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!

James (r.) with his Dad, Mom and Alan - home from the hospital

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:4, 21  "Except those happy 20 percent of humanity in Europe and the United States and parts of Asia, the life of the average human being on our planet is very difficult and very harsh.  For me this is the most important thing we are facing in the 21st century." Ryszard Kapuscinski, author of The Shadow of the Sun  Every once in a while you hopefully come across and individual whose life helps remind you of the Lord Jesus' priorities.  I met Edwin Street after the Cross Movement concert and he simultaneously encouraged, refreshed and rebuked me through his life and testimony.  His desire is to do whatever the Lord has waiting for him in Rwanda, where he's going in June -- along with his fiancée, Tanya Gould (they will minister with a group called Roots of Love International).  This 26-year-old has literally laid down all rights to himself, no longer seeking his own interests, and is proactively seeking the interests of the Lord Jesus in the process of seeking others' interests in that devastated East African country.  His life reminds me of Jim Elliott's quote, "No man is a fool to give up that which he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose."  Edwin and Tanya's lives serve to challenge us in our nominal, self-seeking, materialistic, comfortable substitutionary thing we call western Christianity.  Contact them at es_street@yahoo.com

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

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES  CUTS Finished up three classes for the Spring 2001 semester: Minor Prophets, The Gospel of Luke, and Postmodern Urban Culture.  CUTS in conjunction with Geneva College had its largest graduating class to date (62 grads in 6 degree programs) in ceremonies held at the Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ on June 2, 2001.

Pastor Sean Wise with other CUTS graduates

MAJOR SUMMERTIME OCCUPATION: home repairs and improvement.  Most of my days have been spent in replacing my back porch steps, a new cellar door enclosure, window sill replacement, painting, wood finishing, concrete repair, roofing matters and tending to lawn and garden issues -- packed in between phone calls, medical visits, outreaches, and getting together with various individuals (family and friends) and groups.  Giving serious consideration to some other teaching venues for the 2002 spring semester (at a few other local theological institutions).  Looking forward to perhaps vacationing on the Maine coast -- next year.

CHURCH MUSIC MINISTRY HAPPENINGS The Young Adult Choir at Third Eternal Baptist Church did an awesome job at Christian Union Church for their "March Madness" Youth Revival on March 18th.  Thank you, Pastor Larry Tucker, Sr. for inviting us to be with you and the saints there -- we had an awesome time.  Thank you all for your massive ministry of encouragement  to us.  The choir continues to bless and encourage and presses capably on, despite losing a couple of members who went off to college.  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 -- IN SPITE OF....  We also want to give a shout out to Larry Tucker, Jr. who played drums for us when we sang at Christian Union Church.  Thanks, Larry!

Talented percussionist ( and ball player from what we've heard ),
Larry Tucker, Jr.  His Dad, Pastor Larry Tucker, Sr. is now a CUTS grad.

We enjoyed the Word James Murray (from Montco Bible Fellowship) brought to us on Easter Sunday, then I got invited to dinner with his wife Marilyn and their daughter and other family members.  They also graciously extended hospitality to brothers Sam and Tim H. who were with me as well (talk about going the extra (mealtime) mile!)  Thanks for your love and warm hospitality, James and Marilyn!

By the way, you'll probably notice the names Sam and Tim H. come up a lot in this particular edition of the YUBM Ministries newsletter -- only 'cause I'm trying to invest strategically (the time is short).  I'm working on the principle that I need to move where the Lord Jesus is moving and come alongside to join in with Him.  It's evident to everybody that the Lord is working powerfully in Sam and Tim's life at this season, and even though we don't completely understand all that's going on, I am certain that these 2 brothers have been called to stand for Christ at a strategic time and critical juncture in their neighborhood.  They stand tall and do battle in sharing what Christ has done in their lives -- often in the face of strong opposition from Muslims, 5%ers and Hebrew Israelites.  They're zealous.  They succeed and they fail.  They overcome and they get overcome.  They struggle and get low -- so do you and so do I.  But they're real with the Lord and those they deal with, and that's worth far more than anything else in God's work and His economy.  Our task is to pray for them, come alongside and encourage, equip and empower in any way the Lord enables.  They've got the ears of a whole crew out there on the street that most of us would find extremely hard to reach. 

