Spring-Summer 2005 Newsletter

Were ya looking to find out what happened with YUBM Ministries during the fall/winter of 2004-05?  Click here.

Red, white 'n bleached denim blue : Memorial Day 2005

"The Barbershop Notebooks: I Bling Because I'm Happy" notes that "[t]here's a disconnect between the New Black Church and the hip-hop generation.  Money, however, is the language preached from both sides."  August 5, 2005 PopMatters.com column authored by Marc Lamont Hill.  

 

"No Place for Me" is a pointed but surprisingly poignant July 17, 2005 Washington Post article on reasons why Black men don't go to church.  Authored by John W. Fountain, it's thought-provoking and well worth the read.

The Ambassador, summer 2005

The Ambassador ( William Branch ) was featured (along with several lyrics from his recent album, The Thesis), in a July 24, 2005 Philadelphia Inquirer article entitled "Hip-hop seeks saving grace: Christian rappers confront suspicions of the faithful"  Philly.com Website registration required.

May day chalk talk : the new hopscotch

". . . I remember a teenager in South-Central Los Angeles a few years ago saying, in a discussion about his peers, "Some of us don't last too long."  Don't bother cueing the violins.  This is an old story.  There's no shock value and hardly any news value in yet another black or brown kid going down for the count.  Burying the young has long since become routine in poor black and Latino neighborhoods.  Nobody gets real excited about it.  I find that peculiar, but there's a lot about the world that I find peculiar. . . ." — excerpt from an April 8, 2005 New York Times editorial, "Black, Dead and Invisible" by Bob Herbert.  N.Y.T. Website registration may be required.

Without being asked, a quiet but Davidic demeanor-ed 15-year-old teenager named Chris located a trash bag and started picking up the used paper plates, cups and napkins after a youth meeting meal.  An older teen taunted him with the cutting remark "Is that your future job?"  Chris didn't respond verbally, but a look of embarrassment swept across his face.  Son pressed through, quietly finishing the "lowly" task he saw needed to be done, and in the process of pressing on spoke volumes with his silence.  Chris despised the shame and I was gifted with a glimpse of Christ.  Check it:  Get This. Get God.

KENNY BAPTISTE - Attended a funeral for a young man I did not know personally — a tall lanky 17-year-old high school junior who played football for a Catholic High School about a half mile north of my house.  There wasn't a whole lot of news coverage about his death: he was shot while standing in the doorway of his house in the northwest part of the city and died the next day (one of his sisters was wounded in the attack).  Kenny's funeral was held at a large Baptist church in the Germantown section of the city and was packed with family, friends, teammates, classmates, school teachers and administrators and members of the community.  One of the speakers at the funeral told us that while Kenny was on life support his family wanted to donate some of his organs to others and seven (7) other people's lives were helped / made better / extended through Kenny's violent death.  Once again, we find ourselves further impoverished through the tragic "cutting off" of another young man's life.  How long, O LORD?  How long . . . ?  

Villanova center, junior Jason Fraser
photo by Jerry Lodriguss / Philadelphia Inquirer

JASON FRASER - With Villanova's men's basketball team making it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA's March Madness, it was good to see junior Jason Fraser (from Amityville, NY) back in the mix.  Son's been through some stuff, f'real, but sounds like he's maintained his testimony for the Lord Jesus.  Even though it's standard operating procedure these days for people livin' in the limelight to incorporate "God talk" into their sound bytes, somehow it just seems a li'l different when it comes from someone who has a track record with some degree of integrity. 

Consider this quote from the Philadelphia Inquirer: That Jason Fraser is still talking with sincerity and gratitude about opportunities, after three years in which so many were taken away from him, says something about his character.  Something very good.  "Honestly, if you put your faith in God, He will never leave you forsaken," Fraser said as he stood in the locker room. "I just know I won't fall when things go bad the rest of my life.  I just know I'll weather the storm."  (On March 25, 2005 5th-seeded Villanova lost to 1st-seed University of North Carolina by one point [67 to 66] in a well-played game against a formidable opponent.)

ADAM TALIAFERRO - The New York Times posted an article (May 14, 2005) on this remarkable young man who as a Penn State freshman player was temporarily paralyzed from the neck down playing in a football game.  Doctors gave him "a 3 percent chance of walking again. ... He will graduate with a 3.19 grade-point average and a degree in labor and industrial relations ... and he intends to enroll in law school, attending Rutgers-Camden."  (N.Y.T. Website registration may be required)  Here's a video I took of Adam when he carried the 2000 Olympic torch through Philadelphia.

