For Him and Them by Dean Cowles, YPN President

A monthly message from YouthPartnersNET President Dean Cowles.

For Him and Them by Dean Cowles

October 2006

I'm writing this from the White House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in Denver, CO. My good friend Jay Hein was recently appointed as the President's Director for faith-based funding. (Jay is in the middle of the photo below. Kris is on the left and her group received a faith-based grant with YPN's assistance. That's me on the right.)

Dean, Jay, and Kris at the White House Conference

In his opening remarks Jay said that it is faith-based groups like those we serve around the country who will change the face of poverty in America. "The government is committed to combining compassion with common sense - getting resources to the local communities, block by block. The President calls this - 'Armies of Compassion'. You and those you serve are why we're here today, to help you fulfill your mission."

Jay concluded his remarks by saying that one of the most significant calls he received when he was appointed this fall was not from a Senator or Governor but from a local ministry leader in New Orleans. She and her pastor husband just wanted to "pray for Jay". I know Jay well and indeed he has a great heart for ministries like those we serve. He was an instrumental supporter of the ministry we started back in Indianapolis called Shepherd Community. Will you commit with us to "pray for Jay"? Thank you.

we were able to ship 4,344 Bibles within two months...

Now you can pray for us. While the federal government can help ministries like Kris' organization Sun Valley Youth Center with training, staff salaries, utilities, etc., it cannot use funds for religious materials like the My City My God Bibles we give to our partners. That's where your prayers and support come in. Your gifts help us purchase these Bibles for our partners. In fact, International Bible Society called us to help them design a new edition. They are going to hire one of the former gang members from Sun Valley to do the urban artwork for this new edition.

Last year we received a one time $5,000 grant to purchase and ship Bibles to our ministry partners. Requests came in so fast that we were able to ship 4,344 Bibles to our ministry partners within two months. But now those funds are gone and we continue to get requests from around the country. We'd like to ask all our donors if they could give a special Thanksgiving gift to YouthPartnersNET this holiday season to help us purchase more bibles. For every $50 gift, we can ship 30 bibles to our partners. Just note "Bible Fund" on the memo line of your check.

Have a great Thanksgiving and as you open your bible for devotions, remember to pray for these children and youth who are opening theirs.

For Him and Them,

Dean Cowles

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