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April 14, 1999
PageB3
(Tljtf ÿtorUanô (Obeeruer
Church Boy
The Life Story of Gospel Music Sensation Kirk Franklin
Him as a young
e has three platinum albums
adult. As a re­
to his credit and his face
sult, there are
recognized by millions, but
no holds barred
he wasn’t bom to a privileged family
w hen
K irk
o f entertainers. Surprisingly, this
c h a lle n g e s
music sensation, who is now worth
today’s young
millions to his record label, was raised
people to reject
m near-poverty and never even gradu­
a life o f sex and
ated from high school. And now, for
rebellion to fol­
the first time, millions o f fans can
low after God
read Kirk’s entire rags-to-riches story
w ith
p u re
in the pages o f Church Boy, his auto­
h e a rts .
H is
biography from Word Publishing.
m e ssa g e w ill
Complete with photos and never-
inspire young
before stories, Church Boy is the
people ev ery ­
only a u th o riz e d sto ry o f K irk
w here to con­
Franklin’s life and music. Within its
sider how they
pages, Church Boy reveals how mu­
s h o u ld
liv e
sic shaped the life o f this award­
their
lives.
winning songwriter, performer and
Readers will
producer. And it reveals how God
d
isc
o v e r how
was always nearby-from the poorest
gosp
el m usic
streets o f Ft. Worth, Texas, to the
g
reat
M ilton
cavernous performance halls o f this
Bigham helped
country. Gospel and R&B music
introduce Kirk
fans, young people and aspiring mu­
to the G ospel
sicians will be inspired by Kirk
M usic W o rk ­
Franklin’s remarkable story.
sh o p s
of
K irk’s trademark energy and hu­
America where
mor come through in every chapter
he become a fa­
o f his story, but also do the sad de­
vorite o f mass
tails o f his early years o f poverty and
choirs around
heartache. A musical prodigy, his
die country. And
elderly adopted mother collected and
they’ll see how
sold aluminum cans to pay for Kirk ’ s
K irk ’s form a­
piano lessons. He was teased be­
tion o f a group
cause o f his talent, nicknam ed
c
a lle d
“ The
“Church Boy” because he was the
F
a
m
i
ly ”
choir director o f his church at age
ch
an
g
ed
the
eleven, and was regularly beat up on
the church grounds. So Kirk had to course o f his life-their first recording
find other means o f being accepted went platinum. Church Boy recounts
by his peers; means that always in­ the media blitz and financial success
clude girls, trouble, and the “coolest" that followed all three o f their record­
ings. And it also details his recording
group o f friends he could find.
With brutal honesty, Church Boy project with God’s property which,
describes how Kirk rebelled against has gone double platinum and estab-
H
lished him as a master o f R&B and
hip-hop as well as gospel.
Church Boy also shares p er­
sonal details such as the story o f
m eeting his w ife Tam m y and the
truth about his infam ous fall from
a darkened M em phis stage, w hich
could have ended
his career. Kirk
talks openly and
warmly about his
love for his ch il­
dren, his debut to
h is
d eceased
m other, and his
a p p re c ia tio n o f
friends who keep
him accountable.
K
i r k
F ranklin’s other
m ajor release is
an album entitled
“The Nu N ation
P r o j e c t ”
(G o sp o C en tric),
w h ich fe a tu re s
U 2 ’s B o n o , R.
K elly , M ary J.
Blige, The Fam ­
ily a n d m o re .
“The N u N ation
Project” won the
C o n te m p o r a r y
Soul G ospel A l­
bum o f the Y ear
at the 1999 41«
annual G ram m y
Awards.
Kirk Franklin
has been honored
w ith d o z e n s o f
awards including
G ram m y’s, Soul
Train awards, Stel­
lar awards. Image
aw ards,
D ove
awards, and Excel-
lence awards. His three platinum
albums have sold more than 5.6 mil­
lion copies in six years, and such
celebrated artists as Whitney Hous­
ton have recorded his songs. Kirk
and his wife Tammy reside near Dal-
las-Ft. Worth with their children.
God in his youth and returned to
High School Bible Club Commemorates
Christian Heritage Month And
Celebrates Sixth Year of Existence
Im age C h an g ers, an official
chartered club at Thom as Jefferson
high School, Portland, O regon is
celebrating its sixth year. W hat
began in 1993 as an inform al gath­
ering o f 15 students in the school
library quickly grew to over 30
students and now has Bible groups
in m iddle schools?
To celeb rate its sixth year, Im ­
age C hanges is spo n so rin g a third
play for the C om m unity en titled,
“ K eep It R eal” . T his dram atic
m usical is w ritten and directed by
1996 R o se F e s tiv a l P rin c e s s
Renee W atson, also a Jefferson
graduate. The p ro d u ctio n w ill
ta k e p la c e at the end o f the
school’s events held in com m em o­
r a tio n o f C h r is tia n H e rita g e
M onth, A pril 1999.
