Eyes flashed, voices rose in enthusiastic testimony as approximately 20 people met Tuesday night at Saint Stephens Baptist Church in Tarboro. No, it wasn't a church meeting, but the first of several Edgecombe County organizational meetings to be held in support of presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

James Guilford, 43, of Tarboro, shared his enthusiasm.

"This is the first time I have ever been excited about the process," he said. "I think other people feel that way too ... there's hope. I'm impressed with Obama's ability to bring people together. America has been known to be arrogant with other countries could eliminate that perception. He's a non-threatening person, and very intelligent. He plays basketball, not golf. He's in touch, and down-to-earth. As well as being an African-American with so much potential."

Alice Brown Jones, 49, of Tarboro was also enthusiastic about the candidate.

"I think Obama is a refreshing newcomer," she said. "All African-Americans are tied to cultural diversity, such as Martin Luther King and Jesse Jackson. We need some help and I think Obama can do that. Obama can bring us to the melting pot period that America is supposed to be. He has weathered the attacks and keeps bringing it back on the point. He may not be able to do much in his first four years, because he will have to clean up what's messed up.

"Michelle Obama is a wonderful helpmate," she added, "and would bring an outstanding team to the White House."

Cheryl Guilford, 35, said she felt Obama could reach beyond cultural barriers to mend broken relationships with other nations of the world.

"Our daughter, a freshman in college, called me after one of Obama's speeches," she said. "She said, 'Mama, I learned more from one of his speeches than I learned in my political science class.' This campaign is different and engaging. The intensity is increasing as people get involved."

The Rev. Robert Farmer, pastor of Saint Stephen Baptist Church, said he will continue to help throughout the election.

"Inside the congregation, I will encourage voting," he said.

Josh Parolin, 21, from Kansas City, Kans., dropped out of college to work on the Obama campaign. He was joined Monday night by Deborah Gadette from Nashville. They are both paid staff with the Obama for America campaign, in charge of Edgecombe, Nash, Northampton, Warren and Halifax counties.

"We're here to wake people up, to help them with a step in the right direction to vote and to empower people to work for Obama," Parolin told the crowd. "We want to reach out to as many communities as we can. We are part of a grassroots movement, because people have come together in this campaign. So if you know anyone in the smaller areas, such as Pinetops or Leggett, who would like to meet with us, we will be glad to have a meeting in their areas."

Parolin invited those present to tell others that a group will be meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, in the parking lot behind Piggly Wiggly at 2030 N. Main St. in Tarboro, and will canvas the area, house to house, to distribute packets.

"We will have maps for you," he said. "One of the most helpful things you can do is go door to door."

Parolin also said the group would like to use an office that has several telephone lines, and possibly internet access, in Tarboro, after hours.

"A lawyer's office or similar set-up would be great," he said. "We can come in and use the phones in the evening."

The Guilfords said they have an office in Pinetops they plan to use for an Obama meeting in the near future, as soon as it could be arranged.

"I like the fact of the way Obama has been receiving funding," James Guilford added. "He has received more than any candidate in history, and it is $5 from everyday people here, and $20 from another person here. He is not financially tied to corporations, so will not be manipulated by them once he is in office."

A Princeville meeting also is planned for next week as soon as a location can be found.

Katherine Lyons, a spokeswoman for the Obama for America campaign, in Raleigh, said the North Carolina leaders have been pleased with the response in the state.

"We have been able to reach out and touch people in communities, by going town halls, community centers, and cafes," she said. "His message of change has led to so many new people coming out in record breaking participation."

Lyons said the Obama for America campaign has 25 offices throughout the state, and thousands of volunteers.

A concern voiced by several Tarboro natives is that Obama is Muslim and will not say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the national anthem.

"That is completely untrue," Lyons said.

A brochure passed out at the Tarboro meeting said Obama is a committed Christian, and a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield D-1st District and state Sen. Clark Jenkins D-3rd District, both back Obama.

Another service of the Obama for America campaign is a toll-free number, which gives Early One-stop voting information, as well as free transportation to the polls: 1-888-NC-EARLY (888-623-2759).

"Before I became involved in this campaign, I lived for a year in Uganda, Africa, working with a non-profit organization," Parolin said. "I was talking with a group of students there, and they were talking about the election. I just want you to know the world is watching what we are doing."