THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 18, 1996 TAG: 9601170146
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
THE MINISTRIES of St. Paul's Reformed Zion Union Apostolic (RZUA) Church reflect the zeal of its pastor, Elder Edward P. Foreman.
At 60, the Norfolk native has an obvious zest for life and a desire to see people know God and live righteous lives. He has served the congregation since 1982 and was a traveling evangelist for 14 years before that.
``We have a very warm and outgoing congregation,'' Foreman said. ``Our worship is very lively and upbeat, with a mix of gospel songs and traditional anthems, accompanied by a worship band.'' Foreman describes his preaching style as evangelistic and topical, emphasizing the practical application of scripture to everyday life.
``I feel we're penetrating our community and even reaching into Norfolk and Portsmouth,'' Foreman said. ``Our greatest witness is people talking to other people. That's what has caused our basic growth.''
Church programs include a music ministry of three choirs directed by Betty Riddick and assisted by organist Andrea Jackson. There are also a missionary department, mothers' board and nurses department; and a tape ministry and nursing home program help members reach beyond the walls of the church.
An outreach ministry seeks the unchurched in the East Suffolk neighborhood surrounding the church.
Five days a week, at noon, a group known as Prayer Warriors gathers at the church for corporate prayer about congregational and community needs. An active youth department meets regularly for special events and leads the worship service the fourth Sunday of each month.
At St. Paul's, education is ``in'' and welfare ``out,'' according to Foreman. ``We believe that the Lord will open doors and give people the incentive to become independent and self-supporting,'' he said.
Foreman encourages his members to work hard to become self-sufficient financially. ``God deals with the whole man,'' Foreman explained. ``He wants us to be viable in all areas of life . . . in society, we should be model citizens and live above the law.''
Foreman encourages his membership to be innovative, to develop new ideas and to become independent. When members have had hard times financially, the church has stepped in to help them get back on their feet without the aid of welfare.
St. Paul's emphasizes education. Several members lead a ``Hooked On Phonics'' workshop for church and neighborhood children. The church has tutored hundreds of children since beginning this ministry in 1987, and the results are notable - ``97 percent of our school-age young people are on the honor roll,'' Foreman reported. ``A number of young people and adults have also participated in this program and have become successful readers.''
A 30-member Theater Guild has taken the ministry of St. Paul's into several neighboring states and into numerous churches in Hampton Roads. With the dramatic presentation, ``I Am Free,'' written by members John Holly and John Marion, St. Paul's Theater Guild has challenged church and civic audiences to seek true freedom in a relationship with Jesus Christ. ``This play deals with many of the things going on in society today and shows how these things can be overcome with Christ,'' Foreman said.
At St. Paul's, he said, ``We've seen people come out of drugs, poverty, homosexuality and other lifestyles to follow Christ.''
Throughout his ministry in Suffolk, Foreman has worked with the Suffolk Ministerial Association and the Ministers' Alliance. Recently, he supported the YMCA City-Wide Prayer Vigil, and he is now working with ``Impact for Jesus,'' a local effort to promote Christian unity and evangelism among the races.
Foreman hopes to see some of the walls between local groups come down. ``If anyone should pull down the walls of segregation and separation, it should be Christians within the churches,'' Foreman said. ``Our doors at St. Paul's are always open to anyone.'' MEMO: Elder Foreman and his wife, Christine, have been married for 40 years.
Christine is involved actively in the church ministries and works at the
Navy's regional medical center in Portsmouth. The Foremans have one
married daughter, who lives in Norfolk. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Edward P. Foreman has served at St. Paul's since 1982.
by CNB