Silent Reflections for Christ

SILENT REFLECTIONS for CHRIST - Hey, check out this short video clip of LaVeta and Christina ministering at the Philadelphia Clef Club during a TV taping.  Both are members of the Young Adult Choir at Third Eternal Baptist Church.

The ANNUAL YOUTH REVIVAL at T.E.B.C. was a tremendous time of ministry as a number of young people came through big time with their various ministries and gifts.  The final service on Sunday morning featured former T.E.B.C. member / rapper The Activist (Sam Harris, III), whose testimony and lyrical skills frankly surprised many and even stunned others in the church, as well as Christina R. doing a worship-inspiring interpretive dance, and the Young Adult Choir blessing the fellowship with their music ministry.  Pastor Keith Garland brought the Word.  We also learned that morning that Germantown H.S. senior Edwin F., Jr. (picture below) had been accepted into Yale University!  WOW!!!  It needs to be reiterated: although we've been struggling without a pastor for almost 2 ½ years now, T.E.B.C. remains a "youther-friendly" church.  We are deeply encouraged by what the Lord Jesus is doing in the lives of our young people.  PLEASE PRAY for THEM and US!  Photos may be found here.

Edwin was the only Black male interviewed in the ABC local affiliate's annual TV program entitled, "Best of the Class."  Students were selected by their schools, which include public, private and parochial high schools throughout the tri-state region.  Edwin was the Senior Class President, inducted into the National Honor Society and was the class valedictorian of Germantown HS Class of 2001.  Going to Yale University this fall, he said in his TV interview, "I'm gonna study political science (majoring in political science).  After that I'm planning on going to law school and becoming a lawyer, and then eventually get into politics."  We're real proud of you, E.!  He leaves for Yale on August 25.

19-year-old Sam H., III ( a.k.a. The Activist ) was also with us March 18th at Christian Union Church (see above) as well ( click here for son's kinetic apologetic ) -- along with friends Shawn (The Watchman) and Rick.  He opened up for a Christian rap concert at Club Eternal Rock in Vineland, NJ on March 2nd.  This is a regular youth ministry venue hosted by Kelly Collins (a.k.a. DJ Whirlwind) and the evening also featured Christian hip-hop artists Corey Red and Precise, 39 Lashez (with Judah Priest), Christ Chosen, DJ Vaughn and others.  Continue to pray for this young brother -- he faced some tough challenges from Muslims at school (they are a powerful force in that part of the Germantown community in North Philadelphia), and still does in his neighborhood.  He and his twin sister Jewel graduated high school in June and Sam has expressed a desire to go to Bible college.  He and Cerrone B. (picture below) went with me to Washington D.C. (Feb. 14th) to discuss training possibilities in conjunction with the National Congress for Community Economic Development.  Jewel, her son, Derrell and their younger brother Tim are doing fine -- as are their Dad and Mom.  As mentioned before, do continue to pray for them.

Cerrone B. 'n Sam H. in front of the White House gate

The CROSS MOVEMENT PHILADELPHIA CONCERT at Sharon Baptist Church on April 29 was off the hinges.  T.R.U.T.H. (Emanuel Lambert, Jr.) opened up for the group and was followed by the group ripping into their material with a zeal and energy.  The Ambassador's preaching ministry is powerful (he came from Texas where he's s student at Dallas Theological Seminary).  It was a great time of re-connecting with the families and friends of the group.  Pictures may be found here.  Tim and I went down to Eighth Street Baptist Church in Wilmington, DE on June 10th to hear The Ambassador preach during their Youth Sunday service.  Wow.  That's all I can say!  A large crew from The Cross Movement showed up as well: The Phanatik, DJ Official and his wife, Teresa, jd, Carrin, Tony and his wife, Rasool and his fiancée, T.R.U.T.H, and several others. 