The schedule o f events held on
campus is as follows:
Monday, April 19 Gospel Music
Showcase (rap, hymns & contempo­
rary songs)
Tuesday, April 20 Christian Lit­
erature (poetry, monologues)
Wednesday, April 21 Dramatic
Expressions (dance, mime)
Thursday, April 22 Official Kick
O ff KEEP IT REAL, PLAY @ JHS,
7:00 PM
Friday, April 23 Image Changers
Reception
The purpose o f Image C hang­
ers is to positively change the im ­
age o f inner-city youth as w ell as
across the nation through prom o­
tion o f biblical values. The club is
d e d ic a te d to eq u ip p in g young
people to be respectful and re ­
sponsible in academ ics and social
relationships.
D uring its six y ears Im age
C h a n g e r s h a s e x p a n d e d to
afterschool program s at the high
school and m iddle school levels.
Tw o branchesclub are at the g e n ­
der-specific groups. M en o fV a lo r
a n d W o m e n o f E x c e lle n c e .
Jesus Comes to Oregon
Seminar Emphasizes Community Outreach
Using Jesus Video
A rea pastors, church leaders
and local citizens interested in
spreading the hope o f the Gospel
through an easy, im pactful pro­
gram, are invited to attend an all-
day sem inar on Friday, A pril 23,
at the Double Tree H otel Portland
in Portland, Oregon.
This one-day Leadership B rief­
ing, sponsored by Jesus Video
Project, offers attendees the op­
portunity to coordinate a highly
effective outreach distributing the
Jesus video, a full-feature movie
depicting the life, teachings and
m essage o f Jesus C hrist. R egistra­
tion begins at 7 a m. The inform a­
tion-packed conference presents
speakers, workshops and handouts
for promoting community outreach
using the video. C ost is $20 and
includes continental breakfast and
lunch The D ouble T ree H otel
Portland is located at Lloyd C en­
ter, 1000 NE M ultnom ah Street.
M ultnom ah Street. For directions,
call the hotel at (503) 281-611 1.
“W e’re bringing the Leadership
Briefing to Oregon to o ile r local
church organizations the training
and support to make a successful
m inistry outreach, said Pam ela
Dumas, conference coordinator.
“ W e ’ll sh a re e x c itin g w a y s
churches have team ed up to use
the video, and offer the resources
and encouragem ent to make the
JESUS video available to the local
com m unity."
By w orking w ith church o rg a ­
n iz a tio n s and v o lu n te e rs, the
Jesus V ideo P roject aim s to give
the g ift o f a Jesus video to each
hom e in A m erica. Since 1992,
m ore than 5 m illion hom es in
A m erica have receiv ed a video
through this program .
“ I t’s a com pletely no p re s­
s u re ' approach to sh arin g the
G ospel and is an ideal tool for
both sm all and large ch u rch es,”
notes L loyd O lson, directo r o f
the Jesus V ideo Project. “ W e’ve
found that people are very recep ­
tive to receiving the video and
view ing it in the convenience and
privacy o f th eir ow n hom es.”
To reg ister for the L eadership
B riefing in P ortland, or for more
inform ation about the Jesus Video
Project, call (toll free), 888-Jesus-
36. A dditional L eadership B rief­
ings scheduled throughout 1999
will be offered in C alifornia and
New York.
Based in A rrow head Springs,
CA, the Jesus V ideo Project is a
m inistry o f Cam pus C rusade for
Christ. Since the p ro je c t’s incep­
tion in 1992, m ore than 8,500
churches have offered the Jesus
video as part o f their com m unity
outreach efforts.
C lasses for 8,h graders are con­
ducted to assist w ith the tran si­
tion from m iddle school to high
school. The clubalso sponsored
tw o p lay s and h o lds seasonal
clothing drives.
Tell them you read it in
Brother Waverly Davis
Funeral services were held at
Maranatha Church o f God in Port­
land for Waverly Lyn Davis, on April
8th, 1999, who was called home April
3rd at the age o f 59.
Mr. Davis was bom December
26, 1939 in Halifax North Carolina.
During the late 1950’s Mr. Davis
came to Seattle, Washington from
New York, where he played basket­
ball at Power Memonal High S chool,
under a scholarship to play basket­
ball at Seattle University he gradu­
ated from college in 1967. Mr. Davis
moved to Portland in 1973. He was
first employed at O.L.C.C. in 1974.
In 1976 Mr. Davis was employed,
with Lederle Laboratories a pharma­
ceutical firm, for years. Mr. Davis
coached basketball at M arkham
Middle School where his oldest son
played, also during that time in 1983
Mr. Davis was appointed to the Port­
land Rose Festival Association as a
member ofthe BoardofDirectors. In
1990 Mr. Davis formed the very first
African American Festival in Port­
land, Oregon. Mr. Davis became a.
member o f the Fellowship Baptist
Church. Mr Davis was first married
to Alice Samples and later remarried
Sheila E. Davis.
