Another church crisis...

[Preacherman0]

Well youngsters, asking again for your prayers for our church.  As you may recall, we have engaged in an ongoing battle here about how to reach out to african-american/hispanic children and youth in our community.  Most people want it to continue, but some will do anything they can to stop us (or at least hinder us) from doing this kind of work.  We seemed to be headed in a good direction, since the first black student EVER joined the church a few weeks ago.

Then I get the news this morning:  three teenagers who have been attending the youth group have been charged with murder.  All three african-american.  I'll spare you the huge list of problems, issues, difficulties as well as "teachable moments" that this presents.  I'm sure you can figure it out for yourselves.

Just ask that you pray for the family of the man who was killed (he was a drug dealer, but still), the families of the boys, the boys themselves, the community, and the church.  Honestly, I'm almost numb right now.  Knew all three of these kids fairly well, and I can't tell you how deflating it is to realize how many lives have been devastated by this. 

[Big Virgil]

Preach - You are a good man, fightin the fight.  It's a fight, because it isn't easy, and too hard for most of us to join in.

My thoughts are with you.

[jonzr]

That's unfortunate on every level.  Hopefully your community can pull together.

[pensodyssey]

Yep, that's a rough one for ya.