Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 2413 DECEMBER 2016 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Be Involved in the New Year On a national level, we head into the New Year with new leadership. The same thing locally as outgoing president of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, the Rev. Del Phillips, has a lot to say about what’s going on in this country and moving our community and state forward. “This is a critical time of transition of leadership in our community, locally and across our nation,” explains Phillips. “I just want to remind everyone the important facts as we prepare ourselves to move forward. Before the presidential election – our country was fighting and facing issues of racism and bigotry. We still have those issues in the forefront that we are fighting as a people.” “We’ve been struggling with economics, educa- tion in our communities and across the country. The use of force by police departments locally and across our country. These were pre-existing condi- tions already prevalent before the election of our new president.” Rev. Phillips says too many people feel the elec- tion of Donald Trump will only exacerbate many of the issues minority communities are facing. However, he said there is a Plan B. “The focus should be on what we can do in our own local communities and hold our local lead- ers accountable to the stresses and issues we face every single day. Not allowing racism to divide us as a people, as a commu- nity; learning to work together across cultures and ethnicities as white, black, brown, Native American people come together. This should have hap- pened even before the election.” A big part of Plan B, adds Rev. Phillips is that people need to get involved and become active partici- pants in their community - joining the NAACP, Urban League or as a busi- ness the Black Chamber of Commerce. “There are so many organizations that you can be involved in to help foster a new community in Colorado,” Rev. Phillips expresses. “Not only can we help challenge the issues but make ourselves available in bringing resolution to the issues.” Rev. Phillips reflects back over the past two years that he reigned president of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance. “We stood in alliance with other community groups, fighting issues facing our Sheriff’s Department, our police department in regards to using unnecessary force going back to the Marvin Booker case.” “But I am glad to see the results over the last two years that has presented opportunities for GMDA to reconnect with certain areas of our community. Being that voice and advocate for members of our community.” Rev. Phillips states the ministe- rial alliance’s membership has grown, especially with more female clergy joining the group. Also, he is proud of the ministerial alliance’s ability to reach across cultural boundaries to other churches. “Earlier in October we had a com- munity outreach project that involved several White and Latino clergy, about 100 clergy were involved. So beyond my term as president I will continue to push for moving these relationships forward.” Dr. Terrence Hughes was elected as the new president of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance going into the New Year 2017. Pastor Del Phillips New Coach David Bennett Jr. As the Far Northeast Warriors from Montebello took on the Poudre Impalas on Nov. 30, no one was more excited about the team’s first season game than David Bennett Jr. The new coach for the boys’ basketball team has his hands full in making a good impression on not only the students but the community. “Basketball is what got me working with students,” Bennett said who is a graduate of George Washington High School. He later went on to attend the University of Northern Colorado. Bennett has spent the past 14 years devoted to working with young people and being a coach. He even has a letter he gives to parents about his philosophy of life. “(For the kids) it’s based on structure, discipline, accountability, integrity and hav- ing self-confidence,” he explains. He feels strongly that today’s young black boys lack having any structure or set routines in their lives and he tries to provide them with that. And everyone is excited going into the new basketball season with new uniforms and new attitudes. Bennett isn’t just a basketball coach. He has his hands full as Dean of Students at Farrell B. Howell (FBH School) off Albrook Dr. in northeast Denver. The private school teaches early childhood education with classes up through the 8th grades. David Bennett (pictured left) CHURCH NEWS