Resources Archives — Page 6 of 9

20Oct, 2015

Shapers: Leadership That Restores Hope

Deriving leadership principles from the biblical figure Nehemiah, “Shapers” is a look into the life and legacy of one of history’s greatest leaders of justice and compassion. This Old Testament hero of the faith took a city lying in ruins and rebuilt its walls in implausible time while facing relentless opposition—even an assassination attempt!

This story isn’t just about an urban revitalization project; it’s a fascinating narrative of a leader who sacrificed so much to restore hope in people who were hurting. Nehemiah shows us that character-based leadership, who we are and what we do consistently, will come to define us. He teaches us that it’s good to have our hearts broken for the things that break God’s heart. He is a living example that if we are bold in faith, mighty forces will come to our aid.

Nehemiah gives us a blueprint for living in missional community together with others. His adversity reminds us that resistance is important to our lives because it shapes us, and who we are becoming is more important than what we are accomplishing. Like any warm-blooded leader, Nehemiah gets angry at times. But he is wise enough to know that what we do with our anger shapes us.

Finally, we see that the story of Nehemiah is not so much about a wall as it is about people. A wall was a practical need that Nehemiah could meet in the lives of suffering people, but in the end, it was more about helping people rediscover their heritage, re-imagine their future, and ultimately find their place in His-story.

Chapters (Download a free sample here)

1. CHARACTER: It Determines Your Destiny
2. COMPASSION: Has Your Heart Been Broken?
3. VISION: Be Bold and Mighty Forces Will Come
4. COMMUNITY: God Works Through Missional Tribes
5. ADVERSITY: The Hard Is What Makes It Great
6. ANGER: What You Do With It, Shapes You
7. MISSION: It’s Not About a Wall, But People
8. FOCUS: No Time For Self-Vindication
9. PURPOSE: Finding Their Place In His-Story
10. WORSHIP: Breaking Away From Idolatry
11. CELEBRATING: Don’t Forget To Party

1Apr, 2015

How to Minister to Kids in Crisis Without a Counseling Degree

How to Minister to Kids in Crisis When You Don’t Have a Counseling Degree

This topic often comes up with volunteers in our ministry and with others who desire to minister to kids in crisis. This article is a great resource that addresses how to help children in your ministry when you don’t have a counseling degree.

You don’t have to be a mental health professional to help troubled children — you only need a deep commitment to Jesus and kids, and a whole lot of empathy…

Imagine your Sunday school class — all the kids are engaged in the lesson, intently focused on what Joseph’s father is going to do to him after the way he’s behaved. Then suddenly, your reverence-filled room disintegrates into chaos. Elizabeth — who’s experiencing some challenges outside of class — slaps Pedro in the back of the head and calls him stupid. Some kids giggle, but others fidget uncomfortably — they wanted to find out what happened to Joseph. A volunteer scrambles toward Elizabeth, hoping to stop yet another out-of-control impulsive outburst. After the dust settles, you see Elizabeth smiling and looking oh-so-proud of what she’s created.

I’ve encountered kids with a lot in common with Elizabeth in my time in children’s ministry. In fact, an established “troublemaker” was one of my first assignments when I signed on as a volunteer.

As a marriage and family therapist and professor, I thought I knew the necessary skills for working with troubled children. Why, I’ve helped dozens of families work through issues in family therapy, I thought. It’ll be a piece of cake.

But some of these lads frosted my personal experiences and professional expertise. I had to dig deep into my pockets of patience and creativity for skills that would work with troubled children. From temper outbursts to overtly unbecoming behavior — you name it, I experienced it. And I’ll tell you what, I now express my respect and appreciation more openly to children’s ministry volunteers — the unsung heroes of our churches.

What do you do when you know a child is hurting or doesn’t fit in with the other kids? If a child is suffering because of a physical or emotional challenge — or both — where do you turn? And how do you know whether the challenges are beyond your resources?

