The Fatherless Epidemic: Raising Up Men in Urban America [Recorded - Ep. 12]

We begin with that breaking news tonight We begin with that breaking news tonight about the man accused of more than a about the man accused of more than a about the man accused of more than a dozen homicides in the city of dozen homicides in the city of dozen homicides in the city of Birmingham. Thanks for joining us. Birmingham. Thanks for joining us. Birmingham. Thanks for joining us. >> In the last few hours, Birmingham police >> In the last few hours, Birmingham police >> In the last few hours, Birmingham police announced Damen McDaniel is now charged announced Damen McDaniel is now charged announced Damen McDaniel is now charged in connection to four more homicides in in connection to four more homicides in in connection to four more homicides in the city. the city. the city. >> McDaniel facing nearly 40 felony counts >> McDaniel facing nearly 40 felony counts >> McDaniel facing nearly 40 felony counts for his alleged involvement in multiple for his alleged involvement in multiple for his alleged involvement in multiple mass shootings, including the one at the mass shootings, including the one at the mass shootings, including the one at the Hush Lounge in Five Point South. And Hush Lounge in Five Point South. And Hush Lounge in Five Point South. And with his latest charges, Damen McDaniel with his latest charges, Damen McDaniel with his latest charges, Damen McDaniel is now connected to a total of 18 cases is now connected to a total of 18 cases is now connected to a total of 18 cases within the city. Damian McDaniel has been charged with Damian McDaniel has been charged with murdering at least 18 people in murdering at least 18 people in murdering at least 18 people in Birmingham, Alabama over the course of Birmingham, Alabama over the course of Birmingham, Alabama over the course of 14 months. His alleged victims include a 14 months. His alleged victims include a 14 months. His alleged victims include a firefighter, a UPS employee, and the firefighter, a UPS employee, and the firefighter, a UPS employee, and the mayor's cousin, who was pregnant. Her mayor's cousin, who was pregnant. Her mayor's cousin, who was pregnant. Her unborn baby died, too. Police say Damen unborn baby died, too. Police say Damen unborn baby died, too. Police say Damen killed so many people in 2024 that he killed so many people in 2024 that he killed so many people in 2024 that he was responsible for 10% of the violent was responsible for 10% of the violent was responsible for 10% of the violent deaths in Birmingham that year. And he deaths in Birmingham that year. And he deaths in Birmingham that year. And he allegedly did all of that before he allegedly did all of that before he allegedly did all of that before he turned 23.

turned 23. turned 23. Why? Some reporters asked author and Why? Some reporters asked author and Why? Some reporters asked author and criminal profiler Bill Chalmer's. Some criminal profiler Bill Chalmer's. Some criminal profiler Bill Chalmer's. Some serial killers are lust killers, he told serial killers are lust killers, he told serial killers are lust killers, he told them. Some are angry. Some are doing it them. Some are angry. Some are doing it them. Some are angry. Some are doing it for profit. There's a reason why they do for profit. There's a reason why they do for profit. There's a reason why they do it, and they're all different. We could it, and they're all different. We could it, and they're all different. We could also add sin, neurological differences, also add sin, neurological differences, also add sin, neurological differences, or personality disorders to his list, or or personality disorders to his list, or or personality disorders to his list, or childhood trauma. Here's what else childhood trauma. Here's what else childhood trauma. Here's what else Chomers said. I'm sure he had a messed Chomers said. I'm sure he had a messed Chomers said. I'm sure he had a messed up childhood. I'm sure he had some up childhood. I'm sure he had some up childhood. I'm sure he had some issues with his father or no father or a issues with his father or no father or a issues with his father or no father or a bad father. The breakdown of the family bad father. The breakdown of the family bad father. The breakdown of the family is usually the case. Sure enough, Damen is usually the case. Sure enough, Damen is usually the case. Sure enough, Damen was five when his dad was charged with was five when his dad was charged with was five when his dad was charged with murder while he was out on bond for a murder while he was out on bond for a murder while he was out on bond for a previous murder charge. Currently, previous murder charge. Currently, previous murder charge. Currently, Damen's father is in prison for Damen's father is in prison for Damen's father is in prison for trafficking cocaine and possessing a trafficking cocaine and possessing a trafficking cocaine and possessing a firearm. firearm. firearm. >> 85% of the black boys in prison are >> 85% of the black boys in prison are >> 85% of the black boys in prison are coming from father's home. Kids who grow coming from father's home. Kids who grow coming from father's home. Kids who grow up without dads don't finish school. up without dads don't finish school. up without dads don't finish school. They join gangs. They go to prisons. 97% They join gangs. They go to prisons. 97% They join gangs. They go to prisons. 97% of the homeless in our country come from of the homeless in our country come from of the homeless in our country come from fatherless homes. I mean, it's just the fatherless homes. I mean, it's just the fatherless homes. I mean, it's just the list goes on and on and on.

list goes on and on and on. list goes on and on and on. >> That's Alton Hardy. He also grew up >> That's Alton Hardy. He also grew up >> That's Alton Hardy. He also grew up without a dad in a sharecropping family without a dad in a sharecropping family without a dad in a sharecropping family in Alabama. He came to faith and then to in Alabama. He came to faith and then to in Alabama. He came to faith and then to reform theology while living in a poor reform theology while living in a poor reform theology while living in a poor neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As he began working in ministry, he As he began working in ministry, he As he began working in ministry, he could see the fatherless pattern in his could see the fatherless pattern in his could see the fatherless pattern in his own life was being repeated in the own life was being repeated in the own life was being repeated in the community around him. community around him. community around him. >> Family brokenness broke up. I've seen >> Family brokenness broke up. I've seen >> Family brokenness broke up. I've seen more young boys cry over the lack of more young boys cry over the lack of more young boys cry over the lack of those dads not being there. those dads not being there. those dads not being there. >> Here's why Elton was worried and why we >> Here's why Elton was worried and why we >> Here's why Elton was worried and why we should be too. In 2023, the CDC recorded should be too. In 2023, the CDC recorded should be too. In 2023, the CDC recorded that 70% of black babies were born to that 70% of black babies were born to that 70% of black babies were born to single mothers. Overall, 40% of births single mothers. Overall, 40% of births single mothers. Overall, 40% of births in the United States are to unmarried in the United States are to unmarried in the United States are to unmarried moms, a number that has doubled across moms, a number that has doubled across moms, a number that has doubled across all demographics between 1980 and 2010. all demographics between 1980 and 2010. all demographics between 1980 and 2010. Convinced that the breakdown of the Convinced that the breakdown of the Convinced that the breakdown of the family was the root of so many problems family was the root of so many problems family was the root of so many problems he was seeing, and convinced that the he was seeing, and convinced that the he was seeing, and convinced that the gospel was the only solution, Alton gospel was the only solution, Alton gospel was the only solution, Alton moved to Fairfield, Alabama, which by moved to Fairfield, Alabama, which by moved to Fairfield, Alabama, which by the way is where Damian and his dad are the way is where Damian and his dad are the way is where Damian and his dad are from. For the last 13 years, Alton has from. For the last 13 years, Alton has from. For the last 13 years, Alton has been preaching sin and salvation. He's been preaching sin and salvation. He's been preaching sin and salvation. He's preaching that God is a father to the preaching that God is a father to the preaching that God is a father to the fatherless. And he's preaching life fatherless. And he's preaching life fatherless. And he's preaching life according to God's commands. Young black according to God's commands. Young black according to God's commands. Young black men, work hard, get married, and take men, work hard, get married, and take men, work hard, get married, and take care of your babies. I'm not going to care of your babies. I'm not going to care of your babies. I'm not going to tell you that the neighborhood is having tell you that the neighborhood is having tell you that the neighborhood is having a wholesale revival. But I can tell you a wholesale revival. But I can tell you a wholesale revival. But I can tell you that Elton's church is growing, and his that Elton's church is growing, and his that Elton's church is growing, and his manifold vision ministry has been manifold vision ministry has been manifold vision ministry has been teaching kids to read, buying and teaching kids to read, buying and teaching kids to read, buying and repairing homes for married couples, and

repairing homes for married couples, and repairing homes for married couples, and working to keep a grocery store open in working to keep a grocery store open in working to keep a grocery store open in their food desert. And I can tell you their food desert. And I can tell you their food desert. And I can tell you that the last seven babies to arrive in that the last seven babies to arrive in that the last seven babies to arrive in Elton's church were all born to married Elton's church were all born to married Elton's church were all born to married parents. For the first time in decades, parents. For the first time in decades, parents. For the first time in decades, couples with baby strollers are walking couples with baby strollers are walking couples with baby strollers are walking the sidewalks in Fairfield. The change the sidewalks in Fairfield. The change the sidewalks in Fairfield. The change is noticeable and Elton is hoping is noticeable and Elton is hoping is noticeable and Elton is hoping replicable. Over the last 10 years, he replicable. Over the last 10 years, he replicable. Over the last 10 years, he has begun to teach other young men to has begun to teach other young men to has begun to teach other young men to make a difference in their make a difference in their make a difference in their underresourced urban communities all underresourced urban communities all underresourced urban communities all over the country. I'm Sarah Xystra and over the country. I'm Sarah Xystra and over the country. I'm Sarah Xystra and you're listening to Recorded. So I grew up in Sardis, Alabama, which So I grew up in Sardis, Alabama, which is right outside Sel. My mom and dad is right outside Sel. My mom and dad is right outside Sel. My mom and dad were sharecroppers. My mom had 12 kids were sharecroppers. My mom had 12 kids were sharecroppers. My mom had 12 kids by my dad. My dad had other kids outside by my dad. My dad had other kids outside by my dad. My dad had other kids outside my mom community count. Don't remember my mom community count. Don't remember my mom community count. Don't remember how many. And so I grew up in a typical how many. And so I grew up in a typical how many. And so I grew up in a typical sharecropping world. Um, some of my sharecropping world. Um, some of my sharecropping world. Um, some of my older siblings, they did pick cotton and older siblings, they did pick cotton and older siblings, they did pick cotton and and cucumbers and bail hay and all of and cucumbers and bail hay and all of and cucumbers and bail hay and all of that southern Mississippi living.

that southern Mississippi living. that southern Mississippi living. >> Alton was born in 1966, about a 100red >> Alton was born in 1966, about a 100red >> Alton was born in 1966, about a 100red years after the end of the Civil War. years after the end of the Civil War. years after the end of the Civil War. American slavery was particularly brutal American slavery was particularly brutal American slavery was particularly brutal on families. Many slaves in other on families. Many slaves in other on families. Many slaves in other places, like in Brazil, could get places, like in Brazil, could get places, like in Brazil, could get legally married and have children legally married and have children legally married and have children without fear of separation. They could without fear of separation. They could without fear of separation. They could also get baptized, join churches, and also get baptized, join churches, and also get baptized, join churches, and practice their religion. But southern practice their religion. But southern practice their religion. But southern slave owners neither fostered Christian slave owners neither fostered Christian slave owners neither fostered Christian marriage among their slave couples nor marriage among their slave couples nor marriage among their slave couples nor hesitated to separate them on the hesitated to separate them on the hesitated to separate them on the auction block. Social psychologist auction block. Social psychologist auction block. Social psychologist Thomas Pedigrew observed as a result, he Thomas Pedigrew observed as a result, he Thomas Pedigrew observed as a result, he said, the slave household often said, the slave household often said, the slave household often developed a fatherless metrophocal or developed a fatherless metrophocal or developed a fatherless metrophocal or mother- centered pattern. That changed mother- centered pattern. That changed mother- centered pattern. That changed rapidly after slavery ended. In fact, rapidly after slavery ended. In fact, rapidly after slavery ended. In fact, from about 1890 to 1960, black men and from about 1890 to 1960, black men and from about 1890 to 1960, black men and women were more likely to have an women were more likely to have an women were more likely to have an experience with marriage, to either be experience with marriage, to either be experience with marriage, to either be married, divorced, or widowed than white married, divorced, or widowed than white married, divorced, or widowed than white men and women. But they weren't more men and women. But they weren't more men and women. But they weren't more likely to stay married or to raise their likely to stay married or to raise their likely to stay married or to raise their children together. By 1960, 25% of children together. By 1960, 25% of children together. By 1960, 25% of African-Amean children were living with African-Amean children were living with African-Amean children were living with just their mother, compared with about just their mother, compared with about just their mother, compared with about 7% of white children. Why the 7% of white children. Why the 7% of white children. Why the difference? In 1965, then assistant difference? In 1965, then assistant difference? In 1965, then assistant secretary of labor Daniel Patrick secretary of labor Daniel Patrick secretary of labor Daniel Patrick Moyahan was worried enough about it to Moyahan was worried enough about it to Moyahan was worried enough about it to do some research. He argued that Jim do some research. He argued that Jim do some research. He argued that Jim Crow laws in southern states targeted Crow laws in southern states targeted Crow laws in southern states targeted black men, making it hard for them to black men, making it hard for them to black men, making it hard for them to lead their families. Sharecropping and lead their families. Sharecropping and lead their families. Sharecropping and other low-wage jobs made it almost other low-wage jobs made it almost other low-wage jobs made it almost impossible for them to provide and impossible for them to provide and impossible for them to provide and difficult for women to depend on them.

difficult for women to depend on them. difficult for women to depend on them. And as many African-Americans moved away And as many African-Americans moved away And as many African-Americans moved away from the South and the extended from the South and the extended from the South and the extended families, churches, and communities that families, churches, and communities that families, churches, and communities that knew them, the social pressure to go to knew them, the social pressure to go to knew them, the social pressure to go to church, to care for your family, or to church, to care for your family, or to church, to care for your family, or to marry your pregnant girlfriend lessened. marry your pregnant girlfriend lessened. marry your pregnant girlfriend lessened. Moahan made it clear that he was not Moahan made it clear that he was not Moahan made it clear that he was not talking about all African-American talking about all African-American talking about all African-American families. Many were stable and thriving. families. Many were stable and thriving. families. Many were stable and thriving. Half had already pulled themselves into Half had already pulled themselves into Half had already pulled themselves into the middle class, a number that would the middle class, a number that would the middle class, a number that would continue to grow. The fabric of the continue to grow. The fabric of the continue to grow. The fabric of the black family then was largely patchy black family then was largely patchy black family then was largely patchy with sections that were strong and with sections that were strong and with sections that were strong and sections that were unraveling. sections that were unraveling. sections that were unraveling. [Music] [Music] [Music] >> By the time I was two or three or four, >> By the time I was two or three or four, >> By the time I was two or three or four, my mom and dad had separated. Never got my mom and dad had separated. Never got my mom and dad had separated. Never got officially divorced on paper, but they officially divorced on paper, but they officially divorced on paper, but they separated. So, I really experienced a separated. So, I really experienced a separated. So, I really experienced a different kind of poverty with my mom different kind of poverty with my mom different kind of poverty with my mom because she now is a single mom because she now is a single mom because she now is a single mom >> in the deep south living in a shotgun >> in the deep south living in a shotgun >> in the deep south living in a shotgun house with no plumbing. Uh, bathroom was house with no plumbing. Uh, bathroom was house with no plumbing. Uh, bathroom was outside. So, I just were growing up, no outside. So, I just were growing up, no outside. So, I just were growing up, no fathering touch that much. My daddy fathering touch that much. My daddy fathering touch that much. My daddy would come and get us on Saturday and we would come and get us on Saturday and we would come and get us on Saturday and we would go pick some um sugarcane and would go pick some um sugarcane and would go pick some um sugarcane and stuff like that.

