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Spring-Summer 2002 Newsletter

Philippians 3:10

PARTICULARS PERTAINING to PRESENT PURSUITS

THIRD ETERNAL BAPTIST CHURCH YOUTH BASKETBALL MINISTRY - in response to a suggestion from a deaconess at the church, we put a team together and had our first session on May 11th.  Looks like we got a lot of potential!  Unfortunately, neither Dedot nor myself is able to continue on with the team because of work schedules, so the team is looking for someone who can help direct the team in practices and into a league of some kind.  I was hoping Kenny and Lamar would fill in the leadership gap, but they too are pre-occupied with career and work pursuits as well.  ( And we wonder why a lot of young people feel like adults don't pay any attention to them ! )  I feel bad about this situation (especially when a team member asks why we can't be there), but right now I can't rally do anything about it.  In spite of that bit of disappointing news, a couple of our players participated in the NBA Hoop It Up Tournament at eh First Union Center and won the championship: Robert B. and Justin L. (along with 3 other teammates).  Robert and Justin also won in the 2-on-2 tournament.

The CAMPOLO SCHOOL for SOCIAL CHANGE of EASTERN UNIVERSITY invited me to write the syllabi and curriculum for 3 Master's level urban youth ministry intensives.  The campus is located near Center City here in Philadelphia, PA.  Please do pray for me as I work through this endeavor -- it's an incredible honor, labor-intensive and one very exciting opportunity.

CUTS - Finished up the Spring 2002 semester with teaching Foundations of Christian Thought and Postmodern Urban Culture.  Youth ministers, pastors and assistant pastors, church educational leaders, etc. -- some doin' double duty as Philadelphia police officers, firemen, streets department workers, city morgue grief counselors, school workers (keep them all safe, Lord) -- are up in the mix of students.  One student (a city fireman), came into class to drop off his homework - he was on call and couldn't stay - and his radio let out a loud squawk followed by a call message as he stood by my desk.  Looked out the window after he left, and there was his fire truck waiting outside!  Interesting note: one of my Fall semester students lives in Doylestown, PA, attends church in New Brunswick, NJ, works in Newark, DE and attends CUTS in Philadelphia, PA.  Serious about ministry.  We finished a summer course (Postmodern Urban Culture), and are now halfway through a class dealing with the Gospel of John (it started at the end of July and will end August 15th).  Also did one independent study in Foundations of Christian Thought.  Now it's already time to gear up for the Fall semester (2 different F.C.T. classes. 1 P.U.C. class and a new one (which means it's time to write yet another curriculum): New Testament Epistles).  As you can probably tell, it's been very much a "writing" kind of summer (as well as doing a good amount of teaching -- sometimes 7 hours a day).

By the way, I was delighted to hear that one of my former students, Pastor Robert Brookins, is running for mayor of Reading, PA.  The election is in 2003.  Wow!

THE YUBM MINISTRIES WEB SITE - The site reached the 150,000 page view mark on July 13th and in mid-February it peaked at an average 1000 hits a day (it's a whole lot calmer now).  People from ministries around the country have called, looking for information — particularly concerning Mason Betha -- notably the New York Times, the British Broadcasting Corporation, VIBE Magazine, The Guardian and Relevant Magazine.  

T.E.B.C. Mass Youth Choir in rehearsal

T.E.B.C. HAPPENINGS - The Young Adult Choir at Third Eternal Baptist Church has shrunk in size considerably -- several more people have left for college and we're down to 1 soprano, 1 alto and 2 tenors.  The ensemble / choir continues to bless and encourage as it presses on, but I am reminded of the truth that the Lord promised only to bless individuals, not institutions.  Blessed to have an occasional opportunity to speak at T.E.B.C., the latest being to the young people on February 13th, a preaching assignment on January 20, and the church's Good Friday service in March.  We rehearsed a combined youth choir (made up of the members of T.E.B.C.'s Young Adult Choir, the Stars of Faith (children's choir) plus a really encouraging number of young people who aren't in any choir at all.  The crew carried out its ministry in an effectively powerful way on Resurrection Sunday, and it was an incredibly encouraging experience for the choir and the church.