Tim H., DJ Official, The Phanatik and The Ambassador

TRAGEDY STRIKES Young Adult Choir members Kenny, Kevin and Sheena's uncles Eric B. Weeks (31), and William Tyrone Potter, II (22) -- along with an 18-year-old -- were killed in a fiery car crash at 8th St. and Cecil B. Moore Ave. in north Philadelphia on Monday, April 30, 2001.  The home going service was May 5th and brought their family, their friends in the community and the church together.  Pastor Hal J. Hopkins, Sr. preached the funeral and the Spirit of the Lord transformed tragedy into triumph.  Please pray for the Potter family (esp. Dad and Mom Bill and Diane) during this season of extreme sorrow.

THE YUBM MINISTRIES WEB SITE continues to open new opportunities for ministry, both here in the U.S. and even abroad.  I've been getting lots of requests for resources from those involved with urban youth and young adult ministry, as well as a lot of encouragement from those who've toured the site.  I've also been blessed to hear from The New York Times Magazine and the British Broadcasting Corporation.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for how You do things far beyond our ability to ask or even imagine.

THIRD ETERNAL BAPTIST CHURCH - given the privilege of preaching / teaching during the morning service on July 22.  Taking Luke 5:1-11 as our text, we dealt with the matter of launching out into the deep and looked at how Jesus does fishing.  GREATLY encouraged by the saints' response.

Visited the GREAT COMMISSION CHURCH up in Rosalyn, PA -- a church plant being done by Pastor Hal J. Hopkins, Sr. and others, among them Kyle and Pam Canty and Rich and Meg Orth.  Anthony W., Kevin B. and Korey T. joined me for the visit enjoyed the fellowship as well (esp. Anthony who came upon a prom date while we were there!).

Anthony Walker GQ'ed for the prom

Richard Britt, Mark Harrison, Terrence Day, Kevin Brown

ON the HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC SCENE  Young Adults Choir member, Kevin Brown and Simon Gratz High School track teammates Richard Britt, Mark Harrison and Terrence Day took the National Championship in the Sprint Medley Relay in the New Balance National Scholastic Indoor Track & Field Championships March 9, 2001 (held at the Armory Track & Field Center in New York City).  They did it with a record-setting time of 3:28:29.  Congratulations, Kev!  Wow!  We've got a national champion in our midst!   Chris A. is accomplishing great things on the gymnastics team at Central High School, winning events on the pommel horse, the high bar, parallel bars and rings, as well as in vaulting and in floor exercises.  He's also enjoying his ministry with the Former Central High School Gospel Choir as they've been making the rounds here in Philadelphia and out of state.  Kevin and his teammates also took first place medals in the Penn Relays as well as in in the City League Championship.  He is planning to attend Delaware State University this fall.  Click here for a video clip of Kevin competing at a Philadelphia high school meet on April 5th.  Click here for a picture of him with Rasheed Wallace of the NBA's Portland Trailblazers.

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 evidently "gettin' in the game" (dealing), while a 16-year-old confided he wants to try marijuana "for the experience" as he sees a group regularly getting high at his school.

Linzie Tynes (Paterson, NJ) called to say all's going fairly well with him.  Having not heard from him in some time, it was a great encouragement to hear from him.

Henry Sekawungu recently graduated from Faith Theological Seminary here in Philadelphia, and is looking to join us in ministering with the Third Eternal Baptist Church Young Adult Choir, playing bass.  He's a member of an African fellowship that sounds like they too could occasionally join up with us in worship and praise at Third. 

Anthony Walker got me back in contact with Minister Antoine Brown.  I was surprised and immensely encouraged to hear from him after the time I worked at Fellowship House in south Camden, NJ (about 6 years ago).  Bless the Lord for him and his wife Janice and their ministry with young people over at St. James Baptist Church in Beverly, NJ.  We're trying to start off a monthly Bible study/get-together (Ryan B. (a Temple student interested in urban youth ministry) and Antoine made it to the first one and Sam and Shawn have expressed interest in jumping in on the next one).

Cedric Bolton called -- he and his wife Gwen re-located from Washington state to Minneapolis, where they're both working at the University of Minnesota.  He's still doing a lot of writing -- especially poetry.

David Paul Brooks called to say "Hi" and let me know he's now ministering in Birmingham, AL.  He's one-half of a rap/drama/singing team called D.O.C. (the other is Alton Hood) and they're busy working on a new CD.  I listened to several cuts from it over the phone and continue to be amazed, impressed and encouraged by this brother's incredibly creative lyrical and musical gifts -- as well as his boundless energy.  Press on, D!  And a big shout-out also to his wife, Steph and their two sons.

