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Spring-Summer 2007 Newsletter

Philippians 3:10

Were U looking to find out what happened with YUBM Ministries during the fall-winter of 2006-07?  Click here.

"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

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 PARTNER in PRAYER FOR:

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

. . . and do pray for the soldiers on the frontlines on the streets here in America—e.g., Ack Davis . . .

. . . and his brother Tim, here with Eric (Epistle), listening to some new music.  Other soldiers > >

Sam C., seen here after the service at Epiphany, went to Israel for 12 days in February /March
as part of his IJS studies at Philadelphia Biblical University.  He had to raise $2500 for the trip.
Want to encourage him with your support?  Contact him at samcornet@netzero.com. Thanks.

1^st & 2^nd Samuel (in red and white t-shirts respectively) with I.J.S. group and several Africans in Israel

Sam H. III (Ack Davis) checks out an archaeological dig in Israel

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

Eddie Griffin (r.) after a R.C.H.S. championship victory in 2000

EDDIE GRIFFIN - on Friday, August 17th the troubled former Roman Catholic High School basketball standout who went on to Seton Hall University and then the NBA, bypassed a railroad crossing barrier and warning lights and drove his Nissan SUV into the side of a moving Union-Pacific freight train in southeast Houston, TX.  The resulting fire was so intense it took the medical examiner four days to positively identify him, bringing an abrupt end to his 25-year-old life.  Photos of Eddie back in his high school days (2000) can be found here.

UNION BAPTIST CHURCH - August 19, 2007 - Philadelphia, PA - Invited by Rev. Donald West, I filled in for the regular church musician the 3rd Sunday of August at this historic church on Fitzwater Street.  This is the church that the great contralto Marian Anderson grew up in (more info about her here), and what a privilege and honor to be able to participate in the worship there.  It was an interesting exercise in faith to play for their choir — one that I hadn't rehearsed with (and only saw for the first time as they lined up in the back of the sanctuary to march up the aisle as they sang)!  Well, we found our musical stride together and were able to get through the service without any serious faux pas.  Good to meet a number of "senior saints" (one church member I had the privilege of meeting is 98 years old), and wonderful to re-visit some of the older songs and hymns whose texts have stood the test of time.  [Comparatively speaking, the content of a lot of today's worship and praise music is more akin to wood, hay and stubble.]  Thank you, choir, for your patience, adaptability and for going through our "faith walk" exercise so adroitly, Sis. Bernice Battiste, for your assistance during the service, and Rev. West for your gracious invitation. 

Marian Anderson
1897-1993

In her 1956 autobiography, My Lord, What a Morning (Viking Press), Marian Anderson noted that among her favorite songs, perhaps the most precious of all was the spiritual, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” She wrote: 

This spiritual reminds us not to lose sight of the fact that we have our times of extremity and that there is a Being who can help us at such a time.  It takes in everybody.  It speaks first of the wind and the rain.  No one can stop the rain, no matter how rich or poor... “He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands.  He’s got the whole world in His hands.  He’s got the lying man, He’s got the gambling man, He’s got the crap-shooting man in His Hands.  [as well as the thug and the gunman in His hands.]  Little-bits-ababy.  Who will protect them when mother and father can’t?  He’s got you and me, brother, in His hands.  He’s got you and me, sister, in His hands.  He’s got everybody here in His hands.  He’s got the whole world in His hands.” 

Text and photo courtesy of http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/peopleofpower/mariananderson.html 

