The Soldiers of God, 2018
A very special group of teenage boys at Freedom Fire, self-named the Soldiers of God, have had some VERY COOL experiences this past year. Each month this crew takes an excursion, attempting new things, seeing new places, making new memories. Some of these trips can be intimidating or strange, seeing as how many teens haven't even left the state of Missouri before (Kansas doesn't count). There are times that I take kids on a trip, totally excited to watch them experience something new, only to see them shrink back in fear and refuse to participate (like a trip to the ocean several years ago).I wonder why they aren't as pumped as I am to see new sights?! But then I remember that exploring and traveling were all a part of my upbringing - but mostly foreign to them. And in addition to that, they are raised in a community pervaded with fear - and with good reason sometimes. I remember flying a kite with a young man out in a large field in the country. Me and a few boys were the only ones around for miles - there was simply no one to fear.But young Edward remarked to me, "I don't like it out here in the county, Coach. Someone could do something to you out here."Anyway, all that is to say that doing things our kids are unaccustomed to can be scary. Nevertheless, here are a few of the things our kids have done this year:-Go Flying! And in 2-seater airplanes (actually steering the plane at some points!)-Rode a train to Warrensburg to tour the CMSU campus.-Drove to Columbia, Missouri to see a Tiger Football game-Twice we went tubing at Hillsdale Lake ("Coach you didn't tell us the lake would be this big!")I guarantee NO OTHER KIDS in the neighborhood got to do all this. Way to go Soldiers. I am already excited for 2019. 
A Key Breakthrough
Hey it's only a key.Yes, just a key.It's what that key means that makes it such a big deal. We've waited so long for it. 
It's the key to a local community center. It used to be busy with kids every day after school: a computer lab, basketball, feeding programs, 4-H clubs and boy scouts. But with tightening budgets and no staff, the center was locked during after school hours and all weekend. In other words, just when kids could use it.For years, the Housing Authority gave us the keys. You see, after years of Freedom Fire working with the kids, they trusted us and so with that key we used it every Saturday for a mentoring/basketball activity for 10-20 young men: just what it was built for. It was the perfect partnership between public and private organizations. They had the building and no staff; we had the staff and no building.Ah, but then things changed. New leadership at the Housing Authority meant people who didn't know us, and no trust meant no keys. The locks were changed and that was that. Our appeals fell on deaf ears. So we searched for another home for our Saturday meetings, traveling from center to center with mixed results. Effective ministry in the City requires consistency of time and place. The lives of our kids are filled with inconsistencies of all kinds, and it takes time for them to realize you will be showing up EVERY week, even if they don't. So our years traveling from place to place didn't work too well.But another thing we've learned: if you hang around long enough, the local leadership will change again. So when that happened we asked once again about maybe, possibly, pretty please can we have a key? This time, it was sweet music to our ears.“Yes”Let the fun begin!
Rain or Shine, Worship Wagon Rolls in Church to the Homeless
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Songs of praise fill the air under a bridge near downtown Kansas City in an effort to reach the city's most unreached people."Worship Wagon" serves the city's poor and homeless. Those who attend the church on wheels participate in a weekly, non-denominational service each Monday night and are encouraged to come just as they are. Continue reading...
The video report below is from the CBN feature reporting on our sister organization, Worship Wagon![embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHDOFQ6aZKU[/embed]
New Experiences in the wings
This past Thanksgiving break my wife and I took a few of our Freedom Fire "sons" on an excursion to Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge. Now, my wife and I had been there a few times, always trying to catch the right weekend when tens of thousands of snow geese gather on their migratory flights. If you hit the right day, it's breathtaking, watching up to a hundred thousand geese all take flight at the same time. Wow. Witnessing a scene like that isn't soon forgotten, and we wanted our boys to feel the same awe at God's creation. But you never know. You might miss the right time entirely.We nailed it.The best part wasn't watching the geese this time. It was watching the boys. We saw them loving God's world, filled with wonder at it. For lots of our Freedom Fire kids, exposure to the outdoors just doesn't happen, so they grow up fearful of it, afraid of ANYTHING new. Compare that with my own kids, who went on countless adventures exploring creeks, climbing trees and jumping into rivers, riding bikes through the woods, swimming in lakes and ponds, you name it. They don't get afraid of new experiences, they relish them.Not so the kids from the 'hood. Fear characterizes their upbringing, and exploring nature is just another thing to fear. But this day as we watched a great blue heron, bald eagles, ducks galore, and of course a billion geese take flight, it was a big step forward for them. They loved it, and are hungry for more.
