Rev. J. Stanley Justice

      There is a quote by Sir Winston Churchill that says, "I cannot forecast to you the actions of the people of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma: but perhaps there is a key". This quote came to mind in our many attempts to have a candid conversation with the Pastor of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church here in the city of Trenton, New Jersey, the Reverend J. Stanley Justice.

      After finally tracking him down and getting him to sit for more than a minute, we talked with the "Rev." about his reappointment to Mt. Zion for another year (his 7th year with us!), what he felt he, and we as a church had accomplished since his tenure here, and what he would like to see for the future of Mt. Zion and the A.M.E Church in general. Indeed, there is a key and a method to J. Stanley Justice. Born just 49 years ago in Millsboro, Delaware to Wilroy and Henrietta Justice, he is one of 16! Siblings, 10 boys, and 6 girls, (We were impressed that he could quote all their names and birthdays in order!), We asked him about his early years growing up in Millsboro, and how it helped him become the person he is today. Rev. talked fondly about his parents and how they put the love of Christ, education, working hard for what you want, and family values above everything else.

      The Justice family on meager means, struggled to raise and maintain a household so large; everyone pitched in and everyone worked if they could. There was a lot of "hand-me-down" clothes, and sharing of everything, but plenty of love and fun between the siblings. His mother encouraged all her children to excel academically. In a family as large as this one, one would think that there would be a lot of fights and mess, but Pastor says his Mom, "Did Not Play That!"

      If you ask any of his brothers and sisters they will most likely tell you that our Rev. stayed buried in a book more often than not. And as with most large families there was a great competitive streak among them all to excel, and excel they did! Eleven out of the sixteen attended college, (An amazing feat for any family that size!), the majority of them are homeowners, 3 siblings are also pastors/ ministers. Although both parents have passed on, they remain a very close-knit family.

      Pastor Justice always knew about the Lord from birth, his parents made sure of that, but we were curious as to what made this man who wanted to be a teacher since he was 6 years old, choose to be a preacher and a^f the toad's word instead. His answer was simple; God called him into the ministry when he was about 17 years old. He remembers it vividly. He said the Lord spoke to him during a Junior Choir Anniversary service where he was the Worship Leader. During the service he began to preach and he knew his calling. But like a lot of us he did not think this was what he wanted to do. So for a while he tried to ignore what God had in store for him and like a lot of us when you try to ignore the Lord he lets his presence be known even more. Eventually he came to understand what the Lord wanted and after finishing college, set upon his ministry. L

      African Methodist Ministers are Itinerating Preachers, hawking back to the days of Richard Alien, when pastors traveled from church to church because there were not enough pastors at that time. Pastor Justice started his ministry at Saint Paul A.M.E. in Harrington, Delaware, where he was Pastor for about 4 years. Later, was the Bermuda Conference and the churches of Saint Johns and then to Alien Temple. While at Alien Temple, he instituted a number of innovative programs, especially with the youth, that mirror some of the programs here at Mt. Zion. His longest stop to date was at Bethel A.M.E. Church in New Haven, Connecticut, where he pastured for 13 years. It is here that not only his zeal for ministry bloomed, he was instrumental in helping the church pay off it's mortgage, purchase a new building to be used for catering, started programs aimed at the youth and more, but also his participation in community and political activism. While in New Haven, Pastor Justice saw apathy among the black population that made him want to get involved even more in the city. He was a Chairman of the Housing Authority, Police Chaplin, and after seeing the lack of involvement of the black community in the local mayoral race; he decided to run for Mayor of New Haven. Even after entering the race late he was able to receive double the number of votes needed to enter and was just narrowly defeated by the white democrat candidate. The ideology that the Church must be a part of it's community through political and social activism, followed him. He was asked by Bishop Phillip R Cousins in 1996 to become the Pastor of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church in Trenton NJ.

      Since coming to Mount Zion, 7 years ago, Reverend Justice wasted no time in seeing where the church was, what was working at the time, and where there was room for improvement. Mt. Zion, one of the oldest churches in the city of Trenton, was well established in the area. Its membership included every walk of life from doctors and lawyers, to educators, business people, and local politicians. Pastor Justice saw the need for Mt. Zion to get involved beyond the church doors. He wanted the church with its influence of members, to become a community church, ministering to the neighborhood and the city in general. One of those areas in which the Mt. Zion, and black churches as a whole were not involved was on the subject of the H.I.V. and AIDS epidemic in the black community. African-Americans account for some of the highest number of current and new cases of people affected by the disease, but the black churches have not responded in the past to educating their membership and offering programs to help people who are infected and affected by this horrible illness. Pastor Justice saw the need to tackle this issue head on.