You can make powerful connections in kids’ lives, even when they’re burdened with emotional, physical, and social problems. You don’t have to be a mental health professional to help troubled children — you only need a deep commitment to Jesus and kids, and a whole lot of empathy.

Here are three profound principles I’ve learned in my journey as a children’s ministry volunteer and professional counselor:

1. Love is the language of relationship.

All children need to be loved, and hurting children especially need to experience love. We shower our troubled children with love, and it’s been key to their positive responses to us and other children. When a child can’t sit still, I warmly place my arm around him or her. It’s not unusual for a child to crawl into my lap and relax.

As a professional, I know enough Attachment Theory to realize that I’ll get nowhere with these children without first connecting with them. So my mission is to foster friendships with them, and I do everything in my power to draw these kids into a relationship.

Love, then discipline. Children who are suffering through crisis or are otherwise hurting often process their feelings in ways that give them a sense of control, even if the result is negative. So if a troubled child acts out, withdraws, regresses, or displays self-injuring behavior, display consistent, supportive love. For example, I pat kids on the back as their behaviors improve. I hold a hand, smile, sit nearby, encourage participation, and introduce kids to other children. These children excel when they realize that they’re genuinely cared for and valued, and this provides an atmosphere conducive for all children.

It’s important to remember that struggling children who act unruly intuitively feel the other children don’t approve of them. A misbehaving child tends to reinforce this emotional distance by doing things that increase the negativity. When a child disrupts, our initial response is to get the child to behave because we have other kids to consider. “Sit in your chair.” “Be quiet.” “Go to the back of the line.”

Although adults are tempted to intervene with discipline when a child disrupts, the quintessential tool is love. Avoid disciplining a child until you’ve first extended love. Typically a child in this situation needs something other than discipline. Creating ways for the child to receive love and connect with others is a starting point.

Grow healthy relationships. Often as a defense mechanism, troubled children will sabotage relationships because they already feel others don’t like them. For a child experiencing this intense pain, negative responses from others at least provide some form of emotional connection. The saying goes, “Any emotion is better than no emotion.” As broken individuals, we tend to go for the least common denominator by attracting negative attention if we fail to get positive interaction.

We all yearn for healthy connections with others. Relationships, without a doubt, are our greatest need — God identified this while reconciling himself to us on the Cross. This fundamental need may be why some children in crisis continue to elicit negativity from others — negative reactions provide the child with (as strange as it may sound) a sense of normalcy. So if this child gets only negative and inappropriate responses at home, then he or she will work hard to get the same kind of response from others. Even though that’s not normal, it feels normal to the child. That makes it vitally important to connect with a troubled child’s parents. They’re our greatest resource because they guide a child’s moral and emotional compass.

Children under age 12 are highly impressionable; what you tell them is what they believe. So choose your words carefully. I’ve counseled hundreds of adults who, during childhood, were told they were “stupid,” “dumb,” and would “never amount to much.” Many of these children — now adults — find it extremely difficult to exchange those negative impressions for positive ones.

2. Attention given is affection gained.

It’s been said, “The best gift I ever received in life was another person who believed in me.” How true. A basic human need is to be believed in by another. I experience this often with my kids. They’re always bringing their latest art project to show me. Suppose I brushed aside their masterpieces, saying, “Don’t bother me with your poorly painted airplane!” or “Quit showing me your awful poems!”

To show my kids that I value them and believe in their abilities, I kneel and give loving attention to their treasures. I look deep into my children’s eyes and tell them how proud I am of their creations.

Build self-esteem. Troubled children, just like all children, have an innate need to be believed in. They need someone to say, “You matter.” Find something children do well and let them know you’re proud of them. It may be something as simple as letting a child know you noticed him or her sitting quietly during the prayer. Or it might be an artistic or musical talent. Get on your little friend’s eye level. Sit next to the child and look him or her straight in the eye. Never hold back a genuine word of approval. If a child has a hard time with eye contact, be patient. You might first start by gently placing your hand under the child’s chin and carefully raising his or her face until level eye contact occurs.