The McEldowneys
Ryan and Allison McEldowney come to Freedom Fire each week to tutor a couple of brothers, Aaron and Tyson Davis. They started about a year ago, and timing couldn’t have been better. Both boys were new recipients of a scholarship to attend a Christian school through Freedom Fire. It meant a new schedule, new teachers, new building and lots of new faces in their lives. And just as the boys were settling in, tragedy struck their family. It was almost exactly a year ago the Aaron and Tyson lost their mother to heart failure. In the tumultuous year that followed, Ryan and Allison were two consistent faces for our boys. And it wasn’t just tutoring. They took the boys out for pizza, outings to the park, playing basketball, and especially for Tyson, just holding him as he struggled to deal with 6-year-old emotions. This year has started out much better. Of course, the healing from losing their mother will take years, if it ever fully heals. But God has been faithful to these boys, filling the wide gap left by her death with lots of love from people like Ryan and Allison. Thanks McEldownys, for being the hands and feet of God for two special boys here in the city. “He is not so just as to overlook the work and the love you shown him as you have helped him people, and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10.
Freedom Fire Camp prompts a Thank you note...
One grateful Freedom Fire mother, living in federal housing, wrote the following after her children attended a Freedom Fire camp:“Thank you guys, from all the mothers of the children, for all that you do. Thank you for keeping our children safe. Thank you for keeping our children smiling. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being positive role models for my children to look up to. Thank you, thank you! I am forever grateful.”The Freedom Fire staff is also appreciative of those who sponsored campers and helped them have a fun, meaningful experience at camp. Indeed, the camps and other activities of Freedom Fire are making a difference in hundreds of kids’ lives. Check out the video below:FIREHOUSE CAMP 2017: Freedom Fire from GLENWOOD on Vimeo.God Bless,Bruce McGregorPresident
The Ripple Effect...
In the craziness of life, we need to remember the good things that have taken place. It's so easy to forget and become preoccupied with life's daily struggles. Below you will find a wonderful Freedom Fire story of how God changes lives.Andre grew up in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Kansas City. During his early years, he ended up getting involved with Freedom Fire Ministries. Andre would attend the Friday night outreaches, mentoring, and went to numerous camps. His connection with Freedom Fire brought stability and a source of love that he desperately needed. Later, as he became a teenager, he drifted away. The world of drugs presented a relentless pull and Andre became a very successful drug dealer. His gift for leadership was evident even in these illegal activities. It wasn’t easy though, for there were turf wars and shootings. His brother was shot during this time. At the height of his drug dealing business, he started meeting with Freedom Fire staff again. The relationship was rekindled, and he was inspired to make some big, life-changing decisions. Andre decided to live a life of faith and leave the world of crime behind. Andre is now taking college accredited classes through Freedom Fire and is on staff with the ministry.One day both Andre and his cousin were riding together to church. Stopping at a red light, they invited a homeless man who was flying a sign (another way of saying panhandling) to come to church. Gary was more than happy to get in the car and go with Andre. Just minutes prior to Andre stopping, Gary had prayed to the Lord saying, “Lord, I am so down and depressed. If you don’t show me a sign that you still love me, I’m going to end it all.” Moments later, the guys showed up. At church, Gary instantly found that he was part of the family, and thoroughly enjoyed the hot meal that was served afterwards. From that time on, Gary considered himself an official member of the church.Gary’s faith was stirred and his gift for evangelism emerged amongst the other homeless folks in the downtown area. He helped many over the years. During that time, he still would fly a sign, which he considered to be his job. One particular day while working, he looked down the road and saw a young man straddling the bridge over the highway. Instantly recognizing that this guy was planning to commit suicide, Gary began a dialogue that eventually led the man off the bridge, to a hot meal, and spending the night with Gary at his camp by the Missouri River. The next day Gary brought the young man, named Josh, to Freedom Covenant. They sat on the back row, and Josh listened intently to the message. At the end of the sermon, the pastor, without knowing any of the story, felt compelled to call this young man forward for prayer. With tears in his eyes, Josh came forward and prayed for Christ to take control of his life. Josh later joined the men’s group at Freedom Fire and found great encouragement and counsel there. He grew in his faith and later was reunited with his family.There are several lessons to be learned from this story. First, we should never underestimate the power of the Gospel. Paul states it well in Romans 1:16 when he says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Second, when we do share the Gospel, it can have a profound ripple effect. Our homegrown leaders such as Andre and Gary are certainly examples of this.God Bless,Bruce McGregorP.S. If you would like to support the ministry, you can make a contribution on our website (freedomfire.org) using PayPal. You may also mail checks to Freedom Fire, PO Box 270061, KC MO 64127. Please make checks payable to Freedom Fire. To find out about volunteer opportunities please contact us via the website.
