Carenet Volunteers and Leon Best
Ministry can be defined by quiet encounters where God aligns our steps with men who simply need to know they are seen and valued. This past month in Acres Homes, through partnerships with local organizations, God granted me two moments with young men in their twenties looking for hope.
During a local church outreach, I was serving alongside a crisis pregnancy team in a room full of expectant mothers. Stationed at the refreshment table, we began offering prayer to those in line. That was when I met Jay, a young man in his twenties who was standing quietly beside his pregnant girlfriend. When I asked how I could pray for him, his face fell into a heavy, somber look. Jay shared that he desired a fresh start, but as I followed his gaze down, I noticed a distinct bulge in his pant leg right above his shoe. He quietly revealed it was an ankle monitor, the weight of his past literally wrapped around his leg. Placing my hand on his shoulder, he reached out and tenderly grabbed his girlfriend’s hand. I prayed with Jay right there into his situation, asking God to break through his shame so he could truly feel the depth of Christ’s love and forgiveness.
Later that week at a neighborhood outreach in Garden City, I noticed another young man standing on the perimeter, watching the festivities. I walked over, introduced myself, and invited him to take some school supplies for his family. Donte shared that he had just moved in with his mother in a nearby apartment unit and was simply curious. As I shared about our ministry, he looked at me and quietly admitted he had just been released from jail. He had no phone and no job, but a willingness to work hard and a desire for a clean slate. Standing on that sidewalk, looking at the word “Faith” tattooed across his neck, I shared the Gospel with Donte, assuring him that Jesus cared about his story and his future. He listened intently, deeply moved that someone took time to engage him and this underserved community. I invited him to join me for an upcoming prayer walk in his hood.
Too many young men in underserved communities carry heavy burdens in silence, feeling completely invisible. Please pray with us that God continues to prepare me for these quiet encounters, providing the resources and discipleship needed for these young men to become Christian leaders in their families that God has created them to be, transforming Acres Homes into a thriving Great Commission community.
Sincerely,
Leon Best
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