Bridges for Youth

I met Bob in 1999 at the Bridges For Youth center on National.  He was one of the first adults I encountered in ministry there.  There were no kids at the center when Bob came through the front door, and I still to this day think this all happened so I could be attentive to his needs.

While listening to Bob, I quickly gathered that he missed his father who had passed away some years ago and that he had a difficult time understanding his mother and her ways.   He talked about the days when he had a sign business and it was obvious he really missed it.   A musical career and a touch of elusive success in a band, was something Bob spoke of with excitement.   A song he had written was used without permission and without compensation.  Bob had traveled around and seen much of the country, and he had colorful stories about his adventures.  He wore a smile and also donned that disgusted look when you talked about something that bothered him.  Bob’s clothes weren’t the best, and he had a mountain man look about him.  There was a profound interest in Bob to share his testimony in front of churches, but none that I know of ever allowed it.  This bothered him immensely.  Almost every month Bob would get some assistance money so he would be able to eat, but he gave most of the money to homeless men and women he would cross paths with, so they could eat.  He worried that the wrong people would find out he was helping others and take away the assistance.  Feeling his passion for music and knowing that he didn’t have a guitar, I bought one for the youth center and allowed him to come and play.  Several times we allowed Bob to take the guitar and use his musical talents on South Street in Springfield.   I remember going to watch him perform on the streets and how much I enjoyed this man.  He could really play that guitar.  Bob was always wanting to help at the youth centers in what ever way he could.   I don’t know how many times he did face painting, but it was a bunch.  He free hand painted Bridges For Youth above the snack bar at Nichols Street in 2001 and he painted a bridge and Welcome to Bridges at the front door. Most of all he was a good friend and someone I dearly miss.  You see, Bob was a homeless man, and one who was accustomed to that lifestyle.   I accepted him as  a colorful man and one who was honest and sincere.   I count myself blessed that I knew him and that he shared his life with me.    In honor of Bob,   Pastor Steve

     Adventures in the wilderness probably brings to most of our minds scenes like in Davy Crocket, King of the wild frontier.  By the way adventure is defined in several ways: taking a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome, a wild and exciting undertaking, venture:put at risk, I will stake my reputation on this, is an activity that is comprised of risky dangerous or uncertain experiences for the sake of physical or emotional excitement.

   Lower income neighborhoods and many of the areas in our small towns in Southwest Missouri, are the two  wilderness adventures that I would like to address.  I just say wilderness because it appeals to me that it will take people with great vision and faith to take back territory that many have long since forgotten about.

      I spent two days on the roof of the Bridges For Youth center on National in 2006. I was amazed at how many people drove by and were oblivious to me being on the roof in a lawn chair with banners hanging all over the building. Needless to say when you are on the roof and nobody much is noticing you, and your not raising any money like you thought you would, you have lots of time to think and prayer.

     God showed me two things during those two hot days on the roof. We are a self centered society focused on the next thing we need to get done, and we seldom look to the right or the left, or slow down enough to just look around us.   Therefore many of the needs of the poor and those around us are never met.  The hundreds of thousands of kids and their parents living in poverty just off the beaten path are not always met, because no one gets off the beaten path of the main drag to see how they can help.

    The second thing I learned was that many people noticed me when I was on the roof and enthusiastically waved, knowing we were raising money, but never gave even a dollar.  I only received a couple bucks from one donor, on foot,  in two days on the roof. By the way, I include myself in both these categories, because I like the Apostle Paul am the ‘chief among sinners’.   The point is that we need to take personal adventures into the needs of people in our neighborhoods and small towns, and help those in need.   If we see need as Christians, if we see the poor in need, then we are supposed to help.  Jesus said “You will always have the poor with you…..”. Bridges helps the poor in 4 neighborhoods and 1 small town and we are just one opportunity you have to support the poor through our daily presence and programs.

   Bridges For Youth’s new vision will be coming out soon and it will detail new adventures we will be making into neighborhoods and small towns over the next 5 years. Follow our progress and look for our vision on the Bridges website.  Wagons ho into new areas of ministry with prayerwalking, establishing new centers, and reaching thousands more with the Good News of Christ.

Oh Christian souls rejoice,      Pastor Steve