Randall M. Lassiter is now shepherding a church in the Paterson, NJ area, as is Arturo P. Lewis and his wife, Debra.

J. Kelvin Jackson called - he's been busy this summer leading a SWIM ministry team in Grand Rapids, MI, singing with a group, playing the drums and is excited about hooking up with a number of young Sudanese refugees, many of whom were redeemed from slavery in their homeland.  Hoping he'll be able to get over here to Philadelphia sometime in August.

PAST PERAMBULATIONS:
( listed in reverse chronological order )

E.U.M.C. Young Adults Retreat Crew
Standing: Megan, Denise, Brad, Val, Ray
Sitting: Buck, Fred, Ryan, Larry, Beth, Diane

EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH YOUNG ADULT RETREAT - had a great weekend with a small group about 45 miles north of Harrisburg, PA the weekend of August 10-12, dealing with issues related to spiritual gifts and Christian growth.  Thank you, Ray and Val Voran, for your ongoing ministry with that dynamic crew, and for having me jump in alongside to contribute.  What a tremendous blessing to be with you all. 

THIRD ETERNAL BAPTIST CHURCH V.B.S. - Philadelphia, PA - We had a great time in the young men's class during the week of August 13-17 (averaged 10 or so each night).  Brothers Sam and Tim H. took the class for me on Wednesday night and spoke quite powerfully on the topic of rap music.  I'd like to give a special shout-out to Director Sis Cecelia Jenkins for putting me in the mix with a great bunch of up-and-coming leaders that week.

PAINTBALL EXPEDITION On August 15th 21 of us piled into 2 vans and headed down to Virginia for a day of "paintball"  The Cross Movement was invited to come, and they in turn invited their friends along to join the "madness" of ducking and dodging .68 caliber shots fired at 200 mph in 7 grand games of palpably real tag/capture the flag.  It was the Raptors (4 games) versus the Rangers (3 games).  Most of us managed to make it home with a minimum of welts and bruises ( got me 6 ).  It was a great time of fun and fellowship, but the knockout was The Ambassador bringing us a fantastic analogy after we finished the last game, equating the battle we had just experienced on the field and in the woods with spiritual warfare and the Christian life.  Wow.

Larnel, David, Phanatik, Ambassador, LIFE, Timothy, Tonic

AUGUST CROSS MOVEMENT CONCERT - traveled with the crew up to a park's basketball courts for a outreach concert hosted by the Christian Community Commission (a coalition of churches in New Haven, CT) on August 3.  Also got to see the city where Edwin F. will be going to school (Yale), and was a great way for me to celebrate my birthday (kept that to myself).  Again, what an awesome privilege it is for me to be on board with this crew.  More pictures from the concert here.

Part of the teen staff with a few campers at F.B.C.H.P.'s AWANA Camp

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of HIGHLAND PARK AWANA KIDS' CAMP - Skycroft, Middletown, MD - June 28 - July 1 - This was truly a mountaintop experience.  I had a great time with the leaders and 120 or so young people, as did Tim H.   Deacon Ed Harrison, Jackie (Jackie!), Ken and Wendy Obey, Rev. Nat and Regina Obey, Deacon Felton, Deacon J. Johnson, Greg, Chester (and many others), as well as teen leaders: Justin, Denny, A.J., T.C., Oscar and James.  And a special shout out to campers Mark, Ashley, Chris and Ashley - I thank the Lord for your young lives and your testimonies.  My main task was to lead worship and praise, but I also had a great time interacting with some really impressive young people (one teen leader is planning to become a pediatrician) and a host of youth leaders (almost all of them from F.B.C.H.P.) who are vitally involved in the lives of those young people.  Not to mention having the privilege of getting to spend a lot of quality time with Tim (teaching him piano, studying the Scripture, watching him do ministry, giving some pointers on learning how to swim, playing "voll-racquet-ey-ball" with the teen leaders (most of them pictured above) and just talking about life in general -- late into the night.  Dude has become a real encouragement to my heart.  I thank the Lord Jesus for this 18-year-old and his eager willingness to serve the Lord and commend him to you and ask you to continue praying for him.  Photos here.  A big "thank you" to the leaders who opened up their hearts wide in giving us the opportunity to minister with you!

