Rasheed Wyatt is a city of Buffalo Councilman who is helping young guys stay alive, out of jail and learning how to be responsible young men. Rasheed has been a BWAP supporter since the beginning and we're grateful for our relationship with him. BWAP is also very grateful for his Staff at City Hall including; Sandra Munson, Doris Cooley, Taisha St. Jean and Bria Johnson. These ladies are the backbone of servanthood and form a solid foundation that allow Rasheed to serve the community.  BWAP appreciates you!
     Please pray for BWAP Director Rev. Will Coplin. He had triple bypass surgery last week.He's the driving force behind BWAP. Due to his medical emergency, we have decided to postpone the BWAP Luncheon. For more information, visit:https://www.facebook.com/events/721361754665174/ 
UPDATE: Rev. Will Coplin is home and recuperating, please continue to pray, thanks. If you are in the BWAP neighborhood tonight, drop in, play some ball, eat some food and listen to 9MD Speaker Rasheed Wyatt. 

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4 

     Bighearted would be a good word to describe Rodney. He opens the doors of City Reach every Thursday night for BWAP. He cleans up and closes the doors when all the BWAPpers are gone home. He's like everybody's brother, he loves being with the BWAP guys.
     Warmhearted is another great adjective to describe Rodney. He cared enough to volunteer to become a BWAP 9MD Speaker. He wanted to share some of his wisdom with the guys. He was well spoken and well received - warmly received!
       Accepted as a brother and an authority figure is something that only a few rare individuals can accomplish.
Rodney's message could be summed up like this.
"I grew up in the hood, but the hood didn't grow up in me."
     Perhaps the most powerful impact of Rodney's 9MD came afterward. I asked one of the young men if he could teach me anything that he had learned during the 9 minutes he listened to Rodney. He showed me his notes complete with Bible verses! Someday soon that young man will be ready to be a BWAP 9MD Speaker! Thanks, Rodney, you were awesome and made a huge impact!

Due to BWAP Director Rev. Will Coplin's triple bypass surgery, we would kindly ask that you pray for him. We have decided to postpone and reschedule the BWAP Luncheon. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/721361754665174/

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4 

BWAP did not set out to become something unique, God opened a unique door and pulled us through it. Each week, BWAP grows in its uniqueness. Each week, young men between the ages of 18-30 are playing ball, eating good food, forming positive relationships and listening to guest speakers talk for 9 minutes. Yes - NINE MINUTES, and it's a LIFE-CHANGING NINE MINUTES!

This week we are honored to have Rodney Anger from City Reach Buffalo as our Guest 9MD Speaker. Here's a little blurb about Rodney: 
"I LOVE JESUS... 
And I say what most else is thinking, yet afraid to say. 
I'm imperfect, but am aiming for perfection."
Welcome, Rodney!

Please pray for BWAP Director Rev. Will Coplin. He will have triple bypass surgery this week.He's the driving force behind BWAP. Due to his medical emergency, we have decided to postpone the BWAP Luncheon. For more information, visit:https://www.facebook.com/events/721361754665174/

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4 

          Believe it or not, events that we would call UNBELIEVABLE are piling up at BWAP. Specatular is becoming the norm. BWAP XX will go in the books as a "Wisdom-Filled Surprise." Deirdre Wright was downright humble and transparent in displaying how she has grown in her relationship with God.
          Women cannot be fathers, even though many young will say that their Mom was both a mother and a father to them. Deirdre was very open about describing her relationship as a mother with children without being married. Staying in a relationship that does not work can have some tough consequences for everyone involved. Getting married before you have children would be the best course of action. Thank you, Deirdre you made our hearts smile and our wisdom grow!
          A larger than normal BWAP crowd was infused with some fresh energy by a visit from Rhodesia Jackson and the Unique Sisters. They had received an email that there was a basketball tournament with free food. While the email was not exactly accurate. Rhodesia was welcomed along with her smiling group of young ladies. They brightened our day and received a heart smile and some wisdom from Deirdre. Rhodesia told the group of young guys all about the Unique Sisters and their character building activities.. The ladies were treated to free Bibles and copies of BWAP Speaker Ken Metzgers book - "The Potter's Perfect Piece." Thanks ladies for adding another smile to our hearts!
          Perhaps the hardest news we received this week was about BWAP Director Rev. Will Coplin. He will have triple bypass surgery this week.Please pray for Rev. Will, he's the driving force behind BWAP. Due to his medical emergency, we have decided to postpone the BWAP Luncheon. For more information, visit:https://www.facebook.com/events/721361754665174/

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4 

Coming soon to a BWAP near you! Deirdre Wright is a rock star in the community. Her heart beats all over the neighborhoods of Buffalo. Here is one of her favorite Bible verses: 

Isaiah 40:31 
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; 
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
 they shall run, and not be weary; 
and they shall walk, and not faint."

