Jenkins Memorial CME Church hosts first Boyz-to-Men Breakfast and Mini-Conference.

Henderson, TX-On Saturday, September 15, 1007, the Men of Jenkins, the Jenkins Memorial Ministry to Men, hosted its first Boyz to Men Breakfast and Min-Conference at the American Legion Hall in Henderson, Texas. It is planned to be an annual event.

The guest presenters were Bishop R. L. Brazzle of the Bible Teaching Ministries, Longview, Texas and Pastor Tony Lewis, New Faith Beginnings Ministry Gladewater, Texas. Dr. Brazzle, who is also the Director of Financial Aid for Texas College, addressed the men and boys only audience on the topic Sex, Men and the Church. Pastor Lewis, whose presentation was, geared more to the boys, discussed Peer Pressure, Drugs, and the Church. A lively question, answer, and discussion period, which was informative and enlightening, took place following the presentations.

Thompson Hospitality Catering, the food services contractor, under the direction of Henry Smith for Texas College (Tyler) and the largest minority owned catering service in the United States, catered the event. The ambiance was conducive and the food was good. In fact the food was so, good that one adult attendee reported he ate four biscuits.

The event, which was attended by 31 men and boys, was met with positive results and comments from those who completed evaluations. Those evaluations indicated that they men were interested in attending again in the future. Those responding to the evaluation expressed interests in the various areas. For Example, one young man who grew up in Jenkins Memorial, but no longer resides in Henderson, Texas, attended. He traveled more than an hour with both of his young sons to attend the Boyz to Men Breakfast and Mini-Conference. On Sunday morning following the event, his mother shared his comments with the Jenkins congregation: “I am glad that it (the breakfast) was not at the church because I would not have felt comfortable asking some of the questions that I asked. I feel bad that I did not encourage more of my friends to attend, but I will next year.” One of the young boys in attendance wrote: “My dad (Bishop Brazzzle) was off the chain. And the food was good too.”

Jenkins Memorial CME Church of the 8th Episcopal District and the Tyler District of the Central Texas Conference, is located in the Piney Woods of East, Texas, about 35 miles east of Tyler. VaLita F. Waits, Esq. pastors the church. Rev. Darryl Madlock is the Presiding Elder, and Bishop Ronald Cunningham is the presidng prelate for the 8th Episcopal District. Photo shows Jenkins Memorial member Kelvin Johnson and son. Article submitted by Dr. VaLita Waits.