By Chauncey Bailey

Alameda County has approved a $150,000 two-year grant for the Men of Valor program, according to county Supervisor Nate Miley.
    Miley made the announcement Sunday before 3,500 worshippers at Acts Full Gospel Church, as he praised the work done by Bishop Bob Jackson. “You take words and turn them into deeds,” said Miley.
    It was a fitting gift for the church in East Oakland which also celebrated the 23rd anniversary of its founding Sunday.
    Funding for the program had run out, so Jackson turned to his church for support.
    And he kept the faith.
    Miley presented the first of what will be several $75,000 checks to Jackson for the program on International Boulevard where 54 beds and trainers like Bruce Cox of the Black Contractors Association train ex-offenders by offering job training, specialized instruction, and counseling for employment in the construction trades. There is also a heavy dose of spiritual guidance.
    Jackson on Sunday proudly introduced the congregation to Men of Valor enrollees. “I want you to see the men that God is blessing. Help us encourage these men,” said Jackson.
    His hope is for the men to get skills, jobs and form families so crime and be reduced and communities can thrive.
    City officials say much of the crime in Oakland can be traced to ex-offenders who are not working and must hustle or sell drugs to survive.
    Acts Full church has been a force for social change. Founded 23 years ago with only 15 members (“with more roaches than members” quipped Jackson), Acts is now a spiritutal powerhouse with 7,000 members and two Sunday services, a school, and an array of outreach programs including its SWAT team that hits the streets to “win souls for Christ.”
    The men in the job training program also praised the Men of Valor program for turning their lives around. “It’s cool,” said one man. “God is good,” added another, and another man “preached” its virtues.
   “The County has made re-entery (of ex-offenders into society) a top priority,” Miley told The Globe after his official check presentation. “The Men of Valor is providing the right environment, and training. It works.”
    Bishop Jackson has never stopping believing in the power of his faith. “People said why are you moving there? We had bullet holes in some walls. But I said no to paying $40,000 for steel (wall lining) to protect us. We ended up saving half of families at that public housing project.”
    Jackson and his dedicated staff have also built the school to serve nearly 300. He is also hosting cable TV broadcast and a popular radio program. He is also president of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce that now has 400 members.