ABOUT DEIRDRE
"To be who you are and become what you are capable of is the only goal worth living." 
A. Ailey

As a Mother...Allowing God to guide me in nurturing; teaching; guiding strong, God fearing, compassionate & humble persons that are ready to STAND

As a Professional ...To find creative ways to help people overcome the challenges of doing things differently to get to a better place in life and maximize their potential - personally financially, academically, professionally.

Welcome, Deirdre! 
The BWAPpers are looking forward to your visit!

If you would like to be a BWAP Speaker, please check out our Speaker Guidelines and give us a call.
http://www.youthwithapurpose.org/5/post/2015/08/bwap-9md-speaker-guidelines.html

Please consider attending our BWAP Luncheon. Some of our young guys will share a little bit about how their lives have changed in a unique way. /https://www.facebook.com/events/721361754665174/

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4 

          Boldness in modelling Jesus is the first step in authentic manhood. That was the main point of the 9MD (9 Minute Direction) provided by Leroy Wiggins during BWAP Week XIX. 
          What does it mean to be a real man? Leroy spoke from an Iron Man perspective in sharing some great character traits worth emulating. A man who follows Jesus is a man who leads courageously.
          Accepting responsibility is what real men make a habit of. Truth reveals who we are in private by eventually revealing itself in public. Real men admit mistakes and become change-makers.   
          Passivity is vastly different than passion or compassion. Some guys haven't learned yet how to play life with the same passion they show on a basketball court. It's time guys, let's listen to Leroy's words and become real and authentic men who lead our families! (Note: Leroy's entire notes follow the slide show.)

Thank you, Leroy for rejecting passivity and accepting the responsibility 
to act courageously by making an eternal investment in the BWAP guys! 

Please consider attending our BWAP Luncheon. Some of our young guys will share a little bit about how their lives have changed in a unique way. /https://www.facebook.com/events/721361754665174/

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4 

Definition of Manhood (From the 33 Series of “Authentic Manhood”)

          You know if you asked some guys to define manhood I could guarantee you wouldn’t get the same definitions. And if those definitions weren’t centered on a Godly perspective they would lead down the wrong path….quickly.
If I asked a group of guys when does a boy become a man? Here’s the foolishness you’d hear…

1. When he has sex for the first time, 
2. When he’s old enough to drive, 
3. When he drinks his first beer, 
4. When he smokes his first joint 
5. Joins his first gang
6. When he wins his first championship.

          If that’s the best we can call manhood I think you can see that that is pretty pitiful. And partly describes the problems we see in society when it comes to men. No one knows what a man is. Do you know that in every category of almost every type of crime that is committed it is done by men? Rapes, murder, assault, burglary, arson, drug dealing, drug possession. Read the papers one day and see for yourself. This sad statistic holds true for every country, every culture and every society that has ever existed. 
          The truth is…..the world pays a high price because of men. I suspect some of you already know this because of your own life experience with guys who were more childlike than manlike. So I would guess we have to ask the question…what's wrong with us?  Here’s the answer…..Confused, lonely, disappointed, hurt, broken and misguided men create chaos on any society. I’m in a second-row seat right now waiting to take a guy off of life support because of a guy like what I described. 
          But you see there is an answer…….if men have created this problem….men can solve this problem. So I just want to share with you a definition of manhood you can back up with Gods word. And our role model is Jesus….. A man modeling Jesus Rejects Passivity: Passivity simply means sitting on your butt doing nothing when action is needed. And unfortunately, many men remain passive in the significant things of life. Oh, we act on insignificant things but when something significant comes along……………..MEN ARE FLATLINE!  

 In Matthew 21(Jesus at the Temple takes action)

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.”

An offense was taking place and Jesus took action. Guys are you taking appropriate Godly action when the situation demands it? Or are you flat-lining?

A man modeling Jesus Accepts Responsibility: Many men punt the ball on their responsibilities leaving others to do the work. You may be feeling that now. Cleaning up someone else mess. God has given us a work to do and we need to do it. 


John 4 (Jesus speaking to the disciples)
“My food (job) is to do the will of Him (God) who sent me and to accomplish his work."

 John 17 (Jesus praying to God just before his arrest and crucifixion)
"I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do."

From these passages (and many more) we see clearly that Jesus fulfilled God’s will for Him. Has God called you to something that you need to take responsibility for? A man modeling Jesus Leads Courageously: 


Matthew 4:19 (Jesus calling for disciples)
And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Two simple words “follow me.” Because Jesus rejected passivity and accepted his responsibility he was able to lead people in a direction that leads to life. We’re called to do the same. Follow me as I follow him. That’s a bold statement, but that’s what God has called for us to do if we’re Christ followers.

 John 10:11 (Jesus says to crowd)
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus led by providing protection and laying his life down for those he loved and guided them.