I’ve conducted child therapy with many kids with low self-esteem. Many of these kids are used to constant scolding void of any compliments, so they don’t know what positive approval is. By encouraging a child, you could be helping that child gain self-esteem. Self-esteem is the foundational building block of a person’s self-identity — it’s how we view ourselves in relation to the world around us. When kids have negative or no self-esteem, they’re at risk for emotional, educational, and social problems that can impact them for life.

Encourage moments of celebration. Talk about kids’ positive actions. Listen actively — mirror what the child says to you. Respond to the child’s words and actions. It’s true for adults and children — to know we’ve been heard brings value to our soul. Begin today — you’ll be amazed how the child responds.

3. Time spent equals self-worth.

My son, Daniel, wanted to play Monopoly at age 6. His 8-year-old sister, Savannah, was old enough to understand the game but Daniel wasn’t. Yet Daniel insisted that we play — so we did. At times, I’d ask Daniel if he was bored and his immediate response was, “No, I’m having fun.” Then he’d frequently add, “Can we play for several more hours?” I pondered his words and thought, What’s Daniel communicating to me? He looks bored and confused, but he wants to torment himself for a couple more hours?

I realized that time spent with Daniel, regardless of the activity, meant more to him than understanding the game. He found pleasure and fulfillment spending time with his family. Our presence — not Monopoly — gave him value as a person. Jesus frequently expressed this sentiment by reassuring his disciples of his constant presence; we can do the same for all children.

How does this work with troubled children? It’s simple — spend time together. If a child is on the floor playing, sit beside him or her. Listen to the lesson as if for the first time. Be enthusiastic. Support the child in actions and words. Remember: Kids never get enough love. They’re like sponges continually soaking up praise. Never underestimate the value of the time you give to a struggling child.

[divider]

Many lives have been forever changed because someone like you planted seeds of hope with your actions and God’s Word. If you happen to meet a girl or boy like Elizabeth this Sunday, give that child a big hug for me. Some of those troubled children will bring you the greatest joy.

Turning Points

Children in crisis need you to share God’s love and support. Here are ways you can build a foundation of trust, acceptance, and caring.

Enlist parent pairs. If a child is struggling and nothing you’ve tried seems to work, contact the child’s parent or guardian and ask for full participation. This means the parent may need to be physically present with the child for the child to participate in class.
Structure to meet needs. You can meet hurting kids’ needs for affection, love, joy, affirmation, acceptance, and more by carefully structuring your classroom activities to nurture these emotions and experiences. For instance, help kids experience acceptance by using noncompetitive games and interactive learning experiences where they work in groups to meet a common goal.
Give consistent care. Make a consistent connection with the child by following a routine of caring. Greeting a child, asking how he or she is doing, asking specific follow-up questions about the child’s life and experiences, and communicating an open and nonjudgmental attitude on a daily basis are vital to building a basic relationship with a struggling child.
Read the signs. Although children are resilient, they have a way of being brutally honest through actions and words — especially when something is amiss. It’s critical that we are students of our children. If a child exhibits signs of abuse (injuries beyond common bruising, untreated wounds, sudden behavior changes, and more), you’re mandated to report the crime. Ministries must always think in terms of guarding children’s safety.

When to Refer

Occasionally a struggling child may need more help than you can offer. Use these indicators to gauge whether it’s time to refer a child for professional help.

Significant negative behavior or personality changes occur over a period of time. These can include anger, aggression, withdrawal, sadness, over-sensitivity, clinginess, and more.
A child no longer enjoys activities that he or she used to.
A child talks about hurting him- or herself or others.
You know or strongly suspect that the child has experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, or other significant challenge.

One or more of these indicators may mean your child needs professional assistance. Consult with your pastor or supervisor about how to best connect the child and the child’s family with a mental health professional in your area.

The author: Donald Welch is a family therapist in San Diego, California.