COSMOPOLITAN MISSION SERVICE BAPTIST CHURCH YOUTH RETREAT - Sandy Cove, MD - August 10-12, 2007.  Thank you, Calvin Kelly, Jr. and Dana Polk (soon-to-be Mrs. Dana Kelly) for having me in on your church's youth retreat at Sandy Cove.  It was a grand time in more ways than I could have ever imagined (had to devote a whole page to what went on that weekend!).  We looked at David and Goliath's "duel of champions" ("Soldiers for Christ: Go with God or Bow to the 'Heavy'") as a paradigm for what's goin' on out on the street and how to handle it, and it seemed to be well-received (especially the AMAGOH piece).  Through the cross-boundary invitational ministry of C.M.S.B.C.'S Bro. Ron ("not all who wander are lost"), we were especially blessed to have the men of Lighthouse Community Church (shepherded by Elder Kevin Ragland in Egg Harbor Township, NJ) in on the session as well.  [Looking forward to getting together with them in the future.]  Also had the good opportunity to meet and talk with former Sandy Cove president Robert Palmer (what a wonderful encounter that was!), as well as Pastor Abraham, who is working as a church planter in several Indian communities in Delaware (their group met in the room next to ours).  Also was delighted to see Sis. Debbie Crabbe (from First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover, MD) up there for a women's conference!

Lighthouse Community Church Men's Retreat 2007 at the Marina at Sandy Cove
Elder Kevin Ragland is 2nd from the left in the back row

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 — see below]), 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

Youth Alive 1980s photo collage — almost everybody (and more) named below is in the picture above
Click picture for larger version in a new window

AN INCREDIBLE SURPRISE came in the form of a phone call from Haywood (Woody) Veal, a brother in the Lord who was living in Paterson back in the day (as they say) when I was just getting started in ministry there (we're talking about the later 1970s, folks!).  Woody went into the military and was stationed in Texas where he met his wife (they have 3 children) and now he's based in the Washington, DC area, working for the FBI.  Wow.  He's also been in the ministry for some 24 years and is also a musician.  What a fantastic encouragement (and indeed an incredible surprise) to hear from him and to hear how well he and many others who were in that 5th Ave, crew (Hudy Muldrow [now a deacon], Dave and Karen S., Michael Steele, Bobby Pleasant, Herschel Daniels, Yvette Daniels, Greg Jackson, Cindy and Tina Muldrow, Kenny Grant and his brother, Hattie Burgess, Sylvia, Rhonda, Raymond and Rex Miatke, Glenn Whitaker, Anthony Scordato, Akiko Kugita, Edwin Kohn, Theodore, Angela Jackson, Felix Lopez's family, Elsie and Ellen Martin, Woody's brothers [Harold, Howard, Henry, Herman, [Haywood], Harley and Herbert], his Dad 'n Mom, and his late Uncle John [I remember visiting with him many, many a time].  It was an unexpected stroll down memory lane as Woody recounted all the stuff we as a crew used to do in Paterson, Hawthorne, Newark and Boston (camping, basketball practices and tournaments, retreats, Bible Bowl competitions, musical endeavors, driving lessons, etc).  Wow.  W-O-W!  Thanks, Woody. 

Hep's first time sailing solo in Southwest Harbor, heading out to Greening Island 
Photo by Spencer Morgans

For the truth is that I already know as much about my fate as I need to know. The day will come when I will die. So the only matter of consequence before me is what I will do with my allotted time. I can remain on shore, paralyzed with fear, or I can raise my sails and dip and soar in the breeze. — Richard Bode

MAINE VACATION on MOUNT DESERT ISLAND - July 2007.  I was able to get away for a vacation along with my sister Deb, her husband Jim, their son Spencer and my Dad, and we each had an absolutely wonderful time.  [My brother Ed and his wife Nicole and their family will be going up in August, which means our entire immediate family will have made it to Maine this year.]  My personal quest for this summer was to learn how to sail the Passagemaker Dinghy I'd been working on for the past 2 years, and suffice it to say, I've started to learn (what an awesome giddy blast it was to feel the wind fill the sails and take us across lake and bay!  We had the opportunity to explore more of Mount Desert Island, Little Deer and Deer Isles via auto, boat, bike and foot and enjoy the annual lobster dinner at the West Street Cafe.  Thanks, Dad, for your generosity in helping make this trip possible.  Photos can be found here (my sister Deb contributed a good number of them) and photos of my boat Hummer can be found here. 

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.
  —Tagore, Bengali poet and novelist

Kevin B. stopped by — been a minute since I last saw him.
A college grad, he is hoping to head down to New Orleans
to try out with the NFL Saints.  Son's already got an agent.