T.E.B.C. Mass Youth Choir on Resurrection Sunday, March 31, 2002

PEOPLE to PERSONALLY PARTNER in PRAYER for

Truly honored and blessed to hear from Charles Tahon Young, who used to be in one of the choirs I played for at Faith Chapel up in Paterson, NJ.  He's getting married on October 12 in Silver Springs, MD.  Looking forward to seeing him and his new wife and quite possibly a number of friends from Paterson I haven't seen for years.  The Lord bless you and your wife-to-be, C.! 

One of my former CUTS students gave a couple of aspiring rappers my phone number and I really enjoyed talking with them.  The first, Darius, did a rhyme over the phone and was a bit surprised that I correctly guessed how long he's been rapping, and our conversation covered a lot of ground.  Hope I was able to challenge him -- I admire his desire to rap for the Lord Jesus.  The second rapper / beatmaker, Courtney, called a couple of days later and we also had a good, albeit brief, convo.  I wish the brothers the Best and hope they stay in touch.

Mega-encouraged to hear once again from 17-year-old Chris Agard who graduated from Central H.S. in June.  He's on his way to Howard University and plans to transfer to Cornell University.  He finished well at C.H.S. (ranked as one of the top high schools in the country) and plans to major in biology with a view towards doing something in the medical field.  

And I was mega-encouraged once again to hear from Maurice Drew Baynard who is working as a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania.  It had been about 20 months since we last talked, and am indebted to K-lee J. at C.S.S.C. and Calenthia D. for enabling the reconnection.  And from having reconnected with him I was also thrilled to be able to reconnect with Carla B. as well.  Wow!

The Activist (Sam Harris III)

Sam Harris III  (20) enjoyed the West Philadelphia Bible school he was at, but he's now looking to attend Philadelphia Biblical University.  He's doing a lot of in-depth study on his own, exegeting details in the Scriptures worthy of a seminarian.  He asked me to teach him New Testament Greek, and we got together regularly for the last month, during which time he picked up the basics pretty quickly.  As the Christian rapper The Activist he's also gotten some recording done and had an album release party with co-rappers R-Swift and G-Wade at Oasis of Praise Ministries here in Philadelphia, PA on February 23, 2002.

We're God's Peeps - spittin' a couple of Ac' pieces
No matter what you say, son, we're speakin' God's Thesis
You don't know God 'til you've met our Jesus 
Please believe us - Matthew 22: Street Sweepers

Web site: www.flava4thesavior.com

Tim H.

Sam's younger brother, Tim, said he feels called to the pastorate (a call he's had since he was 7 or 8 years old) and he's looking for a way to go to Bible college.  He's willing to go into the military service to find a way to pay for it, saying, "If God could bring me out of all my stupid situations, I know He can bring me back" [from serving in the armed forces, even in a war situation].  Wow.  Interesting and convicting convo from an 18-year-old whose confidence is confidently in the Lord.  Same convo included a question son unexpectedly challenged me with — a question one rarely gets from someone his age: "Do you agree with the accommodation theory in how the Lord reveals Himself to people?"  Wow.  He has his Bible in one hand and his backpack in the other as he heads out the door to catch the bus to his job at Willow Grove Mall.  Again, I say:  Wow.  We've been getting together once a week for Bible study, and I wish I could convey to you the colorful and creative both he and Sam exegete the Scriptures.  I'll work on getting a sample of that to ya.  I'm trying to plug Tim and Sam into as many ministry venues as I can find — their testimonies and lives are encouraging and impressive.  The tenor of their lives?  Sam and Tim are for Sam and Tim.  Sam and Tim are for Christ.  They're hardly perfect (just ask Dad), but they are being perfected.

