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“People in Philadelphia don’t say ‘Hi’ enough or try to interact with one another as much as they could,” Howard Pinder said last week at Circle of Hope, 1125 S. Broad St. “I sense, though, that they yearn for authentic connections because everyone has a tale worth hearing.”
The 29-year-old resident of the 1700 block of Wharton Street will affirm his commitment to camaraderie tomorrow night at the Passyunk Square worship site when he launches “Tell Me Your Story,” a web-based project through which he is chronicling interviewees’ accounts of life-altering experiences. He is using the initiative to encourage engagement and to remind participants and perusers of an often forgotten commonality.
“We need to stress that everyone has value, especially to God,” the Point Breeze occupant said. “We’ve all had transformational times and can gain a better grasp of our connectivity if we share them.”
Pinder commenced his curious quest in October, making it an offshoot of a similar Circle of Hope concept that relied on written submissions. Fond of the explanations, he believed additional means could yield even more revelatory descriptions.
“I wanted to take it to the streets to prove that people want intimate interactions, even with strangers,” Pinder, whose lead coordinator role for Circle of Hope has him overseeing its 60 networks, or cells, across four congregations, including the Passyunk Square one, said. “I found it amazing how much they chose to share.”
Armed with zeal and a “Tell Me Your Story” sign, he spent the end of last year and considerable parts of this one traveling along South Broad Street, exuding his affinity for humanism by gathering 80 pieces — 50 of which will appear on the website. Owing to his frequent disclosure as a Christian, he found subjects more receptive to his presence and learned of bouts with betrayal, death and heartbreak yet also reliance on forgiveness and hope.
“In this digitalized age, it seems we lack enough opportunities for worthwhile communication,” Pinder said. “With this, I’ve combined technology and something more powerful — face-to-face correspondence — to strengthen my belief that we’re not nameless faces; we’re vital contributors to our communities.”
In covering numerous neighborhoods, the story storer witnessed an increase in his personal affection for the global family, a vibe that aids him in his Circle of Hope duties. Those chores find him courting solidarity among those with whom he shares his journey to salvation.
“This idea has always stemmed from my interest in understanding how people have shown their resolve,” Pinder said of “Tell Me Your Story” and his desire to add more sagas — filmed or written — to his brainchild. “I have a great spot in my heart for those who are searching.”
The ardent documenter can number himself among the admired knowledge seekers. With a pastor for a father, he could have engendered a deep religious identity, yet none materialized until the Vermont native moved to Philly to attend Temple University.
“I didn’t feel too pulled in a particular direction, but by the time college began, I was becoming existential and looking for answers and meaning,” Pinder said. “As I gathered more interest, I knew I would want to learn from people with similar feelings.”
He learned of Circle of Hope, whose website touts its function as creating “an environment where people can connect with God and act for redemption, responding in love to our thirsty region and fractured society,” through his mother and decided to see if it could address his inquiries. Now eight years into his relationship with the space, which aligns itself primarily with Christianity’s Anabaptist tradition, he considers himself blessed to interact with likewise ponderous people who take their knowledge of an unstable world and use it to foster unity.
“I immediately felt this empowering sense of love and acceptance, and that has continued to the point where I’m looking to spread the same attitude among larger populations, so, for me, ‘Tell Me Your Story’ has become a great way not only to address others but ourselves, too,” Pinder, who furthered his preparation for the labors of leading by attending the King of Prussia-based Palmer Theological Seminary, said. “We all need to open up more if we’re to gauge what drives us instead of making assumptions based on something such as a person’s exterior.”
His approached parties divulged monumental occasions to him in 60-second clips, with Pinder singling out a woman who forgave her son’s killer and a man who did the same for his childhood abuser as compelling entries that touch on humans’ struggle to level vulnerability with displays of resolve. He and his Circle of Hope peers try to extend the message that nobody is an island through public meetings and home visits, with Pinder always seeing fellowship as the key to progress.
“That’s kind of what inspired me to launch the site now,” Pinder said. “I’m always looking for an excuse to gather.”
The gregarious figure intends to include his story among the contributions, as it contains a look at his former time at the crossroads, a span that he capped by realizing explaining his doubt would prove more healthy than bottling it.
“We should all have chances to share what’s dearest to us and what gives us pause,” Pinder, who recently celebrated his first anniversary with wife Katie, said. “I’ve been fortunate to know many people who have an interest in moving people from silent states to leadership roles.”
As he prepares for tomorrow’s 7 p.m. celebration, he wants more people to learn of their unified energy.
“I’m a conduit for a greater message, and it’s that you’re valuable,” Pinder said. “Don’t let yourself forget that.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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