BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
The next meeting of the “Save Our Youth” meeting will take place on Monday, March 11th. The meeting will take place at Exciting Alive Church, 5705 E. 32nd Avenue, in Grant Park, beginning at 7 p.m.
Earlier this month, Pastor Antonio Hawkins called on the community in response to an epidemic of gun violence. In the last month, two young men have been killed and five others injured. One person injured was an innocent bystander.
Pastor Hawkins is asking all residents who have an interest in stopping the violence to attend the meeting.
On February 15, John Brown, III, and Reginald Johnson, both 18, were shot. Brown died. Police arrested 16-year-old Kito Lamont Felton and 17-year-old Malik Jimer Williams in connection with the shooting.
On February 19th, Dexter Gardner, 26, Thomas Causey, 41, and Bertran Sampson, 26, were in an apartment courtyard on E. 22nd Avenue near N. 29th Street, when a group of men walked up to them and opened fire.
Gardner died from his injuries, Causey was hospitalized with seriously injured and Sampson received minor injuries. The investigation into the shooting remains open, but no arrests have been made.
The first meeting was a spontaneous Intercessory Prayer Meeting that took place on February 21st. Several members of Brown’s family attended the meeting. The second meeting was held on February 26th, and a large crowd attended.
For additional information contact Pastor Hawkins at (813) 280-9861.
Pastor: ‘It’s Time To Revive The City!’
The Tampa community has experienced great sorrow due to the recent deaths of African American men. Violent shootings have captured the lives of sons, brothers, uncles, and even fathers in the East Tampa community. These events have stricken the community and left many in fear.
We must reclaim our community!, Pastor Randy Randolph says.
“Oppression is apparent throughout our community, but violence is an unwelcomed guest that must be evicted! It is time to rebuild our community and give notice to the enemy that he has no power here! We MUST strongly unite in prayer and bring a sense of hope to the young, middle-aged, old, and those broken in spirit. For God’s word tells us, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 – KJV
Pastor Randy Randolph of Abundant Life Enrichment Church in East Tampa believes that we must renew our minds in order to rise above these violent attacks. He further says, “We must always remember that with God, we win in the end! Through trials, tribulations, heartaches, pain and violence, God is our refuge — our safety net. But this mindset can only be achieved through Christ.”
Pastor Randolph and the Abundant Life Enrichment Church have gathered various community leaders, neighbors, and friends together in an effort to “Restore, Renew, and Revive” the city of Tampa through a community revival.
This Community Revival will take place from Monday, March 18, 2013 through Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 7 p. m. The guest evangelist will be Elder Christopher O’Bryant of Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Lakeland. Abundant Life Enrichment Church is located at 4701 East Hanna Avenue.
Contact the church office at (813) 627-8400 if your ministry of arts (e.g., choirs, songstress, praise team/dancers, poet(s), and mimes) would like to participate or if you have questions.
Activists Hope Rallies Will ‘Stop The Violence’
Community Activists Clarence Jones and Michelle Williams are on a mission to do what they can to stop the gun violence that has threatened Black communities.
Through a series of “Stop The Violence” rallies, Jones and Williams hope that peace can be restored.
“We’ve had rallies in Robles Park and East Tampa, and we have others planned for West Tampa, Grant Park, and other areas.
“Someone needs to bring attention to the problems in our community, and try to get the troublemakers together to find out what’s going on.”
Jones said they are trying to establish unity and point out the ills of gun violence, and the impact it has on an entire family and the community.
“I think there are a total of four gangs involved in all the violence, and I want to sit down with the leaders and come up with a solution to stop it.
“It started with the females, but it’s about anything now. I also think the arrest of so many people involved in the drop scam has a lot to do with the violence.”
Jones said programs are needed to help the kids and get them off the streets.
“They need something to do, and our elected officials need to step in and make it happen. More funds need to be set aside to save our young people by giving them something productive to do, instead of being angry at each other over nothing.”
Reporter Leon B. Crews can be reached at (813) 248-0724, or e-mailed at lcrews@flsentinel.com, or noelswerc@gmail.com.
