THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 21, 1995 TAG: 9512210358
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: CHARLISE LYLES
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
It's been a bad year for Portsmouth.
Record killings. Thirty-seven so far.
One of the last to fall was Donald ``Red'' Lancaster. Early on a Sunday morning.
He fell on Afton Parkway, not too far from quaint Afton Square where several churches stand. It is the heart of Cradock, a neighborhood struggling against the ills that have swept core cities across the country.
``I was trying to get him to see what we're about,'' said Pastor Barron Baugh, remembering his last encounter with Red. Baugh encouraged the 36-year-old man to come to Abundant Life Church, which Baugh co-pastors with David Alexander.
But Red wouldn't go. `` `I ain't got time right now . . .' '' Baugh recalled Red saying.
Next thing, Baugh was reading about Red in the newspaper.
Story went that Red had the same drug jones that used to eat away at Baugh years ago on the streets of New York City. Then Baugh heard about the Lord.
On Wednesday, I talked with the two ministers about their church, their good deeds, their city, hard times and, of course, crime.
Alexander believes weak law enforcement is a major culprit. He quoted Ecclesiastes 8:11 of the New International Version: ``When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.''
He pointed to residents too fearful to tell on criminals. Criminals who go untried because of legal technicalities and overworked homicide detectives.
Baugh blamed an absence of morals.
``The bottom line is that our morality is shot,'' he said. ``Everybody's doing their own thing with no conscience. It's `Hey baby, whatzzz up?' with your pants hanging down.''
``I was a child of the '60s,'' said Alexander. ``I got into sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll. But I was never at peace because I had a conscience. What kids don't have today is a conscience. That's what separates us from animals.''
And that's why the two ministers stay busy.
Christmas Eve from 3 to 5:30 p.m., they'll throw a holy gathering of preaching, gifts, gospel and fun for all at The New Creation Family Fitness Center at 53 Afton Parkway. It doubles as their church sanctuary.
Then they'll unite with other Cradock churches to sponsor a Posada, a re-enactment of Christ's birth - donkey, camel, sheep, goats and all - based on the Hispanic custom.
Joseph and Mary will go to several houses and churches on the square, only to be turned down. Finally, they'll find shelter in a stable on the lawn of Holy Angels Catholic Church. Carolers will sing ``Silent Night.''
So what's that supposed to do for Portsmouth's morality?
``We're not trying to relate this Posada to that shooting. It's not a healing or anything,'' said Alexander. ``All I know is that the people in this Posada aren't going to be out getting drunk or high. It'll make them want to go out and do something positive the next day.''
It's probably not that much different from whatever religious activity Baugh was trying to get Red to come to on their last fateful encounter. One that might've saved his life, had he chose. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Barron Baugh, left, and David Alexander are co-pastors of Abundant
Life Church in Cradock.
by CNB