BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor
A youthful Tampa minister stood in his pulpit (vacant of all chairs, podium, etc.) and shared with the community the outline that God had given him in an effort to save the youth in the Tampa Bay area.
Antonio Hawkins, 29, Senior Pastor of Exciting Faith Alive at Mt. Silla Church, called upon pastors, ministers, leaders of the community to come together and work on methods of reaching the young males in the community.
The meeting on Monday evening began at 7:10 with an opening prayer by Pastor Donald White, pastor of Mt. Carmel M. B. Church, Plant City.
Pastor Hawkins came forward with handouts, a power point presentation and then talked about the “Saving Our Youth Movement.”
He told the ministers, pastors and community leaders that the mission of “Saving Our Youth Movement” is to “change the mindset of our youth.”
In addition to the mission, he shared the vision: to save, re-direct, protect, guide and be examples for the youth.
In the target areas, he listed, Grant Park, Highland Pines, Robles Park, Belmont Heights, Sulphur Springs, West Tampa, Tampa Heights, Clair-Mel, and Progress Village. The audience added, Jackson Heights, Suitcase City, Sugar City, Palm River and Samson Park.
In order to accomplish the goals set forth, Pastor Hawkins said there has to be a partnership. “Saving the youth is not about any one group or individual; it’s going to take all of us. This will not be easy, but it can be done.”
The strategy has to be to meet the young people on their level – go outside of your regular environment, learn their language and don’t be so quick to judge.
Mentoring youth is another means of reaching them in an effort to understand their purpose.
Young men who participated during the meeting: front, left to right: Deputy Willie Edom, Sam Oxendine, Horace Drew, Rechi Butler (Get It Right Foundation), David White and Deputy J. Footman. In the back, Pastor Antonio Hawkins, Tyrone Walker (Miracle Outreach) James Cole, Minister Rosson Hamilton and Pastor Donald White.
He talked about the gifts that God has equipped each with and he’s hopeful that inner city schools will be adopted by some of the churches, businesses or non-profit organizations.
His outline includes an Events Team that will plan and execute events in the targeted neighborhoods. “We need to be able to have a kickball game without a shootout. And, we will need the support of law enforcement.”
In his outline of Jail/Prison Outreach, Pastor Hawkins talked about reaching those 18-25. However, a young man in the audience, said that he works in the Juvenile Justice system and asked that the age includes those who are in elementary to middle school. He sees them every day.
Those who will join the Street Team will have to be trained. “You cannot go up to young people talking ‘church.’ You have to find a way to get to know who they are,” he said, “and then offer them salvation.”
The Grief Recovery Team will help hurting youth, who may be dealing with issues of not having a father in his/her life, or losing a loved one at a young age. “One has to be trained for this team because ‘hurting people, hurt people,’ he said.
He shared with the audience how he cried uncontrollably at a funeral last weekend, thinking of a friend he lost about 8 years ago. Even though he has preached or presided at numerous funerals since the death of his friend, this was the first time he ‘attended’ a funeral and sobbed so much. That let him know he, too, had some grief issues.
A series of Youth Crusades will also be set up in the targeted areas — maybe like tent revivals with local gospel groups performing. However, one respondent explained that tents and gospel music will not draw young people, either.
One woman in the audience commended the number of “strong, dedicated men who stood up” and want to give back to their community. She emphasized the need to be committed, especially to those you choose to mentor.
Tyrone Walker, who was accompanied by his wife, Michelle Walker, both of Miracle Outreach Ministries, told of a program, Saving Our Sons, where he has a barbering program to teach young men how to cut hair and have their own profession.
Chloe Coney, who is an evangelist, told the audience that the churches and groups need to come together.
James Cole asked the audience (without showing hands), ‘how many of you know your neighbor across the street, down the street or next door?’ He added that we need to get back to being a neighborhood.
“You know whether your neighbor is here or not. Go back and talk to them about this meeting; engage them in conversation about this meeting; serve as the voice of the community,” he said.
Minister Rosson Hamilton of Divine Worship Center, told of the double life he led as a young person. Of mixed race ethnicity, he never knew his dad and his mother died when he was a youth. He had been drinking alcohol and smoking weed since the age of 12, but those who raised him didn’t find out until he was about 17 years old. He knows the power of God. At age 29, he’s been married for 10 years and has 2 sons.
His suggestion to reach the young people: “talk English, don’t talk church; start with those around you; and be creative in your methods.”
On Tuesday, Pastor Hawkins reflected on and assessed the meeting. He thought, “things went very well. I am motivated to push harder and go deeper because there’s a great work to be done.”
Although many of the area’s pastors and ministers could not attend personally, he was pleased with those who sent representatives and those who had contacted him before the meeting to say they would send someone.
Apostle Mark Jones of Center For Manifestation sent a representative; Pastor Charles Patrick of Christlike Ministries stopped by before the meeting, but had a representative present; Pastor Evan Burrows of First Baptist Church of College Hill sent one of his deacons, Albert Bell as a representative; Dr. T. W. Jenkins of New Hope M. B. Church, left a message of support; Pastor Jeffery Johnson, Youth Pastor at 34th St. Church of God, was on his way, but got caught in traffic coming out of Manatee County. There were also representatives from Pastor Alfonzo Broughton, Genesis Worship Center; and Pastor LayTecia McKinney, Victory Temple Outreach.
Minister/Coach Kenneth Muldrow, who Pastor Hawkins knows from his days at Blake High School, told him about an organization, “Fishermen 5,” for men 18-35.
Those in attendance were treated to a spaghetti dinner prepared by the church’s Culinary Ministry.
The next meeting is Monday, March 11th, 7 p. m.
Those whose names appeared on the sign-in sheet were: Aja Hawkins, Alma Kelly, Alysia McClendon, Annie Glover, Belinda Flavien, Brittaney Henderson, Charles Perry, Cheryl Webb, Cherylene Levy, Chloe Coney, Christy Crawford, Consuela Williams and Cookie Lee.
Deacon Albert Bell, Deacon James Glover, Sr., Delores Hillman, Deputy J. Footman, Deputy Willie Edom, Felicia Westbrook, Fran Tate, Horace Drew, Jacqueline Herring, James Cole, Lutonja Best, Mae Bennett, Margaret Little, Marie Tarver White, Mary McDaniel, Michelle Walker, Minister Antoine Knight, Minister James Glover, Jr., Minister James Johnson, Officer G. A. Neal, Pastor Charles Patrick, Pastor Donald White, Pastor Paul Buster, Redi Butler, Rev. Phyllis Council.
Rosa Santos, Rosalie Jones, Sabrina Brown, Sam Oxendine, Samantha Randall, Sarah Hall, Shameke Freeman, Sylvia Brown, Tara Barnard, Tonya Lewis, Tyrone Walker, Victor Hawkins, Willie Cyrus and Willie Monroe. (Photos by Cherylene Levy)
