So you may be wondering exactly what this “Leadership Academy” at Urban Youth Impact does? The majority of our programming is based in this endeavor. We created this video to help explain exactly what it is that we “do.” However, there is so much that you can not fit into 3 minutes. First of all we were not able to talk about how on Wednesdays we have “Arts Day,” where we run 2 choirs, arts classes and an African quilting class. Or the fact that every week we have a Biblically Based theme that everything in the week ties into. This way children understand that the Word should be written on their minds and in their hearts. The way that each group is broken down by grade so that their specific age related needs are being met. Then there is the involvement that we have with the parents. It is our responsibility to show them that we are not there to replace them, but to walk out this life with them…
However, the hardest thing to convey in a short little pictorial montage is the heart behind what we do. We take the words of 1 Peter 4:10 &11 very seriously, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” All that we say and do is for the glory of Christ. This might be the uniforms we wear, the meetings we attend or the homework we help with. The Bible Study portion of the day is the easy part. This is the time when it feels obvious that we are bringing the Gospel. Yet, it is all the other moments of the day when we “show” Jesus. We live out James 2 :”What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” Homework, snacks these are the practical needs that help a child get through the day that back up what we say. We shine the light of Christ, bringing the Gospel as we walk out our faith. Sometimes you just need to “SEE” the GOOD NEWS!!
Mostly though, we take what we do very seriously. Each staff person within our beloved “TLA” sees themselves as caretakers of the little band that the Lord has given them. </div><div> </div>”Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:2-5 We love doing what we do, not because we have to, but because we want to. The “money” is not the deciding factor behind the life of a missionary. We do it because we have been loved first. When that love is full then all we can do is to give it away. It spills out onto the lives around us. In this case it makes us “examples” to the children of the city… This is what transforms lives…