stuff like that. stuff like that. >> The last time Alton saw his father on a >> The last time Alton saw his father on a >> The last time Alton saw his father on a regular basis, he was 11 years old. That regular basis, he was 11 years old. That regular basis, he was 11 years old. That year, his two older brothers began year, his two older brothers began year, his two older brothers began breaking into the local school to steal breaking into the local school to steal breaking into the local school to steal food. The cops knew who was doing it, food. The cops knew who was doing it, food. The cops knew who was doing it, but they couldn't find them. So, they but they couldn't find them. So, they but they couldn't find them. So, they grabbed another of Alton's brothers, grabbed another of Alton's brothers, grabbed another of Alton's brothers, 13-year-old Andre, and stood him in the 13-year-old Andre, and stood him in the 13-year-old Andre, and stood him in the back of a pickup truck with a noose back of a pickup truck with a noose back of a pickup truck with a noose around his neck. The other end was around his neck. The other end was around his neck. The other end was tossed over a tree limb. Alton came home tossed over a tree limb. Alton came home tossed over a tree limb. Alton came home from school to see his mother on the from school to see his mother on the from school to see his mother on the ground screaming as the truck crept ground screaming as the truck crept ground screaming as the truck crept forward. The sheriff let Andre dangle forward. The sheriff let Andre dangle forward. The sheriff let Andre dangle for a few seconds before easing the for a few seconds before easing the for a few seconds before easing the truck back. He asked Alton's mother truck back. He asked Alton's mother truck back. He asked Alton's mother where her guilty boys were, but she where her guilty boys were, but she where her guilty boys were, but she didn't know, so the truck pulled forward didn't know, so the truck pulled forward didn't know, so the truck pulled forward again and then a few seconds later again and then a few seconds later again and then a few seconds later backed up so Andre could find his feet backed up so Andre could find his feet backed up so Andre could find his feet and his breath. "If we don't find those and his breath. "If we don't find those and his breath. "If we don't find those boys, we'll come back for the rest of boys, we'll come back for the rest of boys, we'll come back for the rest of you," the sheriff told Alton's mom. "Do you," the sheriff told Alton's mom. "Do you," the sheriff told Alton's mom. "Do you understand me?" She did. 3 days you understand me?" She did. 3 days you understand me?" She did. 3 days later, she left her husband behind and later, she left her husband behind and later, she left her husband behind and moved her children 450 mi straight moved her children 450 mi straight moved her children 450 mi straight north. They landed in a historically north. They landed in a historically north. They landed in a historically black neighborhood in Louisville, black neighborhood in Louisville, black neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky.

>> Louisville was the first time we live >> Louisville was the first time we live into modernization. First time there's a into modernization. First time there's a into modernization. First time there's a bathroom with a with a with a with a bathroom with a with a with a with a bathroom with a with a with a with a with a toilet seat and drinking water with a toilet seat and drinking water with a toilet seat and drinking water and stuff out of a faucet. We never had and stuff out of a faucet. We never had and stuff out of a faucet. We never had none of that out in Sardis. We were none of that out in Sardis. We were none of that out in Sardis. We were still using the well when I left Service still using the well when I left Service still using the well when I left Service and then Louisville, I had neighbors. I and then Louisville, I had neighbors. I and then Louisville, I had neighbors. I had friends. had friends. had friends. >> Alton noticed his friends didn't have >> Alton noticed his friends didn't have >> Alton noticed his friends didn't have dads at home either. In the 10 years dads at home either. In the 10 years dads at home either. In the 10 years he'd been alive, the percent of black he'd been alive, the percent of black he'd been alive, the percent of black children living with single moms had children living with single moms had children living with single moms had risen from about 25% risen from about 25% risen from about 25% to 40%. That is a huge jump in just one to 40%. That is a huge jump in just one to 40%. That is a huge jump in just one decade. But remember, it was the '60s. decade. But remember, it was the '60s. decade. But remember, it was the '60s. >> You had white flight. The 60s was a was >> You had white flight. The 60s was a was >> You had white flight. The 60s was a was an upheaval of all kinds of things an upheaval of all kinds of things an upheaval of all kinds of things happening. You had the big feminist happening. You had the big feminist happening. You had the big feminist movement. You had the um the drug movement. You had the um the drug movement. You had the um the drug movement, Vietnam. It was an upheaval of movement, Vietnam. It was an upheaval of movement, Vietnam. It was an upheaval of all kinds of world views, classroom. And all kinds of world views, classroom. And all kinds of world views, classroom. And then you get prayer taken out of school. then you get prayer taken out of school. then you get prayer taken out of school. Then you get abortion on demand. I mean, Then you get abortion on demand. I mean, Then you get abortion on demand. I mean, it was just a lot. You're getting it was just a lot. You're getting it was just a lot. You're getting presidents killed in that time. Get presidents killed in that time. Get presidents killed in that time. Get king. I mean, there's a whole lot that's king. I mean, there's a whole lot that's king. I mean, there's a whole lot that's happening.

happening. happening. >> The social change was real for both >> The social change was real for both >> The social change was real for both blacks and whites. And it wasn't all blacks and whites. And it wasn't all blacks and whites. And it wasn't all bad. For instance, racial segregation bad. For instance, racial segregation bad. For instance, racial segregation was banned, voting discrimination was banned, voting discrimination was banned, voting discrimination practices like literacy tests or pole practices like literacy tests or pole practices like literacy tests or pole taxes were outlawed, and sex taxes were outlawed, and sex taxes were outlawed, and sex discrimination in education was discrimination in education was discrimination in education was prohibited. But many of the changes prohibited. But many of the changes prohibited. But many of the changes moved away from a biblical understanding moved away from a biblical understanding moved away from a biblical understanding of how God designed the family to work. of how God designed the family to work. of how God designed the family to work. Some ideologies argued the opposite, Some ideologies argued the opposite, Some ideologies argued the opposite, teaching that family structures were a teaching that family structures were a teaching that family structures were a source of oppression. Flower Children source of oppression. Flower Children source of oppression. Flower Children jumped on board, championing free love, jumped on board, championing free love, jumped on board, championing free love, the pill, abortion, and no fault the pill, abortion, and no fault the pill, abortion, and no fault divorce. Meanwhile, Lynden Johnson's divorce. Meanwhile, Lynden Johnson's divorce. Meanwhile, Lynden Johnson's Great Society programs introduced Great Society programs introduced Great Society programs introduced Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, and the Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, and the Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, and the Head Start preschool program. Head Start preschool program. Head Start preschool program. >> When we was in Louisville, my mother was >> When we was in Louisville, my mother was >> When we was in Louisville, my mother was on welfare, but it was called AFDC. The on welfare, but it was called AFDC. The on welfare, but it was called AFDC. The social workers would come out once a social workers would come out once a social workers would come out once a month, maybe uh if I can remember month, maybe uh if I can remember month, maybe uh if I can remember correctly, and we never had beds and we correctly, and we never had beds and we correctly, and we never had beds and we just had mattresses. We never had a bed just had mattresses. We never had a bed just had mattresses. We never had a bed like normal people cuz we were still like normal people cuz we were still like normal people cuz we were still pretty poor. But they would come out and pretty poor. But they would come out and pretty poor. But they would come out and they would make sure my dad wasn't they would make sure my dad wasn't they would make sure my dad wasn't living there.

living there. living there. >> In order to make sure families weren't >> In order to make sure families weren't >> In order to make sure families weren't cheating the system, for a while, women cheating the system, for a while, women cheating the system, for a while, women on welfare had to prove there was no man on welfare had to prove there was no man on welfare had to prove there was no man around who could be providing a around who could be providing a around who could be providing a paycheck. Even after that rule was paycheck. Even after that rule was paycheck. Even after that rule was struck down, assistance from the struck down, assistance from the struck down, assistance from the government was weighted towards government was weighted towards government was weighted towards supporting single moms. Indeed, it still supporting single moms. Indeed, it still supporting single moms. Indeed, it still is. Having a man ain't worth it. No way. is. Having a man ain't worth it. No way. is. Having a man ain't worth it. No way. Alton's mom used to say. She managed to Alton's mom used to say. She managed to Alton's mom used to say. She managed to keep the family going on her own for a keep the family going on her own for a keep the family going on her own for a few years, scrabbling by with government few years, scrabbling by with government few years, scrabbling by with government aid and income from cleaning houses. But aid and income from cleaning houses. But aid and income from cleaning houses. But when Alton was a sophomore in high when Alton was a sophomore in high when Alton was a sophomore in high school, she had a heart attack. school, she had a heart attack. school, she had a heart attack. Physically weak and out of options, she Physically weak and out of options, she Physically weak and out of options, she told him he had to go back south. He told him he had to go back south. He told him he had to go back south. He yelled and fought until she sent him 370 yelled and fought until she sent him 370 yelled and fought until she sent him 370 mi straight north to his sister. mi straight north to his sister. mi straight north to his sister. [Music] [Music] [Music] Life is just coming at me fast. I'm not Life is just coming at me fast. I'm not Life is just coming at me fast. I'm not living with my mom. I'm in a cold place. living with my mom. I'm in a cold place. living with my mom. I'm in a cold place. I'm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I don't I'm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I don't I'm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I don't really know anybody. Growing from 59 to really know anybody. Growing from 59 to really know anybody. Growing from 59 to now 6 foot to 62 Jews to 63 and ultimate now 6 foot to 62 Jews to 63 and ultimate now 6 foot to 62 Jews to 63 and ultimate at 6'4 and I have this southern down leg at 6'4 and I have this southern down leg at 6'4 and I have this southern down leg and I'm fatherless. I'm poor. So all of and I'm fatherless. I'm poor. So all of and I'm fatherless. I'm poor. So all of this is just kind of coming at me. Over this is just kind of coming at me. Over this is just kind of coming at me. Over the next few years, Alton stabilized in the next few years, Alton stabilized in the next few years, Alton stabilized in an underresourced African-American an underresourced African-American an underresourced African-American community in Grand Rapids. He went to community in Grand Rapids. He went to community in Grand Rapids. He went to school, met friends, and even started on school, met friends, and even started on school, met friends, and even started on the high school basketball team. When the high school basketball team. When the high school basketball team. When his sister got tired of the city and his sister got tired of the city and his sister got tired of the city and decided to move on, he was supposed to decided to move on, he was supposed to decided to move on, he was supposed to go with, but he yelled and fought until

go with, but he yelled and fought until go with, but he yelled and fought until she let him stay. she let him stay. she let him stay. Alton spent 10 weeks alone in a home Alton spent 10 weeks alone in a home Alton spent 10 weeks alone in a home where the electricity and heat had been where the electricity and heat had been where the electricity and heat had been shut off in Grand Rapids in January. No shut off in Grand Rapids in January. No shut off in Grand Rapids in January. No amount of blankets, pairs of socks, or amount of blankets, pairs of socks, or amount of blankets, pairs of socks, or layers of sweatshirts could keep him layers of sweatshirts could keep him layers of sweatshirts could keep him warm. It was miserable. Finally, one of warm. It was miserable. Finally, one of warm. It was miserable. Finally, one of his coaches began to get suspicious. He his coaches began to get suspicious. He his coaches began to get suspicious. He lived nearby and he noticed the lights lived nearby and he noticed the lights lived nearby and he noticed the lights were never on and he hadn't seen Elton's were never on and he hadn't seen Elton's were never on and he hadn't seen Elton's family in a while. He started asking family in a while. He started asking family in a while. He started asking questions. Hey, are you okay? Are you questions. Hey, are you okay? Are you questions. Hey, are you okay? Are you alone? Alton ended up telling his coach alone? Alton ended up telling his coach alone? Alton ended up telling his coach everything. In response, the coach did everything. In response, the coach did everything. In response, the coach did not alert child protective services. He not alert child protective services. He not alert child protective services. He did not call anyone in Alton's extended did not call anyone in Alton's extended did not call anyone in Alton's extended family. He didn't even tell the school. family. He didn't even tell the school. family. He didn't even tell the school. Instead, he brought Alton home to his Instead, he brought Alton home to his Instead, he brought Alton home to his house and eventually over to his house and eventually over to his house and eventually over to his sisters. A single mom herself, Lucille sisters. A single mom herself, Lucille sisters. A single mom herself, Lucille took Alton in for the rest of high took Alton in for the rest of high took Alton in for the rest of high school. She bought him food and clothes. school. She bought him food and clothes. school. She bought him food and clothes. She made sure he did his homework, She made sure he did his homework, She made sure he did his homework, cheered at every basketball game, and cheered at every basketball game, and cheered at every basketball game, and prayed with and for him. She loved Elton prayed with and for him. She loved Elton prayed with and for him. She loved Elton and was so good to him that to this day and was so good to him that to this day and was so good to him that to this day he calls her mom.

he calls her mom. he calls her mom. >> Living with this this lady that I call >> Living with this this lady that I call >> Living with this this lady that I call my mom, I'm I'm kind of getting re my mom, I'm I'm kind of getting re my mom, I'm I'm kind of getting re reintroduced to Christianity again. My reintroduced to Christianity again. My reintroduced to Christianity again. My mother was a Christian. My dad was a mother was a Christian. My dad was a mother was a Christian. My dad was a professing Christian. There was this air professing Christian. There was this air professing Christian. There was this air of Christianity around me, but there was of Christianity around me, but there was of Christianity around me, but there was no disciplehip. And then I kind of go no disciplehip. And then I kind of go no disciplehip. And then I kind of go off to Jo College playing basketball, off to Jo College playing basketball, off to Jo College playing basketball, come back, still know that there's a come back, still know that there's a come back, still know that there's a God. I'm praying. I'm reading the Lord's God. I'm praying. I'm reading the Lord's God. I'm praying. I'm reading the Lord's Prayer. I'm praying the 23rd Psalm, but Prayer. I'm praying the 23rd Psalm, but Prayer. I'm praying the 23rd Psalm, but I've really never been discipled, but I I've really never been discipled, but I I've really never been discipled, but I just know don't do certain things just know don't do certain things just know don't do certain things because it's not right to do. because it's not right to do. because it's not right to do. >> This shallow Christianity was not much >> This shallow Christianity was not much >> This shallow Christianity was not much help when things got tough. Alton help when things got tough. Alton help when things got tough. Alton finished school and got a job delivering finished school and got a job delivering finished school and got a job delivering beer. Because he was black, his beer. Because he was black, his beer. Because he was black, his colleagues called him names. The cops colleagues called him names. The cops colleagues called him names. The cops stopped him once because they thought he stopped him once because they thought he stopped him once because they thought he stole the delivery truck. And one time, stole the delivery truck. And one time, stole the delivery truck. And one time, a bar manager wouldn't even let him in a bar manager wouldn't even let him in a bar manager wouldn't even let him in the door. Outside of work, he met and the door. Outside of work, he met and the door. Outside of work, he met and quickly married a girl named Marilyn. quickly married a girl named Marilyn. quickly married a girl named Marilyn. But their marriage was immature and But their marriage was immature and But their marriage was immature and often hostile. She dominated the often hostile. She dominated the often hostile. She dominated the relationship and they were both relationship and they were both relationship and they were both frustrated by it.

