THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 23, 1995 TAG: 9507210202
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
While some basketball stars - Charles Barkley and Dennis Rodman among them - shun responsibilities to youth, some NBA stars say it's important to give back to community.
When Denver Nugget team captain and guard Bryant Stith was asked by the Rev. Henry G. Baker to speak at First Baptist Church of Orlando's Youth Day celebration, he says he didn't think twice.
Stith, a former star player at the University of Virginia and Brunswick High School, grew up with role models. Among them was Baker, who pastored the church - Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Freeman, a few miles outside of Emporia - that Stith and his parents attended.
Baker served as Stith's mentor for 10 years and was there when Stith married his wife, Barbara. Meanwhile, his parents and grandparents instilled strong moral values and Christianity.
``When I was growing up, I had role models for my development,'' Stith said. ``And I know how very instrumental they were in my life.''
And last Sunday, he tried to carry on that tradition to the kids who attended service. His message was simple, short and to the point.
``Most of our men are behind bars or are dead,'' said Stith. ``Consequently, single women are heading the family.''
He continued saying that youngsters often find other ways to belong and make money. ``Some kids are making just as much money as their parents, and they don't even have a job. They do have a job, it's selling drugs,'' said Stith.
``The priorities of our youth are entirely out of order . . . sports cars, Saturday nights . . . keeps kids from putting God first.''
In finding a solution to the social ills facing most youth, Stith recited a African proverb: ``It takes an entire village to raise a child.''
A village, Stith said, means the entire community must be responsible for helping to rear a child. Christ and obedience to parents, Stith added can help give discipline to wayward youths.
It was the type of message the church's pastor said was needed. Baker started the Buds of Promise, a youth ministry, last year to help give the youth of this eastside community a positive outlet, something other than drugs and gangs.
The 53-member group studies the Bible, engages in tutorial and after-school programs and goes on field trips. Baker was honored for his commitment by the NAACP recently. MEMO: First Baptist Church of Orlando is at 505 Eola St., Suffolk.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Bryant Stith
Denver Nugget guard
by CNB