DATE: Friday, October 24, 1997              TAG: 9710220124

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: THUMBS UP! 

SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   87 lines

PASTOR'S ``LEAN ON ME PROJECT'' HELPS BETTER PREPARE STUDENTS

AS A PASTOR and a college professor, the Rev. Alexander Jamison Sr. is a man of eloquent words and passionate speech. But when he talks about himself, he's brisk and to the point.

``I'm just a busy man,'' Jamison said recently when asked to describe himself. ``I get up early every morning to spend time alone with the Lord and to get my children ready for school. And then I'm set for the full day that's always awaiting me.''

Jamison's morning routine includes cooking breakfast for his four children and sharing family and school news with his wife, Jennifer. He values this family time since most evenings are scheduled with appointments and meetings.

Jamison is - take a breath - pastor of Providence United Church of Christ, an adjunct professor at Hampton University, president of the Southern Region of Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice, chairman of the Mayor's Commission on Substance Abuse, plus a member of numerous other church and community organizations.

He is especially proud of his church's ``Rites of Passage,'' a mentoring program, to work and guide children toward a healthy adult life.

There's also the new ``Lean on Me Project'' a tutoring program to help with basic academic skills, S.A.T. preparation, library resources and computer assistance. And there is even a homework hotline, for those who have a quick question. And Jamison wants to go and bring in neighborhood kids by providing rides to the church programs.

``Because I took senior citizens to Bible class and often drove the church bus, I like to say I was driven at a very early age,'' said Jamison who also sang in his Durham, N.C., church choir and served as a deacon, trustee and teacher while still a teen-ager.

His college days were spent in Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina, where he majored in speech and communication. But upon graduation, two of his college mentors were not through advising their student. With encouragement, support and a few arguments, they steered him into the ministry.

And after questioning and debating his call, Jamison headed to Andover Newton Theological School in Boston for three years followed by the United Theological Seminary in Dayton. In 1994, he completed a doctoral degree in ministry.

``I always liked to work with my hands such as working on cars,'' Jamison said. ``Although the Lord had other plans for me, I still work with my hands because I believe in a hands-on ministry.''

In 1983, Jamison pastored his first church while attending the seminary in Boston, and in 1990 he and his family moved to Chesapeake when he was invited to the 400-member South Norfolk church.

``Here I'm proud of our strong church of traditions, close ties to the community and family activities,'' Jamison said. ``And of our hard work to help with community concerns.''

Jamison started his own community involvement shortly after he arrived in Chesapeake when he joined the Chesapeake Men for Progress and the then-Mayor's Task Force on Drugs.

``Drugs and alcohol are not a black or white issue or a rich or poor problem,'' Jamison said. ``The problems are in our best and in our worst neighborhoods. And substance abuse does more than affect individuals, the family also becomes a victim.''

``The church should have a strong hand on the pulse of the community. And by raising awareness, offering support groups and developing strong programs, we can add strength to the fight. I would like to see the growth of full-service churches. We should minister to the whole person not just to the soul.''

He explained that churches could offer more tutoring and recreational programs and a safe place away from the streets for young people. And churches could also have educational programs such as health, economic and family workshops.

``We already offer educational information with lots of encouragement, strong role models and fun activities that promote high self esteem,'' Jamison said.

He said the church's opportunities should be similar to those of the Million Man March in Washington, D.C.

``It's not about being Christian or Muslim or any other religion,'' Jamison said. ``It's about teaching responsibility to God, family, church and community. And about going into a church or a march and coming out encouraged and strengthened.'' MEMO: For more information about church programs offered at Providence

United Church of Christ, call 545-8347. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS

The Rev. Alexander Jamison Sr. is pastor of Providence United Church

of Christ and chairman of the Mayor's Commission on Substance Abuse.

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