biggest challenge right now is finding a way to get the material out there in street contexts where it's most needed.  I was very encouraged and honored to be asked to write a review on the movie Finding Forrester for HollywoodJesus.com -- a web site that features visual movie reviews, with explorations into the deeper more profound meaning behind film, music and pop culture.  The site, hosted by David Bruce, is something of a model for this one and I consider myself truly blessed to be given this opportunity.

PEOPLE to PERSONALLY PARTNER in PRAYER for:

PRAYER PRESSURE POINT A 17-year-old (his picture is elsewhere on this site) has left home, is out on the street, and "gettin' in the game" (dealing), while a 15-year-old confided he wants to try marijuana "for the experience" as he sees a group regularly getting high at his school.

MASE COMES to PHILLY ... to PREACH !  Actually, that's Pastor Mason D. Betha, the former Bad Boy megastar rapper (Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs' top artist) who was gloriously converted to Christ in April of 1999.  Philadelphia was the the next-to-last stop (December 29) on his "Hell Is Not Full" Crusade, which began in June, 2000 and hit about 15 or 16 locations around the country.  I was tremendously encouraged to hear his powerful testimony and teaching that night.  My guess is that there were about 1200 people at Zion Baptist Church on Broad St. that night, with about three-quarters of them being young people.  The brother has a no-nonsense and very powerful evangelistic ministry, carried out very much in the spirit of Elijah and John the Baptist ("He must increase, I must decrease.").  He expressed his sad concern that he had led so many people along the road to hell during his life as a platinum-selling secular rap artist, and now he wants very much to turn those same people he was leading the wrong way back to the Lord Jesus.  Read more about what God has done and is doing in this young man's life and ministry

Kenny working on the computer

AH, THE CHALLENGES of COLLEGE LIFE ! Cabrini College freshman Kenny T stayed here at the house for several weeks after finding some unexpected drama up at the school, which afforded both he and I all kinds of opportunities to re-visit college life (both positively and negatively).  He's now living in an apartment closer to Cabrini, and now faces an unexpected challenge in regard to his basketball career.  While he was here, he came with me to several of my C.U.T.S classes and spoke on several occasions, and my students really enjoyed what he had to say.  The great thing about discipleship is that it is never just a one-way process.  While he was here, Kenny got challenged as much as I know I did, and for that I am grateful to the Lord.  Go here for some pictures from his first JV game at Cabrini College.  Continue to pray for him as he gears up for his 2nd semester -- back on campus.  As noted in my previous newsletter, please continue to pray he'll rise up 'stead of being dragged down 'n be the faithful leader God's called him to be, standing true to the Savior while living in Xavier (dorm).  The possibility for profligacy is rampant on most college campuses today (American culture's default rite of passage) and its insidious destructiveness has ruined the4 fabric of many a life.

K tests out the home ( front porch ) court

INTERCESSORY PRAYER REQUEST - Please pray for Joseph, Demetrius and Brandon, three young teenagers living in Chester, PA, whom Dedot and I had the honor of meeting.  We visited with them briefly at the invitation of their grandparents, who are very much concerned (and frustrated) about the direction their grandsons' young lives are taking.  The visit was a "cold call" at first, but Dedot and I both sensed a warming up by the time we had to leave.  PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE GUYS -- THEY GOT SO MUCH GOIN' FOR 'EM, AND THEY GOT SO MUCH WORKIN' AGAINST THEM.  I'm excited about the final outcome, but it's definitely not gonna be without some drama.  Pray also for another grandson, Shakeem (sp?).

So very saddened to hear of the passing of Christina Bivins out in Minnesota on December 17th.  She used to sing with us in the Paterson-based ensemble, No Other Name.  Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to her parents, John and Sharon Thomas, and her younger brother, Jeffrey.

