Page 6-A Sunday, January 3, 2010

Catalyst for Change Church making a difference

Stephanie Guerilus Tribune Staff Writer Catalyst for Change Church has been living up to the true meaning of its name in the year that it first came into existence. The place of worship, thought of by its pastor, the Rev. Keon A. Gerow, has been changing hearts and changing lives. ?We actually started the church Sept. 8, 2008 with the idea of attracting and maintaining individuals who, what we called ?unchurched.? And what we mean by that is individuals who, A, may have gone to church when they were younger but for whatever reasons, when they got older, they decided to stop going to church,? Gerow said. ?Or B, those who have no experience with the church culture at all and so our modus operandi, if you will, centers around really being able to have a loving atmosphere and an atmosphere that is nonjudgmental and an atmosphere where anybody, regardless of your experience with church, can come and really feel accepted and loved.? Gerow called the first year of ministering his own church phenomenal. He cited Catalyst?s growth, financial stability, holding three economic workshops and partnering with such community organizations as Oultey House and domestic abuse centers. Through it all, the 29-year-old has held his 150 and growing membership steady even though they do not yet have their own building. He cited the New Testaments, which chronicled how Christians moved from house to house. He and his flock are more concerned with building a body of believers who have been impressed by the maturity someone his age has displayed. ?I?ve never thought about my age. I don?t think about it until somebody brings it up and sometimes I really forget how old I am. I think if you look at the bible, God is much more concerned with availability than he is ability and God said if you

Catalyst for Change Church

3801 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19102 (215) 382- 8222 Service: 10 a.m. Pastor Keon A. Gerow www.achangeiscoming.org can make yourself available to be used by me, then I will bless you with the ability to be effective in what I?m calling you to do,? he said. ?So I?m not concerned abut my age because I?ve come to realize, particularly pasturing, that it?s one thing to be young and make mistakes, but it?s another thing to be old and make mistakes. There?s nothing like an old fool. So, I?m not concerned about age. I?m concerned about stage and maturity in my life.? The fact that Gerow, referred to as Pastor G, does not fit the prototype has made him an even more of a leader to the faithful. ?His strength is communicating with the people,? Mark Pittman, armor bearer, said. ?He is truly a man of God that wants to do the will of God and walking in the path that God wants him to be,? Candice Lespoir, church administrator, said. Naturally, the mutual love and respect shown to Gerow is spread across the congregation. ?Love ? it is pure love there. It?s a very unique church, a special kind of church because the people there are actually really warm. They really are,? Pat Clark, director of congregational care, said. ?From the pulpit to the back door, it?s a warm church, it?s a loving church. They really do care. They really do care for each other. If one is sick or unable, everybody is willing to jump in.? Leslie Tyler, director of hospitality, agreed. ?I think the interactions among the congregation, it?s a loving and spirited people there,? she said. Chrystal Pittman, director of finance, explained what being a part of this devoted fellowship has meant to her. Members and visitors of Catalyst for Change Church on 38th and Market Street participate in Sunday morning services. ? SHIRA YUDKOFF/TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPHER Members and visitors of Catalyst for Change Church pray during Sunday morning services. The church?s motto is, ?Changing Hearts. Changing Minds.? ? SHIRA YUDKOFF/TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPHER Pastor Keon Gerow preaches during Sunday morning services. Gerow has been leading Catalyst for Change Church since September of 2008. ? SHIRA YUDKOFF/TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPHER

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?It?s very impactful,? she said. ?The main thing that I?ve learned since I?ve been attending catalyst for change is the opportunity to be able to worship and praise God freely, no time limit. If I want to worship and praise God, I can do that without any time restraints and just be having an opportunity to fellowship with other people, other Christians who sometimes are tired of regular church like the long hours.? Gerow said that he and his board had completed a five-year business plan. The main objective was quite simple to him. ?I really see us being extremely connected to the community. I see us having a major presence in the community,? he said. Erica Harrison, of Mount Airy, prays during Sunday morning service at Catalyst for Change Church. ? SHIRA YUDKOFF/TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPHER Evangelist Francina Latimore excites churchgoers at Sunday morning service at Catalyst for Change Church on 38th and Market streets. ? SHIRA YUDKOFF/TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPHER Members and visitors of Catalyst for Change Church link hands together during Sunday morning services. ? SHIRA YUDKOFF/TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPHER

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