Jesus was others-centered and we see throughout scripture that He was a life-giving spirit. When we lead courageously we also give life to those around us. Would people in your life call you a life-giving spirit?

  A man modeling Jesus Invests Eternally:   Matthew 6 (Jesus speaks to a crowd)
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

 Jesus wasn’t worried about the nonsense of this world. We live a short time and spend eternity in heaven or hell. He’s investing in people so they can live in heaven with him. Though he was present on earth here he was invested in things of eternal significance and taught others to do the same. Where are you helping people invest in heaven or hell?

You see men speak and act with maturity. 1 Corinthians 13:11 tells us this: 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. Those definitions of manhood I started with are childish. The definitions I just ended with speak of maturity and Godly wisdom. Real men follow Jesus and real men do what?
Reject passivity 
Eternal investment
Accepts responsibility 
Leads courageously  
Let’s say a quick prayer:    

          Buffalo is buzzing about the BWAP program at Youth With A Purpose. Lives are being changed, points are being scored, friendships are growing, guys are getting jobs and former gang members are praying for folks on city street corners. 
          What would you think if you saw young guys doing prayer drive-by's? Would you like to be a part of something unique and life-changing? Do you need a life-change? Changing locations may not be the answer unless you're talking about your heart. Make a stand right where you are and decide to be the best you can be.
          Another spectacular 9MD Speaker is on tap for tonight. Leroy Wiggins is a leader as a husband, father, missionary, teacher, administrator, pastor and he wears many other hats too!. We are honored to have Leroy as our 9MD Guest Speaker tonight.
          Perhaps you are not a basketball player, you are welcome anyway! You can just hang out, make friends, eat good food and hear about some good, solid life direction. Don't wait for life to change, seize the day. 

Are you signed up to attend the BWAP Luncheon on September 30, 2015?
https://www.facebook.com/events/721361754665174/


Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4 

Would you like to become a BWAP 9MD Speaker? 
Call us and we'll tell you how to become part of a unique and life-changing program. 
Are you registered for the BWAP Luncheon?
https://www.facebook.com/events/721361754665174/


Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4

          Broken people make the best bridges on the roads of life. The Rev. Will Coplin has been a father to thousands of young people for over 40 years. On Thursday night, September 3, 2015, Rev. Will told a story about being broken as a father figure..
          Will you be ready to meet God when your time on earth is up? Rev. Will shared a deep and gut-wrenching story about a young man who became his foster child. The boy's mom had asked Will if he would let him move in and become a father to him. Both the boy and Will agreed. Rev. Will asked the boy when he wanted to move in and his reply was Sept 19. "Why Sept 19?" Asked Will. The boy said he just felt like it was a good day.
          Any plans that we make can be interrupted unexpectedly. On Sept 19, the boy died from a stab wound. An argument in a school cafeteria over spilling milk led to an altercation on a metro bus where the boy was stabbed. He died in the hospital a short time later - on the day he was to move in with Will. The good part of the story is that the young had a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Rev. Will's life is all about showing the love of Christ in a real and tangible way through his actions. Young people come to know Christ because of how Rev. Will lets Christ live through him. He is a father to an immeasurable number of young people.
          Plenty of young guys grow up without a father. many think that their Mom has been both a Mom & a Dad. While the Mom's have done a spectacular job as single parents in very challenging environment, they cannot take the place of a father. A dad can't be a mom and a mom can't be a dad. God gave both a special role to play and taking either mom or dad out of the family leaves a missing heartbeat. Thank you, Rev. Will Coplin, for letting your heart go the extra mile and become a Father's heartbeat to a whole generation. Jesus loves you and so do we.

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4

          Believe it or not, there were young guys in the streets - no guns, no cussing, no violence, no sex, no drugs just prayer and God. Yesterday on a Buffalo street corner, a group of young men were joined by some old heads for a couple of hours of praying for strangers and feeding hungry folks.
          While life in the city may not be perfect, something powerful is happening in Buffalo. Have you ever seen guys who have been on the streets, some of whom have been former gang members ever pray for people on the streets in Buffalo?
          A Grill and A Prayer is the brainchild of Rev. Will Coplin.  After participating in our “Friends For Life” program, we invite transformed young men, some of whom who were formerly affiliated with a gang, to a busy city street corner where they will provide a free hot dog, drink, and prayer for the purpose of transferring hope to the community residents. Here is a comment from one of our young men: 
“If God can change me, God is able to change anybody!” 
          People who accept themselves full of potential will respect other people. A Grill & A Prayer is a great start to a new life. For more information contact:
Rev. Will Coplin 716-462-2221
Bob Kuebler 716-830-8240

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW.

Youth With A Purpose Inc.
157 Locust Street
Buffalo, New York 14204
716-830-8240
[email protected]

We do appreciate and need your financial help. 
You can write a check to YWAP, we are a non-profit 501c3. 
Our online BWAP donation site may be found at:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5p6ee4