Facing "Black Genocide" is Pastor's Challenge to The African American Community
By Ernest L. Ohlhoff
"African Americans make up 12% of the population and have 35% of the total number of abortions."
Whether speaking at right to life conventions, on his regular radio show, or in press interviews, Pastor Clenard Howard Childress continually sounds a wake-up call to all African Americans. His message is simple and direct.
"Black women have the highest rate of abortion. As African Americans we better start asking ourselves why," Pastor Childress preaches.
In presenting his call to abortion awareness and repentance for abortion, Pastor Childress draws a parallel with the tragedy of September 11.
"On the morning of September 11 millions of people went to work secure and comfortable in their daily routines. Then something terrible happened. 3,000 people were suddenly brutally killed in the World Trade Center by unseen and unknown terrorists. In the same way unborn babies are secure and comfortable in their home, their sanctuary - - inside their mother. Then suddenly, without warning abortion deliberately and violently kills nearly 4,000 innocent babies every day," Pastor Childress bemoans.
His message is striking a chord in the conscience of many Americans of all colors. Within the past year, Pastor Childress has received an ever-increasing number of requests to speak at pro-life conventions, church services, radio talk shows, and media interviews.
Most recently he spoke at a Pro-Life Conference of Arkansas Right to Life and was also a keynote speaker at a prayer breakfast in Little Rock.
Feedback from these programs was very positive. Mary Pate, an attendee, said that Rev. Childress' style was thought provoking. His speech was very powerful, direct, and inspiring, she said. He was able to put things into perspective.
Daniel Schroeder, a volunteer for Arkansas Right to Life, said Rev. Childress gave an exciting and terrific speech. He seemed to have his finger on the pulse of the African American community, one of the largest communities that does not usually vote its pro-life values.
Pastor Childress spoke at the National Right to Life Convention in July 2002 in Pittsburgh and works closely with NRLC's Black Americans for Life Outreach Program.
Pastor Childress can be heard on the radio program "Urban Prophet," bringing the pro-life message into urban areas. The program is aired on over five stations to an area that covers 25 million people. He has also appeared on WORTV's (New Jersey) Black Experience hosted by Reggie Wells and been a guest on various radio talk shows.
A native of Montclair, New Jersey, he is pastor of New Calvary Baptist Church. He and wife, Regina, have four children, Clenard, Thomas, Tonya, and Tia.
For further information contact:
Black Americans for Life
512 Tenth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 626 8800, ext. 155