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There is too much violence on our streets, in our schools and even in our homes. So many of our young people are hurting and killing each other. They are on drugs, in gangs, and have no respect for anyone, not even themselves. With everything that is going on, you do not feel safe anywhere. Just a few months ago a friend of ours was shot and killed in Fowlstown. Recently, there has been another shooting in our city of Bainbridge. Two young people lost their lives ages only 25 years old and a third one is hospitalized.

I have eulogized several young men recently due to violence, even a 16-year-old relative who was an innocent bystander. When you turn away from God, you let Satan in. There is no respect for life nor the Giver of life. Our children need nurturing and teaching at any early age by both parents. Ephesians 6:1-4 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise. That it may be well with thee, and thou may live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

This lets us know that we must keep our eyes on Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to Iead and guide us the right way. With so many unhealthy influences that get our children’s attention, we must always pray for them to be strong enough to make the right choice. Teaching them the scriptures at a young age will give our children a spiritual foundation to hold on to when they are faced with temptation. With modern technology such as Facebook and Google are okay, but we must teach them to remember to get in God’s Book the Holy Bible. I tell the young people when I minister to them, if they want to join a gang, join God’s Gang, headed by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

With the local, state and federal governments, there should be more programs funded by grants to help non-profit organizations to help these young people turn their lives around. Churches need to pull together and work for the purpose of the calling of the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20) that would consist of more evangelism in the communities. Every year we have a Thanksgiving & Christmas celebration for the at-risks youth. Adults are served as well. We bring in speakers, serve dinner, give out clothes, shoes, Bibles, belts, school supplies, and personal hygiene items to over 100 youths. This could only be done through the tax- deductible donations and support given to this outreach program by local and out of town supporters. It takes approximately $5,000 to do this each year. This is all volunteer work. For the last 15 years I have been going to court with the young people, evangelizing in the street, giving out Bibles and belts telling the young men to pull up their pants and turn to God. I confront gang members, drug dealers, alcoholics, and drug users. I listen to them and then I give them the word of God. Many have turned their lives around. Some are in the military, workforce, Job Corps, college, and have gotten their G.E.D. As I continue to do this Great Commission work for the Lord, I ask for your continued prayers to keep me strong, as well as your financial help. “For the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few” Matthew 9:35-38.

Young people, please stop the violence and turn to God before it is too late. God loves you.