In former Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s last speech he stated that “the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”
The Bible states that “Faith without works is dead,” a fitting description for so many ministers and churches today, hiding behind ornate stained glass windows from Monday through Saturday, only to resurface on Sunday morning (collection plate in hand), wondering why church attendance in America is at an all-time low.
That’s not the case with the Rev. Herman L. Watson, pastor of the Mount Sinai Baptist Church, in East St. Louis, which recently broke ground on the $9.5 million Sinai Village II.
Thirty homes will be constructed (seven two-bedroom, 18 three-bedroom and five four-bedroom) utilizing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, providing decent and affordable housing to East St. Louis residents and giving a facelift to a community which was largely an eyesore.
Its forerunner, the successful Sinai Village, was an $8 million development of 30 single-family home for families making 60 percent of median income.
The Sinai Family Life Center provides after-school tutoring for youth as well as a summer enrichment program for youth and a Wednesday night teen program.
Senior citizens also are provided with a Wednesday day program, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering seminars and other activities for the elderly.
It’s a holistic approach to a monumental problem in East St. Louis, serving “the least of these,” which is what the church should be about in the first place.
Rev. Watson is to be commended for leading by example and serving as a catalyst and a beacon of light for his colleagues in the ministry.
Forget the dismissive talk by the “haters” who take issue with the tax credits given to private investors in exchange for their reinvestment in economically challenged communities.
As some of my street-savvy friends would say, “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” Rev. Watson is merely taking full advantage of a pre-existing government program and utilizing it for the elevation of his community.
We need more of that initiative and practical application of scripture by the African-American church to serve those who are, oftentimes, in the most pain.
The African-American church also needs less luxury car-driving, designer suit- and alligator shoe-wearing preachers. We need more clergy who are called to serve those who are disenfranchised.
Thanks to Rev. Watson for combining faith plus work in serving his flock and leading the E. St. Louis community in a positive direction.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
