Sybrina Fulton Visits Mega Church

Sybrina Fulton, mother of slain teen Trayvon Martin, visited Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, May 20.

Pastor Jamal Bryant, a friend of the late Pastor Zachery Tims declared this day, Woman’s Day. The service was streamed live to viewers in Africa, the Caribbean and the U.K.

The praise dancers livened up the service. They wore orange Silk pant suits, twirled their orange flags while dancing to “You are Amazing God.” The choir dressed in pink and white sang to the crowded congregation.

It was a joyous and celebratory atmosphere. The congregation rose to give Ms. Fulton a standing ovation as she was introduced by Pastor Bryant.  “A woman who’s faith has been under pressure” and “Her pain is our pain” said the Pastor.

Ms. Fulton, looked regal in her silver dress suit and appeared a bit slimmer. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She stood tall and at ease.

Accompanied by her Attorney, Benjamin Crump, she first thanked the Pastor and congregation for having her. It was her first time in Baltimore, Maryland.

With her head held high she said “God is just even when he’s not fair” and quoted Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” as her favorite scripture.

“God is with me, God is in control!” she said with conviction. She closed by saying “Thank you for all your prayers it’s working.”

Crump took to the podium also thanking the Pastor and congregation for having him. He praised the Pastor by saying “Dr. Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant is one of the gifted speakers of our time” and “He has been with us since the beginning.”

Mr. Crump instructed the crowd to chant “I am Trayvon Martin” and we did three times.

He explained that the chanting helps the family heal. They don’t want Trayvon’s death to be in vain.  The family has launched a website, Justice For Trayvon Martin:  http://justicetm.org/

Mr. Crump informed that after watching the video of her son at the 7-11 convenience store, “Sybrina cried all through the night.” She wished she were there to warn her son who was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman.

“Keep tweeting and keep protesting….we have a long journey to justice,” said a confident Crump. The pretrial hearing date is set for August 8, 2012.

Pastor Bryant asked his congregation if anyone had lost a family member prematurely due to violence to stand. Much to my amazement men and women of all ages arose. He was compelled by the Holy Spirit to do the altar call before his sermon.

About 30 people came to the altar with tears in their eyes, some with their babies in their arms. Men, women, and teenagers came to the altar ready to give their life to Christ.

After his sermon he said, “Don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing,” and encouraged people to pursue their dreams and to stop procrastinating.

Came tithes and offering time. While putting in my offering I approached the Pastor with the June issue of Essence magazine in my hands. Essence magazine did a story on Sybrina Fulton. There she was in the magazine holding a picture of Trayvon Martin wearing a hoodie.

In the magazine I included a poem I wrote titled, “A Mother’s Love.” I gave it to him so he could give to Ms. Fulton, who hadn’t seen the magazine yet.  Pastor thanked me and closed the service.

A Mother’s Love
By: Diomi Miller

 A Mother’s Love Is

Powerful
Pure and
Everlasting
A Mother’s Love will
Hold you tight.
No matter if
Your spouse or friend
Treats you right
A Mother’s Love is
Stronger than
Any natural disaster,
Hurricane or
Storm.
No matter where you are or
Where you stay
A Mother’s Love will
Guide you along the way
A Mother’s Love
Lasts a lifetime
In the core of her body
She carried you for
9 months.
A Mother’s Love is
Sacrificial
Patient and
Kind.
A Mother’s Love is
The greatest love of all time.