By Gareth Unruh, Chief Ministry Officer
Today I mourn – I mourn for the lives lost in our city because of a society that has failed our young people. Don’t hear that I condone their behavior or try to explain away their choices. I do believe the most spiritual thing we can do is choose. Every behavior is because of something under the surface. However, when attachment hasn’t happened, and trauma continues to affect the brain and actions, when survival mode is all they can operate in, that is an us issue in society.
I believe in the local church, I know that we have a Savior who can intervene in all of this! I believe that He has sent me. He has sent us!
In this environment I’m seeking to be more anti-racist, more caring for the other, kinder and more considerate to those who are vulnerable and wear a mask for others that have a compromised immune system. My understanding of living for Christ is that posture.
I’m more dedicated today more than ever to come alongside our young people in their mental health needs – today more than ever young people feel helpless and hopeless.
I’m more dedicated than ever to resource and provide opportunities for parenting teenagers.
I’m more dedicated than ever to step into the lives of young people who are incarcerated and to follow up with them through mentoring in the community, to see them become lifelong followers of Christ.
I’m more dedicated than ever to believe and invest in our indigenous leaders from their communities and to assist them in seeking the change they want to see in their neighborhoods!
I don’t mourn without hope, because we know that God has called us to bring peace, now! His presence, now! His love, acceptance, and care, now! Heaven to Earth, now!
Thank you for being a part of the ongoing conversation with youth in our city and helping us share God’s story. It’s our honor to be the storytellers on your behalf who meet kids right where they are and give life to their story.
Providing young people in our community with the opportunity to make an informed decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ and become part of a local church.