February 22, 2023
Page 7
r eLigioN
Friends to Brothers for Life
The journey of
friendship for Men
of faith
Mere acquaintances to lifelong
brothers. Our parents relocated in the
50’s and early 60’s from Mississip-
pi, New Orleans, Illinois, Georgia,
Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas, estab-
lished roots in Portland Oregon. Bring
together a group of boys with various
levels of knowledge, skills, and abili-
ties. And through competing activities,
“church, school, and sporting events,”
what was once a casual acquaintance
has developed into a perpetual bond of
non-judgmental friendship. Through it
all God has been faithful and by His
grace we’ll celebrate our 50th class re-
union next year.
Life is an untraveled trail with com-
plex twists and turns. Appealing activi-
ties were detours that led us away from
the Lord, and engaging philosophies
Charles Hudson, Quin Davis, Herman Bryant, Michael Donaldson back row: John
Bryant, Eric Mashia, Michael Jones, Darryl Warren, Marcus Irving, Marvin Spires,
Tony Washington
quite often ended in mire of muddled
thinking. At times we’ve journeyed over
rugged terrain and through dark val-
leys. We’ve had some struggles, health
issues, lost some friends and family
along the way and the world seems to
be more chaotic with each passing day.
But God! For you see, we’re all prod-
Love for the
Game and
Community
Your Stories.
Your Opinions.
Your Community.
All in one place.
Continued from Front
transition away from baseball,
he says, shaped him into who
he is today. “It’s a great honor
to join the FOB family in ser-
vice to the mission of enhancing
children’s lives through base-
ball’s power to teach.” Dickson
says, “Raised in a low income
community, I have experienced
first-hand how sports can em-
power kids of all skills and abil-
ities. Providing opportunities
to underserved communities
is what I am most passionate
about. Every insight I’ve shared
with young people is reinforced
in baseball. I look forward to
further developing the programs
and structures that lead to great-
er overall impact and growth of
the organization.” Friends of
Baseball was founded in 2005
by an Oregon father, son, and
Board of Trustees, driven by
their passion to give back to
the community of youth base-
ball and softball that they love.
Now an independent 501(c)(3)
with programs extending across
the state, the FOB team brings
the game and its lessons to kids
and coaches through Full Count
summer camps, scholarships
and equipment, skills clinics,
one-on-one mentoring, team-
based opportunities, and af-
ter-school programming
igal sons of the most- High. He has been
at the helm and allowed the challenges,
stressful situations, and falls to occur.
All in an effort for us to recognize His
hand of guidance and protection. Now
the competing activity is our fellowship
every other Thursday. Our mission, (as
iron sharpens iron); “That we might
walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleas-
ing Him, being fruitful in every good
work, and increasing in the knowledge
of God.” (Colossians 1:10).
We praise Him for His grace and
mercy, which surpasses all understand-
ing. All our hope, confidence and faith
are in Him. We are now the parents and
grandparents. Setting the example for
generations to come. His word says,
“walk worthy toward those that are out-
side redeeming the time.Let your speech
be always with grace seasoned with salt,
that you may know how you ought to
answer every man (Colossians 4:5, 6).
Passing on the mantle, “The Word of
God,” for He is the bread of life.
Brothers for Life
Stackin’ Kickz in Lloyd Center
Embracing Sneaker Culture
Continued from Front right now, and you can see it. It
tion of success. Having a strong
mind is the most important thing,
and once that’s done, there’s
nothing you can’t really do.”
Jefferson said he brings mid-
dle school kids to the store
because that’s the age when a
person starts to define who they
will be.
“I bring them in the store
so they can see the inspiration
about what I’m teaching them,
and how important individual-
ly it has done for me,” he said.
“In the store they can see this
is real. It’s teaching as some-
one doing things in his life
gives me leverage so they can
really understand.
Jefferson came up with the
name Stackin’ Kickz because
when you have a lot of sneakers,
you have to stack them up, just
like poker chips.
Jefferson said his customer
base covers a wide range, from
12 months to 70 years.
“I believe it’s because of all
the aspects of it,” he said. “I’m
not just trying to sell clothes,
but I also support community
events and I want to move ev-
erybody forward. I want people
to find out who they are, the
light they envision.”
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