We Didn't Preach

Young men behind bars?

The young men were bouncing a ball behind bars. They weren't in jail - yet. On 7th Street, deep in the heart of a violent, segregated and impoverished city, young men played a game. They stayed busy at least for a couple of hours. There was a drug deal or two on the sidewalk but mostly is was young people playing ball. Is there any value in a basketball court? Is there a "Return On Investment" in building a Youth Center? Is there another way to reach young people with a positive, life changing message?

Most churches and community organizations schedule events that help people. That in itself is a community enhancing activity. Some folks seek out missionary opportunities and paint houses or do evangelistic outreaches. There may be a more excellent way - the unscheduled way. I hope that after you read this, you go play some basketball.

We stepped out of the Youth Center with a bag of chocolate chip cookies and some drinks. We walked across the street to the packed basketball court and smiled. Some of the young people who were not yet playing, gathered and asked if they could have some of our snacks. Food is a great tool in relationship building. One of us sat on the sideline with the food and the other went and played ball.

We talked about a shirt that one guy was wearing that was clearly demeaning to women. We talked about respect when a young girl walked down the street and the group made disparaging remarks about her. We talked about positive words and negative words. We talked about team play. We talked about anger, respect and friendship. One guy said that his brothers were in jail. He was trying to stay busy so he wouldn't end up there too. We watched some folks who were very "high" stagger down the street.

 One player fell down with an ankle injury. I walked over, touched his ankle and said: "Be healed in Jesus Name." The only other time I mentioned Jesus is when we left. I always smile and say: "Jesus loves you and so do we!" There was no preaching, no sermons, no altar calls and we did not count the number of salvation's that happened. We planted seeds. For everything there is a season.

You may find a gathering place in your neighborhood. If you want to be a missionary, go hang out there. Just go show some interest in people without expectation. Go love somebody. Go the extra mile.

Thanks for your time. Jesus loves you and so do we.