make an honest living or what it looks like to be a Christian man,” Eric says. “I’m trying to show him how to do that.”
Anthony is now part of a local church and has be- come a person of peace within the gang community. He continues to use his infl uence to teach Biblical principles to other gang members.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Until three years ago Eric operated pretty much on
his own. He would go out on the streets by himself or with a partner, just sharing because that’s what he knew God was calling him to do. Then he met the minister of missions from Germantown Baptist Church, a large Anglo congregation in suburban Memphis. “They wanted to do something to reach the city,” Eric says. “But they knew there was a color barrier there so they asked if they could assist me in what I was doing.” Eric was skeptical at fi rst. “I thought, ‘how is a white church from the suburbs going to assist me out here on the streets.’”
Considering the racially tense atmosphere of
inner city Memphis, Eric wasn’t sure if volunteers from Germantown would be a help or a hindrance or even if the church would stick it out. But they did, and Eric has found the partnership opens more doors than it closes. “If people see my face at the door, even in a black
neighborhood, it makes them nervous,” he says. “But if they see an Anglo face, or an Asian or Hispanic face it brings down their defenses and they’ll open the door. Once we’re invited in I can relate to them. I can speak within the context of their lives in the inner city—then they open up to Jesus. It’s been such a blessing to see God work through this partnership,” he says. “Not everybody can share the way I do, but God has gifted us all uniquely. I love to see people’s gifts develop as they’re willing to get out of their comfort zones to share the Gospel.”
A LIFE UNHINDERED
Living outside his comfort zone is what it’s all about for Eric. “I don’t want to put the Holy Spirit in a box,” he says. “God gets the glory for every lost soul that’s found out here. If the Lord opens a door all I do is walk through.”
Eric will meet people wherever they are and see
them through until they are mature enough in their faith to stand on their own.
“I get down a lot of times,” he says. “It’s not easy
for me out here. I remember where I came from and how easy it would be to slip back into that life. It’s intimacy with Christ that allows me to be intentional, passionate, bold and unhindered in min- istry. I have to prepare daily through prayer and Bible study to go to war against the enemy. I’m fi ghting— no holds barred—for souls in this city.” OM
Jami Becher is editorial assistant for On Mission.
LEFT: NAMB missionary Eric Watkins visits with Tommy “Bubba” Cochran (middle) and Terrell “Ren” Woods (right). Eric is teaching them about the hope found in a relationship with Jesus Christ while leading them through a devotional series. Eric leads several Bible studies like this in the notorious Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. BELOW: Eric Watkins meets up with a team from Germantown Baptist Church as they prepare to prayerwalk and visit residents of Binghampton. BOTTOM: Watkins (left) talks with Telly Handy (right) in front of her home in Binghampton. He gives her some information about Binghampton Community Church. Eric hopes to develop long-term relationships with the residents of Binghampton.
PHOTOS BY JUSTIN VENEMAN
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 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40