      Through a program funded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Reverend Justice is C.E.O of The New Jersey Human Development Corporation. Under this Umbrella are two programs, the first, PROJECT F.A.l.T.H (Families Incurring Information Together On HIV. and AIDS), under the helm of Reverend Linda Ellerbe, was designed to help, educate, and minister to people infected and affected by this disease. Another key component of this program is to reach out to the black church community and enlighten and educate them with the plight of HIV and AIDS, through workshops, distributing information, and candlelight vigils. The second program, PROJECT REBUILD (Families To Families), along with the Reverend Linda T. Passman of Grant A.M.E. Chiesilhurst, the NJ Program Director, is geared towards ministering to families in need of counseling and guidance.

      In a partnership with the City of Trenton, Mount Zion initiated the B.I.B.S (Black Infants For Better Survival) program to help mentor single mothers and children. Mercer County and the United Way help provide funding for the I.R.I.S.E (Integrated Resources Inspire Self-Sufficiency & Empowerment) located both here at Mt. Zion and the Ujima Church in Trenton. This program works to help homeless families referred by the Mercer County Board of Social Services, to find employment, housing and education. We now have Adult Computer Classes here on site at our computer Lab in the Hickman Center, for a very nominal fee, to all Mount Zion members and non-members, taught by instructor Mr. Mark Fraser. We have begun and revived such programs as the Boy and Girl Scouts, Liturgical Dance Ministry, and the Sons of Alien. We have commenced several ministries, men and women bible studies, neighborhood outreach programs to the children in our immediate area surrounding the church, and several other ongoing projects. Under the current leadership of Reverend J. Stanley Justice, Mount Zion has truly evolved into a true community faith- based organization.

      Sacrifices seem to come with the job, and no one knows that better than the wife and children of Pastor, 1st Lady Darlene Minus Justice, and their children Steven and Raven. Married for 27 years, the family has had to adjust to the moving, being away from relatives and friends, (even when living in Bermuda), a whole different lifestyle. But "by the Grace of God", they were fortunate to see their children attend school in the New Haven School System from elementary through high school graduation, which is not the case for a lot of A.M.E. preachers' families. They are now blessed with three grandchildren, Little Raven, Steven, and Jayla, bright, beautiful children who are the apple of their grandparents" eye!

      Pastor Justice's schedule is incredibly busy. A pastor is on call for his parishioners 24 hours, 7 days a week. Along with all the other activities on a local, district, and conference level, the workshops, seminars, and awards (Pastor Justice has been honored and singled out on numerous occasions; from receiving the NAACP Religious Award in 1997, to receiving the 1st ever award given by the Mercer County HIV/AIDS Consortium for his work in the field of HIV/AIDS, and most recently by the Division of Youth and Family Services Commission on Abused and Neglected Children and the TEDCO Organization, both for his continued work with children education. The accolades seem to keep coming)-He takes it all in stride, not caring so much about the awards as much, but more for the attention on the causes that need to be addressed.

      When we did this interview it was on a Monday, which is normally the only day he is supposed to have off, but again he was at the church office working on 10 things at once: phone ringing constantly, people coming in and out, always something that needed his attention. He keeps an open door policy to anyone who needs him, members and non-members alike. Just that day someone came into the office in need of help; the person had no electricity for two weeks, with five children in the home. He made calls to his many contacts and was able to get this person in touch with the right people to help. This is who he is, and what he says God would have him to do. We asked did he ever feel like he needed a shoulder to lean on. He laughed and said yes, "When I needed to talk there was God to listen." He also relies on the council and advice of his siblings, especially his brother Lester, also a Pastor, to whom he is particularly close (there have been many occasions when they have both preached from the same exact scripture on the same Sunday and did not know it until afterwards!)

      What does a Pastor do for relaxation? Does he ever feel worn out? We asked Reverend Justice these questions and his response was, he loves to work! Work for him is relaxing. An avid bowler, he does manage to participate as part of the Kings and Queens bowling League in the winter season. He says he gets a good night sleep and takes vitamins to help maintain his health. Where does he see himself in the future? "Continuing what the Lord would have me to do, whatever and wherever that may be". "A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma: but perhaps there is a key". There is definitely a key and method to J. Stanley Justice. Lastly, we asked "Rev." to describe himself in one word. He thought for a moment, and then said "Compassionate". After watching this man of God in action, his love for his Lord, family, and church, we are inclined to agree.