Kassiquan

Why Social Work

My first attendance at college, Philadelphia College of Bible (PCB) was when it was located near Center City Philadelphia.  My first year was right after high school and I was not quite sure what my major would be.  Learning to read and understand the Bible was the first reason for my going to Bible College.  I did think about going to The Kings College in Briarcliff Manor, New York because I trusted it’s President, Robert A Cook to whom I listened to each weekday morning on The King’s Hour and to whom I wrote concerning things going with my family; particularly about the abuse my mother suffered at the hands of my father.  I decided to stay home because as long as I was around, my father would not lay a hand on my mother (I had just learned to stand up to him).  Attending PCB was a challenge for me right after high school.  First, I did not grow up in a middle class home; we were on Public Assistance.  Secondly, I did not grow up in a “churched” home nor go to a Christian school.  Thirdly, my Academic Advisor (loved his classes in Poetic Books) did not quite understand the struggles I was going through at home and I did not want offend God.  On one occasion my Advisor told me for every problem I faced I should drop a marble into a jar.  Later, I would not be able to identify which marble went with which problem.  Um, as I sat there in his office I wondered, “Dropping marbles into a jar does not exactly solve the problems but tells me that they are still there with no help.”  My Advisor, hearing that we were on Public Assistance and that my father still lived with us said to me that I should report him to Public Assistance, I was sinning and need to make things right.  I told him if I did this, the abuse would be worse for my mother; my father already threatened me once with a gun.  I shared nothing more but became more confused about what was Christianity.  I felt more condemned than saved.  Lastly, I was doing poorly in academics.  I knew about the history of Christian Education.  I felt, along with other inner city students, that PCB was for the middle white class that grew up “Churched” all their lives, knew nothing about public schools and sheltered from inner city life.  I felt I did not fit in and had no motivation and I dropped out.  But all this was about to change; a change that provided the motivation I needed and above all, a clear purpose.

During my seven year hiatus, I had an opportunity to be a teacher’s aide for a third grade class for three months.  On Fridays, the students would sit in a circle on the floor and share their concerns about anything on their minds.  One of the boys shared how his parents were getting divorced and that he was upset about it.  Another boy, Jorge, lived with his grandmother and sister, who was a year older than he.  Jorge did not have a father and he would take my hand during recess as we walked around the school yard; Valentine’s Day, Jorge made a card for me.  Jorge would wait for me with his sister and walk home with me; he lived a few blocks away from my home which was convenient.  When my teacher’s aide assignment was done and I started working, my sister would tell me that Jorge would stop on the way home from school and knock on our door looking for me; broke my heart.  I worked in a garment factory during the seven years and became involved with youth work at my church and led music and singing at youth retreats and youth groups.  The youth in my community were inner city youth that came from low income family homes, most on public assistance and most without fathers around.  After the death of my father and losing a job, I knew what I needed to do, go back to school, get into counseling of social work.  With my Pastor’s support and encouragement, I went back to PCB, which moved to Langhorne, Pennsylvania.  I was introduced to the Social Work Department; this was it.  Social Work and Bible, dual degrees were a great match for me and I whizzed by in most of my classes, except History and Philosophy which were my weak points but not a hindrance.  Through my course work, Jesus Christ became my model pf a perfect Social Worker; my faith became my foundation for majoring in Social Work and I began to read and see the Bible with fresh lenses.  Jesus, in the words of today’s youth, “was down with the people.”  Jesus, was “the home boy; all that.”  Jesus “dissed” no one, he was cool!

PCB used to encourage students going to seminary to attend Dallas Theological or Grace Theological Seminary.  I just did not see myself going in either direction.  I really wanted to keep my mind; soul and spirit open to having “the same mind as Christ.”  I went to a professor at PCB in whom I respected, valued and admired for his “down to earth” realism and yet grounded and open about his faith; Professor Peter Hook.  Professor Hook taught Old Testament History and I enjoyed sitting in his class.  I remember the week before finals, Professor Hook decided that the class would create a visual of Israel’s history.  I sat way up back with my friend, Joe Brown.  I had just shown my “study chart” to Joe in preparation to study for the final.  Joe thought my idea was a good and he would do one for himself.  When Joe and I heard what the final would be Joe looked at me in surprise.  I was ecstatic; “I’m done! I already completed my final!”  I turned my final in that very day.  Professor Hook did expect this but God had this.  I was done.  I approached Professor Hook during my senior year for his advice.  He was the one who encouraged me to go where God was leading; I received Professor Hook’s blessing.  I went to Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  I am forever grateful that through Professor Hook, God confirmed my decision; Eastern was not what PCB would recommend nor was it recommended by my denomination.  I thought I would be a pastor of a church doing social work but, the courses I took in Seminary prepared me more for being a social worker than pastor a church.  Yes, I had opportunities to lead worship and give sermons but I am more comfortable in the social services field.  One of my favorite songs that Chris Christian sings is titled Mountain Top.  I love going to the mountains and stay with my aunt during my days off; get away from the city.  I enjoy attending worship, participating in Sunday school and I would love to stay in this “social atmosphere” that many Christians might prefer to live and work.  Me, I will go back down to the valley below; people need to see Christianity, not just hear it.  Jesus was a man of action; he was with the people.  Jesus associated, touched the lepers, healed and forgiven many physically, spiritually and emotionally.  One other observation; Jesus valued his faith but he did not agree with the “religious leaders” of his day.  I sometimes question the “religious leaders” of my day.  Jesus called them hypocrites; something I often think about.  Christianity is a way of life…not a practice.

Professor Hook, thank you.  I will never forget you because for your living example, and your encouragement.  I am right where God intended for me to be.  I want to be able to ask at the end of the day, “Have I done well?”

Below is a picture of my final in Professor Hook’s Old Testament History.

And... my recent computerized version.