Philadelphia Mayor Meets With Executive Committee

By Celeste Ryan Blyden
At the fall meeting of the Columbia Union Executive Committee, held at the North Philadelphia church in downtown Philadelphia, Mayor John Street spoke to attendees. It was very touching to hear how that church family has impacted his life. “This church is the best thing that ever happened to me. Without it, I don’t know where I would be,” he said, noting that his father helped start the church and 11 others in the region. “It has been at the heart of my commitment to people and the heart of everything that I do.” Street talked about how his relationship with God has seen him through 28 years in local government, the last few as mayor of America’s sixth largest city. His term ends January 6, 2008. 

Before Street left, Columbia Union administrators and several leaders from Allegheny East Conference prayed for him and announced plans to give him an award for his work in the public sector.