Surprised and immensely encouraged to hear from a brother in the Lord I had met a number of years ago when I was working at Fellowship House in south Camden, NJ: Minister Antoine Brown.  Bless the Lord for him and his new wife and their ministry with young people over in Burlington, NJ.  Anthony Walker got us back in contact.  Ant told me of the tragic death of Kevin Walls (21), one of the young people who frequented Fellowship House in South Camden, NJ a few years ago.  Kevin got shot twice while at a street corner not too far from the F.H. buildings and was rushed to the hospital.  He seemed to be recovering OK and was about to be released when a blood clot suddenly struck him down.  

As if that weren't enough, a short while later I learned from Anthony of the murder of Jermaine Glasco, 28, also of South Camden, NJ on January 3, 2001.  He was shot 4 times in the back outside the Cotton Club at 4th and Chestnut St. in Camden, then run over and dragged underneath a car for 4 blocks.  (A suspect has since turned himself in to the police.)  Some of you may remember me asking you to pray for this young man in past newsletters without describing the exact particulars surrounding his life.  We'll leave it at that and wait on the Lord for future outcomes.  The funeral home was packed out with young people and young adults from all over Camden -- so much so that even across the street from the funeral home a cluster of young men was huddled silently on the steps of a nearby housing development.  How long before others dare to enter in alongside their PAIN, PERIL 'n IMPRISONMENT? Things impossible for man are possible with the Lord for those who dare to ask Him for the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that we may know that He is LORD.  Isaiah 45:3

Jermaine Glasco with Tim Merrill at Camden's Fellowship House (1995)

"So on the dock I sit in silence / staring at a sea that's full of violence..."
                         Speech, lead rapper of Arrested Development in "Fishin' for Religion"

My heart's mad dropping at the dropped and likely-to-soon-be-dropped numbers of young people and young adults bein' downed all around with gunshot sound.  Come, mortal mound / give up your 'pound / these must be found / before the ground and time's unwound / May grace abound and Christ resound.  Yo, saints rebound / let love surround / Shalom redound / lest evil hound and sin surround / and leave them bound.

Good friend Pastor Tim Merrill (former Fellowship House director and co-worker) brought a powerful, impassioned, exhortative eulogy (my part was to read the Scripture).  While gathered at Jermaine's house before going to the funeral home, I met his father, Harry, for the first time.  He introduced himself to me after he asked me a question in the unflinchingly direct way I had often experienced in talking with his son.  He asked, "How good of a friend were you to Jermaine?"  I answered too quickly:  "I knew him since 1995..." but the deeper question he was asking  didn't hit me until the next day.  I wept because I don't have an answer for his hard, hurt-brought, haunting question.  All that can really be said (and frankly needs to be said) is that indeed the Judge of the whole earth shall do right and we will each give an account of ourselves to God, and He shall render to every man according to all his ways and for what he done (Gen 18:25, Romans 14:12, 2 Chronicles 6:30, Romans 2:6) .  I just don't feel good right now -- my heart is heavy and my spirit grieved these days.  I've heard of so many deaths of young people and young adults these days that I'm on edge with concern about those the Lord Jesus has placed in my life at the present time.  One of the older funeral directors wondered aloud about the longevity of her generation and the brevity of life of the younger's.  INTERCESSORS / INTERDICTORS NEEDED to STAND in the GAP!  WHERE WE AT, SAINTS???

In response to the January 12th arrest of 4 suspects for a December 28th massacre in the Mill Creek section of West Philadelphia, Edgar Lee, a 74-year-old W. Philadelphia community activist who marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, AL said, "We're all responsible.  You cannot be silent."

