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Gov. Phil Murphy made a return to Asbury Park Sunday, attending the morning worship service at St. Stephen Episcopal AME Zion Church on Springwood Avenue.

“I’m here today to do much more than worship with you,” the Middletown resident said. “I am here today to say thank you, among other things, to this community for your continued support.”

Murphy took the pulpit following a stirring and politically charged sermon by Pastor Derinzer Johnson that addressed criminal expungement and gun violence, and a tribute to the Valentine’s Day massacre in Parkland, Fla, by the church’s youth ministry.

He began by taking note of the written tribute to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a 1912 Harvard University graduate who used his platform to get the nation to honor the contributions of blacks; lending way to what is now Black History Month.

“Carter Woodson, behind only WEB DuBois, was the second African American doctorate in the history of the United States,” Murphy said. “We have come a long way but with a long way still to go.”

Now 34 days into his first term, Murphy also noted that the only federally recognized holiday named after a single individual is Martin Luther King Jr Day.

In taking the baton from Johnson’s sermon and the youth ministry’s tribute, Murphy spoke of the tragedy that claimed 17 lives, about gun laws and the local expungement program headed by the Asbury Park Community Action Network [APCAN].

“I thought your comments on expungement were the best I’ve heard anyone address that,” Murphy said to Johnson. “I will take a broad approach to sentencing that will include the notion of reentering, expungement, the life after one does their time or pays their fine.”

Murphy said he has moved to revive the mandated Criminal Justice Sentencing Commission, which lay dormant for the past 8 years.

In touching on Johnson’s words on gun violence, Murphy said, “Again, Pastor, that was as compelling a resuscitation about the reality around gun violence in our country as I have ever heard.”

Johnson, who traced mass shooting incidents dating back to July 18, 1984, said there have been 500 deaths and 1500 injured. After outlining each, he reiterated the words often said – ‘our thoughts and prayers are with you’ and ‘now is not the time to talk about guns.’

“My question today is out of 34 years of thoughts and prayers something must be wrong with the prayers and thoughts because those prayers are not working and those thoughts are not getting the job done,” Johnson said.

Isaiah Johnson, 14, who delivered the youth ministry tribute asked, “How long will it take those in power to recognize that this is not a partisan issue. How long will take for them to realize that this is more than a mental health issue. How long will we have to witness the killing of innocent lives.”

Murphy said over 80 percent of the gun crimes in New Jersey are committed with guns that come from outside of the state. He said they will look to form a coalition with ‘like-minded’ states to address gun safety and best practices, similar the the coalition of states formed to fight greenhouse gas emissions.

“Thoughts and prayers are not enough, unless the prayers are for the courage finally to undo the chains that the powerful gun lobby has wrapped around too many in public office,” he said. “New Jersey will think, New Jersey will prayer, but I guarantee you New Jersey will act.”

Murphy was joined by his pick for the State’s Education Commissioner – Dr. Lamont Repollet, Asbury Park’s Superintendent, credited for helping to turn the tide at the school district through innovative programs and a promise to Build a Brighter Future for its students.

“We had a little bit of a transformational moment in the first pew…when Lamont and I determined that the best proof that we know of…that there is a God, is that given the [circumstance of their challenging upbringings] we are sitting in the first pew as the Governor and the Commissioner of Education,” Murphy said.

Also in attendance were Mayor John Moor, Councilwomen Eileen Chapman and Yvonne Clayton, and Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling [D-11], Asbury Park Education Association President John Napolitani, and resident Daryl Hammary who has worked behind the scenes to help support Murphy’s campaign.

“Let the record show that we finally made it,” Murphy said. “I want to be a true partner in Asbury Park’s future. You all were there when I needed you and I want you to know that I will be here when you need me.”

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