For Him and Them by Dean Cowles, YPN President

A monthly message from YouthPartnersNET President Dean Cowles.

For Him and Them by Dean Cowles

July 2006

We're preparing to return to Indianapolis and Shepherd Community this month, the place where Cheryl and I began our ministry to the inner city over 20 years ago. We're going to help them celebrate the dedication of their new facility and property which will double their capacity to reach this needy Eastside neighborhood.

Summer Day Camp at Shepherd's Community

But I must admit, we're going with mixed emotions. Recently you may have heard in the news of the Hispanic family who was murdered, execution style, in their home on the Eastside of Indianapolis. When I heard the news and saw the picture of their family, I immediately called Jay who took my place as Pastor and Director at Shepherd. He said, "Yes Dean, please have your folks pray for us. That family came to our outreach ministries. The picture you saw in your paper was the only one the police could find in the house and it was taken at our community Christmas party."

...what if the two young men who murdered this innocent family were in our summer programs?

As I hung up the phone, my mind went to last summer when I was there last. I presented Jay with a grant for their summer day camp, which your gifts helped support. I was there when over 150 kids went running up and down basketball courts as several Indiana Pacer NBA players led them in drills and gave their testimony. I couldn't help but wonder if those precious four children who were murdered were there that day. Chances are they were.

Then my mind wandered back 10 years ago to think what if the two young men who murdered this innocent family were in our summer programs back then. Maybe they were, but there's really no way to know. I just believe in my heart that any young person who had the privilege to spend a summer learning about love and Jesus in our outreach programs could not find it in their heart to take the lives of others in such a brutal and calculated way. That is why YouthPartnersNET and ministry partners like Shepherd continue to spread love, hope, and the good news about Jesus.

So we're going with some sadness but also with some hope. Hope that comes by way of your gifts. The Lord blessed YPN last month with a large unforeseen gift so we just feel we should pass on a blessing to our ministry partners during this time of grief and yet new beginnings.

I want to take a "love gift" to these dedicated workers and volunteers to encourage them to keep up the good work. You can imagine the emotions they must be going through. We will also share your love and prayers with them, for we are all part of the body of Christ, commissioned to lift up the fallen and those that are broken. You may want to give an extra "house warming" gift this month which we'll pass along to Shepherd Community as they move into this wonderful new facility that God has given them to increase their efforts to bring hope and salvation "to the least of these".

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe this summer.

Check out Shepherd Community's website to see pictures of their new building.

For Him and Them,

Dean Cowles

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