I write this post with a heavy heart for what I have seen and heard from our men who are behind bars and down and out on their luck, whether it be on the streets on their own or still at home. This is to provide young people and the people who work with them with some handy resources and information to do more in the same ministries.
National Network for Youth Ministries (NNYM) has been one of my favorite site's and offers great updates, newsletters and information for youth workers and youth leaders. I discovered them when we started a mentoring program through our church's faith-based nonprofit agency. I love what they offer those who serve youth. They are seriously resourceful to many of us in the field of ministry.
The Body by Chuck Colson is a must-read.
Also, check out:
- Jesus Freak by DC Talk
- Crazy Love by Francis Chan
- He Chose Nails by Max Lucado
Youth leaders could benefit from articles on compassion and caring for others as well as fundraising and leading groups. Check out the article on youth leadership strategies that I had posted some time ago.
I pray that this leads to some new ideas and some innovations in the ministry. I pray that we do not continue to see a decline in college enrollments and increases in prison sentences.
Perhaps, we will see a decline in our young folks desiring to live like reality TV stars and seek to live more like the real Jesus who came and died for the sins of the earth. That can only come as we try to use some new wineskins or at least almost new ones.