Kenny T. and friend Meisha popped by at the end of March for a visit.  Kenny's playing summer basketball for Cheyney University and Meisha's working in the studio on an album with her singing group.

Special prayer request: please intercede before God's throne for 16-year-old James S.  Thank you.

Saddened to hear of the homegoing of one of my C.U.T.S. students, Rev. Evelyn Wallington.  I had the pleasure of having this one-of-a-kind 78-years-young mother, grandmother and great-grandmother in two of my classes in the past couple of years.  She was working on getting a college degree here on earth when she was graduated to Glory.  She was a true soldier for the Lord with a wonderful zestful witness that blessed us all.  I mentioned to her one time that I hope I could, by God's grace, do half as well as she did should I be permitted to reach her age.  We miss you, dear sister, and look forward to seeing you again.

Blessed to hear from Walter H. who's now teaching 8 to 10-year-olds at School 21 in Paterson, NJ and also working at a group home for juveniles several days a week.  You talk about a tiring schedule!  Looking forward to a visit from him, Jermaine F. and Charles Y. sometime this spring.  They were all in a youth choir we had at Faith Chapel Reformed Church back in the early 90's.

Cedric Bolton called from Minneapolis to say he's still actively pursuing a spoken word career.  He and wife Gwen are pretty active in the academic community out there.

Got an email from Khalif M. Townes — he's graduating from West Philadelphia High School this June, is getting established in ministry (even forming a Board of Directors!) and is going forward well with the Lord.  His Web site (Men of Vision Ministries & Productions, Inc.) can be found here.

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, 30-year-old member of the Grammy-award-winning female R&B group TLC was killed in a car crash in the Honduras on April 25, 2002.  As a youth she used to sing at our church (Third Eternal Baptist) in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, but left Philly at age 19 to make her mark in the entertainment world, moving to Atlanta, GA.  There she formed TLC with Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins.  I am saddened to hear of her passing, and now my main concern is for 4 more young women (in a group called Egypt), two of whom are friends who used to be in our youth choir at T.E.B.C.  They were accompanying Lisa on that fateful Honduran trip and were being personally groomed by Lisa to make their mark in the entertainment world as well.  Pray for them (Katrina, her younger sister Sophia, T-Melle and Joy) — they were in the rented SUV with Lisa driving when it went off the road.  And please pray for me as well as I am given opportunity to minister.

Kelvin on the mic

I was getting ready to watch the NCAA championship basketball game between U. of Maryland and Indiana U. (April 1st), when the phone rang.  It was good friend J. Kelvin Jackson who's really enjoying his ministry with young people in conjunction with Roosevelt Park Ministries in Grand Rapids MI.  He's also enjoying his musical ministry with an ensemble called Majestic Praise, headed by Debra Perry.  They are working in the studio right now, and hope to release a CD in June.  Got to hear them over the phone and they sound really good!  They're looking forward to ministering at the Gospel Music Workshop Association in Detroit in June and going on tour. 

I beseech you to seriously go before the Lord in prayer for a 23-year-old (let's call him "Brother J.") who's earnestly seeking to do the righteous thing after coming to faith in Christ about 5 months ago.  He's manifesting remarkable Christian growth but struggles mightily with the strong temptation to occasionally turn back to the fast money found in the "game" (dealing drugs).  It's tough.  Dude has crossed over to the Lord's side and is there on the front line for Christ -- and accordingly catching enemy fire big time.  The Lord Jesus must have some serious big plans for this young brother.

We rejoice to hear the wonderful news from good friend Rev. Nathaniel W. Obey that he was recently installed as the Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Culpepper, Virginia.  The installation service was on June 22, 2002.  Great to hear from his daughter, Nicole, who's at Virginia Tech and exploring Air Force possibilities.

