A former gang member turned preacher paid a whirlwind visit to Bermuda last weekend.

The Rev. Melvin Floyd, 62, from Philadelphia, arrived on the Island last Friday for a four-day visit that had him spreading God's word.

Upon arriving in Bermuda at the invitation of the Concerned Women's Group (CWG), Rev. Floyd went straight to the Prison Farm to speak to inmates.

Rev. Floyd, who was a former gang member and Police officer before becoming a minister, has spent the last 31 years of his life cleaning up the streets of Philadelphia.

Last Friday evening, Rev. Floyd went to the Somerset Naval Cricket Field for an open air crusade meeting which saw nine young people give their lives to the Lord.

After having breakfast as well as a meeting with several ministers including Rev. Conway Simmons of St. Paul's AME Church, Rev. Floyd attended a Street Crusade on Court Street.

According to a CWG member, one of the event's most touching moments saw Rev.

Floyd hand a woman who was "down on her luck'' a $50 bill. She in turn gave her life over to the Lord.

Music at both crusades were provided by the Wings of Love Ministry. And on Sunday, Rev. Floyd "brought the roof down'' at St. Paul's AME Church.

According to one church member, Rev. Floyd "lifted the roof off the church'' and "electrified'' everyone at the packed service.

After a Monday morning visit to Westgate Correctional Facility, Rev. Floyd dropped in on the students of Warwick Secondary School.

"He had the whole hall in the palm of his hands,'' a teacher said. "he told them not to follow the herd if they did not want to. He came across so sincerely and honestly.'' Rev. Floyd said he enjoyed his visit to the island and hoped to return in the near future.

STREET CRUSADE -- Rev. Melvin Floyd from Philadelphia at a Street Crusade last Saturday on Court Street.