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He got it for ya, G!

Spring-Summer 2009 Newsletter

Philippians 3:10

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

Yep. You.

Z'up, Hep!

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength;
for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.
Proverbs 24:3-6 NIV

Greetings again in the wonderful Name of our soon-coming King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Back at ya again with the latest 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!

Were U looking to find out what happened with YUBM Ministries during the fall & winter of 2008-09? Click here.

A BLACK MAN

Do not look into my face
        and see the color of my skin,
        and not see the content of my character.
Do not look into my history
        and see the darkness of my past,
        and not see the brightness of my future.
Do not look at the losses of my mistakes
        and not see the profits of my achievements.
Do not look at the distance I have yet to travel
        and not see the origin from which I have come.
Do not look at the foolishness of my youth
        and not see the wisdom of my older age.
Do not look at the poverty of my family
        and not see the riches of its love.
Do not look at the child I once was
        and not see the Black Man I have become!

Michael E. McKinzy, Sr. © 1993

Nataka nimjue Kristo na nguvu ya ufufuo wake na nishi riki mateso yake,
niwe kama yeye katika kifo chake;
na hivyo, kama ikiwezekana,
niufikie ufufuo kutoka kwa wafu.
Philippians 3:10-11 (Kiswahili)

All eyez on Him: Get to know the One Who watches over the 'hood, the 'burbs, the fields, the forests 'n the seas ...

Winslow Homer's "The Gulf Stream" (1899). Looking around, it's not good. Looking to Christ, there's deliverance.

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Psalm 11:3 ESV

The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure.

Behold, their heroes cry in the streets;
the envoys of peace weep bitterly.
The highways lie waste;
the traveler ceases.
Covenants are broken;
cities are despised;
there is no regard for man.
The land mourns and languishes...
Isaiah 33:5-9a ESV

PEOPLE to PRAY for:

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

NEIGHBORHOOD IN MOURNING - Deeply saddened to learn of the sudden, unexpected passing of my next-door neighbor Theresa S. on September 4th. She was the Block Captain for a number of years and was always watching out for us all. We are all really going to miss her greatly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her sons, Brandt and Bryan.

BROTHER CERRONE BROWN - What the Philippians were to Paul's heart is sort of like what Cerrone is to mine (and to many others, I'm sure). Blessed, overjoyed and roundly encouraged to get a phone call from him and hear the excitement in his voice about his teaching ministry at a South Philly church (leading the adult Sunday School every other Sunday through Tim Keller's book, The Reason for God). He also enjoys doing the training sessions on his manager's job at Shop-Rite. The Lord willing, might start teaching at the Center for Urban Theological Studies in 2010. I remember having him as a student in a Gospel of Luke class at CUTS years ago (when he was 18 years old), and am grateful to the Lord Jesus for His seeing him through CUTS and then Westminster (while raising a family) and now for his desire to go back to school for a Ph.D. Wow! Looking forward to getting together with him soon for lunch and maybe even go sailing.

. . . and pray for those facing this prospect on the home front

BROTHER "X": "I'M THINKIN' 'BOUT PACKIN'" - Life is rough (and getting rougher) everywhere you look. While it's true we've each got our cross to bear in these trying times, it's a bit unsettling when you realize some kind of threshold's been crossed and you're left wondering if there will be any going back. In talking with a young man I was grieved (can't think of a better word) to hear he was seriously considering getting a gun for his own self-protection. He's been threatened by a crew that lives and hangs around his neighborhood, and they've been threatening him with guns themselves. This can't end well no matter how you look at it, The thing is, dude is one of the most peace-able, peace-makin' cats I know, but the situation has him fearing for his life. It's become uncomfortably clear we've crossed a threshold, and it's lookin' more 'n more like there's no turning back. Deuteronomy's devastation descriptors — Divine curses for disobeying the voice of the LORD and not doing His commandments (28:15ff) — making their presence known in our day. I'm thinkin' 'bout packin', too: packin' meanin' you're thinkin' 'bout goin' somewhere: in this scenario, it's either the emergency room, the big house or 6 feet under. How long, O LORD? How long?

BRADY G. JR. - Blessed to have a leisurely convo with Brady G. Jr. to catch up on what he's been involved with: working at Olney High School (one of Philly's largest), finishing up school himself, and almost done writing the book he's been working on. An excellent teacher and effective communicator, he's in the process of developing a hip-hop-oriented youth ministry-at-large.

DAD - I'd like to ask y'all to pray for my father, Charles (81 years young). My family and I are grateful for him having had a good place to stay at an independent living facility in Bucks County for the past 3 years or so, but he recently had to move to the assisted living part of that facility after several falls resulting in emergency room visits and occasional hospital stays. As of mid-November he was in the rehabilitation/nursing home wing of that facility and has since moved down to the 1st floor. We (my Dad, sister and brother and I — and everyone in our extended family) have some real big challenges coming up, so thanks for praying!