12Jan, 2015

Must Read Missions Books

Looking for some interesting reads on the topic of missions? Here are some popular missions books worth recommending:

Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions | John Piper

This third edition of Piper’s bestselling book shows that worship is the ultimate goal of the church and provides readers with a sound theological foundation for missions. Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate.

Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures | Sarah A. Lanier

In this quick read, Lanier provides a practical introduction to understanding cultures through the categories of “hot-climate” (relationship-oriented) and “cold-climate” (task-oriented) cultures. Foreign to Familiar is a splendidly written, well researched work on cultures. Anyone traveling abroad should not leave home without this valuable resource! Required reading for cross cultural workers. This book creates within us a greater appreciation for our extended families around the world and an increased desire to better serve them.

Peace Child | Don Richardson

This gripping true story is the firsthand account of Don Richardson, who served among a cannibalistic people group. In this tough climate, Richardson built a bridge between the Sawi’s sacrificial culture and the sacrifice of Christ to successfully explain the gospel for the first time. Peace Child is a great read for anyone interested in serving among unreached people groups.

Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation | Jason Mandryk

Now in its seventh edition, Operation World outlines key demographic, historical and spiritual data for every country in the world. The content is highly organized, making it easy to look up specific facts quickly, and there is also a daily prayer guide to help you pray for the nations.

Through Gates of Splendor | Elisabeth Elliot

Written in 1957, this classic missions book is written by Elisabeth Elliot, whose husband Jim was killed by the Auca Indians in Ecuador. Elliot details his journey with the other four missionaries who lost their lives sharing the gospel.

The Poor Will Be Glad: Joining the Revolution to Lift the World Out of Poverty | Peter Greer and Phil Smith

This challenging book outlines the distinction between a handout and hand up in the way we approach poverty alleviation. Greer and Smith draw on real-life experience to offer practical and actionable ways that individuals can contribute to the economic development of their community and the world. It’s a great read for anyone who wants to use community development as a platform to share the gospel.

Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions | Steve Rundle and Tom Steffen

For many countries that are socially and legally closed the gospel, workers must use creative methods to share their faith. In Great Commission Companies, the authors explain how business people are using their acumen to start companies and share the gospel all over the world.

A Spirituality of Fundraising | Henri J.M. Nouwen

Have you ever raised funds for your church, another organization, or a mission trip? Maybe you felt uncomfortable about asking people to donate money. It’s time to change the way you view this important task. Henri Nouwen explains why fundraising for ministry is not a burden but rather a tool for discipleship. “Fundraising is, first and foremost, a ministry.” Nouwen approaches fundraising from a position of strength rather than weakness, seeing it as spiritual work. “Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging,” he points out. The core of fundraising is casting a compelling vision that people want to be part of.

Strangers Next Door: Immigration, Migration and Mission | J.D. Payne

“The nations” are now converging in neighborhoods around North America because of recent trends in globalization and migration. In this practical book, J.D. Payne offers insights and examples on how Christians can make meaningful cross-cultural relationships right in their backyard.

The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose in Your Life | Os Guinness

In this thoughtful work, Guinness contemplates the deep question, “What am I here for?” Guinness exhorts readers to consider what God’s calling is for their lives, stating, “No idea short of God’s call can ground and fulfill the truest human desire for purpose and fulfillment.” For those looking to be able to articulate God’s specific purpose for your life, this book is a key resource.

12Jan, 2015

Ministry of Reconciliation: Racial Justice Series

The Gospel, Justice, and Racial Reconciliation

“Racial reconciliation is not fundamentally about us. It’s not about you. It’s not me. It’s about Christ. It’s for the glory of his name.” – Matthew Hall

We hope that you are taking time to pray for America and the crisis we find ourselves in at the moment. Read Jimmy’s blog post “5 Ways to Pray for America” and see some of the specific issues we urgently need to be praying over in light of justice and reconciliation.

If you have been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5), then are you seeking to live out the gospel in regards to racial reconciliation and justice?

