Peacemakers or peacekeepers?

Anyone who works with youth (urban or otherwise) knows that conflicts can often erupt. The signs and symptoms vary, but one minute things can seem to be going smoothly, and the next minute, kids will be yelling at one another, threatening, or even throwing punches.

A good youth worker becomes adept at seeing the warning signs before things get too hot. A good youth worker also becomes skilled at redirecting teens away from conflict or helping lead them to a healthy resolution before things explode. Keeping the peace is an important aspect of being a good youth worker.

But a great youth worker learns how and when to let things ignite (without getting too far out of control - or putting anyone at risk) so that deeper lessons can be learned and deeper healing can take place. I'm not sure if I or any of my staff are really there, yet. Thankfully, there are times when God allows circumstances to happen that way so that He can do that deeper work.

Nina, who works with our Lancaster girls, shared a story recently from the last girls weekend at camp:

Several girls were attending camp for the first time, and things were not going very smoothly. Lots of conflict and tension. After things flared up once again, Nina and the girls sat down to work things out and talk things through. She noticed that the girls seemed to be paying attention and started to show different attitudes...

Before leaving for home at the end of the weekend, they took some time to pray, and one of the girls who was in the middle of all the conflict offered to pray. After thanking God for the chance to come to camp and get out of the city and to meet new friends, she then went on to thank God "for all the drama we went through this weekend, because it gave me a chance to get things off of my chest and talk about the stuff I would usually just hold inside."

Sometimes God uses conflict to bring us to the place He wants us to be... a place of honesty and realness... so that He can meet us there.

It can be a challenge to allow those moments to take place when so often we are tempted to keep the peace... but I think Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" not "Blessed are the peacekeepers."

Nina, whether it was your preference or not, thanks for being a "peacemaker."

- Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

Leveraging for the Gospel

Certainly, we here at the mission would agree that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is at the heart of our ministry. Ultimately, all that really matters is Jesus and our connection (or lack of connection) to Him.

Still, there are questions of poverty and homelessness screaming at us from all sides that demand that we think carefully about how we choose to leverage our resources while sharing the Gospel. Here are some such questions:
• Will we stop serving someone if we conclude he/she is not responding, or is hostile to the Gospel?
• Are we ‘ok’ helping one out of homelessness and/or poverty who has no interest in Christ?
• Are we here to: 1) share the Gospel (or) 2) help the poor (or) 3) share the Gospel by helping the poor?
• Will we continue to sustain those who are not willing to take on the level of responsibility required to be self-sustaining?

How we answer these questions will determine how we use our resources and establish our system of Rescue.

Personally, I sense a call to serving the homeless/poor out of love for Jesus and a desire to please Him. My “Gospel” focus here in my work is the same as at home in my neighborhood. It motivates and permeates any acts of kindness in a manner that I hope reflects the high value I place on Jesus Christ.

To me, it does not seem Christ-like to leverage my resources to compel a gospel response. Could such a response ever be heart-felt? It seems better that others would see His lavish goodness and desire to come to Him freely than to ‘have to’, begrudgingly, to get sustenance for life.

In Rescue we are fond of saying, “Hope begins with a meal,” but then we make the meal leverage to get an individual to Chapel; we also make the shelter bed leverage to get them to Chapel. We may be fostering compliance and resentment more than love for Jesus.

In the Renewal part of our ministry, I think high expectations and accountability are good. In the Rescue part of our ministry, I think far fewer ‘strings attached’ will be best. In the gap between the two, I envision lovers of Jesus inviting without coercion those who would risk beginning the journey of hope.

Living in the tension, between Rescue and Renewal is not easy. We err repeatedly by getting them mixed in our minds. Mostly though, I think, this happens when we are too concerned about "them" taking advantage of "us."

In the “Good Samaritan" story, the Samaritan told the innkeeper, “Take care of him and when I return I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” I see this as a huge risk for abuse.

Will we ever entice others with the lavish goodness of Jesus if we will not take the risk of abuse? Is not ‘taking our abuse’ exactly how Jesus convinced us to begin the journey into Him?

Freely given, freely give.

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Under Construction

I have had the opportunity to serve as a member of the Water Street Rescue Mission Team in a variety of roles (during the past seven years) and in June 2007 transitioned into the position of Men’s Ministry Chaplain. Since June 2007, I have encountered many hurting souls that the Lord has brought to our campus. Although each of these ladies and gentlemen has a unique reason for coming to Water Street, the Lord calls us to serve and love them regardless of their past experiences. It is during the intense moments with those whom Jesus calls “The Least of These” in Matthew 25:40 that I have learned and grown the most.

As I reminisce back over the previous five years I spent at Teen Haven, as a youth counselor, I am grateful. It was during this season where I was groomed and prepared for my calling to work with the men at Water Street. Although I loved the young people (who are now getting older) that I ministered to, I (along with others in leadership) believed Men’s Ministry was where God was leading me next. I sensed that this is the purpose which the Lord had truly created (and redeemed) me for—to encourage those who are broken and have been marginalized into the shadows of life. Yes, my heart burns for what the Lord has called me to, but I would be dishonest if I said that it was anything like I had expected it to be.

For the past thirty-seven weeks, my heart has been conflicted with the joy, pain, and confusion that I have experienced here “in the trenches.” There was a time recently when I questioned if this is really what the Lord was leading me to. I had felt ill-equipped, and had become discouraged. Even after seeing (firsthand) the life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit on display, I have also watched people leave who mistakenly thought they “had it.” From that group there have been some who have come back, some who leave after coming back, and even some who have died.