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

LDWR 2009: Pastor Benson (front row, orange shirt), Zeffro Gaskin (front row, plaid shirt) and Donna (3rd row up, far right)

STREAMSIDE ANNUAL LABOR DAY WEEKEND RETREAT - September 4-7, 2009. After a 3-year hiatus, this signature retreat kicked back in with the theme, "You're In the Army Now" and featured Pastor Tony Benson, Sr. as the speaker and Bro. Zeffro Gaskin for the special music (I had the honor of leading the worship and praise). It was good for all of us to see folks we hadn't seen for years, and especially to see Ed and Ellen Carwheel, the couple who started this annual event years ago. It was also great to see members of the Streamside staff that I hadn't seen in years. Thanks, Donna (Streamside program director), for your efforts and perseverance in jumpstarting this event, and may the Lord bless it to continue again next year. And thank you, Pastor Benson, for your picturesque description of what a worship and praise leader is: "a chauffeur who leads the people of God into the presence with God." Nice.

Ed & Ellen Carwheel got the Streamside Labor Day Weekend Retreat started years ago, building it into an awesome ministry

Eggemoggin Reach: serenely-still summer sunrise, seen from the shore of Little Deer Isle, August 17, 2009

MAINE COAST VACATION 2009 - It was touch-and-go for a while there (economically and schedule-wise), but I was able to get up to Little Deer Isle, Deer Isle and Mount Desert Island for a week-long vacation with my sailboat, Hummer. Two of my goals in life were realized over the past couple of years: 1) build a boat, and then 2) learn how to sail it. Both were fully accomplished back in 2006-07 and since then I've been chompin' at the bit to get back up "Downeast" to continue with my sailing education. Able to do so in grand fashion with some wonderful new friends and amazing weather (for Maine!).

Struck up friendships with the new Southwest Harbor Harbormaster, Dennis Dever, a couple of Southwest Harbor lobstermen (Shawn Clements [we had several extended conversations] and Gene Thurston) and a couple of artisan boat builders (master craftsmen Richard Stanley and Tim Goodwin). I was given the generous opportunity to take an extended look around inside the iconic Ralph W. Stanley's Wooden Boats Shop in Southwest Harbor, during which time I saw the last boat they would work on in that shop's particular location, the Freedom Sloop, West Wind. Also met Rob and Linda (a couple who sailed up from Virginia), who graciously responded to my request for help in learning how to sail. Thanks, R. 'n L. — I am indebted to you both! Shout-outs also to my neighbor, Bryan Smedley (for helping me get Hummer car-topped for the trip to Maine) Linda (the Little Deer Isle postmaster who caught me up on the helicopter crash in Swain's Cove a few weeks before), the woman working at the Little Deer Isle Information booth [sorry I didn't get your name], college professor and Scenic Flights of Acadia pilot, R.W. Estela (indeed, flying is a lot like sailing), Sue McIsaac at Quietside Campground, Shane (Mount Desert Island High School senior — for helping me get Hummer off the car and into the water, then helping rig her the next day), Jake (for your help in getting Hummer out of the water and onto the car in Manset, 2 anonymous Stonington lobstermen (for your help in getting Hummer out of the water and onto the car after my run up Deer Isle's west coast), Bob (for helping me rig Hummer and your advice), David Gardner (the moose antler seller who taught me a lot about moose antler-tology), Frances and the fantastic crew at Quietside Cafe in SWH (always a pleasure and delight!), Anne Tergesen (the Wall Street Journal reporter who patiently answered not a few questions [what a neat job where they'll let you get away from NYC to Southwest Harbor, Maine to write an article]) and Philly neighbors, Jose and Antonio for helping me get Hummer off the car and into my backyard.

Photos are posted here, here, here and here (Hummer 2009). Videos are also posted at www.youtube.com/mainemanayuh When I get some time, I'll update my blog with all that happened. Had a fantastic, rejuvenating and joyous time in the Lord and am struck with the similarities and parallels between the environs, economics and rural village social dynamics of the Maine coast and those surrounding the Sea of Galilee (a marine environment surrounded by hill country, a Woodworker, fishermen, boats, etc.

Pastor Nat Obey, oldest daughter Nicole and wife Regina after service at Touch Point Church Ministries at W.B.C.