The first step to that is to get resourced and educated about the issues, dynamics and hindrances to reconciliation and racial justice.

And that’s why Verge Network has created the Racial Justice Series for you. Over the next couple of weeks (it’s a work in progress), they’ll be adding more resources to this series, so be sure and check back frequently for updates.

Racial Justice Series:

Part 1 – Understanding the Problem

Part 2 – The Illusion of Progress

Part 3 – Growing in Racial Intellegence

Part 4 – A Plea for Unity (coming soon)

Part 5 – The Toxicity of Colorblindness (coming soon)

Plus…

70+ Race Resources for White People – Leslie Verner

It’s time. Maybe you read a news article on your Facebook feed or listened to a podcast and feel it’s time for you to finally DO something about the injustices in our nation. Perhaps it is time for that. But our African American sisters and brothers have asked that before we speak, we be sure that we have done something else first: educate ourselves… The following list of resources is far from exhaustive, but will serve as a springboard for those who want to learn more about racism in America right now. [Read More]

Verge Network

Equipping Leaders for Mission | An advocate and champion for movements of gospel-centered Missional Communities, Verge Network exists for church leaders, students, entrepreneurs, artists, urban innovators, business leaders, community development specialists, non-profit leaders, church planters and everyday leaders – anyone pursuing the mission of God, in community, whatever the context, for the sake of the Gospel.

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15Sep, 2014

Outreach Ideas: Birthday Cakes for Juvenile Inmates

15Jun, 2014

Dead Serious

How does a boy go from playing little league baseball, to stealing cars, selling crack cocaine, robbery with a firearm, and kidnapping five people? That’s the question Patrick Davis has asked himself over and over again after being in and out of prison and having his brother murdered while he was locked up all before the age of nineteen.

“I can’t say I remember a certain time when things changed,” says Patrick. “Some people say you are a product of your environment. To an extent, I agree with that. But I think a lot of things contributed to my downfall – my father leaving the five of us, the abuse, the desire as a kid for acceptance but never receiving it. I never would’ve imagined one day I would be facing 45 years in prison for aggravated robbery with a gun, and five counts of kidnapping.”

Teaser video below:

As he sat in his jail cell awaiting trial, Patrick had much to think about. He pondered the time he and his friends broke into the wrong car only to see a guy come out with a 9mm in his hand. He thought about his overdose on L.S.D. and being comatose for three days. His mind raced to the time he was pushing crack on an opponent’s turf when a rival dealer chased him off and ran his car off the road with Patrick being thrust through the windshield.

“It seemed like at one point there were so many people who wanted to kill me, I didn’t know how much longer I would live,” he confessed. “Sleeping with a gun, the paranoid feelings followed me everywhere.”

Suddenly, the sound of a key in his cell door brought him back to reality. It was a C.O. (Corrections Officer or Guard), “Patrick, I’ve got some bad news for you. Your brother, Larry, was stabbed to death last night in downtown Cleveland.” The news didn’t seem real. As hard as it was for Patrick to accept, his brother, Larry, was gone forever.

Immediately, he went into an animalistic rage, throwing chairs all over the room. It took about ten guards to get him back into his cell. He spent the next month in solitary confinement without having the opportunity to attend his brother’s funeral.

What happened next is something that Patrick says he would never have expected. He had an intimate encounter with the Creator of the Universe. After crying out to God in utter desperation, “Jesus Christ revealed Himself to me in a way I never dreamed was possible. It was purely supernatural. From that moment I was forever changed, and miraculous things started happening almost immediately.”

He began to study the Bible and cultivated a personal relationship with God. He began writing to relieve stress while in prison – a therapy that would ultimately lead to his artistic destiny. “I never had a dream to be a musician. It was therapeutic to me, like a release. I never would’ve believed that only 10 years from the day my brother died, I would be writing this and things would be the way they are now.”

After serving three years in a youth prison, Patrick left the Department of Corrections with a new vision for life. In the last few years, he and his wife Jackie have had the privilege of traveling all over the United States and other countries performing their music and sharing what Christ has done in their lives.

