ROCHESTER
YOUTH OUTREACH
January 2007
Dear Friends,
We
are writing you this newsletter to inform you of what God is doing in Rochester
among not only the youth, but the families and communities in which they live.
This is our attempt to reveal to you how God is working in the 19th
Ward of Rochester, the demonstration of His power through miracles among the
youth, and the growth of this ministry.
“Do
not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work
begin.” Zechariah 4.10a
In our short time working in the 19th Ward, we have begun to appreciate the beauty of this idea; the Lord rejoices over the beginnings of a labor in His name, and for Him. Through the successes and the struggles involved in this ministry, we have seen how He is guiding our efforts, and glorifying his name!
This past summer, His Branches and Grace Family Medicine did a community needs assessment in the 19th Ward. The aim of the survey was to determine the status of healthcare access for residents in the neighborhood. It became apparent in talking with the community that keeping youth off the streets was foremost in many minds. The increase in violence this summer fueled many of those sentiments. High rates of STDs, teen pregnancy, abortion, gang participation and drug use have, in many people’s minds, taken over the area.
Independent of each other, the Lord
placed a desire to help at-risk inner city youth and their families on our
hearts, and after seeing this great need we could not walk away. With the Lord
determining our steps, we set our eyes on the goal. The result is this ministry:
Rochester Youth Outreach. It is an after school program aimed at attracting
youth ages 10-18 which meets each Thursday from 2-9 pm in the back of His
Branches. Our goals are the following:
 | Provide
a place of refuge from the streets. We want the young people we serve to
make themselves at home with us! We keep our doors open as long as possible
each week, to send a solid message that we are here to stay, and we love
them! |
| Meet
material needs. We provide a nutritious meal every week for each youth. We
take nothing home with us and make sure that kids’ needs are met for the
week as well. They are encouraged to take food home. Teens provide
suggestions for what is served. This past week alone, we fed 25-30 youth! |
| Provide
mentoring and positive role models. We want to encourage and validate each
one who comes through our door! We seek to establish solid friendships with
each and every one, and through these friendships to effect positive change
in their lives. Our phone numbers and contact information are given freely
to each one, and they are encouraged to call whenever needed. |
| Meet
spiritual needs through a committed relationship to Jesus Christ. As
Christians we know that true contentment and purpose can only be achieved
through a living and active love relationship with Jesus. In all our actions
we seek to be a witness to the Living God, speaking of God’s love for the
youth and when we have enough volunteers we have youth appropriate
devotionals. We also take them to church occasionally and encourage regular
and active fellowship with other Christians. |
| Provide homework help and tutoring. A primary goal
of ours is to empower the youth to realize their true potential, and enable
them to succeed. We are actively seeking out more volunteers to help us, and
hope to expand this portion of our outreach through recruiting education
majors and volunteers with this talent. |
January
11th marked the eighth week of the after school program. During these
two months, the Lord has provided for us again and again in so many ways! His
Branches generously donated the use of a space perfectly suited for youth
ministry. The main conference room is used as a general community center (a
space for board games, food, indoor games, and devotions). The back area
provides many functions. The cubicles are used for individualized activities
like tutoring and homework help (and they are great hiding spaces for
hide-and-go-seek!). We have begun to make contacts with local churches,
particularly Word of Life Fellowship on Post Avenue. We are in the process of
negotiating the use of their facilities as well, which include a gym and
computer lab. We are recruiting volunteers from Elim Bible Institute, Roberts
Wesleyan College, and neighborhood churches as well as interested individuals.
It
has been our consistent prayer these past weeks that every youth who comes has
been sent by the Lord. God has truly moved among them, as we have seen many
begin to trust and confide in us. Many have been open to discussing spiritual
and personal issues. Two weeks ago two of God’s beloved children came to trust
and rely on Him. This was a very special and powerful time for us. Each week we
see God’s provision as our food is multiplied to feed everyone who walks
through the door. We always have just enough.