Freedom Fire 20 Years & Lots of Testimonies
Over the last two decades, we have had the awesome privilege of serving and helping thousands of youth. Many had dramatic changes in life styles, while others started off well and then wondered off the path. Due to our longevity and continuity of ministry, we have seen many youth come back to their faith and spiritual family as an adult. Please click on the link below to hear a brief testimony from Reggie, one of these early members of Freedom Fire.
https://vimeo.com/205261271?ref=em-v-share
God Bless,
Bruce McGregor
P.S. If you would like to support the ministry, you can make a contribution on our website (freedomfire.org) using PayPal. You may also mail checks to Freedom Fire, PO Box 270061, KC MO 64127. Please make checks payable to Freedom Fire. To find out about volunteer opportunities please contact us via the website.
Cindy and her Homegirls
Cindy Hixson first met her girls at one of our Friday Night Outreaches. And as sometimes happen, she began to care so much for a few of them she asked if she could spend time with them during the week. Of course you can! That’s what we’re hoping for: that God touches you with a little slice of his love for the kids so you just -- can’t – stay -- away. That’s how her Friday Night Bible club was born. Instead of investing in a bunch of kids in a small way like what happens at the outreaches, she has focused on a few girls in a big way! That’s the model Jesus left for us and we try to follow.Paul said it best in “We loved you so much we were delighted to not only spend …but our lives as well.” 
As they study the Bible, lots of good questions come up. “When was God born? Why would God send people to Hell, if God is so loving, why is there so many hurting people in the world?Questions about scary stories, abortion, abuse, and homosexuality. Biblical answers for real issues. The Gospel is more caught than taught. They watch Cindy and learn way more than just Bible verses. They see God’s love at work and they want it.As a group, they have gone on lots of outings: roller skating, swimming, making Christmas cookies to give away, serving at Harvesters, and because one of the girls wants to be a fireman, visiting a fire station. And they are learning to love Jesus, learning to pray, and to give his love to others. Cindy says, “They think I’m doing all the ministry, but I’m not. I need them as much as they need me.”Thank you Cindy!!(By the way, any more Cindys out there you can send our way? We love them!)
“I Don’t Want to Die a Nothing”
“I Don’t Want to Die a Nothing”
There was a knock on the door. Surprised that there was an early morning visitor, I made my way to the front door of our office house. Standing on the porch was a young man that I recognized from the neighborhood. Having worked with hundreds of kids for years in the heart of federal housing, I had met lots of people, but standing on the porch was a young man that I recognized from the neighborhood. This person, Alan, was the older brother of a young teenager who had attended our Freedom Fire outreaches. Alan had watched our work with youth for years and had appreciated the positive influence that was evident in many of the lives who attended our programs. This particular day, Alan needed help. He felt the ministry of Freedom Fire might be of some assistance with what was bothering him. As he sat down at the table in my office, he began to tell me an amazing story. Several months prior to this visit, he was having a party at his house. The hour was late and everyone had congregated in the yard drinking and listening to music. During this time a mini-van slowly approached the house. Just as it pulled up, a van door slid open, muzzle flashes could be seen, and gun fire was heard. Everyone instinctively dove for cover; some ran into the house. Alan dove into some bushes near the front of the house. Eventually, the gun fire subsided and Alan remained still for a period of time to make sure the coast was clear. As he lay on the ground behind the bushes, he could feel some sharp pains in his abdomen. Eventually, his friends found him and dragged him into the house. After stripping him down, they discovered two massive bullet wounds in his lower torso. An ambulance was called to take him to the emergency room. At the hospital, the surgeons worked diligently to remove the bullets and stem the bleeding. Alan had lost a lot of blood and almost died. While in recovery, his sister sat by his bedside and prayed for him. When he regained consciousness, his sister hugged him and told him that God had saved his life. Alan proclaimed with a defiant attitude that God did not save him; the doctors did. Alan’s heart was hardened toward the idea of God. Due to his rough upbringing and being part of a family notorious for drug trafficking, Alan had developed a jaded view of God. Even with his sister’s appeal for Alan to change his ways and get right with God, his heart remained hard.Fast forward to the night before Alan came to visit me. Alan was partying again at his house. There was drinking and carousing outside much like months before. Astonishingly, a van came by and strafed the front yard once again. Like the previous time, Alan dove into the bushes. One might think he would have dove behind something that could have offered a little bit more protection – especially after the last event. When the gun fire ceased, Alan felt the same sharp pains as the last time. Knowing that he had been hit again, he decided to pray. He asked God, “If you spare my life, I will surrender my life to you.” Again, his friends found him and dragged him in the house and stripped him down. Amazingly, there were no bullet wounds to be found. Alan