frustrated by it. frustrated by it. >> I got married because I was broken. I >> I got married because I was broken. I >> I got married because I was broken. I was trying to fill, you know, holes in was trying to fill, you know, holes in was trying to fill, you know, holes in my heart, fatherless. I ain't know my heart, fatherless. I ain't know my heart, fatherless. I ain't know anything about being a man and marriage anything about being a man and marriage anything about being a man and marriage didn't work out well. Well, I was I was didn't work out well. Well, I was I was didn't work out well. Well, I was I was I was a horrible leader. I was a horrible leader. I was a horrible leader. >> Nothing was working out, his family or >> Nothing was working out, his family or >> Nothing was working out, his family or his job. And it made Elton furious. He his job. And it made Elton furious. He his job. And it made Elton furious. He was mad at God, at himself, at Marilyn, was mad at God, at himself, at Marilyn, was mad at God, at himself, at Marilyn, and at white people. and at white people. and at white people. >> I was in my anti-racism phase, probably >> I was in my anti-racism phase, probably >> I was in my anti-racism phase, probably more radical than any anti-racism person more radical than any anti-racism person more radical than any anti-racism person out there on the on the on the circuit out there on the on the on the circuit out there on the on the on the circuit right now. My first son name is Ahmad right now. My first son name is Ahmad right now. My first son name is Ahmad Rashad Hardy. I was borderline uh Fright Rashad Hardy. I was borderline uh Fright Rashad Hardy. I was borderline uh Fright of Power uh that I named my first son as of Power uh that I named my first son as of Power uh that I named my first son as tried to get away from naming him any tried to get away from naming him any tried to get away from naming him any white association that I could. white association that I could. white association that I could. >> Alton was drinking all the time and >> Alton was drinking all the time and >> Alton was drinking all the time and cycling through entry-level jobs. Then cycling through entry-level jobs. Then cycling through entry-level jobs. Then Marilyn filed for divorce, which put him Marilyn filed for divorce, which put him Marilyn filed for divorce, which put him on both sides of the equation. He was on both sides of the equation. He was on both sides of the equation. He was now a fatherless child and a childless now a fatherless child and a childless now a fatherless child and a childless father. He could not have been more father. He could not have been more father. He could not have been more miserable.

Around that time, Alton ran into an old Around that time, Alton ran into an old friend from high school who invited him friend from high school who invited him friend from high school who invited him to his charismatic church. Alton went to his charismatic church. Alton went to his charismatic church. Alton went and loved the feeling of love and and loved the feeling of love and and loved the feeling of love and acceptance there. He kept attending and acceptance there. He kept attending and acceptance there. He kept attending and then began praying and then began then began praying and then began then began praying and then began serving in the church. serving in the church. serving in the church. >> I was always a reader. If you know Grand >> I was always a reader. If you know Grand >> I was always a reader. If you know Grand Rapids, they got bookstores everywhere. Rapids, they got bookstores everywhere. Rapids, they got bookstores everywhere. There was a bookstore there called Baker There was a bookstore there called Baker There was a bookstore there called Baker Bookstore and they have a lot of used Bookstore and they have a lot of used Bookstore and they have a lot of used books. Our church was right next door to books. Our church was right next door to books. Our church was right next door to that Baker bookstore. So I would go in that Baker bookstore. So I would go in that Baker bookstore. So I would go in the Baker book almost every other day at the Baker book almost every other day at the Baker book almost every other day at least three or four times a week. least three or four times a week. least three or four times a week. >> The bookstore staff started handing out >> The bookstore staff started handing out >> The bookstore staff started handing out entitles like Calvin's institutes entitles like Calvin's institutes entitles like Calvin's institutes jiiper's knowing God and AW Pink's the jiiper's knowing God and AW Pink's the jiiper's knowing God and AW Pink's the sovereignty of God. Within a few years sovereignty of God. Within a few years sovereignty of God. Within a few years his theology no longer matched his his theology no longer matched his his theology no longer matched his charismatic church. charismatic church. charismatic church. >> I fully was reformed in my thinking in >> I fully was reformed in my thinking in >> I fully was reformed in my thinking in my siology my siology my siology and how I was and and I'm going say this and how I was and and I'm going say this and how I was and and I'm going say this too. If it wasn't for the bigness of God too. If it wasn't for the bigness of God too. If it wasn't for the bigness of God and God's sovereignty and God's and God's sovereignty and God's and God's sovereignty and God's providence, I don't know if I still be providence, I don't know if I still be providence, I don't know if I still be here. It was those two main doctrines here. It was those two main doctrines here. It was those two main doctrines that gave me the strength and the the that gave me the strength and the the that gave me the strength and the the ability to trust God.

ability to trust God. ability to trust God. >> Alton needed that perspective when his >> Alton needed that perspective when his >> Alton needed that perspective when his lead pastor got caught in a longtime lead pastor got caught in a longtime lead pastor got caught in a longtime affair. The pastor refused to step down affair. The pastor refused to step down affair. The pastor refused to step down and the church split around him. Many of and the church split around him. Many of and the church split around him. Many of the elders planted their own churches the elders planted their own churches the elders planted their own churches and Elton ended up at one of those. But and Elton ended up at one of those. But and Elton ended up at one of those. But before long, the Christian Reformed before long, the Christian Reformed before long, the Christian Reformed Church, a primarily white Dutch Reformed Church, a primarily white Dutch Reformed Church, a primarily white Dutch Reformed denomination headquartered in Grand denomination headquartered in Grand denomination headquartered in Grand Rapids, came calling. Rapids, came calling. Rapids, came calling. >> And the CRC was really starting to reach >> And the CRC was really starting to reach >> And the CRC was really starting to reach out and across racial lines, at least in out and across racial lines, at least in out and across racial lines, at least in Grand Rapids, they did trying to reach Grand Rapids, they did trying to reach Grand Rapids, they did trying to reach out to black pastors and black churches. out to black pastors and black churches. out to black pastors and black churches. And the guy that I was that I kind of And the guy that I was that I kind of And the guy that I was that I kind of went with when this church kind of went went with when this church kind of went went with when this church kind of went away, they called him to be an away, they called him to be an away, they called him to be an evangelist within the Christian Reform. evangelist within the Christian Reform. evangelist within the Christian Reform. And so now I'm like his second hand And so now I'm like his second hand And so now I'm like his second hand second in in charge right behind him. second in in charge right behind him. second in in charge right behind him. I'm learning how to pray publicly. I'm I'm learning how to pray publicly. I'm I'm learning how to pray publicly. I'm I'm learning how to get over my fears of I'm learning how to get over my fears of I'm learning how to get over my fears of public preaching. I'm learning how to public preaching. I'm learning how to public preaching. I'm learning how to preach. I'm learning how to just do a preach. I'm learning how to just do a preach. I'm learning how to just do a lot of stuff that I had never done lot of stuff that I had never done lot of stuff that I had never done before. And because he's so being he's before. And because he's so being he's before. And because he's so being he's being pursued by the Christian Reform, being pursued by the Christian Reform, being pursued by the Christian Reform, our church that he's leading becomes a our church that he's leading becomes a our church that he's leading becomes a CRC church plant.

Around that time, Elton met a girl. Around that time, Elton met a girl. >> I saw something at a park and at Martin >> I saw something at a park and at Martin >> I saw something at a park and at Martin Luther King Park in Grand Rapids and and Luther King Park in Grand Rapids and and Luther King Park in Grand Rapids and and just um my heart leaped out for her and just um my heart leaped out for her and just um my heart leaped out for her and I really didn't start smiling and I really didn't start smiling and I really didn't start smiling and getting laughter until I met Sandy in my getting laughter until I met Sandy in my getting laughter until I met Sandy in my life. My life up until then um I was life. My life up until then um I was life. My life up until then um I was just a sad individual, you know, a just a sad individual, you know, a just a sad individual, you know, a fatherless, a motherless. and she made fatherless, a motherless. and she made fatherless, a motherless. and she made me smile in a in a way that I probably me smile in a in a way that I probably me smile in a in a way that I probably had been smiling and been smiling ever had been smiling and been smiling ever had been smiling and been smiling ever since. since. since. >> Sandra was also divorced with two small >> Sandra was also divorced with two small >> Sandra was also divorced with two small children. She also loved to read and she children. She also loved to read and she children. She also loved to read and she was also a Christian. was also a Christian. was also a Christian. >> He was always happy, always smiling, >> He was always happy, always smiling, >> He was always happy, always smiling, never, you know, just down or grumpy or never, you know, just down or grumpy or never, you know, just down or grumpy or anything like that. It was it like he anything like that. It was it like he anything like that. It was it like he was one of the few people that I could was one of the few people that I could was one of the few people that I could say was always like upbeat, you know, say was always like upbeat, you know, say was always like upbeat, you know, and just happy and smiling and joking and just happy and smiling and joking and just happy and smiling and joking and just, you know, somebody that when and just, you know, somebody that when and just, you know, somebody that when you see him coming, you like you you you you see him coming, you like you you you you see him coming, you like you you you kind of look forward to them coming. kind of look forward to them coming. kind of look forward to them coming. >> A year and a half later, Alton and >> A year and a half later, Alton and >> A year and a half later, Alton and Sandra were married. To be honest, this Sandra were married. To be honest, this Sandra were married. To be honest, this is not a marriage that should have is not a marriage that should have is not a marriage that should have lasted. This relationship was waving lasted. This relationship was waving lasted. This relationship was waving nearly every red flag. Alton and Sandra nearly every red flag. Alton and Sandra nearly every red flag. Alton and Sandra were on their second marriage, were on their second marriage, were on their second marriage, attempting to blend kids and not earning attempting to blend kids and not earning attempting to blend kids and not earning a high income. But they had one major a high income. But they had one major a high income. But they had one major statistic in their favor. They regularly statistic in their favor. They regularly statistic in their favor. They regularly went to church and they took their faith went to church and they took their faith went to church and they took their faith seriously.

seriously. seriously. >> Alton, he he's the type of person he >> Alton, he he's the type of person he >> Alton, he he's the type of person he wants to reconcile. And so often times, wants to reconcile. And so often times, wants to reconcile. And so often times, you know, if we were if we were at a you know, if we were if we were at a you know, if we were if we were at a impass of a of a conflict and, you know, impass of a of a conflict and, you know, impass of a of a conflict and, you know, he would say, you know, let's pray and he would say, you know, let's pray and he would say, you know, let's pray and he grabbed my hands and I never turned he grabbed my hands and I never turned he grabbed my hands and I never turned him down to pray. Um, and somehow the him down to pray. Um, and somehow the him down to pray. Um, and somehow the Lord would work in that grabbing my Lord would work in that grabbing my Lord would work in that grabbing my hands. I grab his hands and we would hands. I grab his hands and we would hands. I grab his hands and we would pray through it and it would it would it pray through it and it would it would it pray through it and it would it would it would relieve the tension and help us be would relieve the tension and help us be would relieve the tension and help us be able to move past whatever whatever it able to move past whatever whatever it able to move past whatever whatever it was, you know, and that happened was, you know, and that happened was, you know, and that happened multiple times throughout the years, multiple times throughout the years, multiple times throughout the years, especially early on. especially early on. especially early on. >> Alton was growing at home and in >> Alton was growing at home and in >> Alton was growing at home and in ministry. He started working for a ministry. He started working for a ministry. He started working for a larger CRC church in urban Grand Rapids, larger CRC church in urban Grand Rapids, larger CRC church in urban Grand Rapids, one that wanted to help the poor as much one that wanted to help the poor as much one that wanted to help the poor as much as he did. But remember that simmering as he did. But remember that simmering as he did. But remember that simmering frustration? It was still there. It frustration? It was still there. It frustration? It was still there. It seemed impossible for urban, seemed impossible for urban, seemed impossible for urban, underresourced African-Americans to get underresourced African-Americans to get underresourced African-Americans to get ahead. Black boys especially were behind ahead. Black boys especially were behind ahead. Black boys especially were behind in school, in finding jobs, and in in school, in finding jobs, and in in school, in finding jobs, and in staying out of trouble. Elton thought he staying out of trouble. Elton thought he staying out of trouble. Elton thought he knew what the problem was.

knew what the problem was. knew what the problem was. >> I was very let's go to Civil War type >> I was very let's go to Civil War type >> I was very let's go to Civil War type guy. Malcolm X almost on some levels. guy. Malcolm X almost on some levels. guy. Malcolm X almost on some levels. Thank God there was no internet and some Thank God there was no internet and some Thank God there was no internet and some of them old sermons can't be found cuz of them old sermons can't be found cuz of them old sermons can't be found cuz But Satan had almost convinced me that But Satan had almost convinced me that But Satan had almost convinced me that people who believe the Bible, hold to people who believe the Bible, hold to people who believe the Bible, hold to the word of God, especially my white the word of God, especially my white the word of God, especially my white brothers and sisters, are somehow brothers and sisters, are somehow brothers and sisters, are somehow unable, unable, unable, incapable to love blacks and to do good incapable to love blacks and to do good incapable to love blacks and to do good and to do justice and to do mercy among and to do justice and to do mercy among and to do justice and to do mercy among them. And I promoted this stuff. I them. And I promoted this stuff. I them. And I promoted this stuff. I preached it. I held to it. I make white preached it. I held to it. I make white preached it. I held to it. I make white people feel guilty for being white, for people feel guilty for being white, for people feel guilty for being white, for being poor. Man, I've seen it all and I being poor. Man, I've seen it all and I being poor. Man, I've seen it all and I played a part of that. And that camp played a part of that. And that camp played a part of that. And that camp almost convinced me that I should have almost convinced me that I should have almost convinced me that I should have abandoned biblical theology and took on abandoned biblical theology and took on abandoned biblical theology and took on a theology that basically didn't hold to a theology that basically didn't hold to a theology that basically didn't hold to the word of God at all, cuz that was my the word of God at all, cuz that was my the word of God at all, cuz that was my only hope of bringing about a shalom only hope of bringing about a shalom only hope of bringing about a shalom among the urban poor.

