Hello

What a fantastic couple of weeks it has been. The weather has begun to change to where we have been having quite a few nice days. We have begun to open up the yard as an outreach and drop in center. The first day we had 17 youth, then 30, then nearly 60 young people, ages from 5 and up to college age were participating. The very good to those deeply involved in the street (gang and drug activities) were included. During the first 5 days we had over 100 different young people come through the gates. Over half are new to the ministry just having moved into the neighborhood over the winter months. What a blessing. I look at each of these young people as someone that God has sent to us to share the great salvation and His love He has for each. Most of these young people have never experienced the love of Jesus nor have they heard of the salvation that God offers us through Jesus Christ. This is our main and primary focus of being here.

I have been reading Jeremiah and like many of the prophets I am reminded of the seriousness of our calling to do God’s work. Even though God was speaking to the Israelites before their dispersion it still can apply to us. In chapter 3 verse 18 and Chapter 9 verses 3-7 of Jeremiah, Jeremiah is told that even if he does not warn the Israelites of their sin, they will die of their wickedness and their blood will be on Jeremiah. Then when the sin gets bad enough, judgment will begin in the sanctuary with the elders. There will be death, eternal death. I take this as a serious warning even to me as I have been given the responsibility of warning people of their sin which leads to eternal death without Christ, or a life with Christ which leads to eternal peace with Christ. Or like the elders of Israel the punishment will begin with me, if I am disobedient. Pray that I will be obedient in introducing Jesus Christ to all those the Holy Spirit sends, helping them go from salvation to a strong, deep and obedient walk with Christ!

Each day God has allowed us to meet with someone who is very interested in Christ and what a relationship means with Him. We have also had many opportunities to come alongside of many young people and quite a few of the older men and women to encourage them in their walk with God. God has been very good in opening doors for ministry.

As the spring months get into full swing consider visiting us, bringing a team to serve with us, or even just doing a special project in one of your small group settings, i.e.; family, church, friends or even work. You might raise funds for a special need or project, you could commit to prayer on a regular basis, you could come out and work on a project, you could write a note of encouragement, you could sponsor a young person to bible camp, there are so many ideas.

But most of all we want to thank you for the very special ways you have already come alongside of us in varied ways. You have prayed special prayers of intercession, you have given of your abundance and of your special gifts when there was nothing to give, you have given your time and you have given of your voice to share the ministry with another. In all the ways you have given we thank you. You have been a very special blessing to us in many ways. Thank you so very much!!!

Pastor Keith

Urban Youth Outreach (HFM)

Box 21144 (6647 S Union Street)
Chicago, Illinois 60621
Office/Fax 773-488-4717
Web Site: urban7youthoutreach.org
Colossians 1.25-29
(...I have become a servant by God...to present the mystery...the hope of glory...to this end I labor...!)