In the Detroit area....there's a handful of characters who are "known", which means that you'd typically recognize them off the street. The Mayor....Dave Bing, former basketball star....is one of those. Pastor Marvin Winans is another.
The good pastor was actually seen recently singing a gospel piece at Whitney Houston's funeral. In the Detroit area....you'd think most everyone knows the guy.
Well....yesterday in Detroit....the good pastor stopped for gas in the afternoon. He was in his purple Infiniti QX56 SUV (well over $75k in value). He was wearing pretty nice clothing. And he had a Rolex watch on.
At some point while pumping gas....a couple of the local guys set upon him....in mid-afternoon. They took his SUV, his watch, his billfold with a couple hundred bucks, and his pants. It's best not to ask about the pants part of this.
The pastor is visibly upset about this. It's the mid-afternoon. No one from the gas station came to him in his hour of need. It was like being in a third-world country. And in some ways....he's lucky just to be alive.
I doubt if this story appears much in the national press. Folks get robbed everyday in Detroit, and the pastor is just another one of a thousand folks who robbed in broad daylight within the city.
For me, I sat and pondered. Why would a guy stay in Detroit? Why would a family chose to remain in the city? Why would a woman chose to raise her kids by herself in Detroit? Why would a kid even attend school in Detroit? This is the one place on Earth that ought to put fear into you....just to pack up a bag and head out of the city. It doesn't matter where you go....things will be better.
As for the pastor? Well....if you own a Rolex and a $75k SUV....I'm of the mind that you just ain't a pastor or minister. I'm not sure what you are.....but you just aren't a pastor. So run down to Sears....buy a pair of $29 dress pants, get a used $9k Toyota, find a decent $18 Timex, and start preaching to Detroit....the city on the edge of Hell. They kinda need it. Pack a pistol if necessary....and don't feel too bad about using it if necessary. It's the best advice I can offer.