Walter and Bonnie Harrell's Wedding at Legacy Ministries Church in Easton, PA — 07/07/07

Gerald and Tina Dial at the wedding reception.  Gerald works in Newark, NJ

 Photo provided
12-year-old James 'Pee-Wee' Coleman died in the back seat of a
parked car in Camden, NJ, after someone fired some 20+ bullets
into the vehicle, most likely from an AK-47 assault rifle.  The sad
thing is, he's not just "someone else's son"— he is ours as well...

The Siren Call of Street Came Strong
Unbound from Mast
— Succumbed —
and Gone

First Baptist Church of Highland Park's AWANA Camp 2007 at Refreshing Mountain Retreat in Stevens, PA

AWANA CAMP of FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of HIGHLAND PARK (Landover, MD) - Refreshing Mountain Camp - Stevens, PA - June 29 - July 1, 2007.  "Lean Wit' It - Rock Wit' It - Refresh Wit' It: the Word of God" was the theme of this year's gathering of some 80 or so young people from Kindergarten through the 7th grade.  Coordinated by Anthony Moore Sr. and staffed by some 35 adults and 28 teen leaders, it's always a well-run and fun-filled event (even when a certain worship & praise leader forgets to bring an LCD projector for the songs!).  Praise God for His mercy and grace!  Also had the opportunity for an extended convo with Darnell Morrison who's running a basketball and mentoring program in the D.C. area. 

The Great Commission Church's Adult Choir singing June 10 (Leonora, Dave & I are outside the frame)
Photo by Marilyn Mertz

 Richard Greene is wrapping up his time in the
military and is exploring ministry possibilities

CUTS faculty at 2007 graduation

Former Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, Sr.
was the 2007 commencement speaker

Westminster Seminary D. Min. Contextual Theology class (also did the Mission Anthropology module):
standing: Naas F. (S. Africa), Prof. Sue B., Elizabeth M. (Germany) and Jason O. (Minneapolis),
sitting: Bob H. (Philadelphia), Jonathan I. (Nigeria) and Dan P. (Los Angeles).  Now we write.

Children's Choir singing at Great Commission Church, May 27, 2007
Photo by Marilyn Mertz

Leonora Hopkins and I have been working with two choirs at the Great Commission Church in Hatboro, PA: the Children's Choir and the Adult Ensemble (we're still searching for a name).  Things are coming along quite well with both groups and the church was greatly encouraged with the exuberant "breakthrough" singing of the Children's Choir in the Sunday service over the Memorial Day weekend.  Thanks, Bro. Dave Hackley, for playing drums. 

Tim says he's good to go when it comes time to take Hummer out for a sail —"on a small lake first."
Hummer building photos — phase 1 here, phase 2 here.

Tim Harris is quite the street pastor / poet / evangelist / apologist.  He was working at his job, talking with a co-worker who grew up in one of the rougher sections of Philadelphia (dude's been through some stuff: stabbed, "did a bid" [locked up], etc.).  Tim started sharing about the Lord is a very C.S. Lewis-ian kind of way, kickin' it with a winsome parabolic flow about a millionaire who wants to give away his incredible riches to people.  The co-worker wasn't completely convinced such a thing could ever happen, so Tim said, "what if you were to find all these letters the millionaire had written stating that indeed he did want to give his inheritance away?"  (I'm not doing justice to the way Tim recounted the conversation, but it was one of the most compelling and winsome presentations I've heard in quite a while.)  The brother saw his point.  Upon hearing Tim's account, I playfully nicknamed him "Timothy Clive Staples Lewis Harris" to which he responded, "Yo, 'Clive Staples' would be a dope rap name."  Indeed.  He requests prayer for his co-worker, whose first initial is B.  Thanks!

