Traveling Together for the Vulnerable!

For the last four years I have spent on average of 4-5 days a week on the road traveling across Indiana. The goal was to meet with pastors and ministry leaders in support of vulnerable children and youth in foster care. The message was simple; to provide prayer and support for children and youth in foster care through the love of God in Christ. 

Certainly, this is what is dearest to God‘s heart! He inclines his ear to the children and youth who have no voice need ours to provide justice in the midst of injustice and fear. The church has an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable of children and youth who are struggling for services, care, and prayer with many of them in foster care. (See Proverbs 30:8-9.)

It is time for us to do more than just impress others from a distance but to make an impact upon those in-need up-close! Today’s post is one that encourages us, as the church, to be real and involved in the lives of others!

In 2020 alone I traveled over 50,000 miles to meet with Pastors from across Indiana. Many church leaders indicated that they wanted to help but did not know how. The complexities of children in care through court services and social agencies makes doing ministry difficult but it is vital for the church to be involved. Churches are often unaware of the tremendous opportunities we have to partner with members of our community for the sake of those that have no one to advocate for them, children and youth! 

The receptivity of pastors and ministry leaders is refreshing as we consider how much has been on their plate and how many obstacles they have had to overcome in these past couple of years in particular. From life‘s uncertainties, the needs of their own churches and organizations as well as the issues of Covid have made their jobs extraordinary! 

Yet, despite those difficulties, many step forward to offer their assistance and to open their doors to the ministry to the least, the last, and the lost of our communities! There have been hundreds of doors that have opened with opportunities to pray together and to work together. In a real sense, you can say that we have traveled this journey together!

With hundreds of churches signing up to participate in care for kids who are all to often lonely while living just down the road from hope! It is indeed refreshing to know that while we haven’t reached every church throughout Indiana, we have a base of support through prayer and participation that will impact the lives of children and youth for eternity. 

The message we have delivered was one that is both biblical and imperative. I’ve had the opportunity on average to be in over 40 churches during worship services just last year alone! I have looked upon the faces of those who have welcomed many whose hope has been deferred. As Proverbs 13:12 reminds us. “Hope deferred is heart-ache, but a dream fulfilled is the Tree of life.” As we invest in others it will yield eternal rewards. What is done for Christ will last for eternity.

I’ve seen the response from God‘s church. It is that of welcomed desire to be involved and then enthusiasm to offer prayer and resources to help children and youth have their dreams fulfilled.

Memorial at Northern Illinois University

I believe that the church stands ready to mobilize on behalf of our children and youth. I believe this is the last generation if we do not act now! It is a generation who don’t understand the sacrifice of Christ nor do they know God’s plan for their lives. It is of great importance that in a society where seemingly nothing matters, especially truth the children and youth hear from God’s people! 

My heart is stirred for the many youth who are in our public schools that need someone to give them answers. We live in a world that provides no lasting foundation or significant values upon which they can build their lives! Our world seems to provide little by way of definitions that could be helpful midst of any, ever-growing issues of our day! 

I’m refreshed by the opportunity to come alongside those who are stakeholders of our communities to make a difference in the lives of youth throughout our community. We can be deacons of hope in families! We can provide ministry to those who

are alone and vulnerable. We can lift up in prayer the families that are struggling with the shifting winds of confusion, heart-ache, and loneliness. Are youth are in the crosshairs of a society that not only rejects God but offers little by way of values and support.

Similarly, I had a wonderful opportunity and several occasions to serve with the Samaritans Purse as a Chaplain. I was a crisis counselor/Chaplain. What are those occasions was when I was called upon to serve after a mass shooting at Northern Illinois University. They were many that were killed which left the campus vulnerable and many stranded by their emotions and fear!

It was remarkable because everyone that we had a chance to talk with needed to find hope beyond this world. They were grieving but needed to hear of the incredible love that God gives in the midst of the broken world. They were looking for real answers. They were hoping that they could find an explanation but more importantly, and understanding of God‘s love in the midst of heartache and loss.  I had the chance to pray with many and to be voice of encouragement. They were looking for a way forward from the chaos and uncertainty as we cried together, prayed together, and looked for hope from scripture.

There’s much to be done! When we can consider that we have youth that have never been more connected through the Internet, video games, social media technology yet never feeling more alone than they do right now. Happiness and self-esteem are are defined by the number of likes on a social media post, Tik-Tok, or related forms of internet messaging systems.

Our battle for the hearts of our children and youth is a worthy one as we consider the needs and opportunities there are.

So today is one of a calling. I am inviting you to join the efforts as we, journey together on behalf of our youth! We cannot wait because all too quickly the opportunity will pass.