So Much Love
Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 by
By Preston Adams, Juvenile Justice Ministries Director
I met separately with two young men at the Denver County Jail. One young man was there on a parole violation and the other young man was there on some serious charges. As I sat there with them individually God consistently hit me with a couple of thoughts: 1. How much He desperately loves these young men. 2. How much I desperately love these young men. 3. How incredible these young men are. 4. Finally, how traumatizing the pasts of these young men have been, which has shaped everything about them. For instance, here is a brief transcript of my dialogue with one of these young men:
Me: Bro, I know your dad has never been there, and you have struggled in your relationship with your mom. You guys grew up poor and life has been a struggle. Because of all of this, the gang has become somewhat of a family to you.
Young man: (**Trying desperately not to cry) You're right.
Me: And I know you have been in survival mode for your entire life and you don't know what to do anymore. The trauma you have experienced is really starting to get to you......
Young man: (**Through his sobs): Bro, I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to be here, but I don't know what else to do though....
I believe more than anything that God has called us to see people, to value them, to hear them, to receive them where they are. God has called us to, "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82: 3-4), and that command is for all of us, not just some. So, however you can continue to answer these calls from God (whether with your time, talents, or treasures) I pray you would continue to be burdened to either get involved or stay involved with us.
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.