urban ministry

Empowering Youth and Building Leaders | An Interview with Tre 9

In this compelling episode of 'The Overdrive Podcast,' host Cameron Giddings sits down with Bobbi Herring, widely known as Tre 9, the founder of the nonprofit organization Eyes On Me. Tre 9 shares his journey from the streets to the stage and how his experiences have shaped his mission to empower and mentor at-risk youth through his organization and the medium of Christian hip-hop.

Topics Discussed:

Tre 9's Personal Journey: Tre 9 opens up about his own life experiences, the challenges he faced, and how they led him to establish Eyes On Me.

The Formation of Eyes On Me: He details the inception of his nonprofit, its core mission, and the driving force behind his commitment to serving at-risk youth and their families.

Impact on At-Risk Youth: Tre 9 discusses the various programs and initiatives under Eyes On Me, highlighting how they’ve positively impacted the lives of many young individuals in Houston, Texas.

Christian Hip-Hop as a Tool for Mentorship: The conversation delves into how Tre 9 uses hip-hop as a unique and powerful tool to connect with and inspire the younger generation.

Building Future Leaders: A crucial part of the discussion focuses on the importance of training and empowering future leaders to ensure the sustainability and growth of community impact.

Advice for Aspiring Mentors: Tre 9 shares his insights and advice for listeners interested in mentorship and community service, emphasizing the need for passion, dedication, and empathy.

Additional Episode Notes:

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the role of arts in community service, the impact of mentorship on at-risk youth, and the power of music in shaping lives and communities.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how they can contribute to their communities and the importance of mentorship in personal and professional development.

Additional Links:

• Learn more about Tre 9’s work and Eyes On Me: Eyes On Me Official Website
• Explore more about Christian Brothers Automotive and their community initiatives at cbac.com

Urban ministry is unique in Lutheran ministry and provides DCEs with an opportunity to challenge and stretch how and what you feel is important in ministry.  Within the urban setting there are many similarities to ministry in other places, but also different in many respects. This month's conversation is the first part of two with DCEs Haley Davisson from Trinity Downtown in Houston, TX and Andrea Roettjer from Trinity Lutheran, St. Louis, MO.  As you listen to the podcast consider the types of members you have in your congregation and how you meet their needs.   Also, what do you think about this statement, the greatness of urban ministry is the honesty in conversations that is sometimes not found in suburban churches.   

We hope you enjoy the sample of this episode and look forward to sharing another sample of the remaining conversation in a few weeks.