Lamar S. with Dajuan Wagner

A few years ago Jermaine told me about a very promising young basketball player at Camden H.S. (a school that consistently fields great teams), by the name of Dajuan Wagner.  He was only a freshman that year, but already it was obvious to many that he would be going places in his basketball career.  Fellow T.E.B.C.'er and Fels H.S. player Lamar S. and I went to go see him play in the 2nd Annual Hometown Hoops Classic at Temple University's Liacouras Center on January 14th.  Dajuan was indeed all the player that Jermaine had told me he would be.  After the game introduced myself to him -- I had seen him at J.s funeral the Friday before and got a saddened knowing glance from him when I mentioned I was also a friend of "Jay Knotts."  I was encouraged with this high school senior who played his heart out in the basketball game (not an easy one for him (opponent-wise or emotionally), but still had plenty of "heart" left over after the game to give to all those who came to show their support of him.  This top-ranked player is getting a lot of media attention at the national level, but so far has managed to keep and present himself "real" to those around him.  Less than 48 hours after this game, Dajuan racked up a record 100 points in a game against Gloucester Tech January 16, 2001, and he surpassed the 3000 point mark in a game at the Primetime Shootout in Trenton on February 11, 2001 (He finished his high school career with a record 3462.points).  I deeply respect this young man's depth of character -- thanks for ya heart, D.!  But it ain't over, yet. Saints, pray for "Juanny" that this young Camden Panther might find "The Truth" in "The Messiah" so that the "ONE MORE RISK TO TAKE" and "ONE MORE ROAD TO CROSS" ( all tattoos that he has on his arms ) may be done in, with and through Christ Jesus.  What does it profit a young man to eventually gain a multi-million-dollar NBA contract but lose his own soul?

19-year-old Sam H., III is on fire for the Lord.  Had several strong and encouraging face-to-face and telephone convos with him, learning that he's standing strong and true for the Lord Jesus at Germantown H.S. and at his job (he's even back to a singing ministry with the choir at his church).  Sam is also working on some Christian raps (click here for son's kinetic apologetic), calling himself "Elijah the Activist."  Indeed!  He reminds me of Mase in terms of his earnest zealousness.  Pray for this young brother -- he faces some tough challenges from Muslims at school (they are a powerful force in that part of the Germantown community in North Philadelphia), as well as some other issues.  He's also expressed a desire to go to Bible college.  He and Cerrone B. went with me to Washington D.C. (Feb. 14th) to discuss training possibilities in conjunction with the National Congress for Community Economic Development.  Sam's twin sister Jewel and younger brother Tim are doing fine.  Please continue to pray for them and their parents.

After conferring with her about taking her son to an event a mother quipped, "Sure, you can take him 'til he's 21."

I was glad and very encouraged to get a letter from Reggie Schofield who is now stationed at Ft. McPherson in Georgia with the U.S. Army.  "...thought I'd write you to see that everything is alright."  Thanks, Reg, for your persevering spirit and the promising potential of your character.  

23-year-old Baltimorean Corey who worked as a lifeguard at the Bible camp I was at this summer.  Rarely do you have the opportunity (and privilege) to meet up with young men who literally save people's lives (Corey's saved 2 people's lives in his work as a lifeguard in the Baltimore municipal pool system).  His is an impressive life -- I'd like to have a number of other young brothers I know come and sit down with him and hear what he's got to say on a lot of things pertaining to life.  He reminds me a lot of Cornelius (in Acts 10), and accordingly ask you to pray for him along that line.   

Edwin continues to gather swimming medals -- 3 gold and 1 silver at a competition at The College of New Jersey in Trenton during the last week of August.  We're all real proud of you, E!  (click here for picture). 

16-year-old Chris' spiritual leadership and zeal is remarkable.  He has been elected Vice President of the Former Central High School Gospel Choir, a group he's really enjoying singing and ministering with.  Central High School was recently ranked tops in the country.