among the urban poor. among the urban poor. This is such an easy trap to fall into This is such an easy trap to fall into This is such an easy trap to fall into because the historical sins of white because the historical sins of white because the historical sins of white Americans toward black Americans are Americans toward black Americans are Americans toward black Americans are painfully obvious. Slavery and then Jim painfully obvious. Slavery and then Jim painfully obvious. Slavery and then Jim Crow and then systemic racism like Crow and then systemic racism like Crow and then systemic racism like redlinining or unfair hiring were so redlinining or unfair hiring were so redlinining or unfair hiring were so horrific and so long lasting that it is horrific and so long lasting that it is horrific and so long lasting that it is easy and in some cases even right to easy and in some cases even right to easy and in some cases even right to keep talking about repentance, keep talking about repentance, keep talking about repentance, restitution or structural change. It's restitution or structural change. It's restitution or structural change. It's even necessary to address racism at even necessary to address racism at even necessary to address racism at church. The sinful bent in all our church. The sinful bent in all our church. The sinful bent in all our hearts mean we need reminders to keep a hearts mean we need reminders to keep a hearts mean we need reminders to keep a constant guard over our own reactions to constant guard over our own reactions to constant guard over our own reactions to and assumptions about people whose skin and assumptions about people whose skin and assumptions about people whose skin looks different from ours. looks different from ours. looks different from ours. >> There was a lot of wrong done in my >> There was a lot of wrong done in my >> There was a lot of wrong done in my family out in Sur and some of my family family out in Sur and some of my family family out in Sur and some of my family members still struggle with that. And so members still struggle with that. And so members still struggle with that. And so in my dilemma of trying to solve these in my dilemma of trying to solve these in my dilemma of trying to solve these things, I did a lot of history reading things, I did a lot of history reading things, I did a lot of history reading about what is went wrong. What did John about what is went wrong. What did John about what is went wrong. What did John help us to speak out more on race and on help us to speak out more on race and on help us to speak out more on race and on slavery? Why did Winfield go back to slavery? Why did Winfield go back to slavery? Why did Winfield go back to Georgia and tell the state of Georgia to Georgia and tell the state of Georgia to Georgia and tell the state of Georgia to keep slavery? I'm screaming at God about keep slavery? I'm screaming at God about keep slavery? I'm screaming at God about this stuff. And and I tell people this, this stuff. And and I tell people this, this stuff. And and I tell people this, if you're going to keep studying if you're going to keep studying if you're going to keep studying history, and I encourage that you do so, history, and I encourage that you do so, history, and I encourage that you do so, but the gospel and Calvary and Gospel's but the gospel and Calvary and Gospel's but the gospel and Calvary and Gospel's heal is history as well. While you're heal is history as well. While you're heal is history as well. While you're going back in history, please, my going back in history, please, my going back in history, please, my brother or sister, that you make your brother or sister, that you make your brother or sister, that you make your way over to the east, sit there for a way over to the east, sit there for a way over to the east, sit there for a while, and just look up to the hill

while, and just look up to the hill while, and just look up to the hill where they hung in line. where they hung in line. where they hung in line. You got to sit there and understand how You got to sit there and understand how You got to sit there and understand how the God man would die for the ungodly the God man would die for the ungodly the God man would die for the ungodly man. That's history, too. And I would man. That's history, too. And I would man. That's history, too. And I would tell you in my own healing process of tell you in my own healing process of tell you in my own healing process of trying to figure out and by God's trying to figure out and by God's trying to figure out and by God's providence to me finally made my way providence to me finally made my way providence to me finally made my way over there to Galafa the old Calvary and over there to Galafa the old Calvary and over there to Galafa the old Calvary and I just sat there in my mind at the foot I just sat there in my mind at the foot I just sat there in my mind at the foot of the cross and I just wanted to know of the cross and I just wanted to know of the cross and I just wanted to know who are you? Why did you do it? And why who are you? Why did you do it? And why who are you? Why did you do it? And why is this the solution the remedy for is this the solution the remedy for is this the solution the remedy for everything that's wrong in this world? everything that's wrong in this world? everything that's wrong in this world? It was Tim Keller's teachings that It was Tim Keller's teachings that It was Tim Keller's teachings that helped me understand that ain't just any helped me understand that ain't just any helped me understand that ain't just any story. story. story. A gospel story. Jesus coming into the A gospel story. Jesus coming into the A gospel story. Jesus coming into the world and dying and being beaten and world and dying and being beaten and world and dying and being beaten and being bruised and being spat upon and being bruised and being spat upon and being bruised and being spat upon and being kicked and being stared and being being kicked and being stared and being being kicked and being stared and being laughed at. And when you sit there long laughed at. And when you sit there long laughed at. And when you sit there long enough like I did, oh man, when I came enough like I did, oh man, when I came enough like I did, oh man, when I came out of that, out of that, out of that, I was reconciled to everybody. And I was reconciled to everybody. And I was reconciled to everybody. And that's where reconciliation starts.

that's where reconciliation starts. that's where reconciliation starts. That's where it begins. That's where it That's where it begins. That's where it That's where it begins. That's where it ends. Alton started dreaming of a movement of Alton started dreaming of a movement of God among the urban poor. The epicenter God among the urban poor. The epicenter God among the urban poor. The epicenter would be the church where the gospel would be the church where the gospel would be the church where the gospel would be preached, disciplehip would be preached, disciplehip would be preached, disciplehip practiced, and Christian love expressed. practiced, and Christian love expressed. practiced, and Christian love expressed. From there, like it says in Ephesians From there, like it says in Ephesians From there, like it says in Ephesians 3:10, the manifold wisdom of God might 3:10, the manifold wisdom of God might 3:10, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known. Alton could see now be made known. Alton could see now be made known. Alton could see exactly what that wisdom was in his exactly what that wisdom was in his exactly what that wisdom was in his context. an emphasis on biblical context. an emphasis on biblical context. an emphasis on biblical marriage, solid work ethic, and love for marriage, solid work ethic, and love for marriage, solid work ethic, and love for a neighbor through education and a neighbor through education and a neighbor through education and economic development. He started calling economic development. He started calling economic development. He started calling it his manifold vision. Elton knew the it his manifold vision. Elton knew the it his manifold vision. Elton knew the key to all of this was the disciplehip key to all of this was the disciplehip key to all of this was the disciplehip and leadership development of young and leadership development of young and leadership development of young black men. It was like the Lord has said black men. It was like the Lord has said black men. It was like the Lord has said to me, I've called you for such a time to me, I've called you for such a time to me, I've called you for such a time as this to confront the urban wos, all as this to confront the urban wos, all as this to confront the urban wos, all the fatherlessness, the fatherlessness, the fatherlessness, all the gang banging, all the failing all the gang banging, all the failing all the gang banging, all the failing schools, all these young black boys schools, all these young black boys schools, all these young black boys dying. You're going to focus on young dying. You're going to focus on young dying. You're going to focus on young men because men are crucial to how I've men because men are crucial to how I've men because men are crucial to how I've orchestrated. So go the men, so go the orchestrated. So go the men, so go the orchestrated. So go the men, so go the family. So go society, so go the nation.

family. So go society, so go the nation. family. So go society, so go the nation. Everyone knows that. Alton focused on Everyone knows that. Alton focused on Everyone knows that. Alton focused on the gospel and after that on calling the gospel and after that on calling the gospel and after that on calling black males to lead their families, black males to lead their families, black males to lead their families, their communities, and their churches. their communities, and their churches. their communities, and their churches. He was doing this instinctually, knowing He was doing this instinctually, knowing He was doing this instinctually, knowing from his own experience how hard it was from his own experience how hard it was from his own experience how hard it was to be fatherless and watching the to be fatherless and watching the to be fatherless and watching the struggles of the men and women around struggles of the men and women around struggles of the men and women around him. But the numbers were backing him him. But the numbers were backing him him. But the numbers were backing him up. We know children without fathers in up. We know children without fathers in up. We know children without fathers in the home are at greater risk of poverty, the home are at greater risk of poverty, the home are at greater risk of poverty, more likely to be abused or neglected, more likely to be abused or neglected, more likely to be abused or neglected, more likely to have behavioral problems more likely to have behavioral problems more likely to have behavioral problems and drop out of school. They're more and drop out of school. They're more and drop out of school. They're more likely to become pregnant as teenagers, likely to become pregnant as teenagers, likely to become pregnant as teenagers, to abuse drugs and alcohol, and to to abuse drugs and alcohol, and to to abuse drugs and alcohol, and to commit crime and go to prison. They're commit crime and go to prison. They're commit crime and go to prison. They're also more likely to be obese, to develop also more likely to be obese, to develop also more likely to be obese, to develop fewer language skills, and to have fewer language skills, and to have fewer language skills, and to have higher levels of stress and depression. higher levels of stress and depression. higher levels of stress and depression. And that's just the children. Studies And that's just the children. Studies And that's just the children. Studies show mothers whose partners are involved show mothers whose partners are involved show mothers whose partners are involved are more likely to get prenatal care are more likely to get prenatal care are more likely to get prenatal care have healthier births and run a lower have healthier births and run a lower have healthier births and run a lower risk of postpartum depression. They get risk of postpartum depression. They get risk of postpartum depression. They get more leisure time and experience less more leisure time and experience less more leisure time and experience less parenting stress than single moms. parenting stress than single moms. parenting stress than single moms. Fathers who stick around have better Fathers who stick around have better Fathers who stick around have better physical and mental health, are more physical and mental health, are more physical and mental health, are more active in their communities, are more active in their communities, are more active in their communities, are more likely to find a secure job, and are likely to find a secure job, and are likely to find a secure job, and are less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs.

less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs. less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs. They have more money, live longer, and They have more money, live longer, and They have more money, live longer, and report being happier than absent report being happier than absent report being happier than absent fathers. But right away, Elton ran into push But right away, Elton ran into push back. not from the African-American back. not from the African-American back. not from the African-American community, but from the white CRC community, but from the white CRC community, but from the white CRC church. The church that was also church. The church that was also church. The church that was also offering him finances, people, and a offering him finances, people, and a offering him finances, people, and a building complex to develop into a building complex to develop into a building complex to develop into a church, school, workforce development church, school, workforce development church, school, workforce development facility, kitchen, and gym in the inner facility, kitchen, and gym in the inner facility, kitchen, and gym in the inner city. It was an unbelievable dream come city. It was an unbelievable dream come city. It was an unbelievable dream come true. There was just one catch. The true. There was just one catch. The true. There was just one catch. The church leaders were egalitarian and they church leaders were egalitarian and they church leaders were egalitarian and they told him, "We can move ahead together if told him, "We can move ahead together if told him, "We can move ahead together if you stop talking about strong male you stop talking about strong male you stop talking about strong male leadership and stick with a message leadership and stick with a message leadership and stick with a message about race and reconciliation." about race and reconciliation." about race and reconciliation." For Alton, it felt like they were asking For Alton, it felt like they were asking For Alton, it felt like they were asking him to ignore the elephant in the room. him to ignore the elephant in the room. him to ignore the elephant in the room. He wanted to talk about racial He wanted to talk about racial He wanted to talk about racial reconciliation, of course, but he also reconciliation, of course, but he also reconciliation, of course, but he also felt he had to talk about strong male felt he had to talk about strong male felt he had to talk about strong male leadership. 90% of the issues I was leadership. 90% of the issues I was leadership. 90% of the issues I was seeing in our community were directly seeing in our community were directly seeing in our community were directly related to or caused by men who were not related to or caused by men who were not related to or caused by men who were not present, he wrote later. Convinced of present, he wrote later. Convinced of present, he wrote later. Convinced of that, Alton resigned from his job.

Two years later, Alton was offered an Two years later, Alton was offered an opportunity to work in Fairfield, opportunity to work in Fairfield, opportunity to work in Fairfield, Alabama. Remember that long, straight Alabama. Remember that long, straight Alabama. Remember that long, straight road north from Sardis to Louisville to road north from Sardis to Louisville to road north from Sardis to Louisville to Grand Rapids? If you turned around at Grand Rapids? If you turned around at Grand Rapids? If you turned around at the top and headed back down, you would the top and headed back down, you would the top and headed back down, you would hit Fairfield about 2 hours before you hit Fairfield about 2 hours before you hit Fairfield about 2 hours before you bottomed out again in Sardis. This was bottomed out again in Sardis. This was bottomed out again in Sardis. This was the wrong direction. It was the road the wrong direction. It was the road the wrong direction. It was the road south Elton had been yelling and south Elton had been yelling and south Elton had been yelling and fighting against ever since he'd left. fighting against ever since he'd left. fighting against ever since he'd left. But Fairfield was an urban, But Fairfield was an urban, But Fairfield was an urban, underresourced African-Amean community. underresourced African-Amean community. underresourced African-Amean community. And the Presbyterian Church in America And the Presbyterian Church in America And the Presbyterian Church in America told him he could preach the gospel, told him he could preach the gospel, told him he could preach the gospel, encourage marriage, and emphasize male encourage marriage, and emphasize male encourage marriage, and emphasize male leadership all he wanted. He said yes. I am originally from Fairfield and grew I am originally from Fairfield and grew up in Fairfield. Um, graduated from up in Fairfield. Um, graduated from up in Fairfield. Um, graduated from Fairfield High School. Fairfield High School. Fairfield High School. >> That's Dion Watts. He grew up in a house >> That's Dion Watts. He grew up in a house >> That's Dion Watts. He grew up in a house full of women. His mom, his aunts, his full of women. His mom, his aunts, his full of women. His mom, his aunts, his grandma, and his great grandma. Here's grandma, and his great grandma. Here's grandma, and his great grandma. Here's how he describes his family. how he describes his family. how he describes his family. >> I'm the oldest of my siblings. So, my >> I'm the oldest of my siblings. So, my >> I'm the oldest of my siblings. So, my mom has four children by three different mom has four children by three different mom has four children by three different men. My sibling that's right under me is men. My sibling that's right under me is men. My sibling that's right under me is the only one with same mom and same dad.

the only one with same mom and same dad. the only one with same mom and same dad. My dad obviously had me and my brother My dad obviously had me and my brother My dad obviously had me and my brother and then he had two other children that and then he had two other children that and then he had two other children that I'm aware of that I know by two I'm aware of that I know by two I'm aware of that I know by two different women. If you found that different women. If you found that different women. If you found that confusing, imagine a whole community confusing, imagine a whole community confusing, imagine a whole community with similar relationships. Even for with similar relationships. Even for with similar relationships. Even for Alton and Sandra, who had been working Alton and Sandra, who had been working Alton and Sandra, who had been working for years with the poor in Grand Rapids, for years with the poor in Grand Rapids, for years with the poor in Grand Rapids, Fairfield was a surprise. Not only were Fairfield was a surprise. Not only were Fairfield was a surprise. Not only were the families a lot messier, but the the families a lot messier, but the the families a lot messier, but the buildings were more dilapidated. The buildings were more dilapidated. The buildings were more dilapidated. The public transportation was non-existent. public transportation was non-existent. public transportation was non-existent. The city was more dangerous. On one The city was more dangerous. On one The city was more dangerous. On one crime analysis scale of one to 100, with crime analysis scale of one to 100, with crime analysis scale of one to 100, with 100 being the safest, Fairfield ranks a 100 being the safest, Fairfield ranks a 100 being the safest, Fairfield ranks a one. one. one. >> Like the poverty here is on a different >> Like the poverty here is on a different >> Like the poverty here is on a different level than what I was even used to in level than what I was even used to in level than what I was even used to in Grand Rapids. This is like a it's a it's Grand Rapids. This is like a it's a it's Grand Rapids. This is like a it's a it's not just a a physical poverty of, you not just a a physical poverty of, you not just a a physical poverty of, you know, lack of money, lack of resources, know, lack of money, lack of resources, know, lack of money, lack of resources, but there's a mental poverty often times but there's a mental poverty often times but there's a mental poverty often times people have that I don't think they even people have that I don't think they even people have that I don't think they even know that they have just just of life, know that they have just just of life, know that they have just just of life, how things should go. They, you know, how things should go. They, you know, how things should go. They, you know, women often will say they didn't know women often will say they didn't know women often will say they didn't know that, you know, sex outside of marriage that, you know, sex outside of marriage that, you know, sex outside of marriage is not good. They didn't they never is not good. They didn't they never is not good. They didn't they never heard it before. We meeting people in heard it before. We meeting people in heard it before. We meeting people in these poor communities ain't never been these poor communities ain't never been these poor communities ain't never been to a wedding. They don't even know what to a wedding. They don't even know what to a wedding. They don't even know what a wedding is. Kids come up to us in the a wedding is. Kids come up to us in the a wedding is. Kids come up to us in the high school said, "What's that ring on high school said, "What's that ring on high school said, "What's that ring on your finger for?" They're not getting it your finger for?" They're not getting it your finger for?" They're not getting it from the music industry. They're not from the music industry. They're not from the music industry. They're not getting it from the NBA Young D Young getting it from the NBA Young D Young getting it from the NBA Young D Young Boy. They're not getting it from the Boy. They're not getting it from the Boy. They're not getting it from the Drakes of the world and the Kendrick