"It was a lot to handle for a kid with no one to guide him or help him.  Nobody took the time to get to know him either."  Red Lake Indian Reservation (Minnesota) resident Emily Parkhurst speaking about the tragic troubled life 16-year-old Red Lake High School student Jeff Weise had before killing his grandparents, 7 others (leaving several wounded) and then himself on March 21, 2005.

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

ALL NATIONS FELLOWSHIP - Wilmington, DE - July 31, 2005.  Had a great time meeting the saints at this Antioch-like church that meets at the Stanton Middle School, and participating on a panel along with Young Life's Charles Harris, Jamie Centano and his wife, discussing cross-cultural youth ministry with a number of adults in one of the fellowship's education classes.  Thanks, Ron Tinsley, for the opportunity to participate.  I was also greatly encouraged by and ministered to by the lives and testimony of one particular family, and notably their 13-year-old son, Lamore C., who made it a point to come over to speak with me as I was getting ready to leave.  He reminds me a lot of young David in the Old Testament, still tending his father Jesse's sheep and (as yet) unaware of some of the "stuff" life's gonna bring.  An amicable easy-going young brother, he's wise because he's balanced.  He knows his limitations (admitted being naive and that he'll be the "little fish in the big pond" of a new school this fall), but he's also very much aware of his growth potential in the Lord.  His Dad 'n Mom have done a remarkable job in raising him (he's been home schooled up until this year), as well his other older and younger siblings, some of which are already active in ministry.  Thank You, Lord Jesus for this family's awesome witness for You.  Bless them and thank You for allowing me to meet them.

Pastor Bryan Robinson, PRISM Magazine editor Kristyn Komarnicki and
Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services intern, Spencer James at a roundtable
interview / discussion on hip-hop, street culture and the young urban Black male

PRISM MAGAZINE editor Kristyn Komarnicki hosted a roundtable interview / discussion at Circle of Hop Northwest Church (near the corner of Germantown and Chelten Avenues) on July 27th.  Pastor Bryan Robison, Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services interns Spencer James and Calvin T. Spencer, lyricists Ack Davis (Sam Harris III), Shai Linne and Hans Nelson and myself discussed hip-hop, rap, street culture, the young urban Black male, ministry, etc. for a few hours.  Encouraging to hear all that the Lord Jesus is doing in the lives of each participant, and I am a richer saint for the time spent with these brothers.  BTW: Brother Calvin (a student at Palmer Theological Seminary) is the nephew of the late Tom Skinner.  Also good to catch up with Marcie (Marcia Hopler's daughter) and to meet Melanie (Hans' wife).  More photos posted here.

Moonrise over Cadillac Mountain and Eagle Lake on Mount Desert Island on the Maine Coast

MAINE VACATION 2005 - Once again, my nephew Spencer and I were able to spend about 8 days on Mt. Desert Island off the Maine coast.  This time my Dad was able to drive up as well and we were able to get together several times for meals and sight-seeing.  So what did we do?  Camped out, cooked out (notably Downeast breakfasts each morning — bacon, eggs, grits 'n blueberry coffee), biked down (thank you) Cadillac Mountain (1350 ft.) all the way to lower Main Street in Bar Harbor (about 4 miles).  I traveled about 25 miles in Hummer (my wooden skiff) — all the way up through Somes Sound from Manset in Southwest Harbor, plus voyages to Bear Island, around Greening Island and over to Northeast Harbor — usually while Spencer went fishing.  He caught 6 mackerel in Southwest Harbor (thanks Neil, for the fishing advice and bait!).  While in Southwest Harbor I had an encounter with with a Coast Guard helicopter and cutter, but will save that story for a later time.  (Some of the encounter is on videotape, which I thought may have been the problem).  We took an early evening swim in Echo Lake (much warmer than the ocean's 54 degrees), did early evening "donuts" with Hummer in Eagle Lake, ooh-ed and aah-ed at scenic Maine coast vistas and villages, ate lobster (me and my Dad, but not so much Spencer), saw three gray harbor seals (one each in Somes Sound, Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor), red squirrels and red-headed woodpeckers.  We enjoyed pizza, small barrel-bottled artificially-flavored sugar water, ice cream and frozen blueberries from Gott's Store, and took in two breakfast specials at The Wharf in Bass Harbor.  All three of us took a trip over to Deer Isle where we were able to visit with Dave Haskell (a friend of my Dad's who rented his Deer Isle house to us Hepburns years ago — for $5.00 a week.  T'was a homecoming of sorts.  I went down onto the beach where I played as a child with my 3 sisters (my brother wasn't born yet) and realized this was probably where I first fell in love with the Maine Coast.  What a fantastic time we had.  A special thanks to the Suffern Family for their hospitality in letting Spencer and I tent on their property in N. Berwick on the way up to M.D.I..  Photos posted here.  "Hummer" blog found here.

