2007 - 02 - February
MINISTRY
Are you concerned about the number of crimes involving youth reported on the evening news? We are hearing that the number of and the activities of youth gangs is on the increase in Palm Beach County. Shootings and killings are commonplace. What has been the response of the church? Occasionally some well known clergy will announce another protest march in the hood. Do they really think that protest marches are going to curtail gangs?
Last October when Maggie and I attended the Prison Reentry Conference in Dallas I was given a packet from the United States Dept. of Justice telling of their efforts towards dealing with theses issues. It told of a program called COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services). This program is being used in a number of urban settings in which the Faith Based Community is working together with various Police Agencies in a collaborative effort in dealing with the problem of gangs. We have sent letters to a number of church leaders making them aware of the COPS program in the hope that some will get involved.
The enemy is out to destroy the family and he has targeted our youth. If we don’t make the evangelization of our youth a priority what will the future hold? Ron Hutchcraft has written a book titled “The Battle for a Generation” that zeroes in on this issue. It is so right on, that it should be in every Christian’s library. You may obtain a copy from your local Christian book store or order it on line at www.hutchcraft.com.
Nyoka writes:
WHY DO WE GLAMERIZE SEDUCTION,AND THEN CONDEMN THE RESULTS?
How responsible are we? On one hand we say the body is a beautiful creation, nudity and showing it off is our right. We ooh and awe at the “glamorous” under-wear ads on television that are nothing short of soft pornography and then wonder why our young women dress and behave the way a good many do. We wonder why men have lost true respect for women. Children emulate adult dressing and behavior and we think it’s cute. Have you checked out the stats on how young an age our children are becoming sexually active? We wonder why babies are having babies! The other side of the coin: We have in Florida 37,217 registered sex-offenders. Less than 1% of offences reported annually involve abduction, sexual assault and murder, but all the current sex offender law are based on these heinous crimes. Although research shows that 85% of sex offences go unreported it is the former offenders that the news media and law enforcement zero in on. Who are the 85% that commit sexual acts that go unreported? The researchers tell us that they are our relatives and/or close friends. People with whom we are well acquainted. As a society, we refuse to help those who have paid their debt to society get rehabilitation, housing, or jobs. We would prefer to get rid of them completely. What about the 85% of sex offenders that go unreported? Where are they? How are we being protected from them? What can we do? We begin in our own families. Where have our values slipped and fallen? We have to look at ourselves and our part in society. What do we allow into our homes via TV? What music are our children listening to? What sort of video games are they playing? Where are they going on the Internet? Fathers, are you teaching your sons to respect women? Are you being the role model for the important responsibilities a man has to his family? Mothers, are you teaching your daughters how special they are in God’s plan for women? How important it is to respect themselves, and their bodies? Where have our values gone? Is our society like the frog in the pot? We won’t wake up and look at the facts until we’re cooked. FOLKS, THE POT IS BOILING NOW!!!!!!!
SPRING BANQUET
Mark your calendars. Our 17th Annual Spring Banquet will be at the Poinciana Country Club in Lake Worth on April 13th.
MINISTRY NEEDS:
Several of our men need reliable transportation. If you have a good used car you would like to donate, you can receive a tax credit.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Feb 4th Mission’s Fair 1st Pesb. N. Palm Bch
Feb 6th - Chapel Service Martin Correctional
Feb 12-14 Faith Based Training in Orlando
Feb 19-24 World Vision Conference Trinity International Lake Worth
Feb 25th Mission’s Fair Trinity U.M.C. WPB
Monday’s PM – Alcoholics Victorious Meeting at Glades Correctional Institution. *
Tuesday’s AM - Sexual purity Okeechobee C.I. * Tuesday’s PM - Anger Management, Okee. Jail.
Wednesday’s PM Bi-Weekly - Sexual purity Glades C.I. *
Thursday’s PM - How to have meaningful relationships. Woman’s Work Release Center. *
Saturday’s - Kairos Broward C.I.
* These programs are conducted by volunteers