The statistics are sobering.  All the evidence tells us clearly that homes without fathers experience an incalculable loss.  And it's this sobering reality that is leading the Rev. Michael Blackwell, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Westwood, to aggressively promote the Geedad Oone Million Dads Campaign.  The campaign is desiged to "promote the awareness of the impact on society of fatherless homes and the affect on children that come from them."  Truly, dads do matter!  You can check out the website: www.geedad.com.

                 “The Answer to a Fatigued Leader” was the sermon subject of the soul-stirring opening worship service of the 94^th Annual Hampton University Ministers’ Conference.  Conference President Dr. William Curtis preached the powerful sermon.  The five-day conference then went on to practice what he had preached.  It was a revival!  

I continue to hear how the 94^th Annual Hampton University Ministers Conference inspired so many of us in attendance. 

This year’s theme was “Biblical Hermeneutics.”  The conference focused on the various ways in which pastors and ministers approach the awesome task of biblical interpretation.  The conference brought together some of the nations most gifted preachers, lecturers and facilitators to address this theme.  It was a time to “train, educate, challenge and sharpen skills in ministry,” said Dr. Curtis.

The conference preacher was Bishop Charles Blake preacher.  Bishop Blake is pastor of  West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Los Angeles, CA.

The morning preacher was Dr. Gina Stewart.  Dr. Stewart is pastor of  Christ Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis, TN.

The noonday preacher was Dr. Joel Gregory.  Dr. Gregory serves as professor of preaching at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

 Lecturers were: Dr. Katie Cannon, professor of Christian ethics at Union-Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA; and Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, president of Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA.

Rev. Jason Barr of Macedonia Church (Pittsburgh, PA) was the communion service preacher.  Dr. Rita L. Twiggs and Rev. Jerome A. Barber led early morning prayer services.

Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook (immediate past conference president) and Rev. Lucille Hill moderated the George A. Crawley Women in Ministry Panel discussion.  The discussion included: Minister Kimberly Nash Alexander, Dr. Margaret Elaine M. Flake, Apostle Merilee A. Watson and Rev. Claudette Basden.

Dr. James Forbes, Jr., senior minister emeritus of The Riverside Church in NYC presented during the Reverend A.C.D. Vaughn Senior Statesman Hour.

 Several ABCNJ clergy attended the conference.  Some of those ministers also attended an evening reception that was hosted by ABCUSA.  It was a great time of fellowship.

I was particularly moved and challenged during the conference by the sermons of Dr. Gregory and the lectures of Dr. Franklin.  In fact, I was compelled to purchase Franklin’s newest book: Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities.  

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/26/07) - We regret to announce the death yesterday of the Rev. Barry T. Young, an esteemed leader in the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) community. He was 49. Rev. Young was pastor of Mosby Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., and just celebrated his 15th anniversary there in July. He also served as coordinator of church relations & adjunct instructor of Practical Theology at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.

Rev. Young held a B.S. and a M.A. in Divinity from Virginia Union University and studied at Wesley Theological Seminary as well.

He was active in ABCUSA life at area, regional and national levels, including memberships on the General Board, the Board of National Ministries, and the Mission, Vision, Planning Task Force. Dr. Young also chaired the local arrangements committee for the 2003 Biennial in Richmond.

"Barry will be missed by his family, church, students and American Baptist colleagues," said ABCUSA General Secretary Rev. Dr. Roy Medley. "He was a model churchman whose life exemplified service. In his last column for his church's web site, Barry encouraged his flock to 'live everyday to fulfill the cause of Jesus Christ in the world.' All of us who knew him recognize that's precisely how he lived his life. There could be no more fitting epitaph for our beloved brother in Christ, who now is experiencing the joy of eternal life with Our Lord," Dr. Medley said.

"Rev. Young was an outstanding Christian leader," said National Ministries Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III. "His creativity, compassion and courage were hallmarks of his character. I thank God for the privilege of serving and studying with him. Our denominational family is healthier because of the gifts he shared with us."

Rev. Young is survived by his wife, the Rev. Dr. Mary Young, and daughter, Jessica.

The viewing will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at Mosby Memorial Baptist Church, 2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond. The funeral will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 1127 North 28th St., Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University; mark the gift for the Barry T. Young Scholarship. Condolences may be sent to Rev. Dr. Mary Young, 2402 Edenbrook Dr., Richmond, Va., 23228.

Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/