PRISM MAGAZINE graciously published a piece I wrote concerning rapper Kanye West's "Jesus Walks" entitled, "Prophet Unaware."  It's featured in the July/August 2005 issue.  Thanks, Kristyn, for the opportunity!

THE JOURNAL, VOL.1 - Tru-Life's solo album was released June 21, 2005 on the Cross Movement Record label.  I was honored to do a li'l somethin'-somethin' musical on one of the songs ("I'm Still Workin'").  Thanks, Life, for the opportunity to do some stuff with you in the studio.  I appreciate and am grateful to the Lord Jesus for you and your wife and for your ministry.  mp3 clips from the album available here.

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - Summer session semester 2005 - taught "Foundations of Christian Thought" (BIB 300C).  Now it's time for a break (with a few D.Min. assignments to tend to). 

The GOSPEL / The STREET SEMINAR - session geared for youth / young adults at Christian Growth Ministries, 101 E. 32nd Street, Wilmington, DE 19802 - June 18, 2005.  Thank you, Pastor Delandro Walker, for the opportunity to share elements of The Gospel / The Street with your young people and youth leaders.  Also good to see former CUTS students Millard Whatley and Chester Walker in the house.  And I thank the Lord for the privilege of meeting DaJuan, Lee and Xavier.  Do pray for these young men as they follow the Lord Jesus and "do theology" in street contexts. 

AWANA CAMP - First Baptist Church of Highland Park, MD - June 11-12, 2005.  T'was a whirlwind of a weekend with the kids at Skycroft Conference Center in Middletown, MD.  Also blessed by the opportunity to be with youth leaders Debbie Crabbe, Dea. Ed Harrison and others and those remarkable teen leaders.  I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to catch up with college student Justin Spencer to hear how the Lord Jesus has been moving in his life at the Rhode Island college he's attending.

W.T.S. 2005 D. Min. Urban Missions cohort: Hep, Taehoo, Frazier and Naas

DOCTOR of MINISTRY PROGRAM - 2 years after meeting with Dr. Manny Ortiz (and "going through" some stuff), I've finally applied for and been accepted into the D.Min program (with an Urban Missions emphasis) at Westminster Theological Seminary.  Started in on the program June 2005 with Manny and Sue Baker, along with fellow cohort members L. Frazier White, II (from Washington, D.C.), Taehoo Lee (from Philadelphia), and Naas Ferreira (from Pretoria, South Africa).  I'm waiting on the Lord for how to finance it and how to complete some other course work for my M. Div. as well.  One of the beauties of the degree ( http://www.wts.edu/admissions/program-dmin.html ) is that I'll be able to stay in the ministry, continue work (integrating my studies) within street youth / young adult contexts, and continuing my teaching (as the Lord continues to favor) at the Center for Urban Theological Studies and Eastern University.  AIM International (the group I work for) has an Educational Funding Program through which donors can make tax-deductible contributions, allowing them to participate in the ministry of "building up" this street-based academic in dire need of an "update."  Want more info?  Please feel free to email or call me (215.549.0844).  Thank you.

Sis. Burton directs Dedot 'n Regina Bell to the receiving area
after their wedding vows renewal ceremony on June 4, 2005

WEDDING BELLS RING AGAIN!  Indeed, Dedot and Regina Bell renewed their wedding vows at Third Eternal Baptist Church on June 4.  Wonderful to reconnect with the extended family of saints at this church I spent a number of years at after coming to Philadelphia.  It was especially encouraging to see Greg, Angie and Genesis Carwheel (from Austin, TX).  You'll find some more pictures from this joyous occasion on this page.

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - taught "Contemporary Adolescent Culture" (MIN 319C) and "Ethics" (PHI 112C [as an independent study]) - Philadelphia, PA - Spring semester 2005.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION SITE VISIT for Masters of Arts degree program (Urban Youth Leadership) at Eastern University - Philadelphia, PA - April 21, 2005.  Thank you all who were praying for this important meeting.  The site visit team gave provisional approval for the program to go forward as a degree offering at Eastern University.  Praise the Lord!

TRUE LIGHT FELLOWSHIP CHURCH - HIP-HOP (YOUTH) SEMINAR - Philadelphia, PA - April 12, 2005.  "Hip-Hop's a viable means for doing the Lord's fishing (Luke 5:10) — just beware of the hook."  Thanks, Bro. Duane Pinnock, for the opportunity to speak with your church's young people.  (Related conference info here.)

TIMOTHY ACADEMY CHAPELS - Philadelphia, PA - April 8, 2005.  Had a wonderful time with two sets of students (K-4th grades and then 5th through 8th grades) taking a look at the familiar story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 16 and 17) with a message entitled "Measuring Up."  Take a look at the description of an AMAGOH (1 Samuel 16), then take 10 milk crates (each app. a foot high), stack 'em up (a rather imposing height) and then . . . make a (loud but effective) application.

