As The Fountain of Praise Church remembered “Big Floyd”, his Church Community, Resurrection Houston, becomes one of many faces for the Black Lives Matter Movement
Author: Leandra Archibald
In a white room occupied by drums, microphones, and other instruments, a woman stands up and sings a song she dedicates to Alton Sterling, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. Like many other Christian funerals, passing isn’t seen as a time for grief, but as a celebration of life and the legacy one leaves behind. It’s especially fitting that the lyrics say “...your lives, they give us hope. ”, because these names are at the forefront of protests and petitions calling for change. However, it seems the name “George Floyd” holds a special place in the minds of many. Though his life was cut short, his memory is not only celebrated, but maintained as the catalyst for the rebirth of Black Lives Matter protests across the country and the world.
George Floyd holding up a Bible with his friends from the ministry.
“We believe in real love, right now.”
These are the words of the local Church community George Floyd was part of. He is remembered by reverends, celebrities, and activists alike, however, the “big” names seem to overshadow the local community most impacted by his passing. Floyd’s funeral itself was attended by Rev. Al Sharpton, actor Jamie Foxx, and musician Ne-Yo, but not many know of Patrick “P.T.” Ngwolo, the pastor whose bond with Floyd led to his ministry in the Third Ward, where the church itself is located.
Further research into Ngwolo brings attention to the fact that he’s talked about police brutality before, in both a legal and religious context. Most notably, he appeared as a guest on HCCLA’s Reasonable Doubt TV show. On said show, he discussed the case of police officer Roy Oliver’s shooting of Jordan Edwards and how, when it came to such a case, it set a precedent for how future police brutality cases would be handled. It’s a coincidence that, in the same way, he had such a connection to “the next Jordan Edwards”, and described, to CNN, that his “ministry wouldn’t exist” without George Floyd being in his life.
In a recent interview with Vice News, Ngwolo also recalled Floyd aiding the church with hosting local basketball tournaments and serving a pivotal role in their outside services. Ngwolo cited Floyd for saying “If it’s God’s business, it’s my business,” as reasoning for his involvement in a community he didn’t necessarily owe his time or efforts to.
At the same time, observing comments and opinions by those who have seen these videos seem to be echoing a different story. Many argue that Floyd isn’t a hero or a good person, with mention of a past involving jail time and aggravated assault being the main support for their argument. Admittedly, his past has been defined by wrongdoing, but, in Ngwolo’s words, “Christianity is not perfection. It’s redemption.” Despite Floyd’s past, he became increasingly involved with Resurrection Houston and another ministry with hopes to foster change in his community. Whether it be through his work at tournaments, involvement in a church-work program with drug-rehabilitation and job placement service, or videos relating to gun violence, Floyd grew with a desire to improve. As he worked with these ministries, he pushed for the same level of change in the world that he saw in his own life, and died touching the world in a way he never predicted.
As the Black Lives Matter protests continue on, it should be noted how George Floyd’s life, in particular, motivated this movement to reemerge. After all, these protests were first dubbed George Floyd protests before they were understood as the larger outcry against police brutality. Floyd just so happened to be the one of hundreds of stories that represents the whole of the movement. His story, like that of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, among countless others, serves not only as a tool to incite change, but also as a beacon of hope that change can happen on whatever scale it may be.
Leandra Archibald is a rising senior who currently resides in Mount Vernon, New York. Raised in a non-denominational Christian family, Leandra has always had an open mind to different denominations and religions, and has been going to Catholic school for much of her life. Through observing other communities, she finds clarity in what it means to maintain a connection with God.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views or positions of Converge Interfaith.