By Sam Johnson
On November 21, 2009 the West Angeles Young Adult Ministry came full circle by doing their annual Thanksgiving Outreach as they ministered and spoke words of encouragement to the youth at the Los Angeles East Central Juvenile Detention Center. Several churches in the metropolitan LA area offered a plethora of helping hands joining forces as they all gathered at the campus sanctuary around 2PM to begin the afternoon with a moment of prayer in preparation of what many have said was a life changing experience. About 70 young adults showed up on behalf of West Angeles Young Adult ministry which is headed by Elder Benjamin Stephens and Co-Pastor Elder Manual Thomas.
The afternoon began with a soft spirit of praise and a calm atmosphere of worship as the minds of the volunteers quickly became consumed with thoughts of inspiration and motivation to uplift the troubled teens. As the detention center director orchestrated protocol for the duration of the evening, the churches were separated which allowed each conglomerate to establish a personal connection with the youth. From the terrific tasting turkey to the jaw dropping dressing, the youth not only received food for their soul; but little did they know a small side of desert for their spirit would enhance the element of surprise.
Upon the entrance of the volunteers, the faces of the youth lit up with joy as many of them could not contain the excitement they possessed inside. However, the youth were not the only ones with smiling faces. As the volunteers served meals, exchanging jokes and life stories with these young men women it brought great delight to them to see what type of impact they could have in such a short span of time.
Vernell Mitchell, a 2008 Graduate of Clark Atlanta University spoke with a group of young men about his life experiences and how he allowed his faith and relationship in God to help steer his life in the right direction. Mitchell, 25, was one of the first individuals to offer his services due to a sincere passion that he has for prison ministry. Mitchells claims “My most significant memory was during my testimony the young men were very receptive and I felt the connection I made with them. To see young men give their life to Christ showed me the impact I could have”. Vernell has had several experiences in his past that have formed a bond in what he believes was the key that started the ignition in his drive to begin his own prison ministry. He also believes that people who are incarcerated shouldn’t have such negative stereotypes “They were very receptive to me and what I had to say. They were very respectful. I think that there’s a negative stereotype of those that are incarcerated. The behavior reinforced the belief that these are not bad people. They just made a bad decision. However, none of them bragged or glorified what caused them to be in their current predicament”.
Another volunteer who is always honored to take part in this outreach is Tamanika Brown of West Angeles Cathedral. Brown has been an active participant for the last few years and looks forward to this time of year and claims the time with these individuals is “the opportunity to change a person’s life and give them a different outlook on life”. She has a special place in her heart for people of this stature and is extremely enticed about the idea of any opportunity she’s granted to touch the lives of America’s youth. Tamanika is a firm believer that she not only influences the people who are incarcerated, but they had a major impact on her life as well stating “I feel that they impact me because it made me realize I need to do this outside of holidays. It exemplifies the scripture “What you do unto the least of those you do unto me.” It was truly a blessing to interact with the young men especially because they don’t normally open the facilities.”
As the hours quickly went past the teens received something that many of them thought was not possible; a revelation that there is still hope for a bright future ahead of them. As they listened to the words of the volunteers, pastors, and mentors the fire that initially burned in their desire to succeed was rekindled. Many of the teens had typical dreams of going to college, getting married, starting a family and visions of the standard American dream. But as some of them got lost in their journeys, a hope for these dreams to become realities evaporated into thin air. Upon playing games, heart to heart conversations, prayers and pearls of wisdom the youth gained an understanding that all things are possible, they can still turn their lives around and it’s never too late. After leaving the LA East Central Detention Center, it was obvious that this place is full of dreamers and there are a host of destinies waiting to be fulfilled; but the end result will depend upon the person whose trying to fulfill them. The great Langston Hughes posed a question that applies to all of us “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” If the youth take head to the words they received and apply them to their lives and the future generation their dreams will not be deferred; but more importantly they will not dry up like a raisin in the sun.
