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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1992)
k# •* % 1 Page 4.. 1 he P o rtla n d O bserver . A p ril 1, 1992 I-Z A Y A Youthful Ambassadors For The Lord! R A IS IN S DOLE SEEDLESS by Mattie Ann Callier-Spears W hile they were busily setting up equipm ent and getting ready for an other one of their many performances, the group “ I-ZA Y A ” paused for a very informative interview. After looking at the spelling o f the group's name, 1 wondered “W ho or what is an I-Zaya?" 1 discovered that in January of 1988, at James Madison High School, the angelic harmonies of three (of the current seven) young men were overheard by one o f the schools’ staff members. Although the young men had only sung together in the halls at the school or while riding in a car for fun, the staff member immediately recog nized the God-given talent of these three friends and their potential for success as a contemporary gospel group. The three young men were asked to share their harmonious abilities in trib ute to the late Rev. Dr. Marlin Luther king, Jr. during a school’s assembly. After agreeing, the group gave a perfor mance that will forever live in the hearts and minds o f everyone assembled for the occasion. Following their debut performance, invitations began pouring in. Tim H arper, Craig W arren and Rueben W arren (who has now embarked upon a career o f his own as a well-known comedian) were overw helm ed by the outpouring of opportunities in other states and invitations in and around the state o f Oregon. They had answered the call to m inister in song. They gave heed to the call and form ed “ ISA IA H .” A pproxim ately three m onths later, Marlon Irving becam e a viable part of this ministry. Their vision was expand ing. It is now 1992. The group has grown to seven: Tim Harper, Craig W arren, Brian Sims, Alonzo Lincoln, Jerry H arris, Solom on D avid, and Marlon Irving. The group’s name has now becom e “ I-ZA Y A ” which signi fies that they are the pioneers o f Ghetto Gospel Music in the state o f Oregon. The term “G hetto G ospel” refers to a method o f sending an uncompromised COFFEE FOLGERS REGULAR or DRIP a 9 39 0 2 . CAN EACH KIPPERED SNACKS BEACH CLIFF 4 oz. CAN THE FRIENDLIEST STORES IN TOWN SINCE 1908 SPECIALS EFFECTIVE TUESDAY through SUNDAY M ARCH 31 through APRIL S, 1992 MEMBER OF UNITED GROCERS Progressive Realty, Inc. 317 NE Killingswortli St. 283-4542 Fax 283-2977 Progressive Really is strategically located in inner North/Northcast Portland. We arc your Neighbor hood Realtors, wc live in the neighborhood, we know the real estate market out there. Wc arc professionals equipped widt tools and Agents to serve your neighborhood in both buying and sell ing real estate. Wc contend that it is not necessary for the North/ Northeast neighborhoods to take the neighbor hood out o f the neighborhood for buying and selling Real Estate. There arc other great Real Estate Companies in Portland, but Progressive Realty is located in the neigh borhood and can give you better service. Wc care about our neighborhoods and strive to circulate moneys earned at least two to tlircc limes in the neigh borhood before leaving i t Why not give Progressive Really a chance to handle all your Real Estate ncctls. Call C.F. (C liff) Richardson or any o f the Agents in die company. Z * * » :-¡\J \ X~\ < Back row: Stan Edwards, Asst. Manager; Brian Sims; Alonzo Lincoln; Bonda McCuller, Manager; Jerry Harris Front row: Tim Harper; Marlon Irving; Craig Warren (not pictured, Solomon David). message that Jesus can and will save young boys, young girls, men and w om cnonthcstreets.Inesscnce,G hetto Gospel is gospel from and for the streets. I-Z A Y A claim s that they are “Prophets called by G od.” Vonda McCu Her, the group ’ s m an ager for nine months and also the group’s “Spiritual M om,” stated that she has watched the group grow in size and spirituality. “God has truly blessed these young men and I have been blessed simply by associating with them.” Another young man, Stan Edwards, has been a real source of strength to Mrs. McCuller. W hile she isat work, he takes care o f all the business arrange ments and appointments. I-ZA Y A ’s music attracts the youth of today with a healing and uplifting message. The group’s members write and produce their own unique sound. T IM H A R P E R -(soprano)bom in Portland and graduated from Madison High School in 1988. He majored in music and communication at Mt. Hood and PCC Cascade. He is presently at Cascade with two years remaining be fore he obtains his BA degree in Music. He is one o f two children bom toCheryl Harper. Tim states that he would like to give back to the com m unity, in some way, and continue to work with the youth. He is presently working as the choir director and teaching Sunday School at the Highland United Church of God. M ARLON IR V IN G -(tenor)bom in P o rtla n d and g ra d u a te d from Jefferson. Currently enrolled in Port land Suite University as a Business Administration major. He plans to be gin his own record company. He is one o f five children bom to REv. Samuel and Ella Irving. Rev. Irving is the senior pastor of AlbinaChurch of God. Marlon /~ \ is one o f the original group members. He states that he is involved with the group because of the impact the group has on the youth o f the com m unity. "W ithout the music, I-ZA Y A ’s m inis try is not that effective. W e’re attem pt ing to be accepted as a pure gospel group like: A lbertina W alker, Thomas Dorsey and such. Just as direct and straight forward as they w ere.” C R A IG W A R R E N -(alto ) gradu ate o f Madison High School and now a student majoring in Business A dm inis tration and Com puter Data at Portland Com m unity College/Cascadc. He was inspired by such groups as Com m is sioned, the W inans, D eliverance and others. He is one o f three children. His fam ily m em bers attend M aranatha Church w here he has served as a teacher in C hildren’s Church. He sees I-ZAYA as a successful business venture as well as a very powerful ministry. He says that, within the group, there are those who w ant to produce and one day we may have our own record com pany. I- ZAYA is geared toward youth using drugs, having babies and living on the streets. They need to hear the gospel. It concerns him very much. The one m es sage he would like to send out to the community o f youth is “ If you are going through something hard, try Je su s.” A L O N Z O L IN C O L N --(d ru m - mer/back-up vocal) graduate o f M adi son High School and one o f two chil dren bom to Brenda and Donald L in coln. He states that he first wanted to play a positive part in a male bonding group and develop his talent on the drums. He has performed in several groups, such as: Disciples II Choir, Zack & Tracy Clay-H arris and differ ent church music workshops around the community. He says that the group has been ordained by God.*He will never forget the group’s perform ance at the Apollo. They sang “Children o f the L ight” and won in two c a te g o rie s- performance and stage appearance. His message to the youth is: “ Strive for something positive in your life and give Continued on page 6 /■ \ Z~\ * a ,r r I a a a I i p i f ■q-.. n ' \ t i e t J r r ,z1 j ¡ 5 r J > * V V •• S-. 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