Jason Pittman has been named the new executive director of Touching Miami With Love. Lance Wallace photo

ATLANTA – Touching Miami With Love (TML) welcomed CBF Global Missions field personnel Jason Pittman as its new executive director and Angel Pittman as special events coordinator in August. The Pittmans, who have been involved in urban work for more than

10 years, served in Texas before going to inner-city Detroit with CBF Global Missions in 2002.

TML is a collaborative ministry of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions’ Urban Team, CBF Florida and local and regional church sponsors.

The organization is based in Miami’s Overtown community, a predominantly African-American community once economically vibrant, but now arguably the poorest community in Florida. Residents struggle with the realities of poverty, crime, drugs and poor education. According to TML’s Web site (www.touchingmiamiwithlove.org), its vision hopes "that relationships and programs will become transformative to the participants who will in turn use experiences and skills learned to transform the community."

"Overtown is in a position where the poor are really getting pushed out of this community," Jason said. "Housing here is astronomical. There’s not a house for sale in this city for under $300,000. That’s the challenge for CBF and TML – advocating for the least of these."

Touching Miami With Love welcomes the Pittmans to its ministry family. Pictured are Jason Pittman, Angel Pittman, holding Lucas, and Isaac.

Pittman’s educational background offers a unique position from which he is able to advocate on behalf of the Overtown residents. He earned two graduate degrees: a master of divinity degree from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary and a master of social work from Baylor University. He is excited to "utilize both degrees to provide vision, leadership, and equip staff to accomplish TML’s mission. I’m building on a history of ministry here that’s solid."

That solid history has produced the organization’s current advocacy efforts which revolve around both the youth and homeless adults in the community of Overtown.

"We run after-school programs for youth ages 12-18 which allow kids the opportunity to become all that God wants them to be," Pittman said. "There are so many things that go against them in their lives – poverty, school – it makes it so hard for them to succeed. We want to be about training leaders."

Overtown’s homeless adult community is served through multiple outreach efforts including worship services, social activities and financial assistance. TML partners with a local church to offer a worship service on Sunday morning followed by lunch.

Once a month, TML sponsors a movie night "which gives back a little bit of dignity to folks," Pittman said. "We provide popcorn and lemonade. They watch a good movie, it’s safe, they get out of the heat, and it’s a break from the daily struggle of meeting needs."

Keri Gage serves as the new assistant director at Touching Miami With Love.

TML also assists residents through a local initiative called the "Prosperity Campaign" which educates residents about their taxes, the earned-income tax credit and free electronic tax filing.

In addition to the wide-range of services currently offered, Pittman plans to expand TML’s services in the future by adding staff members to lead Bible studies and aid in community organizing.

Keri Gage, who just completed her term as a Global Service Corps member with CBF Global Missions, has been hired as assistant director by the TML board of directors.

"Working with job training for adults is the area where we need to go next to give them [Overtown