knew God had saved him. It was this miraculous event that propelled him to the offices of Freedom Fire. As Alan finished telling me this story, tears began to run down his cheeks. “I don’t want to die a nothing,” he stated. “If I keep on the same path that I am on now, that is exactly what is going to happen. Can you help me?” What an open door! I proceed to tell him about our God in heaven who knows his needs, pains and hopes. This God we know as Jesus certainly can help. After a heart felt discussion, Alan prayed that Jesus would forgive him of all his sins and evil ways. He also asked God to take over his life and be the one who controls the rest of his days left here on earth, expressing gratitude for God’s sacrificial and unconditional love. When the prayer was over, Alan exclaimed, “That was amazing! I felt a warm tingling sensation all over me.” For Alan, this was a clear sign that God was hearing his prayer and receiving him unconditionally. Although many people’s lives do not include such dramatic events, we all have the same heart’s cry. We all want to be significant. In Alan’s words, “we don’t want to die a nothing.” Many try to find significance in their work, some by social status at school. For parents, it might even be in the achievements of their children. As Alan found out, there is only one way to find the ultimate significance in life. That is by yielding to the Creator of all life, Jesus Christ. It’s a step of faith, but one that brings great meaning. For Alan, he left the drug trafficking business and became a home renovator. He also led other members out of a life of crime and into some legitimate means of work. This type of transformation takes place just as the apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is ja new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. For Alan and many others like him, by looking to Jesus, they found the pathway of significance.
Fruit that Lasts
The other night at our weekly outreach at T.B.Watkins, we had an unexpected surprise visit from an old friend, Demonta Bailey. Demonta grew up attending this very meeting starting at age 8. He played the same games, heard the same messages, and won the same prizes as we still have today. He shared some of his life story with the kids, how he got involved at Freedom Fire, got a scholarship to Kansas City Christian School, and with college almost done now, is serving in the US Army. He is an excellent example to our kids of a young man from their own neighborhood who now loves the Lord with all his heart.Alongside Demonta in the picture is another young man, Andre Harris. Andre grew up across the street at Wayne Miner and is now helping to lead the outreach each week. He is an energetic speaker who loves the kids. See the two of them up front leading the meeting while I stood in the back was a great moment. Fruit may take a long time to grow, but it sure is sweet when it gets here.
Prosecutor of Mercy
He fell asleep while driving. He crossed all the oncoming lanes of traffic, smashed into a short landscaping wall, up a short hill, through a tall fence, and came to a stop just short (maybe 2 inches) from a house. The car ended up on its side between the house and a tree. The young man’s first memory is of the officer helping him climb up and out through the passenger door. After a brief visit to the hospital, he walked away almost totally unharmed. Wow is he lucky, and fortunate, and blessed.But then came the legal fallout. He was driving with no insurance and on a suspended license. The hospital bills, insurance company, and traffic tickets to 3 different cities were in the tens of thousands, all while making $8.50 selling ice cream. The young man who grew up around Freedom Fire and so along with his family he had some good help to navigate through a thicket of troubles. He paid about $1,000 in fines to one city and now sat before the prosecutor at another. After looking over his file, she looked up at him. She could see all his problems – how he had ignored previous tickets, ignored laws about insurance requirements, kept driving while suspended, and of course the accident.Then she began to speak.“You are your own worst enemy. What are you doing out there? I can see you are a good kid, why do you keep hurting yourself? You should be in school, working 2 jobs to make your dreams come true. I can see you have good people in your life, but it’s all up to you.”She read more of his file, saw the suspended license for skipping a court date.“Young man, what are you doing with your life? I have been doing this for a long time and I can tell that some people won’t listen to me. But you’re different. I can see you’re smart and have a lot going for you. But, please, what are you doing with your life? Unpaid tickets, skipping court, speeding, driving without insurance, driving while suspended…. ”As she talked, the young man began to cry. Hearing her list all of his mistakes was painful and embarrassing. I sat quietly, praying that God would be speaking to him through a woman he’d never met, saying the same things he’d heard from me. And I could feel it happening – finally getting through.She also could see the impact of her words, and finally she said, “This city doesn’t need your money. Use it to go back to school. And when you do, bring me your first grade card so I can see how good you’re doing. Good-bye.”I felt like God himself had spoken through her – seeing into his heart and instead of judgment He spoke mercy and hope.His first words after leaving the courthouse: “I'm going back to school.” He continued talking through the morning, “It hurt when she was talking to me, but I wasn't mad at her. It was good for her to say those things to me out loud.
