Again, the weather was perfect. I brought my camera, hence the pictures, and even brought some old-school DC Talk to liven things up a bit. Not that things needed livening up.

I do think the message is getting through to these kids. They are finding out that Somebody really does love them. They are discovering this Jesus, (hopefully) deciding to follow Him, and at some point defending what they believe when others question their faith.

I still remember Ronnie Johnson from Memphis. He was from the neighborhood and had done his share of drugs (both using and selling) and being a general all-around low-life. His testimony was his transformation. People simply couldn’t believe this was the same guy from way back. They marveled at how different he was. He made sure to point to Jesus as the reason why.

Jesus really is the only one who can save communities. Not government programs or welfare or the lottery. Only Jesus can rescue people from themselves and their poor choices. Only Jesus can take broken lives and make them whole again. Only Jesus can take what was dead and make it come alive.

I’m praying for miracles. Not necessarily the Lazarus raised from the dead kind, although that would be nice. I mean the kind where this neighborhood is transformed by the grace of God into a place where people go to meet Jesus and leave as different people. Where instead of coming here to buy drugs, people come to find God’s salvation. I’m praying God will raise up a whole generation from this place who will be the next missionaries and pastors and evangelists. Who knows? Maybe the next Billy Graham or Martin Luther King, Jr.?

With people it’s a pipe dream, but with God anything’s possible.

I can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow night.