Young people usually come in contact with Police only when their in trouble.
     Well that was back in the day folks! The times they are a changing!
     After their visit to Teen Action Night, they left a very positive impression on the hearts of young people.
   Police do a lot more than arrest people, the Buffalo Police Department Neighborhood Engagement Team is bringing unity to a city. They showed respect to the young people and made them feel like valuable members of the community.
     After they played some volleyball and basketball, they shared some valuable wisdom before dinner was served. Two Officers spoke about several timely and sensitive  subjects. They covered bullying, the terrorism of 9/11, suicide and saving lives by speaking up. Someone who speaks up and tells someone about a potentially deadly situation is not a tattle tail or a snitch - they are being courageous and responsible. 
     YWAP would like to say thank you to the Buffalo Police Department and all Police everywhere for putting your lives on the line to keep our communities safe. Your job is not easy and can be very dangerous. We appreciate you and we are proud of you.
You can view a video of the Police Officers speaking to the youth by clicking on the following links:
Buffalo Police Visit Teen Action Night on YouTube
Buffalo Police Visit Teen Action Night on Facebook
     The YWAP Director shared a leadership lesson on "How To Be Happy." You can read about it on the picture in our photo gallery. We also were honored to have Pastor Miguel-Haniffa Solier share some news about a great opportunity for youth called The Back To School Conference. Thank you Pastor for caring enough to invite our youth and your  willingness to pick them up in your bus.​ Videos of this week's leadership lesson can be found at the following links:
How To Be Happy On YouTube
How To Be happy on Facebook     

     You may not know what it's like to live in a cave, but the choices we make can put us in dark places.
     When Pastor Randy told the young folks about his past life, they listened attentively.
     Alcohol and drugs can lead people to dark places and Pastor Randy almost died in a dark place.
     Perfect people don't exist. "God doesn't use perfect people. He uses people He's perfected."
     Pastor Randy talked about being obedient to God and listening to His voice. "Be obedient in small things and God will open big doors." At one turning point in his life, a man gave Pastor Randy a Bible with a prayer written in side. "May the Lord keep you until your time. Maranatha (the Lord is coming.) Since then, Randy and his wife Kathy have travelled to many countries and shared the love of Christ with thousands of people.
     You probably noticed that he's in a wheelchair, but don't mistake that for a limitation, Randy is still speaking in churches and doing one on one mentoring. You can't stop this former caveman, he's a mountain man for Jesus who helps others climb the mountains of life! Thanks Pastor Randy and Kathy, Jesus loves you and so do we.
     This was the first week of Teen Action Night's new season at the Bread of Life. Members of the Buffalo Police Department Neighborhood Engagement Team came for a short visit. They came back a week later to share and play volleyball and basketball with the young people. More on that in our next article. 
Videos of our Leadership Lesson can be found here: 
"How To Be Popular" (Facebook)
"How To Be Popular" (YouTube)
The video of Pastor Randy's inspirational message can be found here: 
"Pastor Randy Once Lived In A Cave" (YouTube)
"Pastor Randy Laid His Heart On The Line" (Same Video on Facebook)

     Young people received backpacks and school supplies at a community event called "Gabe Day."
     When a guy gets a day named after him. you have to figure he was a very special guy.
     As a well liked and admired young man, Gabriel Isaiah Texidor left a heart imprint on those who knew him.
    Plenty of community organizations came together to honor Gabe and his family. Backpacks and school supplies were given away and people made speeches. The Director of Youth With A Purpose knew Gabriel well. They climbed mountains together. A copy of his remarks are posted below.

     You have to hear his story to believe it.
     Way back in the day, he lived a different life.
     And then his life was saved.
     Pastor Randy Smith is alive today only by the grace of God.
     Thursday, September 5, 2019 marks the return of Teen Action Night at The Bread of Life - 1638 South Park Ave. Buffalo, NY. Pastor Randy is this seasons first Nine Minute Life Speaker. Our program happens from 6-8 PM and is for 12-18 yr. old's and includes physical exercise like volleyball and basketball. We also have a craft room. We eat a good meal and learn some life leadership skills. It's a family affair and some young people bring their younger siblings. Call us if you need more information. Did I mention that this is free? 
If you're interested in learning more about youth ministry, we offer Mentoring Internships.