Drakes of the world and the Kendrick Drakes of the world and the Kendrick Lamars. Lamars. Lamars. >> Alton and Sandra got to work. Their >> Alton and Sandra got to work. Their >> Alton and Sandra got to work. Their first job was to meet everybody they first job was to meet everybody they first job was to meet everybody they could. Alton introduced himself as PA could. Alton introduced himself as PA could. Alton introduced himself as PA for Pastor Alton. PA is a very on the for Pastor Alton. PA is a very on the for Pastor Alton. PA is a very on the ground, can spark up a conversation with ground, can spark up a conversation with ground, can spark up a conversation with anybody type guy. So, I remember the anybody type guy. So, I remember the anybody type guy. So, I remember the first that first group of guys that he first that first group of guys that he first that first group of guys that he interacted with um that started, you interacted with um that started, you interacted with um that started, you know, getting connected to the church um know, getting connected to the church um know, getting connected to the church um he just kind of pulled up on him. They he just kind of pulled up on him. They he just kind of pulled up on him. They was out playing basketball on the street was out playing basketball on the street was out playing basketball on the street and he just walked up to him and started and he just walked up to him and started and he just walked up to him and started sparking conversations with him. Pastor sparking conversations with him. Pastor sparking conversations with him. Pastor Hardy, when you when I say boots on the Hardy, when you when I say boots on the Hardy, when you when I say boots on the ground, I mean boots on the ground. Um, ground, I mean boots on the ground. Um, ground, I mean boots on the ground. Um, you know, he is walking up and down the you know, he is walking up and down the you know, he is walking up and down the sidewalk. We can barely get through a sidewalk. We can barely get through a sidewalk. We can barely get through a meeting because he if he sees someone on meeting because he if he sees someone on meeting because he if he sees someone on the street, like he's like, "Hold that the street, like he's like, "Hold that the street, like he's like, "Hold that thought." And like he's out there thought." And like he's out there thought." And like he's out there evangelizing and ministering. evangelizing and ministering. evangelizing and ministering. >> That's FA Wilson who is now the director >> That's FA Wilson who is now the director >> That's FA Wilson who is now the director of development for the Manifold Vision of development for the Manifold Vision of development for the Manifold Vision Ministry. She grew up in Fairfield and Ministry. She grew up in Fairfield and Ministry. She grew up in Fairfield and met her husband in the mall while she met her husband in the mall while she met her husband in the mall while she was shopping for a prom dress. They'd was shopping for a prom dress. They'd was shopping for a prom dress. They'd been dating for a year when she got been dating for a year when she got been dating for a year when she got pregnant.

pregnant. pregnant. >> Once we got pregnant with Avery, >> Once we got pregnant with Avery, >> Once we got pregnant with Avery, there was just an innate feeling for there was just an innate feeling for there was just an innate feeling for wanting wanting wanting something different than what we were something different than what we were something different than what we were used to. You know, we really just wanted used to. You know, we really just wanted used to. You know, we really just wanted something different for our son. And so something different for our son. And so something different for our son. And so we decided that we were going to get we decided that we were going to get we decided that we were going to get married. And it's crazy now that I think married. And it's crazy now that I think married. And it's crazy now that I think about it because about it because about it because we didn't really have a healthy example we didn't really have a healthy example we didn't really have a healthy example of what marriage, you know, looked like. of what marriage, you know, looked like. of what marriage, you know, looked like. And I think my mother was very much And I think my mother was very much And I think my mother was very much aware of that. And she actually told me, aware of that. And she actually told me, aware of that. And she actually told me, she said, "You don't have to marry him. she said, "You don't have to marry him. she said, "You don't have to marry him. You, you know, we can we can raise this You, you know, we can we can raise this You, you know, we can we can raise this baby. baby. baby. I'll help you." And I don't know if it I'll help you." And I don't know if it I'll help you." And I don't know if it was my rebellious nature at that point, was my rebellious nature at that point, was my rebellious nature at that point, but surely it was a move of the Holy but surely it was a move of the Holy but surely it was a move of the Holy Spirit because marrying my husband is Spirit because marrying my husband is Spirit because marrying my husband is one of the best decisions that I've ever one of the best decisions that I've ever one of the best decisions that I've ever made. Fay and her husband Tori were made. Fay and her husband Tori were made. Fay and her husband Tori were already living in Fairfield when Alton already living in Fairfield when Alton already living in Fairfield when Alton planted Urban Hope Community Church. In planted Urban Hope Community Church. In planted Urban Hope Community Church. In the borrowed fellowship hall of the the borrowed fellowship hall of the the borrowed fellowship hall of the local Episcopal Church with no air local Episcopal Church with no air local Episcopal Church with no air conditioning, Alton began preaching.

conditioning, Alton began preaching. conditioning, Alton began preaching. Dion was there with no idea that he'd Dion was there with no idea that he'd Dion was there with no idea that he'd one day be Urban Hope's director of one day be Urban Hope's director of one day be Urban Hope's director of ministries. ministries. ministries. >> We had to do our, you know, all this >> We had to do our, you know, all this >> We had to do our, you know, all this setup and tear down. We had these ugly setup and tear down. We had these ugly setup and tear down. We had these ugly plastic yellow chairs. Like he had this plastic yellow chairs. Like he had this plastic yellow chairs. Like he had this whole little portable projector kind of whole little portable projector kind of whole little portable projector kind of screen and I mean like we were using screen and I mean like we were using screen and I mean like we were using YouTube videos for for our you know YouTube videos for for our you know YouTube videos for for our you know singing and worship cuz we having to singing and worship cuz we having to singing and worship cuz we having to worship. I mean sometimes commercials worship. I mean sometimes commercials worship. I mean sometimes commercials would come on during I mean it was would come on during I mean it was would come on during I mean it was it was a rough like experience but the it was a rough like experience but the it was a rough like experience but the preaching help I I think like the I mean preaching help I I think like the I mean preaching help I I think like the I mean Pastor Alton is a strong preacher and um Pastor Alton is a strong preacher and um Pastor Alton is a strong preacher and um the word of God I mean just did what the the word of God I mean just did what the the word of God I mean just did what the word of God does which is doesn't return word of God does which is doesn't return word of God does which is doesn't return void you know void you know void you know >> Alton preached the gospel from top to >> Alton preached the gospel from top to >> Alton preached the gospel from top to bottom he preached sin and included in bottom he preached sin and included in bottom he preached sin and included in it the sins he saw in the community it the sins he saw in the community it the sins he saw in the community around him. He preached salvation that around him. He preached salvation that around him. He preached salvation that comes from Christ alone. And he preached comes from Christ alone. And he preached comes from Christ alone. And he preached sanctification, that every square inch sanctification, that every square inch sanctification, that every square inch of the world and of us belongs to of the world and of us belongs to of the world and of us belongs to Christ, and that only through him can we Christ, and that only through him can we Christ, and that only through him can we live rightly, forgiving each other, live rightly, forgiving each other, live rightly, forgiving each other, working heartily as unto the Lord, and working heartily as unto the Lord, and working heartily as unto the Lord, and leading and caring for our families.

leading and caring for our families. leading and caring for our families. That can be a jarring message for a That can be a jarring message for a That can be a jarring message for a community to hear. It's a little easier community to hear. It's a little easier community to hear. It's a little easier if it's coming from somebody who loves if it's coming from somebody who loves if it's coming from somebody who loves you like a father. I knew that my my you like a father. I knew that my my you like a father. I knew that my my life my growing up was so rocky and so life my growing up was so rocky and so life my growing up was so rocky and so hard with this stuff because I just I hard with this stuff because I just I hard with this stuff because I just I didn't have that dad and I didn't know didn't have that dad and I didn't know didn't have that dad and I didn't know how to be a man. I needed a dad to know how to be a man. I needed a dad to know how to be a man. I needed a dad to know teach me how to be a dad. I mean a man. teach me how to be a dad. I mean a man. teach me how to be a dad. I mean a man. And so when he came with this church and And so when he came with this church and And so when he came with this church and emphasis on the church but an emphasis emphasis on the church but an emphasis emphasis on the church but an emphasis on strong men that tugged at my heart on strong men that tugged at my heart on strong men that tugged at my heart and I wanted to be a strong man. I and I wanted to be a strong man. I and I wanted to be a strong man. I wanted to be a good husband. I wanted to wanted to be a good husband. I wanted to wanted to be a good husband. I wanted to be a good father. And so that message be a good father. And so that message be a good father. And so that message resonated deeply. resonated deeply. resonated deeply. >> Alton started by preaching >> Alton started by preaching >> Alton started by preaching expositionally through the book of John. expositionally through the book of John. expositionally through the book of John. Growth was slow, sometimes non-existent. Growth was slow, sometimes non-existent. Growth was slow, sometimes non-existent. Lives were not being dramatically Lives were not being dramatically Lives were not being dramatically changed. The people he was ministering changed. The people he was ministering changed. The people he was ministering to kept losing their jobs, doing drugs, to kept losing their jobs, doing drugs, to kept losing their jobs, doing drugs, and getting arrested.

and getting arrested. and getting arrested. >> PA was like really discouraged, man. He >> PA was like really discouraged, man. He >> PA was like really discouraged, man. He was like, he was about to quit. He was was like, he was about to quit. He was was like, he was about to quit. He was like, "Yeah, this ain't working." Like, like, "Yeah, this ain't working." Like, like, "Yeah, this ain't working." Like, and when the and God just showed up, and when the and God just showed up, and when the and God just showed up, there was just a move of the spirit on there was just a move of the spirit on there was just a move of the spirit on that that Sunday. Conviction, you know, that that Sunday. Conviction, you know, that that Sunday. Conviction, you know, of the spirit, you know, and like there of the spirit, you know, and like there of the spirit, you know, and like there were tears. People were confessing their were tears. People were confessing their were tears. People were confessing their sins like in front of everybody. sins like in front of everybody. sins like in front of everybody. >> That happened more than once that when >> That happened more than once that when >> That happened more than once that when Elton was really discouraged, the Lord Elton was really discouraged, the Lord Elton was really discouraged, the Lord would give him an encouraging would give him an encouraging would give him an encouraging interaction, a good conversation, or a interaction, a good conversation, or a interaction, a good conversation, or a new face in the congregation. He never new face in the congregation. He never new face in the congregation. He never did quit. Instead, he started a program did quit. Instead, he started a program did quit. Instead, he started a program to help high school dropouts earn their to help high school dropouts earn their to help high school dropouts earn their GEDs. He started a basketball league to GEDs. He started a basketball league to GEDs. He started a basketball league to meet more young men in the city. And he meet more young men in the city. And he meet more young men in the city. And he started a program called Detox, where he started a program called Detox, where he started a program called Detox, where he unpacked the gospel for guys in rough unpacked the gospel for guys in rough unpacked the gospel for guys in rough situations, guys who had been to jail, situations, guys who had been to jail, situations, guys who had been to jail, who had killed people, or who were who had killed people, or who were who had killed people, or who were selling drugs. Sandra also began working selling drugs. Sandra also began working selling drugs. Sandra also began working in the local schools where in 2022 about in the local schools where in 2022 about in the local schools where in 2022 about 17% of the high schoolers were 17% of the high schoolers were 17% of the high schoolers were proficient in reading and language arts proficient in reading and language arts proficient in reading and language arts and just over 1% were proficient in and just over 1% were proficient in and just over 1% were proficient in math. 3/4 of those kids are economically math. 3/4 of those kids are economically math. 3/4 of those kids are economically disadvantaged. Nearly 20% are homeless.

disadvantaged. Nearly 20% are homeless. disadvantaged. Nearly 20% are homeless. Here's Jquz Young who moved into Here's Jquz Young who moved into Here's Jquz Young who moved into Fairfield in 2015 to be part of Manifold Fairfield in 2015 to be part of Manifold Fairfield in 2015 to be part of Manifold Visions leadership program. Visions leadership program. Visions leadership program. >> I see these young guys in my community. >> I see these young guys in my community. >> I see these young guys in my community. I see him walking down the street like I I see him walking down the street like I I see him walking down the street like I saw one yesterday that had a a gun saw one yesterday that had a a gun saw one yesterday that had a a gun tucked into his his sleeve of his his tucked into his his sleeve of his his tucked into his his sleeve of his his jacket and he's just hanging out like an jacket and he's just hanging out like an jacket and he's just hanging out like an extended clip and he he's a he's a drug extended clip and he he's a he's a drug extended clip and he he's a he's a drug dealer who sells drugs in the dealer who sells drugs in the dealer who sells drugs in the neighborhood. You still see that or you neighborhood. You still see that or you neighborhood. You still see that or you still see just like the extreme poverty still see just like the extreme poverty still see just like the extreme poverty like one of my neighbors who lives out like one of my neighbors who lives out like one of my neighbors who lives out of his car and just like you know his of his car and just like you know his of his car and just like you know his his house is uh uninhabitable and he's his house is uh uninhabitable and he's his house is uh uninhabitable and he's just like with his mom living in his car just like with his mom living in his car just like with his mom living in his car like with a bunch of stray cats. we've like with a bunch of stray cats. we've like with a bunch of stray cats. we've witnessed people get like gunned down um witnessed people get like gunned down um witnessed people get like gunned down um like on the corner, you know? So, it's like on the corner, you know? So, it's like on the corner, you know? So, it's like you have all those things that are like you have all those things that are like you have all those things that are that are still happening and obviously that are still happening and obviously that are still happening and obviously those things they they break you, they those things they they break you, they those things they they break you, they make you weary, make you want to quit, make you weary, make you want to quit, make you weary, make you want to quit, make you want to give up, but it's just make you want to give up, but it's just make you want to give up, but it's just the Lord ultimately that like upholds the Lord ultimately that like upholds the Lord ultimately that like upholds us. us. us. >> As Alton began to grasp the magnitude of >> As Alton began to grasp the magnitude of >> As Alton began to grasp the magnitude of Fairfield's challenges, he knew he Fairfield's challenges, he knew he Fairfield's challenges, he knew he needed help. One of the places he looked needed help. One of the places he looked needed help. One of the places he looked was across the railroad tracks, or as was across the railroad tracks, or as was across the railroad tracks, or as they say in Birmingham, over the they say in Birmingham, over the they say in Birmingham, over the mountain.

