The Empire Charge, which consists of Stout’s Chapel, Piney Ridge and Pleasant Hill Methodist Churches, observed United Methodist Student Day at Piney UMC on Feb. 21.

Bobby Wayne Brady, who is a product of the Empire Charge, was the guest speaker.

I asked some of the students to tell me in their own words what they got out of his message.

Shaneka Harris, Eastern Randolph High School sophomore and member of Stout’s Chapel UMC

“Mr. Brady’s theme was ‘Success: What’s Education Got To Do With It?’ He stated that ‘without God it is not success at all.’ In addition, he explained to us that it is important that we find our calling.

“He continued and shared his success with us. Mr. Brady was the first African American to serve as an executive for the CIA, before he retired six years ago. He is a strong believer that young people have the potential to achieve as much as he did. Often he used Eastern Randolph High School senior Dominick Goldston as an example of intelligence because of his 4.3 GPA. During his speech he discussed the five steps of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Those steps include:

n Step 1: Biological and Physiological Needs – air, food, shelter, water, sleep, etc.

n Step 2: Safety needs – Protection, security, order, law, limits stability, etc.

n Step 3: Belongingness and love needs – Family, affection, relationships, etc.

n Step 4: Self-esteem – Achievement, status, responsibility, reputation

n Step 5: Self Actualization – Personal growth and fulfillment

According to Mr. Brady, once you reach step five, which he has already done, it is time to relax.”



Briana Foxx, who is a junior at Porter Ridge High School in Monroe, N.C., is also a member of Stout’s Chapel UMC

“One thing in particular that stood out that Mr. Brady constantly mentioned is that ‘You cannot have success without God.’ I found this one of the key point in his sermon. As a young lady about to go to college in a year and embark on a new journey to become a corporate lawyer, I take this in serious consideration: That God is always there, trying to help me achieve whatever goals I may have life and that if I lose sight of him along the way then my path to success will be diminished.”



Jo Vanne Isley, eighth-grade student at North Asheboro Middle School and member of Pleasant Hill UMC

“Honor your parents and teachers, stay in school and get an education.”



Thanks to the students for sharing this with us. It seems they were all paying attention.

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The Stout’s Chapel Methodist Men invites everyone to their annual Men’s Day on March 7 at 2:30 p.m. The church his located at 3217 Holly Spring Road in Ramseur. The guest speaker will the Rev. Larry Smith of Glovers United Church of Christ in Bennett.



Pattye Harris of Ramseur shares news of interest from N.C. 49, the Empire Charge area and beyond. She can be reached at (336) 824-8198 and invites readers to call her with information they would like to share.