     Young people are yearning for a deeper relationship with God.
     Water Baptism is a way of dying with Christ to ourselves and being raised with Him into new life.
      As an act of obedience, Baptism is a response to the command of Jesus found in Matthew 28:18-20.
     Pastor Mike Kistner of Starfish Ministries walked into the water with a young lady smiling from ear to ear. She was there to experience a Water Baptism as part of her public declaration to follow Christ.
     Michael Kistner is a Pastor and 30+ year veteran of Bible study.  Together with his wife, Lisa, they host a Bible meeting patterned after the first century church. Faith is more than religion. It's about a personal relationship with God through His son, Jesus Christ.  All around us we see broken people in need of healing and comfort. Learning together, we make faith come alive. 
     The YWAP Directors were invited to share what God has been doing through young people and their families at YWAP. Starfish Ministries of Western New York has been a very generous supporter of YWAP Programs. We're grateful to them to be able to tell more people that "Jesus loves you and so do we.".
     The Starfish folks sat in beach chairs on the shores of Lake Erie in Angola, NY, about 45 minutes outside of Buffalo. The water was choppy and the wind was strong, but the faith of a bunch of people on a beach for a Baptism was stronger. 
     If you're wondering about the Starfish on Lake Erie, well that can happen in many ways. As you read the following story, think about making a difference in one person's life.
     One day, a man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.
     Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir”.
     The man chuckled aloud, “Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?”
     The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said, “I made a difference to that one!”

Matthew 28:18-20
""Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age'"

     You will run out of breath just talking about what Mrs. Triggs does for the community.
     When she speaks, volunteers jump into a grand display of neighborly love.
     All neighborhoods in Buffalo have benefitted from the heartbeat of Mrs. Triggs in receiving beauty treatments.
     Please, if you have the opportunity, say thank you when you see her. Better yet, ask her how you can get involved in an act of neighborly love.
     In the picture above, Mrs. Triggs is supporting Roswell Park Cancer Institute,, sharing a good word about the United Way Day of Caring, signing folks up to help with free Thanksgiving dinners for the community and handing out wristbands that say, "Jesus Loves You And So Do We." Spreading love is what Mrs. Triggs does best. Can you spare some time to help her?

     You have to be there to fully experience the energy of a Direct Impact Gospel event.
     When Henri Tee ramps up his heart-driven adrenaline, it's contagious and inspiring.
     As  Founder of Direct Impact Gospel Youth events, Henri's impacted youth in a positive way for many years.
    Plenty of folks in Buffalo work with youth, but Henri Tee is one of a kind.
     He pays for supplies out of his own pocket. His family backs him up and helps at all the events that YWAP has been to. Henri is a dad and a husband who takes those roles seriously. His Gospel ministry comes after his love for God and his family.
     Henri Tee is a role model for our youth and his impact will be felt for many generations to come.
Thank you Henri Tee and your family , staff and volunteers for what you do for God. We appreciate you, but more importantly - Jesus Loves You And So Do We! 
#directimpact #ywap4God #ywapbuffalo #ywap716 #JLYASDW

     YWAP only played a small part on the Day of Caring, but it made a big difference.
     We delivered a lawn mower in the YWAP Van from Towne Automotive (We used it to cut grass too!)
     All over Buffalo, volunteers were serving a city and neighbors they didn't know.
     Plenty of credit goes to Mrs. Elizabeth Triggs, CEO of None Like You. She's the mover and shaker behind many community outreach groups in serving in the City of Good Neighbors.
     Thank you to the United Way and all of the sponsoring organizations and volunteers for putting your hearts into the work of your hands. Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap4God #JLYASDW

     Young people have a little over a month left before they head back to school.
     When you need school supplies, it's never too early to start collecting them.
     As usual, the community can count on Mrs. Triggs to serve their needs.
     Prayer is always a big part of her community events.
     The YWAP Van from Towne Automotive delivered the backpacks and many other supplies. Mrs. Triggs made arrangements with the Teacher's Desk to help supply the backpacks. OSC, Community Action Group, Erie County Legislator Howard Johnson and several other groups made the day possible. Jeff Aichinger helped YWAP supply the Jesus Wristbands given to each person who signed in. It was a beautiful day in a Buffalo neighborhood!
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
​Jesus loves you and so do we.

     The band with the International flavor was honored to do a full set of songs at this year's International Fest. Alpha & Omega International Band is sponsored by Youth With A Purpose. They were invited to add their international membership to The Tab's celebration of cultures from around the world.
     Bishop Robert Stearns delivered a powerful message at the Sunday morning Service. After leading worship, Pastor Aimee Reid-Sych and her worship team started off the event with a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. There were many other talented performers who poured out their hearts over the large crowd. Thanks for inviting us. 
     Alpha & Omega will pick up their Summer schedule on August 22 at the Outdoor Gospel Concert Series. First Saturday Live starts again at The Bread of Life on September 7. See you soon. Jesus loves you and so do we.