Bridges for Youth

Tell us what a great job we are doing and never contribute, pray or tell anyone about our needs.Take us for granted in a religious kind of way, or a non religious kind of way.Trust that someone else will take care of the financial needs at Bridges For Youth. Wrongly justify that we are supported mostly by a church or churches. Expect us to have fundraisers all the time to make enough to stay open.Say that God will take care of us, so you don’t need to do anything.Devalue the importance of our work with kids, by never visiting a center and seeing what we actually do with kids each day.Say that we are a duplication of services in the community and we are not needed.Be a hearer of the words of the Bible and not be a doer.Surrounded by such a large Christian community, I think we need to make some noise, rather than stand in silence.   James 1:22-27 Pastor Steve Hare       www.bridgesforyouth.net

There were over 80 murders in the big bad city last year.  Rapes, child abuse, drug abuse and other statistics were rising higher and higher.  Poverty imposed its walls around the city and only small rays of hope ever pierced through its ugliness.  A circumference of fear dictated the dangers of entering here.  Certainly the wise would not venture here, for what good could come of it.

The innocent children of this urban place, placed thoughts of survival above all else.  They thirsted for love in their ragged attire, and hungered to know why on earth they were born.  Their strength, it was failing, and corrupt voices were crying to serve a lying master. Vessels of truth and Good News were but few, so the  children  they faltered and followed deceptions.    A stronghold for Satan had arisen and therefore the light of God’s love had been all but extinguished.

These are words that came to me this morning, as God suddenly laid big cities on my heart. Shall  we call the task of reaching kids in big cities impossible when we have the Lord as our strength.  Well, the answer is certainly “No!, a resounding NO!, with a big swallow following”.   As a missionary  who is called to reach hurting kids in areas of poverty and neglect, the thought of going to big cities seems to overwhelming to even consider.  The thought keeps reoccuring in my mind though, that it may well be a sin not to go.   While I was writing this blog I was particularly enthralled at an interruption  and attempted deletion of my words.    The interruption occurred as I was posting the descriptions of Satan and how He had built a stronghold in the midst of kids in the big city.  As I was looking at the screen, hands in my lap, the cursor started going backwards over my text deleting it. After pushing a number of keys without success, the cursor finally stopped. Then I had the realization that Satan did not want anyone taking an interest in his territory.  I really feel led to go to the enemies camp and take back what he has stolen.    God wants these kids back, and he wants their moms, dads, and neighborhoods back.    If anyone is of the same opinion, and stands for the almighty maker of heaven and earth, would you join me in this.  Stand with us on behalf of children and lets go to battle. Is someone reading this who will pray, someone who will join us on the frontlines, or someone who will support our vision? Our provision  for battle is  God, His Word and His Holy Spirit.  More than enough for an epic battle for truth.  There is a kid praying for deliverance now, who is in the midst of unbelievable hardships and poverty. Wouldn’t it be great to be there and give that kid a hug right now, andOnline Poker ist eine wunderbare Alternative für das online Poker casinospiele gratis???????? ????? ???????? im traditionellen Kasino. to be there for them with a Bridges For Youth Center in their neighborhood?   I think it would be grand.

Pastor Steve

This is child abuse awareness month and probably just about everybody has heard that Greene county has a big problem in this area.   I believe the statistic is 62 out of 1000 in Greene county are victims of child abuse and neglect.  I’m sure anybody who hears this has to be appalled.  There are like 23,000 students just in the Springfield Public school system alone, so thats about 1400 kids impacted right there.  This doesn’t even include all the kids that are not school age.  I heard on a radio talk show today that a large segment of the child abuse and neglect reports are for kids ages 6 and under, so this is a mountain of a problem.  Kids are crying out for help, but who will hear them if there is no one around they feel they can trust to report it to. 

Child abuse and neglect are difficult to deal with, especially when you are on the frontlines. We are in a place that we have voluntarily put ourselves, because we are passionate about helping kids and their families.  Compassion and involvement in the needs and hurts of kids illuminates the need for caring intervention through reporting, and paves the way to restored relationships and stronger families.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

I say often that the Bridges For Youth Centers are on the front lines and in the trenches as we work with kids.   This year alone we are serving 969 registered kids, ages 6-18. These types of numbers always reminds me of the fishes and loaves incident in the Bible.  Two loaves of bread and five fish to feed 5000.  Bridges is on the front lines with our 2 loaves and 5 fish, trusting in God and standing amazed at how He provides to fill the needs of kids, day after day. It should be no surprise that a large segment of these kids are victims of child abuse and neglect.   We have had dozens of  instances down through the years when rape, neglect, physical abuse have been shared with us by kids.   It never gets easier to deal with, and it always leaves a sick feeling in your gut.  Sin is like that. The sin really does make you feel sicker when its close to home though.  Child abuse and neglect is present right among the kids you want to love and protect. Its the kid you played pool with or watched a movie with just last week.  Or its the kids who proudly told you they memorized the Bible verse today. And many times its the kids who has suddenly changed due to abuse. All of a sudden the childish prankster is gone and it seems as though someone has stolen their soul.

