They came from near and far. They danced and sang. They prayed and praised. They brought unity in worship and the Word. They shared a meal and friendship. First Saturday Worship on November 5, 2016 at the Slavonic Christian Church was hosted by Alpha & Omega International Band.
     There were many highlights and teaching moments. Not everybody made it into our pictures because of a battery issue with our camera. (We left it plugged in and hope it's still there!) A young man named Andrew sang a song in Spanish. He also speaks Russian and English. He spoke of going to school for engineering and was told that his Spanish speaking skills wouldn't help very much in an Engineering Program. Little did he know where God would take him because of his diligence in studying!
     He spoke about a missions trip to Honduras and how he could see God at work during the trip. Andrew gave a great message about how God works in many ways. It was evident to all the folks in attendance that God was connecting all of our thoughts because we had surrendered to Him.
     Afterward we shared a meal and some beautiful relationship building. We also delivered some Bills Night Out Tickets. Youth With A Purpose is cosponsoring a night of "Football, Family & Faith" with Buffalo Bills players and their wives. The event is coming soon with tickets being claimed everyday. If you are free or know someone who likes football and and would benefit from a discussion about family and faith, please contact us Bills Night Out will be held on November 21, 2016 7-9pm.
     The following words are from songs and the thoughts at First Saturday Worship. Let your eyes soak them into your spirit and see what God would speak to you. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#BNO #LOVEMERCY #LIFETICKET #ALPHAOMEGA #YWAP #JLYASDW

"There is a redeemer." #REDEEMER
 
"But to do justly.
To love mercy.
And to walk humbly with your God."
Micah (in song) 6:8
#HUMBLY  
 
"Moment People" on the path of life." Art & Poetry. #GODMOMENT
 
"I've come to find the touch of the miracle Man. You are holy." #HEALINGWATERS
 
" Bring your brokenness"
"Don't pretend to be something that you're not." "If we're honest." #HONEST
 
