The prayer breakfast, which will be held at 8 a.m. at Mystique on Highway 125 is a way to foster the unity the two ministers are seeking and a way to bring the sheriff's office closer to the faith-based community, Tripp said. “It's open to the public and all ministers and those who believe in the power of prayer. We want to show unity and I want to bring a closer relationship with the sheriff's office and faith-based community. It's a spin-off from our prayer vigil in November and bringing our faith-based community closer because working together makes for a winning team.”
(To attend the prayer breakfast call Tripp at 252-578-6761)
At this function will be the two ministers Tripp has relied upon since taking office.
The relationship between the two ministers began almost three years ago when Reverend C.E. McCollum, of Oak Grove Baptist Church, and Reverend D.A. Leonard, of First Pentecostal Holiness Church, met at a function where Leonard happened to be the only white minister in attendance. “We went several months with no contact,” Leonard said.
The next time they met was at an annual King Day service at McCollum's church and the reception he and Tripp received was best described as icy until McCollum did one thing — “He shook my hand and hugged my neck,” Leonard said
Growing up the son of a minister in Vance County, “My father taught against racism. Our neighbors were KKK,” Leonard said.
The activities his neighbors participated in were “ugly and racist,” Leonard said, and through his father learned, “First of all, we're brothers in Christ. We see no color.”
Their relationship has led McCollum to invite Leonard to speak at his church and McCollum to speak at Leonard's church. “God has used me to get beyond color and get to the heart of who we are,” McCollum said.
McCollum, recalling the story of the Woman at the Well from the Gospel of John, said, “Even Jesus had to deal with racism. It's about breaking down barriers. Why can't we all come together?”
Tripp explained during his election bid for sheriff McCollum was supporting one of his opponents, but said, “There was something about Dr. McCollum. I knew I wanted to be his friend. There was just something unique about him and I had no doubt he was a Godly man.”
McCollum was working to build bridges by bringing the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to the Roanoke Valley as well as talking part in the Christian Men's Fellowship, which is a meeting of men of all faiths, both black and white. “You've got to get beyond color for change.”
For Tripp, the ministers have been an inspiration to him. “Racism is ugly. I see these men leading Christians to breaking down barriers and building bridges.”
The sheriff was drawn to Leonard not only because he is the pastor of his church, but because, “He is definitely a minister who takes care of his sheep, visiting with the sick and keeping contact with his members as all shepherds do.”