Patrick’s core passion is for people who are where he once was – “the broken, the lost, the outcasts, the rejected and forgotten, the imprisoned, the addicts. Who would’ve thought that one day someone in the United Kingdom would buy my record, or someone in Sri Lanka would be inspired by one of my songs. Or that Australia would welcome me to do a month long tour. Who was I? Just a kid from the streets of Cleveland that society had written off as a lost cause.”

Who is Patrick Davis?

In his words, “I am the rose that grew from concrete. I am a survivor of the cruel streets of southeast Cleveland. I am someone who has shattered statistics, broken the curse, lived through death. I am a warrior who triumphed over my enemies, I beat the odds, I walked through darkness, only to find the light. I’ve engaged in a battle that’s been raging since the beginning of time. I’ve overcome my past, my pain and my struggles. I should’ve died, overdosed, been hit by bullets, been sentenced to life, I should’ve went back to jail, I should’ve stayed in the streets, fulfilled statistics, stayed hooked on drugs, became what they said I would be… nothing. But I became something. He had a plan, a future, a destiny that He placed inside of me since the creation of the world. No bullet could stop it, no drug could sedate it, no person could steal it, no prison could bind it, no demon could hinder it, because greater is He that is in me than he that is in this world.”

Patrick sums up his musical aspirations with these words: “My music is reality, not entertainment. So when the lights go out, you will still hear my voice. The trends will die, the images pass, but His word will continue through the corridor of your mind and soul. It pierces and divides, it rips through lies. It brings men to their knees, the proud resist it, but the humble receive it. Amazing grace how sweet the sound… that saved a criminal like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found. Was blind but now I see.”

15Jun, 2014

On The Rebound: Basketball Ministry Resource

How does a standout athlete go from All-America college basketball star to All-D.O.C. (Department of Corrections)? That’s the question Regi Harris answers in On The Rebound, a gripping story of how a boy who grew up in church can find himself in a lonely prison cell by making a few seemingly harmless decisions to fit in with the crowd.

Regi has experienced the highs and lows of life. Raised in a Christian home, Regi learned values, morals and a biblical faith. Though he grew up in the church, it wasn’t enough to keep him from the luring temptations common to most college campuses.

Regi was a standout athlete at North Marion High School in Ocala, Florida, where he earned a basketball scholarship to Sam Houston State University in Texas. Going from his small Florida town to the big city of Houston was an enormous culture shock to the young athlete.

Teaser video below:

Basketball Ministry Resource

Though he had never touched drugs or alcohol before his college days, the peer pressure to experiment with them became a powerful enticement. Deeming it a harmless social drug, Regi started smoking marijuana at college parties and other get-togethers. But his quest for an occasional “high” didn’t stop there.

While at Sam Houston, Regi earned All-Conference and All-America honors his sophomore year. His aspirations of playing professional basketball took a sharp turn when he injured his knee during a pick-up game.

Having staked his entire future on his athletic abilities, his sudden setbacks led him into a state of depression. It was during this time that Regi turned to cocaine which eventually progressed into a deadly crack addiction. On a path to self-destruction, the hardwood superstar found himself on the wrong side of the law trying to support his habit. This ultimately landed him in a Florida state prison.

While incarcerated, Regi began to understand that his “biggest problem wasn’t a drug problem, it was a sin problem.” Being an avid church member growing up with perfect Sunday School attendance, he could see where his rebellion began long before his experimentation with drugs in college, it started as a kid when he made basketball his god, describing it as a form of idolatry.

During his prison term, Regi dedicated his life to Christ and made his priorities twofold; cultivating an intimate relationship with God and contributing to the advancement of His kingdom. Ten years after being released from prison, Regi says his life-mission is all about showing kids a way out of a troubled past and into a relationship with Christ.

