Spotlight on. . . the Grace Juvenille Hall Ministry
As we seek to not just believe, but also live the Gospel on the Central Coast and beyond, it is so exciting to see our congregation getting involved in the community. Neat things are happening at out at the Juvenille Hall. Here's an encouraging report from Pastor Scott, our Pastor of Care & Community Ministries. . . .
God continues to grow the Juvenile Hall Ministry of Grace Church. Two years ago one man, Armand Boutte, started faithfully visiting the kids at the “Hall” once a week, building relationships with the kids and sharing with them the life-giving message of the Gospel. Today we have three teams of four to five people from Grace and Calvary SLO going Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights.
And the ministry continues to grow. Just last night (Tuesday April 26th) eight more people from Grace attended a Juvenile Hall orientation and facility tour to find out more about the ministry. God is opening doors for His people to reach these forgotten kids and His people are faithfully responding to His voice.
I can personally tell you that most of the kids staying at Juvenile Hall respond very positively to someone taking an interest in them. They want to hear about God and how they can be saved. It’s not always easy to relate with the kids and sometimes they ask tough questions but just being there tells them they are loved and not forgotten. Many young people have come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior over the last year and they continue to express a desire to live for him long after they’ve made a “decision” for Christ.
Recently one young man who had been convicted of murder was baptized by a member of our team. Just eighteen years old and headed to a maximum security prison this young man spoke boldly of his faith in Jesus in front of the other kids as well as six of the guards at his baptism. It was truly an awesome display of God’s redeeming power found in the gospel.
As you pray remember those in Juvenile Hall and the County Jail. Remember also the team from Grace and Calvary SLO who go and visit the prisoners. If you have questions about the ministry call me at Grace (543-2358) or e-mail me at: scott@graceslo.org
For His Kingdom,
Pastor Scott
3 comments:
What time will they be there on Fridays? I have to do 12 hours of community service for one of my classes, and my chosen location was Juvenile Hall. I'll be there from 3:15-5:15 tomorrow (Friday). I'd love to meet up with the team if possible.
Hey Scott,
I have been thinking a lot about the juvenile hall ministry. After seeing this on Tim's BLOG I have been wondering what I could do. I have been praying. When I see the updates on the prayer list I try to take the time to pray for each person by name and also for their families. I have been praying about what my cup of water for them could be. Other than prayer and visits (which I can't do right now) what are the little needs that they have. Would a card or letter be helpful? Would any of the people like a prayer partner? Do they all have Bibles? Are there any books that they could use? What about a nice bookmark with a great Bible verse?
Just wondering. I can't do a whole lot right now. But I would like to do something. I bet there are other people with limit time that feel the same way. Let me know if I could possibly help organize an effort to provide for these types of little needs.
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Heather's own testimony: "God changed my life in prison!"
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Thanks for your time and consideration.
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