Carter Temple Finds Deterrent for Youth
Drug Use and Violence
By Kim Driscoll,Carter Temple CME Church, Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL—In a city where more than 30 students were killed during the past school year and the top of nearly every news hour includes shocking reports on children being
gunned down in the midst of gang rivalries, it was astonishing to observe a dozen youth to walk down the aisle one-by-one and join church—all during the same Sunday service. For members of Carter Temple CME Church on Chicago’s Southside, however, the Lord was just doing His work by adding increase to an already flourishing youth and young adult ministry.
Under the guise of the Rev. Dr. Sylvester Williams Sr., Carter Temple’s youth are spreading the word about a place where they feel a part of such a sacred institution.
Among those joining church that day was Anthony Ward, 21, who is not a gang member but knows people who are, decided to visit Carter Temple after a friend told him about the many youth and young adult activities held at the church.
“I didn’t come [to church] to join and had been scared,” said Ward. “But when the pastor opened the doors of the church, I just got up—I guess it was the Holy Spirit.”
Tangelia Walters, 19, also heard about the many youth and young adult opportunities at Carter Temple and decided to become a member.
“I feel like the Lord pushed me to walk [to join the church] because I had visited before but really had not decided to join,” said Walters. “I’m glad I did because I’d heard about Carter’s good programs for young people.”
Carter Temple youth and young adult ministries include the Alpha and Omega Praise Step Team, Youth and Young Adult Choir, Wilbert E. Thomas Junior Steward Board, D.I. Isom Youth and Young Adult Usher Board, Moments of Grace Praise Dance Ministry, Mattie E. Coleman Missionaries, Righteous Living (singing/Rap group), New Generation Mentoring Program, and GphiG (Glorify God praise step team).
The 12- to17-year-olds who attend weekly Christian Youth Fellowship classes are exposed to Bible study, life application classes, current news discussions, and rap sessions with the pastor.
Justin Jackson, 14, and a member of Carter Temple for most of his life, says, “Sometimes the older people don’t feel what we feel. I’m glad to have a pastor who thinks about us when we go home.”
Reaching out to youth seems to be paramount for Pastor Williams as it is commonplace to find him accompanying young church members on various activities, including “hanging out” with the youth for pizza after an evening of bowling.
Pastor Williams stresses, “It is imperative that we involve the youth and young adults in the church. We must reach what has been characterized as a Hip Hop culture, even though we don’t always understand them.”
Carter Temple’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry is rising to a challenge extended during the CME Youth and Young Adult Conference—to do a new thing for the Lord—and recently held a Youth and Young Adult Revival at their church. Those packing the pews included members of the Northwestern Football Team and the weekend of singing, poetry, and gospel rapping was highlighted by a series of sermons from guest minister, Rev. Starsky D. Wilson, Pastor, St. John United Church of Christ in St. Louis, MO.
Rev. Wilson, during his contentious and at times disturbing message about the affect of Hip Hop on today’s youth and its impact on the church, suggested that the “church” has been reluctant to embrace the genre because Hip Hop was formed out of chaos.
“Because we cannot define it, it frightens us [but] we forget that chaos proceeds community….God reaches out in the midst of chaos to connect it into community,” said Rev. Wilson. And in order to attract today’s youth, the “rapping reverend” stressed it is imperative that the church finds a way to connect to youth.
Carter Temple’s First Lady, Carmen Williams, who personally escorts the youth to Children’s Church each Sunday, also recognizes the importance of reaching out to young people and was pleased with the success of the youth revival.
“I’m excited and thrilled to death that our youth and young adults are allowed to express themselves with such exuberance!” Mrs. Williams exclaimed.
Carter Temple continues to be in the forefront of positively impacting youth, as it is home to the national program, One Church One School, a partnership between neighboring churches and community schools working together to improve the academic achievement, social behavior and personal development of children.
Chicago gangs proved no match for God, however, when a dozen children joined church in a single day. The implications of so many youth choosing Carter Temple speaks volumes to the leadership of Pastor Sylvester Williams and the determination of Carter Temple’s members to win young souls for Christ.
Under the guise of the Rev. Dr. Sylvester Williams Sr., Carter Temple’s youth are spreading the word about a place where they feel a part of such a sacred institution.
Among those joining church that day was Anthony Ward, 21, who is not a gang member but knows people who are, decided to visit Carter Temple after a friend told him about the many youth and young adult activities held at the church.
“I didn’t come [to church] to join and had been scared,” said Ward. “But when the pastor opened the doors of the church, I just got up—I guess it was the Holy Spirit.”
Tangelia Walters, 19, also heard about the many youth and young adult opportunities at Carter Temple and decided to become a member.
“I feel like the Lord pushed me to walk [to join the church] because I had visited before but really had not decided to join,” said Walters. “I’m glad I did because I’d heard about Carter’s good programs for young people.”
Carter Temple youth and young adult ministries include the Alpha and Omega Praise Step Team, Youth and Young Adult Choir, Wilbert E. Thomas Junior Steward Board, D.I. Isom Youth and Young Adult Usher Board, Moments of Grace Praise Dance Ministry, Mattie E. Coleman Missionaries, Righteous Living (singing/Rap group), New Generation Mentoring Program, and GphiG (Glorify God praise step team).
The 12- to17-year-olds who attend weekly Christian Youth Fellowship classes are exposed to Bible study, life application classes, current news discussions, and rap sessions with the pastor.
Justin Jackson, 14, and a member of Carter Temple for most of his life, says, “Sometimes the older people don’t feel what we feel. I’m glad to have a pastor who thinks about us when we go home.”
Reaching out to youth seems to be paramount for Pastor Williams as it is commonplace to find him accompanying young church members on various activities, including “hanging out” with the youth for pizza after an evening of bowling.
Pastor Williams stresses, “It is imperative that we involve the youth and young adults in the church. We must reach what has been characterized as a Hip Hop culture, even though we don’t always understand them.”
Carter Temple’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry is rising to a challenge extended during the CME Youth and Young Adult Conference—to do a new thing for the Lord—and recently held a Youth and Young Adult Revival at their church. Those packing the pews included members of the Northwestern Football Team and the weekend of singing, poetry, and gospel rapping was highlighted by a series of sermons from guest minister, Rev. Starsky D. Wilson, Pastor, St. John United Church of Christ in St. Louis, MO.
Rev. Wilson, during his contentious and at times disturbing message about the affect of Hip Hop on today’s youth and its impact on the church, suggested that the “church” has been reluctant to embrace the genre because Hip Hop was formed out of chaos.
“Because we cannot define it, it frightens us [but] we forget that chaos proceeds community….God reaches out in the midst of chaos to connect it into community,” said Rev. Wilson. And in order to attract today’s youth, the “rapping reverend” stressed it is imperative that the church finds a way to connect to youth.
Carter Temple’s First Lady, Carmen Williams, who personally escorts the youth to Children’s Church each Sunday, also recognizes the importance of reaching out to young people and was pleased with the success of the youth revival.
“I’m excited and thrilled to death that our youth and young adults are allowed to express themselves with such exuberance!” Mrs. Williams exclaimed.
Carter Temple continues to be in the forefront of positively impacting youth, as it is home to the national program, One Church One School, a partnership between neighboring churches and community schools working together to improve the academic achievement, social behavior and personal development of children.
Chicago gangs proved no match for God, however, when a dozen children joined church in a single day. The implications of so many youth choosing Carter Temple speaks volumes to the leadership of Pastor Sylvester Williams and the determination of Carter Temple’s members to win young souls for Christ.
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