It sounded sad as she was talking about my life. She wasn’t talking like a prosecutor. She was talking like she knew who I was. She was talking to me like a mom.
I was making a lot of excuses to myself. She was totally on point and correct. Not only did she give me a low fine (it was $20), but she made me want to get more than what I am getting right now. This is like her giving me an opportunity to spend my money on school instead of fines. I've just been doing a bunch of nothing.I want to get a better job, not for her but for me.And I need to go back to school sometime soon. Really soon.
She wasn’t talking bad, it made me feel good. If someone like her could see the good in me, then I need to do something.”
I wonder if we would all have that response if we had the chance for God to speak to us. Instead of hearing judgment, we hear mercy. And our hearts respond with unexpected joy and thanks. And then, in return for his love, we want “to do something” with this life he gave.
Marriage Advance
This past weekend six young married couples Freedom Covenant Church went to Camp Shalom for a retreat. But so many good things happened that calling it a retreat wouldn't be right. The kingdom of God advanced! Look it's rare and unusual for couples in the city to choose marriage. But here we have six couples all in the same inner city church who have done just that. They are leaving compromise behind and choosing righteousness. Sure it's hard. But they we are seeing the payoff at weekends like these. As the seminar leaders spoke, it was obvious the couples were listening. Just read some of the comments:"I didn't know I was making my wife feel like that...""We had probably the best conversation last night that we've had since we've been married.""I now realize that being angry is a choice.""I don't read the Bible that much, but reading it to my wife every night before bed, I can do and I liked doing it.""I need to change the way I treat my husband...""If I die to myself, I think I can build up trust with my spouse..." This is evidence of the ways God was working this weekend. There's more, but the blog would be too long. The couples are beginning to grasp the fact that:
- -We are in a spiritual battle
- - We are in a spiritual battle
- - Our spouses are NOT our enemy
- - Satan hates marriages
- - Spiritual strongholds in our life keep us from living freely
- - God's truth in His word counters those strongholds or lies we've believed about ourselves.
- - We need to die to ourselves
Thanks to all our friends who were praying for these couples. It is a joy to see God changing our little corner of the world.
Married in the 'Hood
Future Golfers Look out!
For the past two months 6 of our Freedom Fire kids have been participating in the 1st Tee program, a national program sponsored by the PGA. Each week the kids, along with their mentors, receive golf lessons and practice their game. It has been a load of fun for both kids and mentors as the kids have begun to really enjoy playing the game of golf. It’s been great to see relationships deepen and memories created. At the end of the program, they enjoyed an outing to Top Golf and were surprised to be greeted by Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs, and NFL Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud, former place kicker for the Chiefs. Thanks to John Walker for funding the program for our kids!
13 years and counting....
13 years ago Sarah made the mistake as a college student of stepping foot into a Friday Night Outreach, and letting God touch her heart for one of the forgotten kids of the City. De’Quan was one of those kids. He found a home in her heart and never left…
De'Quan was the first Freedom Fire kid that I (Sarah) have distinct memories of, beginning back in 2003. He wove his way into my heart in ways simply authentically himself. After my husband and I were married in 2010, he was a regular in our home in weekends and over summer breaks. In a way that can only be written as God's divine appointment, in 2014 he became a permanent part of our family. 
At 16 he is an incredible young man, full of potential and joy. He is compassionate, creative, talented artist, determined, honor roll student, full of love and a treasured member of our family. God is astounding in the masterful way He weaves our stories, I look at life and realize there is no way other than this - together as a family, seeking the heart of God. 
