Wrestling rather than basketball is what Steve excelled in. His words to the young men covered some personal stories about how he grew into a Christ follower. Jesus changed his life. According to Pastor Steve; "In the world we fight to prove we have value, and are worthy of respect. It's different with God. Christ has all the honor and worth."
As a young man, Pastor Steve knew what it was like to feel ashamed. He could identify with the struggles of the 18-30 yr. old young men that he spoke to last Thursday night. Steve learned that God's grace covers shame and His mercy removes it. He left the young men with a lot top think about. "He spills it all because we are worth so much to him. We don't have to fight to get Jesus respect. He loves us so much that He came to die for us."
People who make it a habit to read the Bible on a regular basis get hungrier for more of the Word. Here are two verses that Pastor Steve shared with the young men.
Revelation 5:11-14 "Then in my vision I heard the singing of millions of angels surrounding the throne and the Living Beings and the Elders: 12 “The Lamb is worthy (loudly they sang it!), the Lamb who was slain. He is worthy to receive the power, and the riches, and the wisdom, and the strength, and the honor, and the glory, and the blessing.”
13 And then I heard everyone in heaven and earth, and from the dead beneath the earth and in the sea, exclaiming, “The blessing and the honor and the glory and the power belong to the one sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.” 14 And the four Living Beings kept saying, “Amen!” And the twenty-four Elders fell down and worshiped him."
1 Peter 1:18-20 " God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver as you very well know. 19 But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but only recently was he brought into public view, in these last days, as a blessing to you."
Pastor Steve Schenk cast a vision of God's grace by passing on some wisdom to inner-city young men. Guys in gangs are hungry for power and wealth. Steve gave them the key to true treasures through a life in Christ. Thanks Pastor Steve, you delivered a meal of respect that was digestible for hungry young men. Jesus loves you and so do we.
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Photos of Pastor Steve Schenk & BWAP LV Courtesy of Linda Kuebler