Regi’s story is a perfect outreach resource for juvenile detention centers, urban youth ministry, and a stunning reminder for any Christian young person the progressive repercussions of giving in to peer pressure. A must have resource for every church youth group and Christian student going off to college!

25Mar, 2014

Child Bullying: Risk Factors, Signs, Prevention and Intervention

17Mar, 2014

Mentoring At-Risk Youth: Breaking Cycles of Poverty

6Jan, 2014

What the Bible Says About Juvenile Detention Center Ministry

Read about God’s heart toward the incarcerated youth.

“I was in prison and you came to visit me … I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:36, 40

If Jesus were on earth today, would we find Him in the prisons and youth detention centers, talking and dining with the most loathed delinquents and outcasts? Of course we would. He would be there “to seek and to save the lost!”

The Scripture passages in this article give us insight into God’s heart for juvenile detention center ministry. We hope you will be encouraged to follow Jesus into the juvenile justice context as well as into your community to minister to youth offenders and their families.

Follow Jesus’ Footsteps

When Jesus was berated for eating with tax collectors and sinners, he answered that “it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

Back in the day, tax collectors had fallen into their own category of contempt — set apart, it seems from the rest of the sinners. They were loathed as corrupt, treacherous . . . criminal. Yet Jesus went to them, spent time with them, shared a friendly meal with them. He did not overlook what they had done or what they had become. But in the moral “sickness” of their sin, He offered them the healing of His forgiveness, His salvation, and even His friendship.

One of those loathed tax collectors was Zacchaeus, a corrupt man who had grown rich by cheating others. When he climbed a tree to see what this Jesus was all about, the Lord invited Himself to dinner with Zacchaeus — again, to the irritation of the more “righteous” people in the crowd. But that loving invitation brought this corrupt tax collector to repentance and transformation — ready to make amends for his crimes. And then Jesus made an announcement to the crowd. “This man, too, is a son of Abraham” (Luke 19:9). This man that the others had considered an outcast was to be restored as a brother.

If Jesus were on earth today, would we find Him in youth detention facilities, talking and dining with the most loathed delinquents and outcasts? Of course we would. He would be there “to seek and to save the lost” and to restore them to sonship, just as He did with Zacchaeus.

And because the Church is now His representative on earth, prison is where we should be as well — calling the sick to the healing touch of our Lord and Savior; still recognizing in them the dignity of God’s creation, no matter how far they have fallen; trusting that no one — NO ONE —is beyond Christ’s love and power to redeem.

The Scripture passages that follow give us insight into God’s heart for juvenile detention center ministry. We hope these passages will encourage you to follow Jesus into juvenile justice facilities and into the communities to minister to juvenile offenders, ex-offenders, and their families.

Follow Jesus’ Example

God does not despise the broken; nor should we. Rather, we are to imitate the One who came to seek and to save the lost — as we once were — no matter what type of bonds enslave and cripple them. The promise of Isaiah 42:3 is affirmed in the life of Jesus.

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.”
Isaiah 42:3
“Aware of this [the plot to kill Him], Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.’ ” Matthew 12:15-20
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1

Jesus identifies strongly with the weak, the helpless, and the outcast. He considers the way we treat them to be the way we treat Him. He wants us to identify with them as well, putting ourselves in their shoes and caring for them.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my father; take your inheritance . . . For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ” Matthew 25:34-40
“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:1-3

Jesus admonishes us to show no partiality to others on the basis of their status in life. All are equally in need of Christ for forgiveness and salvation. All have equal potential to become mighty men and women of faith.

“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:1-5
“…Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” I Corinthians 6:9-11

Share Freedom Behind Bars

God seeks to set prisoners free—not always from their physical prison, but certainly from their imprisonment by sin, ignorance, rebellion, and foolish choices. Jesus identified Himself as the source of this freedom. As this is an important part of God’s work, it is an important part of the Church’s work as well.

