WiseGuys Mentoring

I have the privilege of working with about fifteen 7th and 8th boys at Schaeffer Middle School along with Tim Voltz. We have had some incredible times of sharing as we eat lunch with these guys. Occasionally our former Wiseguys will ask to join us.

During one of our sessions, I asked one of the returning 8th graders to share something he learned last year in the program. He said "well, I learned about making wise choices for myself, and I learned that it costs a lot to have a baby (the average is over $2o,ooo in the first year). I am definitely not ready to be a dad yet."

WiseGuys is an early fatherhood prevention program that focuses on teaching young men to make wise choices. Our activities focus on respecting others, especially girls, peaceful conflict resolution, and setting short and long-term goals for yourself.

We are happy to be partnering with the Springfield City Schools. The feedback we are getting from principals and school counselors alike is "we need more of this kind of thing, and we really appreciate what you are doing in the lives of our students." That's encouraging.

Jeff Nelson

WiseGuys Mentoring

STARS gets off to a great start

STARS After - School Program

At the beginning of October, we were excited to start back up again, with a good number of returning students, and some smiling new faces as well. For the STARS kids, opening day couldn't come soon enough. Thanks for all your prayers as we have worked through transportation issues and a few other obstacles.

This year we have formed leadership teams at both of our STARS churches, and they are starting to take more active roles in running the program along with STARS Director Jeff Nelson.

This is a short post, but we wanted to show you some pictures of what God is doing in one of our programs. Thanks for partnering with us.

Jeff Nelson

STARS Director

Working on a craft project

Hanging out during free time

Ashley and Jennifer are two former STARS students who are involved as volunteers again this year. They often help and encourage Jean in the kitchen.

Several of our former STARS students are back to help us as volunteers, and it is encouraging to see them take on more responsibility.

It has been great having Shannon Barker and her family join us as active volunteer leaders. Shannon has been leading chapel as well as our special projects.

Amy, pictured below in the yellow, is one of our returning Wittenberg students who helps as a mentor and volunteer.

Also pictured are two of our new students playing pool together.

Biblical Justice (Why We Do What We Do)

A couple weeks ago during staff devotions we had an interesting conversation about justice and righteousness and how that relates to what we do here at SCYM. Typically, when we think about our programs (such as STARS, Wise Guys, or Girl Power), justice isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Mercy, compassion, or love seem to be more obvious characteristics of our mission, and they are certainly key elements in why we do what we do. But if we fail to consider biblical justice among our core values as we work with Springfield city kids, we fail in recognizing one of our chief Christian responsibilities.

Justice is the quality of upholding that which is right and condemning that which is evil. A just man will not only deal fairly and rightly with everyone he knows, but he will also seek to correct the wrongs done to others. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, we have lived in a world marked by injustice. Certain people have profited from the injustices caused by sin, while others have suffered immensely. In reading the bible, we see that God has always condemned the unjust, and He has actively protected those who suffered at their hands. Just as we Christians seek to imitate God's love, mercy, and holiness, we also ought to be imitating His justice.

Some people have been more greatly affected by the injustice caused by sin than others. We see that everyday here at SCYM. Children who grow up in homes marked by violence, desertion, and poverty will never be afforded the same opportunities I was as a child. The effects of sin have destroyed their families, and they have a lot of ground to make up if they wish to compete with the "normal" kids in our society. At SCYM, we seek to fight injustices that cause such inequality for children who have done nothing to deserve it. This is why we mentor. This is why we pray with them and display values that can change their lives. In doing so, we fight for the broken and oppressed, and offer hope of a better world that only the Love of God can reveal.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be writing in a bit more detail about God's justice here on the blog. Please come back and read, and pray about how God wants you to practice justice in Springfield.