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Mount Zion Baptist Church is at war

A CHURCH AT WAR — The Rev. Jermaine Moore, pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church on Seventh Street in Steubenville, addressed Vacation Bible School attendees Monday morning about the war against gangs, drugs and prostitution. -- Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE — The Rev. Jermaine Moore didn’t mince words Monday morning when he welcomed the Vacation Bible School students to Mount Zion Baptist Church.

“Repeat after me. We are at war,” Moore encouraged the youth.

“We are going to have a good week. We want to be positive and good. We want to do a lot of good and get rid of the bad,” Moore continued in his welcoming remarks.

“We are at war with several different groups, including gangs, drug activity in the city and the prostitution problem that is ridiculous. I came here from Jacksonville and it is worse here, especially across the street from our church. Kids are getting caught up in drugs and gangs. That is why we need to step up as a church and look for the spiritual standpoint in our neighbors. Kids want to be popular in a gang,” Moore told the Herald-Star.

“When I say war I mean we need to bring a more positive light to our community. We are here to serve all classes in the community. Talk is cheap. I am an action type of guy and I am blessed to have a great group of people in our church who have rallied around this position,” explained Moore.

The “We are at War” theme is evident in the church hall, where camouflage netting hangs from the ceiling, and in the church, where the pulpit is draped in camouflage.

“We have to come together as a people and pursue other alternatives other than jail. We have to come together so kids in our Vacation Bible School can hear the gospel message in a positive way and give them some hope,” said Moore.

The Mount Zion Baptist Church Vacation Bible School will conclude at 11 a.m. Friday with a graduation ceremony.

“There will be a panel discussion at 2 p.m. Friday in the church that will include Melinda Young of the Steubenville City Schools; civil rights leader Royal Mayo; Kenny Jett; Steubenville 6th Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna; civil rights leader Delores Wiggins; Charles Daniels; and Steubenville High School football coach Reno Saccoccia,” said Moore.

“The panel will discuss economic diversity in local jobs, racial tensions in the city, the family setting in the city and the co-existence of the city and the church,” noted Moore.

“We will continue at 3:30 p.m. Friday with free resume preparation in conjunction with Eastern Gateway Community College and free hair cuts starting at 3:30 p.m. We want to help our young people to look good and be prepared for job interviews. We will conclude with a ‘night glo’ party with a DJ starting at midnight,” remarked Moore.

“And then from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday we will hold a job fair. And from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. we will be giving away bookbags and school supplies,” added Moore.

Moore said the theme will continue through the remainder of the year during women’s conferences, men’s conferences and a music conference.

“This is very important for our church and our community. We must come together to stop the gangs, the drug activity and the prostitution in our community. And we must work together to be successful,” stated Moore.

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