59th STREET BAPTIST CHURCH - I attended a summer vacation kick-off youth overnighter event at this great church in West Philadelphia on June 15 (the church is shepherded by Pastor Benjamin Powell).  Thank you, Wayne Williams and the youth ministry team (including Youth Pastor Brian and his wife, as well as Sis. Thelma, Sis. Bettye and several others), for the opportunity to minister musically with you to your dear young people.

ST. JAMES BAPTIST CHURCH - The Activist and The Watchman (Sam H. and Shawn B.) joined me for a Youth Sunday morning service at this great church 2 blocks from the Delaware River in the small town of Beverly, NJ (May 27th).  Had a great time of fellowship there with the saints (Pastor Winston Pierre, Min. Antoine Brown, et al).  Had the grand opportunity to jump in on the keyboards for their praise and worship and given grace and liberty to speak on the issue of true friendship, coming form passages in Proverbs and 2 Corinthians 5:14-21,  Can't tell ya how thrilling, encouraging it was to be so warmly received and interact with the saints there that Sunday, and Sam and Shawn were tremendously affirmed and encouraged in regard to their ministry as well.  It's nothing short of incredible to me as to how seriously Sam takes his ministry.  How many 19-year-olds do you know that fast, pray and daily get into their Word for the stuff they need to deal with the streets?  He and Shawn simply amaze me.

Joyce Burton

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE SCHOOL RETREAT - Schroon Lake, NY - March 30 - April 1 -WOW!!  This is how you do a retreat!!!  What a fantastic time we had up at the Word of Life Inn in the Adirondacks as Sis. Joyce Burton hosted an awesome weekend with the 90 or so students and faculty of New Life (from their five-satellite campuses located throughout the Philadelphia area).  The theme was, "Come Out with Your Hands Up!" -- and we dealt with worship and praise -- and wow, did we ever!  Thank you, Pastor Victor Kirk (a.k.a. "Captain Church") for your insightful in-depth examinations of the Scriptures in this critical area of the life of the church. What tremendous liberty we had in the Spirit -- spiritual gifts were given opportunities for full, free, unfettered, unforced expression.  Delight!  Joy!  Love!  Peace!  Encouragement!  Laughter!  Natural beauty all around with the fresh-falling snow upon our arrival.  It had been 20 years since I was last up there at W.O.L.'s facility, and was awe-struck at the impressive quality of character expressed at every turn -- from the delightful staff (many of them Word of Life Bible Institute students) -- to the well-appointed, well-crafted and cared-for facilities -- to the incredible cuisine.  It wasn't just "food" folks -- it was "cuisine."  I can't say I've ever had mahi-mahi on a retreat...until now.  Does it sound like we had a good time?  Did we ever!  For real!  An incredible, memorable time of fellowship with incredible, memorable people at an incredible, memorable facility.  I had the inestimable privilege of leading the group in worship and praise.  Already chompin' at the bit to go back up there next year!   The Lord willin', I'm a go for next year -- for real!

FAMILY REUNION - We had a wonderful time getting together for a family reunion in Millville, NJ on April 8th.  It was great to be able to reconnect with relatives from all across the country, and certainly God has been wonderfully faithful to all of us through all these years.  My Dad 'n Mom knocked themselves out in putting the day together (arranging for the club house on Union Lake, doing the lion's share of the cooking, putting together photo albums and displays, taking pictures during the gathering, etc.).  We all found it hard to leave at the end of the day.

PRAYER PRE-VIEW:

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES  CUTS - teaching Luke, Postmodern Urban Culture, and Introduction to Youth Ministry in the upcoming Fall 2001 semester.  Classes are accredited and offered in conjunction with Geneva College.

2001 LABOR DAY WEEKEND RETREAT - Stroudsburg, PA - August 31-September 3 (doing a workshop Saturday morning: "Generating Hope Inside a Hype-worn Generation: The Deal on Dealin' with Disaffected Youth") - more info here.

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

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

HEP

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