Learning by Doing

Robert Moses leads young people at the youth revival he organized at South Tryon. The revival gave youth from both churches a chance to pray and sing together over five nights in July.

At Myers Park, Ben Alexander learned the roles and ministries of 30-some staff members. He made home visits with the parish nurse, attended finance committee meetings, and learned the behind-the-scenes details of planning a worship service.

Because he may one day work at a small church where he will have to do maintenance in addition to pastoral work, he asked to work on the custodial staff for a few days-even wearing the blue uniform.

James Howell was struck by the request, which Alexander made quietly.

“That perfectly mirrors everything Christianity is all about,” Howell says. “If Jesus came to work here, where would he go? Would he sit in my office making commands and sending out e-mails? He would put on the uniform of the custodial staff.”

Alexander, who is 29, had worked in the non-profit sector before his call to ministry.

“Last summer was very confirming for me,” says the Chapel Hill native. “In divinity school, you spend so much time talking about the theories behind things. I had never truly practiced ministry before.”

Moses says the internship in Charlotte taught him about leading a small church. As Rivens’ right hand, he assumed the role of assistant pastor. A native of Ghana, Moses came to this country in 2001 as a high school exchange student. He became active in his host family’s church in Detroit and soon discovered he had a gift for preaching.

The greatest gift Moses brought to South Tryon, says Charlie Rivens, was attracting more youth. With a handful of teen church members, Moses canvassed neighboring housing projects, inviting teens to participate.

“We went from a virtually dead program to having 20 to 30 teens,” Rivens says. Especially popular was a Friday-night program Moses organized called “Souled Out,” which offered South Tryon youth an opportunity to visit the Myers Park church campus to play basketball or watch a movie.

“Robert was consistent, and you have to be consistent in a marginalized community where kids have had so many disappointments,” says Rivens.

“Most people say they’re going to do something, but they don’t follow through,” says Keyera Jackson, 17. “He made us come out more.”

Isheme Gause, 13, says the youth revival Moses led changed her life. “Robert is not like most preachers,” she says. “He brings in examples that kids like us can relate to.”

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