(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first in a four-part series that commemorates February's Black History Month. The series will salute those who are making or have made a significant difference in McDuffie County over the years. This week we focus on a group of teenage boys who serve as Junior Deacons at Springfield Baptist Church in Thomson.)
They are young, intelligent and making a difference -- not only in their lives, but in the lives of many others and their church.
This particular group is known as the Junior Deacons of Springfield Baptist Church in Thomson.
Most recently the group, which is headed by Marion Crawford, a longtime church member, participated in a historical walk along Main Street in downtown Thomson.
The walk was in honor of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The group of Junior Deacons at Springfield Baptist Church include: Tony Brown, E.J. Collins, Neal Kendrick and Stantavious Howard -- all seniors, as well as Jacoby Crawford, Tay Murray, Billy Chatman, Jalen Jackson, Ronald Jackson and T.J. Ruff -- all juniors who attend Thomson High School.
"This is a fine group of young men, who are devoted to doing what's right in our community and doing what the Lord would have them do, too," said Mr. Crawford, who serves as the group's inspirational leader.
"We are very proud of each of these young men."
Mr. Crawford is aided by another inspirational church leader, Anthony Tutt. The two men learned much about being teenage leaders from the late Earl Collins, a longtime church deacon.
"He taught us a lot," recalled Mr. Crawford, an employee of the City of Thomson Water Department. "And he did a lot for our church."
The group's recent participation in the walk from Thomson Depot to the county courthouse and then to the county board of education office on Main Street taught them about some of the struggles that Dr. King and other civil rights leaders and activists endured for many years.
"We wanted them to be part of this walk -- a time for them to remember what so many others had done for them and so many others -- both black and white," said Mr. Crawford at the time of the walk and just before prayer was held by many participating in the historic walk -- the first of its kind held in Thomson.
One of the prayers offered there came from the Rev. Frederick Favors, who pastors Springfield Baptist Church and who serves as an elected county commissioner.
Mr. Crawford says the Junior Deacons are taught such things as how to handle peer pressure and to always turn to God to bring about positive influences in their lives.
"We also want them to know how important agape love is and how they should share such love with others," said Mr. Crawford. "We also have Bible study with them every Wednesday."
In addition, Mr. Crawford keeps close tabs on group members at school.
"I want to know whether they are doing well in school or not," explained Mr. Crawford. "I want them to know that I care about them and would do anything to help any of them become better people."
Mr. Crawford says it's a calling from God to do what he does to help young people.
"This is what I really enjoy doing," he said during a recent interview at the church.
Group members seem to enjoy the idea that grown-ups, like Mr. Crawford, want to spend time with him and help them as they grow from boys into young men.
"It's really good to have someone care about you," said Billy Chatman, noting the love he finds within the group makes him a better person.
Jalen Jackson, who plays defensive cornerback on the school's varsity football team and participates in track and field events, said he's learned much about life from Mr. Crawford.
"He spends a lot of time with us, because he wants us to be godly people," added Jalen, who wants to be an electronics technician and study either at Georgia Tech or Alabama State University.
"That really means a lot to me."
Jalen said joining the church and becoming a member of the Junior Deacons "opened my life to a new experience. I'm a whole lot closer to God than I used to be. And I pray everyday."
Tay Murray said group teachings at church have helped him become a different person.
"I'm now responsible and accountable for the things that I do -- nobody else," said Tay, who plans to attend college after graduation and become a marriage counselor someday.
Tay, like most of his friends who make up the Junior Deacons, has been a member of the group for the past two years.
Tony Brown, who plans to attend Fullsail University in Orlando, Fla., to study film making, said group teachings have benefited him a lot.
"I've learned a lot about the importance of having a positive attitude and a mature character of myself," said Tony.
Jacoby Crawford, who plays defensive safety on the football team and also is a basketball player, says he has learned so many positive things about life from the teachings his father has taught him -- both at church and home.
"I've got a lot of good, positive memories and I have God to fall back on, if I need him," said Jacoby, who wants to become a registered nurse or a physical education teacher.
