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.

     Young men die too often in Buffalo, but grieving never gets easier.
     Why do they die? The devils helps people steal, kill and destroy life.
     After the funeral is over, grieving can continue for years.
    Please know that if you're a shooter, death will come to you in the same manner. Evil always comes full circle. There is a way out and that way is Christ. 
     Gabriel Texidor stood on several mountains as one of our best mountain trekkers at Youth With A Purpose. He was a true Peakbagger who knew what it takes to climb the mountains of life. Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of the day we climbed two mountains in one day. That was a common activity for Gabe. He would charge up one mountain, stand on the peak and look for the next mountain to climb.
     He was good at helping his fellow peakbaggers. We once had a guy who was afraid of heights and needed a lot of encouragement just to stay on the trail and make it up the mountain. Gabriel and his hiking buddies helped the young guy without making him feel embarrassed. Gabe set up tents, searched for firewood and cooked food - especially smores! Sometimes he was a knucklehead (like the rest of us,) but he followed the plan and kept everybody safe when we needed him to. Not following the plan on the side of a mountain can be dangerous for the whole team.
     I remember his smile. Actually Gabe had several smiles. One he wore when he was satisfied.and happy. There were several other smiles he wore that were more mischievous. When you look at the pictures you'll see what I mean. Gabriel Texidor was a good man. He was brave, helpful, courteous, kind, thoughtful and generous. His Mom did a great job as a mother.
     Tears are a part of youth ministry all too often. When a young person becomes a part of your heart, they never leave. It doesn't matter if you never see them again or hardly ever see them. Once you're in our hearts, you never leave and we will never leave you. Even death won't separate us because we're united by the Love of God.
     Say hello to Jesus for us Gabe, we'll all join you eventually. We'll keep your memory alive by telling other folks what a good man you were and that you were a friend of Jesus.
Jesus Loves you Gabriel and so do we.

     YWAP Director filled in for a Nine Minute Speaker who was unable to come to YWAP Teen Action Night at The Bread. The Bible Leadership Lesson was about temptation. Sometimes we all make mistakes and that's why Jesus went to the cross - to pay the penalty for our sins.
     When you begin a personal relationship with Jesus, your life begins to change. Your character becomes less selfish. Your actions are more in line with the character of Christ.
     As new habits are formed that reflect the attributes of Jesus. The Bible has a lot to say about the character of Christ. Here's a small sample:
     Philippians 2:1-6
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,"
     Over the summer, temptation increases for young people who are idle. Parties with drugs, alcohol and sex are tempting and can be deadly. The YWAP Director stressed abstinence from sex until marriage as the safest protection from STD's and untimely pregnancies. Abortion should not be a consideration because it's a procedure that ends a human life.
     Sex is like a fireplace that heats your home. There is safety if the fire remains in the boundary of the fireplace. If the fire escapes from the confines of the fireplace, your home could burn down. Sex is like a fire that's meant to be a hot experience within the safety and trust between a man and woman in a marriage. Stay safe. Teen Action Night returns in September.
     Soon we'll be launching a 13 week program called "Strong Men Great Dads." We teach guys how to build their own personal Code of Conduct called the "Man-Code 4Life." It's time to Man-Up and respect women and be responsible fathers. Please call us if you would like to teach or sponsor Strong Men Great Dads. 716-830-8240.
     You can watch a portion of the YWAP Director's Nine Minute Lesson on Facebook or YouTube. 

     Sandra Jordan is an Outreach and Admissions Specialist for Job Corps. For nine minutes at Teen Action Night, Sandra did a masterful job of teaching youngsters about conflict and how all growth comes through conflict.
​     Life isn't always easy and conflict can cause hard times, but perseverance and resiliency can bring about greater opportunities for good times. Sandra left the group of young folks with some information about job training programs at Job Corps. She is a valuable resource for the community. You can reach her at:
Sandy Jordan
Outreach & Admissions Counselor
Cassadaga Job Corps
(716)410-0006
Jordan.Sandra@jobcorps.org
     Block Club Basketball starts in July for youngsters 13-18 - boys and girls. YWAP will have a team at the Bread of Life and we are looking for a basketball coach. Let us know if you're interested. Thank you.
Jesus loves you and so do we. 716-830-8240 #ywap4God #JLYASDW
You can watch a video of Sandra's masterful nine minutes of teaching on Facebook or YouTube.

