Raising Up Men: My first quarterly update

It was Thursday night when I received a text message from Demaj "Hey Samantha can I come to church Sunday?"  He asked.  I was shocked.  Demaj is one of our 7th graders, he has come to church once many months ago and only occassionaly stops in at youth group.  I was shocked because I hadn't heard from him in quite some time and amazed that a 13 year old boy would take the initiative to go to church, contacting me well in advnace.  Part of me figured he would forget by Sunday but Saturday evening rolled around and I received another text reminding me not to forget to pick him up for church Sunday then yet ANOTHER text early Sunday morning to tell me he was up and ready (an hour before the time I told him I would come get him)!

I was so shocked and excited and told Curtis about it. Curtis informed me that while I was gone Demaj came to youth group and when he found out that Curtis was discipling 2 other youth he asked if he could be discipled too.  Curtis gladly agreed.  That one action, that extra hour or two Curt gave to this young boy made the difference.  He formed a connection with him and showed him that he mattered.  We have known Demaj for months and he has not been committed to coming to anything and just this week alone he has come to church Sunday and Tuesday, plans to come Thursday for Youth Group and is asking for a ride next Sunday.  Relationships are the key.  

For the past year God has greatly burdened my heart for the boys in our community.  Our children's programs have been predominately girls because I have been able to invest a lot more into them.  I began to pray for more boys and God answered my prayers!!  We have more and more boys showing up both at Soul Purpose Kids club and our youth group, Ignite.  We have begun the process of getting to know them but it takes an immense amount of time and effort.  Sometimes it can take years of constant pursuit of a kid before they begin to break down the walls built around their heart.  Children in our community are so hardened because they have been hurt and betrayed so many times, therefore choosing to pour into a child takes much more than being their Sunday School teacher for an hour a week. In order to truly make an impact on these children's lives it takes taking them under your wing and allowing them to be a part of your life and entering into theirs. This is where our great struggle is, we are so short on help and the few people dedicated to the children is not enough to give the kids the time they need.  Please be praying that God would raise up people with a heart broken for the children of West Garfield Park.  Pray especially for men that they would go the extra mile to invest in the boys of our community.  

The new year has been filled with relationship building, we have had a flood of new kids entering the program which is very exciting.  Please keep us in your prayers that we would be led by the Holy Spirit in every interaction with the children, and that HE would be greatly at work in their lives.  Please pray that our children would surrender their lives to Christ and live for him.  

Another piece of exciting news is that I am now at 20% in fundraising goals!  I am working to raise $35,000 in order that I may come on fulltime staff.  So far I have been able to cut back hours weekly and dedicate that time to working at the church.  This has freed up time for me to work on fundraising, better plan events for the children, as well as have more time with the kids.  Thank you to all who have donated so that I can give more to the kids and serve the Lord where I know He has called me.  

Thank you for your prayers and support. 

Sama