Stepping out of the boat...again

We had our first Baton Rouge Dream Center volunteer meeting tonight that was geared for people who have a heart to work with inner-city youth. I gotta tell ya, I am pumped up! Craig and Charity did a slammin' job delivering the heart of our youth programs. Between our after-school program and our street youth outreach I believe we're going to make a huge impact in the lives of these young people.

I know what you're thinking; "Who are you and what did you do with Donna?"

Okay I admit that, in the past, I have never imagined that I would voluntarily work with kids. I'm still not convinced that I'm called to minister to children, but Charity and Craig made a pretty compelling case. Did you know that 9 out of every 10 teens are sexually active? Or that 10% of kids suffer from depression? Did you know that the average age for girls to enter into pornography and prostitution is 12 years old? Did you know that the sale of child pornography is a $3 billion industry in the U.S.?

It's staggering. And worse yet, it's right here. These aren't kids living in Thailand, they're living in our own back yard. They're the kids we see on Saturday morning outreach. They're the shadows that need food but can't look at you. They are the unlovely.

Jesus said that He didn't come for those who are well, but for those who are sick. These kids are dying. I know Jesus wants us to go after them; to pull them back from the gates of hell; to let them know that they are valued and valuable. He died for them, just like He died for me.

So, I stand convicted, terrified and not knowing what to do next. The only thing I really know to do is to get out of the boat, keep my eyes on Jesus and ignore the crashing waves. Wanna come with?