It is incredible to watch God’s deep love awaken hearts to His rescue. We were invited into a mentoring role by a precious couple with three little ones. We have known Jules for 20 years, and we are getting to know Jas. Abuse, growing up too fast, surrounded by substance abuse as kids, and experimenting as adults are some areas we have covered over the months. When Jas first came, his eyes held a protective veneer; he rarely shared, and his arms were crossed.
Today, one arm rests on the back of Jules’ chair, laughter spreads across his face as he shares in his still, quiet way, “Our home is more peaceful now. I still have lots to learn, but this is so much better.” In September, Jas and my husband Manuel went to World Impact’s Siafu Men’s Retreat – something we could not have envisioned months ago. He and Jules are going to church together and both have jobs now to support their family. Trust is being rebuilt after an affair two years ago. Jas is doing his own Bible study homework. His heart is being drawn toward the Lord, and while he lacks the confidence to talk about this, we can see the changes occurring as he reads the Word. We see Christ’s rescue in the faces of the children and in the life that is flowing through their relationship.
Thirty years ago, World Impact Fresno began in our downtown location. Over time, the World Impact Center has been a place of crazy teen Bible clubs, basketball leagues, urban mission exposure trips, offices, and more stories than we can count. Increasingly, we are being blessed to steward this resource as a place for the urban poor to launch their God-given visions. A ministry to trafficked women, several basketball leagues, gym class for a neighborhood charter school aimed at providing urban youth with an innovative education, space for church plants, the Sonshine Thrift Store, and a food ministry to the homeless through one of our church plants have transformed this place into a hub of compassion and justice activity. We are so encouraged to see the fruitfulness for the Kingdom that is occurring through the World Impact Center. Pray with us as we to seek God on how we can continue to use this space for the urban poor in our community.
