THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 2, 1995 TAG: 9506300234
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
There's more that's operating in this industrial and farming community than just peanut plants.
If you ask the ministers who lead two nearby churches, they'll tell you they're making positive changes to turn two communities near the Planter's peanut factories into something great. And if you ask a young high school student who's aspiring to become a biochemist, helping a community is the only way to give back to society.
The Rev. Henry G. Baker, pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando at the 500 block of Eola Ave.; Elder Edward P. Foreman, who leads St. Paul RZUA Church in Suffolk at the 600 block of Spruce St.; and Kristi Mizelle, a student at Nansemond River High School, were all recently honored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for their work in the community.
All have similar visions: helping children reach their potential as well as turning churches into a social agents for change in the community.
Rev. Henry G. Baker:
For Baker, helping to pull up his community up by the bootstraps hasn't been easy.
Small wood frame and brick houses make up this lower middle class Factory Street neighborhood where Baker's Orlando church is located. It's a community that's also had its share of crime. But Baker said that shouldn't deter residents from succeeding in life.
``Reputation is what people say you are, but character is what you know yourself to be,'' Baker said he preaches to his parishioners.
A native of Suffolk, Baker has returned after leading Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Emporia to once again lead First Baptist. He first began preaching at Orlando in 1976.
He describes the Emporia church as a ``silk stockings'' church because of the upper crust, Mercedes Benz driving backgrounds of the parishioners.
That's a much different environment than at Orlando.
Beginnings were meager. Only three children and their parents sat in the pews when he returned to preach last October.
``I saw children on the streets. People weren't in the church. They needed someone to guide them,'' said Baker.
He began ``Buds of Promise'', a youth group which focuses on educational outreach and positive growth through spirituality and Bible study. With the help of associate ministers Betty Montgomery and Carolyn Henry, Baker boosted the congregation to more than 200. They've grown so that plans are in the works to build a new church.
What helped in their growth was making changes in the neighborhood.
Baker said for years, police weren't patrolling the area. He talked with city officials and now police patrol.
In addition, Baker is lobbying for community development funds to revitalize the area.
Kristi Mizelle:
Mizelle may only be 16, but she's got big goals and big dreams.
A rising senior at Nansemond River High School, Mizelle is very active with her church East End Baptist, she's president of her school council, field hockey team, regional engineering and science club and a member of the NAACP.
As president of the youth choir at her church, she does outreach work to motivate other kids to join church.
And her inspiration and guidance, she said, comes from Christ.
``God is the first thing in my life,'' said Mizelle. ``I want other kids to know there is hope. If they believe in Him, they'll know He'll be there through the rough times.''
She can't estimate how many kids she's helped through the church's ``Fall Roundup'' but said ``there's been many.''
Christ, said Mizelle, has helped her become a better person. That's why she feels the need to give back to community.
``So many opportunities have happened to me, things that I have never heard about,'' Mizelle said excitedly. ``People will just come up to me and say `Kristi have you heard about this opportunity or that opportunity?' '' she said.
One such opportunity was appearing on the game show Wheel of Fortune.
Mizelle said an adviser with Cooperating Hampton Roads Organization for Minorities in Engineering (CHROME) urged her to try out for the show. Earlier this year, Mizelle was a finalist.
She credits a strong family - her father Johnnie and mother Gloria - for keeping her humble. ``They keep me in line,'' she said laughing.
But ultimately, Mizelle said every person should give back to community in order to help themselves.
``We all have to live in this world, but if there are others who are down, it's going to bring all of mankind down if we don't inspire others to succeed,'' she said.
Elder Edward P. Foreman:
Thirteen years ago, when Foreman first came to St. Paul AZUA Church, the children could barely read and could barely graduate, he said.
Now 90 percent of the children are on the honor roll, Foreman said proudly.
``When we came down here, they were struggling,'' said Foreman of the time he and his wife Christine came from Norfolk to Suffolk to begin their work.
``But God bless, they've accomplished.''
His wife, a social worker by profession, began an after school Hooked on Phonics and tutoring program. Word got out, and kids began coming.
The neighbors were also excited about renovations Foreman made in the area. He cleaned up and cut the grass in the lot directly across the street from the church. He also bought and spruced up properties nearby.
To help motivate the kids, each year the church also sponsors an education banquet for children aged one through 12. Foreman also bought a bus and regularly loads up the kids for trips to museums and Busch Gardens.
``We certainly have to grab the young people,'' said Foreman. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Rev. Henry G. Baker
Kristi Mizelle
Elder Edward P. Foreman
by CNB