Pubdate: Mon, 31 Dec 2007
Source: Bridgeton News (NJ)
Copyright: 2007 Bridgeton News
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/bridgeton/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4213
Author: Jason Laday

FINDING A WAY TO YOUTH

MILLVILLE -- You could hear it from a block away.

The sound of about 100 parishioners clapping, dancing and singing in 
the new year emanated from In His Presence Worship Center, on East 
Broad Street, Saturday night as the church's yearly Pre-New Years 
Celebration sought to welcome 2008 on a positive note.

Another goal of the holiday celebration, according to Deacon George 
Jamison, was to help keep people -- especially young people -- "off 
the streets.

"We're trying to save as many souls as we can, trying to stop all the 
drug dealers and drug addicts and robberies we see in our community," 
said Jamison, who serves as president of deacons at In His Presence. 
"The more people we get in here, the less are out on the street."

Outside the church, Vice President of Deacons James Harden could be 
seen greeting people as they passed, encouraging them to join the service.

"We have to do this. We have to make sure that the youth don't get 
lost in the street," said Harden. "If we don't get to them, you know 
someone else will."

Beginning at 6 p.m. and running for more than 3 hours, the church 
service included two guest preachers -- 33-year-old twin brothers 
Derrick and Darrell Etienne -- as well as the Fresh Oil and the 
Young, Restless and Redeemed Workshop Youth choirs.

Parishioners raised their hands in the air, sang and stomped their 
feet as the church's Pastor David Ennis spoke, backed by keyboards 
and drums, of the past year and what the next could be.

"We are standing on the brink of a new year, and some of us have been 
through some real hell this year," said Ennis from his podium. "We 
have to ask ourselves, and one another, for this coming year, What 
you gonna do?'"

According to Ennis, part of the problem facing Millville is the lack 
of alternative activities for young people that prevent them from 
falling into gangs.

"I have been recently working with the city and (Cumberland) county 
governments to bring those activities to our young people," he said 
after his sermon inside the church. "It can't be just the churches 
and the non-profits working to help these kids. We all have to become 
stakeholders.

"And maybe it will take something unprecedented. Maybe $1 million 
will have to be spent -- on a center for kids who might be future gang members.

Ennis, who said he has just acquired 10 acres of land in Millville, 
says the largest hurdle has been the lack of a facility and funding.

"I've always appreciated the State of New Jersey for being able to 
find money, even in times of uncertainty," said Ennis. "At a time 
when they say grants are scarce, it's still important that we try to 
get the city, county and state governments together on this issue.

"Like I said, we all have to become stakeholders. We at the churches 
and other non-profits can only do and volunteer so much."

Ennis says possible activities for Millville youth may include 
tutoring services, mentoring and "fostering a relationship with those 
children that have fallen out of society," who have lost their 
parents and may be angry at the world.

The next planned event for the church is scheduled for New Year's 
Eve, when 600 are expected to show up at In His Presence for another 
celebration, according to Ennis.

"The people here want to celebrate Jesus and bring in the new year," 
he said. "We're just giving them what they want." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake