Pastor calls poverty “weapon of mass destruction”

By BERNARD BAKER, Danville Register & Bee
Published: February 5, 2008

The Rev. James A. Forbes Jr. said he didn’t come to Danville on Monday to politick for Democrat Tom Perriello. But he couldn’t help it.

Forbes returned to an area where he once preached to let about 200 people at Bibleway Cathedral know that Danville has better days ahead.

Forbes and Perriello, who is challenging Congressman Virgil Goode in the 5th District, got to know each other in New York when Forbes was pastor of Riverside Church. The first African-American pastor of Riverside Church has been listed as one of the best U.S. preachers in Newsweek.

Perriello, also at Monday’s gathering, said he heard about the prophetic justice principles Forbes developed and he wanted to know more. Forbes believes the problem isn’t who is sitting in the White House, but the culture that elected that type of person.

“Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction,” he said.

Forbes joked that he was a little suspicious of people like Perriello because politicians have used him before. He said Perriello knew more about the issues facing the country than he did and that set him apart from the rest.

“Keep your eye on this brother. He’s for real,” Forbes said. “He knows how to get things done.”

Perriello was able to get the progressive message Forbes developed before a larger audience - including Congress and at the Democratic National Convention the night Barack Obama spoke in 2004.

Forbes said while he grew up in Burgaw, N.C., he’s no stranger to Danville. He was pastor at United Holy Church in Roxboro, N.C., and preached in James Street Holiness Church when Minnie Thacker was the pastor.

Forbes said he felt like he knew something about the problems facing Danville. High crime, a dwindling population and where people lose their dreams crush the spirit of city, the pastor said.

“This community is going to get better,” Forbes said. “Danville is down, but God is going to lift it up. The reason I know, he’s done it for me.”

Perriello said Forbes has been an advisor and spiritual mentor for him. He has shown Perriello that Democrats are learning again that they have the ability to provide moral leadership for the country.

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.