On April 17th Dajuan Wagner decided to leave the University of Memphis Tigers basketball team after his freshman year to declare his eligibility for the 2002 NBA draft held on June 26 at MSG.  He was chosen 6th by the Cleveland Cavaliers starts playing professional basketball this fall.  Before leaving Memphis, he and his team won the 2002 NIT College Championship at Madison Square Garden in NYC on March 28, 2002, and he was voted the MVP for the NIT's Final Four.  He did promise his Mom he'd eventually get his college degree.  Pray for him.  The NBA is all-to-often looked at as a "savior" to many YUBM, but I'm not convinced.  But I do hope this young man -- nicknamed "The Messiah" -- does well and finds the Savior: the Lord Jesus Himself -- even in the midst of a league doggedly focused on pursuing other value systems.  Dajuan's got an incredible grasp of the precept "I myself am a man under authority" in his deep respect for those who've had the privilege of being his coach.  Pray he'll find a mentor who will encourage him spiritually and introduce him to the One Who has given him all he's got.  

Speaking of things NBA, I had the good opportunity to meet Rasheed Wallace while leaving the Center for Urban Theological Studies Educational Annex after a Tuesday morning class the first week of July.  This 6'11'" NBA Portland Trailblazer center / forward runs an annual basketball camp for about a hundred youth at his alma mater, Simon Gratz High School -- which is right across the street from CUTS.  A pleasure to meet him.

 

PAST PERAMBULATIONS
( listed in reverse chronological order )

AAAAHHHH . . . A MAINE VACATION -  I had the delightful opportunity to get away for a week to my favorite spot on the Lord's planet: Mount Desert Island (about two-thirds of the way up the Maine coast).  Had an awesome and invigorating time camping out at Tent Site #30 at Quietside Campground (on the southwest side of M.D.I.) doing some hiking, biking, sight-seeing, beach-combing, taking the bike on the ferry out to Islesford (yet another island), taking an hour-long sight-seeing flight in a single-engine 180hp Cessna SkyHawk, cooking breakfast and dinner in the Maine woods, rowing around Bass Harbor (dodging incoming and outgoing lobster boats), eating lobster, studying tidal pools, collecting a hefty number of M.D.I.'s characteristic red granite rocks, seeing millions of stars in the sky, watching red squirrels literally throwing themselves with abandon from tree-top to tree-top with their high-speed chases.  I dubbed their acrobatic display "The Itchy and Scratchy Show," and they went at it every morning.  Fun to watch.  Other creatures and features observed, photographed and taped: lobsters by the dock, a bold little chipmunk in Camden, ME, a bed of starfish, crab dances, a number of lighthouses, rocks crying out (seriously!), et al.  A real sense of wonder and awe came over me as I worshiped the Lord Who made such incredibly intricate and delicate beauty.  All dat . . . plus --  I bought a small 8-foot rowing skiff.  It is still being worked on by Charlie Clark, a boat-builder who also works at the campground.  We tested it out in Bass Harbor on my last morning on M.D.I., and the craft is light and very portable. -- it zips along nicely on the water.  Can't wait to pick it up next summer and use it to row around as many scenic harbors and shores as I can.  I'm refreshed and revived and ready to return to the things the Lord has assigned me this upcoming year in Philadelphia and points beyond.  The Maine motto is: "MAINE: THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE"  I concur indubitably.  Down below they-ah is a pick-cha of the unfinished skiff-ah taken at the shahp (still workin' mah Downeast accent).  Lots of pictures from Maine can be found here.  I think you'll really enjoy 'em.