If you're a PCA ministry looking for If you're a PCA ministry looking for assistance, it helps to be in assistance, it helps to be in assistance, it helps to be in Birmingham. It's in the top 10 list for Birmingham. It's in the top 10 list for Birmingham. It's in the top 10 list for cities with the most PCA churches, cities with the most PCA churches, cities with the most PCA churches, including two of the 10 largest. There including two of the 10 largest. There including two of the 10 largest. There are roughly 13,000 PCA members in the are roughly 13,000 PCA members in the are roughly 13,000 PCA members in the metro area. metro area. metro area. Nearly all of them are white. Nearly all of them are white. Nearly all of them are white. That would be tricky anywhere, but in That would be tricky anywhere, but in That would be tricky anywhere, but in Birmingham, where Martin Luther King Jr. Birmingham, where Martin Luther King Jr. Birmingham, where Martin Luther King Jr. penned his famous letter from jail, it's penned his famous letter from jail, it's penned his famous letter from jail, it's even more complicated. And the PCA has even more complicated. And the PCA has even more complicated. And the PCA has its own history with race. Even though its own history with race. Even though its own history with race. Even though it was founded after the Civil Rights it was founded after the Civil Rights it was founded after the Civil Rights Act, some early churches banned blacks Act, some early churches banned blacks Act, some early churches banned blacks from membership, participated in white from membership, participated in white from membership, participated in white supremacist organizations, and taught supremacist organizations, and taught supremacist organizations, and taught the Bible sanctioned segregation. In the Bible sanctioned segregation. In the Bible sanctioned segregation. In 2016, the denomination voted to 2016, the denomination voted to 2016, the denomination voted to officially repent for racist actions. officially repent for racist actions. officially repent for racist actions. Still, it's safe to say that race Still, it's safe to say that race Still, it's safe to say that race relations in Birmingham are sensitive. relations in Birmingham are sensitive. relations in Birmingham are sensitive. Here's housing developer and Faith Here's housing developer and Faith Here's housing developer and Faith Presbyterian Church Elder Steve Presbyterian Church Elder Steve Presbyterian Church Elder Steve Ankenbrandt. I asked Alton, would you Ankenbrandt. I asked Alton, would you Ankenbrandt. I asked Alton, would you come just share with us your perspective come just share with us your perspective come just share with us your perspective about what the church can do to minister about what the church can do to minister about what the church can do to minister to those that are hurting in the urban to those that are hurting in the urban to those that are hurting in the urban poor poor poor and the conversation was gospel-driven and the conversation was gospel-driven and the conversation was gospel-driven and it wasn't you should feel guilty and it wasn't you should feel guilty and it wasn't you should feel guilty because of privilege. It was God's because of privilege. It was God's because of privilege. It was God's gifted you. You didn't get to choose gifted you. You didn't get to choose gifted you. You didn't get to choose your parents. You didn't get to choose your parents. You didn't get to choose your parents. You didn't get to choose where you were born. You didn't choose where you were born. You didn't choose where you were born. You didn't choose your school. Those were all gifts from your school. Those were all gifts from your school. Those were all gifts from the Lord. The question from the Lord is, the Lord. The question from the Lord is, the Lord. The question from the Lord is, "What will you do to steward those "What will you do to steward those "What will you do to steward those gifts?" And that changed the whole tenor gifts?" And that changed the whole tenor gifts?" And that changed the whole tenor of the conversation. And at the end of

of the conversation. And at the end of of the conversation. And at the end of our meeting with them, everyone was our meeting with them, everyone was our meeting with them, everyone was asking him, "Well, what can we do with asking him, "Well, what can we do with asking him, "Well, what can we do with our gifts to serve you?" our gifts to serve you?" our gifts to serve you?" >> Alton had lots of ideas. Over the years, >> Alton had lots of ideas. Over the years, >> Alton had lots of ideas. Over the years, under his direction, the established PCA under his direction, the established PCA under his direction, the established PCA churches in Birmingham have helped bring churches in Birmingham have helped bring churches in Birmingham have helped bring his manifold vision to life. Part of his manifold vision to life. Part of his manifold vision to life. Part of that was purchasing a storefront and that was purchasing a storefront and that was purchasing a storefront and remodeling it into a permanent space for remodeling it into a permanent space for remodeling it into a permanent space for Urban Hope to hold worship services, Urban Hope to hold worship services, Urban Hope to hold worship services, Bible studies, funerals, and weddings. Bible studies, funerals, and weddings. Bible studies, funerals, and weddings. The ministry quickly stretched to The ministry quickly stretched to The ministry quickly stretched to include things like tutoring children in include things like tutoring children in include things like tutoring children in the public schools, running summer the public schools, running summer the public schools, running summer programs, and bringing lunch to programs, and bringing lunch to programs, and bringing lunch to teachers. Manifold Vision staff have teachers. Manifold Vision staff have teachers. Manifold Vision staff have held GED classes, financial literacy held GED classes, financial literacy held GED classes, financial literacy classes, and cooking classes. They've classes, and cooking classes. They've classes, and cooking classes. They've helped to provide jobs and helped to provide jobs and helped to provide jobs and transportation to jobs. They've drawn transportation to jobs. They've drawn transportation to jobs. They've drawn two new businesses into the community. two new businesses into the community. two new businesses into the community. They have purchased and remodeled a They have purchased and remodeled a They have purchased and remodeled a handful of homes so that married couples handful of homes so that married couples handful of homes so that married couples in the church can root themselves in in the church can root themselves in in the church can root themselves in Fairfield. Today, Urban Hope has a Fairfield. Today, Urban Hope has a Fairfield. Today, Urban Hope has a membership of around 70. They also have membership of around 70. They also have membership of around 70. They also have five full-time staff members working on five full-time staff members working on five full-time staff members working on the many facets of the ministry. You the many facets of the ministry. You the many facets of the ministry. You don't do that without the enthusiastic don't do that without the enthusiastic don't do that without the enthusiastic outside support from people who have outside support from people who have outside support from people who have resources. I asked PCA member and resources. I asked PCA member and resources. I asked PCA member and attorney Greg Mixon why he has given so attorney Greg Mixon why he has given so attorney Greg Mixon why he has given so much time and money to this much time and money to this much time and money to this >> one. They are on the ground in the area >> one. They are on the ground in the area >> one. They are on the ground in the area where there is desperate material need where there is desperate material need where there is desperate material need uh and spiritual need. Two, they preach uh and spiritual need. Two, they preach uh and spiritual need. Two, they preach the truth and are unashamed and unafraid the truth and are unashamed and unafraid the truth and are unashamed and unafraid of it. And three, they genuinely care of it. And three, they genuinely care of it. And three, they genuinely care about the people and want them to be a

about the people and want them to be a about the people and want them to be a part of their congregation. All three of part of their congregation. All three of part of their congregation. All three of those things are extremely unique. And those things are extremely unique. And those things are extremely unique. And to have all three of them in one place to have all three of them in one place to have all three of them in one place is shockingly unique. Sam Tortoesi, is shockingly unique. Sam Tortoesi, is shockingly unique. Sam Tortoesi, former CEO of Cadence Bank, member at former CEO of Cadence Bank, member at former CEO of Cadence Bank, member at Covenant Presbyterian Church, and Covenant Presbyterian Church, and Covenant Presbyterian Church, and chairman of the Manifold Vision Board, chairman of the Manifold Vision Board, chairman of the Manifold Vision Board, agreed. He pointed to some advice Tim agreed. He pointed to some advice Tim agreed. He pointed to some advice Tim Keller gave Birmingham leaders a few Keller gave Birmingham leaders a few Keller gave Birmingham leaders a few years ago. years ago. years ago. >> But he said, "What you do is you make >> But he said, "What you do is you make >> But he said, "What you do is you make sure you get the most gospel centered sure you get the most gospel centered sure you get the most gospel centered pastor and then resourcing, resourcing, pastor and then resourcing, resourcing, pastor and then resourcing, resourcing, and resourcing." That's the secret and resourcing." That's the secret and resourcing." That's the secret sauce. But it's one thing to convince a sauce. But it's one thing to convince a sauce. But it's one thing to convince a room full of well-resourced, room full of well-resourced, room full of well-resourced, gospel-loving, reformed guys to support gospel-loving, reformed guys to support gospel-loving, reformed guys to support an African-American PCA pastor in the an African-American PCA pastor in the an African-American PCA pastor in the hood. It's another thing to convince the hood. It's another thing to convince the hood. It's another thing to convince the hood. >> When I was in school, Fairfield had a a >> When I was in school, Fairfield had a a poor reputation. So, it was never a poor reputation. So, it was never a poor reputation. So, it was never a place that like I wanted to go to. Um, place that like I wanted to go to. Um, place that like I wanted to go to. Um, unless we were, you know, doing unless we were, you know, doing unless we were, you know, doing something illegal, you know, with drugs something illegal, you know, with drugs something illegal, you know, with drugs or something like that, we would come in or something like that, we would come in or something like that, we would come in and come out. and come out. and come out. >> JZ Young went to high school over the >> JZ Young went to high school over the >> JZ Young went to high school over the mountain. Hoover High School is a good mountain. Hoover High School is a good mountain. Hoover High School is a good school where 18% of the students are school where 18% of the students are school where 18% of the students are enrolled in advanced placement courses enrolled in advanced placement courses enrolled in advanced placement courses and the average SAT score is 1250. While and the average SAT score is 1250. While and the average SAT score is 1250. While there, JAQZ learned how to play there, JAQZ learned how to play there, JAQZ learned how to play football, drive drunk, and be intimate football, drive drunk, and be intimate football, drive drunk, and be intimate with girls. When Jaquz was a senior, he with girls. When Jaquz was a senior, he with girls. When Jaquz was a senior, he went to a track competition in Boston.

went to a track competition in Boston. went to a track competition in Boston. While there, he learned that his cousin, While there, he learned that his cousin, While there, he learned that his cousin, who had been living a similar lifestyle, who had been living a similar lifestyle, who had been living a similar lifestyle, had been killed. For the first time in had been killed. For the first time in had been killed. For the first time in my life, it made me contemplate if that my life, it made me contemplate if that my life, it made me contemplate if that was me, if you know, if I had died was me, if you know, if I had died was me, if you know, if I had died living a similar lifestyle, where would living a similar lifestyle, where would living a similar lifestyle, where would I be? And I remember being in the hotel I be? And I remember being in the hotel I be? And I remember being in the hotel room and just thinking, man, if I was if room and just thinking, man, if I was if room and just thinking, man, if I was if that was me, if if I was to have died, that was me, if if I was to have died, that was me, if if I was to have died, then I was just unconfident that I would then I was just unconfident that I would then I was just unconfident that I would be in heaven. So, um, out of fear, I be in heaven. So, um, out of fear, I be in heaven. So, um, out of fear, I picked up the Bible in the hotel room picked up the Bible in the hotel room picked up the Bible in the hotel room and started reading it. um took it with and started reading it. um took it with and started reading it. um took it with me and um I don't know if I was supposed me and um I don't know if I was supposed me and um I don't know if I was supposed to have taken the Bible but and then to have taken the Bible but and then to have taken the Bible but and then from there the Lord was just um working from there the Lord was just um working from there the Lord was just um working um through the power of the spirit. um through the power of the spirit. um through the power of the spirit. While Jquz was at Troy University, he While Jquz was at Troy University, he While Jquz was at Troy University, he got involved with Campus Outreach, a got involved with Campus Outreach, a got involved with Campus Outreach, a college ministry founded by longtime college ministry founded by longtime college ministry founded by longtime Birmingham PCA pastor Frank Barker and Birmingham PCA pastor Frank Barker and Birmingham PCA pastor Frank Barker and Campus Outreach introduced Jaquz to Campus Outreach introduced Jaquz to Campus Outreach introduced Jaquz to Alton. Alton was inviting young men, Alton. Alton was inviting young men, Alton. Alton was inviting young men, especially young black men, to work for especially young black men, to work for especially young black men, to work for a year or two in Fairfield with him. He a year or two in Fairfield with him. He a year or two in Fairfield with him. He wanted to teach them how to follow Jesus wanted to teach them how to follow Jesus wanted to teach them how to follow Jesus and how to lead others from their and how to lead others from their and how to lead others from their churches to their families to do the churches to their families to do the churches to their families to do the same.

same. same. >> When I thought about Fairfield, I >> When I thought about Fairfield, I >> When I thought about Fairfield, I thought about my family. When I saw it thought about my family. When I saw it thought about my family. When I saw it as a mission, not only for like serving as a mission, not only for like serving as a mission, not only for like serving Christ and giving my life away for Christ and giving my life away for Christ and giving my life away for Christ, but also being able to see Christ, but also being able to see Christ, but also being able to see people that um in a lot of ways just people that um in a lot of ways just people that um in a lot of ways just reflected my family. reflected my family. reflected my family. >> JQZ was in. He and about 10 other guys >> JQZ was in. He and about 10 other guys >> JQZ was in. He and about 10 other guys moved to Fairfield in what would become moved to Fairfield in what would become moved to Fairfield in what would become Elton's first class of the Urban Hope Elton's first class of the Urban Hope Elton's first class of the Urban Hope Leadership Initiative. They were young, Leadership Initiative. They were young, Leadership Initiative. They were young, energetic, and fired up about changing energetic, and fired up about changing energetic, and fired up about changing the world for Christ. I asked how that the world for Christ. I asked how that the world for Christ. I asked how that first year of ministry went. first year of ministry went. first year of ministry went. >> Very frustrating. And and just like >> Very frustrating. And and just like >> Very frustrating. And and just like things that you were just completely things that you were just completely things that you were just completely oblivious to doing ministry in the oblivious to doing ministry in the oblivious to doing ministry in the context of the college campus, you know, context of the college campus, you know, context of the college campus, you know, just like simple stuff like people just like simple stuff like people just like simple stuff like people reading, you know, you just take that reading, you know, you just take that reading, you know, you just take that for granted. I remember one time trying for granted. I remember one time trying for granted. I remember one time trying to set up a Bible study in our house to set up a Bible study in our house to set up a Bible study in our house with some of the other college guys and with some of the other college guys and with some of the other college guys and we had a guy that was a native of we had a guy that was a native of we had a guy that was a native of Fairfield and we tried to read the Bible Fairfield and we tried to read the Bible Fairfield and we tried to read the Bible with him and I mean he couldn't read with him and I mean he couldn't read with him and I mean he couldn't read basic words you know so essentially we basic words you know so essentially we basic words you know so essentially we had to try to like put on a whiteboard had to try to like put on a whiteboard had to try to like put on a whiteboard and just kind of break it down do one and just kind of break it down do one and just kind of break it down do one verse at a time and just try to you know verse at a time and just try to you know verse at a time and just try to you know go really slow. Ministry in Fairfield go really slow. Ministry in Fairfield go really slow. Ministry in Fairfield was unbelievably slow and difficult. And was unbelievably slow and difficult. And was unbelievably slow and difficult. And yet eight of those guys stayed for a yet eight of those guys stayed for a yet eight of those guys stayed for a second year. And when that was over, second year. And when that was over, second year. And when that was over, three of them ended up buying houses in three of them ended up buying houses in three of them ended up buying houses in Fairfield. When I asked why he was still Fairfield. When I asked why he was still Fairfield. When I asked why he was still there, Jquz told me a story.