Tim, would you write down the name of that rapper makin' some noise you was telling me about?
Hmmm.  Interesting name.  He from Detroit?  That's his height, right?  Ryan tryin' to be tall.
"What man fears most is not so much extinction, but extinction without significance."
Ernest Becker, American psychologist

Photo courtesy of Montco Bible Fellowship

MONTCO BIBLE FELLOWSHIP YOUTH SUNDAY - Lansdale, PA - April 29, 2007.  Thank you, Pastors Tony Hart, Sam Butler, Fred Garnes and Darryl King and Bro. Ed Foster Sr. (youth leader) for your faith and courage (!) in giving me the opportunity to do a street-oriented multimedia presentation on Caleb (Numbers 13-14 and Joshua 14-15).  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the two young men who came forward in response to the invitation during the 2nd service (Josh [the Hebrew name Joshua means "God is salvation"] and Nate (the Hebrew name Nathan means "he [i.e., God] has given"] whom I understand were visiting M.B.F. that day with their friend, James).  These three guys stayed behind a while after the 2nd service and we talked a bit.  Josh asked if I really did cry the 1st time I watched the Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony video for their song, "I Tried" (which we showed during both services).  "Yes," I said, unashamedly — turns out son used to have every single one of their albums before they got stolen from him.  O Lord Jesus, all the stories out there waiting to be heard, divinely-appointed opportunities for You to show up and turn 2-way conversations into 3-ways, with You as the Way showing up in the weave.  [Josh and Nate were to me very much living illustrations of Joshua and Caleb, to be commended for their faith and courage.]  A special thanks also to drummer Vernon for helping us out with "Young 'n Mighty Lions" and for the students in the H.S. Sunday School class (led by Henry and Jennifer Sekawungu).  

Great to hear from Cedric Bolton (Syracuse, NY), Gerald Dial (based in Newark, NJ), from Walter Holmes (in Paterson, NJ) who's enjoying teaching at School 21, Richard Greene (living in Delaware) who plans to leave the military after this term of service and is looking into going into the ministry.  Was able to chat briefly with Randy Baker (friend and former CUTS administrator who brought me onto the faculty there years ago) while in the checkout line at a Lowe's hardware store.  Walter Harrell called a couple of times — he moved back to the eastside of Pennsylvania from Erie, PA and is planning to get married in July.  Do pray for Jermaine Floyd in Paterson, NJ (facing a very difficult medical situation), and praise the Lord Jesus for bringing Regina B. (Dedot's wife) through open heart surgery on April 11th.  Also heard from Denis Johnson (worship leader at his thriving "youther-friendly" church in Rochester, NY), Kevin Outterbridge (Philadelphia, PA) who gathered a team of jazz musicians for an awesome time of worship at his church and Michael Westbrook (Newark, NJ), with whom I was looking forward to doing a hip-hop seminar (it never materialized).  Edwin Smith is enjoying teaching at a charter school here in Philadelphia.  And I'd like to express my deep appreciation to CJ and Dana for their thoughtful card regarding the passing of my cat (CJ took care of her last summer while I was vacationing on the Maine coast).

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)

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've 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 >>

In Memoriam

I'm done with teaching for the summer (at the Center for Urban Theological Studies and the "Experiencing God" class at Great Commission Church), finished two courses and currently working on two D. Min. modules at Westminster Theological Seminary, and rehearsing with and ministering with the Children's and Mass Choirs at Great Commission Church.  Frankly, that's more than enough to keep me occupied.

The LORD GIVES and the LORD TAKES AWAY - April 8, 2007 — a sad, sad, sad day here in Philadelphia, PA.  Melanie — my beautiful, beloved Bengal cat of some 11 years — was sittin' pretty in the early morning sunlight streaming through the living room window.  Since she looked so contented and photogenic, I went upstairs to get the camera and took a number of pictures of her before heading out to church for Resurrection Sunday service.  Got back later in the afternoon, expecting to find her waiting at the front door to greet me as she usually does, but no.  There she was, lying very still beside the trunk I had photographed her on top of earlier.  Evidently she had passed away shortly before I got home.  Farewell, fond, faithful, feline friend.  Sad, sad, sad day here in Philadelphia, PA.  "To love at all is to be vulnerable.  Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken.  If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal." C. S. Lewis 

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

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

HEP

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