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8/1/13--Gregory with his bible bought exactly 70 days earlier, "It's so beat up because I've preached in all weather, even in the rain, you know." For the last 3 years and 2 months, he has shown up most days at 16th and JFK, at 7:30AM, where he'd preach until 10AM. After a break, he'd continue from 11:30 until 2PM, at least. He often repeats Romans 10:13 seven times, "because seven is the number of completion. Eight means a new beginnning. Thirteen is also a new beginning." Gregory does not have a booming voice, however, so even as you're walking right by him, it's not easy to hear, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Before I left, he asked me to hold his hand as we said a prayer together, then he gave me the name and address of his church, Saint Matthew African Methodist Episcopal at 215 N 57th St, in West Philly. He even gave me careful instruction on how to get there.



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