It Takes What It Takes
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 by
By Preston Adams, Juvenile Justice Ministry Chaplain/Site Director
"It's never too late to change."
These were the encouraging and life-giving words I heard from an older inmate at the Denver County Jail. I was in there to visit a young man I am very close with. As I was walking to the elevator to go to the appropriate floor at the county jail, a few older inmates stopped and talked with me. As I told them about the long list of guys who were at Lookout and now were looking at serious adult charges, the one inmate said, "It's never too late to change."
I hold those words tightly, knowing he is right and hoping these words come true for the many youth I have worked so closely with, who now are looking at much more serious charges.
The young man I went to see that day was at the wrong place, at the wrong time and now is facing some serious adult time. Even though it is a less than ideal situation he was very optimistic and had a mature perspective. These are a couple of the highlights from our conversation:
"Preston, I don't know why I am here but God has me here for a purpose. It all doesn't make sense. I was at the wrong place, wrong time, and don't think I should be here, unless God really wants me here. So, I am trying to see it through that perspective."
"My family has basically given up on me and so I really do appreciate you being here to see me."
However long and whatever it takes, we will be there. Whether in juvenile facilities, in the community, in county jails, or in prison, we will be there.
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.