Being young carries an entitlement to ask many questions. Rev. Will Coplin began BWAP LXXIV with a story about heaven and hell. The young men and women responded with loads of questions - and that's a beautiful thing!
     When young people are given the freedom to question things, an open door of learning is created. "Why should we believe an old book written by old guys billions of years ago?" "Sin is fun and I like fun, why should I stop having fun?" "If God is love, why is there war?" They had a ton of questions during Rev. Will's Nine Minute Life Direction.
     As much as time allowed, we had a lively exchange of answers, opinions, facts - that lead to more questions. One young man who had spent time in jail said, "Something has to happen to you before you really know God." There's a lot of truth to that.
     Plenty of these young people return week after week. We have now the experience of 74 BWAP's under our belts. Trust has grown in the hearts of the young people. They see commitment and perseverance in the Staff at BWAP. That commitment comes from knowing how much God loves us.
     Learning can be auditory, visual or experiential. Young people at BWAP, through a dedicated group of people are learning about God's love. They hear the Word. They see love serving. They experience Truth in action.
Miss Wanda was our Dinner Sponsor this week with help from Richard, Ellen and Rev. Will. Rodney did a great job setting up a projector so the young people could view more love in action - a video from a Caribbean Missions Trip. Rev. Will is planning a YWAP Missions to the Island of St. Vincent in February 2018.
     Let us know if you would like to be involved in supporting our young people as they go and put love in action.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.

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     Being in youth ministry for over a decade longer than the life span of a horse, Rev. Will Coplin is still galloping!
     When he speaks, young people listen because they know he loves them unconditionally.
     Always leaving room for growth, Rev. Will sees the potential for greatness in each young person.
     People young and old are becoming disciples of Christ through Rev. Will's compassionate heart.

Chapter Seven in the book "WISDOM FROM THE HOOD" is about Rev. Will and his world changing heart. All proceeds from (follow this link) "WISDOM FROM THE HOOD" go directly to Youth With A Purpose to help YWAP reach more young people.

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#BWAP #LIFETICKET #JLYASDW

     Being born into a family with a history of alcoholism or any other addictive behavior can become a generational curse. Pastor Pat Lavery shared his defeated addiction to alcohol with the young men and women at BWAP LXXIII.
     When he was driving home one night, the headlights of his car illuminated a garbage can full of liquor bottles It made Pat think of his own life. The light shined on two pieces of wood sticking in the garbage can and made a shadow of the Cross on a tree.
     After arriving home, Pat immediately threw all of his liquor in a garbage can. He's now 80 years old and he's helping people conquer addictions as the Co-Founder of Addiction Conquerors.
     Painful memories from growing up in dysfunctional families do not need to lead to addiction. Pastor Pat uses wisdom from the Bible to help addicted folks to be strong and courageous as they embark on God's grace filled road of redemption.His paintings represent a beautiful story of God's redeeming grace.
     Thank you Pastor Pat for sharing your heart with the young people at BWAP. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ADDICTIONCONQUERORS #LIFETICKET #BWAP #JLYASDW

Would you like to get involved in helping Youth With A Purpose help young people become strong and courageous?
Call us; 716-830-8240                                     How can you support YWAP?

     Believing that you have all the time in the world will not help you achieve your goals. That was part of the 9 Minute Life Direction from Julius 'choSon' Spencer at BWAP LXXII. His audience on this Thursday night at City Reach Buffalo ranged from infant to old-head; and we all got a great word from Julius!
     When you pray and trust God without doing any work, "It ain't going to happen! Julius was passionate and focused his desire to help the young people understand the truth about accountability and responsibility for your actions was powerful.
     All the time in the world is only meant for all the time in this day - today. Do your best everyday. Julius quoted several verses from the Bible. They flowed freely without chapter and verse numbers. "Give us this day, our daily bread." Julius urged the young people to focus on "this day."
     Prayer is important as a communication with God, but "faith without work" is useless. "Nobody is going to give you nothing!" Julius read Ephesians 5:15-17 (this version is from the Amplified Bible.)  
"Therefore see that you walk carefully
[living life with honor, purpose, and courage;
shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise,
but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],
making the very most of your time
[on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity
 and using it with wisdom and diligence],
because the days are [filled with] evil.
Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless,
but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is."
    
Thank you Julius for your Holy Spirit inspired wisdom and your love of the Father. His words came from your heart straight into the hearts of those who would hear.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
 
You can watch and listen to Julius by following this link: BWAPLXXIITV Julius 'choSon' Spencer

     We're not sure what Julius 'choSon' Spencer will say to the young people at BWAP LXXII tonight. We know that he knows how to follow the dream that God has placed in his heart. We know that he knows a thing or two about determination. You are welcome to join us. Play basketball, listen to a motivational speaker, eat a great dinner and form life changing friendships./ 7pm 260 Eggert Road, Buffalo. 716-830-8240.
     Here's a BWAPism about dreams:
Determination
Resiliency
Encourage
Active
Motivated
Steadfast
#choson #bwap #lifeticket #jlyasdw

     BWAP LXXI will go down in history as the latest capstone of God's influence at Youth With A Purpose.One of our goals is to help 18-30 yr. old guys become mentors for youngsters. It's slowly happening as guys begin believing in a more excellent way of life.
     When we designed the program, we thought that if we trained up the guys in the way that they should mentor, we could then send them out to mentor the young guys. That's not what's happening. Two things became very apparent in God's plan this week that we had not anticipated.
     As BWAP grows, young men who want to be mentors are showing up. Young guys in need of mentors are showing up. As usual in Buffalo, New York, we don't have to travel to do God's work, He brings the work to us!
     Plenty of young men have been in trouble with the law and served time in jail. This week a young man who's only been with us a short time volunteered to be our Nine Minute Speaker. He's a former gangster who lost a basketball scholarship because he had to do five years in jail for robbery. While in jail, he found out several things.
     Living as a gangster is glamorous for a short time in a young persons life. Sadly, many young people die living the gangster life. The young man who spoke for nine minutes talked about finding God in jail. He also talked about learning how to respect women while he was in jail. That's because most self-respectful women will not remain true to a man who didn't love her enough to stay out of jail.
     This young man bared his soul and owned up to his responsibility to live a life accountable to God. He is now acting as a responsible role model and mentor for youngsters. We're glad he came to BWAP. We will do our best to help him become a guiding member of a Mentor Force that teaches young people how to live a life of purpose.
     What about you, are you ready to enter the Mentor Force? Contact YWAP

Thanks for your time.
Go do something nice for somebody.
#GANGSTERSRETIRE #BWAP #LIFETICKET #JLYASDW