As I reflected on the Lord and met with “the wise people” in my life, I have become re-centered that this is exactly where I am to be. I am reminded by Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians as he wrote about his dialogue with the Lord,” My grace is sufficient for you; my power is made perfect in weakness” (12:8). I also am beginning to see that this isn’t about me. As I walk “with fear and trembling” through this initial year in Men’s Ministry, I am blessed to do so with the support of my family, mentors, and leadership here at the Mission. I will keep you posted as the construction continues.

-Michael Anthony Kerrigone Jr., Men's Ministry

Partnering to minister more effectively

At Teen Haven, we believe that effective ministry to teens takes more than one individual and it takes more than just one organization. We look for opportunities to partner with local churches and organizations because we recognize the diversity of gifts within the Body of Christ and the value that these diverse gifts bring to effective ministry. Sometimes this parntership looks like Teen Haven providing a facility for a youth group to hold a gym night, or holding leadership training programs for several churches to bring their teens to.

Sometimes it involves Teen Haven bringing some of our kids out to a youth group at a local church to participate in their activities and connect into that local body for growth and fellowship. That is what Alex is doing in York with some of his kids.

Calvary Baptist Church has an excellent youth group and I have truly appreciated them. I often bring a group of kids out to Calvary's youth programs. The preteens attend Calvary clubs and the teenagers attend youth group.

Well in last few weeks my van has been bursting at the seems with young people. The van is full to capacity and I am thankful. This weekend they will be holding a pine box derby and I think I have about 12 young people involved. Also this weekend 2 of my teenagers are going to a camp that they could not afford but the church is paying their way. The excitement of the kids as they return to Calvary is a testimony to the fun they are having, the warm welcome they are receiving, and all that they are learning.

I'm thankful for this part of the body of Christ that chooses to be a cheerful giver and is helping these young men see another part of Christian community.

-Alex Mikusow, Teen Haven, York

New hope in the "Refuge of Healing"

Some days I wonder if what we are doing in the Clinics is making a difference, and then God goes and does this as presentation of His power and Spirit at work!

The Water Street Medical Clinic agreed to be the clinical sight for “The Refuge of Healing” Christian counseling services starting in the spring of 2007. The number of patients from all over the community is growing! Many have come and been helped, with some having very slow progress. The needs some weeks seem overwhelming and we spend much time in prayer before and after each session.

Then last week, God brought in a young couple where she is pregnant with his child and he is caring for her child from a previous relationship. She tells the counselor that he is beating her and he admits that yes he is. That alone is a big step for the abuser to readily admit that he is abusive and that he has such rage that he doesn’t know what to do.

As they told their story and the counselor gave godly insight you could see the anger dissipate and the hurt and heart of the matter came forward. The lack of love in both of their lives was heart breaking and they were living as they knew. The counselor then told them about love that is all consuming, all forgiving and all healing through Jesus Christ. They both knew of Him but didn’t Know Him personally. They both prayed for Christ to forgive them and to help them. They prayed the prayer of believing that Jesus is God’s Son that died for them. Praise God, I could feel heaven celebrating!

God keeps bringing this young couple to mind this week and I know to pray for them for Satan will not be happy that they have given their lives over to Christ. I am praying they remember to pray, reach out to the believers they have set them up with for support, and to return for more counseling on Christ’s healing and strength in their lives. The road with Christ is fraught with danger from the evil one, but we know who wins! They (I) may stumble and fall, but forgiveness and hope is just a prayer away. He loves to pick us up, dust off the dirt of where we have been, and send us on His path. The little one they had with them and the one yet unborn will have hope as their parents learn to live with the hope and strength of Christ for a new life! Lord, break the cycle in people’s lives of pain and hopelessness and use us as your servants to others.

- Gale Thomason, Water Street Clinics

The Gathering Place - reflecting the heart of God

The Gathering Place is a ministry in Lancaster City that works with people who have HIV or AIDS. This year, they are commemorating their 20th anniversary. Water Street Rescue Mission partners with them in meeting the needs of hurting people and is grateful for how God has used them to His glory in such a vital and redemptive way. The following is a letter from honoring their anniversary:

When I think of the Gathering Place …

I am reminded of many things when I think of the Gathering Place.

First I think of who God is and how Jesus came to this earth most purposefully to meet the broken and hurting, those who carry labels like poor, homeless, addict, and HIV-positive. That these people - who are truly most invisible to most of society – are treated with respect and dignity by the Gathering Place reflects the very heart of God.

I think too of how the Gathering Place embodies faithfulness as the staff and volunteers remain true to the founding vision of always being ‘there for’ the clients most especially when their situation is most dire and their suffering most great. This too reflects the heart of God.

And I am reminded of how trustworthy God is but also how unpredictable. Who could have predicted His choice of a construction guy to receive the vision for this ministry and His use of this same guy to flesh out the vision every day in such a redemptive and compelling way? Who He chose to lead this ministry reflects the wisdom of His heart also!

So to Bob and Melanie and to all the staff and volunteers of the Gathering Place we thank you for your colleagueship, your heart, your vision, your mission, your service, your compassion, your love for the least and the lost. May God be glorified as you embark on the next twenty years.

Truly, thank you.

All our love,

Steve Brubaker
Director of Residential Programs
Water Street Rescue Mission