"I called, You answered and came to my rescue."  #YOUANSWERED

BILLS NIGHT OUT 2016

            Sometimes you don't need to check your phone for a weather report. The atmosphere and your body tell you that rain and humidity is on the way. Hanging around young people in the city is similar; their emotional moods will tell you about impending outbursts of anger. Sometimes that anger results in violence. Buffalo is one of America's inner-cities filled with young people struggling with poverty, violence, drugs, gangs and fatherlessness. Youth With A Purpose, by the grace of God, is helping young people build their way out of poverty and violence. This is a YWAP Story about what God is doing in Buffalo.
            This is a YWAP Report and for the sake of statistical purposes, we'll call it YWAP Report 816. Psalm 81:6 "I removed the burden from his shoulder; His hands were freed from the basket." Tonight night (11-3-16) will be BWAP LXXV or Basketball With A Purpose #75 for you non-Latin lovers! Our guest Speaker this week will be from Cops for Christ. BWAP brings young men 18-30 yrs. old from all over the city to City Reach Buffalo. We play basketball, listen to a motivational speaker (for 9 minutes) and share a meal together. Girlfriends and babies and younger brothers visit on a regular basis. We encourage families to be a part of BWAP. It's our mission to help families know how much God loves them. One night, two and a half hours, a nine minute speech, a good meal, and building trust - they all combine to create a tool of life-change in a short time.
How Many Young People Are Reached By YWAP?
BWAP Thursday Nights
            Our average attendance during most weeks of the year varies between 25-40 participants. Last week (10-27-16,) there were 41 young people present. Our dedicated core of volunteers remains constant in every season with about 6-8 adult mentors sharing their hearts. So far this year in ten months, almost 1,000 young people have visited our BWAP Program on Thursdays. The number of names on our current roster gathered from sign-in sheets is 185. We have had over 60 guest speakers from all ages and all walks of life. Former gangsters, alcoholics, judges, pastors, young women and many professionals have given nine minute testimonies (some were a bit longer!)
Sunday Night Bible Study
            Rev. Will Coplin's passion fills the hearts of young people; they know he's the real deal. He opens his home on two Sunday's per month for dinner and Bible Study. Young men and women along with some YWAP volunteers gather for some food, friendship and truth. There's about 30-35 people who range in age between two yrs. old to over 80! They crowd into a small upstairs apartment on Buffalo's East Side. Rev. Will cooks and leads a Bible Study. The night is filled with truth, accountability, acceptance, smiles and love.
Monthly YWAP Birthday Celebrations
            All kids should grow up to be like Mr. & Mrs. Law. They've served people in Buffalo for longer than anyone can remember. Each month they share their home for a YWAP Birthday Celebration. Anybody with a birthday that month is invited to their own special party. We share a home-style meal and then we light the candles on a cake. Yes, we do sing Happy Birthday! The highlight of the evening is the "PTL" or Provoke The Love. PTL was started by Rev. Will, it's powerfully tear-inducing! Everyone takes a turn in saying something special about the birthday person. Smiles and tears flow freely as our love is freely given. Some young people have never had a birthday celebration. We also do a short Bible Study and pray.
Leadership Retreats 
            Mr. & Mrs. Law have graciously allowed us to use their cabin in Rushford, NY. Rev. Will has taken groups to weekend Leadership Retreats. Campfires, boat-rides, hiking, prayer, good food and Bible Studies are the standard fare. We're grateful to Mr. & Mrs. Law for their love.
Upcoming Special Events
            Through a strong collaboration network, YWAP partners with some great folks in the community. At Thanksgiving last year, we served over 1,400 turkey dinners. This year we'll probably go over that number with five Community Celebrations scheduled so far. We still need turkeys if you know anyone with an extra bird in their freezer.
            On Nov. 17 we'll hold a special BWAP Thanksgiving. Our Dinner Sponsors and cooks will be from Renovation Church. The Nine Minute Speaker will be Pastor Darrick Castronova from The Well Buffalo. On December 22 we'll hold a BWAP Christmas Celebration for the BWAP guys and their families.
            The Bills Night Out will return on Nov. 21, 2016 at West Hertel Academy (Buffalo School #94." YWAP is collaborating with Fred Raines and Athletes In Action. Buffalo Bills Kyle Williams and his wife Jill will host the Bills Night Out 2016. They will join other Bills players and wives for a night of "FOOTBAL, FAMILY & FAITH." They'll share personal stories of what it's like to live in the world of Professional Football. They will also sign AUTOGRAPHS! 
In School Mentoring         
            Two weeks ago we met with Administrators at Burgard HS. A young man was shot and killed in gang violence. The day we met, one week after the killing, would've been his 17th birthday. We discussed an in-school mentoring program and a school assembly.
            On January 13, 2017 we'll speak at the Niagara County Police & Community Relations Seminar. We'll present to groups of High School students about the dangers of gangs, drugs and alcohol abuse.
T.H.U.G. Mission Trip
            In February of 2018, the Rev. Will Coplin is leading a team of young men to the Caribbean. Rev. Will has spent a few years as a missionary on St. Vincent and is a veteran missionary with many highly successful trips serving and teaching. Rev. Will has just begun the planning process and will be training up young guys to go on the mission field.
Possible BWAP Expansion
            Several centers have expressed an interest in having a BWAP Program in their facility. We've visited a few sites in Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Our goal is to expand the BWAP Program by training up folks in each neighborhood to run the program. Our expansion will follow God's leading. We want to help our young guys become disciples of Christ who train up the next generation. Expansion cannot come without a solid foundation and focus on our mission.
 "We help young people overcome poverty and violence by pursuing God's purpose for their lives."
 
Thanks for your time. Please contact us to comment or get involved.
Jesus Loves you and so do we.

Bob & Linda Kuebler
Rev. Will Coplin