The 2005 Retreat Choir singing on Sunday morning in Word of Life's Conference Center

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT - Word of Life Conference Center, Schroon Lake, NY - March 18-20, 2005.  "The Ultimate Makeover" was the theme of this annual retreat, capably led again by Sis. Joyce Burton.  This year featured two speakers: Bro. John and Rev. Joel Ruffin (sons of the late Pastor Timothy Ruffin and his wife Sis. Betty Ruffin [who is still very active in the Bible Institute they started about 27 years ago]).  John and Joel brought God's Word to the group of 75+ saints, who in turn represented a number of churches throughout Philly.  Another great and grand time of teaching, singing and fellowship, and I am a blessed man for the privilege of being able to participate in this event.  I wrote a choir selection (which the entire group also sang as a worship and praise song) entitled, "Change Me, Lord" and was thrilled with how it turned out on Sunday morning.  A special shout-out to choir director (and PowerPoint operator ! ) Evangelist Cheryl Johnson for all her excellent expertise in pulling things together musically (that's her in the foreground by the music stand, back to the camera).  Soloists Diane Allen and Larry Johnson are standing next to the lectern.  Retreat information link found here.

Morris Jr., Larry Jr. and Justin at Christian Union Church 

MARCH MADNESS YOUTH REVIVAL - Christian Union Church - Philadelphia, PA - March 13, 2005. A great big THANK YOU to the saints at this happenin', extremely "youther-friendly" church in southwest Philadelphia for allowin' me ('n my "madness"), Ack Davis 'n R. Swift to roll up in ya spot and go at some stuff for a minute.  You all ministered mightily to my heart in your love for your young people and for your vital ministry there in your neighborhood.  A great big shout-out to Pastor Larry Tucker, Sr. and (First Lady), Sis. Deborah Cain, Gil H., Allan J., Sis. Darah G., Larry T., Jr. (aka "Kanye East" / drummer artiste), keyboardist Morris T. Jr., bassist Justin (quite a band y'all got there) and so many others.  Y'all refreshed the heart of this saint, and I thank you deeply for your ministry to me. 

5 YOUNG BULS in NEED of INTERCESSORY PRAYER WARRIORS - C. (24 years old), H. (16 years old), J. (18 years old) and S. (15 years old).  Two are aspiring rappers, the third just likes listening to it; one has a father who wants nothing to do with his son, one is in the midst of some difficult family struggles, one has done some prison time and is struggling to follow Christ — and all are trying to find their way through life.  Their pain 'n pathos is palpable - they are all connected to a church (but ain't feelin' it) and would rather be perceived as sons of the street down here than a son of the Street for eternity.  Pray for them.  The seductive siren call of the street is comin' on real strong these young buls (as well as to the rest of their tribe).  S. is on the football team at a large north Philly high school and struggles with peers pressuring him with the stuff that goes along with being a high school athlete.  On the flip side is another 15-year-old named Jonathan A. who went out onto the street and tried to share Christ and got beaten up by a 16-year-old for doing so.  Stand strong, son — we praise the Lord for how you stood up for your Savior against someone who stands opposed to Him — and took the beat-down for His Name's sake.  We thank the Lord for you and for the joy you bring to His heart.  Father God saw what went down, He sees the pain it brought, and He will see that this incident brings Him glory.  And yeah, we're prayin' for that 16-year-old.  U got to him for Him.

PRAYER PRE-VIEW

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - Summer session 2005 - teaching "Postmodern Urban Culture" (HUM319C)

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - Philadelphia, PA - Fall semester 2005 - teaching "Foundations of Christian Thought" (BIB300C) and "Ethics" (PHI212C)

LABOR DAY WEEKEND RETREAT - Streamside Conference Center - Stroudsburg, PA - September 2-5, 2005.

YOUTH WORSHIP & PRAISE WORKSHOP - Aberdeen Bible Church - Aberdeen, MD - September 24, 2005.

MEN'S CONFERENCE - hosted by Philly Koinonia - Philadelphia, PA - October 1, 2005.

MEN'S DAY OUT : "APPROACHING the THRONE of GRACE" - National Christian Conference Center - Valley Forge, PA - October 15, 2005.

"LEADING by FAITH" MEN'S CONFERENCE - True Light Christian Fellowship Church - Philadelphia, PA - October 20, 2005.

HAWTHORNE GOSPEL CHURCH MISSIONS BREAKFAST - Hawthorne, NJ - October 21, 2005.

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT - Black Rock Retreat Center - Quarryville, PA - October 28-30, 2005.

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

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

HEP