Unfinished skiff at Charlie Clark's boat shop - Mt. Desert Island

Click here to see the pictures from Maine

Bryan Robinson and Dr. John Perkins at the 2002 C.C.D.A. Youth Conference

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 8th ANNUAL YOUTH CONFERENCE - Hey !  Would you like to be really blessed and really encouraged by young people?  Then you really oughta try to make it to a C.C.D.A. Youth Conference sometime (usually in August).  Thank you, Bryan and Brenda Robinson of Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services for your kind invitation to have me come to speak to some really sharp and really serious young people who gathered at a church near the corners of Germantown and Chelten Avenues in  North Philly from August 8-11.  Had the privilege of speaking to the brothers (ages 15-19) who were here from Chicago, IL, Lansing and Grand Rapids, MI, Jackson, MS, Pasadena, CA, Jersey City, NJ, Columbus, OH and Philadelphia, PA.  Gentlemen, a real honor for me.  Thank you for your encouraging lives and testimonies.  The day was topped off with an opportunity to chat with Dr. John Perkins, the founder of C.C.D.A.  ( All of you who have had the opportunity know what I'm talking about. )  Hosts of Christians all around the country have been truly blessed by this man and how we thank the Lord Jesus for what He has been able to do through his yielded, grace-filled life. 

Courtney, Jamel, Min. Emanuel W. and camper as camp ends

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of HIGHLAND PARK (Landover, MD) AWANA CAMP - Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, MD - July 5-7, 2002.  Once again, we had a great time with about 100 children (mostly from F.B.C.H.P. and Tree of Life Christian Ministries).  Again, one f the most encouraging features of this annual event is the number of adult leaders who think it not robbery to give up a holiday weekend to invest in the lives of their church's young people.  The love they have for these great young people is palpably real.  Thank you, Bro. & Mrs. James Graves and Deacon & Mrs. Ed Harrison for again putting' me in the "bless mix" with y'all.  One of the teen workers said this was my ninth year with F.B.C.H.P. -- is that number correct?  Wow.  I was honored to lead the camp in worship and praise.  

MONTCO BIBLE FELLOWSHIP FAMILY RETREAT - Black Rock Retreat in Quarryville, PA - June 8, 2002. Tim H. and I traveled out to Lancaster County for a really great day with the saints of M.B.F. gathered at B.R.C. for an all-church retreat.  Had a wonderful time interacting with the youth and young adults in 2 breakout sessions as well as at a campfire -- this fellowship has really been blessed with a high number of really keen up-an-coming leaders.  Thank you, Pastor Fred Garnes (young adults pastor) and Pastor Tony Hart (senior pastor) for puttin' me in the mix with one exciting, very receptive and ready-to-do crew, and a big shout-out to Tyrus Barker for so capably co-leading the sessions.  It was a tremendous blessing and very encouraging to me personally.

Hypostatic union
Illustration?
Columbia Pictures

SPIDER-MAN  Yeah!  Saw the movie on opening day, and though we had to sit way up front 'cause the theatre was packed, it was not a problem.  Highly entertaining with a main character anybody can easily identify with, it's a character-driven love story / action adventure with some nicely-spun special effects (in this post-Matrix age that's no small feat).  All that, plus the fact it's filled with spiritual parallels and even a prayer taken straight from Scripture.  

Taking the movie in with an avid Spider-Man fan, along with his brother and a friend : $8.00.  

Taking in a Kentucky Fried Chicken Zinger sandwich after the movie : $3.17.  

Taking turns in a passionate, poignant, pastoral and prophetic discussion over the KFC food in the fellowship afterward (lookin' at life, ministry, callin' 'n vision : the Lord's gracious 'n joyous provision.

Being asked to mentor a 20-year-old Christian rapper after that KFC convo : priceless.  

What a challenge, delight and heart-breaker to walk around today's "Athens," peep the pop culture's constructions and their provocative inscriptions and then build a bridge that can deliver the Gospel message to people peeping the pop c.'s unwitting prophetic devices.

HOLY HIP-HOP FESTIVAL - Philadelphia, PA April 20, 2002.  Yeah, I paid my $7 at the door and took in most of the program inside, but the real value of the event for me were the conversations we had to take outside during the concert — with members of The Process, The Activist, King Cyz and Mischief.  [ At one point someone came up and asked me if I was from Sony (Records). :o) ]  One of my key motivations in going to this event was to see and hear Tony Moore and Jehovah's Chosen (pictured below), but they were placed near the end of a very long program and only did one song.  Although very disappointed with the venue and most of its content, I was really blessed and refreshed with the conversations we had outside.  Photos here.

