What Happens When You Share Your Story
Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2016 by
By Gareth Unruh, Assistant Director, Juvenile Justice Ministry, Denver Area YFC
The following letter was written to Don Alexander (one of our amazing volunteer staff) by an incarcerated youth we work with and is a demonstration of the power we have in Christ when we share our stories and our lives with those around us:
My name is Devin* and I attended your church group today. I am 16 years old. I just want to thank you for coming tonight and taking time out of your day to come and talk to us. You had a very strong story to tell about your life and how you overcame your struggles. Like you said, we can do anything we want to do no matter what anybody says or thinks.
I want to become a lawyer or some kind of mechanic. Your words were very strong and inspirational. You went through a lot of tough times and you found God. That is what I’m trying to do because I’m in jail and I need to get away from my old habits and I’m going to do it by finding God. That’s what you did and it worked for you. He did amazing things for you and I'm hoping He will do the same for me.
I am really thankful you came today and shared your personal experiences with us young men. So I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did today. Your words and stories hit me in a different way than anyone else’s has. You have turned my outlook on life from me giving up to me staying positive with God and get through the tough times. Thank you very much for taking the time out of your personal life to help us that need God in our lives.
God bless,
Devin
Every week, hundreds of troubled youth like Devin are given the opportunity to “not give up and to stay positive with God” through the great work and stories of our staff and volunteers all over the Denver area. Your partnership makes it possible! We are grateful to God for you, and we thank you for caring enough to help us bring the light of the Gospel to Denver’s darkest places.
*Name changed for privacy