there, Jquz told me a story. there, Jquz told me a story. >> One time recently, I um was just cutting >> One time recently, I um was just cutting >> One time recently, I um was just cutting my grass. my neighbor like he was like my grass. my neighbor like he was like my grass. my neighbor like he was like basically flagging me down and then um basically flagging me down and then um basically flagging me down and then um he just proceeded to tell me about like he just proceeded to tell me about like he just proceeded to tell me about like how he had been robbed by some young how he had been robbed by some young how he had been robbed by some young guys who um he knew their mom I guess guys who um he knew their mom I guess guys who um he knew their mom I guess like him and and their mom got into an like him and and their mom got into an like him and and their mom got into an altercation. He said some stuff he altercation. He said some stuff he altercation. He said some stuff he should have said about their mom and should have said about their mom and should have said about their mom and then like they took it personal and they then like they took it personal and they then like they took it personal and they were like they they came and robbed him were like they they came and robbed him were like they they came and robbed him and they beat he's an older he's in his and they beat he's an older he's in his and they beat he's an older he's in his probably like late 60s and um you know probably like late 60s and um you know probably like late 60s and um you know he got getting beat up by some younger he got getting beat up by some younger he got getting beat up by some younger guys in their 20s or even younger and guys in their 20s or even younger and guys in their 20s or even younger and then one of them reached out gun and then one of them reached out gun and then one of them reached out gun and shot him in his leg and he was so mad shot him in his leg and he was so mad shot him in his leg and he was so mad about being shot that he was just like about being shot that he was just like about being shot that he was just like I'mma kill him. He's like next time I I'mma kill him. He's like next time I I'mma kill him. He's like next time I see him he's I'm killing him. And then see him he's I'm killing him. And then see him he's I'm killing him. And then um I mean as best as I possibly could um I mean as best as I possibly could um I mean as best as I possibly could just tried to like point him to like how just tried to like point him to like how just tried to like point him to like how killing them wasn't the answer. Um that killing them wasn't the answer. Um that killing them wasn't the answer. Um that like if he killed them they likely going like if he killed them they likely going like if he killed them they likely going to come and get vengeance and the way to come and get vengeance and the way to come and get vengeance and the way that people act nowadays and move that people act nowadays and move that people act nowadays and move nowadays it won't stop with just you. It nowadays it won't stop with just you. It nowadays it won't stop with just you. It may end up being you know multiple may end up being you know multiple may end up being you know multiple bodies or you know more people in his bodies or you know more people in his bodies or you know more people in his family that are uh now in danger because family that are uh now in danger because family that are uh now in danger because of that. I just took him to Matthew and of that. I just took him to Matthew and of that. I just took him to Matthew and I was just like, "Hey man, this is where I was just like, "Hey man, this is where I was just like, "Hey man, this is where I said, I don't know where you stand as I said, I don't know where you stand as I said, I don't know where you stand as it relates to the word, but I was just it relates to the word, but I was just it relates to the word, but I was just like, he said, you shouldn't fear the like, he said, you shouldn't fear the like, he said, you shouldn't fear the one that should that can kill your one that should that can kill your one that should that can kill your physical body, but you should fear the physical body, but you should fear the physical body, but you should fear the one that can kill your physical body and one that can kill your physical body and one that can kill your physical body and throw your soul into hell." And I was throw your soul into hell." And I was throw your soul into hell." And I was just like, I don't know if you recognize just like, I don't know if you recognize just like, I don't know if you recognize this, but like there is a God that has

this, but like there is a God that has this, but like there is a God that has like created you. Um, and he's made you like created you. Um, and he's made you like created you. Um, and he's made you and he's made you for a purpose and your and he's made you for a purpose and your and he's made you for a purpose and your life is not intended to be lived in this life is not intended to be lived in this life is not intended to be lived in this way. You know, I just I prayed for him way. You know, I just I prayed for him way. You know, I just I prayed for him and he didn't go kill him. and he didn't go kill him. and he didn't go kill him. >> Because JZ was mowing his lawn, the most >> Because JZ was mowing his lawn, the most >> Because JZ was mowing his lawn, the most ordinary and mundane of tasks. Someone ordinary and mundane of tasks. Someone ordinary and mundane of tasks. Someone in Fairfield is still alive. Maybe in Fairfield is still alive. Maybe in Fairfield is still alive. Maybe multiple someone's. That's why he stays. multiple someone's. That's why he stays. multiple someone's. That's why he stays. And yes, the drug dealer still stops by And yes, the drug dealer still stops by And yes, the drug dealer still stops by the neighbor's house. And that's hard the neighbor's house. And that's hard the neighbor's house. And that's hard for Jacquz and his wife who have three for Jacquz and his wife who have three for Jacquz and his wife who have three children. But there have been other children. But there have been other children. But there have been other conversations with this man. conversations with this man. conversations with this man. >> He'll just say, "Yeah, I see you, man. I >> He'll just say, "Yeah, I see you, man. I >> He'll just say, "Yeah, I see you, man. I see you with your family. I see you see you with your family. I see you see you with your family. I see you taking care of your family." You know, taking care of your family." You know, taking care of your family." You know, like much much respect. like much much respect. like much much respect. >> When another Urban Hope member works in >> When another Urban Hope member works in >> When another Urban Hope member works in his lawn, the neighborhood kids like to his lawn, the neighborhood kids like to his lawn, the neighborhood kids like to come over because they haven't seen men come over because they haven't seen men come over because they haven't seen men working in the yard, caring for their working in the yard, caring for their working in the yard, caring for their homes and their families, and the kids homes and their families, and the kids homes and their families, and the kids are intrigued. There are a hundred other are intrigued. There are a hundred other are intrigued. There are a hundred other ways that Urban Hope is making the ways that Urban Hope is making the ways that Urban Hope is making the Christian life visible in Fairfield. Christian life visible in Fairfield. Christian life visible in Fairfield. Young women walk together in the park in Young women walk together in the park in Young women walk together in the park in the afternoons and the neighborhood kids the afternoons and the neighborhood kids the afternoons and the neighborhood kids ask if they're church friends. When ask if they're church friends. When ask if they're church friends. When young married couples walk together with young married couples walk together with young married couples walk together with babies and strollers, the neighbors babies and strollers, the neighbors babies and strollers, the neighbors comment they've never seen that before.

comment they've never seen that before. comment they've never seen that before. This year we just did, you know, like a This year we just did, you know, like a This year we just did, you know, like a little Starbucks gift card, whatever for little Starbucks gift card, whatever for little Starbucks gift card, whatever for the teachers, and one of the teachers the teachers, and one of the teachers the teachers, and one of the teachers was like, "Your church is always like was like, "Your church is always like was like, "Your church is always like coming up here to show that they support coming up here to show that they support coming up here to show that they support us." I think there's just a lot of like us." I think there's just a lot of like us." I think there's just a lot of like ways that you see little things of ways that you see little things of ways that you see little things of morale that I think can go a long way, morale that I think can go a long way, morale that I think can go a long way, especially in a hard environment. Meil especially in a hard environment. Meil especially in a hard environment. Meil Wilson joined Urban Hope and began Wilson joined Urban Hope and began Wilson joined Urban Hope and began teaching in the Fairfield schools about teaching in the Fairfield schools about teaching in the Fairfield schools about 5 years ago. When she first introduced 5 years ago. When she first introduced 5 years ago. When she first introduced her husband to her students, they were her husband to her students, they were her husband to her students, they were thrown off by their shared last name. thrown off by their shared last name. thrown off by their shared last name. They asked Merryill if he was her They asked Merryill if he was her They asked Merryill if he was her brother. No, she explained. When you get brother. No, she explained. When you get brother. No, she explained. When you get married, the wife typically takes her married, the wife typically takes her married, the wife typically takes her husband's last name. Those examples of husband's last name. Those examples of husband's last name. Those examples of mowing your lawn, of going for a walk, mowing your lawn, of going for a walk, mowing your lawn, of going for a walk, of introducing your spouse are so tiny of introducing your spouse are so tiny of introducing your spouse are so tiny it's hard to imagine them as witnessing. it's hard to imagine them as witnessing. it's hard to imagine them as witnessing. Really, they're just the beginning. Really, they're just the beginning. Really, they're just the beginning. >> There's one student that he was in our >> There's one student that he was in our >> There's one student that he was in our summer program and has since gone to summer program and has since gone to summer program and has since gone to college and was studying abroad in college and was studying abroad in college and was studying abroad in Europe. And it was one of those where it Europe. And it was one of those where it Europe. And it was one of those where it was like, who would have thought that, was like, who would have thought that, was like, who would have thought that, you know, you would be able to go do you know, you would be able to go do you know, you would be able to go do this? Like, I've had a few parents even this? Like, I've had a few parents even this? Like, I've had a few parents even be like, I want to come to y'all's be like, I want to come to y'all's be like, I want to come to y'all's church. like I've heard, you know, good church. like I've heard, you know, good church. like I've heard, you know, good things about it or I saw that they things about it or I saw that they things about it or I saw that they opened the grocery store. Like the opened the grocery store. Like the opened the grocery store. Like the grandmothers were so excited about a grandmothers were so excited about a grandmothers were so excited about a grocery store in Fairfield because grocery store in Fairfield because grocery store in Fairfield because they're like, "We've always had to go they're like, "We've always had to go they're like, "We've always had to go elsewhere. I'm so glad that your church elsewhere. I'm so glad that your church elsewhere. I'm so glad that your church did that." Or like, "That's amazing that did that." Or like, "That's amazing that did that." Or like, "That's amazing that the Lord used urban hope to do this the Lord used urban hope to do this the Lord used urban hope to do this thing."

thing." thing." Those are reactions from people who live Those are reactions from people who live Those are reactions from people who live in the community. And some of them are in the community. And some of them are in the community. And some of them are showing up at church, asking questions, showing up at church, asking questions, showing up at church, asking questions, and coming to know the Lord. Alton would and coming to know the Lord. Alton would and coming to know the Lord. Alton would love to see change not only in Fairfield love to see change not only in Fairfield love to see change not only in Fairfield but in urban communities all over the but in urban communities all over the but in urban communities all over the country. That's why since 2015 he has country. That's why since 2015 he has country. That's why since 2015 he has been inviting new college grads like been inviting new college grads like been inviting new college grads like Jquz to spend a year or two living, Jquz to spend a year or two living, Jquz to spend a year or two living, working, learning and serving with him working, learning and serving with him working, learning and serving with him in Fairfield. in Fairfield. in Fairfield. >> We emphasize strong men. We emphasize >> We emphasize strong men. We emphasize >> We emphasize strong men. We emphasize marriage and family and doing it God's marriage and family and doing it God's marriage and family and doing it God's way. Like we emphasize like these the way. Like we emphasize like these the way. Like we emphasize like these the sexual ethics and the impact of music in sexual ethics and the impact of music in sexual ethics and the impact of music in the culture, African-Amean Christians, the culture, African-Amean Christians, the culture, African-Amean Christians, black men, they resonate. black men, they resonate. black men, they resonate. >> They absolutely do. Of the 26 young men >> They absolutely do. Of the 26 young men >> They absolutely do. Of the 26 young men who have completed the program so far, who have completed the program so far, who have completed the program so far, fewer than four grew up with married fewer than four grew up with married fewer than four grew up with married parents, but as of today, 24 of those parents, but as of today, 24 of those parents, but as of today, 24 of those young men are married or engaged. These young men are married or engaged. These young men are married or engaged. These guys would come, they moved into the guys would come, they moved into the guys would come, they moved into the community, so they're husbands, they've community, so they're husbands, they've community, so they're husbands, they've had children, fathers, they've been a had children, fathers, they've been a had children, fathers, they've been a part of our church for so many years.

part of our church for so many years. part of our church for so many years. Some of them are deacons in our church. Some of them are deacons in our church. Some of them are deacons in our church. Cuz it's a life, you know, the the Cuz it's a life, you know, the the Cuz it's a life, you know, the the church ain't for a season. church ain't for a season. church ain't for a season. The church ain't for a season. Urban The church ain't for a season. Urban The church ain't for a season. Urban Hope members keep coming back to that. Hope members keep coming back to that. Hope members keep coming back to that. Everything they do from teaching Everything they do from teaching Everything they do from teaching financial literacy to offering a financial literacy to offering a financial literacy to offering a community cooking class is tied to the community cooking class is tied to the community cooking class is tied to the church. It is one of the most amazing church. It is one of the most amazing church. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed. I have been things I've ever witnessed. I have been things I've ever witnessed. I have been in the nonprofit world for almost 20 in the nonprofit world for almost 20 in the nonprofit world for almost 20 years now. I have been in the ministry years now. I have been in the ministry years now. I have been in the ministry side. I've been in the secular nonprofit side. I've been in the secular nonprofit side. I've been in the secular nonprofit world. You know, I've been I've seen it world. You know, I've been I've seen it world. You know, I've been I've seen it from both sides. And it's kind of funny from both sides. And it's kind of funny from both sides. And it's kind of funny because every nonprofit that I have ever because every nonprofit that I have ever because every nonprofit that I have ever served, there is this idea that they re served, there is this idea that they re served, there is this idea that they re like they have the answer. Like this is like they have the answer. Like this is like they have the answer. Like this is we are the ones that have the answers. we are the ones that have the answers. we are the ones that have the answers. We can solve the world's problems. And We can solve the world's problems. And We can solve the world's problems. And so I so I so I know for a fact one of the things that know for a fact one of the things that know for a fact one of the things that lends to just the success of our lends to just the success of our lends to just the success of our ministry is that the church is the ministry is that the church is the ministry is that the church is the foundation of what we're doing.

foundation of what we're doing. foundation of what we're doing. Regardless of what our ministry action Regardless of what our ministry action Regardless of what our ministry action is, the Lord has been our home base is, the Lord has been our home base is, the Lord has been our home base because we know that anybody can anybody because we know that anybody can anybody because we know that anybody can anybody can provide tutoring. Anybody really can can provide tutoring. Anybody really can can provide tutoring. Anybody really can open a grocery store if you have the open a grocery store if you have the open a grocery store if you have the money. Anybody can provide, you know, an money. Anybody can provide, you know, an money. Anybody can provide, you know, an education or any organization can education or any organization can education or any organization can provide housing. provide housing. provide housing. But when there's no foundation But when there's no foundation But when there's no foundation of the church and the gospel, that's all of the church and the gospel, that's all of the church and the gospel, that's all it is. It's just a provision. There's no it is. It's just a provision. There's no it is. It's just a provision. There's no change. You know, when we're when we're change. You know, when we're when we're change. You know, when we're when we're putting married couples into homes, we putting married couples into homes, we putting married couples into homes, we want them to be a worshshiping Bible want them to be a worshshiping Bible want them to be a worshshiping Bible believing Bible, you know, um learning believing Bible, you know, um learning believing Bible, you know, um learning couple, you know, not just a couple couple, you know, not just a couple couple, you know, not just a couple that's just taking up space in in that that's just taking up space in in that that's just taking up space in in that house, you know, and we want them to to house, you know, and we want them to to house, you know, and we want them to to um have children and bring their um have children and bring their um have children and bring their children up in the word. So the church children up in the word. So the church children up in the word. So the church is the foundation of what we're doing.

