Religion

Tyler's homegrown and oft-lauded network Tyler's faith-based services, People Attempting To Help, will kick off PATH Week beginning Sunday. Each September, supporters of PATH celebrate a week designed to "educate, communicate and congregate," said Christina Fulsom, executive director of PATH.

"PATH wants to tell the stories of poverty-related issues that affect all of us right here in Smith County," said Mrs. Fulsom. "There are many opportunities the public can get involved in with us, as we fight poverty on a daily basis."

A Philanthropy Dinner on Tuesday, Prayer Luncheon on Thursday and Day of Action on Sept. 13 are included in this year's PATH Week. PATH supporters are also urged to display PATH yard signs to show their concern and care for the community.

Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass, the Rev. Dr. John Robbins, the Rev. Ralph Caraway, Rabbi Neal Katz, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Stine, the Rev. Jeff Christian, Dr. James Motlagh and Jesse Acosta will appear at the PATH Prayer Luncheon beginning at noon on Thursday.

The luncheon's keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. David O. Dykes, pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church. The event is free, but reservations are required.

Local churches are gearing up to have PATH speakers at their Sunday worship services.

Green Acres Baptist church, New Generation Baptist Church, Glenwood Church of Christ, Grace Community Church, First Presbyterian Church, Congregation Beth El, Pollard United Methodist Church, St. Louis Baptist Church, Marvin United Methodist Church, Rose Heights Church of God, Christ Episcopal Church, College Hill Baptist Church and Galilee Baptist Church are participating.

Special collections are typically taken to help support PATH at this time.

Tuesday's Philanthropy Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday will feature author, literacy activist, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Tom Harken.

Harken's battle with debilitating illness as a child, functional illiteracy, failure, conflict and crisis to ultimate financial success earned him the Horatio Alger award in 1992. Other recipients of the award include former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Wayne Huizenga and Maya Angelou.

Harken's book, "The Millionaire's Secret," has gone into its second printing. He has appeared on the "700 Club," "Jerry Falwell's Old Time Gospel Hour," Dr. Robert Schuller's "Hour of Power," "Good Morning America" and the CBS Nightly News. He was recently profiled in Texas Monthly.

He and his wife, Melba, Peale Humanitarian award from the Norman Vincent Peale Center for Christian Living.

"For 20 years, Harken has been sharing his story of inspiration across America and the world," said information from PATH. Tickets to the Philanthropy Dinner are $50 each.

Dykes, the keynote speaker at the Prayer Luncheon, is in Israel this week. He will fly to Washington, D.C., to give the opening prayer at the U.S. House of Representatives, before returning to Tyler to addresses PATH supporters.

"I will be the guest of Rep. Louis Gohmert, "said Dykes. "I'm going because I think prayer for our naitonal leaders is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

"We're commanded in 1 Timothy to pray for those in authority over us. Every Sunday at GABC in my pastoral prayer I pray for our nation and our leaders."

Dykes, whose doctorate degree emphasizes church growth and evangelism, pastors the 13,000-member church Green Acres Baptist Church of Tyler. The church has an emphasis on "direct missions" and annually sends more than 1,000 volunteer missionaries to locations around the world. Dykes has personally led mission teams to the Ukraine, Mexico, Belize, Brazil, Argentina, Africa and Asia.

He has authored six books, including "Handling Life's Disappointments," "The Spiritual Powerbook" and "Ten Requirements of America's Survival." He has also published articles in Moody Monthly, Guideposts and Church Administration.

Call 903-597-4044, Extension 125, for tickets, reservations or information. Visit the Web at www.tylerpath.org for more information about PATH.