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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

You Can Kill a Revolutionary, But You Can’t Kill the Revolution: The Enduring Legacy of Fred Hampton

My brothers and sisters, let us not be deceived—Fred Hampton was not just killed; he was assassinated by a government that feared his power to unite the oppressed. At just 21 years old, this young warrior stood at the forefront of a revolution that threatened to shake the very foundations of white supremacy and systemic oppression. He did not wield his power with violence but with unity, with truth, with love for the people. And for that, they silenced him in the dead of night.

Let’s be clear: this was not law enforcement. This was an execution. This was the cold, calculated work of a system that has always sought to destroy Black liberation, to keep us divided, to keep us in chains—whether those chains are physical, economic, or psychological. They feared Fred Hampton because he did what too many leaders before and after him failed to do—he built bridges between the oppressed. He reached out to poor whites, Latinos, Indigenous people, and Black folk alike, forging a Rainbow Coalition that dared to defy the system’s greatest weapon: division.

J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI called the Black Panthers the greatest threat to national security. But what was their crime? Feeding hungry children? Providing free healthcare? Teaching self-defense and self-respect? The real threat was that they were waking us up! They were proving that we do not need to beg for justice—we must demand it, organize for it, and fight for it with unwavering conviction.

But understand this, family: though they killed the man, they could not kill the movement. The same spirit that burned in Fred Hampton must burn within us today! We cannot merely mourn his death; we must continue his work! We must educate our children on the truth, we must build economic and political power, we must reject the lies they tell us to keep us docile.

Fred Hampton’s last words before he was executed were, “You can kill a revolutionary, but you can’t kill the revolution.” And so, I ask you today—will you let the revolution die? Or will you carry it forward, with courage, with wisdom, and with the unshakable belief that power belongs to the people?

Let us rise. Let us move. Let us organize. Because the fight is far from over.

Eιɖεર Dરε

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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.