Consistent Positive Pressure

This summer Pete and I went to visit a 13 year old young man in the hospital who had been shot in the stomach during a drive-by shooting. The gang violence this spring and summer has been challenging throughout Chicago. It is one of the unfortunate realities of both our neighborhood and our city. There is an epidemic of hurting young people who are hurting other young people. In communities where gangs are prevalent, as Pastor Phil Jackson puts it, “hopelessness and resiliency co-exist.” In other words, “the future looks grim, but I am going to be strong in the midst of this hopelessness.” Too many young people have been either directly or indirectly affected by violence. Too many young people have lost family members and friends to gun violence, some have even witnessed it. Young people are hurting, they are looking for direction, and they are looking for a place to belong. I recently heard Pastor Wayne “Coach” Gordon quote notorious former gang leader Jeff Fort saying, “We (the gangs) will always have the youth because we make them feel important.” That is a profound and troubling statement. Those are challenging words for those of us doing youth ministry in the city. Those are challenging words to the Church! Phil Jackson said this, “the only way you can really change it (the challenge with urban youth) is through consistent positive pressure for a long period of time.” We, the body of Christ, must give our lives to applying this “consistent positive pressure.” It will take much prayer. It will take intentionally investing our lives into the lives of young people. It will be hard. It will be messy. It will be worth it.


During our recent Montana visit I was reminded of 1 Thessalonians 2:8. It reads, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” Paul was saying that he not only shared the message of the hope of Christ, but through relationships and doing life together, he shared the love of Christ in tangible ways. Pastor Danny Lopez recently shared that one of the best practices for youth ministry is this, “practice loving God, then practice loving kids with the love of God, and watch God do a miracle.” Whether you live in Chicago, or Paw Paw, or Bozeman, or Mamelodi, or anywhere in between, let’s give our lives to Christ-exalting life on life ministry!