is the foundation of what we're doing. is the foundation of what we're doing. The church and in the word of God. And a The church and in the word of God. And a The church and in the word of God. And a lot of organizations, I hate to say, lot of organizations, I hate to say, lot of organizations, I hate to say, don't really have that component, you don't really have that component, you don't really have that component, you know, it's it's just, you know, a know, it's it's just, you know, a know, it's it's just, you know, a provision. You might even say that provision. You might even say that provision. You might even say that offering provision without the father's offering provision without the father's offering provision without the father's love and truth is a little like a baby love and truth is a little like a baby love and truth is a little like a baby daddy sending a child support check once daddy sending a child support check once daddy sending a child support check once in a while, showing up for a weekend in a while, showing up for a weekend in a while, showing up for a weekend visit, or remembering to call on your visit, or remembering to call on your visit, or remembering to call on your birthday. What Elton is doing is birthday. What Elton is doing is birthday. What Elton is doing is fathering an entire community. Over and fathering an entire community. Over and fathering an entire community. Over and over, people told me that Elton, who is over, people told me that Elton, who is over, people told me that Elton, who is 6'4 and big, who laughs all the time, 6'4 and big, who laughs all the time, 6'4 and big, who laughs all the time, who will see you coming down the street who will see you coming down the street who will see you coming down the street and run out of the church to talk to and run out of the church to talk to and run out of the church to talk to you, who doesn't hesitate to tell you you, who doesn't hesitate to tell you you, who doesn't hesitate to tell you the truth, is like a father to them. the truth, is like a father to them. the truth, is like a father to them. Even better, he is using fatherhood to Even better, he is using fatherhood to Even better, he is using fatherhood to introduce whoever he can to their introduce whoever he can to their introduce whoever he can to their heavenly father. It is sad for kids to grow up without a It is sad for kids to grow up without a dad. Dozens of studies have proved that dad. Dozens of studies have proved that dad. Dozens of studies have proved that those children are more likely to get those children are more likely to get those children are more likely to get into trouble and less likely to succeed.

into trouble and less likely to succeed. into trouble and less likely to succeed. But it is also a theological problem. But it is also a theological problem. But it is also a theological problem. >> I grew up hating my dad. Like he >> I grew up hating my dad. Like he >> I grew up hating my dad. Like he abandoned us and I just felt rejected abandoned us and I just felt rejected abandoned us and I just felt rejected and I didn't understand why. I'm like and I didn't understand why. I'm like and I didn't understand why. I'm like I'm like this good kid. I mean I'm doing I'm like this good kid. I mean I'm doing I'm like this good kid. I mean I'm doing well in school. I graduated salute in my well in school. I graduated salute in my well in school. I graduated salute in my high school. I did well in sports. Went high school. I did well in sports. Went high school. I did well in sports. Went to college. Uh, I just couldn't I to college. Uh, I just couldn't I to college. Uh, I just couldn't I couldn't understand why my dad wouldn't couldn't understand why my dad wouldn't couldn't understand why my dad wouldn't want to be involved in his son's life. want to be involved in his son's life. want to be involved in his son's life. You know, You know, You know, >> today, Dion is a faithful husband and >> today, Dion is a faithful husband and >> today, Dion is a faithful husband and father of two. I asked him what it was father of two. I asked him what it was father of two. I asked him what it was like to be a dad who lives with his like to be a dad who lives with his like to be a dad who lives with his children. children. children. >> I love it, man. I I don't understand how >> I love it, man. I I don't understand how >> I love it, man. I I don't understand how dads can leave their kids. I I just I dads can leave their kids. I I just I dads can leave their kids. I I just I can't wrap my head around it. I love can't wrap my head around it. I love can't wrap my head around it. I love them too much. I'm about to tear up. I them too much. I'm about to tear up. I them too much. I'm about to tear up. I love them. Oh, sorry. love them. Oh, sorry. love them. Oh, sorry. So yeah, I love it. I love being a dad. So yeah, I love it. I love being a dad. So yeah, I love it. I love being a dad. It's it's one of the greatest joys in my It's it's one of the greatest joys in my It's it's one of the greatest joys in my life. Um just being a dad and coming life. Um just being a dad and coming life. Um just being a dad and coming home to my kids every day. And I've home to my kids every day. And I've home to my kids every day. And I've experienced the father's love um in a experienced the father's love um in a experienced the father's love um in a new way. Um I thought I knew the new way. Um I thought I knew the new way. Um I thought I knew the father's love before I became a father father's love before I became a father father's love before I became a father myself. And um I remember um when my son myself. And um I remember um when my son myself. And um I remember um when my son was born and we at the hospital, my my was born and we at the hospital, my my was born and we at the hospital, my my wife's asleep, you know, and he's asleep wife's asleep, you know, and he's asleep wife's asleep, you know, and he's asleep and I'm just up and I'm just looking at and I'm just up and I'm just looking at and I'm just up and I'm just looking at him and just overwhelmed with joy. I him and just overwhelmed with joy. I him and just overwhelmed with joy. I went to the bathroom and I just sobbed went to the bathroom and I just sobbed went to the bathroom and I just sobbed like I was just crying cuz I knew how like I was just crying cuz I knew how like I was just crying cuz I knew how much I love my son and he had done

much I love my son and he had done much I love my son and he had done nothing. It wasn't because of any nothing. It wasn't because of any nothing. It wasn't because of any achievement or any way that he had done achievement or any way that he had done achievement or any way that he had done something to make me proud or to make me something to make me proud or to make me something to make me proud or to make me love him. I just loved him because he love him. I just loved him because he love him. I just loved him because he was mine. That's it. was mine. That's it. was mine. That's it. Done nothing. Just here. He's just here Done nothing. Just here. He's just here Done nothing. Just here. He's just here and he's mine. And that was the first and he's mine. And that was the first and he's mine. And that was the first time I realized, oh, God loves me that time I realized, oh, God loves me that time I realized, oh, God loves me that way. Like the father loves me just way. Like the father loves me just way. Like the father loves me just because I'm his. Not because I'm doing because I'm his. Not because I'm doing because I'm his. Not because I'm doing ministry for him or I'm accomplishing ministry for him or I'm accomplishing ministry for him or I'm accomplishing all of these things to make him proud. all of these things to make him proud. all of these things to make him proud. I'm just his son and that's enough. I'm just his son and that's enough. I'm just his son and that's enough. That's enough for him to send his son, That's enough for him to send his son, That's enough for him to send his son, his only begotten son um to die for me his only begotten son um to die for me his only begotten son um to die for me and adopt me into his family. And so I and adopt me into his family. And so I and adopt me into his family. And so I man, fatherhood is one of the greatest man, fatherhood is one of the greatest man, fatherhood is one of the greatest joys of my life. joys of my life. joys of my life. That truth that the father loves us That truth that the father loves us That truth that the father loves us because we are his was also because we are his was also because we are his was also life-changing for Jaquz. life-changing for Jaquz. life-changing for Jaquz. >> In high school, I had like a lot of >> In high school, I had like a lot of >> In high school, I had like a lot of hatred towards my dad, but then in hatred towards my dad, but then in hatred towards my dad, but then in becoming a believer, like I just, you becoming a believer, like I just, you becoming a believer, like I just, you know, experienced the forgiveness of know, experienced the forgiveness of know, experienced the forgiveness of Christ. So, I had it in my heart to want Christ. So, I had it in my heart to want Christ. So, I had it in my heart to want to extend that to him. And then um in to extend that to him. And then um in to extend that to him. And then um in talking to him, I can just tell based on talking to him, I can just tell based on talking to him, I can just tell based on like how the conversation went that he like how the conversation went that he like how the conversation went that he still was kind of like wrestled with a still was kind of like wrestled with a still was kind of like wrestled with a lot of shame or just like guilt or just lot of shame or just like guilt or just lot of shame or just like guilt or just like maybe not like forgiving himself like maybe not like forgiving himself like maybe not like forgiving himself for for not being there. Um, so I called for for not being there. Um, so I called for for not being there. Um, so I called him back and I was just like, "Hey dad, him back and I was just like, "Hey dad, him back and I was just like, "Hey dad, I just want to say I love you." And I I just want to say I love you." And I I just want to say I love you." And I was like, "You want to know why I love was like, "You want to know why I love was like, "You want to know why I love you?" He was just like, "Why?" I was you?" He was just like, "Why?" I was you?" He was just like, "Why?" I was like, "Because you're my dad." Like God like, "Because you're my dad." Like God like, "Because you're my dad." Like God really used that to just like men

really used that to just like men really used that to just like men something that was broken in our something that was broken in our something that was broken in our relationship. Um, just like extending relationship. Um, just like extending relationship. Um, just like extending that level of forgiveness, letting him that level of forgiveness, letting him that level of forgiveness, letting him know that it was, you know, positional, know that it was, you know, positional, know that it was, you know, positional, not conditional, and that ultimately not conditional, and that ultimately not conditional, and that ultimately because he's my dad, like I'm going to because he's my dad, like I'm going to because he's my dad, like I'm going to love him because of that regardless of love him because of that regardless of love him because of that regardless of whether he's been there or not. And um whether he's been there or not. And um whether he's been there or not. And um that freed us up to like have a like a that freed us up to like have a like a that freed us up to like have a like a relationship. relationship. relationship. >> See what great love the father has >> See what great love the father has >> See what great love the father has lavished on us that we should be called lavished on us that we should be called lavished on us that we should be called children of God. And that is what we children of God. And that is what we children of God. And that is what we are. There is nothing we can do to earn are. There is nothing we can do to earn are. There is nothing we can do to earn our father's love. It is already ours in our father's love. It is already ours in our father's love. It is already ours in Christ. And there is nothing we can do Christ. And there is nothing we can do Christ. And there is nothing we can do to lose it. It is always ours in Christ. to lose it. It is always ours in Christ. to lose it. It is always ours in Christ. When we believe that truth, when it When we believe that truth, when it When we believe that truth, when it changes us, we can love others, our changes us, we can love others, our changes us, we can love others, our parents, our kids, our friends, our parents, our kids, our friends, our parents, our kids, our friends, our neighbors with mercy and grace and neighbors with mercy and grace and neighbors with mercy and grace and truth. We can tell them about sin and truth. We can tell them about sin and truth. We can tell them about sin and salvation. We can open our homes, bring salvation. We can open our homes, bring salvation. We can open our homes, bring gift cards to the local public school, gift cards to the local public school, gift cards to the local public school, or mow our grass in ways that point to or mow our grass in ways that point to or mow our grass in ways that point to the glory of the way God designed us to the glory of the way God designed us to the glory of the way God designed us to live. In a culture that pushes against live. In a culture that pushes against live. In a culture that pushes against the biblical idea of a family with AI the biblical idea of a family with AI the biblical idea of a family with AI girlfriends, pornhub, open girlfriends, pornhub, open girlfriends, pornhub, open relationships, or easy abortions, we can relationships, or easy abortions, we can relationships, or easy abortions, we can choose a more excellent way. If the Lord choose a more excellent way. If the Lord choose a more excellent way. If the Lord grants you singleness, you can keep your grants you singleness, you can keep your grants you singleness, you can keep your mind and body pure as you delight in mind and body pure as you delight in mind and body pure as you delight in him. If he brings you a spouse, you can him. If he brings you a spouse, you can him. If he brings you a spouse, you can love that person, commit to be faithful, love that person, commit to be faithful, love that person, commit to be faithful, and rejoice in parenting together any

and rejoice in parenting together any and rejoice in parenting together any children he might give you. And then children he might give you. And then children he might give you. And then let's look over the mountain. I know the let's look over the mountain. I know the let's look over the mountain. I know the problems seem insurmountable. We feel problems seem insurmountable. We feel problems seem insurmountable. We feel this when we read about Damian McDaniel, this when we read about Damian McDaniel, this when we read about Damian McDaniel, when we see the persistence of when we see the persistence of when we see the persistence of generational poverty, or when we learn generational poverty, or when we learn generational poverty, or when we learn the numbers of unmarried births, of the numbers of unmarried births, of the numbers of unmarried births, of failing schools, or of incarceration failing schools, or of incarceration failing schools, or of incarceration rates? What could write the wrongs here? rates? What could write the wrongs here? rates? What could write the wrongs here? Only Jesus. As you seek to help those in Only Jesus. As you seek to help those in Only Jesus. As you seek to help those in tough situations, consider the advice tough situations, consider the advice tough situations, consider the advice shared by Sam Tortoesi. shared by Sam Tortoesi. shared by Sam Tortoesi. Find a gospel- centered pastor who is Find a gospel- centered pastor who is Find a gospel- centered pastor who is preaching the whole council of God and preaching the whole council of God and preaching the whole council of God and then resource, resource, resource him. then resource, resource, resource him. then resource, resource, resource him. Pray for him. Open your checkbook for Pray for him. Open your checkbook for Pray for him. Open your checkbook for him. Volunteer when he needs the help. him. Volunteer when he needs the help. him. Volunteer when he needs the help. If you're wondering where to look for a If you're wondering where to look for a If you're wondering where to look for a guy like that, I know a great person to guy like that, I know a great person to guy like that, I know a great person to ask. He lives in Fairfield, Alabama, and ask. He lives in Fairfield, Alabama, and ask. He lives in Fairfield, Alabama, and he's training up gospel preachers to he's training up gospel preachers to he's training up gospel preachers to work in underresourced urban work in underresourced urban work in underresourced urban neighborhoods all over the country. His neighborhoods all over the country. His neighborhoods all over the country. His name is Alton Hardy.

name is Alton Hardy. name is Alton Hardy. [Music] [Music] [Music] Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode of Recorded, which is part of the Gospel of Recorded, which is part of the Gospel of Recorded, which is part of the Gospel Coalition's podcast network. This Coalition's podcast network. This Coalition's podcast network. This episode was written by me, Sarah Xystra, episode was written by me, Sarah Xystra, episode was written by me, Sarah Xystra, and edited by Colin Hansen, Daryl and edited by Colin Hansen, Daryl and edited by Colin Hansen, Daryl Williamson, Megan Hill, and Cassie Williamson, Megan Hill, and Cassie Williamson, Megan Hill, and Cassie Watson. Our audio editor was Scott Caro, Watson. Our audio editor was Scott Caro, Watson. Our audio editor was Scott Caro, and our producer was Newbridge Studios. and our producer was Newbridge Studios. and our producer was Newbridge Studios. Recorded is made possible by generous Recorded is made possible by generous Recorded is made possible by generous donations. If you would like to join in donations. If you would like to join in donations. If you would like to join in supporting this work, we would love for supporting this work, we would love for supporting this work, we would love for you to do so at tgc.org/donate.