What a great time of year Christmas is! Christmas, what the gospel is all about, yet if we stayed only at Christmas the message would be useless. If we never understood the cross at Calvary, we could never fully understand the birth at Bethlehem ! For Christ was born so that he could die for us. Christmas represents the cross and the best gift of all, the perfect gift—SALVATION! A gift already paid for, a gift that never is touched by economic times, for the giver of this salvation is over the economy! We are blessed to have a God who loves us so much to send a Savior that can reconcile us to Him-self.

I am very glad this is the gift we can also share at Christmas time. I so easily forget that so many of the young people have nothing else to look forward to. We get so excited and have so much fun asking each other what they are going to do on Christmas or even what they would like. I was reminded just the other day when I was giving a ride home to Koolaid after Bible study. I asked him what his family was going to do on Christmas or even Christmas Eve. He said that there will be nothing. I asked about dinner or even a get together, NO…NOTHING! He told me that is why he doesn’t build it up so big, so that it does not hurt so much. He is happy he has a relationship with God and that God has allowed him to live another day. That is good enough to celebrate on Christmas

Koolaid is only one of many, in my high school and college age bible study alone who have so little, but so much on Christmas. They have nothing we hold dear on Christmas, and yet, they have everything—Jesus Christ and life. And the best part about this daily life is that it is not only an existence that is empty, but true life that is full because of Christ.

We have mentioned that God gave us a special gift to buy some real estate at an auction at an extremely good deal. Saturday in the freezing cold wind two young men in high school came to help me board it up and secure it so that no more damage is done to it; we also worked on the outside some, cutting down brush. While working there three other boys’ ages, 16-22 asked if they could help. They are on the edge of society. Boys that come by the ministry in the summer, but if you did not know them you would walk on the other side of the street if you saw them. I told them that if they wanted to work they needed to come to bible study, one of them did. After Bible study I asked him to help me at the house and help me put up a couple more boards on several windows. He came along. As we talked he told me he lived right behind the building we just purchased. He asked if we were using the furniture in the ministry. I said yes, why? He said they had none in the house except for a mattress that he slept on. They have a roof over their heads, but barely!

We are truly blessed! In times like these when there is so little hope. We are so many times that only ray of light that represents true hope to these young men and women and there families. Pray that we remain true, sure, focused and solid in the truth of Jesus Christ and his salvation. Would you also consider a special year end gift that would help us continue in the New Year? As we close out this year and begin a new one and if you truly believe in this ministry as a work of God would you commit to supporting us in prayer and any other way God might lead? We want to thank all of you who have supported us in this past year through your many prayers and resources. God has done a mighty work here in South Chicago, in the community of Englewood .

Pastor Keith
Urban Youth Outreach (HFM)
Box 21144 (6647 S Union Street)
Chicago, Illinois 60621
Office/Fax 773-488-4717
Colossians 1.25-29
(...I have become a servant by God...to present the mystery...the hope of glory...to this end I labor...!)