Tony Moore and Jehovah's Chosen at the Amistad Festival in Camden, NJ

AMISTAD FESTIVAL - Camden, NJ - April 13, 2002.  Tim and I headed across the Delaware River to attend a Christian arts festival hosted by WDAS in conjunction with the visit of La Amistad (the re-created ship that was built after the interest generated by Steven Spielberg's 1997 film about a on-board ship slave-revolt in the 1800's).  The event featured Tony Moore and Jehovah's Chosen, The Cross Movement, RockSoul Entertainment, the Wilmington-Chester Mass Choir and other artists.  What a time, what a time, what a TIME!  Blessed to catch up with people 'n crews I haven't seen for a while: Dr. Laron Jackson (who led the Amistad program) as well as a class of students from his weekend intensive at CUTS (including a couple of my present students, Emma and Conchita, as well as former students Pastor Robert Brookins, Pastor Kevin Aiken, Cerrone Brown).  Also great to meet Sis. Randall (stay tuned, everybody), Howard, Wendy and two other saints from Philly's Tenth Presbyterian, re-establish contact with WCMC's director, Ernie Saunders, RockSoul CEO/producer Tubbs and Kingdomworks leader, Bart Campolo, were there as well.  The entire Cross Movement crew was there (the Ambassador, LIFE, Earthquake, the Phanatic, the Tonic, DJ Official — as well as their ministry support team including Theresa, Kim, Tony, Laurie, Steve, Thomas, John and Matt), Shai Linne (RockSoul rapper), T.R.U.T.H., J-Silas, Gueshill, and not a few new folks I was privileged and pleased to meet.  I have had the opportunity of briefly meeting New Jersey Senator Jon S. Corzine and gave him one of those hip-hop-street-style greet-hugs (aiyo — he and an aide came right at me as I was walking in, and he took the initiative to shake my hand).  I was also blessedly stunned and delighted with Jehovah Chosen's progressive musical and worship style, and hope some day to have opportunity to spend some time interviewing this energetic crew's leader, Tony Moore.  Hey!  You want more pictures?  

MONTCO BIBLE FELLOWSHIP YOUNG ADULTS GATHERING - Lansdale, PA.  About 35 of us gathered at the church Friday night ( April 5) for a great time of fellowship via a panel discussion on relationships (dealing primarily with the Christian and the single life, dating and courting).  A really hype and hopefully helpful discussion ensued once the ice was broken!  Moderated by Tyrus Barker, the panelists were: Associate Pastor Sam and Cindy Butler, Chuck and Maria James, Lou Collier, Maxine Poyser, Kyle and Pam Canty, Anthony and Bethany Henderson, and myself.  Can't thank Associate Pastor Fred Garnes enough for his ministry with this eager, sharp and promising set of young adults and for inviting me to be a part of this event.  By the way, in speaking with Ugandan Henry Sekawungu afterwards, I was delighted to hear that his brother Richard (who lives in England) was browsing through this Web site when he came upon his brother Henry's name (in an earlier newsletter), and as a result re-established contact with him.  Praise the Lord Jesus for His goodness!  WOW!