Bro. Andrew came up and offered to clean my van's dirty windows while I was at the Sunoco station at Broad and Hunting Park.  We struck up a conversation and he excitedly said he had just observed his 49th birthday and he was grateful to have made it that far in years.  In a short period of time he shared a flurry of life vignettes.  A defining turning point in his life seems to have been a painful broken relationship many years ago, which he practically discounted as if it didn't matter.  It was obvious it did.  His has been something of a hard-knock life, nevertheless, he's pressing on.  Andrew's rough weather-beaten hands reminded me of a seasoned sailor's that have been through many a storm. As the conversation turned to spiritual matters, he pointed to a pocket full of religious tracts and spoke of encounters and conversations with other people.  I shared with him about the prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) -- a prayer that's really doing it's work on me -- and how that Old Testament pain-filled but honorable man found his prayer to God answered.  The words seemed to resonate with Andrew -- he came close to tears and I think I saw hope.  Now, not a whole lot of people are going to read this, but I believe the right ones will -- ones who will remember to pray for this 49-year-old Philadelphian.  Happy birthday, Andrew.  The Lord Jesus and we love ya.  Thanks for helping me see more clearly in more ways than one, and pray you'll be able to as well.

Again, I’ve been truly blessed to hear from several more brothers I haven't heard from in a long time: Good friend Gerald Dial called from Newark NJ -- haven't heard from him for several years.  He and his wife Regina have relocated to South Carolina.  Gerald graduated from Fordham University with a law degree. 

Occasionally doing a little bit of recording for Christian hip-hop producer, LIFE at his house over in West Philly.  Even Kenny, who came along, got into it -- flexin' his budding keyboard skills and gettin' them sampled into the mix.

Can't begin to tell ya how blessed I was to get a phone call from Juan James (enocK) who moved his family out to Marion, OH last August.  He's started a rap artist management business (Mind of Christ Management) and is looking to make yet another move to Columbus, OH. 

Spent Thanksgiving Day with my godson Jon's family and then the next day with the Hepburn tribe up at my brother's house in central Jersey.  Full houses, wonderful convos and fun times all ways both days.

Dedot (at the right) and his family are doing fine.  He was recently promoted to supervisor at his job.  Got together with him, his brother-in-law Gene, and Brady (at the left) for lunch and had a great time of fellowship and encouragement.  Dedot told us of hearing a 10- or 11-year-old boy named Richard sing in a program at his daughter's school.  The young brother broke down and wept during the song but pressed on through to the end, bringing tears to everyone else's eyes out in the audience.  Turned out the youngster was broken up about having no Dad around and he even admitted entertaining thoughts of suicide. 

Prince is doing aiight -- back from a Mediterranean tour with the U.S. Navy.  It's not a particularly easy thing to be doing after the attack on the U.S.S. Cole. 

Very encouraged to hear from 25-year-old twins Keith 'n Kevin, living in Clifton, NJ.  They formed a 5-member Christian rap group called Disciples of Glory, recorded a CD and are out and about doing ministry in the north Jersey area.  

PAST PERAMBULATIONS:

BIBLE CLUB MEETING - On October 13th we had a great time sharing God's Word with 32 teens, engaging them in some substantive discussion afterwards, as well as getting in some some invigorating recreation (i.e., lots of ping-pong).  Lots of potential in this spiritually receptive crew.  Thank you again, Lorraine Stirneman, for again allowing me the blessing of being with a really great set of fiercely-endearing young people.  Solomon, Cornell and Andre -- you brothers are stand-outs.  You got real heart !

BETHESDA BAPTIST CHURCH MISSIONS CONFERENCE - I was bountifully blessed to be with the saints at Bethesda's conference on  October 21 and 22.  I was privileged to speak to the entire Sunday School class.   Pastor A. Michael Black, Michael Thompson, Sis. Bettye Walker, Michael and Mila Hough, Ernest Irving, Joshua B. (drummer and ball-player at Suitland High School), Susie Fields, Dan, Steve Taylor, Brian Edwards (who interviewed me for a D.C. area radio program a number of years ago) and his wife Kelly and their baby.  Thank you, everyone, for your wonderfully warm reception.  You truly refreshed my heart.  Philippians 1:3, 6.  True.

Joshua B.

