Bringing successful people in to speak to inner-city young men is an energizing endeavor. World Karate Champion Marty Cacavas and Erie County Legislator Barbara Miller Williams gave the young men powerful life-advice.
​     While Marty was sharing his life story, he could identify with the struggles of guys growing up under the influence of gangs, violence and drugs. He told the young men that he became a true champion after he gave his life to Christ.
​     As Barbara stepped up after Marty was done, she set her prepared notes aside and followed the path already established by Marty. She said, "If you mess up, it's okay. Start over again!"
​     Prison inmates respected Barbara because she respected them. Imagine a cell block with a culture of respect because one women changed the atmosphere! Proverbs 19:21 became our theme for BWAP 104. "Many are the plans in a person's heart. But it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
​     Marty set the tone for the evening. That's another way of saying, "A world champion changed the BWAP atmosphere." Barbara brought a tsunami into that atmosphere. Thank you Marty and Barbara for sharing your hearts with our young men. Jesus loves you and so do we. 
     BWAP - Brothers With A Purpose is a mentoring program of YWAP that focuses on youth affected by gangs, violence and poverty. For more information about YWAP Mentoring programs please leave a message or call us, 716-830-8240. Thanks for your time. ​#ywap #bwap #JLYASDW 

     Being a vulnerable leader helps young people become great leaders. Maryann Ray Cline boldly opened her heart and life story to the young people at BWAP 103.
    When she asked for volunteers, Maryann began to teach experientially. The young men eagerly stepped forward to participate in the mentoring experience.  
   As they took tags with various descriptions of character traits, both good and bad, they were told to label Maryann and place the tags on her heart or her arm.
     People were surprised to learn that Maryann had worn all of the labels in various seasons in her life. The most important labels are the ones that she currently wears.
                                       SAVED               REDEEMED               FORGIVEN
     Maryann quoted from the Bible in 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." She also quoted Oswald Chambers,
"No man is born with character, he has to make character."
     Thank you, Maryann for being a vulnerable leader in the name of Christ. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap #bwap #JLYASDW
BWAP - Brothers With A Purpose is a mentoring program of YWAP that focuses on youth affected by gangs, violence and poverty. For more information about YWAP Mentoring programs please leave a message or call us, 716-830-8240. Thanks for your time.

     Betrayal happens to everybody. The BWAP Halftime Message included a story about Jesus calling Judas the betrayer "Friend." It's hard to imagine calling someone a friend when they betray you.
     When someone you trust turns their back on you, it's time to turn to God. The Bible is full of stories of folks who were betrayed and sometimes were the betrayers.
     As people recognized their guilt in the betrayal process, the ones who turned to God had their guilt removed by grace. Judas allowed satan to enter him and never turned back to God. 
     Prayer is one of the biggest means of communication with God. A young man said he was serious about hearing from God. A good way to start the process can be found in Psalm 46: 10 "Be still and know that I am God." Learning how God speaks can be found in the Bible.
     God speaks to us through prayer, the Bible, our circumstances and other people. The shifting seasons of our lives reveal His purposes. God will never contradict His Word. He will answer those who seek Him.  Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." 
     Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#bwap #ywap #JLYASDW
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NPHC IS IMPROVING THE COMMUNITY - ONE ACT OF SERVICE AT A TIME!

    BWAP and NPHC just might be the creation of a new community enrichment paradigm. The kind folks from Sororities and Fraternities in the Buffalo Area came with serving hearts. The young people at Brothers With A Purpose watched and learned about community service as they were served.
     When people engage in community service, a powerful mentor force is created. Inner-city young people often struggle to overcome generational history. Collaborations like NPHC and BWAP help develop the potential for a better future. 
     Actions shape history. Shawn Fagan is a gatherer of like minded souls with compassionate hearts. She is the leader who had the idea, cast the vision and then persevered until it happened. She lead everyone present in sharing the precious words of Psalm 23. She encouraged all of us to go to God will all of our needs.
     Persistence and commitment are the hallmarks of successful mentoring.  Imagine a program that trained young people to mentor middle school students in literacy, character development, social/emotional learning and physical education in one class period, during school or after school. Some of the folks from NPHC have said they will be back, and we need them! Building a Mentor Force takes time, and time is of the essence for young people.  
     Shawn Fagan is a lady with a philosophy deeply embedded in her heart that says, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Youth With A Purpose would like to say thank you to Shawn and her friends from the National Pan-Hellenic Council of WNY. Jesus loves you and so do we.

     Would you like to get involved in a new community enrichment paradigm? YWAP is looking for mentors, prayer partners, monthly financial supporters and corporate sponsors. We are exploring ways to monetize our social media platform as a means of expanding and sustaining our service to young people as we help them mentor the next generation. Can you help us with our build our platform?
Please contact the YWAP Director at 716-830-8240 or [email protected]
     Here is a list of the NPHC organizations present at BWAP 101,
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta (DST), Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma, Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta and Iota Phi Theta. Thank you ladies and gentleman, we appreciate you. JLYASDW
     Here is information taken from The National Pan-Hellenic Council website, "The stated purpose and mission of the organization in 1930 was “Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations.” #NPHCUnited4Service initiative is designed to encouraged NPHC councils, NPHC member organizations, and members of NPHC organizations to engage in a community wide service project(s) during the month April 10, 2016 – May 10, 2016.  This time was selected to coincide with the anniversary of the founding of NPHC on May 10, 1930. ​