Survivors include his wife; son’s,
Kalauu Davis ofTigard, Malik Davis
o f Seattle, W ashington and Karim
Davis ofTigard.
Burial was at Skyline Cemetary.
The family suggests remembrances
to the Portland Rose Festival Asso­
ciation. Funeral Arrangements by
Van and Van Funeral home.
In Loving Memory o f Carrie Can-
non. Sunrise January 9,1914 Sunset
March 29, 1999.
C arrie C annon was born in
Lagrange, Texas, on January 9 1914
to Henry McGuffery and Louise
Palmer who have preceded her in
death. Her daughter, Delois Aycox,
and sister, Margie Boyd, have also
preceded her in death.
C am e accepted Christ at an early
age. She moved to Los Angeles, Cali­
fornia in 1935. She later moved to
Portland, Oregon in 1939. She met
and married Robert Cannon in 1951.
Carrie united with Vancouver
A venueFirstBaptistChurchin 1949.
She was a very devoted, active, and
loyal supporter in several church
functions and auxiliaries. Carrie
served in the following capacities:
Mission Board member. Sunday
School teacher, Superintendent of
the Jr. Sunday School Department.
U sher B oard m em ber, C hurch
Greeter/Announcer, Local/State/Na-
tional Usher to the National Baptist
Convention o f America, President of
the Elizabeth Circle Mission, Secre­
tary/Treasurer o f Portland Sunday
School-BTU Congress.
C arrie was a m em ber/board
member o f several other organiza­
tions: the Eastern Star Lodge - O r­
egon Jurisdiction, M artin Luther
King, Jr. Facility board member,
past President o f the Oregon A sso­
ciation o f Colored W om en's Club,
“ Keep Christ in Christm as” mem ­
ber, Church W omen United mem ­
ber and Local/State/ National Se­
nior W om en’s Secretary.
Her memory will forever be cher­
ished by her loving and devoted hus­
band, Robert Cannon, 3 children:
Iris C. Aycox, from Los Angeles,
Donald Aycox, o f Seattle, Washing­
ton, and Melvin Cannon o f Vallejo,
California, 12 grandchildren, 10 great
grandchildren, 6 great great grand­
children, a host o f nieces, nephews,
cousins, many other family connec­
tions, and close friends.
In Loving M em ory o f Floyd
Purcell Patterson bom 10-20-21
died 04-07-99. Floyd Patterson
was born in D isputanta, VA. He
retired from the U.S. Army in 1973
w ith an honorable discharge after
22 years o f service. He enjoyed
family and gave lots o f love. Sur­
vivors o f Floyd Patterson Helen E.
P atterso n w ife, P o rtla n d , O R;
Juanita Patterson daughter, Peters­
burg, VA; Tyrone Patterson son,
P o rtla n d
O re g o n ;
P a tr ic ia
Patterson daughter; Portland, O r­
egon; Floyd Patterson son, Yuba
C ity, California; Larry Patterson
son, Portland. Oregon; Jacqueline
M cD onald P atterso n dau g h ter,
P o rtla n d , O re g o n , Ja c q u e lin e
Patterson daughter, Portland, O r­
egon; E lizabeth T u ck er siste r,
Buffalo, New York; 28 grandchil­
dren and 4 great grandchildren.
A GOSPEL REVIVAL MEETING
MAY l “- i ,k a t 7:00 PM
Let Jesus Christ be your target fo r the new Millennium.'
A gospel meeting will be held at the Mallory Avenue Church of Christ where you
can he-e-ear! About A Vision For The Church As It Grows Into The Next Millennium.
Where? M allory Avenue Church o f Christ: 3908 NE Mallory- Av.: Portland, OP
Our phone Slumber is (503) 288-1092. Call, and ask your question Tuesday Thru Friday
from 9AM to 12 Noon. Bro James Morrison. Minister
W A N T E D
KEYBO ARD PLAYER
Spirit filled & proficient in Gospel Music.
Able to teach as well as play
Full-Time Position with New Church in the area.
Call Sharlen at (503) 5 1 9 -1 3 7 9 or (503) 80 7-4 196
We encourage participation in the
National Black Evangelical Association
36th Annual Convention
Portland, Oregon, April 22 - 25. 1999
‘Redeeming and Restonng the City”
Embassy Suites, Portland Airport
For more information 288-8550
North Portland Bible College
4905 N Vancouver Ave . Portland, OR 97212, (503) 288-2919
in harmony with the NBEA theme, we are
making Hibhcal training affordable in the inner i ity
encouraging ( 'hrist-centered outreach
committed to an evangelical Statement o f l aiih
offering an urban ministry education associate degree
modeling interracial, interdenominational unity
Dr Otis F Brown, President
Edward Kent, Chairman o f the Board