Epheshians 1:5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ Men of Courage Part 11 Story 11 On any given night in 2018 over 36,000 youth are counted as homeless in the US. Homeless youth are 46% higher risk of experiencing violence, sex trafficking and/or involvement in drugs. 50% of the youth who age out of the fostercare or judicial programs are homeless within 6 month of leaving the system. Jake moved to Colorado when he was 10 years old to be closer to his mothers family. His father was incarcerated in his native Georgia. Jake's mother was unequipped to take care of Jake and his brother so when they were 15 and 17 respectively they left home. Jake fell into the normal street trapping, smoking and selling pot, drinking, partying and dropped out of high school. It was at this time a friend of a friend literally picked him off the street and let him move in with them....it was that Christmas they gave him a bible. In his own words," since I had dropped out of school I had a lot of time on my hands and started to read. I read day after day, week after week and month into the next. I was invited to church and after hearing the pastor speak I realized what I had read made sense and I gave my life to the Lord". Jake made a u turn at the this point in his life. He was now living with his friends parents and working in their family construction company, learning a trade. In going to church with them he met the pastors at the Wellspring church. After a while they asked him to be the youth pastor. He prayed and felt it was the right direction for his life. I met Jake a year ago. He and my son Jack became instant friends. I too instantly liked the kid. He is goofy and fun, exactly what teenagers need to see to get outside themselves. He is polite, kind and truly engaged in the teens lives. He loves Jesus and serves this small church with his whole heart. I have watched him this week at VBS, serve the children on a total volunteer basis. At 23 Jake is an inspiration to us all. I'm in awe of this incredible young man. I pray his story inspires others to step Up and in. Men of Courage where are you?
