YOUNGSTOWN HOPE 2001 CRUSADE Event to unite community

By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- For two years, the Baptist Pastors Council wanted to do something communitywide to bring the community together.
"Youngstown is a city on the rebound," says the Rev. Kenneth Simon, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church.
There are homes being built. Four schools are to be built and others renovated.
"Things are turning around," said the Rev. Mr. Simon.
"A key element is where we believe the religious community plays a part in this recovery is that you can build new houses and make new schools, but until you change the hearts of the people, you really don't have a community that's whole."
The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Greater Youngstown Coalition of Christians and the Church of God in Christ Churches in Youngstown joined in to widen the community involvement.
Here's the event: The result will be The Youngstown HOPE 2001 Crusade at Stambaugh Auditorium starting with a Youth Bash at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.
DeForest B. "Buster" Soaries Jr., New Jersey's secretary of state and senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, N.J., will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 to 24, giving a different message each night.
Soaries has been involved in both public and private community improvement programs through those positions.
Mr. Simon is the former head of the Baptist Pastors Council and The Rev. Kelvin E. Turner, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, is co-chairman of the event.
"The key for us is, how do we begin to not just look at the outside revitalization of Youngstown," said the Rev. Mr. Turner.
"How do we look at the interior restoration, and that looks at the hearts and minds of the people. I think the church is the organizational organism to make that happen,"
People need hope and that comes from salvation, according to the pastors.
"How do we help others prepare for eternity?" asked Mr. Turner. "My theology is by helping them prepare for today. We do that by sending a message of hope, sending a message of love, sending a message of unity and togetherness."
It's timely: The crusade comes at an opportune time in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks, Mr. Turner believes.
"It allows the opportunity for the church community to come together at a time of uncertainty within the community and the world itself," said Mr. Turner.
"The goal is to have individuals' lives changed via the salvation of the Gospel. But I think it also brings a time of people just focusing and refocusing today as it relates to, 'How do we prepare for eternity?'"
But the pastors believe that Jesus Christ provides the base to solve real community problems, such as crime, poverty and family.
"A base of change is providing purpose," said Mr. Turner. "One of the ways we're able to [show] that is by showing them the very purpose for which God created humanity, and how he has individualized the purpose for every person who exists, and help them become aligned with God's purpose for their life."
Mr. Turner said that 100 years from now, no one may remember where he went to school or where he lived or worked, but what will matter is if he made an impact.
"To me, that's discovering your purpose and fulfilling it," Mr. Turner said.
Youth involvement: Robin Woodberry is a member of the committee that is running the youth crusade. It's geared up for people ages 5 to 21.
"We want to draw them in the first night and keep them coming for the other nights," she said.
Adults are also welcome at the youth night. Seating for all events is on a first-come basis.
A youth choir from area churches and the Youngstown State University Gospel Choir will perform Oct. 21.
An adult choir composed of singers from area churches will perform Oct. 22 and 23. The Jesus Celebration Choir will sing Oct. 24.