What was Jesus VisionThe Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me Jesus has been filled with the Spirit at his baptism, and now he explains the purpose of that filling. He has been appointed and anointed (‘messiahed’) to accomplish this Isaianic prophecy: the rescue of Israel.to proclaim good news to the poor. This idea of announcing good news (euangelizomai) sets the tone of Jesus’ ministry. He has not come announcing judgement, but help for the needy ones. His mission is primarily one of salvation. Luke-Acts is remarkable in its avoidance of anything condemnatory towards the poor or oppressed. To them, Jesus’ message is uniformly one of ‘good news.’ He comes speaking ‘words of grace’ (4:22).

How to Start an Inner-City Ministry

Rehabilitation is a reality in Christ

The Majority of Black Youth

• Come from broken homes

• No father

• Intellectually Challenged

• No religious training

• Have an addiction problem

• No role models in community

• The Church must….

• Help rebuild families

• Be fathers for fatherless

• Encourage education

• Provide tutors and mentors

• Provide Christian Re-Hab (12 Step programs)

• Visit the prisoners

Ministry of Rehabilitation

• Outside of the prison…

• Help families that have men in prison.

• Have job training programs for inmates

• Hire Inmates (Even menial task are worthwhile)

• Pray

• Visit Youth Facilities and County Jails

• State prisons have training programs for volunteers.

• Send Bibles and training material to inmates

• Establish programs to help inmates re-integrate into society and family.

Preventive Measures

• “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child…”

• “True religion is to visit the widow and the FATHERLESS..”

• Discipline can be FUN!

• Children need discipline

• There is a mandate for the men of the church to help fatherless boys and women the same for girls.

• Sports can provide discipline

Extra-Church Activities

• For Boys…

• Boys Scouts / Cub Scouts

• Sports

• Art

• Drama

• Music

• Big Brother

• For Girls…

• Girl Scouts / Brownies

• Sports

• Art

• Drama

• Music

• Mother / Daughter events

Scared Straight

• Be honest and blunt with at risk youth

• Show them the disadvantages of street life.

• Be transparent

• Have people that have recovered talk to your youth.

• Plan a trip to the County Jail

• Show them examples on the street

• Don’t be afraid to stage an intervention if needed

• Be loving and not judgemental

What is YOUR Church’s Vision

What is YOUR Vision

Do they line up With Jesus Vision?

Have you talked to God about it?