After preaching to hundreds inside The Bethel Church last Sunday, Pastor Carlos Malone joined many members of his congregation making their way to the ice cream truck parked outside. The colorful vehicle often stops outside the Baptist church in Richmond Heights.
Malone is 61-years-old, but doesn’t look it -- his eyes are jovial and excited. He said this church is one of the leading churches in the surrounding community and has touched many who go onto make a difference in South Florida.
Years ago, Malone baptized Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum.
“Andrew grew up in this church,” Malone said. “So there’s a nice connection there.”
And as families poured out of the front door after Sunday worship, so did two other prominent politicians: U.S. Senators Kamala Harris and Bill Nelson.
With Nelson running for reelection in 9 days, Harris traveled to South Florida to support his campaign during the Florida midterms. Both bounced between four different Miami Baptist congregations to gauge support and connect to the heart of South Florida churchgoers -- those who could decide the November elections.
“There’s a lot of divisiveness going on in the country right now, and there’s a lot of intentional strategies to keep the African American community from voting,” Malone said.
Their visit came in the midst of bomb threats against prominent Democrats and the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre just the day before. Senator Harris was also one of several critics of President Trump targeted by a series of pipe bombs delivered in suspicious packages last week.
Harris and Nelson addressed hundreds at the end of worship. In light of the violent events that built up nationwide, they didn’t just ask for a vote.
“This morning, I think that some of the truths that we must always remember include -- if what happened at the synagogue yesterday morning didn’t make it clear - that racism is real in this country,” she said.
“Anti-Semitism is real in this country. Sexual assault is real in this country. Let’s speak those truths so we can deal with them.”
Nelson also addressed the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre fueled by racism.
“You have all this violence that’s threatened with these pipe bombs, including against Senator Harris, and then the very next day, you have the killing of people in a synagogue while they are in a place of worship,” Nelson said. “We’re better than this.”
Bethel Church member Betty Tucker said she latched onto their honesty and humility. The Cutler Bay resident said she has already voted.
Big changes are coming in this election, she smiled.
"I voted the first day I could," she said.
Harris and Nelson visited three other Baptist churches: Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church and Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.