TOUCH POINT CHURCH MINISTRIES in GREENBELT, MD - What a blessing to reconnect with Pastor Nat Obey, Jr. and his wife, Regina, who invited me in a couple of times to help lead in the worship and praise at this church plant which meets on the campus of Washington Bible College (July 12 and August 9, 2009). Wonderful to see what the Lord Jesus is doing in the lives of the saints here. My first time there Pastor Obey had also invited guest preacher, Pastor James Marshall (from Zion Baptist Church), who brought a great message from John 12:42-43. Nicole now works at the Pentagon and is looking forward to becoming a first-time homebuyer. The church's Website is www.touchpointcm.org

First Baptist Church of Highland Park Maryland's AWANA Camp 2009
Photo by Anthony Moore, Sr.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of HIGHLAND PARK in LANDOVER, MD - AWANA CAMP - Refreshing Mountain Bible Camp - Stevens, PA - June, 2009. What a refreshing time it was indeed to be with the saints from FBCHP: Dr. Henry P. Davis III, Pastor; Rev. Joel Washington (Youth Pastor), Anthony Moore Sr. (AWANA 2009 Camp Director), Deacon Ed Harrison, Pam Thomas, Carolyn Mitchell, Justin Spencer, Chester Buster, Courtney, Carl (thanks for your help with the PowerPoint), Roger (hope you do well on the b-ball team at Suitland H.S.), etc, as well as saints from other churches (notably, Pastor James Marshall (from Zion Baptist Church) and Regina Obey, whom I haven't seen for years. Was also glad to reconnect with Dave Stewart (of Animal Alley Ministries — his wife Karen is a fellow Streamsider from way back in the day. [Dave called on me to wear the boa constrictor in one of his demonstrations for the campers.] I was also privileged to meet an MK named Jonathan who is taking up International Studies at Wheaton College with the intent of being a missionary to the Muslim world. Rarely do I meet American college students able to speak fluent Mandarin Chinese such as him. Although I was invited in to lead the worship and praise, I think this time around the camp was more for my encouragement and strengthening than it was for me doing any sort of musical ministry. Thank you, Anthony for having me back again this year, and thank you, saints of First Baptist Church, for your faith, your loving kindness and gracious support.

First Baptist Church of Highland Park, MD AWANA Kids Camp closing program segment, June 27, 2009
Standing: Carl on the far left, Anthony with the camera, Roger with the mic and Justin seated far right

Broad Shouldered Hawk — Streamside, September 7, 2009

A pregnant mourning dove in the backyard oak tree, carrying construction material for her nest (next branch over)

Sitting patiently in her nest — nicely camouflaged — awaiting the outcome.

The doves have hatched — there seem to be 2 of them! Video posted here.
Was delighted to also see a black-capped chickadee (Maine state bird), Mr.
and Mrs. Cardinal (regulars through the years), a few finches and one bird I
have yet to clearly identify. The backyard oak tree is quite the bird magnet.

Interesting — she has stayed with the nest all the way through the summer.
08/30/09: she furiously (and successfully) flapped away an intrusive squirrel.

Here's that lightning-quick black-capped chickadee (Maine's state bird) who's been coming through on occasion:

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - taught "Ethics" (PHI 112C) - Philadelphia, PA - Summer Intensive, Session 1 - May 18 - June 11, 2009. Great class!

WILLINGBORO CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY - Missions Conference - Willingboro, NJ - June 7, 2009. A truly rich time with the saints at WCA! Wonderful to re-connect with this fellowship (it's been a number of years since I was last there). Taught the adult Sunday School class and thoroughly enjoyed the worship. Encouraged to hear what the Lord Jesus is doing through the ministries of Have Christ Will Travel (Joe Jeter and his wife, Catherine), Cross World Ministries (with Jim O'Neill), Meet Me in Africa (Yvonne Lembo, who is also doing ministry in the Trauma Unit of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital), Child Evangelism Fellowship, et al. A particularly revealing matter turned up in the singing of the last hymn, "Send the Light." Carmen, the pianist (a member of the "Boomer" generation) encouraged Gregory, a 17-year-old drummer (a member of the "Bridger" generation), to accompany her and the congregation as we sang the hymn, She played it in straightforward "duple" style (the congregation singing along with her in same fashion), while Gregory provided a hip-hop, jazz-inflected triplet-driven shuffling drum beat. We all met at the start of each musical bar line, but each side tenaciously held their own through the rest of each measure. A curious musical tension — not quite a hemiola, but a marvelous illustration of how each generation of saints has their "own" music. The need for older generations to be flexible and learn how to graciously pass the baton to the next reveals how we are to "work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Thank you, Pastor and Mrs. Hiawatha Kennedy for allowing me the opportunity to worship with you all!

WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - finished up two (2) Old Testament courses in Glenside, and by the grace of the LORD Jesus, graduated on May 28th. I completed the 37 prescribed hours of study they laid out for me 4 years ago (which, added to my earlier M.A. done there, added up to 92 credits). I thought I was working toward an "M. Div. equivalency," but last year was told that in Westminster's system my extra prescribed coursework only qualified for a "Certificate of Christian Studies." It was a tremendous letdown for sure, and I was reluctant to alert anyone to the graduation ceremony. Kind of wish I graduated in absentia (as did the 3 other students who were in the Certificate program). But hey, let's move on...

I am particularly grateful for Professor Mike Kelly who allowed me to do an independent study project on "Reading the Prophetic Books through the Lens of the Street-Oriented Young Urban Black Male." I took the late Dr. Harvie Conn's theological-anthropological-missiological approach (laid out in his book, Eternal Word and Changing Worlds, 1984), and added a literary approach, working out from the book of Jonah and paralleling it with the Black experience in America. The study's already been graded but remains a tingling work in progress. Thanks, Mike, for allowing me this pertinent topical focus.

CENTER for URBAN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES - finished teaching "Foundations of Christian Thought" - BIB 300C and "Introduction to Philosophy" - PHI 110C - Philadelphia, PA for the Spring semester, 2009. Two great sets of students, and I got the sense they enjoyed the class as much as I.

EASTERN UNIVERSITY - MASTER of ARTS in URBAN STUDIES (ONLINE and RESIDENCY) - taught "Apologetics for the Urban Youth Context" Philadelphia, PA for the Spring semester 2009 (the Residency portion was from February 13-17, 2009). Really enjoyed the class.

VOICES form the PAST - Blessed to hear from Pastor Ray Timms at Faith Chapel Reformed Church in Paterson NJ and from Pastor Ned Suffern who is at a church out in Iowa. Bryant Harrell, a young man who used to be involved with one of the youth ministries we had in Paterson back in the 1980s called to say "hi" and share what the Lord has been doing in his and his brother's lives (wow, was that ever an encouragement and a delightful surprise). Bro. Kelvin Jackson called from Grand Rapids to share the sad news from fellow former His Will member, Min. Darryl Redmond: his sister Mildred had passed away. Called Darryl as he was getting ready for her homegoing service that day in Paterson, NJ and talked for a little while. Please pray for her husband and her 5 sons, and for Darryl also. Thank you.

NEW LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE RETREAT - Word of Life Conference Center - Schroon Lake, NY - March 26-29, 2009. Again, another incredible retreat with the saints from this church-based Bible institute ministry begun by Pastor Timothy Ruffin over a quarter of a century ago. Pastor William Smith, Sr. spoke on the theme of the LORD as the Divine Potter (Isaiah 64:8 et al), and his son, Will Smith, Jr. (member of a rap crew called Da Union) rapped. Once again, I was privileged to lead the 92 or so attendees in worship and praise and to work with retreat director Evangelist Cheryl A. Johnson in putting together a choir of about 35 volunteers who (once again) went above and beyond the call of duty in rehearsing and singing during the Sunday morning service. We did 5 songs and had a wonderful time working together. Thank you, Sis. Betty Ruffin, Bettye Geiger, Larry Johnson and the rest of the NLBI saints for putting me in the mix one more time, and for your ministry to me through all these years.

EVANGELICAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - New Holland, PA - March 11, 14, 15, 2009. Good to be able to visit the saints at this church which has been graciously supporting me in the ministry through the years. Had the good opportunity to speak with their youth on Wednesday night and Sunday morning, as well as speaking in both the 8:30 am (contemporary) and 11:00 am (traditional) services. Also did some song-leading and piano playing. Thank you, Pastor Eric Ritz, Pastor Ray and Val Voran, Sis. Lois Fulmer, fellow AIMers Jeanie and Stephanie Lowery, Bro. Lowell Roth and many others, for your friendship, hospitality and support.

THREE of HEP's URBAN MISSION JOURNAL ARTICLES NOW ONLINE - Although they may be a bit dated (they were written in 1989 and 1992) they still got 'feet' regarding the street — enough so that Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson saw fit to quote from them in their 2005 book, The Hip-Hop Church: Connecting with the Movement Shaping Our Culture (InterVarsity Press).

"Penetrating an Urban People Group." Bob Hepburn, Urban Mission, Mar 01, 1989, Volume 6:04, pp. 33-42. http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php?loc=kb&view=v&id=15652

"Rap Music: A Window into a Culture." Bob Hepburn, Urban Mission, May 01, 1992, Volume 9:05, pp. 6-19. http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php?loc=kb&view=v&id=15780

"Rap Music: Give Me My Respect, Man!" Bob Hepburn, Urban Mission, Sep 01, 1992, Volume 10:01, pp. 16-28. http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php?loc=kb&view=v&id=15789

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

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

HEP

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