Friday, November 16, 2007

Dallas pastor recruits 100+ black men for mentoring program

By J. Kyle Perry

When Dr. David E. Martin, senior pastor of Gospel Tabernacle in Southeast Dallas decided to launch an on-site initiative, a mentoring program entitled “Men with a Cause,” he recruited 100 of his male parishioners and volunteers representing affiliate churches to participate.

Adhering to the request to dress in suits for the entire day while mentoring elementary school student, more than 100 men who were screened by Dallas Independent School District volunteered to mentor the 795 students at Frederick Douglass Elementary in Pleasant Grove.

“I wanted to be to provide access to the students about the opportunities and even the inform them of the challenges I have had to endure,” Elder Edward Rodgers, entrepreneur and coordinator of Men with a Cause said.

As students, parents, the 54 faculty and staff arrived on campus at 7:15 a.m., they were greeted by the “Men with a Cause.”

Throughout the day the men were on campus serving as mentors and providing support to the faculty, staff and student body in various capacities.

When Dr. Martin made the decision to adopt schools in their community, he considered one of the most effective ways to aid the schools was to do more than just talk, but to put their words into action.

“We are tailoring this day to serve the needs of our children and provide support to those

individuals responsible for their daily influences,” Dr. Martin said. “We are here to assure these children, we are here to support them. This is not just a one day occasion.”

Dr. Martin, accompanied by an investment manager, a record label expert, pharmacist, a police detective, a custom tie designer, a legislative aide representing State Senator Royce West, DISD Board Trustee Ron Price, and others, says the time spent with the students in the classroom is the ideal opportunity to begin instilling values in the children.

“We wanted to demonstrate to our young men and young women the caliber of excellence they all are capable of attaining,” Dr. Martin said.

Dr. Martin, a husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, lecturer, philanthropist is a man who has earned and maintained the reputation of applying his talents to boldly impact the lives of those he serves.

The Dallas native has a proven track record of being the consummate philanthropist, committed to educating on the benefits of giving and the importance of serving with a spirit of excellence.

In fact, Dr. Martin is currently executing a campaign called Each One, Win One--one of the church’s evangelistic outreach efforts, which is a reflective pattern of the “Men with a Cause.”

“It is our responsibility to share those things we have been equipped with by God, and make them visible options; lights of guidance, direction and choices to the now generation,” Dr. Martin said.

When word began to spread about, Dr. Martin’s initiative, Atlantic Records (Special Ops Division) decided to provide breakfast from Starbuck’s Coffee in Duncanville, while The Silent Partner and Dr Pepper provided additional refreshments for the men throughout the day.

Dr. Martin, who serves as the presiding Bishop of the Rhema Conference, recently celebrated 29 years of ministry and 18 years of pastoral service and has been promoting his compelling non-fiction literary work Late Bloomer.

His next book signing is scheduled to be held Saturday, December 8, 2007, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Starbucks Coffee II, in NorthPark Mall in Dallas.

For more information about Gospel Tabernacle, please visit www.davidemartin.org.

Pegasus News content partner - The Dallas Weekly

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