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT - October 27-29 - Once again, thrilled to be with some of the students, alumni, faculty and administration of Manna for their 28th annual retreat at Black Rock Retreat Center in Quarryville.  We had a grand time -- Elder Victor L. Cooper (from True Light Fellowship Church) spoke and I had the privilege of leading the worship and praise.  I also was blessed to again lead the Retreat choir and (bonus!) teach the men's Sunday School class.  A special thanks to Maria Goode-Burton for allowing me to slip out Saturday night to attend the Cross Movement's album release party (next item), and to Winni Mercer for bringing that new song to my attention for the choir to sing.  Special shout outs also to Manna President Rev. Arvelle Jones and Bro. Carlos Goode, who's starting up a church in Vineland, NJ.

L. to the R: The Phanatik, Ambassador, Earthquake, LIFE, DJ Official

THE CROSS MOVEMENT HUMAN EMERGENCY ALBUM RELEASE PARTY - October 28 at Calvary Chapel in northeast Philadelphia was jam-packed (ca. 2200) with young people and young adults as The Ambassador, The Phanatik, The Tonic, Earthquake, DJ Official, T.R.U.T.H., LIFE and Rasool (now working with IMPACT down at Howard University) hosted a high-octane concert.  We gathered for prayer in the back room and then the program began.  It included material from previous album releases, videos (including the premier of "Honor and Glory") and a number of cuts from "Human Emergency."  Duce (The Ambassador) came up from Texas (he's at Dallas Theological Seminary) for the concert and gave an invitation that simultaneously riveted and rocked both the crew and the concert-goers.  A tremendous response ensued, for which we want to give honor and glory to the Lord for moving in such a wonderful and mighty way.  A big shout out to Calvary Chapel for hosting the concert and especially to Bro. Kirk Thompson for your ministry to the crew backstage.  Some of the pictures I took are posted here.  The Washington Post did a huge (and very positive) article on the Cross Movement, which appeared on Sunday October 22, 2000 on the front page of the Arts section (accompanied by 6 pictures). Click here to link to the article.

"Know Me" video shoot at the Cultural Building in Harlem
Thanks, June, for your help with the photography.

EXTRA!  EXTRA!  CM DOES ANOTHER VIDEO SHOOT - The Cross Movement also did a video for the Human Emergency track "Know Me (Huh, What?)."  The taping took place up in the Hamilton Heights section of Harlem, NYC during the weekend of November 25-26th.  It was done at several locations around the 145th St. and Riverside Drive areas.  A great time of fellowship with saints from NYC, Philly, Washington, DC, and other places as well as a couple of people coming all the way from Atlanta, GA.  Click here for the video on-line.  Along with many others, I was very much impressed by the character and ministry of a rapper named Cross Cypha (pictured below) who spilled truth skillfully in an impromptu freestyle session during the break.  (That's Corey Red in the blue hat and red shirt.)  What a great evening with The Ambassador, The Phanatik, The Tonic, Earthquake, T.R.U.T.H., DJ Official, LIFE, Tubbs et al. The video is now playing on B.E.T.  Photos here.  This event also serves as something of a milestone in my own life, marking my debut (and perhaps entire career) in the Christian rap video field :)   I can't tell you enough how honored I am be affiliated with this remarkable crew of Christian rappers.  Click here for 7Ball magazine's Nov./Dec. 2000 cover piece on the group.

Cross Cypha drops the deep during the break

STRATEGIC CITY FOCUS 2002 YOUTH EVANGELISM PLANNING COMMITTEE - working with Rev. Peter Yanes, Tommy Rowe, Shelton Mercer and others, laying the groundwork for a strategic city-wide youth outreach in 2002 under the auspices of the S.B.C..

THIRD ETERNAL BAPTIST CHURCH MISSIONS CONFERENCE - November 4-5 - did a workshop on "Christ and Culture" and came to the congregation as Jonah to speak during the morning worship on Sunday.