     Youth in Kenya face a different set of challenges than the youth in Buffalo.
     Water isn't easily accessed like turning on a faucet on in a youth center.
     As Pastor Thomas Mahaga spoke about shortages of food and medical care. it was easy to see the needs.
    Prayer began the United Coalition of Churches & Brotherhood Meeting, and prayer was heard several times throughout.
     Political candidates gave a short pitch in validation of their campaign for office. The audience asked questions and all seemed well qualified. The food was great thanks to Pastor Charles Walker, Mrs. Walker and their son.
     The purpose of the group is to foster a greater collaboration and sharing of the gifts that God has bestowed on our community. Progress is evident when folks from Africa travel across the globe to visit our city.
     The YWAP Director was there with information about the upcoming launch of "Strong Men Great Dads." It's time to do more to defeat the ongoing generational plague of fatherlessness.
     Pastor Thomas has an orphanage in Kenya that currently houses 200 children with a capacity for 400. There are more children who need the love and accommodations that his ministry provides, but funds are sorely lacking. The U.C.C.B. members gave offerings for the orphanage with more to follow. Pastor Thomas will be speaking in several area churches including the Bread of Life. If you are interested in having him speak in your church or group, please contact Pastor Mark Robshaw at: 434-262-1797.

     Young people and the old folks all raised their hands and admitted their bads in an act of transparency.
     When the YWAP Director asked the young audience to be honest and raise their hands if anyone had ever been a thief, a liar or a cheat - the audience participation was 100%. We all were honest and admitted our bads.
     After folks realize their guilt, that's not the end of the story. Jesus went to the cross because God knows we make a lot of mistakes. He paid the penalty for our guilt.
     People who do their best to follow Jesus have a better chance to minimize their mistakes. We're all teachable, accountable and responsible for what we know. James 4:17 "If we know the right thing to do and we don't do it, we are sinning." Now we know that stealing, lying and cheating is wrong.
You can see the video of the Leadership Lesson on Cheating by clicking on either of these links: Facebook or YouTube.

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
​Jesus loves you and so do we.
#teenaction #ywap4God #JLYASDW
Bread of Life Church Bread of Life Youth YWAP Teen Action Night at The Bread

.     You not likely to know a someone's life story until they share it. He's an Army Veteran who served his country in a foreign war He's also  an author, a coach, a mentor, a husband and a father.
     Wearing many hats, he inspires other folks to go beyond being followers and become strong leaders. Brohdny Ricketts brought respect and instilled fresh confidence in the minds of young people.
     As usual our Thursday nights begin with a Biblical Leadership Lesson. This week we spoke about a military leader named Joshua who exhibited a soldiers character traits of being strong and courageous.
     Personal courage is one of the hallmarks of Brohdny's character and he teaches it by the way he walks.  Brohdny came to YWAP's Teen Action Night to teach the young people as this week's Nine Minute Life Speaker.
​     His talk only lasted nine minutes, but he spent two hours encouraging them and forming relationships. That's what a great mentor and coach does, he puts other people ahead of themselves in selfless service. He gave away wristbands and copies of his book. "The Walk." His message is about leadership and he uses the acronym "LDRSHIP" for the words; Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. Please visit his website at www.thewalk615.org to learn more about this powerful ministry.
     The videos from this week's Teen Action Night at The Bread of Life can be found on: Facebook and YouTube. Pictures of Teen Action are posted below.
Thank you Brohdny for a great time of inspirational motivation that we believe will influence the young people for life. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap4God #JLYASDW

​     Young people seem to listen more deeply to a speaker closer to their own age.
     Wonderfully transparent, vulnerable and honest, Angela quickly endeared herself to the young audience.
     As a teen, she learned some valuable life lessons in some hard times.
     Part of Angela's message was about the verbal abuse, mockery and bullying that happens to many young people. She talked about self-image and how each one of us is unique and beautiful in the eyes of God.
Thank you Angela for sharing your heart with an extremely timely message. Jesus loves you and so do we.
     As so often happens at Teen Action Night, the speaker what was right in tune with the Bible Leadership Lesson for the evening. Watch your words. Your tongue can start a forest fire with just a spark. Your tongue is like the small rudder that steers a huge ship. It doesn't take much to ruin somebody's reputation or hurt them emotionally. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
You can watch Angela's inspirational speech and the Bible Leadership Lesson that precedes it by clicking on the following links:
Facebook
YouTube.
#ywap4God #JLYASDW