Over
the past eight weeks, a transition from strangers to friends to family has
occurred. Over games of Scrabble and bowls of macaroni and cheese, we are able
to share ourselves, and the kids have responded tremendously. One young woman
(13) was able to share with me (Jess) about the recent loss of her father. I was
able to empathize with her because of the recent loss of my sister. She told me
stories about the things she keeps from her father - his old clothes and a watch
that doesn’t work, a ring that’s too big, and pictures of their times
together. We spoke of the comfort these things bring as I showed her the cross
that adorns my neck from my sister. It is these commonalities, these things
ordained by God, which He has chosen to bring us together. Each night as the
program is ending we make it a point to walk each child home to ensure safety
and to meet parents. Last week I put my coat on to walk two girls home. Two of
the older boys, 17 and 14 asked me if I was leaving. Thinking they wanted to
know if they had to leave as well, I told them they could stay with Greg until I
returned. Quick to interject, they replied they wanted to walk with me because
it was dangerous to walk alone. Quicker still, they put on their coats and
followed me outside! Such loving behavior is one example of how we are becoming
family with our kids, and how God is continuing to move in our midst!
We
can always tell when we are late, because an alarm sounds - his name is Max. Max
(12) was the first youth we befriended, and he is faithful to come each week,
often beating us there (and then yelling at us for being late 
). The fact that Max cares so
much about us being late means we must be doing something right. Jacanna (18),
another faithful young woman is always happy to come and fellowship with us and
other youth. Her happiness is often reported to us through her parents who say
that she can’t wait until Thursday so she can see us. We have begun to
strengthen our relationship by worshiping the Lord with her, and deepening the
relationship with her family. As her friends it is our hope to speak into her
life, and encourage her on her Christian journey.
As
an organic entity is born, grows, and multiplies we believe that this is what
the Lord has established for His kingdom. It is our vision to see this ministry
grow as well. We hope to serve a larger population of kids, and increase our
ability to help meet felt needs. We desire to incorporate more volunteers into
the program (in fact this is a dire need). Many kids have pleaded with us to be
open on more than just Thursdays, and we would like to open at least one more
day a week. Also with more volunteers comes the ability to offer more
specialized activities such as a woman’s Bible study, a men’s group, more in
depth tutoring, music lessons, and sports and game tournaments. It is also very
important to us to meet material needs. In order to do this, we would like to
collect season specific clothing for the kids to take if needed. On more than
one occasion, children have requested these things from us. We would also like
to offer more food as well as general hygiene products: tooth brushes,
shampoo/conditioner, lotion, and soap. One of our hopes is to instill in the
youth the idea of constructive and destructive activities: that good, clean fun
is ideal, rather than negative and risky behavior. In order to show them this,
we desire to participate in fun activities outside of the program. I mean,
everyone loves bowling!
We understand that it takes a village
to raise a child, and we long to see positive social change ushered into these
areas of Rochester. In order for this program to be successful long-term we
recognize that we need to partner with the community. We are actively seeking
out ways to network with local churches, businesses, and existing youth
programs.
We need your help!
1.
Please pray for us! Pray that God would move in mighty
ways in the community and the lives of each child! Pray that His Spirit would be
poured out afresh, and a renewed hunger for Him will arise! Pray that He would
strengthen us for the work He has for us!
2.
PLEASE COME HELP
We have a tremendous amount of wonderful kids, who
desire your love, and would greatly benefit from knowing you! If you have a gift
that we haven’t talked about, we are eager to talk to you. Call or contact one
of us if you want to help.
3.
Financial or material contributions, if you feel so
led!
·
Clothes
·
Hygiene Products
· Food and drink: We serve dinner and snacks so anything
along these lines would be greatly appreciated!
· For financial contributions make checks payable to
“His Branches, Inc.” then write “Rochester Youth Outreach” on the memo
line and send to:
His
Branches
340
Arnett Blvd.
Rochester,
NY 14619
Donations
are tax-deductible, and receipts are available upon request.
We
thank you for taking the time to read this letter!
Blessings and Love to you,
Gregory
Lewis and Jessica Speares
~ Affectionately known by
our kids as Mr. G, and Miss J ~
To reach us:
Gregory Lewis
Jessica
Speares
Houghtongreg@yahoo.com jess@rocyo.org
(585) 610-6764
(585) 355-1317
“When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit. “ Ephesians 3.14-16
Click here for a copy of our January 2007 Newsletter in printable PDF format