Thank you Sarah and Jon, for letting the Father display his love to one those dearest to Him.
Giving is Getting
Camille and Rachel have been tutoring Rikita and Rhayne once a week for the past 2 years. It's unusual for high schoolers to commit to tutoring for one full year of school, much less for two years. But these are unusual girls. Then again, how could they not enjoy spending time with 2 little girls as cute and sweet at these two?
Rikita and Rhayne are regulars at our weekly outreach in their neighborhood too, and greet us with a hug each week. Good attitudes, faithful attenders, eager learners – just the kind of child we love investing in. 
But in giving time to kids like these, you always receive too. It’s heavenly economics, where giving is getting. Both Rachel and Camille talk about what they learn and gain from a single hour each week in the ‘hood. Sitting next to a child you have grown to love, you learn things about yourself you didn’t know. The givers end up receiving in return.
Anyway, thanks to Camille and Rachel for giving time each week for these two lovelies.But waitaminnit….After all that giving and getting, maybe you girls should be thanking the kids! That sounds like the kingdom, where everyone’s thanking everyone for the getting you got during the giving you gave. Only God could come up with such a glorious way to live.
Wednesday Homegirls
When a volunteer offers to lead a Bible Club, we get pretty excited. After breathing a prayer of thanks, we right away get to work on selecting the kids to invite. Drawing from the kids we know from our regular Friday Night Outreach, we try to match members by age, friendships, and location. We pick those kids who have shown an interest in growing in their faith and are hungry for our friendship. So when Jessica and a friend called up wanting to volunteer, we picked a handful of girls who fit the profile and help them get started.
Jessica and Addie have now been leading these girls in a weekly Bible Club for over two years and for Asianae, Jazmin, Rhonda and Trenyce, life has centered around that time. What young lady wouldn’t want to spend time with these two excellent role models. And it’s not complicated: pick up the girls, have a snack at the Freedom Fire house, talk about the highs and lows of the week, share a Bible story, and pray together.
The girls begin to see that it’s healthy and good to talk over their lives, their thoughts, and how Jesus fits into all of it. That the stories in the Bible are real (“Wait, so this means that all of those stories we have been reading really happened?”) and what it means for their young lives, especially as they have moved from grade schoolers to young teens.
The best times come from special outings, like to Winstead’s for a birthday milkshake, or the park, or to summer camp. But it’s the weekly times of discussion that set the stage for the Lord to become real to these special young ladies. We can’t wait to see what happens in their lives as they continue growing up in God.Yes Lord!
Thursdays with Manda
Amanda is hanging around Freedom Fire about 7 days a week. She's addicted, ruined, completely pouring her life into the precious young ladies of 12th street. On Thursdays, she brings 4 young lovelies to her house for schoolwork, then fun and games. Cookies, baking, sewing, board games, making a memory every week. Ask those girls if they ever want to miss a day at Manda’s house and they answer in two words: NO WAY. Hey Manda, aren’t you missing out on your tv shows? What about shopping? A boyfriend? Manda’s not listening. She’s out the door on her way to tutor a kindergartener, or lead a Bible Club, or attend an outreach. Like Paul, a life poured out like a drink offering. Is there a better way to live?
Just Getting Started
For the last year and a half, Michael Loney has been spending time with a group of guys at the Garrison Community Center, one of our Friday Night Outreach locations. We played ball and had a weekly Bible study with a group of 15-20 young men. Gradually he began focusing on a few middle schoolers and gathered them together for a basketball team, building on the fine work of a few of the community center staff, Greg and Ramone, who had already been working with these boys.There have plenty of ups and downs over the past year with the guys, with lots opportunities for Michael to quit. But these are the kind of boys who need someone to prove their love over time. Change doesn’t often come quickly, especially when so many forces in their lives are working against you.A few weeks ago Michael organized a banquet for the guys to celebrate how far they’ve come in the last 18 months, with guest speaker Tyrone Flowers (thanks Mr. Flowers). The next week he took them out to rake some lawns to raise money for the next basketball tournament fees. The work isn’t close to being done. Hey, how long does it take to raise a child? My kids are in their 20’s and I’m still not done! But those who know these boys can see a difference. Statistics show how significant just one person can be in a child’s life. And looking at the pic from the banquet, the Lord has put several good men in their lives – Michael, Greg, Ramone, Kevin, and a host of others praying for them. But even with that support, there will lots more bumps on the long road to maturity. Check back in 10 years, we’re just getting started.
