In Need of Heroes
Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 by
By Tim Butler, Director of City Engagement and JJM Chaplain
“We certainly are in need of heroes in 2017. There’s a lot of stuff going on in the world… and it’s really scary. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was somebody who can save us from all this, save us from ourselves, save us from the consequences of our actions and save us from people who are evil?”
Wow! Ben Affleck made that statement during an interview about his character “Batman” in the movie Justice League. And don’t you wonder how many people have the same sense of despair and fear?
Hebrews 11 lists men and women who ran with endurance the life that Christ set before them, and many did so at great personal cost. Ben may not call them “heroes,” but all of them are witnesses of what Christ can do through those who persevere in faith. Need more? Here’s two of my heroes:
After his spine was damaged in a traffic accident years ago, “Terry” got addicted to prescribed drugs, and, like his parents, moved on to harder and harder drugs. Eventually, he ended up in county jail when he turned 18, and while there, he trusted Christ as His Savior, thanks to the influence of his cell-mate who was a believer. Now, he’s a resident at a large correctional facility, attends the YFC Bible studies and church services consistently, and challenges other guys on his unit to pray and study the Bible! (He’ll be released in April when he turns 21, so keep him in your prayers.)
Leroy’s been a mentor to a young man who was paroled last month from a facility where he had spent the last 18 months. Though they are “worlds apart” in terms of age, faith, family, life experience, and skin color, Leroy found ways to connect with the teen, earn his trust and that of the youth’s mother. Now that he’s living at home and attending a small high school in his neighborhood, Leroy’s Christ-centered support is even more critical for the young man, and he gives it without hesitation.
I’m immensely blessed to work alongside almost 40 other “heroes” like Leroy, men and women who’ve faithfully – some for more than 35 years! – volunteered their time at one of the three facilities where I serve as Chaplain. Their life of service to Christ honors Him, and I know countless lives have been redeemed for eternity!
Thank you for being a part of the ongoing conversation with youth in our city and helping us share God’s story. It's our honor to be the storytellers on your behalf who meet kids right where they are and give life to their story.
Providing young people in our community with the opportunity to make an informed decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ and become part of a local church.