Good Morning!!!
Summer is officially here, maybe not by the calendar but by the weather. It will be over 80 almost every day this week. We have had many days of summer activity to prepare us but not in a string as hot as we are going to have this week. Many of those past days we have seen 50 to 100 kids show up. What a blessing. THAT WE WOULD BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE SOULS GOD HAS SENT US!!
This past winter we have seen many things in the neighborhood. We have seen home prices continue to raise, one of the few places in all Chicago land, let alone the country. As of a couple of weeks ago, a typical home price averaged a little over $300,000; this is up from the $200,000 of last year (Chicago tribune-business and home section). WOW! But along with those ever increasing home prices are the just announced and seen everywhere throughout the neighborhood increasing foreclosures. It was announced over WBBM news station that we are to expect another round of foreclosures beginning very soon. On top of that we have seen the crime rate, especially the murder and shooting rates skyrocket. We have more murders in the Chicago land area than that of Iraq and Afghanistan combined, bringing in the National Guard has been brought up.
This only goes to show that no matter how much money one has or is worth; were there is no hope darkness will increase, and where darkness increases there the church’s presence must increase, not the national guard! We hold the light that comes from Jesus Christ, we have the tool that changes hearts, we have THE ANSWER, that is JESUS CHRIST Himself. As we have seen, people will flood the gates if the right answer is presented to them. The battle will rage, many will fight against us, but people will come when the true answer is shown. Why? Because that true answer found in Jesus Christ will manifest true hope, deep peace and profound love! This is our summer plan!
Pray with us, as teams begin to come out and serve. Pray with us that we can be true to the calling of presenting this same hope, peace and love only found in Jesus Christ. Pray with us that God will continue to supply our every need. Pray with us as Daniel and his family prepare to relocate and serve in South Korea for a least a year and maybe longer. Pray with us as several people consider ways they can serve with us next school term as interns and volunteers.
God is blessing! Praise with us that we have the opportunity daily to serve Him in such a place of need! Praise with us that God does give the answer! Praise with us that God sends so many youth and adults to meet with, many are of the age of teens and young adult. Praise with us that God recently gave us three homes for a dollar each to help train, disciple and mentor our teenage and young adults as we rehab each. Praise with me as my daughter Katlyn, is wrapping up her last month before going to serve with Teen Missions in the Amazon of Brazil, she has only $150 more to go before her complete financial support has come in (she still needs spending money). It has been fun to see her depend on God for her every need. Her faith has been truly that of a child, full and complete without the distractions of an adult! So many more praises! Topping the list being God our supplier and you our supporters in every way, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Serving with you under God!
Pastor Keith
Urban Youth Outreach (HFM)
(Mailing Address)
Box 21144
Chicago, Illinois 60621
Office/Fax 773-488-4717
Email: urban7@sbcglobal.net
Web Site: urban7youthoutreach.org
(Physical Address)
6647 S Union
Chicago, IL 60621
Colossians 1.25-29
(...I have become a servant by God...to present the mystery...the hope of glory...to this end I labor...!)