THIRD ETERNAL BAPTIST CHURCH YOUNG ADULT CHOIR 28th ANNIVERSARY - November 26 - an incredible and uplifting time as the group makes its transition from Youth Choir to Young Adult Choir.  The church was encouraged as were the choir members -- as well as those who were visiting with us all that evening.  And a special shout out and a big "THANK YOU" to the Girls' High Gospel Choir and the Bible Way Church Choir for encouraging and ministering to us. Bro. Richard W, we'll catch up with you 'n your group next time!  We were given great grace and liberty that evening.  All told, we sang 6 selections (marching in, during the offering, 2 selections before the message, after the invitation and a special request).  Ready and chompin' at the bit to do more ministry, Director Wanda Rivera and I can't praise the Lord enough for sopranos Christina, Rebekah, altos LaVeta, Tasheena, Sophia, and tenors Calvin II, Kevin, James, Alfonso, Jr. Alan, Lamar, John and Kenny (our drummer).  I was also tremendously encouraged by a young man who it seemed like he had presented himself to the Lord and then came up to tell me he was ready to join the choir.  It's tough to explain but I sensed from the look on his face that this guy meant business.  Serious business.  (Made me later re-examine my own presentation of myself to the Lord: would that I might have the same determination I saw reflected in this young brother.)    Just to give you something of an idea of what's going on inside the group, James decided he would carry his Bible with him to school and in doing so, sparked a conversation with a schoolmate, whom James was then given grace to lead him to the Lord.  Wow.

MONTCO BIBLE FELLOWSHIP YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT was a wonderful time of edification and encouragement up at Spruce Lake, PA - February 16-18.  There were about 19 of us and we dug deep (and thoroughly) into the important matters of purpose, satisfaction and success.  A special thanks to Pastor Fred Garnes for inviting me along, and to his wife, Anita, who cooked for the whole crew the whole weekend.  Got to see some friends I haven't seen for some time (it had been about 16-17 years since I had last seen Leon Coleman), as well as meet others from the young adult group at Montco.  

Steve Fitzhugh preps audience volunteers for "Agree/Disagree" live questionnaire at JAM 2001

JAM ( JESUS and ME ) TEEN MINISTRY WINTER RETREAT 2001 - Skycroft - Middletown, MD - February 23-25.  Yet another fantastic youth retreat put together by leaders from 3 Washington D.C. area churches (First Baptist Church of Highland Park - Landover, MD, First Baptist Church of Minnesota Avenue - D.C., and Emmanuel Baptist Church - D.C.).  Dealing with a timely and resonant theme for a youth retreat ("Caught in the Crossfire" - 2 Timothy 2:3-4), about 190 of us attended to the Word of God dramatically brought by Steve Fitzhugh (Power Moves of Washington, D.C.), Min. Shawn McBride, Emanuel Williams, Cheryl Brooks, Catherine Borges and others.  Capably led by retreat director Edward Harrison and keenly coordinated by Janice Edwards and Diane Murphy, it was a memorable event with an inspiring host of great young people and great leaders.  What an extreme privilege and joy it is for me to be able to minister to the Lord and to His people along with this proactively, pro-teen team.  I served as the musician and worship leader.     

PRAYER PRE-VIEW:

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES  CUTS - teaching Luke, Postmodern Urban Culture, and The Minor Prophets in the upcoming Spring semester.  The classes are accredited and offered in conjunction with Geneva College.

CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCH - Philadelphia, PA - "March Madness" Youth Revival - March 18

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE SCHOOL RETREAT - Schroon Lake, NY - March 30 - April 1

SUMMER CAMP POSSIBILITY? - Virgin Islands - August 6-10 - sounds almost outrageous in light of the following:

Please continue to pray with me in regard to two critical matters: 1) my AIM support level – it has not kept up with the cost of living. I’ve been with AIM International for 20 years and the Lord Jesus has indeed been wonderfully faithful to me, as have so many of you, and 2) continuing decisions regarding my church "home" here in Philadelphia (i.e., where does the Lord want me?),

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

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

HEP

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