WE Just Bought a Van for Release Ministries

It was my first trip to the Douglas County Youth Detention Center. I walked through the building with the chaplain from Release Ministries. The cement walls and iron doors were in sharp contrast to his soft heart. He told me stories of how he used to live in a place much worse. The kids flocked to him. He encouraged some of them and offered tough words of love to others.

I noticed a boy in one of rooms. He looked a lot like my older son, Benjamin. The boy was probably a few years older. He seemed overwhelmed. I spoke to him for a few moments. He was shy and polite. I wondered why he was there. Not necessarily what he did, but why he did what he did. Did he have a dad who loved him? Was he seeking attention because nobody would give him attention? And I thought about where he would go when he got out of jail. What would happen to him next? 

After my tour, the founder of the ministry and the chaplain tried to sell me on the ministry. They didn’t need to. I was already sold. Investing in youth, visiting the prisoner, loving hurting people—it’s all in the front and center in the Gospel.

Today, a couple years later, The Water’s Edge and Release Ministry are partners. WE provide mentors and Bible study leaders. WE have done work projects at their group homes. WE support one of their missionaries financially.

I was recently challenged by one of our Release Bible study leaders to have The Water’s Edge buy a van for Release Ministries. He said it was a critical need and that he would make the first gift. It sounded like a big challenge which is the kind WE prefer. Last Sunday morning, for the first time, you learned of this need. And you responded the same way you always respond—with vision and generosity. WE not only met our goal to pay for the van in full – WE exceeded that goal by nearly $2,500. Last fall, Release asked us to build a deck at one of their group homes. We now have the money for the materials for the deck and will construct it this spring. 

A van is making its way around Omaha this week. A houseparent drives it. The passengers are teenagers who have recently been released from jail and are looking to get their lives back on track. They are being taken to schools, counseling appointments, and various other places to learn life skills. Your gift has made this possible. I am so grateful for your commitment to Christ and generosity to the world!

The best is yet to come… 

Craig

WE Give - Sermon

A sermon on living a generous life.


2 Corinthians 9

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!