In 1986, Reverend Eddie Edwards, a nationally acclaimed spiritual activist and lifelong Detroit resident, transformed 38 blocks of Detroit’s desolate eastside into a livable community. The project later became the subject of the 1990 documentary “The Ravendale Project”. In April 1990, Rev. Edwards received President George Bush’s Point of Light Award, and in 1989, he was named Michiganian of the Year. Rev. Edwards started in ministry, at Project Start, where he assisted ex-convicts with job readiness and employment opportunities. In 1976, Rev. Edwards founded Joy of Jesus Ministries, an interdenominational ministry, which started as an after-school program and later developed into biblical studies for young people. Joy of Jesus Ministries also operated a summer camp in Kingston, MI and several other programs aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty for the youth. In 2001, Rev. Edwards began a new project linking churches and schools together, to tutor students and provide after-school activities. In 2004, at the age of 68, Rev. Eddie Edwards made his transition to be with the Lord.