“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, and LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” Psalm 146:7-9
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
Isaiah 42:6-7
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3
“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him [Jesus]. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ ” Luke 4:17-19
“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’“ John 8:34-36

Society may intend the prison system to be a place of punishment, but God can use it as a place of refinement and transformation. He does not give up on those incarcerated, but pursues them in love.

“For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:10-12
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” Psalm 68:5-7
“The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.” Psalm 69:33

We all know what it’s like to be in bondage to — imprisoned by — our sin and foolishness apart from Christ. This is why many who work in juvenile detention center ministry say, “I am really no different from those incarcerated.”

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” Romans 7:21-25

Introduce Juvenile Offenders to God’s Mercy

Most young people locked up are there for a reason: They did the crime and are doing the time. Hitting rock bottom is what prods many offenders to take an honest look at their lives and cry out to God for mercy. And God is ready to give it.

“Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.”
Psalm 107:10-16

Transformed lives point everyone’s attention to God! This is the greatest motivation to get involved in juvenile detention center ministry. No one else can
take credit for the miraculous turnaround in delinquents’ lives.

“Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.” Psalm 142:6-8

Remember No One is Beyond God’s Reach

A person’s past does not have to dictate his future. Even a former delinquent, if he has learned from his mistakes and renounced his sins, can become a great leader in God’s hands.

“Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning. The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor.” Ecclesiastes 4:13-15
Also consider Moses, who was a murderer and a fugitive from justice when God called him to lead His people out of slavery. In the heat of passion, he had killed an Egyptian, hidden him in the desert sand, and fled the country because the head of the government was out to execute him (Exodus 2:11-15). Yet this is the man God called to lead His people to the Promised Land, to receive the Ten Commandments — to be a pivotal figure in salvation history.
Or consider the apostle Paul, a former religious zealot who had burned in his hatred for Christians and conspired in putting them to death for their faith. Yet Jesus called Paul to Himself, directed him to write most of the New Testament, and turned him into the early Church’s greatest missionary to the Gentiles.

Welcome Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Despite their past, offenders who come to Christ have a new identity and a new relationship to the Church! We are to receive them as family, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

[Paul is writing to a slave-owner about one of his runaway slaves, a fugitive young person named Onesimus.] “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me … Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good — no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.” Philemon 10-11, 15-16
[This takes place after Saul, an enemy of the Church, had an encounter with Christ and was transformed. Many Christians were hesitant to welcome him.] “When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.” Acts 9:26-28
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”
I Corinthians 12:21-25

As brothers and sisters, we are to assist Christians coming out of prison as they struggle over many hurdles to rejoin their families and their communities.

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
James 2:14-17
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Romans 12:10-16
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:5-7
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.”
Isaiah 42:3

“A wonderful ministry that serves children here and abroad. I first met the founder, Jimmy Larche, when he came to visit my church during mission conference. Since then I have served at Breakaway’s summer camp for trauma-impacted kids, as well as the sports in ministry in Dominican Republic. Jimmy has a powerful testimony that drives him to reach out with the love of God to kids who are struggling like he once was.”

Tyler

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Breakaway Outreach. My father was incarcerated and I was sent into foster care. I started camp as a tiny little camper and now I get to serve as camp nurse! I graduated from Lee University with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I am currently working as a Nursery and Postpartum Nurse. Breakaway Outreach is exactly what it sounds like. It’s an outreach of family and community that all come together because we truly care about God’s children.”

Lacey

“This camp has been wonderful. You have helped me to find Jesus, the Lord. I have let Jesus into my heart. You have so many amazing people here and you have given me so much hope. God has given us all a chance to know and love each other. Thank you so much and I hope that I can keep coming back to camp.”

Maya

“Before the first year at camp, it was the lowest part of my life. I had lost my mother and sister in a tragic car wreck. I was being bullied at school and was planning to commit suicide when I received an invitation with a scholarship to attend Breakaway camp. I decided to put off the suicide plan and attend camp. It was the best decision I ever made. I gave my life to Jesus at camp and then Breakaway helped me get involved with a local church. My life still has ups and downs but I know now that God has me no matter what.”