There are a few in the Springfield and Marshfield communities who know the value of having the Bridges for Youth centers and our caring staff available to kids. Our prayer is that more people will discover us and understand that we need and value their support.

 I love pictures of Jesus surrounded by children, because that is real to me. Now, we must be Christ like and surround ourselves with children we can embrace and love through the pains of child abuse, neglect, and poverty.

Pastor Steve Hare

     Once upon a time in the make believe town of Uveoffendedmeville there was always someone protesting.  The concierege at the hotel I was staying in had a long list of local protests that I could attend on the morrow. 

The highlight of Saturdays protests was just a few blocks away, where a group of churchy folks wanted to put in a homeless shelter and kitchen. Smaller protests were organized in other parts of Uveoffendedmeville, and it really didn’t matter who you were, you could find something to shout about.

A small group would be protesting outside of city hall on Saturday concerning the poor condition of the streets and the canyon sized pot holes.  As I understand it, there had been quite an uproar lately about the closing of a local factory, so several of the former workers and local citizens were planning a vehement protest.

As I settled down in my room that night I had a dozen or so protests that were mulling around in my mind.   I was intent on making a difference and that was the whole idea of this weekend trip to Uveoffendedmeville. “Where?” I asked myself, “Can I protest and manifest a positive change in this community.”  Sleep came to me quickly as I wrestled with the opportunities that were before me.

 Although I had the deluxe suite and had paid out the big bucks to assure a good nights sleep, a night full of contrasting images was what filled my mind and caused me to toss and turn. It was then that the dreamscapes began to take shape, transporting  me into another dimension that revealed hurt, need and discouragement.  

My dream was a journey and it was fueled by thoughts of the protests I had been informed about. I would never hold an actual protest sign in my dream, for as I drew near I was pushed near to the object of the protest itself.    Oblivious to the people and objects of each protest, I was somehow cloaked, being able to observe and listen to the conversations from the other side.

I was struck and in awe as I listened into the conversation of a mom and her two children.  The mom was doing the best she could to make light of their situation, as they lived in their car at the edge of the city park.  How, I do not know, but I could hear her thoughts as she wondered how she would mask her homelessness and keep her job at a local restaurant.   She was troubled, for there was no where to leave her two young children while she worked and even more concerned that someone would find out and they would be taken away. 

Wisked away in the dream,  I could visibly see a man behind a desk, and heard the incessant interruptions of the phone ringing. This was the mayor of Uveoffendedmeville and the level of his frustration was obvious to me. The public was not aware of it, but this man had a servants heart.  Even now, hours after the usual 9-5 city hall hours, he was attending to the community he had served for 17 years.   Some were saying that the city needed a new leader and each new day brought new complaints about the way the city was run and how bad things had gotten.  The mayor felt as though he did not have a friend in the world and was taking inventory of the times anyone had shown their appreciation. Even the local factory closing down was something that he was having to weather as the criticisms continued to flow in.

As I awoke my compassions were fixed on remedying the needs in the community of Uveoffendedmeville and not on protesting the problems. My dreams had brought to light the need for community support for the homeless shelter, for the mom and her kids as well as a  coming together of the community and the mayor to resolve city problems, rather than just protesting them.

I think it is wise to make a difference by expressing the love of Christ Jesus into the needs  at hand.  We will have our disputes and our disagreements, it is sure, but to love is to obey God. To love is to show compassion for the needs of others, putting our protests aside and ministering for the common good.

This particular blog is a make believe town, who’s expressions of protest may well show up at any time or place in our daily lives.   Sometimes unfair things can make me very angry and my first thought is to protest, to express my dissatisfaction, to ramble . These feelings have become more and more short lived in recent years as I realize the fragility and the unknown length of my stay on this earth.  So, as the Bible says I try to labor in love, so that my treasure may be laid up in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy.  

 Onward,   Pastor Steve Hare