Sis. Joyce Burton addressing the saints at the 2002 N.B.L.I. Retreat

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT (Philadelphia, PA) - Word of Life Conference Center in Schroon Lake, NY - March 21-24, 2002 -- This was my 2nd time going on this spectacular retreat, capably led by Sis. Joyce Burton and her wonderful leadership team from N.B.L.I.  Pastor Victor Kirk (from Sharon Baptist Church) brought the Word and I had the distinct honor of leading worship during the weekend.  What a joyous and wonderful time we all had.  We did a lot of congregational music (new to many), and to demonstrate the group's flexibility and receptivity towards new musical ideas, we even did another on-the-fly recording of AMAGOH.  I was also privileged to work with a choir that came together for the first time during the retreat which did some outstanding and astounding ministry during the Sunday morning worship service.  Wow !  What a great time of fellowship we all that during this incredible weekend.  Praise God for the free-flow of His Holy Spirit throughout the weekend, and the liberty to do ministry all through it.  I'm also deeply grateful for the opportunity to be prayed over with the laying on of hands by Dea. Willie Blassingame and the brothers.  Also want to give a shout-out to Bro. Alvin Brown for all his help and encouragement to me throughout the weekend.  Add to all this the encouraging words shared when a mother came over and asked if I remembered her son, Antonio J. from when I worked at Camp Streamside.  Told her I remembered the name, and she spoke of the day he came home from camp and said he had some news to tell her.  She thought it would be about a broken window or something similar, but instead he told her he had come to faith in Christ.  She was overjoyed.  Antonio is now 30, married and has 4 children and is an executive chef living in Connecticut.  Praise the Lord for His goodness !  I'm already looking forward to goin' again next year.   

PHILADELPHIA AREA MINISTRIES of BCM INTERNATIONAL - Philadelphia, PA - conducted a 2-hour seminar on "Reaching and Discipling Teens" on March 16, 2002.   

TAVIS SMILEY PRESENTS: "WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? CHAOS or COMMUNITY? Black America's Vision for Healing, Harmony and Higher Ground" -  Held at Sharon Baptist Church on  February 23, 2002 this conference featured an impressive array of African American leaders and thinkers from all over the country, tackling such issues as racial profiling, reparations, education, defense spending, and the Bush administration's recent antiterrorism bill.  The day was divided into two panel discussions and was broadcast on C-SPAN.  Former BET talk show host Tavis Smiley along with radio personality Tom Joyner brought in ( for the a.m. panel ) DePaul professor and author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Harvard Law professor Lani Guinier, National Urban League president Hugh Price, NCAAP LDF president Elaine Jones, NYC Riverside Church's Rev. James Forbes, newspaper contributor 16-year-old Nashid "Ibn" Ali, motivational speaker and author Rev. Dr. Bernice King, NYC comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. Philadelphia International Records cofounder Kenneth Gamble,  African American Policy Forum executive director Kimberle Williams Cresnshaw and Harvard professor Dr. Cornel West. The panel was moderated by MSNBC legal analyst Raymond Brown.

The afternoon panel was comprised of columnist Stanley Crouch, psychologist and educator Dr. Na'im Akbar, motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant, Columbia professor Dr. Manning Marable, Congressional representative Chaka Fattah, ecumenical minister Rev. Bernice King, pre-eminent dean of American preachers Gardner C. Taylor, poetess Sonia Sanchez, impressive 30-year-old Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, lawyer Johnnie Cochran, Jr., activist Al Sharpton, 15-year-old Cincinnati, OH activist-organizer Derrick Blassingame and Congressional representative Barbara Lee.  The afternoon panel was moderated by Harvard Law School professor Charles Ogletree.    

Kudos and a heart-felt sense of profound gratitude to Tavis for assembling so august an Aerogapus of African American academicians, achievers, activists, administrators, advocates, artists and authors.  It was truly a first class event, one of the most interesting I've had the privilege of attending in a long time.  The discourse was lively, engaging, enlightening, en pointe and even entertaining.  For sure there was some shaky, flaky, snaky stuff said ( 'nuff said — the Apostle John said to test the spirits in 1 John 4:1ff ), but Jesus Christ got represented in the house extremely well.  Rev. Bernice King ( Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter ) nailed America's need on the head when she remarked that we need revival here in America.  Couldn't agree more. 

PRAYER PRE-VIEW

LABOR DAY WEEKEND RETREAT (Streamside Conference Center) - Stroudsburg, PA - August 30 - September 2, 2002

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - Fall semester (teaching Postmodern Urban Culture, 2 sections of Foundations of Christian Thought, and New Testament Epistles) - September through December 2002

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT / ALUMNI RETREAT - Quarryville, PA - November 1-3, 2002

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

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

HEP

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